nationals

Postseason bench will be strong, but who's odd man out?

August 01, 2017, 1:23pm

With the addition of veteran infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick, the Nationals have the makings of an extremely lethal offense starting eight and bench. The club will be especially potent when it gets back starters Jayson Werth, Michael A. Taylor and Trea Turner. Taylor appears the closest of those three to getting back. He began his rehab assignment Monday night for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals, going 0-for-2 with a strikeout as the designated hitter. He looked very good shagging fly...

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On emotional night in Miami, Gonzalez pitches game of his life

July 31, 2017, 7:21pm

Nationals

On emotional night in Miami, Gonzalez pitches game of his life

MIAMI - When it was over, when Dee Gordon lined his 1-1 curveball cleanly into left-center field to open the bottom of the ninth to end his flirtation with history, Gio Gonzalez knew it was time to call it a night. There were still three outs to go before the Nationals could secure a 1-0 victory over the Marlins, and Gonzalez's pitch count was a manageable 106. But this wasn't about workload or trying to go the distance. Emotionally speaking, the lefty was done. "I'll be honest with you: It...

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Taylor begins rehab assignment with Potomac (Nats win 1-0)

July 31, 2017, 3:54pm

Nationals

Taylor begins rehab assignment with Potomac (Nats win 1-0)

MIAMI - Michael A. Taylor began a rehab assignment with Single-A Potomac this evening, the first of several much-anticipated steps for the Nationals as they try to get their starting lineup healthy again. Taylor, who has been out since July 7 with a strained right oblique muscle, led off and served as designated hitter for the Potomac Nationals in his first game action in nearly four weeks. Taylor had just recently been cleared to resume full baseball activities after being limited to light...

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Gonzalez loses no-hitter in ninth, Doolittle saves 1-0 victory

July 31, 2017, 5:24pm

Nationals

Gonzalez loses no-hitter in ninth, Doolittle saves 1-0 victory

MIAMI - Imagine the emotions Gio Gonzalez must have felt when he took the mound tonight at Marlins Park. He was pitching in his hometown, with family and friends in attendance. He was pitching in the ballpark that hosted the All-Star Game three weeks ago, a game the left-hander desperately wanted to participate in. And he was pitching on what would have been JosÃ© FernÃ¡ndez's 25th birthday, a melancholy reminder of a baseball friend who was lost too soon. Now imagine how Gonzalez managed...

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Nationals "really like the look of our bullpen" after latest trade

July 31, 2017, 2:37pm

Nationals

MIAMI - As the clock wound down to today's 4 p.m. trade deadline, the Nationals were still in discussions with several teams over several late-inning relievers. "A lot of balls in the air," general manager Mike Rizzo said. "You've got a lot of options." When it came time to say yes to one of the deals on the table, the Twins' proposal to send Brandon Kintzler to Washington in exchange for Single-A left-hander Tyler Watson sat best with Rizzo. And so it was that in the final minutes...

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Recapping what happened during a busy period leading to non-waiver trade deadline

July 31, 2017, 4:49pm

Nationals Orioles

Recapping what happened during a busy period leading to non-waiver trade deadline

Last season, the Cubs won their first World Series in 108 seasons. Now they're trying to become the first National League team to win consecutive World Series since the Reds in 1975 and 1976. The Cubs have restocked their roster, trading prospects for big league players. Earlier this month, they acquired pitcher Jose Quintana for the rotation and then got from the Tigers lefty reliever Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila on Sunday. After the break, the Cubs identified their weaknesses -...

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Nats acquire Twins closer Kintzler for Single-A lefty

July 31, 2017, 12:36pm

Nationals

Nats acquire Twins closer Kintzler for Single-A lefty

MIAMI - The Nationals have pulled off a deadline deal for the Twins' Brandon Kintzler, adding another late-inning arm to their reconfigured bullpen for the season's final two months, according to a source familiar with the trade. In exchange for Kintzler, who converted 28-of-32 save opportunities with a 2.78 ERA this year, the Nationals are sending Single-A left-handed Tyler Watson to Minnesota, according to the source. Whether Kintzler takes over ninth-inning duties for the Nationals remains...

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Game 104 lineups: Nats at Marlins

July 31, 2017, 11:27am

Nationals

MIAMI - It has been pouring most of the day here in South Florida, with a tropical storm sweeping through much of the state. Fortunately, the roof at Marlins Park is closed (and hasn't sprung a leak) so the Nationals and Marlins are good to go for tonight's series opener. Gio Gonzalez takes the mound, making yet another start in his hometown. It's the left-hander's 14th career start in Miami, and he has been excellent (7-3, 2.19 ERA). Right-hander JosÃ© UreÃ±a starts for the Marlins....

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Nationals acquire right-hander Brandon Kintzler

July 31, 2017, 12:39pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals acquired right-handed pitcher Brandon Kintzler from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Minor League left-handed pitcher Tyler Watson and international bonus pool money. Additionally, right-handed pitcher Jimmy Cordero has been designated for assignment. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Kintzler, 32, is in his seventh Major League season and his second with the Twins. A career 12-13 with a 3.24 ERA in 271...

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Nats still discussing relievers on trade deadline day

July 31, 2017, 7:09am

Nationals

Nats still discussing relievers on trade deadline day

MIAMI - It's officially July 31, and that means we're now talking about the non-wiaver trade deadline in terms of hours instead of days. The final countdown to 4 p.m. Eastern time has begun. The Nationals, like all 30 clubs, will be engaged in conversations all day, seeing if there's a last-minute deal to be made. But let's be honest: They've probably already made their biggest trade of the summer. The Ryan Madson-Sean Doolittle deal, which was finalized 15 days ago, may not have...

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Lind, Goodwin and Difo highlight a complete Nats offense

July 30, 2017, 7:42pm

Nationals

Lind, Goodwin and Difo highlight a complete Nats offense

The Nationals offense, especially their 3-4-5-6 hitters, has set the tone for a high scoring band of brothers that makes most National League starters uncomfortable. However, with Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman out of the starting lineup in the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Rockies on Sunday, runs were certain to be at a premium. Rockies starter Jon Gray threw a perfect game for four innings. It was the second time in the series the Nats had gone without a hit or a baserunner for at...

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Marty Niland: D.C. needs sports stars like Howard and Zimmerman

July 31, 2017, 6:02am

Nationals

Marty Niland: D.C. needs sports stars like Howard and Zimmerman

Sunday was a day Nationals fans should long remember. On that sunny afternoon, they got to celebrate a baseball milestone along with two men who became stars at times when their teams and fans needed it. In the third inning of the Nats' 10-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies, Ryan Zimmerman sent a fly ball over the right field fence and into the Nats bullpen for his 238th career homer, surpassing Frank Howard for the most ever hit by a player in a Washington uniform. Zimmerman later hit a solo shot...

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Opposite dugout: Marlins sellers at the deadline, giving up on 2017

July 31, 2017, 5:44am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Marlins sellers at the deadline, giving up on 2017

Manager: Don Mattingly (2nd season) Record: 49-54 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: RF Giancarlo Stanton (33 HR, 73 RBIs), LF Marcell Ozuna (.312/.371/.558), 2B Dee Gordon (.297 average, 38 SBs), C J.T. Realmuto (.311 average), RHP JosÃ© UreÃ±a (4.04 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-3 Pitching probables: July 31: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP JosÃ© UreÃ±a, 7:10 p.m., MASN August 1: RHP Max Scherzer vs. LHP Chris O'Grady, 7:10 p.m., MASNAugust 2: TBA vs. RHP Vance Worley, 7:10 p.m.,...

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Edwin Jackson provides boost again as Nats prevent series sweep

July 30, 2017, 7:07pm

Nationals

Edwin Jackson provides boost again as Nats prevent series sweep

The Nationals got another major boost from veteran Edwin Jackson. After signing June 16, Jackson returned to pitching for the Nats July 18 in a 4-3 win at Anaheim. He went seven innings that night and surrendered only two runs on three hits. Then came an 8-0 setback against Milwaukee in which he gave up seven runs (three earned) in five innings for the loss. Sunday night the Nats desperately needed innings after the bullpen had been taxed in Game 1 of a doubleheader when manager Dusty Baker had...

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Zimmerman sets D.C. home run record (Nats lose 10-6)

July 30, 2017, 11:03am

Nationals

Zimmerman sets D.C. home run record (Nats lose 10-6)

Ryan Zimmerman now stands alone as the greatest home run hitter in Washington baseball history. With a three-run, opposite-field shot in the bottom of the third this afternoon, Zimmerman recorded his 238th home run with the Nationals, surpassing Frank Howard's record for a D.C. major league ballplayer. Zimmerman, the Nationals' first draft pick in 2005 and the longest tenured member of the organization, set the mark in his 1,501st career game. Howard, who clubbed 382 homers in a 16-year...

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Fedde takes loss in tough assignment debut vs. Rockies

July 30, 2017, 2:42pm

Nationals

Fedde takes loss in tough assignment debut vs. Rockies

In a perfect world, the Nationals wouldn't have sent Erick Fedde to the mound to make his major league debut in this particular situation. A Sunday doubleheader, with the league's second-most productive lineup on the other side of the field? That's not exactly putting a guy in the best possible position to succeed. "If we had to pick a first time out for him, we probably wouldn't have picked Colorado," manager Dusty Baker said. "That's just how it was." Yes, the Nationals didn't have...

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Even with opponent's advance scouting, Difo continues to deliver

July 30, 2017, 6:19am

Nationals

Even with opponent's advance scouting, Difo continues to deliver

Shortstop Wilmer Difo connected on the biggest hit of the game Saturday night for the Nationals in their 4-2 loss to the Rockies. His two-run single that dropped perfectly in front of left fielder Gerardo Parra helped to ignite a rally for the Nationals that in the end came up a bit short. But the base hit on the first offering from Rockies starter German MÃ¡rquez was a signal that Difo is improving in his pitch recognition. His July has been outstanding. Difo has now hit safely in 16 of the...

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Game 103 lineups: Rockies at Nats

July 30, 2017, 1:54pm

Nationals

An extended game one that turned into a difficult 10-6 loss for the Nationals to the Rockies means the first pitch Game 2 of today's doubleheader has been pushed back to 7:40 p.m. EDT. With the way Game 1 went for the Nationals pitching staff, the club hopes veteran Edwin Jackson can eat a good amount of innings before the club embarks on a week-long road trip through Miami and Chicago. Jackson arrives with a 1-1 record and a 4.76 ERA. He will be opposed by Rockies right-hander Jon Gray (3-1,...

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Heisey released in latest round of roster maneuvering

July 30, 2017, 8:55am

Nationals

Heisey released in latest round of roster maneuvering

A busy week of transactions continued this morning when the Nationals tweaked their roster for their doubleheader against the Rockies by officially promoting top pitching prospect Erick Fedde, releasing veteran outfielder Chris Heisey and making a necessary procedural move involving catcher Pedro Severino. Fedde's contract was purchased from Triple-A Syracuse, allowing the 24-year-old right-hander to start today's opener and make his major league debut. Because Fedde wasn't already on their...

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Game 102 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies (Heisey released)

July 30, 2017, 6:35am

Nationals

Game 102 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies (Heisey released)

It's a beautiful day for a ballgame. Let's play ... well, you know. Yes, it's a doubleheader day at Nationals Park, with the Nationals and Rockies meeting in their regularly scheduled contest at 1:35 p.m. and then making up Friday night's rainout at 7:05 p.m. And there's no shortage of interesting storylines to come. The big one for the opener, of course, is the debut of Erick Fedde, who gets promoted from Triple-A Syracuse and will be on a big league mound for the first time in a couple...