The Salt River Rafters downed Billy Hamilton and the Peoria Javelinas, 6-4 Wednesday afternoon at Salt River Fields in Arizona Fall League competition. Salt River improves to 16-13, guaranteeing a winning regular season record, and with one game left to play Thursday. Scottsdale (15-15) will be unable to catch them because the Scorpions would have played one more game, and they lost that game. First baseman Matt Skole went 0-for-3 with a walk, but is still batting .305. Third baseman Jason...

The Nationals have announced Gary Thurman has been named the new minor league outfield/baserunning coordinator. Thurman comes over from the Miami Marlins, where he served as first base coach in 2012. He was also the Marlins' outfield and baserunning coach. Thurman has been a manager, coach or instructor for 14 years in professional baseball. From 2008-2011, Thurman was in the Cleveland Indians' organization as minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator. He previously worked nine...

The Nationals won't go 3-for-3 in the major end-of-season awards. Bryce Harper won the National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year and Davey Johnson won the NL Manager of the Year, but Gio Gonzalez came up short in his bid for the NL Cy Young Award. That went to Mets starter R.A. Dickey, a 38-year-old knuckleballer who has taken the league by storm the last few years. Dickey picked up 27 of 32 first-place votes and 209 points overall. Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw finished second,...

Orioles closer Jim Johnson received four votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America to finish in seventh place for the American League's Cy Young Award. Tampa Bay's David Price edged out Detroit's Justin Verlander, with only four points separating them. Price was named first on 14 of the 28 ballots, second on 13 and third on one for 153 points. Verlander received 13 first-place votes, 13 seconds and two thirds for 149 points. The other first-place vote went to Tampa Bay...

The Washington Nationals today named Gary Thurman their minor league outfield/baserunning coordinator. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Development Bob Boone, Director of Player Development Doug Harris and Director of Minor League Operations Mark Scialabba made the joint announcement. Thurman, 48, brings 14 years of experience as a manager, coach or instructor in professional...

With one trade, the Toronto Blue Jays have filled holes and become instant contenders in the American League East. The Blue Jays have rolled the dice big-time by trading prospects - including three pitchers - to the Miami Marlins for $160 million worth of proven players, a deal that needs approval from Commissioner Bud Selig. It's always a gamble to raid the farm system and add payroll, especially for any team that isn't the Yankees. But the acquisition of pitchers Josh Johnson and Mark...

With the holiday season just around the corner, Washington Nationals fans will be able to take advantage of two different Holiday Gift Packs beginning today, Wednesday, November 14. For a limited time, fans will have the opportunity to purchase the 4th of July Pack or the Interleague Pack, each of which include tickets to four of the hottest matchups of the 2013 season. One FREE George Racing President holiday ornament will be included with each order, creating the perfect holiday gift for...

What a difference one offseason can make. Last winter, the Orioles were engaged in trade talks with the Cardinals involving pitcher Kyle McClellan, who was viewed as a candidate for the rotation or the bullpen. As I wrote here on Jan. 29, the Orioles balked at the Cardinals' asking price and gave up. Their interest also waned because of concerns that he wasn't healthy, which proved to be accurate. St. Louis released McClellan yesterday, making him free to sign with any team. Could the...

The Nationals have announced that Tony Tarasco has been added to Davey Johnson's coaching staff for the 2013 season. Tarasco will serve as the first base coach. Previously a roving outfield instructor/baserunning coordinator within the Nationals' organization, Tarasco will replace Trent Jewett in the first base coach's box. Jewett will move across the diamond and become third base coach, taking over for Bo Porter, who was hired as the Astros' manager. Johnson's coaching staff is now...

The Washington Nationals today announced that bench coach Randy Knorr, pitching coach Steve McCatty, hitting coach Rick Eckstein, third base coach Trent Jewett, first base coach Tony Tarasco and bullpen coach Jim Lett will comprise manager Davey Johnson's coaching staff for the 2013 season. Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Eckstein and McCatty return for their fifth seasons on the Nationals coaching staff, while Lett and...