The message from multiple guys in the Nationals' clubhouse after today's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Reds was the same: It's too bad we couldn't finish this one off for Gio. Gio Gonzalez pitched seven exceptional innings in his debut at Nationals Park, allowing just two hits and no runs, but even though the Nationals held a 2-0 lead entering the ninth inning, they were unable to get the left-handed starter his first win of the season. "Just an outstanding effort," manager Davey...

Ryan Zimmerman didn't see the outstretched right palm of Roger Bernadina at home plate, the hitter's signal that he should hold at third. Zimmerman was focused on the ball skittering away from Reds rookie catcher Devin Mesoraco and knew that it had bounced far enough from home plate to allow him to score the winning run in the Nationals' 10-inning 3-2 victory in their home opener Thursday afternoon. Chalk it up to a well-honed baseball impulse, because if Zimmerman had taken to heart the...

Craig Stammen is pegged as the long right-handed reliever out of the bullpen for the Nationals. But Thursday his role became that of closer as he struck out the side in the 10th inning to help lift the Nationals over the Reds, 3-2. Stammen (1-0) struck out Willie Harris, Drew Stubbs and Zach Cozart. The last strike out of Cozart was particularly emphatic. It was of the looking variety, which brought with it a huge roar from the partisan 40,907 at Nationals Park on home opening day. That...

Of course you do. He was at spring training with the Orioles until they put him on waivers four days before breaking camp. The Reds signed Alfredo Simon, and he pitched the 10th inning in today's game against the Nationals. He later lost today's game by throwing a wild pitch that allowed Ryan Zimmerman to score. Simon hit Zimmerman with his first pitch and gave up a single to Jayson Werth. He was one out away from escaping the jam when he skipped a pitch past catcher Devin Mesoraco. Simon...

So much for all the headlines about Gio Gonzalez leading the Nationals to a win in his home debut. Gonzalez won't get a victory in the Nats' home opener despite throwing seven shutout innings, and we've got a tie game here heading to the bottom of the ninth. The Reds tied this game 2-2 in the top-half of the ninth after Ryan Ludwick's single to left plated two runs off Nats closer Brad Lidge. Ludwick's grounder could've been handled by third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, but the ball skipped...

The emergence of Adam LaRoche as a legitimate power hitter in the middle of the Nationals lineup - and a healthy one, at that - was one of the biggest stories we took from the Nats' opening road trip. Now that the Nats are back at home, LaRoche has no plans of slowing down. Up with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth, LaRoche delivered a huge two-run single to center, scoring Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa to break a scoreless tie and give the Nats a 2-0 lead. LaRoche is now hitting...

The Nationals and Reds have combined for just three hits through four innings of play this afternoon, as starters Gio Gonzalez and Mat Latos have looked sharp early in the Nats' home opener. Gonzalez has allowed only two Reds runners to reach base - one on a Jay Bruce double and the other on an error committed by third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. The Nats left-hander, making his first appearance at Nats Park since being acquired in a trade with the A's this offseason, has only allowed two balls...

Nationals closer Drew Storen was at Nationals Park with his arm in a sling and in good spirits following surgery to remove a loose body in his right elbow that was causing him severe pain. Storen said the experience has been a new one for him as he has never even suffered a broken arm growing up. "The whole not being able to use one arm is kind of weird," Storen said. "Putting on socks is not exactly easy." General manager Mike Rizzo said the surgery went as well as expected and feels...

The news that Michael Morse will be shut down for the next six weeks because of a re-aggravated strained lat might lead some to wonder whether the Nationals will adjust their plan for top prospect Bryce Harper. The answer from general manager Mike Rizzo, not surprisingly, is a resounding no. "No. It does not," Rizzo said. "We've got a plan for (Harper), and when he's ready to come up, we'll certainly think about that. But we've got in-house candidates that we feel comfortable with out...

High Single-A Potomac third baseman Anthony Rendon has a partial fracture of his left ankle, according to Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo. Rendon was injured Saturday at Lynchburg and was helped off the field. "Rendon is in a boot and he is immobilized," Rizzo said. "He is going to see a foot and ankle specialist Friday." Rizzo was optimistic that this is not the worst case scenario for Rendon, and that he will be able to return this season. "They tell me his season is not in...