nationals buzz

Rachel Levitin: Not Nationals Stadium, not Nationals Field; it's called Nationals Park

August 06, 2014, 5:04am

So I have a pet peeve that I've stayed quiet about for too long now. It's gotten to the point where I nearly boiled over with irritation while discussing said pet peeve with my friend last night. What is it? Well, clearly it's baseball related, since it's being posted on this blog. Even now, in its seventh year of operation, there are people who live in the D.C. metropolitan area and suburbs who call Nationals Park anything except its namesake and it's driving me crazy. I've heard a...

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Marty Niland: Resilience, luck have Nats in good position

August 04, 2014, 5:03am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Resilience, luck have Nats in good position

We've all heard that it's better to be lucky than good, but a resilient Nationals team has offered proof over the past week that it's best to be both. The Nats were clinging to a 1 1/2 game lead over Atlanta in the National League East just a week ago. Since then, they have lost four of seven games, some in spectacular spirit-crushing fashion. Yet, they have added two games to their lead over the Braves, who may be flatlining at an opportune time. Is that luck, grit or a little bit of...

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Hair Cuttery styling upcoming Social Media Weekend at Nats Park

July 28, 2014, 7:42am

Nationals

Hair Cuttery styling upcoming Social Media Weekend at Nats Park

Did you hear? We're at it again! We're excited to kick off another Social Media Weekend (#masnSMW) styled by Hair Cuttery this Friday, Aug. 1 at Nationals Park. Before our full weekend of giveaways, prizes, seat upgrades and more, Gio Gonzalez will be taking out a lucky group of MASN Word of the Day winners to lunch in the District. After lunch, the fun continues for everyone at Nats Park. We'll be on site with Hair Cuttery all weekend, and if you're at the park, we want to hook you up!...

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Rachel Levitin: Nats need to pay extra attention to NL East games down the stretch

July 30, 2014, 5:27am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Nats need to pay extra attention to NL East games down the stretch

It hasn't been an easy road trip for the Nationals. They're 4-4 against the Rockies, Reds and Marlins with one more game to be played before heading home on Thursday. The Nats have dropped two of three in Miami with their final game of that series this afternoon. Once they return to Washington, the next homestand - if played well - could help bolster their hopes for a slightly longer season, as long as they make a strong strike against their National League East division foes. The Phillies...

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Dave Nichols: With Zimmerman out, Nats should deal for infielder

July 29, 2014, 4:58am

Nationals

Dave Nichols: With Zimmerman out, Nats should deal for infielder

The major league trade deadline is Thursday. The Nationals have won eight of their last 12 games and 15 of the last 23. But with Ryan Zimmerman's hamstring injury reportedly keeping him out of the lineup for six to eight weeks, most folks around baseball think the Nats will be active in the trade market for an infielder - either second base or third - to help the team with its pursuit of a division title. In this space a week ago, I came to the conclusion that the Nats were as healthy as...

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Marty Niland: History shows Rizzo deals for difference-makers

July 28, 2014, 5:27am

Nationals

Marty Niland: History shows Rizzo deals for difference-makers

Aside from President Obama's golf scores, the most closely held secrets in Washington these days are how long Ryan Zimmerman's hamstring injury will keep him sidelined and whether the Nationals will make a trade to replace Zimmerman's potent bat if his absence is a long one. General manager Mike Rizzo has said publicly that he likes the current roster, and that he has confidence that Danny Espinosa, Kevin Frandsen and recent call-up Zach Walters will collectively fill the void. Perhaps he's...

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Before game even started, Barrett was victorious in standoff

July 24, 2014, 5:11am

Nationals

Before game even started, Barrett was victorious in standoff

The national anthem had been sung. Most of the players had left the field. Coors Field was ready for baseball to begin. Or was it? After pregame, two players remained on the field: Brandon Barnes of the Rockies and the Nats' Aaron Barrett. Stuck in a standoff, they both refused to move from their places on the field. Before Denard Span stepped in the box, the dueling players were helped out by their teammates and were brought sunscreen, water and more. Hilarity ensued, but more...

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David Huzzard: The Nationals and offense through the years

July 24, 2014, 5:05am

Nationals

If Nationals fans were polled on which area of the team needed to improve during the stretch run, most of them would say the offense. It would come as a surprising fact to those fans that the Nationals are third in the National League in runs per game at 4.24, but their answer isn't the least bit surprising. With the strike in 1994, baseball lost a good many fans, and in 1998, the home run chase between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire brought in new fans. Those fans that watched baseball in the...

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Rachel Levitin: Will Zimmerman's injury put a strain on Nats?

July 23, 2014, 5:14am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Will Zimmerman's injury put a strain on Nats?

The unfortunate bout of luck that befell a hustling Ryan Zimmerman is sure to put a slight strain on the post-All-Star break Nationals. A strained right hamstring is Zimmerman's injury and the Nats will now press onward, hoping that this setback is nothing more than a minor one. There is good news, though: The Nats sit in first place among their National League East brethren and lead Atlanta by two games. Washington has won four straight games, which is a nice tone to set while the final...

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Desmond is Nationals' nominee for Heart & Hustle Award

July 22, 2014, 6:00am

Nationals

When you think of Ian Desmond, you think of intensity. Whether he's manning shortstop, swinging in the batter's box or reaching out into the community, Desmond knows only one way to do things: giving 100 precent. Is it any wonder Nationals manager Matt Williams has trouble getting Desmond to consider taking a day off? The guy defines workaholic, in the best possible sense. Others are taking notice, too. This morning, Desmond was announced as the Nats' nominee for the Heart & Hustle...

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Dave Nichols: Will Nationals be active at trade deadline?

July 22, 2014, 5:11am

Nationals

The non-waiver trade deadline is 10 days away, but there has been very little mention of the Nationals in the national media with regard to being a player in the annual talent swap. Perhaps that's a good thing. With Monday night's 7-2 win over the Colorado Rockies, coupled with the Braves' loss to Miami, the Nats took over the lead in the National League East yet again. Their 54-43 record is good for first overall in the NL, percentage points better than Milwaukee (whom the Nats just took...

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Marty Niland: Nats hit milestones on a historic day

July 21, 2014, 5:13am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Nats hit milestones on a historic day

As America commemorated 45 years since the first human steps on the moon Sunday, the Nationals were celebrating some milestones and anniversaries of their own on the way to their 53rd victory of 2013, a 5-4 walk-off win over Milwaukee. Gio Gonzalez labored through one of his more difficult starts of the season, but he collected five strikeouts in his 3 1/3-inning stint. The last of those, dealt to Rickie Weeks leading off the third, was the 1,000th of Gonzalez's career. In his seventh...

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National buzz surrounding Nats after first half of season

July 18, 2014, 8:03am

Nationals

National buzz surrounding Nats after first half of season

Baseball is back! After a brief hiatus, the Nationals will kick off their second half of the season at home. While we're technically past the halfway point of the season, the All-Star break seems like a natural time to evaluate the first halves of teams' seasons. The Nats sit in a first-place tie with the Braves in the National League East with a 51-42 record. Before the Brewers-Nationals series kicks off tonight, let's take a look back at what national writers are saying about the Nats...

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Harper's star turn in new ESPN spot

July 10, 2014, 7:55am

Nationals

Do you cry at the end of "Field of Dreams"? Yeah, me, too. When Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner, and his dad have a catch in that Iowa cornfield, it gets to me. Every. Damn. Time. That film and that reaction are the focuses of a new "This is SportsCenter" spot on ESPN, starring Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper - as you've never seen him before. No spoiler here, no description of his interaction with ESPN anchors Hannah Storm, John Anderson and Bram Weinstein. The spot is entitled...

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David Huzzard: The Desmond dilemma

July 10, 2014, 5:56am

Nationals

With the news that the Nationals are looking for a young shortstop to be included in a deadline deal, the Ian Desmond contract situation has come back into the news. Desmond is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the 2015 season, and over the last three years, he's been one of the Nationals' best offensive players. In fact, if we rank all Nationals from 2005 to present by fWAR, Desmond is the second-best Nationals position player, behind only Ryan Zimmerman. Desmond's rise up these...

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Rachel Levitin: Thrilled to see how far D.C. baseball has come

July 09, 2014, 5:21am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Thrilled to see how far D.C. baseball has come

When Tuesday night's game between the Nationals and Baltimore Orioles kicked off the evening with a delayed start, there was still a chance for baseball to be played. Or so we thought. The delay started early on in the 6 o'clock hour before a rush of approaching inclement weather forced fans and ballpark staff to head for cover under the Nats Park concourse. Once the storm swept through the Navy Yard and the ominous winds took flight, it sounded as if that very storm had come along to carry...

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Stuart Wallace: The scoop on LaRoche's stellar glove work

July 08, 2014, 4:47am

Nationals

Stuart Wallace: The scoop on LaRoche's stellar glove work

Playing a position known more for offensive contributions from players who often lack the defensive skills to play elsewhere, Adam LaRoche has become a unique commodity for his glove work. While no slouch at the plate, as his .385 weighted on-base average (wOBA) and 148 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) - ranking second and third among National League first basemen, respectively - can attest, it's LaRoche's ability to deftly corral balls screaming off of opponents' bats or out of teammates'...

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#VoteRendon: Send the Nationals' infielder to the All-Star Game

July 07, 2014, 8:40am

Nationals

The votes have been cast, the pitchers have been selected and the 2014 All-Star Game roster is set. Or, is it? Jordan Zimmermann has been named to the National League All-Star team, and as of now, he's the lone Nationals representative. But you can change that! Infielder Anthony Rendon is in MLB's Final Vote, sponsored by Experian. He's going up against four other National League players who are also trying to represent their respective team in the All-Star Game. Rendon has put up quite...

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David Huzzard: The Nationals and international free agents

July 03, 2014, 5:16am

Nationals

The Nationals and international free agents go together like fire and Frankenstein, or at least that is how it has been in the past. Few Nats fans will forget Yunesky Maya, who was once touted as the third-best arm in the system behind Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann. I don't think we even need to compare those careers to know that Maya was nowhere near either of them in talent. Then there is Katsuhiko Maekawa, and if that name doesn't sound familiar, don't feel bad. The 29-year-old...

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All-Star voting: No Nationals appear among top vote-getters

July 01, 2014, 5:00pm

Nationals

One thing is for sure: The Nationals will not have a player start in the 2014 All-Star Game. For the first time since online All-Star balloting began in early June, the Nats do not have a single player in the running for a starting gig on July 15. Bryce Harper, who has consistently appeared among the top-vote getters, was not listed in the most recent results announced on Tuesday. Harper had missed nearly two months recovering from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, but...