Juan Soto first hit no doubt three-run shot (Nats lead 10-2)

Juan Soto first hit no doubt three-run shot (Nats lead 10-2)
The Nationals 19-year-old sensation Juan Soto made his first Major League hit one to remember. His three-run shot to the opposite field, well over the 377 marker in left-center, off of San Diego left-hander Robbie Erlin, boosted the Nats to a 3-0 lead. The blast came off a 90 mph fastball first pitch. The home run traveled 422 feet and came off the bat at 107 mph. Trea Turner and Bryce Harper added RBI doubles. An inning later, Mark Reynolds added a solo homer. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez...
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Collins brings the battle scars and World Series experience to the Nats

Collins brings the battle scars and World Series experience to the Nats
The Nationals added left-hander Tim Collins, a pitcher who has seen it all in the big leagues - from the World Series, to a pair of Tommy John surgeries - and is only 28 years of age. "It's still a little surreal," Collins said. "I didn't see my name on the roster until I got here so it's pretty awesome. It's been a long road. It's been over three years, last time was 2014. Finally, out of that tunnel." With injuries to Ryan Madson and others, Collins has pitched well for Triple-A...
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With injuries piling up, can Nats prevent a breaking point?

With injuries piling up, can Nats prevent a breaking point?
Injuries continue to pile up for the Nationals. Big ones like outfielders Rafael Bautista (knee) and Howie Kendrick (Achilles) out for the year. Small ones (hopefully) like Ryan Madson's chest strain. Injuries that seemingly looked like they wouldn't take as long to recover from as they have, like Brian Goodwin's wrist, have lingered into a second month without any big improvements. Starting second baseman Daniel Murphy has not recovered fully from microfracture surgery on his knee and has...
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Strasburg kept game close, but offense and bullpen falter in 7-2 loss

Strasburg kept game close, but offense and bullpen falter in 7-2 loss
The Nationals were swept in their two-day, three-game series against the Dodgers that wrapped up Sunday, losing the finale 7-2. Yasmani Grandal and Kiké Hernández crushed homers off of Stephen Strasburg and Yasiel Puig smacked a late two-run shot to put the game away. Strasburg kept his team in the game with 6 2/3 innings, but four walks and those two big hits were enough for the Dodgers to get the win. Strasburg threw 115 pitches, but the four walks were his most all season and most...
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Wieters update is promising, Goodwin slowed (Nats fall 7-2)

Wieters update is promising, Goodwin slowed (Nats fall 7-2)
Infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick will have surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles on Monday. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said he was devastated when he saw the injury occur in left field Saturday. "I've been around a long time," Rizzo said. "I kind of diagnosed it when he was laying on the warning track. It's unfortunate. It's a team leader, not to mention a really, really good player. You have to have a short memory in this game. As he was taken off, we got him the MRI, we...
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Soto "so excited" to join Nats; Martinez and Rizzo on his special talent

Soto "so excited" to join Nats; Martinez and Rizzo on his special talent
Nineteen-year-old Juan Soto arrived in the Nationals clubhouse prior to the final game of the series against the Dodgers on Sunday, excited to get a shot at the big leagues. He reflected on the moment on Saturday that Double-A Harrisburg manager Matt LeCroy let him know he was heading to D.C. to play for the Nats. "I feel pretty good, pretty good," Soto said. "I didn't think it would happen that quick, but I feel pretty good. I'm here. I was so excited. I didn't think that would...
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Game 45 lineups: Dodgers at Nats

Game 45 lineups: Dodgers at Nats
The Nationals head into Sunday seeking their first win in the three-game series versus the Dodgers. The Nats will also welcome one of the top prospects in all of baseball to Nationals Park, as 19-year-old Juan Soto joins the team, his contract having been selected this morning. He was with Double-A Harrisburg in Richmond on Saturday. Soto is the No. 15 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com and is considered the top power-hitting outfielder in the Nats system. To make room for Soto on the 25-man...
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Source: Top prospect Juan Soto to join Nats on Sunday

Source: Top prospect Juan Soto to join Nats on Sunday
The Nationals' top prospect healthy enough to play right now, outfielder Juan Soto, is expected to join the team in D.C. on Sunday, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to MASNsports.com. Soto will provide depth following the loss of outfielder Howie Kendrick, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list after suffering an Achilles injury on Saturday in game one against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 19-year-old left-handed hitter from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - projected as...
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Roark goes seven, but Nats offense comes up short in 4-1 loss to Dodgers

Roark goes seven, but Nats offense comes up short in 4-1 loss to Dodgers
The Dodgers rode the outstanding pitching of Ross Stripling, and some timely hitting from Joc Pederson, Logan Forsythe and Max Muncy, to down the Nationals 4-1 in game one of a split doubleheader Saturday at Nats Park. The most devastating play that will be remembered from this one is the injury sustained by left fielder Howie Kendrick in the eighth inning. The outfielder left the game after injuring his right leg on a sacrifice fly by Muncy to deep left field. He went for an MRI immediately...
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Kieboom earns first big league hit, Harper RBI (Dodgers win 4-1)

Kieboom earns first big league hit, Harper RBI (Dodgers win 4-1)
The Dodgers got off to a quick start with a triple by Joc Pederson against Tanner Roark in the first inning. He came around to score on a sacrifice fly to left field by Yasmani Grandal. Roark labored 21 pitches in the first frame. In the third, Wilmer Difo and Spencer Kieboom singled. For Kieboom, it was his first Major League base hit. Bryce Harper's single to center scored Difo. Harper was seen wearing sport specs at the plate for the first time this season. Roark settled in to keep the...
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With Wieters out, Kieboom ready for opportunity with Nats

With Wieters out, Kieboom ready for opportunity with Nats
Saturday, Nationals catcher Spencer Kieboom (key-BOOM) made his first Major League start in game one against the Dodgers. It marked his first appearance in a game since he walked and scored a run against the Marlins on October 2, 2016. In his first at-bat, Kieboom laced a single to left field off of Dodgers starter Ross Stripling for his first major league base hit. Update: Tanner Roark on having Kieboom catch for him Saturday: "Good, really good actually. He's very vocal between innings....
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Bautista out for season; plus news on Wieters, Goodwin and 26th man

Bautista out for season; plus news on Wieters, Goodwin and 26th man
With all the inclement weather and postponed games this week, plus rain again Saturday morning, Nationals manager Davey Martinez joked he got to Nats Park by kayak this morning. "I'm ready, woke up at 8 o'clock this morning," Martinez said. "I'm fired up. Hopefully we get a game in. Hopefully, two. We are ready to play. The mini-All Star game is good enough." Martinez opted to give Tanner Roark the day game start and sees a silver lining in all these days off. "It was kind of Roark's...
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Game 43 lineups: Dodgers at Nats

Game 43 lineups: Dodgers at Nats
The Nationals' recent schedule has been interrupted so much by inclement weather it's almost like they have joined the National Football League: one game a week. Today the Nationals are scheduled to play a split doubleheader against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tanner Roark will start the first game and Max Scherzer the second game. The Nats have not played a complete Major League Baseball game since last Sunday night at Arizona. Manager Davey Martinez released a lineup for Friday's game that...
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Martinez: Rainouts have players anxious to get back to work

Martinez: Rainouts have players anxious to get back to work
The first game of the Nationals' series with the Dodgers on Friday was postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader today, beginning at 2:05 p.m. The second game is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. Tanner Roark will face Ross Stripling in the opener. Max Scherzer opposes Rich Hill in the nightcap. Both games will be broadcast on MASN. With Friday's postponement, the Nationals have not played baseball since Tuesday when the game against the Yankees was...
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Nats and Dodgers washed out, split doubleheader Saturday

Nats and Dodgers washed out, split doubleheader Saturday
The Nationals' series opener against theDodgers has been postponed due to inclement weather. The announcement was made at 4:45 p.m. Friday's postponed game will be made up as part of a split-admission doubleheader on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. and the start time for Saturday night's regularly scheduled game has been adjusted from 7:05 p.m. to 8:05 p.m. Tickets for Friday's game should be used for the 2:05 p.m. game. The Nationals have realigned their pitchers for the doubleheader. Tanner Roark...
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Nationals push Scherzer to Friday against the Dodgers

Nationals push Scherzer to Friday against the Dodgers
The Nationals have a day off today after the Yankees series was moved to June 18. Essentially, they will face the Yankees for 12 1/2 innings with two wins on the line next month at Nats Park. The two teams renew their matchup earlier that week in New York, with two games at Yankee Stadium June 12 and 13. Here are the updated pitching matchups for this weekend against the Los Angeles Dodgers: Friday - Max Scherzer vs. Ross Stripling, Saturday - Tanner Roark vs. Rich Hill and Sunday - Stephen...
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Martinez on Austin Voth as his 26th man tonight

Martinez on Austin Voth as his 26th man tonight
The originally scheduled game tonight was slated to begin at 7:05 p.m., with a gem of a matchup: Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer (7-1, 1.69 ERA) against the Yankees left-hander C.C. Sabathia (2-0, 2.23). But rain is again in the forecast, so the 5:05 p.m. resumption of the first game of the series (currently in the bottom of the sixth with the score tied 3-3) and that original start time are definitely not set in stone. The subject of preventing Max Scherzer getting burned for that game...
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Martinez lays out plan for suspended game and nightcap

Martinez lays out plan for suspended game and nightcap
The resumed game from Tuesday's suspended contest is scheduled to begin at 5:05 p.m. ET today. The Nationals and the Yankees were tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth. After a one-plus hour weather delay, the game was suspended. In the bottom of the sixth, Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon and Matt Adams are scheduled due up for the Nationals. Nationals manager Davey Martinez will have to make a decision with his bullpen when the top of the seventh rolls around. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez went five...
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Rendon homer ignites the offense (game tied 3-3, game suspended)

Rendon homer ignites the offense (game tied 3-3, game suspended)
A fast start for the Nationals against the Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka. Anthony Rendon with a solo homer in the first, his fourth homer of the season, on a 1-1 pitch. In the second, the Nats strung together three hits in four at-bats. Howie Kendrick doubled. Andrew Stevenson single to left-center scored Kendrick. Pedro Severino's RBI double scored Stevenson. Meanwhile, left-hander Gio Gonzalez allowed two base runners in each of the first two innings and got out of jams. His curveball was a...
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Martinez said Murphy close to minor league rehab games

Martinez said Murphy close to minor league rehab games
As the Nationals return home the hottest team in the National League, there is more positive news about the rehab process for Daniel Murphy. The second baseman is continuing rehabbing from knee surgery in West Palm Beach at the National spring training facility. Pregame Friday in Arizona Murphy did not appear to be in any pain as he went through all the paces of batting practice with fielding and running the bases. He ran down the first base line multiple times. Murphy headed towards second on...
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