Hill making first major league start (Nats lose 15-7)

Hill making first major league start (Nats lose 15-7)
Right-hander Taylor Hill managed to battle his way out of a tough jam in the first inning of his initial major league start. The Marlins got a walk and two base hits in the first. Casey McGehee's RBI single got the Marlins on the board first, 1-0. Hill then induced a huge 4-6-3 double play from Garrett Jones to derail the rally. Hill's Triple-A Syracuse teammate, outfielder Michael A. Taylor, came up big for his buddy to begin the bottom of the first, slamming a double to deep center. Kevin...
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Fister calls complete-game shutout, home-field clincher a "big milestone"

Fister calls complete-game shutout, home-field clincher a "big milestone"
Nationals starter Doug Fister notched his 16th win with a complete-game shutout in a 4-0 win over the Marlins Friday afternoon. He allowed only three hits with three walks and nine strikeouts. But afterward, it was all about the ballclub. "It's a great team win," Fister said. "Something we can enjoy for a little while and get ready for tonight. Guys are rolling, putting good at-bats together. What was there? Eight or nine walks. I mean, guys are seeing the ball well. That's what you want...
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Fister tosses complete game shutout (Nats win 4-0, clinch NL home-field advantage)

Fister tosses complete game shutout (Nats win 4-0, clinch NL home-field advantage)
Anthony Rendon did not waste any time getting the offense rolling for the Nationals against the Marlins in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Friday. Facing Jarred Cosart, Rendon launched a 2-1 offering into the left field stands and the Nationals lead 1-0. After a single from Adam LaRoche, Ian Desmond doubled to put men on second and third. LaRoche came home on a passed ball by Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and the Nationals lead 2-0. Doug Fister needed less than four minutes to retire the Marlins in...
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Williams on Span, Zimmerman, bullpen and postseason schedule

Williams on Span, Zimmerman, bullpen and postseason schedule
Nationals manager Matt Williams said they wanted to get center fielder Denard Span back in the lineup after missing a couple of games with a banged-up knee, diving for a fly ball Tuesday night against the Mets. "He could've played last night," Williams said. "But he's just a little but sore still, but he'll work through that. He needs to play. He's got to play the last few games here to keep his rhythm. He's good. He's fine today to go one of the games today and tomorrow and Sunday...
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Gio Gonzalez on the win and a career-high 12 strikeouts

Gio Gonzalez on the win and a career-high 12 strikeouts
Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez was authoritative on the mound Thursday, demanding the ball and delivering a career-high 12 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings, allowing just one hit in a 3-0 shutout of the Mets. "I've had some fun outings this year, but definitely more aggressive this time in the strike zone," Gonzalez said. "That's a lot of credit to the catcher Willy (Wilson Ramos), we were on the same game plan. We just wanted to attack these guys, especially early in the game....
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Gonzalez with seven strikeouts in first three frames (Nats win 3-0)

Gonzalez with seven strikeouts in first three frames (Nats win 3-0)
Left-hander Gio Gonzalez is dealing better than a blackjack dealer at the Bellagio in Game 2 of a split doubleheader between the Nationals and Mets at Nationals Park. He has struck out seven of the first nine batters he has faced, including six straight. The Mets have one base hit from Daniel Murphy that was quickly wiped out by an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play. Zack Wheeler is matching him with five strikeouts and one Anthony Rendon single allowed through three innings. No score heading...
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Mets jump on top early on a soggy Thursday (Mets win 7-4)

Mets jump on top early on a soggy Thursday (Mets win 7-4)
On a soggy field and a misty Thursday, it did not take long for the Mets to get on the board in Game 1 of a split doubleheader. Facing Nationals starter Blake Treinen, the Mets connected on three singles in the first inning. Curtis Granderson's single to right field plated Wilmer Flores and the Mets lead 1-0. In the bottom of the first, the Nationals went 1-2-3 against Dillon Gee. The Mets lead 1-0 heading to top of the second. Update: In the third inning following a Danny Espinosa leadoff...
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Williams on Zimmerman, playoff rotation and other notes

Williams on Zimmerman, playoff rotation and other notes
Nationals manager Matt Williams is playing four opening day starters in the lineup for Game 1 against the Mets today, including Ryan Zimmerman in left field, who is batting third. Williams reiterated he would continue to sprinkle his starters between both games today and tomorrow. Williams also has a very deep bench in which to choose from and this allows him to give Denard Span a bit more time to rest his banged up knee. "You want to be competitive certainly in both," Williams said. "I...
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Williams sets pitching rotation for remainder of season

Williams sets pitching rotation for remainder of season
The Nationals postponed Wednesday night's game because of rain. The game has been rescheduled as part of a split doubleheader on Thursday with the first game at 1:05 p.m. and the second game at 7:05 p.m. Blake Treinen will start Game 1 and Gio Gonzalez will start Game 2. Taylor Hill and Doug Fister will be the starters Friday. Stephen Strasburg starts Saturday and Jordan Zimmermann will start Sunday. In terms of the order for the postseason, it has not been officially announced, but this...
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Zimmerman back in lineup, latest on Span and Zimmermann

Zimmerman back in lineup, latest on Span and Zimmermann
Manager Matt Williams installed Ryan Zimmerman in the No. 2 spot in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets. He will play left field. It is his second start since returning from a severe right hamstring strain. "We're going to bubble wrap him as much as possible," Williams said. "I'd like to see him get 5 ABs and hit a couple of doubles and score from second and do all the things he needs to do to be able to feel good about it." Williams said they will check on Zimmerman even...
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Nationals honor Giolito, Souza and Difo (updated with Souza quotes, also Giolito interview note)

Nationals honor Giolito, Souza and Difo (updated with Souza quotes, also Giolito interview note)
The Nationals have named outfielder Steven Souza Jr. their minor league Player of the Year and right-hander Lucas Giolito minor league Pitcher of the Year. The club also named infielder Wilmer Difo the recipient of the second annual Bob Boone Award. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, vice president of player personnel Bob Boone, assistant general manager/vice president of player development Doug Harris and director of player development Mark Scialabba made the announcement. The...
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Roark, LaRoche and Span after 4-2 win over the Mets

Roark, LaRoche and Span after 4-2 win over the Mets
The Nationals recorded another victory, their 92nd on this playoff-bound season, 4-2 over the Mets. But after the game, concern turned toward center fielder Denard Span, who crashed hard to the ground and into the center field wall after making a diving catch to end the third inning. He left the game and was replaced by Michael A. Taylor. "It's all right, a little sore," Span said. "Banged it pretty hard when I came down, also scraped it pretty good, too. So just a little sore, iced it a...
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Adam LaRoche slams three-run shot, Nats win 4-2

Adam LaRoche slams three-run shot, Nats win 4-2
There was a big ovation as the Nationals took the field at Nats Park for the first time since wrapping up their second National League East title in three seasons last Tuesday in Atlanta. Right-hander Tanner Roark allowed a double in the first inning, but has since recorded six straight outs. Jayson Werth made a diving catch in right to rob Kirk Nieuwenhuis of extra bases, ending the second inning. Mets right-hander Bartolo Colon surrendered a leadoff hit to Denard Span and later a walk to...
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Updates on Zimmerman and Zimmermann plus other notes

Updates on Zimmerman and Zimmermann plus other notes
Nationals manager Matt Williams said right-hander Jordan Zimmermann is doing "good," but is still pretty sore after getting hit by a batted ball last week in Miami. "He's got a pretty good black and blue shoulder," Williams said. "He's going to go out and throw. Actually, he threw the day after he got hit, was OK. Looks pretty bruised up." Williams said they will get a further report later today on how Zimmermann's shoulder is feeling. The good news is Williams does not anticipate...
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Could Xavier Cedeno overtake Jerry Blevins for a playoff roster spot?

Could Xavier Cedeno overtake Jerry Blevins for a playoff roster spot?
When discussing left-handed relievers, are Jerry Blevins and Xavier Cedeno battling for one playoff roster spot? Should they be? Blevins has been with the team the whole season. He started off well. But recently, he has had some rough outings, especially the Sept. 10 appearance against the Braves at Nationals Park. Blevins allowed three earned runs on two hits and a walk in just one-third of an inning. The Nationals lost that game 6-2. They lost only two of the next 11 games. Blevins has...
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Lucas Giolito and other top prospects begin instructional league today

Lucas Giolito and other top prospects begin instructional league today
The top Nationals prospects have descended on the team's practice and training facility in Viera, Fla. Joining these prospects are the club's coaching and development staff, including Single-A Carolina League champion Potomac Nationals manager Tripp Keister, as instructional league competition commences today with the first game. The season was intended to begin Saturday, but the Nationals' first game versus Houston was rained out. The instructional league squad faces New York Mets today at...
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Nationals benefiting from meaningful baseball in late September

Nationals benefiting from meaningful baseball in late September
The Nationals clinched their second division title in the past three seasons on Tuesday in Atlanta. On Wednesday, they rested most of their regulars. On Thursday, they got back to business. They haven't lost since. This club has done a really nice job of setting its goals and then going about accomplishing them as the season goes on. Early on, they just searched for consistency. Their pitching was strong from the beginning. Their defense started to come on. Now it's their offense. They had 12...
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Zimmerman singles in first at-bat since July 22 (Nats win 3-2)

Zimmerman singles in first at-bat since July 22 (Nats win 3-2)
The Marlins came out hitting against Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann in the first inning. Christian Yelic and Casey McGehee had early singles and first baseman Justin Bour then slapped a single to right field and for a 1-0 Marlins lead. The Nationals earned a pair of base hits in the first inning from Denard Span and Jayson Werth, but a double play grounder from Adam LaRoche ended the threat. Heading to the second, Marlins lead 1-0. In the second inning, in his first at-bat since July...
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Rendon and Roark could be the difference-makers in 2014 postseason

Rendon and Roark could be the difference-makers in 2014 postseason
One of the differences between the Nationals' 2014 postseason appearance versus their 2012 run is the emergence of a pair of sophomores. Ray Knight and I discussed this on "Nats Xtra" pregame Thursday night and I asked him about the importance of Tanner Roark and Anthony Rendon to this team. Roark has been on a tear, continues to be consistent and has the ability to go seven innings every outing. On Sept. 16, otherwise known as clinching night, he defeated the Braves 3-0 by twirling seven...
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Marlins get to Gonzalez, take early advantage (Nats win 6-2)

Marlins get to Gonzalez, take early advantage (Nats win 6-2)
The Marlins greeted Miami native Gio Gonzalez rudely in the second inning. Jeff Baker singled to lead off the frame. Reed Johnson, who is replacing the injured Giancarlo Stanton, then smacked a double that bounced off the center field wall and the Marlins led 1-0. Gonzalez managed to get the next three outs to end the rally. Brad Hand has not allowed a hit in the first two innings. He has an 8.03 ERA in six starts versus the Nationals. Update: Anthony Rendon notched a base hit with one out...
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