Ian Desmond at the plate: "I just need to be free and easy up there"

Ian Desmond at the plate: "I just need to be free and easy up there"
Nationals manager Davey Johnson pinch hit for shortstop Ian Desmond in the ninth inning of Friday night's 2-1 victory in the home series opener versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Johnson said he told Desmond before the switch that he expected his young infielder "to get hot so this doesn't happen again." Pinch hitter Matt Stairs smacked an RBI single off the right field wall to plate the game winner. Saturday, Johnson said he believes Desmond has all the tools to be a great player on this...
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Gorzelanny's seven innings finally pays off for Nationals

Gorzelanny's seven innings finally pays off for Nationals
This game could have very easily gotten away from starter Tom Gorzelanny. But Gorzelanny beared down when it mattered most, notching eight strikeouts, most of them in the game's deciding moments. Because of his seven innings and only one unearned run allowed, the Nationals were in the game they eventually won in the bottom of the ninth, 2-1, over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park. The best chance the Pirates had of a big inning occurred in the third when mistakes by Gorzelanny and...
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LaRoche says shoulder "feels really good" as post-surgery rehab commences

LaRoche says shoulder "feels really good" as post-surgery rehab commences
Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche had shoulder surgery 10 days ago and reports the rehab process is off to a positive start, and that the shoulder is surprisingly mobile. "It feels really good, actually," LaRoche reported with a protective cast and sling around his left arm. LaRoche even took off the sling at one point to sign a baseball and then put the velcro protective sling back on. "I thought it would be a lot longer with not being able to move it much. We started rehabbing it...
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Johnson sees where the Nationals can improve

Johnson sees where the Nationals can improve
The Nationals' new field manager Davey Johnson conducted his first pregame news conference at Nationals Park Friday before their homestand opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Johnson officially replaced Jim Riggleman Monday in Los Angeles. Riggleman resigned eight days ago following a 2-1 home series finale over the Seattle Mariners. Johnson said he sees a lot of good things from the way the team is set up right now but also where he would like to adjust the roster. "I love the ball...
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Doubledays manager: Fifth-round pick Skole "impressive" so far

Doubledays manager: Fifth-round pick Skole "impressive" so far
There is something about Atlantic Coast Conference third basemen and the Nationals. The team grabbed a guy by the name of Ryan Zimmerman from Virginia in 2005 and now have signed
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Dominican players starting to fortify GCL and Auburn rosters

Dominican players starting to fortify GCL and Auburn rosters
The Gulf Coast League Nationals roster includes several draft picks from this season's first-year haul. But Nationals director of player development Doug Harris is particularly excited about how the franchise's baseball academy in the Dominican Republic is now graduating several players to the GCL Nationals and the New York-Penn League Auburn Doubledays. Harris said the GCL squad has a couple of Dominican players that have really caught his eye. "The exciting part here is we have three...
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Is Harper's thumb preventing him from moving to his next assignment?

Is Harper's thumb preventing him from moving to his next assignment?
Single-A Hagerstown Suns outfielder and No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper returned to the lineup Wednesday, after missing three games due to a sore thumb injury. Overall, Harper has sat out seven games and the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game because of the thumb problem. Last week, Nationals Director of Player Development Doug Harris reported that Harper is doing well in his recovery from the setback. "It is not really a thumb thing," Harris said. "It is the fatty tissue in between his index...
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Five Senators invited to Eastern League All-Star Game

Five Senators invited to Eastern League All-Star Game
Five members of the Double-A Harrisburg Senators have been named to the Western Division All-Star team for the Eastern League All-Star Game coming up in two weeks. Outfielder Archie Gilbert and Bill Rhinehart, infielder Tyler Moore and right-handers Brad Peacock and Erik Arnesen were honored with invitations to play in the July 13 Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star contest, hosted by the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Peacock had another tremendous outing Wednesday, picking up the victory in 5...
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Adjustment to delivery helps Peacock increase strikeout numbers

Adjustment to delivery helps Peacock increase strikeout numbers
Double-A Harrisburg right-hander Brad Peacock makes his 13th start of the season tonight at Richmond as he continues to be one of the most dominant pitchers in the Eastern League. Peacock's eight wins and 114 strikeouts in 12 starts this season are tops in the league, while his 2.28 ERA is second overall. Peacock was honored last week with the announcement that he will be pitching in the All-Star Futures Game on July 10 in Phoenix. "I am very excited," Peacock said. "I didn't even know...
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First-year prospect Manny Rodriguez and others grab attention early in Florida

First-year prospect Manny Rodriguez and others grab attention early in Florida
The Nationals are continuing to assemble and coordinate their rosters between Florida and Auburn (and I don't mean the Gators and the Tigers for you southeastern conference fans, although the Florida Gators obviously have some guys to watch in the College World Series). There are several players that have jumped out with their talent in the first few weeks of workouts from the Nationals training facility in Florida and Gulf Coast League competition. Also, a few of the guys are on the roster...
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Nationals force extra innings, but Angels plate winner in 10th, 4-3

Nationals force extra innings, but Angels plate winner in 10th, 4-3
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim fought off another late-inning comeback attempt by the Nationals, 4-3 in 10 innings at Angels Stadium, spoiling Davey Johnson's debut as manager. With the bases loaded, Maicer Izturis slapped an RBI single up the middle to win it off of Sean Burnett (3-4). Peter Bourjos with a ground-rule double got two runners in scoring position with one out. The Angels pounded out 16 hits for the win. Scott Downs notched the win (5-2). Davey Johnson meets with the media...
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Nationals and Angels go extra, tied 3-3, thanks to Espinosa

Nationals and Angels go extra, tied 3-3, thanks to Espinosa
Danny Espinosa slammed a two-out top of the ninth solo shot to even the game with Angels, 3-3, off closer Jordan Walden. The game is in extra innings. The Angels spotted the Nationals an early lead, but nibbled away at John Lannan's pitches until they plated the go-ahead run, 3-2. Michael Morse and Ryan Zimmerman smacked solo homers off of Ervin Santana gave Washington a 2-0 lead. The Angels rallied with three RBI singles. The Angels' Alberto Callaspo with an RBI single in the fourth to...
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Angels take lead 3-2 over the Nationals (in progress)

Angels take lead 3-2 over the Nationals (in progress)
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim lead the Nationals 3-2 after six innings. Michael Morse and Ryan Zimmerman with solo homers off of Ervin Santana gave Washington a 2-0 lead. The Angels' Alberto Callaspo with an RBI single in the fourth to get the Angels on the board against John Lannan. Then, a single by Peter Bourjos scored another run and the game was tied at 2. The Angels took their first lead of the game in the sixth inning on another RBI single, this one off the bat of Bobby Wilson,...
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Nationals' Morse and Zimmerman launch HRs for lead in Anaheim, 2-0

Nationals' Morse and Zimmerman launch HRs for lead in Anaheim, 2-0
Michael Morse and Ryan Zimmerman connected with solo homers in the second and fourth innings, respectively, giving the Nationals a two-nothing lead over the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim. Zimmerman's third homer of the season was down the left field line off of starter Ervin Santana to lead off the fourth frame. Morse's bomb led off the second to right center field, his 15th on the campaign. Morse also added a double deep to center field off the wall. John Lannan had trouble in the...
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Morse gives Nationals early advantage in Anaheim, 1-0

Morse gives Nationals early advantage in Anaheim, 1-0
The Nationals first baseman Michael Morse smacked a solo homer to lead off the top of the second inning, giving Davey Johnson the early lead in his first game as manager for Washington. Morse took the second offering in the at-bat off of Ervin Santana to deep right center field over the wall for his 15th home run of the season. John Lannan got out of a two on jam in the first inning. Nationals lead the Angels1-0 in the second inning.
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Starting lineups: Nationals at Angels game one

Starting lineups: Nationals at Angels game one
Starting lineup for the Nationals in Game One against the L.A. Angels at Angels stadium: John Lannan opposes Ervin Santana. The National starting nine: Roger Bernadina CF Jayson Werth RF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Laynce Nix LF Michael Morse 1B Danny Espinosa 2B Wilson Ramos C Matt Stairs DH Ian Desmond SS The Angels lineup: Izturis 2B Aybar SS Abreu DH Wells RF Kendrick LF Trumbo 1B Callaspo 3B Bourjos CF Wilson C
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Davey Johnson the right answer for upward trending Nationals

Davey Johnson the right answer for upward trending Nationals
Circumstances seem to be falling the Nationals' way this season. Those circumstances usually take the form of injuries to players. Injuries befell every baseball team, every year, and usually it means a tailspin that good teams figure out a way to recover If a team has depth on its roster, the downward spiral can be avoided. This season, the Nationals have found a way to get through injuries that would disrupt most team's rhythm. The Nationals watched as first baseman Adam LaRoche and...
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Dominican prospect Estevez bounces back in second start

Dominican prospect Estevez bounces back in second start
Nineteen-year-old Dominican right-hander Wirkin Estevez settled in quite nicely to his second start Thursday for the short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays. After getting knocked around in his first New York-Penn League start June 18, Estevez was very impressive Thursday against Mahoning Valley, throwing five innings of shutout ball, allowing just one hit and one walk, and striking out five. The 6-foot-1, 170-lb. prospect has his velocity up between 87 to 93 mph on his fastball, and hit 88...
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Hernandez drops White Sox, sends McLaren off with another win, 2-1

Hernandez drops White Sox, sends McLaren off with another win, 2-1
Livan Hernandez bounced back from a rough outing to go 6 2/3 innings, striking out a season-high nine and throwing a season-high 123 pitches in the Washington Nationals' 2-1 series clinching victory at the Chicago White Sox. Danny Espinosa provided the offense with a two run-homer in the seventh and Drew Storen came on in the ninth to record his 19th save. It was a special win for interim manager John McLaren, who took over as skipper Friday following Jim Riggleman's resignation. McLaren...
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Peacock's slight adjustment keys pitching consistency

Peacock's slight adjustment keys pitching consistency
One of the best stories of the season has been the rise of right-handed starter Brad Peacock with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. Peacock has been stifling opposing hitters, going 8-2 in 12 starts (14 games). Opponents are hitting just .182 against the Miami, Fla., native, and Peacock has notched 114 strikeouts, which leads the Eastern League by a wide margin. The 23-year old Peacock also is tops in victories (8-2) and third overall in ERA (2.28) in the entire league. Alongside No. 1...
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