Game 76 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

Game 76 lineups: Nats vs. Braves
The Nationals arrive for Saturday night's matchup at Nats Park against the first-place Braves with an opportunity to win their second straight series over Atlanta. Just as important with a victory tonight the Nats can return to the .500 mark for the first time since April 23 (11-11). Washington went to 2-0 in late May at SunTrust Park. Counting tonight, the Nats still have 16 regular season games left against the Braves. Following Friday night's 4-3 victory, the Nats have now won a...
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Strasburg maintains after slow start, rolls to eighth win 4-3

Strasburg maintains after slow start, rolls to eighth win 4-3
Right-hander Stephen Strasburg managed to hang in there despite a slow start Friday night, accruing six innings and watching as his Nationals came back from a 3-0 deficit to edge the Braves, 4-3. Strasburg lasted six innings, allowing three runs in the first three innings, but then shut out the Braves for three frames to improve to 8-4. Austin Riley's two-run homer in the second and an RBI double from Freddie Freeman lifted the Braves to a 3-0 lead in the third. "You're going to give them...
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Suero excited to earn first big league save

Suero excited to earn first big league save
In another one-run nail biter, it was inevitable that the Nationals bullpen would have to find a way to come up with important outs and escape a major jam to finish the game against the first-place team in the National League East. Now sprinkle in a tired bullpen with five relievers having pitched the day before in a 7-4 win over the Phillies. The card-carrying member of the resilient warriors not named Sean Doolittle in this bullpen right now is right-hander Wander Suero, who came up the...
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Riley gets to Strasburg early (Nats win 4-3)

Riley gets to Strasburg early (Nats win 4-3)
The Braves got on the board early against Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg. Josh Donaldson walked to lead off the second inning. With one out, Austin Riley belted a two-run homer over the left-center field to give Atlanta the lead. Riley connected on a 93.6 mph two-seam fastball for his 12th homer of the season. Braves left-hander Dallas Keuchel, making his 2019 debut, allowed leadoff singles to Trea Turner and Brian Dozier in the first and second innings, respectively, but no...
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Ross recalled, Sanchez sent to Double-A; Nats prep for Keuchel

Ross recalled, Sanchez sent to Double-A; Nats prep for Keuchel
Nationals manager Davey Martinez confirmed this afternoon that right-hander Joe Ross was on a flight today, heading to D.C. to presumably be the starting pitcher against the Braves on Sunday. But the story was adjusted a bit an hour later when the club announced that Ross was officially recalled from Triple-A Fresno prior to Friday's series opener. Infielder Adrián Sanchez was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg. Ross will be available out of a taxed bullpen tonight. Sean Doolittle, Tanner...
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Fedde at a loss for lack of command in no-decision versus Phillies

Fedde at a loss for lack of command in no-decision versus Phillies
The Nationals starter Erick Fedde battled to stay in the game Thursday, but his command was so off that the right-hander was unable to get through the fourth inning. His bullpen and the Nationals offense helped him along as the club topped the Phillies 7-4. Fedde lasted only 3 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with a season-high five walks and one strikeout. The 84 pitches thrown recorded only 11 outs. The most eye-popping trend recently has been the 14 free passes allowed in his last...
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Guerra notches first win of season as bullpen shines in 7-4 win

Guerra notches first win of season as bullpen shines in 7-4 win
Highlighted by a 1-2-3 inning from a big league veteran, the Nationals bullpen helped save the day again in a 7-4 win over the Phillies that completed a three-game sweep. Starter Erick Fedde did not have the control he had hoped for with five walks in 3 2/3 innings. Matt Grace struggled a bit, allowing a run on a solo homer to Jean Segura, but did record four outs. In came Javy Guerra, who notched a shutout inning in the sixth to earn the victory. Tanner Rainey gave up a Jay Bruce solo homer,...
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Soto and Suzuki lift Fedde early (Nationals win 7-4)

Soto and Suzuki lift Fedde early (Nationals win 7-4)
Following a 30-minute rain delay, the Nationals did a nice job of making Phillies right-hander Nick Pivetta work in the first two frames. Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto doubled in the first to make it 1-0. Soto was tagged out at third base when the ball got away momentarily on the relay in from left fielder Jay Bruce. Pivetta threw to Maikel Franco at third to tag out Soto. Following a Howie Kendrick single to lead off the bottom of the second inning, Kurt Suzuki lined a two-run shot over the...
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Martinez: Zimmerman likely to start rehab soon (updated)

Martinez: Zimmerman likely to start rehab soon (updated)
Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who is on the injured list with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, went through full batting practice again Thursday. Between games of the Wednesday doubleheader against the Phillies, he ran the bases and simulated baserunning scenarios out of the box. He said his foot is making progress. Zimmerman has missed 46 games. "It's getting better," Zimmerman said. "I'm starting to run. You just have to do it a few days in a row, get nothing (going wrong),...
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Nationals plan to extend protective netting by early July

Nationals plan to extend protective netting by early July
In a letter to fans from principal owner Mark D. Lerner, the Nationals today announced a plan to extend protective netting, which currently ends at each dugout, to just prior the left and right field foul poles at Nationals Park. The new Ultra Cross Knotless Dyneema protective netting will offer a better viewing experience while also providing a higher degree of protection for fans from flying baseballs and bats that go into the stands. The new netting is expected to be installed during the...
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Scherzer "most impressive" in 2-0 shutout of Phillies

Scherzer "most impressive" in 2-0 shutout of Phillies
Broken Nose. Black Eye. Swelling around the eye. Seven Innings of shutout baseball? No problem if you're Max Scherzer. One of those ailments would have been enough of an excuse for lesser pitchers to ask for the day off or skip a start. Not Scherzer. Ever. The right-hander kept the Phillies at arm's length for 21 outs, allowing only four hits, as the Nationals completed the doubleheader sweep with a 2-0 win. Brian Dozier smacked his second homer on the day to give the Nats the early lead in...
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Despite broken nose, Scherzer cruises early (Nats sweep 2-0)

Despite broken nose, Scherzer cruises early (Nats sweep 2-0)
Despite a broken nose and a black eye, Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer went ahead with his start Wednesday night in the second game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies. Jean Segura singled to lead off the first inning. But Scherzer got the next three batters out, including Rhys Hoskins, who took a called third strike. Brad Miller singled with two outs in the second inning, but Scherzer induced a fly out to left field by Andrew Knapp to end the frame. Scherzer struck out two...
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Parra's offense and defense help old buddy Corbin to 6-2 win

Parra's offense and defense help old buddy Corbin to 6-2 win
Left-hander Patrick Corbin bounced back from a run of rough starts with the help of a newly reunited former teammate, center fielder Gerardo Parra, in the Nationals' 6-2 win over the Phillies in game one of a Wednesday doubleheader at Nats Park. Parra, who played his first game for the Nats May 10, went 2-for-4 with a double, homer, a run scored and two RBIs. He also made the defensive play of the game - a barehanded play on a single towards him in center field - that he picked up and nailed...
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Corbin hopes for bounce back from rough patch (Nats win 6-2)

Corbin hopes for bounce back from rough patch (Nats win 6-2)
Nationals starter Patrick Corbin has been desperately looking for a solution for a recent rough patch. The left-hander has not won a game since May 25, looking to snap a three-game losing streak. Corbin was able to get started well, inducing a pair of flyouts to Jean Segura and Bryce Harper. But Scott Kingery got a hold of a 1-2 83 mph Corbin slider over the left field wall for his ninth homer of the season to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead. The Nats quickly tied the game up at 1-1 in the bottom...
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Banks' three-run shot rallies North to 8-7 comeback win in Carolina League All-Star Classic

Banks' three-run shot rallies North to 8-7 comeback win in Carolina League All-Star Classic
FREDERICK, Md. - Potomac Nationals right fielder Nick Banks arrived at the high Single-A All-Star break on a hot streak. Nothing has changed after the Carolina League All-Star Classic. Banks hit a three-run opposite-field home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Northern Division All-Stars to a dramatic, come-from-behind 8-7 win over the Southern All-Stars at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove stadium. The right fielder connected on a first-pitch 80 mph slider off Myrtle Beach...
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Freeman knew about Banks before they became teammates

Freeman knew about Banks before they became teammates
FREDERICK, Md. - When you are good enough to play elite Division I collegiate baseball in the Southeastern Conference, there is always a chance your paths will cross in the professional ranks. That is the case for a pair of minor league players on the Nationals' farm, Cole Freeman and Nick Banks. The duo got the opportunity to play against each other as opponents in college, in the SEC. Now they are teammates in for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals. Tuesday night in Frederick, Md., the pair...
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P-Nats thrilled for tonight's Carolina League All-Star Classic

P-Nats thrilled for tonight's Carolina League All-Star Classic
FREDERICK, Md. - The Single-A Potomac Nationals have four players on the active roster for the Northern Division All-Stars in tonight's Carolina League All-Star Classic. P-Nats second baseman Cole Freeman, a fourth-round selection from 2017 out of LSU, is thrilled to be selected for tonight's contest. He is starting at second base and batting seventh in the lineup. "It's a massive honor," Freeman said. "When you break spring training, this is one of the goals as a player you have....
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Updates on Cate, Cluff and Grace

Updates on Cate, Cluff and Grace
Left-hander Tim Cate has been promoted from low Single-A Hagerstown to high Single-A Potomac. The 2018 second-round selection out of UConn has gone 4-5 with a 2.82 ERA in 13 starts this season, striking out 73 and walking only 13 in 70 1/3 innings. Here is my sit-down with Cate from spring training, which focused on building from his lower half. "Cate has made tremendous strides from last year to this year with his development of all three pitches, fastballs have been commanded better,...
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First-rounder Rutledge agrees to terms with Nats

First-rounder Rutledge agrees to terms with Nats
The Nationals have agreed to terms with 2019 first-round draft pick right-handed pitcher Jackson Rutledge out of San Jacinto North junior college. The 6-foot-8, 250-pound, starter finished his sophomore season at San Jacinto with a 9-2 record and a 0.87 ERA. He struck out 134, walked 30 and had four complete games in 13 starts, and pitched 82 2/3 innings total. He surrendered one homer the whole season. Monday was his first visit to D.C., and he agreed to become a Washington National,...
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Martinez believes Rendon and Kendrick deserve All-Star selection

Martinez believes Rendon and Kendrick deserve All-Star selection
Offensively, Nationals infielders Anthony Rendon and Howie Kendrick look to have the best chance of being selected to play for the National League in the All-Star Game in Cleveland on July 9. On June 21, players moving on to the starters election will be announced during the MLB Network broadcast of the Yankees vs. Astros game. On June 26 at 12 p.m., the 28-hour window for the starters election begins. It concludes at 4 p.m. on June 27. Starters for the All-Star Game will be announced at 7 p.m....
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