nationals

Morse falls short in Final Vote contest

July 07, 2011, 2:19pm

Sad news to report, Nationals fans. After a tremendous effort and certain bruises to thumbs around the DC area, all in an attempt to send Nationals right fielder Michael Morse to next week's All-Star game, Major League Baseball announced that Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino has won the National League Final Vote contest. The 9.2 million votes for Victorino helped the "Flying Hawaiian" edge out the Dodgers' Andre Ethier, Rockies' Todd Helton, Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy...

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Burnett says a bad slider brought the Cubs back

July 07, 2011, 8:11pm

Nationals

Burnett says a bad slider brought the Cubs back

Left-hander Sean Burnett said it was his slider that the Cubs' Carlos Pena turned on and tied the game up at 8-8 in the seventh. It was a major turning point in the series finale that Chicago trailed 8-0, coming all the way back to stun the Nationals, 10-9. Burnett said the location of the slider was not where he wanted it to end up and Pena took advantage. Sean Burnett talks about giving up a home run in the Nats' 10-9 loss to the Cubs "It was a badly executed slider," Burnett said....

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Rachel Levitin: Winning three of four vs. Cubs shows progress

July 08, 2011, 5:01am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Winning three of four vs. Cubs shows progress

The Nationals couldn't sweep the Cubs this series though they tried. On the upside, they're still above .500 with a 44-43 record. Whether or not last night's dropped contest should define a half-season's worth of progress is irrelevant. Fact of the matter is that the Nationals have shown improvement from the 2010 season and that should be noted. There are few lessons to be learned from this four-game series: A tired bullpen is not a strong bullpen. Bullpen coach Jim Lett and his squad of...

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Rodriguez likely headed to disabled list with strained oblique

July 07, 2011, 7:43pm

Nationals

Rodriguez likely headed to disabled list with strained oblique

Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez suffered a strained right oblique during batting practice Thursday against the Chicago Cub, and the injury is likely to send the veteran backstop on the 15-day disabled list. "Those things happen just like this and got me today," Rodriguez said. "I have never experienced this kind of injury. It never happens to me. We will see what happens tomorrow. We will take it day to day. If tomorrow is not better, (then) we will need a catcher." Rodriguez said...

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Ladies: Sign up now for interactive Nats U clinic Saturday

July 05, 2011, 6:57pm

Nationals

Ladies, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Guys love girls who like baseball. We love the idea of taking you to a game and knowing you're sitting there enjoying the sport as much as we are. We like to know that if you come home and we're in the midst of a no-hitter on TV, you don't mind slumping right belong side us on the couch and watching. That's the beauty of sports. Sports are exciting, they're action-packed, heart-breaking at times, yet always unpredictable and always...

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Martis controlling games, on pitching hot streak for Harrisburg

July 07, 2011, 9:00am

Nationals

Martis controlling games, on pitching hot streak for Harrisburg

Right-hander Shairon Martis continued a hot streak of consistent pitching for Double-A Harrisburg on Wednesday, showing the form that got him time most recently with the Nationals in 2009. The difference now is how well he is controlling games, dropping his ERA from 5.25 to 2.68. Martis went seven strong innings in notching the victory as the Senators dispatched the Erie SeaWolves, 4-3 at Metro Bank Park. Manager Tony Beasley said Martis was good because he set the tone early with his best...

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Rachel Levitin: Unprompted responses create hopeful stadium buzz

July 07, 2011, 4:21am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Unprompted responses create hopeful stadium buzz

The recent slew of one-run victories in Washington is enough to get the adrenaline of the players and fans to gush. After last night's 5-4 win versus the Chicago Cubs, Nationals organist Matt Van Hoose and I got to talking about the electricity that erupts in the park's seating bowl and creates an aura of energy from within in the confines of Nationals Park. When fans make noise in favor of the team and feel like they're a part of the motivating factor to win it, it really makes that much of...

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Prospect Tyler Moore on Bryce Harper in Double-A: "I am glad he is here"

July 06, 2011, 2:37pm

Nationals

Prospect Tyler Moore on Bryce Harper in Double-A: "I am glad he is here"

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Nationals' No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper is well into his first week playing left field for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. In his first game, Harper had a pair of singles. In his second contest, he threw out two runners from left field trying to stretch singles into doubles. The transition for Harper from low Single-A to Double-A is in its infancy on the field, and his new teammates are smoothing that change out for the young star in the clubhouse. His teammates have...

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Harrisburg lineup is in; Bryce Harper batting sixth again

July 06, 2011, 2:52pm

Nationals

Harrisburg lineup is in; Bryce Harper batting sixth again

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Double-A Senators lineup is in for tonight's game versus the Erie Seawolves. It is a beautiful night for baseball, the sun setting in a hazy sky, with little or no wind, and 91 degrees at Metro Bank Park. Here is Tony Beasley's lineup for Harrisburg tonight: Josh Johnson SS Adam Fox 2B Bill Rhinehart DH Tyler Moore 1B Chris Rahl CF Bryce Harper LF Archie Gilbert RF Devin Ivany C Stephen King 3B Right-hander Shairon Martis (5-3, 2.82 ERA) vs. RHP Brooks Brown (4-3,...

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Solis nets victory with "awesome" debut in Potomac

July 05, 2011, 7:47pm

Nationals

Solis nets victory with "awesome" debut in Potomac

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Left-hander Sammy Solis took another step forward with a quality debut for the Single-A Potomac Nationals in a 12-3 victory over the Wilmington Blue Rocks at Pfitzner Stadium. You could hear the smack of Sandy Leon's catcher's mitt when Solis' fastball would smoke in there, and he worked the mound at an up tempo, but controlled pace. Solis went six innings, scattering seven hits, with three runs, one walk, one home run and five strikeouts. He threw 85 pitches, 57 for...

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Michael Morse needs your help, Nats fans

July 05, 2011, 1:22pm

Nationals

Michael Morse needs your help, Nats fans

Nationals fans, you've had the privilege of watching Michael Morse emerge as one of the top young hitters in the game. Now, it's up to you to make sure the rest of the country gets a glimpse of him. On Sunday, Morse was tabbed as one of five nominees for the National League's remaining All-Star game slot in the Final Vote. He was joined by four other players and, through Monday, really needs your help. Currently, Morse sits in fourth place, trailing the Rockies' Todd Helton, Los Angeles'...

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Rachel Levitin: Johnson holds Nats accountable with levity, pride

July 06, 2011, 4:42am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Johnson holds Nats accountable with levity, pride

When Davey Johnson was named manager of the Washington Nationals at the end of June, I was out of the country. Wednesday night's game was my first encounter with Johnson in a postgame press conference. Some managers play small ball with each play and others motivate their guys. The best of those guys do both. I'm still not 100 percent positive how to categorize Johnson, but I do know that I see potential in him as manager for the close of the year. Here's why: He's accountable. Besides...

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Orioles and Nationals teaming up to have fans vote the "Beltways Ballot" into the All-Star Game

July 05, 2011, 2:22pm

Nationals Orioles

Orioles and Nationals teaming up to have fans vote the "Beltways Ballot" into the All-Star Game

The Orioles and Washington Nationals have announced that they have teamed together in an effort to help send the "Beltways Ballot" of outfielder Adam Jones and first baseman Michael Morse to Arizona for this year's All-Star Game. Fans voting for Jones will be eligible to win a VIP Meet & Greet with Adam, parking and four (4) field box seat tickets to an Orioles home game in July or August. Voting can be done by visiting www.orioles.com/finalvote . Voting for Jones can also be done via...

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Nationals recall Detwiler from Triple-A, Balester designated for assignment

July 05, 2011, 11:16am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and designated right-handed pitcher Collin Balester for assignment. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Detwiler was 6-6 with a 4.53 ERA (44 ER/87.1 IP) in 16 starts for Syracuse at the time of the promotion. Detwiler, 25, went 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA during an especially-strong six-start stretch in...

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Solis promoted to Single-A Potomac, will start tonight

July 05, 2011, 8:56am

Nationals

Solis promoted to Single-A Potomac, will start tonight

The Nationals announced that left-hander Sammy Solis has been promoted to the Single-A Potomac Nationals and will make his first Carolina League start tonight at home against Wilmington. Solis went 2-1 with a 4.02 ERA in seven starts for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns, recording a victory in his last game June 30 versus Lakewood. He also put up 40 strikeouts to 12 walks. Solis was hoping to begin his professional career with Potomac, but was slowed by a couple of injuries and had to spend more...

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Rachel Levitin: Could patriotic Nats become America's Team?

July 05, 2011, 4:51am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Could patriotic Nats become America's Team?

In theory, the Washington Nationals should be proclaimed "America's Baseball Team" due to proximity and fact. But thanks to the Patriotic Series and a little bit of time, that fact could turn into one of the Nats' longest-standing ballclub legacies. Take an annual contender in playoffs, for example. They're used to baseball during mid-October in front of a prime-time crowd. A D.C. fan hasn't had that opportunity since the invention of television. Plus, the Nats' end-of-season goals...

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Taking a look at some news and notes concerning this year's All-Star game

July 04, 2011, 9:59am

Nationals Orioles

Taking a look at some news and notes concerning this year's All-Star game

Give the fans a pat on the back: They did a great job selecting the National and American League All-Star rosters for the July 12 game in Phoenix. The only player that was selected to start that shouldn't was shortstop Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees, but that's not the end of the world. Jeter is his way to becoming the first Yankees player to reach 3,000 career hits. Jeter was six hits short as he returned to the Yankees' lineup Monday in Cleveland. And, the fans should be...

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Milone named International League Pitcher of the Week

July 05, 2011, 4:51am

Nationals

Milone named International League Pitcher of the Week

Syracuse Chiefs left-handed starter Tom Milone has been named International League Pitcher of the Week after going 14 1/3 innings in two starts and allowing only one run. Milone said the last few weeks have been going smoothly on the mound. "I can't complain," Milone said. "I am throwing the ball well. Everything is working with all four pitches. I am throwing strikes, which is good. I am not giving out free passes." Milone is indeed throwing strikes, which are turning into strikeouts....

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Bryce Harper goes 2-for-3 with run scored in Double-A debut

July 04, 2011, 6:55pm

Nationals

Bryce Harper goes 2-for-3 with run scored in Double-A debut

Nationals No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk in his Double-A debut Monday night with Harrisburg, as the Senators cruised past Erie SeaWolves 8-1. Derek Norris and Bill Rhinehart each hit a pair of home runs and Brad Peacock won his 10th game, going six innings, allowing a single run and striking out nine. Harper singled to center field in the first inning off of Erie starter Jamie Johnson. He popped out to third base to lead off the third inning. Harper led...

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Is Johnson considering Nix at first base Tuesday due to injuries?

July 04, 2011, 2:05pm

Nationals

Is Johnson considering Nix at first base Tuesday due to injuries?

Laynce Nix could get the start at first base Tuesday with Matt Stairs and Michael Morse ailing, manager Davey Johnson announced after Monday's 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Stairs replaced Morse, who sat out today's game with an arm contusion. Johnson said Stairs then banged up his bad knee running down the line on a foul ball into the stands, and was replaced by Nix. So Nix was inserted into the lineup for the first time this season at first base. It was the first time in his career...