Strasburg on inability to get loose: "I don't really know why it is happening"

Strasburg on inability to get loose: "I don't really know why it is happening"
Manager Davey Johnson announced after Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Braves that Stephen Strasburg would be scratched from Thursday's start. Gio Gonzalez will start the opener against the Marlins while Jordan Zimmermann will get the call Friday. Johnson said Strasburg would now be scheduled to pitch next on Saturday. Strasburg last pitched September 8. If Strasburg does pitch Saturday, that would mark 13 days between starts. Strasburg said today's throwing session went well, but he is having...

After loss, Ohlendorf, Desmond and LaRoche discuss Nationals' desperate situation

After loss, Ohlendorf, Desmond and LaRoche discuss Nationals' desperate situation
After the Nationals won 27 of their previous 37 games, losing a game became pretty rare. But losing a game to first-place Atlanta late in September with the NL wild card still not within their grasp hurts even more. Starter Ross Ohlendorf cruised through five innings before allowing two home runs and three runs in the sixth. The Braves eventually won 5-2. Ohlendorf said losing this time of year - with the a postseason berth in the balance - stings even more. "All the losses are...

Johnson on Reds, Pirates, Rick Schu and young pitchers

Johnson on Reds, Pirates, Rick Schu and young pitchers
Manager Davey Johnson has been asked many times the last few weeks if he has checked the scoreboard. Today, Johnson was asked if he thought the Reds and Pirates were checking to see how the Nationals are doing. "They are watching it," Johnson said. 'There is no doubt about it. But it always goes down to what you do today. You only worry about things you can control. I am assuming the Reds are going to beat the Astros. Unless our boy (Brad) Peacock has a great game and tries to hand...

Roark on current run with the Nationals: "It is a blast"

Roark on current run with the Nationals: "It is a blast"
It was certainly a smart move by the Nationals to move Tanner Roark from the bullpen back to a starting role in Triple-A Syracuse this season. And whether he was relieving or starting, Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams told manager Davey Johnson that Roark was a pitcher. Williams was right. In three starts for the Nationals, Roark has shown he can be successful in the big leagues. Combining his relief work with these three starts, Roark is now 7-0 following a stunning 4-0 victory...

When Braves pitch to Span, outfielder comes through

When Braves pitch to Span, outfielder comes through
Nationals center fielder Denard Span extended his career-high hitting streak to 27 games with a base hit in the second inning, but he will prefer to tell you about his grounder that went through the legs of Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons. The error by Simmons allowed two runs to score as the Nationals secured a 6-5 comeback victory over the first-place Atlanta Braves. And more astounding, the Nationals did it against Braves closer Craig Kimbrel, who arrived with a 1.04 ERA and National...

Nationals' Stammen reflects on Navy Yard tragedy, looks forward

Nationals' Stammen reflects on Navy Yard tragedy, looks forward
Nationals players were welcomed in the clubhouse by U.S. Navy four-star Admiral James A. Winnefeld, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, prior to their Tuesday doubleheader against the Braves. Winnefeld handed out U.S. Navy caps for the players to wear during batting practice today, one day after Monday's tragic shootings at nearby Washington Navy Yard. Nationals players Craig Stammen, Chad Tracy, Tyler Moore and Jeff Kobernus were the first to greet the admiral and share some time...

Zimmerman nominated for prestigious Roberto Clemente award

Zimmerman nominated for prestigious Roberto Clemente award
Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is the team's nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. Today is the 12th annual Roberto Clemente Day in Major League Baseball. "The annual Roberto Clemente Award recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement," MLB said in a press release. "The Roberto Clemente Award pays tribute to Clemente's achievements and...

Zimmermann pleased with outing, looking at big picture

Zimmermann pleased with outing, looking at big picture
It was another workmanlike effort for starter Jordan Zimmermann. Tossing seven innings, in which he had one strikeout in each frame, the Nationals right-hander held the Phillies to a pair of early runs and coasted to an 11-2 victory. Zimmermann picked up his National League-leading 18th victory, and the Nationals are now 21-9 in games he starts this season. "It feels good," said Zimmermann. "But, then again, I will trade all those wins in for a spot in the playoffs. That is the only thing...

Gonzalez on Phillies in 5-4 loss: "They know everything you have"

Gonzalez on Phillies in 5-4 loss: "They know everything you have"
Saturday certainly was not what Gio Gonzalez wanted or expected after pitching a one-hitter in his last start against the Mets. In Saturday's start against the Phillies, Gonzalez allowed four runs on nine hits in six innings. He did battle through a couple of jams, but a four-run fifth inning helped put the Phillies over the edge. "Gio just had that one inning where he looked like he just lost his command," said manager Davey Johnson. "The big thing was the walk to (Chase) Utley. And...

Nats' minor league Player of the Year, Billy Burns, gaining confidence in left-handed swing

Nats' minor league Player of the Year, Billy Burns, gaining confidence in left-handed swing
The Nationals' most improved player in the minor league system has been outfielder Billy Burns. This week, the team rewarded the organization's top base stealer with their coveted minor league Player of the Year award. Burns, 24, started the season at high Single-A Potomac and lit up the stat sheet with his quality at-bats, high batting average and ability to steal bases. Potomac manager Brian Daubach has seen how quickly Burns has grown as a player and remembers coaching him while managing...

Harper showing off arm with big plays out of left field

Harper showing off arm with big plays out of left field
Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper made two huge defensive plays in a span of five batters Friday night that severely crippled the Phillies' opportunity for big innings. The Nationals ended up downing the Phillies 6-1. Harper grew up playing catcher with his brother, Bryan, as a left-handed pitcher. At the College of Southern Nevada, Harper was the backstop for a playoff team. Now as a left fielder in his second season in the majors, he put his powerful arm on display from near the...

McCatty: Strasburg's forearm irritation not because he was trying new pitch

McCatty: Strasburg's forearm irritation not because he was trying new pitch
Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty said Stephen Strasburg wasn't trying a new pitch in Thursday's bullpen session in New York. There was the possibility, raised by manager Davey Johnson today, that the reason Strasburg came down with the irritation in his throwing arm was because he had tried a new pitch in the throwing session. Strasburg was scratched from Friday's scheduled start with right forearm tightness. "I was standing there," McCatty said. "All pitchers play with grips all...

Harrisburg eliminated by Trenton in Double-A finals, but team stacked with talent

Harrisburg eliminated by Trenton in Double-A finals, but team stacked with talent
Trenton Thunder scored five runs in the third inning in a 11-4 win over the Harrisburg Senators at Metro Bank Park. The Thunder clinched the Eastern League Championship three games to none. Nathan Karns pitched just 2 2/3 innings, allowing a run-scoring triple by Tyler Austin in the third. Seven batters reached in a row to highlight Trenton's big inning. Justin Bloxom had an RBI single and Jeff Howell added a two-run single. Harrisburg struggled with runners in scoring position, going...

Nationals honor Burns, Jordan and Renda with organizational awards

Nationals honor Burns, Jordan and Renda with organizational awards
The Nationals announced that outfielder Billy Burns, starting pitcher Taylor Jordan and second baseman Tony Renda have won the organization's top awards. Billy Burns - Nationals minor league Player of the Year Burns was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg this season, showcasing his blurring speed out of the box. He spent the first 91 games of the season with high Single-A Potomac, then played 30 games for the Senators. Double-A Harrisburg was just eliminated in the Eastern League finals by...

Hagerstown's Lippincott maintaining consistent play, adapting to outfield

Hagerstown's Lippincott maintaining consistent play, adapting to outfield
Low Single-A Hagerstown Suns first baseman/outfielder Bryan Lippincott has done well in the South Atlantic League championship series, going 4-for-8 with a triple and three RBIs through the first two games against Savannah. The surge is a small example of the consistency he has shown at different levels the past two seasons. With short-season Single-A Auburn, Lippincott hit .283 (47-for-166) in 44 games, with nine doubles, seven homers, 19 walks, three stolen bases and 29 RBIs. Prior to his...

Harrisburg gives up late lead, falls 5-4 at Trenton

Harrisburg gives up late lead, falls 5-4 at Trenton
Double-A Harrisburg lost to the Trenton Thunder 5-4 on Wednesday night in Game 2 of the Eastern League Championship Series from Trenton, N.J. The Thunder now lead the best-of-five series, two games to none. Jeff Howell's sacrifice fly scored Carlos Rivero to give the Senators a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning. But Trenton came back with two runs in the seventh. Reegie Corona had an RBI single and Ali Castillo provided the go-ahead run with a RBI groundout. Trenton led 5-4. Senators starter...

Harrisburg, Potomac and Hagerstown all lose in minor league playoffs

Harrisburg, Potomac and Hagerstown all lose in minor league playoffs
The high Single-A Potomac Nationals' season ended in Salem on Tuesday as the Red Sox won the Mills Cup championship 6-4. The Red Sox won the series over the P-Nats, three games to none. Left-hander Sammy Solis took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits in 3 1/3 innings, with two walks and four strikeouts. Solis allowed two runs in the second and then the Red Sox scored four times in the fourth inning to take commanding 6-1 lead. Catcher Adrian Nieto went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, but the...

Solis, Treinen and Voth headline big night for Nationals' affiliates in postseason

Solis, Treinen and Voth headline big night for Nationals' affiliates in postseason
A glimpse into the possible future of the Nationals' starting rotation is on display as three affiliates continue their postseasons tonight. Double-A Harrisburg opens the best-of-five Eastern League Championship Series tonight in Trenton, N.J., against the Trenton Thunder. Right-hander Blake Treinen takes the hill for Harrisburg. Treinen was part of the three-team trade that sent Michael Morse to Seattle in the offseason. Ian Krol, A.J. Cole and Treinen were traded to the Nationals as part...

Hagerstown breaks out on top in first game against Savannah

Hagerstown breaks out on top in first game against Savannah
This is one time the Nationals are happy to beat a Gnat. Low Single-A Hagerstown cruised past Savannah in Game 1 of the South Atlantic League finals 6-1 behind excellent pitching from rookie Jake Johansen and three hits courtesy of Tony Renda. Johansen went five innings, allowing three hits, no runs and two walks while striking out two for the win. Renda and Stephen Perez provided two-run doubles. Perez's hit came with two outs in the eighth. Wander Ramos had two doubles and a run scored....

Potomac in big hole, down 2-0 in Mills Cup championship

Potomac in big hole, down 2-0 in Mills Cup championship
The Nationals' high Single-A affiliate faces an elimination game on Tuesday night. The Potomac Nationals are down in their best-of-five 2013 Mills Cup championship series after dropping the first two games of the series at home against Salem. The Salem Red Sox shut out the P-Nats 4-0 Sunday thanks to right-hander Mike Aguilera's 6 2/3 scoreless innings. It was only the sixth game all season the P-Nats had been shut out. They managed six hits. Cutter Dykstra and Randolph Oduber each had two...