The impact of young Nationals learning how to win

The impact of young Nationals learning how to win
The Nationals' young catcher Wilson Ramos made a coming-of-age play Tuesday with his dramatic three-run walk-off home run to stun the Seattle Mariners, 6-5. It is one of those hits that can make players and fans believe the Nationals can win any game at any time. The fact that it was the 23-year old Ramos who hit the homer shows that the Nationals' younger players are learning how to win games when given the opportunity. Last Thursday, 24-year old second baseman Danny Espinosa came to the...

Riggleman updates the progress of Kimball, Gaudin and Wang

Riggleman updates the progress of Kimball, Gaudin and Wang
Nationals manager Jim Riggleman updated the status of a few pitchers before Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Reliever Cole Kimball told me over the weekend his shoulder is pain free after a couple of throwing sessions from 60 feet. He was scheduled to throw from 90 feet Sunday. Riggleman said Kimball is throwing a little bit and the reports his arm feels great. "His nature is very positive," Riggleman said. "He said he felt great before he went on the DL. He is just a...

Morse team's MVP for the first 70 games

Morse team's MVP for the first 70 games
There is really no underestimating how crucial Michael Morse has been to the Nationals' surge the last few weeks. It is not farfetched to say that Morse has been the offensive Most Valuable Player for the first 70 games of the season. Not only has Morse's bat been the biggest in the lineup, but his play at first base has really solved two problems for the price of one. His defense has kept the team in ballgames and his bat has won them. When Adam LaRoche started nursing his shoulder injury,...

P-Nats lefty Rosenbaum fine-tuning fastball to start second half

P-Nats lefty Rosenbaum fine-tuning fastball to start second half
Single-A Potomac Nationals left-handed pitcher Danny Rosenbaum concluded the first half of the season as the team leader in innings pitched (85) and continues to keep the opponents off the board with a 2.65 ERA and 62 strikeouts. But the team is working on fine-tuning his fastball as they embark on the second half of the season. Potomac Nationals pitching coach Paul Menhart said the former Xavier Musketeer needs to hit his spots with his best pitch. The coaching staff would love to get the...

Drew Kinback: Cordero represented what's right about baseball

Drew Kinback: Cordero represented what's right about baseball
I've actually sat at my computer for the past two hours looking at a blank screen trying to figure out how to exactly put into words at how absolutely heartbroken I am to hear that former Nationals closer

Nats activate Gorzelanny, place Ankiel on DL

Nats activate Gorzelanny, place Ankiel on DL
The Washington Nationals today recalled from rehab and reinstated left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny from the 15-day disabled list and placed outfielder Rick Ankiel (left intercostal strain) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 15. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Gorzelanny missed the last 24 games after being placed on the DL on May 27, retroactive to May 24, with left elbow inflammation. The...

Nationals agree to terms with 18 players from '11 Draft

Nationals agree to terms with 18 players from '11 Draft
The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with 18 players selected in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft: third baseman Matt Skole (fifth round), right-handed pitcher Brian Dupra (7th round), right-handed pitcher Manny Rodriguez (10th round), outfielder Caleb Ramsey (11th round), left-handed pitcher Blake Monar (12th round), shortstop Deion Williams (16th round), left-handed pitcher Todd Simko (21st round), right-handed pitcher Travis Henke (22nd round), second baseman Khayyan Norfork (23rd...

Harper out of home run derby, will start All-Star Game

Harper out of home run derby, will start All-Star Game
Bryan Holland, Director of Communications for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns, told MASNsports.com that Nationals top prospect

Drew Kinback: Recipe for Nationals victory waffles

Drew Kinback: Recipe for Nationals victory waffles
It has been a good week in NatsTown. The Nationals pulled off an eight-game win streak, have pulled themselves into third place in the National League East, put themselves within striking distance of .500 and somehow got their name in talks for the Wild Card. They also put the hurting on an NL Central powerhouse in the Cardinals and won Round 2 of the Battle of the Beltways against the Baltimore Orioles. Going 8-1 in the past nine games - not too shabby. If your senses are up to par, take a...

A fresh realignment proposal courtesy of Tom Davis

A fresh realignment proposal courtesy of Tom Davis
With the Basic Agreement expiring at the end of the season, players and team owners are thinking about realignment. The reason this is being discussed is that both sides want more equity within division races. The thought is that it is unfair for six teams in the National League Central to compete for a title while the American League West has four teams. Realignment ideas range from blowing up both leagues as we know them and creating new divisions to moving one NL team to the AL. For...

Harper thumb update and P-Nats notes

Harper thumb update and P-Nats notes
Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper sat out the last two games of the first half of the South Atlantic League season continuing to nurse his sore left thumb. He originally jammed the thumb during last Sunday's game and has missed four games off and on during the last week as a precautionary measure. Harper will travel to Salisbury, Md., and is expected to play in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game on Tuesday. He batted .330 with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs in 64 games for the Single-A...

2011 Dream Gala

2011 Dream Gala
I've always found it a little strange to see baseball players out of uniform. We're so accustomed to watching them take the field on a daily basis, recognizable only by their last name and corresponding number on the back of their jersey. In fact, if you're fortunate enough to bump into a player on the street or outside of the ballpark, it can sometimes take a minute to realize who you've just seen. So as players, coaches and members of the Washington Nationals organization dressed up in...

Rodriguez, Ramos catching runners at high percentage

Rodriguez, Ramos catching runners at high percentage
There are many factors to explain why a team goes on a roll. The big reasons usually center around timely hits, solid defense and quality pitching. Two other factors are veteran leadership and a bench that contributes. The Nationals are in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, the longest streak in almost two seasons, dating to an eight-game streak in August 2009. In Saturday's 4-2 victory over the Orioles, Washington displayed one of those key ingredients in successful teams: a...

Father of the Year

Father of the Year
First off, I would like to extend a very happy Father's Day to all dads out there, particularly those currently away from their families serving in the military. For me, the word "dad" conjures up memories of grilling outside, weekend bike rides and, of course, trips to the ballpark. In fact, if not for my dad introducing me to the sport, I'm not sure I would be as passionate about baseball as I am today. This weekend will be no different for a lot of families, as the Battle of the...

Kimball feels no pain after two throwing sessions

Kimball feels no pain after two throwing sessions
Nationals right-handed reliever Cole Kimball had two throwing sessions Saturday under the supervision of bullpen coach Jim Lett and head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz to test his injured shoulder. He said the sessions went very well and his throwing shoulder showed no pain during the workouts. Kimball has been on the disabled list since June 10 with shoulder inflammation. Kimball threw two sessions and 60 feet and felt "pretty good" afterward. "There was no pain," Kimball said. "I am...

Desmond continues to steal bases even with sore leg

Desmond continues to steal bases even with sore leg
Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond stole two bases Friday and now has a career-high 20 stolen bases in his first 64 games of the season. Last year, he had 17 stolen bases in 154 games. The Nationals are being more aggressive on the basepaths and taking advantage of Desmond's speed to put pressure on the opposition to not make mistakes. Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said the team is running more this season, but they have to be careful with Desmond because he is still nursing a sore left...

Short-season Auburn Doubledays win 2011 opener

Short-season Auburn Doubledays win 2011 opener
There were some very impressive performances from a few of the minor league affiliates in the Nationals' chain Friday, including the debut of the short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays, managed by Gary Cathcart, as a Washington affiliate. Doubledays catcher Adrian Nieto went 3-for-3 with two runs, a homer and two RBIs as Auburn started its season with 11 hits and a 6-1 win over Batavia. Ryan Demmin went five innings for the win. At Double-A, Nationals prospects Josh Johnson and Chris Rahl...

Nationals and Orioles all even at 1-1 early

Nationals and Orioles all even at 1-1 early
The Nationals and Orioles under way in their fifth meeting of the season. Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz is facing Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmerman. With a victory, the Nationals can guarantee at least a season split with the Birds. Washington has won both series hold on,openers by a combined score of 25-9. The Orioles got to Zimmermann early with a solo homer by Adam Jones in the top of the first. The blast to left field came with two men out. The Nationals countered with the...

Nationals' Desmond finding all kinds of ways to contribute

Nationals' Desmond finding all kinds of ways to contribute
Nationals' shortstop Ian Desmond was back to batting in the second hole after hitting ninth Thursday. Desmond's timely hitting, speed on the bases and crafty glove helped guide Washington to an 8-4 win in their series opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park. Desmond had two hits, two stolen bases, a run and two RBIs in his final three at-bats as the Nationals came back from an early 2-0 deficit to beat the Birds. Even with Desmond batting all over the lineup, he feels the...

Wizards' Wall bounces first pitch, excited to see first Nationals' game

Wizards' Wall bounces first pitch, excited to see first Nationals' game
The Washington Wizards star point guard John Wall threw out the first pitch before Friday's matchup with the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park. It didn't quite do what he had planned. Wall's pitch bounced twice before the Nationals closer Drew Storen made a nice play to catch it. Wall said the 56-minute rain delay allowed him to cool down too much and affected the throw. "That was my All-Star game bounce pass right there," Wall said. "I will come back out and redeem myself sometime...