Subtle moment shows D.C. is becoming a baseball town again

Subtle moment shows D.C. is becoming a baseball town again
Labor Day was fun for the Nationals again this year. The Nats steamrolled their division rival Mets 13-3 behind a spectacular performance from rookie Danny Espinosa. He hit two homers, including a grand slam and a career-high 6 RBI. Washington is now 5-0 on Labor Day since the team's first year in D.C. Espinosa had an incredible day at the plate. But the at bat that I remember very well was an out. In his second at bat, Espinosa smacked a long flyout to center field in the Nats'...

Willingham Nominated for Roberto Clemente Award

Willingham Nominated for Roberto Clemente Award
On Tuesday, Major League Baseball announced the nominees for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. The Nationals have selected Josh Willingham this season and they will honor his nomination during the ninth annual Roberto Clemente Day on September 8th. The Roberto Clemente Award honors players who best represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams. The award recognizes the legacy and contributions of Roberto Clemente,...

Nationals Add RHP Yunesky Maya, RHP Joe Bisenius & LHP Ross Detwiler to Active Roster

Nationals Add RHP Yunesky Maya, RHP Joe Bisenius & LHP Ross Detwiler to Active Roster
The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Yunesky Maya and selected right-handed pitcher Joe Bisenius from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Additionally, left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler was recalled from rehab and reinstated from the 15-Day Disabled List, and catcher Carlos Maldonado was designated for assignment. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Maya went 1-1 with a 0.87 ERA (one ER/10.1 IP) in two starts...

Nationals Fans Rewarded with Fan Appreciation Month Throughout September

Nationals Fans Rewarded with Fan Appreciation Month Throughout September
To celebrate their most loyal fans, the Washington Nationals have teamed up with numerous corporate partners to recognize September as Fan Appreciation Month during the final 16 games of the season at Nationals Park (Sept. 6-8, Sept. 10-12 and Sept. 20-29). The team and its sponsors will thank fans and season ticket holders for their unwavering support through a variety of surprise giveaways as the 2010 season comes to a close. "The 2010 season has been quite a memorable one for the...

Nats' prospects set for Arizona; can Bryce still get in?

Nats' prospects set for Arizona; can Bryce still get in?
The 2010 Arizona Fall League begins Tuesday, October 12. This year's team with players from the Nationals organization is the Scottsdale Scorpions. The best of the Nats, Orioles, Rockies, D-backs and Giants are represented on Scottsdale's roster. The Scorpions open at home October 12 against the Peoria Saguaros. There are six weeks in the season that spans October 12 through November 18. There are six teams in the league: two based in Peoria, Surprise, Phoenix (last year's Nats...

Solis, Cole and Ray set to make pro debuts

Solis, Cole and Ray set to make pro debuts
Three top pitching prospects from the Nationals 2010 draft crop will make their professional debuts this week. Sammy Solis, A.J. Cole and Rob Ray have impressed Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams as they embark on their first game appearances since spring time. University of San Diego left-hander Sammy Solis will start tonight for Hagerstown and get two innings. Solis, picked in the second round and standing 6 foot 5 inches and weighing 225 pounds, is a "big body lefty who has a...

Hanrahan finds success in Pittsburgh

Hanrahan finds success in Pittsburgh
On Friday evening, former Nationals closer Joel Hanrahan collected his third save of the season by striking out his former teammate and friend, Ryan Zimmerman. "All I was thinking was that I didn't want to face Adam," Hanrahan joked on Saturday, but admitted that it's strange facing some of his good friends and former teammates on the mound. "Between the lines, it's all about business and it was nice to get the job done for our team." Hanrahan is cruising through an impressive year...

Mock "encouraged" following win in Syracuse

Mock "encouraged" following win in Syracuse
After finally being taken off the disabled list, Nationals pitcher Garrett Mock guided the Syracuse Chiefs to a victory Friday night, going six innings, scattering four hits, allowing one run with two walks and three strikeouts. "I feel like a weight was lifted off my shoulders (with Friday's win)," says Mock. "Now, I can prepare for the next one and if another start comes I want to be able to compete for six plus innings." "That is a huge feeling," he added. "I am not on...

Nationals Recall RHP Collin Balester from Syracuse

Nationals Recall RHP Collin Balester from Syracuse
The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Collin Balester from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Balester is 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA in six relief appearances this season with Washington. The 24-year-old went 3-3 with a 5.87 ERA in 35 games/5 starts with the Chiefs, including a 2-0 record and 3.38 ERA in 30 appearances as a reliever.

Espinosa impresses in first start

Espinosa impresses in first start
In his first major league start, Danny Espinosa showed the organization just a glimpse of his talent and potential. The highly touted September call-up went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs. One of those was a monster home run to deep right field. Bench coach John McLaren, filling in as manager during Jim Riggleman's suspension, called it a "missile." It came on a 1-1 pitch from Pirates starter Zach Duke, a changeup middle away. "It's one of those sweet feelings; you don't even feel the...

Nats have a big sixth inning

Nats have a big sixth inning
Greetings from Pittsburgh, where the Nationals are attempting to climb out of an early seven run deficit. After putting up four runs in the sixth inning and knocking Pirates' starter Zach Duke out of the game, they've closed the gap to just three runs. September call-up Danny Espinosa put the team ahead with his first major league home run back in the third inning. Dunn, Maxwell and Espinosa drove in additional runs in the sixth putting the Nats back in striking distance. Livan Hernandez...

Garrett Mock Reinstated from DL & Optioned to Syracuse, Josh Willingham Transferred to 60-Day DL

Garrett Mock Reinstated from DL & Optioned to Syracuse, Josh Willingham Transferred to 60-Day DL
The Washington Nationals today recalled from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Garrett Mock from the 60-Day Disabled List then optioned him to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. The club also transferred outfielder Josh Willingham to the 60-Day Disabled List. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Mock missed the last 129 games after going on the Disabled List (right cervical disk) on April 15, retroactive to April 11. The...

Detwiler's sinker working well in rehab starts

Detwiler's sinker working well in rehab starts
Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler notched the win in a rehab start Thursday as Syracuse topped Rochester 7-3. Detwiler went five innings, scattered five hits, allowed three runs but only one of which is earned. He walked only one batter, had two strikeouts and registered 12 ground outs. Detwiler threw 56 pitches, 39 for strikes. Detwiler (1-0) said his sinker was working "pretty well" and that his hip felt "alright" after the game. As in the past, he will have to wait to see how...

Wang update

Wang update
Nationals pitcher Chien-Ming Wang continues to take positive steps as he rehabs from major shoulder surgery 13 months ago. Wang threw 40 pitches in the bullpen early this week at the Nationals training facility in Viera, Florida. He is also playing catch and gets every fourth day off. Wang has been building arm strength and has worked in some long toss sessions. Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams says Wang is making progress and he is pleased with what the pitcher has been...

Tyler Moore wins Carolina League POY

Tyler Moore wins Carolina League POY
Potomac Nationals first baseman Tyler Moore has won the Carolina League Player of the Year honors. Moore has guided the P-Nats to challenge for the Northern division title with a scorching second half of the season, dating back to mid-July, when he was batting below .200. He has hit 22 of his homers since early July. He has raised his batting average 67 points to .262. "I would have never thought I could be in this position after the first half I had," says Moore. "I tried to make the...

Maya earns win and Solis throws two innings shut out ball in debut

Maya earns win and Solis throws two innings shut out ball in debut
Cuban-born pitcher Yunesky Maya did quite well in Syracuse Wednesday, going 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts and earning the win as Syracuse dropped Rochester 7-2. Maya (1-1) threw 98 pitches, 62 for strikes. Chiefs play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti said Maya had good breaking stuff and was in control most of the night. Elsewhere, left-hander Sammy Solis was perfect in his two-inning debut for Hagerstown, allowing no hits, no runs, no...

Nationals Add C Wilson Ramos & INF Danny Espinosa to Active Roster

Nationals Add C Wilson Ramos & INF Danny Espinosa to Active Roster
The Washington Nationals today recalled catcher Wilson Ramos and selected infielder Danny Espinosa from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. The club also transferred right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg to the 60-Day Disabled List. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Ramos, 23, returns to the Nationals for a second stint, as he debuted with Washington on Aug. 19 at Atlanta when fellow catcher Wil Nieves was placed on the Temporary...

Lombardozzi thrilled to get AFL invite

Lombardozzi thrilled to get AFL invite
Harrisburg Senators second baseman Stephen Lombardozzi has picked up where he left off with Potomac, hitting above .300 in 19 games so far at the Double-A level. This week, the talented young infielder got word he has been selected by the franchise to participate in the prestigious Arizona Fall League representing the Nationals. "I found out a couple of days ago. I was really pumped," says Lombardozzi. "I think it will be a great experience for me to go out there. I have never been out...

Road Trip Idea: Pittsburgh

Road Trip Idea: Pittsburgh
Anybody planning a trip to Pittsburgh for Labor Day to watch the Nationals take on the Pirates at beautiful PNC Park? I know the Racing Presidents are traveling north for the weekend to race those Pittsburgh Pierogies and from talking to many of you, it sounds like NatsTown will be well represented in the 'Burgh for the series. The trip to Pittsburgh is an easy 4-5 hour drive, tickets are affordable and PNC Park is one of the best venues in Major League Baseball. Need more convincing? The...

Kennedy helps Desmond excel in #2 spot

Kennedy helps Desmond excel in #2 spot
Second baseman Adam Kennedy has played well in the last month in a variety of responsibilities. He has been a defensive stopper at second, a rally starter leading off the ballgame, the clutch hitter with a big run-scoring double and maybe, more importantly, a teacher and mentor to young shortstop Ian Desmond. Kennedy said he told Desmond he is in a good position with this team in more ways than one, especially with a chance to bat second in the lineup on a consistent basis. "It is a huge...