Nats gaining ground on once untouchable Phillies

Nats gaining ground on once untouchable Phillies
The Nationals stunned the Phillies Saturday night in the bottom of the ninth courtesy a dramatic 3-run homer by Ryan Zimmerman, 7-5. The Nats are now 4-4 against the Phillies this season with 10 games left in the series, after going a miserable 3-15 in 2009. Washington has now won six of their last nine games against teams with above .500 records. The Nats have also won four of their last five games during this homestand when they found out phenom Stephen Strasburg was going to be...

Thank Zimmerman for his Walk-Off Home Run

Thank Zimmerman for his Walk-Off Home Run
On Saturday night, Ryan Zimmerman sent Phillies fans home miserable with just one swing. It was quite the present for Nationals fans who get tired of dealing with Nats Park visitors from the City of Brotherly Love. Did you know that you can thank Ryan for that special moment? Just like fans channel messages to Ryan in MASN's Defining Moments advertisements, you can send a warm thank you to the third baseman and help a good cause at the same time. One week from today, on Monday, August...

Is this heaven? No, it's NatsTown

Is this heaven? No, it's NatsTown
Katherine Connors, the laid-back beauty queen from Iowa, threw the ceremonial first pitch tonight at Nationals Park. Connors met with Miguel Batista before the game and the reliever provided some first pitch tips. Batista urged Miss Iowa to take a few steps toward home plate, instead of throwing from the mound. He also encouraged her to throw high to avoid bouncing the pitch. She listened. It was high and a little outside, but Batista managed to snag it. One of the most anticipated...

LHP Atahualpa Severino Optioned to Syracuse

LHP Atahualpa Severino Optioned to Syracuse
Following today's game, the Washington Nationals optioned left-handed pitcher Atahualpa Severino to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Severino, 25, did not make any appearances during his three-game stint with the Nationals.

Norris ready for another shot at AFL

Norris ready for another shot at AFL
Potomac Nationals catcher Derek Norris joined us on the set of MASN's Nats Xtra to talk baseball Sunday and said he welcomes the challenge of recent acquisition Wilson Ramos. "You are going to face competition somewhere along the line at every level," the 21-year-old said. But he's not down about the trade as it pertains to his future with the Nats. The Wichita, KS product has been hitting the ball very well since recovering from a couple of injuries earlier in the season. He is batting...

LHP John Lannan Recalled from Harrisburg; RHP Jordan Zimmermann Reinstated from DL & Optioned to Syracuse

LHP John Lannan Recalled from Harrisburg; RHP Jordan Zimmermann Reinstated from DL & Optioned to Syracuse
The Washington Nationals today recalled left-handed pitcher John Lannan from Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. Additionally, right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann was returned from rehab and reinstated from the 60-Day Disabled List then optioned to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Lannan went 1-4 with a 4.20 ERA in seven starts with the Senators. The 25-year-old posted a 3.48 ERA, 18...

Nats Agree to Terms with Cuban Righthander Yunesky Maya

Nats Agree to Terms with Cuban Righthander Yunesky Maya
The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Yunesky Maya on a Major League contract. Nationals Senior Vice President & General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Maya joins the Nationals after a stellar career in the Cuban National Series, which is Cuba's Major League Baseball equivalent. Pitching for the Pinar Del Rio Vegueros, Maya earned Cuba's equivalent of the Cy Young during his final season in his homeland, going 13-4 with seven complete games and a...

Nats Acquire Pair of Righthanders from Rangers in 3-Player Deal

Nats Acquire Pair of Righthanders from Rangers in 3-Player Deal
Ryan Tatusko and Tanner Roak added to system; Cristian Guzman to Rangers The Washington Nationals today acquired right-handed pitchers Ryan Tatusko and Tanner Roark from the Texas Rangers in exchange for infielder Cristian Guzman. The Nationals then assigned Tatusko and Roark to Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The 6-foot-5 Tatusko went 9-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 24 games/23 starts for Frisco of the...

Desmond Visits Baseball Clinic in Prince George's County

Desmond Visits Baseball Clinic in Prince George's County
On Saturday morning, Nationals rookie Ian Desmond visited with boys and girls in Prince George's County to participate in a baseball skills clinic. Desmond was a big hit with the kids. He taught them how to field infield grounders and they practiced throwing to various bases. They also practiced flipping short double plays. One child made a barehanded grab and fired a laser to first base. Desmond reacted by humming the theme to Sports Center and telling the youngster that he made a...

Slaten, Balester Assist with Neighborhood "Green-Up"

Slaten, Balester Assist with Neighborhood "Green-Up"
Some community service projects sponsored by the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation take years to develop. Whether its fundraising for a world-class diabetes care clinic for children or developing a baseball academy for disadvantaged youth, making an impact takes time. But sometimes, one small project can also make a big difference. Just a few hours of service time can have a lasting and visible effect on the community. That was the case today as the Nationals hosted their 2nd annual...

Left-Handed Pitcher Atahualpa Severino Recalled from Syracuse

Left-Handed Pitcher Atahualpa Severino Recalled from Syracuse
The Washington Nationals today recalled left-handed pitcher Atahualpa Severino from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Severino (pronounced ah-ta-WALL-pa sev-er-E-noh) went 4-2 with one save, nine holds and a 3.55 ERA in 40 relief appearances with the Chiefs. The 25-year-old pitched scoreless ball in 30 of his 40 outings and posted a .237 batting average against, including a stingy .205...

Morris will skip start, but showing great promise

Morris will skip start, but showing great promise
Potomac Nationals pitcher A.J. Morris has recovered from getting hit by a line drive and pitched well in late July. Now, the talented young hurler will skip a start because of a high inning count. Morris has been placed on the seven-day disabled list. Morris was supposed to start tonight but will be replaced by Adrian Alaniz in the rotation. In three starts since July 15, the 23-year-old right-hander has gone 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA, allowing only two earned runs over 14 innings, seven hits,...

Nationals Acquire Top Catching Prospect Wilson Ramos from Twins in Three-Player Trade

Nationals Acquire Top Catching Prospect Wilson Ramos from Twins in Three-Player Trade
Nationals Also Acquire Lefthander Joe Testa, Send Matt Capps to Minnesota The Washington Nationals tonight acquired catcher Wilson Ramos and left-handed pitcher Joe Testa from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for right-handed closer Matt Capps and cash considerations. The Nationals then optioned Ramos to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and assigned Testa to Potomac of the Single-A Carolina League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the...

Miss Iowa to Throw Out First Pitch in Series Opener Against Philadelphia

Miss Iowa to Throw Out First Pitch in Series Opener Against Philadelphia
The Washington Nationals have invited Katherine Connors, Miss Iowa USA, to throw out a Ceremonial First Pitch before the team opens their series against the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow, Friday, July 30, at 7:05pm. The invitation was coordinated after Tuesday evening's game against Atlanta, when the Nationals' Miguel Batista replaced rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg for the start of the game. Following a successful performance which included 6 strike outs in 5.0 shutout innings, Batista...

Miss Iowa Goes To Washington

Miss Iowa Goes To Washington
It's official. Katherine Connors, Miss Iowa USA, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Friday evening's game against the Phillies. It's perhaps the most anticipated ceremonial first pitch since President Obama's on Opening Day. The Nationals extended the invitation to Miss Connors after pitcher Miguel Batista compared himself to her after his surprise start on Tuesday. Connors immediately challenged Batista to walk the runway, quipping, "I know I can throw a pitch or...

Scott Olsen Reinstated from DL; Stephen Strasburg Placed on DL

Scott Olsen Reinstated from DL; Stephen Strasburg Placed on DL
The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated left-handed pitcher Scott Olsen from the 15-Day Disabled List and placed right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg on the 15-Day DL with right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to July 22. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Olsen, who will get the starting nod in today's series finale against Atlanta, missed the last 59 games after he was placed on the DL on May 22 with left...

What a relief

What a relief
When Jim Riggleman managed the Seattle Mariners in the latter part of 2008, he had a journeyman reliever in the bullpen available for a variety of situations. Whether it was for a spot start, in relief of a starter's early exit or to protect a late inning lead, Riggleman could call on and trust Miguel Batista. Earlier this season, on April 18th, the skipper turned again to his trusted veteran, asking Batista to warm up quickly and save the rest of the bullpen from a 10-run, first inning...

Give Leatherman time to shine in Syracuse

Give Leatherman time to shine in Syracuse
Nationals right-handed reliever Dan Leatherman made the rare two-level promotion from Potomac to Syracuse last week and got hit a little bit. But with the resume he had put together in Woodbridge, you really have to give the 25-year-old Frederick, MD native more than just two games at Triple-A to show the pitching prowess that was closing out games for nearly two seasons in the Carolina League. The West Virginia University product was lighting it up for Advanced-A Potomac, going 3-2 with a...

Tyler Moore locked in for Potomac

Tyler Moore locked in for Potomac
Many question the depth the Washington Nationals have in their minor league system for field players. Names such as Chris Marrero, Danny Espinosa and Michael Burgess are usually mentioned. It might be time to add first baseman Tyler Moore to that list. The 2008 draftee out of Mississippi State has been scorching it at the plate. As one coach told me, Moore is "locked in right now." The 23-year-old first baseman from Brandon, Mississippi went 21-39 (.538) with nine doubles, seven...

Balester thrilled to be back, even for just one day

Balester thrilled to be back, even for just one day
Right-handed pitcher Collin Balester got the call back to the big leagues this weekend - for one game tonight. He joined the Nationals in Milwaukee Saturday. The 24-year-old Balester has made the transition this season from starter to reliever and he told me he has embraced the change completely. "It is all about attitude coming out of the bullpen. You have to let it all go. When you get the call out of the pen, you have to be ready to pitch. I come out firing, ready to go right...