Strasburg leans on Livan for advice

Strasburg leans on Livan for advice
It is pretty obvious the Nationals want to make a statement right out of the blocks to begin the mythical second half of the season by going to their best pitcher the last month and ten days, Stephen Strasburg (3-2, 2.32) tonight against Florida's Ricky Nolasco (9-6, 4.55). How long have Nats fans waited to have an answer for Josh Johnson or Nolasco, who they seem to face in every Nats vs. Marlins series? Seems like forever. And imagine very soon a second matchup with Jordan Zimmermann...

Zimmermann staying patient in rehab from Tommy John

Zimmermann staying patient in rehab from Tommy John
WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- The day following his third rehab start for Potomac, Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann says he was most pleased with how well his changeup was working Wednesday against Kinston. Jordan went four innings, scattering six hits, allowing one unearned run, no walks and striking out four. Jordan threw 53 pitches, 40 for strikes. "I thought it went pretty well. I threw a lot more changeups then I usually do. I have been working on that with (pitching coach) Paul (Menhart). ...

Lannan spotting the ball more consistently

Lannan spotting the ball more consistently
Nationals pitcher John Lannan had his best start of the four outings so far at Harrisburg July 10 against the Reading Phillies. Lannan went six innings and allowed five hits and two runs, while striking out six batters and walking only one. Pitching coach Randy Tomlin says Lannan is gaining his confidence back with each start. "John did very well in his last outing. He needed to spot the ball more consistently and he did that. He is feeling really good about himself and the adjustments...

Zimmermann solid in third start for Potomac

Zimmermann solid in third start for Potomac
Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann took another step forward with a positive rehab start for Potomac Wednesday night. Zimmermann tossed four innings, scattering six hits, allowed one unearned run, no walks and striking out four. Jordan threw 53 pitches, 40 for strikes. Team president Stan Kasten was in attendance to watch Jordan's start. Kinston won the game 3-1, and Zimmermann got tagged with the loss. He has allowed no earned runs in three starts, a span of nine innings. Jordan left...

Zimmermann to focus on changeup tonight

Zimmermann to focus on changeup tonight
Nationals right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann gets another rehab start tonight in Woodbridge with the Potomac Nationals facing the Kinston Indians at 7:03 p.m.at Pfitzner Stadium. This will be the 24-year-old Zimmermann's third rehab start and he is expecting to go four innings with a cap of 60-65 pitches. Zimmermann has worked this week primarily on his changeup. Pitching coach Paul Menhart told me he would like to see more changeups from Zimmermann tonight and that will be their main...

Bryce Harper wins 2010 Golden Spikes Award

Bryce Harper wins 2010 Golden Spikes Award
Nationals number one overall selection Bryce Harper has won the 2010 Golden Spikes Award, which honors the nation's top amateur baseball player. The announcement was made by USA Baseball during a presentation at All-Star FanFest today in Anaheim, California. The catcher/outfielder beat out semifinalists Chris Duffy, Yasmani Grandal, Drew Pomeranz and Chris Sale to win the honor and to match Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who took home the award in 2009. Harper slammed 31...

Detwiler looking to smooth out mechanics

Detwiler looking to smooth out mechanics
Harrisburg Senators left-hander Ross Detwiler notched his first win of the season Sunday with a 7-3 decision at the Reading Phillies. Detwiler went five innings, allowed seven hits, two runs, one homer, one walk and three strikeouts. He had a dramatic three-run double to seal the game for the offense but said he just caught a break on the hit. "It was my third or fourth at-bat of the year. I think I just got lucky. I got deep into the count. The ball found the bat somehow." ...

Statement from the Washington Nationals on the Passing of George Steinbrenner

Statement from the Washington Nationals on the Passing of George Steinbrenner
"The Washington Nationals and the Lerner Family are deeply saddened by the loss of George Steinbrenner - a monumental figure of the baseball world for more than 35 years. He will be remembered as a driven competitor and champion, but also a man who gave much to the people and communities he loved. George was a one of a kind owner, sports figure, and man. He will be missed. Our condolences go out to the Steinbrenner family, the Yankees organization and Yankees fans everywhere."

Nationals Recall Outfielder Justin Maxwell From Triple-A Syracuse

Nationals Recall Outfielder Justin Maxwell From Triple-A Syracuse
The Washington Nationals today recalled outfielder Justin Maxwell from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President & General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Maxwell was hitting .296 with 13 doubles, six home runs and 18 RBI in 55 games for Syracuse at the time of the promotion. Maxwell's 55-game International League stint included 11 stolen bases, 30 walks and a strong .400 on-base percentage. Since rejoining Syracuse on June 1, Maxwell hit .309...

Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez Selected for First-Ever Fans Choice Bobblehead

Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez Selected for First-Ever Fans Choice Bobblehead
Stephen Strasburg Debut Commemorative DVD Promotion Announced With the All-Star break in sight, the Washington Nationals are gearing up for the second half of the 2010 baseball season by announcing two additions to the team's promotional schedule: Saturday, August 28 - Fans Choice Bobblehead Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez has been selected by Nationals fans to be featured as this season's Fans Choice Bobblehead. In his first season in Washington, Rodriguez is batting .295 with 26 RBI and one...

Relive Stephen Strasburg's Debut

Relive Stephen Strasburg's Debut
On Wednesday evening at 7 p.m., MASN will re-air Stephen Strasburg's debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of the network's Nationals Classics programming. It's the perfect way to enjoy the All-Star break. Watch as the rookie phenom strikes out 14 and picks up his first major league win. The game will re-air again on Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. The Nationals also announced that they will distribute commemorative DVD copies of Stephen Strasburg's historic debut to the first...

Pudge Wins Fan Choice Bobblehead

Pudge Wins Fan Choice Bobblehead
In the first ever fan vote for a Nationals bobblehead, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez prevailed over teammates, mascots and the manager. Pudge will be honored with a bobblehead on Saturday, August 28th when the Nationals face the St. Louis Cardinals. The first 15,000 fans will receive the bobblehead, so plan to arrive early. Fans voted online for this fan choice bobblehead between March and April. The Fan Choice bobblehead is the last in a three-part series. First was Ryan Zimmerman's Gold...

Riggleman on second half and player updates

Riggleman on second half and player updates
The Nationals are getting ready for the second half of the season with 73 games remaining on the schedule. The team can still make a move in the National League East, unlike last year when they reached the All-Star break 22 1/2 games out of first place and had already lost 61 games. Manager Jim Riggleman is confident the clubhouse is filled with the players that can get it done. "I think the world of our team because they play hard and they care. They suffer with the losses. They really...

Clippard trying to fight through "mental wall"

Clippard trying to fight through "mental wall"
Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard met with the media before Sunday's game against the Giants after allowing four runs on two hits, one a home run, two walks and just one strikeout in 1/3 of an inning in Saturday's loss. It was his third setback in the last ten games in which his ERA has exploded to 11.00. "I think the bottom line is I am not making quality pitches when it counts," Clippard said. "I am making some good pitches - just not when it counts. "I have felt like I have been...

Where at Nats Park? (Updated)

Where at Nats Park? (Updated)
We just shipped off a Nats Buzz prize pack to NatsNut for winning the off-season version of Where at Nats Park. Next week, we'll send another prize pack to the person with the most correct guesses since the season started. This is your last week to try to win that prize -- there will even be some bonus point opportunities. So, here goes. Where is this: For 1 bonus point, mention something interesting about the subject of the picture in the comments below. For 5 bonus points, take a...

Nats Buzz Winners for the First Half

Nats Buzz Winners for the First Half
With the All-Star break bringing our first half of the season to a close, Nats Buzz tallied up the totals for both the Where at Nats Park contest and Fantasy Baseball. And now, we have two winners to congratulate. Shoshana and Terp4Life, your prize packs will be on their way out shortly. Please send your mailing address to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Shoshana crushed the competition in Where at Nats Park. She scored 10 points so far this season. NatsFan1a and Cheryl were close...

Unexpected setbacks taking toll on Flores

Unexpected setbacks taking toll on Flores
On Saturday, General Manager Mike Rizzo announced that Jesus Flores experienced another setback in his long road back to the big leagues, saying the team will give Flores several days off from his throwing program after he recently experienced pain, once again, in his shoulder. Flores hasn't played with the team regularly for over a year and he's been rehabbing his shoulder since he had surgery to repair a torn labrum last September. The Nationals had hoped Flores would be ready by Opening...

Nats, USO and Microsoft Salute the Troops

Nats, USO and Microsoft Salute the Troops
On Sunday, the Nationals teamed up with the USO and Microsoft for an all-out military appreciation day to say thank you to local servicemen and women who continue to make sacrifices overseas and here at home. "This is a big deal for us," said USO Metro DC president Elaine Rogers. "It's a great way for volunteers to come together to say thank you to our troops and their families." Wounded warriors were treated to a special pre-game BBQ while over 100 volunteers made care packages for...

Zimmermann next start Wednesday vs. Kinston

Zimmermann next start Wednesday vs. Kinston
Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann says he will pitch Wednesday, July 14 in his third rehab start against the Kinston Indians at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge. Zimmermann is expected to go four inning and 65 pitches. He was outstanding in his second start Thursday in Frederick, hitting 96 miles per hour on the fastball, striking out five over three innings, allowing a 1st inning double as the only hit and walking none. What impressed me the most was his major league tempo, not giving the...

Hernandez confident Nats on the verge

Hernandez confident Nats on the verge
Nationals starter Livan Hernandez faces his former team in the first half finale as the Nats wrap up a 10-game home stand versus Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants. Hernandez is (6-4, 3.12) in 17 starts and has been the Nats most durable pitcher since opening day, hurling 112 and 2/3rds innings. The Giants 2002 opening day starter was impressive in his last few outings. He has struck out 20 batters and walked only three in his last four starts. In two of those games, versus...