Detwiler headed to Syracuse

Detwiler headed to Syracuse
Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler is headed back to Syracuse for a rehab start. Detwiler had a solid outing yesterday in Frederick for the Potomac Nationals in their 6-4 victory, going three innings, allowing two hits, one run on the solo shot and four strikeouts. Detwiler likely will start on Thursday as the Chiefs host Rochester. He said his hip "feels good, a lot better than expected, and I am able to push a little further now" after last night's road start. "My sinker was...

Nationals Lock up Livan Hernandez through 2011

Nationals Lock up Livan Hernandez through 2011
The Washington Nationals today announced they have signed right-handed pitcher Livan Hernandez through the 2011 season. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Including this season's 9-9 mark with a 3.49 ERA in 27 starts, Hernandez is 11-13 with a 3.90 ERA (97 ER/224.0 IP) in 35 starts, 24 of which have been quality starts, since rejoining the Nationals as a free agent on August 25, 2009. In little more than a year with Washington, Hernandez owns...

Riggleman: Morgan's play at plate "totally inexcusable"

Riggleman: Morgan's play at plate "totally inexcusable"
Manager Jim Riggleman took outfielder Nyjer Morgan out of Sunday's lineup against the Cardinals for going after catcher Bryan Anderson at home plate during Saturday's 14-5 romp over St. Louis. Riggleman said it was manager's decision to keep Morgan out of the lineup today and felt that Morgan's anger got the best of him last night. He said Morgan was upset all day Saturday because he was placed eighth in the batting order. "I think it was a culmination of Nyjer's anger brewing for...

Lopez Impressed with Nats' Improvement

Lopez Impressed with Nats' Improvement
Cardinals infielder Felipe Lopez, who played for the Nationals from 2006-2008, talked briefly about his time in Washington over the weekend. Lopez was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds before the trade deadline in 2006 and after two seasons in Washington, he was released in July of 2008. He's played for the Brewers, Diamondbacks and Cardinals since leaving Washington, but Lopez said his family does miss living in the nation's capital. "My wife is from here and my kids enjoyed being at...

Clip and Save (a life)

Clip and Save (a life)
On Saturday, the Nationals hosted their second and final blood drive of the season in partnership with Inova Health System. Several hundred fans turned out for the drive to donate blood to 15 local hospitals in Washington D.C. and Virginia. Only 37 percent of people in the United States are eligible to donate blood and of those, fewer than 5 percent donate on a regular basis and hospitals are always in need of more blood donations. "Whenever people can do it, there is always a big need...

100th Win at Nationals Park

100th Win at Nationals Park
With a new look to the lineup, strange plays, two ejections and over 30,000 fans on hand to watch, the Nationals collected their 100th win at Nationals Park on Saturday night by defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 14-5. Moreover, the 14 runs scored tonight were the highest single-game total in DC since baseball returned in 2005. That's a lot of good news following a tough week in NatsTown. This season, the Nats are inching closer and closer to a .500 record at the new ballpark with their...

Lannan, Dunn Appear on Bravo's Top Chef

Lannan, Dunn Appear on Bravo's Top Chef
Spoiler Alert! On Wednesday evening, the Nationals were featured on Bravo's hit reality television cooking show, Top Chef. The Emmy award winning show filmed its seventh season in Washington D.C. this past spring and John Lannan, Adam Dunn and Matt Capps participated in the episode, "Making Concessions." "I didn't realize this at the time but it's a huge show," Lannan said. "I think I'm going to get more attention for this than the game I pitched last night." In the episode, the...

Detwiler "looked very good" in second rehab start for Potomac

Detwiler "looked very good" in second rehab start for Potomac
Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler had a solid rehab start for Potomac Saturday, which came back to beat Frederick with three runs in the ninth inning, 6-4 at Harry Grove Stadium. Detwiler yielded two hits, one a solo shot by Ronnie Welty, but struck out four batters over the three frames. The P-Nats now have a game and half lead in the Northern Division with 10 games to play. Mr. Everything Tyler Moore did it again, smacking a clutch RBI double to tie the game in the ninth inning. ...

Desmond fighting to stay at top of lineup

Desmond fighting to stay at top of lineup
Shortstop Ian Desmond hit second in the lineup again for the Nationals Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals, a spot that he has relished since his first days in D.C. Desmond went 3-for-5 with a double, a bunt single and a run scored. He recorded all three outs on defense in the eighth and started a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Albert Pujols in the third. He had a run scored or an RBI in the Nats last at bat for the second straight game, but this night the rally fell short in a 4-2 loss...

Moore surpasses home run record

Moore surpasses home run record
With his 29th blast this season, Potomac Nationals first baseman Tyler Moore broke the franchise record for homers in a season, set by Hensley Meulens and Nate Dishington, in an 11-4 rout at Frederick Friday from Harry Grove Stadium. With the victory, the P-Nats maintain a hold on first place in the Carolina League's Northern division. Moore now has 104 RBI, which is nine shy of Tyler Farnsworth's franchise record of 113 RBI in 2000 when he won the team's only Player of the Year honors in...

Callis says Strasburg could come back stronger

Callis says Strasburg could come back stronger
Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg will undergo Tommy John surgery in the next week and a timetable will be set for his rehab and eventual return to the mound at Nats Park. Unfortunately, this injury is more common than not with major league baseball pitchers of today. Jim Callis, executive editor for Baseball America, says while it is a disappointment that Strasburg got hurt, he could return stronger than before. "If I had to bet whether a pitcher would be fine or get hurt during his...

Menhart talks to his experience with Tommy John Surgery

Menhart talks to his experience with Tommy John Surgery
When he first found out he was in disbelief. He thought his career might be over. He broke down and cried. Just the unknown of it all. Tommy John surgery. This was December of 1993. He was back and ready to pitch in August of 1994, but the strike ended that opportunity. By April of 1995 he had made the Toronto Blue Jays out of spring training. Former major leaguer Paul Menhart, currently the pitching coach for the Potomac Nationals, played parts of three seasons with the Blue Jays,...

For Bryce, father knows best

For Bryce, father knows best
The Nationals No. 1 overall selection Bryce Harper was introduced for the first time at Nats Park to the media, 10 days after he agreed to a nearly 10 million dollar deal to sign with the Nats. Flanked by his family, Harper talked about his dreams of becoming a Major Leaguer. After hitting 12 homers during early batting practice, Harper was asked where he learned his swing. Harper credited his hitting mechanics to his dad, Ron Harper. "My dad, he has been huge in everything I have done. He...

Detwiler set for rehab start Saturday for Potomac

Detwiler set for rehab start Saturday for Potomac
Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler threw a bullpen session at Nats Park Wednesday to positive results as he recovers from a sore hip. The Potomac Nationals report Detwiler will have a rehab start Saturday at Frederick. He expects to pitch three innings. Detwiler threw 30 to 35 pitches and said, "the bullpen was good. I worked on a few mechanical things that we think led to the discomfort in my hip. Things are actually going a lot better than a week ago. "I started out with fastball a...

Riggleman says Dunn adamant, doesn't need a day off

Riggleman says Dunn adamant, doesn't need a day off
The Nationals have lost four straight and seven of their last nine games. During most of this streak, first baseman Adam Dunn has had a cold spell at the plate. Since hitting two homers against the Dodgers August 6, Dunn has gone 7-for-58 (.121), including 0-4 Wednesday with three strikeouts. His last at bat was the most promising, however, when he cranked a deep shot that was caught in right field off of Carlos Marmol to end the game. Manager Jim Riggleman said he spoke with Dunn...

Bernadina ready for the call in the outfield

Bernadina ready for the call in the outfield
When Roger Bernadina first smacked the Ryan Franklin offering, it looked like a sure line drive double off the wall. But this shot was hit with such force it cleared the right field wall and saved the Nationals from defeat. Bernadina's ninth career homer was a two-run gem that Nats fans will remember for a long time. The laser to right lifted the Nats out of what looked like their fifth straight loss and gave them another chance at beating the St. Louis Cardinals. Suddenly, the Nats...

Nationals Recall RHP Jordan Zimmermann from Syracuse

Nationals Recall RHP Jordan Zimmermann from Syracuse
The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Zimmermann will make his 2010 debut in tonight's series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. The 24-year-old has not pitched in the big leagues since July 18, 2009, prior to having season-ending "Tommy John" ligament-replacement surgery on August 19, 2009....

Nationals Option RHP Collin Balester to Syracuse

Nationals Option RHP Collin Balester to Syracuse
Following tonight's game, the Washington Nationals optioned right-handed pitcher Collin Balester to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Balester, 24, is 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA in six relief appearances this season with Washington.

Nationals Place RHP Stephen Strasburg on DL, Recall Collin Balester from Syracuse

Nationals Place RHP Stephen Strasburg on DL, Recall Collin Balester from Syracuse
The Washington Nationals today placed right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to August 22, with a right forearm flexor strain and 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 5.40 ERA in five relief appearances with Washington this season. The 24-year-old is 4-12 with a 5.85 ERA in 27 games/22...

Marquis ready to repeat good start

Marquis ready to repeat good start
Nationals right-handed pitcher Jason Marquis (0-6, 11.39) takes the hill tonight as the Nats look to salvage their final game of the season against the Chicago Cubs and right-hander Ryan Dempster (11-8, 3.56) at Nats Park. Marquis says his start against Philadelphia felt more like he wanted for the past month. "Day by day and game by game I am starting to feel a lot better with my delivery and my mechanics. I am starting to get a lot more confidence in everything. "It is about getting...