Not this year

Not this year
How many times has a late inning error and a quick deficit deflated the Nats the last two seasons? That is what happens to 100-loss teams everyday and twice on Sunday. Not this year. After Milwaukee went ahead 3-2 in the 8th on a throwing error charged to Alberto Gonzalez (because Cristian Guzman short armed the throw at first base), the Nats attacked the Brewers bullpen for three runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to take the lead 5-3. What!!!??!!! And they did it with the...

Walker on how to solve "ultra hot" Ryan Howard

Walker on how to solve "ultra hot" Ryan Howard
Nationals pitcher Tyler Walker has bounced back from a slow start to spring training. He put his latest resurgence on display Wednesday night during the Phillies 8-4 win. Walker retired six consecutive Phillies hitters in the 5th and 6th innings. During that run he prevented the Phils from tacking on to a 6-3 advantage. The line was impressive: 2 innings, no hits, no runs, no walks and three strikeouts of Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino and Jimmy Rollins. Shortstop Ian Desmond started his...

Desmond not discouraged after rough first game

Desmond not discouraged after rough first game
Ian Desmond wanted more from his first game as the starting shortstop with the Nationals. His teammates felt the same way as the Phillies arrived and rolled past the Nats 11-1 on opening day. The beginning was pretty much all the Nats could have wanted from their first game of 2010 at Nats Park: A sold out crowd, a visit from the Commander in Chief and an early lead. That positive feeling was dampened when the Phillies took control. As Manager Jim Riggleman said after being asked about...

Could Ian Desmond start at 2B?

Could Ian Desmond start at 2B?
The Nationals have been linked to Orlando Hudson and even Adam Kennedy as possible answers at second base for 2010, but could it be possible the Nats begin the season with Ian Desmond as the starter at second base? Ian told me "I can play second base and did so last year (with the Nats)." He says he has been taking groundballs at short and second base in his off season preparations. "I have worked out a lot in the infield and have also taken a lot of fly balls in the outfield, pretty...

Desmond ready for new challenge

Desmond ready for new challenge
Last week the Nationals signed second baseman Adam Kennedy to shore up the middle infield for the 2010 season. Mike Rizzo has said he would like to sign one more veteran starting pitcher to finish up the off season changes. A lot of talk last week centered around the possiblity of signing a second baseman and if that did not come to fruition, one scenario had the Nats starting the season with Cristian Guzman and Ian Desmond as the double play combination. Now with Kennedy signed, where does...

Riggleman: We will push from day one

Riggleman: We will push from day one
I had a chance to speak with Nationals manager Jim Riggleman as spring training 2010 gets underway today. We went over several of the important issues the Nats have solved and that they face as they embark on Jim's first full year as the Nats skipper. On the signing of Adam Kennedy at second base: "At this point, Mike has really addressed every issue we talked about since August with Adam Kennedy being one of those guys. We felt we needed add another infielder. It's a perfect match, a...

Desmond wants to stay "hungry"

Desmond wants to stay "hungry"
Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond told me this week he gets to camp every day before 7:00 a.m. because he wants to be there "early, as a younger player". He reads on the board what he will work on that day and gets on the field. He spent a few moments with me talking about his experiences so far and the possibility he could be the everyday shortstop for the Nationals. How has spring training gone for you so far? "I got here early and settled in (February 10th). I feel really good. My...

No more waiting for Maxwell and Desmond

No more waiting for Maxwell and Desmond
Could the Nationals be getting serious about a youth movement? It's looking more and more possible that Justin Maxwell and Ian Desmond will make the team this year out of spring training. If they do, here's a breakdown of the potential new lineup defensively: Josh Willingham, Nyjer Morgan and Justin Maxwell in the outfield.Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond, Adam Kennedy and Adam Dunn in the infield.Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen as the bookend pitchers (June 1).Pudge Rodriguez giving way to a...