Pick four: The players that mean a lot to you

Pick four: The players that mean a lot to you
You know how everyone has a Twitter challenge or question for you these days. I got this one recently. Twice actually. Pick four players who mean and/or meant a lot in your life. I could pick many more than four but the four that jumped out at me were Brooks Robinson, Earl Weaver, Mike Martin and Andy Etchebarren. Brooks is an obvious one. My all-time favorite player and No. 1 for many around Birdland. An all-time great person. A Hall of Fame player and person. Not much more needs to be said,...

2018 contributors Holland, Reynolds sign with NL West clubs

2018 contributors Holland, Reynolds sign with NL West clubs
A pair of veterans who enjoyed some success with the Nationals found new homes Wednesday when Greg Holland reportedly agreed to a deal with the Diamondbacks and Mark Reynolds reportedly signed with the Rockies. Holland's contract, first reported by The Athletic, guarantees the reliever $3.25 million with an additional $3.5 million possible in incentives. It's a massive drop in salary for Holland, who despite waiting until March 31 to sign with St. Louis last spring still earned a guaranteed...

Host of 2018 Nationals still seeking jobs in tepid market

Host of 2018 Nationals still seeking jobs in tepid market
For all the attention lavished upon Bryce Harper and Manny Machado and their long, slow quest to sign with somebody before the start of spring training, there are a ton of other free agents still unemployed as we reach late January. And that includes a whole bunch of guys who played for the Nationals in 2018. Let's look at those still-unsigned free agents and figure out what it might take to get them in a uniform before pitchers and catchers report ... MATT WIETERS Wieters had to know he was...

Veteran Reynolds proved valuable in-season addition

Veteran Reynolds proved valuable in-season addition
As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Mark Reynolds, who joined the club in May out of necessity and wound up contributing the rest of the season. PLAYER REVIEW: MARK REYNOLDS Age on opening day 2019: 35 How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent, April 2018 MLB service time: 11 years, 120 days 2018 salary: $1 million Contract status: Free agent 2018 stats: 86 G, 235 PA, 206 AB, 26 R,...

Wild ninth inning lifts Nats to 5-4 comeback win

Wild ninth inning lifts Nats to 5-4 comeback win
PHILADELPHIA - The second matchup between Max Scherzer and Aaron Nola went down much like the first. Until Anthony Rendon saved the day in the ninth inning. And even had a hand in the final out. Rendon's dramatic two-run homer in the top of the ninth, his 17th belt on the season, after he started the at-bat 0-2 against the Phillies' nasty reliever Pat Neshek, helped the Nats to complete a stunning comeback and win 5-4. "Oh man, just trying to get down early and see a pitch," Rendon said of...

Nats end drought with 15-0 win, lose Herrera to injury (updated)

Nats end drought with 15-0 win, lose Herrera to injury (updated)
NEW YORK - At 10:51 p.m. Wednesday, Ryan Zimmerman launched a drive to right-center field that - thanks to a replay review reversal - gave the Nationals a walk-off win over the Phillies. Eighty-eight hours and one minute after that uplifting moment, Trea Turner scampered home from third base on Juan Soto's groundout to first, pumped his fist and was welcomed back to the dugout with high-fives and smiles. The streak was over. After 32 consecutive zeroes on the scoreboard, the Nationals finally...

Martinez on calling plays for Difo and his choice for a backup at second base

Martinez on calling plays for Difo and his choice for a backup at second base
The Nationals reinstated right-hander Stephen Strasburg for tonight's start against the Phillies and sent infielder Adrian Sanchez back to Triple-A Syracuse. Manager Davey Martinez said the Nats kept an extra pitcher because they had to use seven relievers to win the first game of the series that was delayed for almost two hours because of rain Monday. "Just the way the game played out yesterday with our bullpen," Martinez said. "The fact that (Tanner) Roark couldn't go back out, so we...

One strike away, Nats lose another heartbreaker (updated)

One strike away, Nats lose another heartbreaker (updated)
CHICAGO - The Nationals have been in this position too many times this summer. And too many times they've trudged off the field agonizing over a game that somehow got away from them late. If somehow they're going to survive this roller coaster season to keep playing in October, they simply are going to have to flip the script on these games. Where better, then, to start but on a Sunday night at Wrigley Field, with a national television audience watching a classic pitchers' duel and a stellar...

Reynolds makes fourth straight start at third (Nats down 5-0)

Reynolds makes fourth straight start at third (Nats down 5-0)
MIAMI - Mark Reynolds has played more games in his career at third base than any other position, but the vast majority of those games came early in his career with the Diamondbacks and Orioles, a full decade ago. Reynolds didn't spend a moment at third base in either 2016 or 2017 with the Rockies, and whatever playing time he has received with the Nationals this season has almost exclusively come at first base. Until this weekend. With Anthony Rendon away from the club for the entire series...

Roark continues to elevate pitches, Marlins roll 10-2 in series finale

Roark continues to elevate pitches, Marlins roll 10-2 in series finale
Giving up too many base hits continues to plague Nationals starter Tanner Roark. The right-hander labored through four innings Sunday, allowing four runs on 10 hits in a 10-2 loss to the Marlins. Miami pounded out a season-high 22 hits - 20 singles and two doubles - in salvaging the final game of the four-game set. It was the Marlins' first win over the Nationals since Aug. 9, 2017, snapping a major league-leading 14-game winning streak for the Nationals over a single opponent. The Marlins...

Reynolds stays in lineup, Doolittle has strained toe (Nats fall 10-2)

Reynolds stays in lineup, Doolittle has strained toe (Nats fall 10-2)
Manager Davey Martinez did have a bit of a restless night, but came to the conclusion that he would keep Mark Reynolds and his scorching bat in the Nationals lineup. He placed Reynolds at third base and has given Anthony Rendon the day off to rest. Reynolds is 8-for-12 with three homers and 12 RBIs with two walks and six runs scored during the homestand. "Had to sleep on that one," Martinez said. "But Anthony could use a day off. I told him half a day. Hopefully we don't need him, but he...

Game 89 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins

Game 89 lineups: Nats vs. Marlins
Now that Max Scherzer finally got his first win in over a month, it's time to get Tanner Roark right. The right-hander is just 3-10, and has not enjoyed a marker in that left column since June 6. He has absorbed four straight losses. So perhaps symbolic of a new beginning, Roark has not only shaved off his beard, moustache and sideburns, but also completely shaved his head following a nine-run outing in an 11-4 loss to the Red Sox on July 3. The Marlins counter with right-hander Trevor...

Reynolds explodes for career-high 10 RBIs in 18-4 win over Marlins

Reynolds explodes for career-high 10 RBIs in 18-4 win over Marlins
When his club was losing 18 of 24 games, you could understand how it would be easy for Nationals manager Davey Martinez to toss and turn at night. But imagine not being able to sleep because you have too many good players? Mark Reynolds is one of those very good players. The veteran first baseman went 5-for-5 with two singles, a double and two homers, rolling up a career-high and club record-tying 10 RBIs as the Nats crushed the Marlins 18-4 on Saturday night. In his last six at-bats in this...

Reynolds' adjustment in Philly helped bolster slugger's confidence

Reynolds' adjustment in Philly helped bolster slugger's confidence
Mark Reynolds raced out of the blocks when he joined the Nationals, hitting four homers in his first six games with the team. He ended up with six homers in May, his first month with the club. His next homer didn't arrive until June 29 at Philadelphia. Then came the walk-off thriller Reynolds produced as a pinch-hitter last night. Nats manager Davey Martinez said Reynolds made an adjustment last week in the series against the Phillies that has started to pay dividends. "He's actually been...

Reynolds' walk-off homer leads Nats to 3-2 win over Marlins

Reynolds' walk-off homer leads Nats to 3-2 win over Marlins
The biggest comeback of the season in the opener of a four-game series to snap a five-game skid? Check. A nail-biting low-scoring affair culminating in a dramatic walk-off win in the second game? Check. Suddenly, the Nationals have a different kind of streak going, and they have been via a pair of thrillers. Pinch-hitter Mark Reynolds crushed a walk-off solo homer over the left field wall to lift the Nats a 3-2 win over the Marlins before 32,652 at Nats Park. It was their second win a row,...

Martinez needs club to "scratch and claw" after 11-4 loss to Red Sox

Martinez needs club to "scratch and claw" after 11-4 loss to Red Sox
This time it wasn't close. The Red Sox used a six-run fifth inning to run away from the Nationals 11-4 before a sellout crowd of 42,531 at Nationals Park. Suddenly, a Nats team that was riding high at 33-22 is back to .500 at 42-42. They are 4-14 since June 14. Similar to Monday, Boston raced out to a 3-0 lead. This time it was a three-run homer by Eduardo Núñez. The turning point arrived halfway through when the Nats had scored two runs to cut the deficit to 3-2. Tanner Roark was unable...

Game 80 lineups: Nats at Phillies

Game 80 lineups: Nats at Phillies
PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals have gotten into a habit of doing virtually nothing at the plate for much of a ballgame and then trying to mount a furious rally late. That strategy worked once (Sunday night at home against the Phillies) but has failed several other times (most recently Thursday night here at Citizens Bank Park). So perhaps they'll see if they can generate something a little earlier tonight. Some changes to the lineup tonight: Adam Eaton is back in there as promised, leading off...

Martinez will speak to Zimmerman about rehab games

Martinez will speak to Zimmerman about rehab games
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman is not on this trip but he is closer to a return from his right oblique strain that has kept him sidelined since May 10. He has now missed 39 games. Manager Davey Martinez said he will speak to Zimmerman about rehab games possibly for next week, even though the veteran may not be too excited about warming up in the minor leagues. "As soon as he's ready to play, I'll have to sit down and talk to him," Martinez said. "I'd like...

Adams departs after taking pitch off left hand (Nats lose 6-5)

Adams departs after taking pitch off left hand (Nats lose 6-5)
TORONTO - Matt Adams had been one of the few members of the Nationals lineup to avoid injury so far this season. Add the big first baseman to the list now. Adams had to depart tonight's game before the bottom of the third, one inning after he took a pitch off his left hand while squaring around to bunt the previous inning. Leading off the top of the second and facing the exaggerated infield shift he has seen from most opponents this season, Adams decided to try to surprise the Blue Jays and...

Crawford gets to Scherzer with homer (Giants win 2-0)

Crawford gets to Scherzer with homer (Giants win 2-0)
Right-hander Max Scherzer allowed a walk and a single in the first inning. But then settled in to a Scherzer-like start with an amazing six strikeouts in a row. The Nats connected with a pair of hits to begin the second against Giants starter Derek Holland courtesy of Mark Reynolds and Juan Soto. But a Michael A. Taylor 5-3 double play and a Wilmer Difo strikeout ended that chance. Trea Turner was caught off of first base in the third to end another possibility. He felt Holland had balked....