Nats will keep foot on gas pedal for final three weeks

Nats will keep foot on gas pedal for final three weeks
And on the day after, Dusty Baker played his regulars. Though their latest division title has already been secured, the Nationals don't appear to taking their foot off the gas pedal anytime soon. Baker's lineup for tonight's series opener against the Braves - all the currently active regulars are starting except for Jayson Werth, who is dealing with a sore left shoulder - is evidence of that, as are the manager's answers when asked how he plans to handle the final three weeks of the regular...

Baker updates progress of Harper and Werth, importance of Kendrick

Baker updates progress of Harper and Werth, importance of Kendrick
Nationals manager Dusty Baker updated the recovery of right fielder Bryce Harper, who has been out with a hyperextended left knee and a strained calf since Aug. 13. He has missed 29 games. Harper has played catch once in Miami and once here last weekend prior to a game against the Phillies. He appeared to be throwing well and with no limitations from 90 feet. He even had to catch a high throw and come down on both legs without any issues. "What's next is hopefully have him start hitting and...

Fourth division title in six years was no small achievement

Fourth division title in six years was no small achievement
Because they have done this four times now in the last six years - and because each of the three previous times was followed by a first-round playoff exit - there's a tendency to downplay the significance of what the Nationals have accomplished. Yes, everybody hangs banners to commemorate division titles. But who really remembers or celebrates those in the long term? It's October success that makes real memories, and until the Nationals enjoy that they will feel like they have accomplished...

Long, strange wait doesn't dampen Nats' latest celebration

Long, strange wait doesn't dampen Nats' latest celebration
The Nationals have this division-title thing down pat at this point, having now done it four times in six years. What they have not yet perfected is the art of clinching a division title on the field in front of their home fans. The 2012 National League East crown was achieved when the Braves lost in Pittsburgh while the Nats played the top of the ninth against the Phillies. The 2014 NL East was wrapped up with a win on the road in Atlanta. The 2016 NL East title wasn't official until the Mets...

Youth serves as Nats secure back-to-back division titles

Youth serves as Nats secure back-to-back division titles
The Nationals won their second consecutive division title Sunday with a 3-2 win over the Phillies and a 10-8 Braves win in 11 innings that eliminated the Marlins. And it wasn't lost on the players during their celebration that the Sunday clinching lineup included recent prospects, youngsters and guys who have never played in the majors until this season. Sunday's lineup included regular Trea Turner, but also Adrián Sanchez, Wilmer Difo, Victor Robles, Andrew Stevenson, Pedro Severino and...

Phillies able to solve Jackson early in 5-4 win over Nats

Phillies able to solve Jackson early in 5-4 win over Nats
Edwin Jackson did not receive a very kind birthday present from the Phillies on Saturday night. They were able to see his pitches very well in a 5-4 setback. The right-hander, now 34 years of age, allowed two early homers to Rhys Hoskins and Maikel Franco that set the tone. The Phillies added three more runs in the fourth. The Nationals battled back from a 5-1 deficit to cut the lead to 5-4, thanks to a two-run shot and RBI single from Michael A. Taylor. Even with the loss, the Nats' magic...

Nationals could wrap up fourth NL East title in six years today

Nationals could wrap up fourth NL East title in six years today
The Nationals clinched their first division title thanks to a Braves loss in Pittsburgh. They clinched their second division title with a win in Atlanta in front of only a smattering of their fans in attendance. They clinched their third division title with the combination of a win in Pittsburgh and then a Mets loss in New York a few minutes later. What the Nats haven't done during this impressive stretch over the last six seasons is clinch something with a win at home, affording themselves...

Baker confirms youngsters will start Sunday to give veterans rest

Baker confirms youngsters will start Sunday to give veterans rest
Manager Dusty Baker confirmed that Stephen Strasburg will make the start Sunday not because the Nationals will necessarily have a chance to clinch the National League East division title but really because he has just been very good recently. "He's got a pretty good thing going right now," Baker said. Strasburg is 2-1 with a 0.67 ERA in his last four starts, striking out 31 batters in 27 innings, allowing two earned runs. Left fielder Jayson Werth is still on the sidelines with a sore...

Could the Nationals catch the Dodgers for NL's best record?

Could the Nationals catch the Dodgers for NL's best record?
The Nationals have known for some time they're going to clinch a division title and then have multiple weeks of games left to play before the postseason begins, creating an awkward situation in which Dusty Baker has to find a balance between resting his regulars while still keeping them sharp. There may, however, be a new goal for the Nats to chase even after they officially win the National League East: the league's best record and No. 1 seed for the playoffs. What once seemed unfathomable...

Scherzer rebounds after walk-filled first inning to earn win

Scherzer rebounds after walk-filled first inning to earn win
It was about as uncharacteristic a pitching display as Max Scherzer is capable of displaying. Three walks in one inning? He had only issued three or more walks in four games this season. Yet there it was Friday night for all to see. During a laborious, 28-pitch top of the first, Scherzer gave free passes to Odúbel Herrera, Rhys Hoskins and Hyun Soo Kim of the Phillies. Oh, there also was a three-run homer served up to Nick Williams. But that was secondary to the walks in Scherzer's...

Taylor's latest highlight-reel play: inside-the-park grand slam

Taylor's latest highlight-reel play: inside-the-park grand slam
Michael A. Taylor remembered what happened two years ago tonight, Sept. 8, 2015, when he singled to center field with the bases loaded against the Mets and watched Yoenis Cespedes let the ball get past him for what officially was ruled a single and three-base error. Taylor did not remember what happened 2 1/2 weeks later, Sept. 25, 2015, when he couldn't make a diving catch of Aaron Altherr's sinking liner with the bases loaded and had to chase down the ball and watch the Phillies outfielder...

One-run wins build character, show quality Nats bullpen

One-run wins build character, show quality Nats bullpen
The Nationals are now 25-17 in one-run games after Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Phillies. The victory was the Nats' 34th comeback win of the season. Three of the Nats' last five wins have come by a single run. They have gone 30-16 in series openers this season, as well. These are statistics that could be beneficial come playoff time. There will be opportunities against good teams, most likely in the postseason, where the Nats will be down by one run, or up by one run, in the late...

Roark, Turner and bullpen lift Nats past Phillies 4-3

Roark, Turner and bullpen lift Nats past Phillies 4-3
Nationals starter Tanner Roark kept his club in the game long enough for a comeback, and then the bullpen shut the door again for three innings in a 4-3 win over the Phillies on Thursday night. The Nats' magic number to clinch the National League East has dropped to four, thanks to the Braves' comeback 6-5 win over the Marlins in Atlanta. Roark went six innings, allowing three runs, and Trea Turner came through with a two-run single in a three-run sixth-inning rally for the Nats' 86th win of...

Baker says promoted Robles is "tremendous talent"

Baker says promoted Robles is "tremendous talent"
Manager Dusty Baker remembers top prospect Victor Robles from the outfielder's play in spring training in February and March, and has seen the 20-year-old progress to the point where he joined the Nationals today. "He didn't play a whole bunch, but he wasn't intimidated at all," Baker said. "He was happy to be there. He's actually one of the leaders of the young Latin corps that we have here. You can tell how they kind of gravitate towards him. I heard he is a heck of a player. I also...

Doolittle ready for extra workload that awaits him in October

Doolittle ready for extra workload that awaits him in October
MIAMI - From the moment the trade was consummated on July 16, Dusty Baker has known he needs to be careful about using Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson too much. Both relievers, acquired from the Athletics in the same deal, have dealt with significant arm injuries in recent years. And so both have to monitor their workloads in an attempt to keep them healthy. "Some of them have histories or being injured," Baker said. "That's what I'm trying to avoid. You can't afford to have them go down...

Hurricane on players' minds as series concludes (Nats win 8-1)

Hurricane on players' minds as series concludes (Nats win 8-1)
MIAMI - They're playing a ballgame tonight at Marlins Park, but there aren't many fans here, even fewer than the typical sparse gathering. Which is understandable, given the way most everyone's mind is preoccupied with the fast-approaching Hurricane Irma and making preparations now either to board up homes or get out of town. Those in uniform are understandably paying close attention, as well, diverting at least some of their focus from the game. Several Nationals players are from or live in...

Scherzer will start Friday; Glover getting second opinion

Scherzer will start Friday; Glover getting second opinion
MIAMI - Max Scherzer is cleared to start Friday night as scheduled for the Nationals. The odds of Koda Glover returning to pitch for the Nats this season, however, appear to have dwindled. Scherzer was able to throw a bullpen session this afternoon with no ill effects from his bruised left calf, and the Nationals have officially listed him as Friday's starter against the Phillies. "He's getting treatment and getting his leg worked on and stuff," manager Dusty Baker said. "So, yeah, as of...

Given opportunity to catch, Severino steps up and produces

Given opportunity to catch, Severino steps up and produces
MIAMI - Pedro Severino made his major league debut nearly two years ago, so this isn't anything new for him. The young Nationals catcher, though, hasn't been given a whole lot of opportunities to play at this level (with the notable exception of his two starts in last year's National League Division Series after Wilson Ramos tore his ACL). No matter what, Severino has tried to make himself ready if and when the call comes. "They gave me opportunity last year, and in 2015 I (didn't) play a...

Dominant Strasburg just trying to stay on mound into October

Dominant Strasburg just trying to stay on mound into October
MIAMI - Stephen Strasburg has faced 134 batters over his last six starts. Only two of those batters have driven in runs. Way back on July 17 in Cincinnati, Eugenio Suárez hit a solo homer in the bottom of the second against Strasburg. And then Aug. 19 in San Diego, Yangervis Solarte belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the first. But that's it. Those are the only three runs Strasburg has surrendered in his last 36 innings. And he hasn't surrendered any in his last 26 innings,...

Harper plays light catch, first baseball activity since injury

Harper plays light catch, first baseball activity since injury
MIAMI - It wasn't all that much - a 10-minute light game of catch in shallow right field - and there are plenty more significant hurdles Bryce Harper will need to cross before he is close to returning to the Nationals lineup. But given the violent leg injury he appeared to sustain 3 1/2 weeks ago, even this minor step was an important accomplishment for the recovering Nationals star. "It's very encouraging," manager Dusty Baker said. "You see him doing light baseball activities, you know...