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...

Cubs will themselves to win, prevail in "crazy" Game 5 over Nationals

Cubs will themselves to win, prevail in "crazy" Game 5 over Nationals
Bryce Harper swung and missed for strike three and Cubs catcher Willson Contreras tossed his glove and mask and joined a hug-fest of gray uniforms around closer Wade Davis on the pitcher's mound at a shocked Nationals Park. The Cubs beat the Nationals 9-8 to win their National League Division Series in five games. After the game, the Cubs headed to Los Angeles to get ready for a rematch with the Dodgers for the National League pennant. The Cubs are going to their third consecutive National...

Nats waste Scherzer's dominating performance in 2-1 loss

Nats waste Scherzer's dominating performance in 2-1 loss
CHICAGO - With the best-of-five National League Division Series tied at a game apiece, the Nationals headed to Wrigley Field to face José Quintana, the Cubs' fourth starter. Their counterpunch? Cy Young candidate Max Scherzer. The Nationals ace was pushed back to start Game 3 of the series due to right hamstring tightness. Heading into the game, there were many question marks surrounding the right-hander, including whether he would be able to last deep into the game without succumbing to...

Cubs wait out Strasburg, emerge with 1-0 lead in NLDS

Cubs wait out Strasburg, emerge with 1-0 lead in NLDS
Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg looked unhittable for five innings Friday night. Then the Chicago Cubs came to bat in the sixth inning. That's when everything changed. The Cubs scored twice against the Nationals starter, who had a 0.86 ERA after the All-Star break as well as a streak of 35 consecutive scoreless innings, on their way to a 3-0 win against the Nationals in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park. The Cubs' Javier Báez reached on a high chopper that...

Baseball America No. 3 Nats prospect: Victor Robles

Baseball America No. 3 Nats prospect: Victor Robles
Being selected as one of the top three prospects in Nationals organization puts a player in elite company. Outfielder Victor Robles, 18, displayed his talents for the short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays, slashing an impressive .343/.424/.479 in 38 games, drawing praise from scouts, managers, players and baseball publications. Baseball America believes he is one of the best prospects in the minor leagues. No. 3 Victor Robles Baseball America editor-in-chief John Manuel said recently his...

Zimmermann "stayed more on line" in dispatching reeling Cubs

Zimmermann "stayed more on line" in dispatching reeling Cubs
Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann gave up three extra-base hits in the first two innings Thursday against the Chicago Cubs. After that, it was almost smooth sailing in a 9-2 Nationals sweep of the Cubs. The first big hit was the home run by Anthony Rizzo off a fastball in the first. But Zimmermann was able to settle in later, striking out three straight hitters following Darwin Barney's second-inning triple off Zimmermann's slider. "I went off the game plan to Barney and I threw a slider...