MLB pushes back deadline as sides move close to deal

MLB pushes back deadline as sides move close to deal

For much of Monday, the prospect of the first postponed opening day due to a labor fight looked inevitable. As representatives of Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association gathered yet again at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., for yet another day of negotiations, even the most optimistic observers were left believing a deal couldn't be reached in time to satisfy the league's Feb. 28 deadline to ensure an on-time start to the season.

MLB cancels first two series after deadline passes with no deal

MLB cancels first two series after deadline passes with no deal

For the second time in three years, the Major League Baseball season will not start on time. And for the first time in 27 years, it's because of a labor dispute.

Unable to come to terms with the MLB Players Association on a new collective bargaining agreement before the league's self-imposed, once-postponed 5 p.m. deadline today, commissioner Rob Manfred officially announced opening day will not take place as scheduled March 31, then added he has canceled the first week of the regular season.

Stammen's game refined tonight versus Braves

Stammen's game refined tonight versus Braves
Craig Stammen is back with the Nationals for tonight's matchup in game two at Turner Field against the first place Atlanta Braves. Stammen talked to me recently about the demotion in early June and what he has concentrated on to get back to the big leagues. "It wasn't like I was throwing the ball badly. I had really good stuff almost every time I went out. Just didn't execute and was overthrowing a little bit and not really trusting myself as much as I should. I can't really...

Carmona befuddles Nats 7-1

Carmona befuddles Nats 7-1
Fausto Carmona dominated the Nationals Saturday with his power sinker and won for the first time in exactly one month, a complete game three-hitter, 7-1 at Progressive Field. It was his second complete game in his past three starts. Willie Harris says Carmona had the sinker and changeup working to perfection. How dominant? The Nationals left no men on base. Carmona faced only one batter over the minimum. "He was pretty good. He was nasty. He had the sinker working and had a really good...

Another Kennedy error early against the Tribe

Another Kennedy error early against the Tribe
Cleveland, OH -- Nats 2B Adam Kennedy made a bad throw to second base and Cristian Guzman in the bottom of the 1st inning for his 2nd error of the series and 8th error of the season in 58 games. The Indians scored a batter later on a sacrifice fly to take the lead 1-0 in the 1st. Jim Riggleman had said before the game he wanted to get Willie Harris and Kennedy at-bats so they can remain consistent in the field. Ian Desmond gets the the night off, but available for pinch hitting and...

MASN Brings Back The John Riggins Show to Television

MASN Brings Back The John Riggins Show to Television
Live Broadcasting by Ustream MASN, the local leader in live sports entertainment, will relaunch The John Riggins Show on television beginning in July. MASN will simulcast the weekday show live from the studios of WTOP in Washington D.C., where the Redskins' Hall of Famer has been on the air since April on the HD-3 channel of 103.5 FM. The legendary Washington Redskins running back will bring his unique and outsized personality to sports fans across MASN's seven-state television territory...

Bryce Harper's coach Tim Chambers live Monday

Bryce Harper's coach Tim Chambers live Monday
Join me tomorrow as we talk with Bryce Harper's college coach Tim Chambers as the Nats prepare to take Harper with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Also joining me will be Nationals relief pitcher Drew Storen, Baseball America's Jim Callis talking Harper and Stephen Strasburg; we'll have Mike Rizzo's comments on what the Nats are looking for after Harper; and stay tuned for insight from MASNsports.com's Ben Goessling on the Nats draft from the scouts' perspective. Join us for our...

Rizzo: "We have made our decision" on first pick

Rizzo: "We have made our decision" on first pick
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo met with the media before Sunday's game against the Reds and did not confirm the team will select Bryce Harper with the number one overall selection in Monday's First-Year Player Draft. But it was pretty obvious they have been confident in their selection for quite some time and there is little suspense in who they will draft 1.1. "We have made our decision. Tomorrow is a huge day for us. This is a big dray for the franchise. It is a big day for me. ...

MASN to Televise Strasburg's Final Triple-A Start

MASN to Televise Strasburg's Final Triple-A Start
MASN will televise Stephen Strasburg's final start at Triple-A Syracuse, the network announced today. The Nationals prospect will face the Buffalo Bisons on Thursday, June 3rd at 1:05 p.m. MASN will air the game at 7:00 p.m. on a tape delay. MASN has televised each of Strasburg's five previous starts for Syracuse. The highly touted prospect is 3-1 at Syracuse with a 1.27 ERA and 33 strikeouts in just over 28 innings of work. He is expected to make his major league debut at Nationals Park...

Nats rocket past Astros in Houston 14-4

Nats rocket past Astros in Houston 14-4
The Nats needed this one. With the bats cooled for most of the series in San Diego, the Nats' offense erupted in Houston with 14 hits in a 14-4 cruise over the Astros at Minute Maid Park. The highlight of the day was the 7th inning where the Nats sent 12 men to the plate and exploded for a season-high 9 runs. Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman each had a pair of hits and 4 RBI. Zimmerman with a 3-run homer in the 7th frame, his third homer in two games. Carlos Maldonado slammed his first...

Despite mound issues, Strasburg shines again; 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 8 K

Despite mound issues, Strasburg shines again; 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 8 K
Stephen Strasburg had to face adversity of a different kind Sunday and pulled through with his second professional victory. Strasburg had trouble with his landing foot on the mound at Progressive Field, the same spot where Indians starter David Huff (2-8) was also landing, Over time, and according to the grounds crew I spoke to, it happens more often during day games because of the humidity, the clay gave way and Strasburg started to slip. Even with those troubles, Strasburg was effective,...

Stammen looks to repeat last start today against Mets

Stammen looks to repeat last start today against Mets
Nationals starter Craig Stammen is searching for two wins in a row today as he faces the New York Mets in the series finale on the Fourth of July at Nats Park. Stammen (2-2) had a tremendous return to the hill Tuesday in Atlanta, going 7 1/3 innings, allowing five hits, two runs, two walks and striking out four batters. He also allowed only three hits through his first seven innings. In reaching the eighth inning, it marked the longest outing for Stammen since April 19 against the...

J.D. Martin plans to mix it up today vs. Pale Hose

J.D. Martin plans to mix it up today vs. Pale Hose
Nationals starter J.D. Martin (0-2, 4.19) given the task today to snap the team's 4-game losing skid fresh off one of his toughest outings of the season. Martin went 7 and 2/3rds at Cleveland last Saturday night, but got roughed up in the second inning, allowing four runs off five hits, including a two-run double by Carlos Santana. "When I get in trouble in games is just when I am missing my spots and eaving the ball up. So I need to focus on keeping the ball down and locating my...

Riggleman will not tinker with lineup

Riggleman will not tinker with lineup
Despite the current five-game losing streak in which the team has managed just 11 runs, including only a single run scored in the past 19 innings, Nats manager Jim Riggleman does not think shaking up the lineup is the solution to recent offensive woes. "I have played around there with Nyjer (Morgan) in the 1 and 2, (Cristian) Guzman in the 1 and 2, (Ryan) Zimmerman and (Adam) Dunn in the 3 and 4. That is about the extent of it. When (Mike) Morse is in there, he may hit seventh. When Pudge...

Storen called up to Nats; Bruney DFA'ed

Storen called up to Nats; Bruney DFA'ed
The Nationals have called up pitcher Drew Storen from Triple-A Syracuse and designated reliever Brian Bruney for assignment. Riggleman says Storen has earned the promotion. "We are going to bring Drew Storen up and work him into the mix in the bullpen," Riggleman said. "Anywhere from that sixth inning through the eighth inning. We probably would not use him in real long stints. It will kind of find itself where his innings may be." Riggleman hopes that Bruney clears waivers and...

Atilano never loses confidence in sinker

Atilano never loses confidence in sinker
Nats right-handed starter Luis Atilano (3-0, 3.90) faces Mets right-hander John Maine (1-3, 6.13) in the finale of the two-game set tonight at Nats Park. Atilano is coming off a start against the Colorado Rockies in which he allowed back-to-back homers. He did not have the best control with four walks in five innings and was often behind in the count. A lot of times it was because the sinker was not catching the lower half of the plate. I asked Luis how he adjusts when his sinker...

Olsen credits Pudge for best run of career

Olsen credits Pudge for best run of career
The Nationals will attempt to stay above .500 as they welcome in the Baltimore Orioles for the start of three at Nats Park. The pitching match-up in game one features left-hander Scott Olsen (2-1, 3.15) against rightie David Hernandez (0-5, 5.84). I caught up with Scott to get a preview of his start against the Birds. He has been lights out recently. In Olsen's last five starts, he has allowed only 4 earned runs in 32 1/3 innings pitched for a 1.12 ERA. Is this your best run of your...

Strasburg no hits R-Phillies in chilly Reading

Strasburg no hits R-Phillies in chilly Reading
READING, PA ---- Righthander Stephen Strasburg pitched 5 innings of shutout no-hit ball, retiring the first 13 batters he faced, for his 3rd win of the season as Harrisburg defeated Reading 1-0 before an announced 4,156 at chilly FirstEnergy Stadium. Strasburg threw 64 pitches, 42 for strikes, allowing no runs, no hits, no walks and striking out 6 batters. The game time temperature was 53 degrees, but a brisk wind made it feel like it was in the high 40s. Strasburg consistently hit in the...

Clippard, Capps and Nieves clutch in comeback vs. Rox

Clippard, Capps and Nieves clutch in comeback vs. Rox
Tyler Clippard did it again for the Nats, now 3-0 with the win Wednesday night as the Nationals outscored the Rockies 6-1 after trailing 3-0 middle 3rd. Clippard threw two innings, allowing no runs, 1 hit, 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Tyler had 4 wins all of last year and notched that final victory on October 1st. It is just April 21st and already Tyler has 3 of the Nats 8 wins. His biggest out was getting Carlos Gonzalez on a strikeout with a man on in the top of the 8th. Gonzalez was...

Mets, N.L. East not sleeping on Nats any more

Mets, N.L. East not sleeping on Nats any more
I watched the play over and over. It was a play that won't count in the box score or the stat sheet but one that tells me things will be different this year for the Nationals. Josh Willingham versus Johan Santana with the bases juiced on Sunday in New York. Willingham launches a moon shot to center field that hits above the red line for a home run. During the live action, the umpires did not signal a home run so everyone kept on running. Adam Dunn came down the line with Willy Taveras...