Nats clinch NL East with 3-0 win over Braves

Nats clinch NL East with 3-0 win over Braves
Neither the Nationals nor the Braves have found a way to break through against tonight's starters at Turner Field, as the game remains scoreless in the fourth. Tanner Roark has allowed two hits, walked none and struck out three in three innings. He has thrown 41 pitches, 28 for strikes. Denard Span, Bryce Harper, Wilson Ramos and Roark each singled for the Nats, who have been kept off the board by veteran Aaron Harang. The Braves right-hander stranded two runners in each of the first two...

Saturday's Nationals-Mets lineups

Saturday's Nationals-Mets lineups
It's rainy and cool at Citi Field, where the Nationals are scheduled to play the third of four games this evening against the Mets. Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. on MASN HD. According to Weather Bug, there's a 40 percent change of precipitation at 7 p.m. in Flushing, N.Y., which rises to 60 percent at 8 p.m. and drops to 50 percent by 9 p.m. Temperatures will hold steady in the mid-60s, but the rain should be gone by 10 p.m. So there's a window. A late one, but a window...

Zimmermann twirls six innings (Nats win 6-4 for series victory)

Zimmermann twirls six innings (Nats win 6-4 for series victory)
Never underestimate the importance of getting the leadoff man on base. Factor in that your team is facing a 14-game winner in Ervin Santana and the importance ramps up. The Nationals offense has scored three runs or less in eight of its last 11 nine-inning games. So if Santana could get going, it would add pressure to the offense as the innings progressed. Denard Span made everything easier for his teammates in his first at-bat, smacking a 1-2 Santana offering into right field for a double....

Nationals strike first versus Braves (Nats win 2-1)

Nationals strike first versus Braves (Nats win 2-1)
The Nationals were able to break the ice early against the rival Braves. Each of these games are so important, but manager Matt Williams repeated during pregame that it is just another game. But a sweep either way would make a huge statement with games, and the season, dwindling down to a precious few. Doug Fister allowed just a Freddie Freeman base hit in the first. With two outs in the bottom of the first and Anthony Rendon on base, Adam LaRoche and Ian Desmond had back-to-back singles to...

Soriano "felt good" during bullpen session, could pitch in game soon

Soriano "felt good" during bullpen session, could pitch in game soon
Prior to Monday's game versus the Braves, Nationals manager Matt Williams updated Rafael Soriano's progress as he tries to work on his mechanics following a rough stretch. Soriano has not pitched since Friday. Williams did not personally witness Soriano's bullpen session today, but got the full report from pitching coach Steve McCatty. He did get to speak to Soriano after the workout. "He's working on his mechanics," Williams said. "I talked to him in there and he said he felt good....

Williams meets with the media after 3-2 win over Phillies

Williams meets with the media after 3-2 win over Phillies
With one victory today, the Nationals avoided a sweep by the Phillies, extended their lead in the National League East to seven games, trimmed their magic number to 14 and got some momentum back on their side before a three-game series against the Braves starts tomorrow. Not a bad day at the office. The Nats got six strong innings from Gio Gonzalez today, were led offensively by Adam LaRoche's two solo homers and Scott Hairston's go-ahead sac fly, and saw Drew Storen close it down with a...

Burnett continues to baffle Nats (Phillies win 3-1)

Burnett continues to baffle Nats (Phillies win 3-1)
Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark allowed two earned runs in a tough 3-2 loss to right-hander A.J. Burnett and the Phillies on Aug. 25. In their rematch Saturday, it took the Phillies only three innings before they connected for two earned runs. With one out in the third, Burnett singled. With two outs, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley singled to load the bases. Ryan Howard smacked a base hit through the infield, scoring two runs, and the Phillies led 2-0. The Nationals enjoyed only a single...

Espinosa replaces Cabrera at second base

Espinosa replaces Cabrera at second base
PHILADELPHIA - Asdrubal Cabrera, who experienced tightness in his side while swinging in yesterday's game, will not be in the starting lineup at second base when the Nationals open a three-game series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Instead, Danny Espinosa will get the nod at second base. Washington's Tanner Roark (12-7, 2.80 ERA) faces Philadelphia's A.J. Burnett (6-14, 4.42 ERA) in a battle of right-handers. The Nats are seeking their 13th win in 14 games. For the Nationals CF...

Williams on Harper's baserunning errors

Williams on Harper's baserunning errors
Matt Williams has tried to instill an aggressive mentality on his ballclub this season. He's willing to tolerate some miscues on the bases, because he feels like if his players take an aggressive mindset and push the issue, it will pay off more often than not. Williams has needed to answer quite a few questions about Bryce Harper's baserunning style this season, however. Part of that is because he's Bryce Harper, and anytime Bryce Harper makes an error or runs into an out, people are going...

Gonzalez and Miley in southpaw battle (Nats walk off again 1-0 for 10th win in row)

Gonzalez and Miley in southpaw battle (Nats walk off again 1-0 for 10th win in row)
The Nationals seek their first 10-game win streak since June 12, 2005, as they wrap up their four-game set against the Diamondbacks today. A pair of lefties in Gio Gonzalez and Wade Miley tangle on Ian Desmond bobblehead day. Gonzalez is seeking his first win since July 5. He is 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA in two starts lifetime versus the D-Backs. Gonzalez was able to go three up and three down to start the game. Miley allowed a base hit to Denard Span to open the bottom of the first. One out later,...

Strasburg goes eight innings for 10th victory (Nats win 8-1)

Strasburg goes eight innings for 10th victory (Nats win 8-1)
Stephen Strasburg's inability to get off to fast starts haunted him again to begin his second outing against the Diamondbacks this season. In his first start against Arizona on May 13, Strasburg allowed only three runs that came later in the game, and took the hard-luck 3-1 loss. With two outs Tuesday night in the first inning, David Peralta got a hold of a 1-2 pitch and crushed it over the right field wall to give Arizona a 1-0 lead. It was Peralta's second home run in as many at-bats as...

Starting to get a little bit of a 2012 vibe

Starting to get a little bit of a 2012 vibe
Back in 2012, the Nationals had a knack for the dramatic. They excelled in the late innings that season, posting 37 comeback wins. 10 times that year did they get to celebrate a walk-off win on the field at Nationals Park, games that seemed to build momentum and bring the clubhouse even closer together. It's still just mid-August, but it seems like the 2014 Nationals are following that same script, to an extent. So far this season, just a little over three-quarters of the way through the...

Pirates take 3-0 lead in third (Nats walk off in ninth)

Pirates take 3-0 lead in third (Nats walk off in ninth)
The Nationals and Pirates starters were cruising though the first few innings before the Bucs opened things up in the third. Gio Gonzalez allowed two hits in the first two frames, but struggled in the third. After retiring pitcher Jeff Locke on strikes, Gonzalez allowed a single to Josh Harrison, and after retiring Gregory Polanco, a walk to Russell Martin. Starling Marte then doubled to plate the first run, and Gaby Sanchez followed with a two-run single. Pirates 3, Nats 0 Through three,...

Nats take 3-0 lead in first over Pirates (Nats win 5-4)

Nats take 3-0 lead in first over Pirates (Nats win 5-4)
How's this for a statistic: The Nationals have scored 29 first-inning runs when Tanner Roark is on the mound. Adam LaRoche got the party started tonight, his RBI single scoring Asdrubal Cabrera to stake the Nats to a 1-0 lead. Denard Span led off the frame with a single, Cabrera walked and Span was thrown out trying to steal third before Anthony Rendon's single to right put runners at first and second. LaRoche followed with a single to center off Pirates righty Charlie Morton. Ian Desmond...

LaRoche provides early spark (Nats win 4-1)

LaRoche provides early spark (Nats win 4-1)
The Nationals didn't waste any time in giving Stephen Strasburg room to work. After the newest National Asdrubal Cabrera drew a walk with one out in the first inning, Adam LaRoche blasted his 17th home of the season, a two-run shot that put the visiting team ahead 2-0. It's LaRoche's third first-inning home run of the season, tying him for the most in any single inning this year. In fact, the opening frame has been kind to LaRoche. In 53 at-bats, the righty has collected 14 RBIs and is...

Putting a bow on the Atlanta series

Putting a bow on the Atlanta series
NEW YORK - Good morning from the Big Apple. It's an off-day for the Nationals, which is much-needed for a handful of reasons. First, the schedule: This is the Nats' first day off since July 24, 18 days ago. After this, there will be 16 more games before the next off-day, so the Nats will savor this one. Second, the recent grind: The Nats played 13 innings Thursday, traveled to Atlanta after that game, sat through a rain delay Friday night and tried to grind out of a seven-run hole, sat...

Williams on idea of sending Harper to minors: "It's unacceptable. It won't happen"

Williams on idea of sending Harper to minors: "It's unacceptable. It won't happen"
Manager Matt Williams saved the best for last in his pregame meeting with the media Wednesday afternoon. Earlier this morning on his weekly radio appearance with "The Junkies" on 106.7 The Fan, Williams was asked about 21-year-old left fielder Bryce Harper. Responding to an inference that the Nats could send Harper to Triple-A because of his recent struggles offensively, Williams replied: "So I will caution everybody in this room," Williams said. "The minute you think you can read my...

Fedde excited to see D.C. and Nationals Park for first time

Fedde excited to see D.C. and Nationals Park for first time
Nationals top 2014 draft pick, right-hander Erick Fedde, made his first trip to Washington, D.C. this week and was in attendance at game against the Mets on Tuesday night. The No. 18 overall selection was a Louisville Slugger second team All-American at UNLV. The 21-year-old was able to give an update on how he is recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he had the week of the draft. "I was doing well. I just recently got out of the brace a couple of weeks ago," Fedde said. "I haven't...

Strasburg strong in subduing Phillies (Nats win 4-0)

Strasburg strong in subduing Phillies (Nats win 4-0)
The two San Diego County natives square off again Sunday in D.C. as left-hander Cole Hamels faces right-hander Stephen Strasburg. It is their fourth meeting. Strasburg holds a 1.37 ERA in games against Hamels, and is 1-0 with two no decisions. Strasburg was rolling in the first two innings, recording four strikeouts. The Phillies' lone hit in three frames was a Cody Asche single. The Nationals went 1-2-3 in the first and second innings against Hamels. But Jose Lobaton reached on a fielding...

Quotes from the clubhouse after Nats' tough 7-6 walk-off loss

Quotes from the clubhouse after Nats' tough 7-6 walk-off loss
MIAMI - Their 6-0 lead turned into a four-run advantage after the Marlins got two in the seventh. The four-run edge was cut to three when Miami plated one more on an RBI groundout in the eighth. Still, a three-run lead with Rafael Soriano on the mound seemed secure, given that Soriano had been 25 of 28 in save chances entering today and had notched his 200th career save yesterday. Then the Marlins exploded for four runs in the bottom of the ninth, with Jeff Baker's single to left off Jerry...