Lannan spotting the ball more consistently

Lannan spotting the ball more consistently
Nationals pitcher John Lannan had his best start of the four outings so far at Harrisburg July 10 against the Reading Phillies. Lannan went six innings and allowed five hits and two runs, while striking out six batters and walking only one. Pitching coach Randy Tomlin says Lannan is gaining his confidence back with each start. "John did very well in his last outing. He needed to spot the ball more consistently and he did that. He is feeling really good about himself and the adjustments...

Zimmermann solid in third start for Potomac

Zimmermann solid in third start for Potomac
Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann took another step forward with a positive rehab start for Potomac Wednesday night. Zimmermann tossed four innings, scattering six hits, allowed one unearned run, no walks and striking out four. Jordan threw 53 pitches, 40 for strikes. Team president Stan Kasten was in attendance to watch Jordan's start. Kinston won the game 3-1, and Zimmermann got tagged with the loss. He has allowed no earned runs in three starts, a span of nine innings. Jordan left...

Zimmermann to focus on changeup tonight

Zimmermann to focus on changeup tonight
Nationals right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann gets another rehab start tonight in Woodbridge with the Potomac Nationals facing the Kinston Indians at 7:03 p.m.at Pfitzner Stadium. This will be the 24-year-old Zimmermann's third rehab start and he is expecting to go four innings with a cap of 60-65 pitches. Zimmermann has worked this week primarily on his changeup. Pitching coach Paul Menhart told me he would like to see more changeups from Zimmermann tonight and that will be their main...

Bryce Harper wins 2010 Golden Spikes Award

Bryce Harper wins 2010 Golden Spikes Award
Nationals number one overall selection Bryce Harper has won the 2010 Golden Spikes Award, which honors the nation's top amateur baseball player. The announcement was made by USA Baseball during a presentation at All-Star FanFest today in Anaheim, California. The catcher/outfielder beat out semifinalists Chris Duffy, Yasmani Grandal, Drew Pomeranz and Chris Sale to win the honor and to match Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who took home the award in 2009. Harper slammed 31...

Detwiler looking to smooth out mechanics

Detwiler looking to smooth out mechanics
Harrisburg Senators left-hander Ross Detwiler notched his first win of the season Sunday with a 7-3 decision at the Reading Phillies. Detwiler went five innings, allowed seven hits, two runs, one homer, one walk and three strikeouts. He had a dramatic three-run double to seal the game for the offense but said he just caught a break on the hit. "It was my third or fourth at-bat of the year. I think I just got lucky. I got deep into the count. The ball found the bat somehow." ...

Riggleman on second half and player updates

Riggleman on second half and player updates
The Nationals are getting ready for the second half of the season with 73 games remaining on the schedule. The team can still make a move in the National League East, unlike last year when they reached the All-Star break 22 1/2 games out of first place and had already lost 61 games. Manager Jim Riggleman is confident the clubhouse is filled with the players that can get it done. "I think the world of our team because they play hard and they care. They suffer with the losses. They really...

Clippard trying to fight through "mental wall"

Clippard trying to fight through "mental wall"
Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard met with the media before Sunday's game against the Giants after allowing four runs on two hits, one a home run, two walks and just one strikeout in 1/3 of an inning in Saturday's loss. It was his third setback in the last ten games in which his ERA has exploded to 11.00. "I think the bottom line is I am not making quality pitches when it counts," Clippard said. "I am making some good pitches - just not when it counts. "I have felt like I have been...

Zimmermann next start Wednesday vs. Kinston

Zimmermann next start Wednesday vs. Kinston
Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann says he will pitch Wednesday, July 14 in his third rehab start against the Kinston Indians at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge. Zimmermann is expected to go four inning and 65 pitches. He was outstanding in his second start Thursday in Frederick, hitting 96 miles per hour on the fastball, striking out five over three innings, allowing a 1st inning double as the only hit and walking none. What impressed me the most was his major league tempo, not giving the...

Hernandez confident Nats on the verge

Hernandez confident Nats on the verge
Nationals starter Livan Hernandez faces his former team in the first half finale as the Nats wrap up a 10-game home stand versus Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants. Hernandez is (6-4, 3.12) in 17 starts and has been the Nats most durable pitcher since opening day, hurling 112 and 2/3rds innings. The Giants 2002 opening day starter was impressive in his last few outings. He has struck out 20 batters and walked only three in his last four starts. In two of those games, versus...

Two outs at third base ended Nats chances for insurance

Two outs at third base ended Nats chances for insurance
The Nats offense connected early against Jonathan Sanchez, scoring five runs and sending the Giants starter to the showers in the fourth inning. With a 5-3 lead, the Nats had to like their chances with a normally reliable bullpen waiting for the opportunity to go. But in the fifth and sixth frames, the Nats had opportunities to add to their lead, but were unable to plate another run, leaving four men on base following three hits. In the sixth inning, the toughest outs of the night came at...

Morgan, Bernie catalysts to get offense rolling at home

Morgan, Bernie catalysts to get offense rolling at home
The Nationals have now won five of their first eight games in this 10-game homestand, taking down Matt Cain and the San Francisco Giants 8-1 Friday night at Nationals Park. The Nats did it behind the arm of Stephen Strasburg, but it was also the offense that has ignited this recent spark in D.C. The Nationals are 25-19 at home and are one win away from a 9-3-3 series record at Nats Park this season. The team has won 6 of their last 10 and have started to play some very good baseball...

Strasburg, Zimmermann could dominate for years to come

Strasburg, Zimmermann could dominate for years to come
As I sat there watching Jordan Zimmermann dominate Frederick with his fastball hitting 94, 95 and 96 miles per hour Thursday, I wondered how strong the Nationals pitching staff will be with today's starter Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann as the one-two punch for 2011 and beyond? It's similar to the core that Ryan Zimmerman wants to keep intact at 3-4-5 in the hitting order. You have the middle of your batting lineup set, now get the pieces around it to make a championship...

Zimmermann dominates second rehab start, hits 96 MPH

Zimmermann dominates second rehab start, hits 96 MPH
FREDERICK, Md. -- Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann dominated his second rehab start following recovery from Tommy John surgery. Zimmermann went the scheduled three innings Thursday afternoon against the Frederick Keys in the sweltering heat at Harry Grove Stadium before 3,824. Potomac defeated Frederick 7-4. Jordan allowed just one hit, no runs, no walks and struck out five Keys batters, including the side in the first frame. Zimmermann threw 49 pitches, 34 of those for strikes....

Zimmerman wants Dunn to stay put

Zimmerman wants Dunn to stay put
With home run after home run by Adam Dunn splashing down over the outfield walls of Nationals Park, the joke on the chat line was a pretend phone call placed to Mike Rizzo that said "Kenny Williams is on line One!" A reference to a rumor that the Chicago White Sox general manager has a strong interest in acquiring Dunn. The Nationals' home run display in the first two games of the series with the San Diego Padres is certainly getting the attention of several general managers around the...

Zimmermann Bottom of the 3rd

Zimmermann Bottom of the 3rd
Zimmermann bottom of the 3rd Potomac at Frederick Britton, P. 3U Avery K Hudson 5-3 POT 5, FRED 0. END 3RD Michael Burgess 3-run HR top 3rd for PNats IP 3 R 0 ER 0 H 1 BB 0 K 5 PITCHES 49 STRIKES 34

Zimmermann Bottom of the 2nd

Zimmermann Bottom of the 2nd
Julius F7 Hoes HP Britton, B. 3-1 Stevens K POT 2, FRED 0. END 2ND IP 2 R 0 ER 0 H 1 BB 0 K 4 37 PITCHES 26 STRIKES

Zimmermann Bottom of 1st; strikes out the side

Zimmermann Bottom of 1st; strikes out the side
Jordan Zimmermann Btm of 1st Avery K Hudson double off SS Welty K Mahoney K 18 pitches 13 strikes IP 1 R 0 ER 0 H 1 BB 0 K 3 AFTER 1 POTOMAC 2, FREDERICK 0.

Zimmermann 2nd rehab start underway in Frederick

Zimmermann 2nd rehab start underway in Frederick
FREDERICK, Md. -- Jordan Zimmermann expected to go 3 innings today here in a hot and steamy Harry Grove Stadium on Kids day at the ball park. Zimmermann went 2 innings last Saturday in Potomac, allowing two hits and no runs.

Maxwell figures out way to prosper in Syracuse

Maxwell figures out way to prosper in Syracuse
Syracuse Chiefs and former University of Maryland center fielder Justin Maxwell has been on a tear hitting the ball well at the Triple-A level. Last week, during a 7-game span, Maxwell went 8 for 27 (.296) with two doubles, two homers, three RBI and five runs scored. With 53 hits, he is averaging a hit per game for Syracuse. He is batting .282 with 5 homers and 16 RBI in 53 minor league games this season and is benefiting from playing every day in center field. I asked Maxwell if he had...

Zimmermann set for 2nd rehab start Thursday in Frederick

Zimmermann set for 2nd rehab start Thursday in Frederick
Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann gets his second rehab start of the summer for the Potomac Nationals at the Frederick Keys Thursday afternoon at 12 noon from Harry Grove Stadium. Zimmermann is expecting to pitch three innings as he makes gradual steps to returning to the majors since Tommy John surgery repaired his right elbow in August of last season. He hurled two scoreless innings Saturday for Potomac in their victory over Wilmington, allowing two hits, no runs and no walks. He...