Martin still looking for elusive first win of 2010

Martin still looking for elusive first win of 2010
Game two tonight features Nationals right-hander J.D. Martin searching for his initial win of 2010 against right-hander Jon Garland of the San Diego Padres (8-5, 3.24). It is Martin's seventh start of the season, and he is looking for his first win since September 18, 2009 against the Mets in New York. Despite his last loss in Atlanta, Martin will not change his strategy to go after hitters from the start. "I am going to keep the same approach as I always do. I am going to try to get...

Ian Desmond: The Good, the Bad and the Tremendous

Ian Desmond: The Good, the Bad and the Tremendous
Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond was bounding through the clubhouse pregame with a skip in his step and a smile on his face, ready to go for the first game of the series against the San Diego Padres. That boundless energy and enthusiasm is all a part of the full package you get from Desmond. It is what the Nationals loved about Desmond last year and in spring training. That energy has played out in his aggressiveness on the field, trying to make every play on defense, when sometimes just...

Chico: "Most confidence I have felt in four years"

Chico: "Most confidence I have felt in four years"
Chiefs left-hander Matt Chico (3-4, 4.24) looking to bounce back from one of the rougher outings of his season tonight for Syracuse as they play host to Buffalo. He will get a chance to face the same Buffalo lineup that tagged him for a season-high six runs last week. The loss was a reversal from the previous two starts, both wins, where Chico allowed only one run and struck out eight over 12 innings. "I couldn't miss with the fastball. I was commanding my fastball inside really well. It...

Nats hope to be California dreamin' by Sunday

Nats hope to be California dreamin' by Sunday
The Nationals have six games remaining before the All-Star break against the N.L. West's first-place San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants. The Padres roll into town with the best ERA in the National League (3.05) and yet do not have a single pitcher on the N.L. roster for the All-Star game in Anaheim. They also lead the league in shutouts (12), innings pitched (750.1) and are a close second to San Francisco in strikeouts (655 to 650). The Nationals, by contrast, have just 496...

Zimmermann strong in first rehab start

Zimmermann strong in first rehab start
WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- Nationals righthander Jordan Zimmermann looked strong in his first rehab start for the Potomac Nationals since Tommy John surgery 318 days ago before a packed house at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia. Zimmermann donned the home white jersey with the dark blue and red trimmed numerals and the #29 instead his usual #27. He threw 25 pitches, 16 for strikes in two innings of work against the Wilmington Blue Rocks. He allowed a pair of lead off hits, but no walks, no...

Atilano's fourth a game changer

Atilano's fourth a game changer
Nationals starter Luis Atilano got to the fourth inning Friday pretty much unscathed. He allowed a first inning hit batter and then a single. A ground out by Ike Davis scored the Mets first run and they led 1-0. But in the fourth, trouble brewed as the first three men got on base. David Wright led off the inning with a double and Atilano struggled with control to the next two hitters, walking both Davis and Jason Bay. With the bases loaded and nobody out, it looked as if Atilano might be...