Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 7

Washington Examiner

"The Nationals on Friday declined a $10 million option for outfielder Austin Kearns, who instead was granted a $1 million buyout and is now a free agent. That ends a dissapointing tenure for the 29-year-old in Washington. He was acquired with high hopes in a 2006 trade with the Cincinnati Reds along with second baseman Felipe Lopez, among others. Kearns was given a three-year, $17 million extension by then-general manager Jim Bowden the following winter. A thumb injury proved costly in 2009 as Kearns hit .195 with three homers and 17 RBI. But 15 of those RBI came in the season's first five weeks. He has a long history of hand injuries and finally went on the disabled list for good in early ..."

Strained muscle sidelines Strasburg

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November 7

Washington Times

"Top Washington Nationals pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg was scratched from his scheduled start in Saturday's Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game because of a neck strain. Strasburg, the top pick in June's draft, was slated to start the exhibition, which pits the best AFL prospects against one another and will be televised by MLB Network. The Nationals said the decision to scratch Strasburg was precautionary. He woke up Wednesday with a stiff neck, then was examined Friday and diagnosed with a strained muscle."

Pitching prospects are rising in Arizona

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November 7

Washington Post

columnist Tracee Hamilton

"Getting hammered in his second Arizona Fall League start may have been the best thing that ever happened to Stephen Strasburg. The No. 1 pick of the 2009 draft and the linchpin of the Plan got beat like a drum on Oct. 22, giving up eight runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings. His ERA before the game: 0.00. His ERA after the game: 23.62. "He took it personal," said Paul Menhart, the pitching coach at Class A Potomac and the Nationals' representative on the Phoenix Desert Dogs. "I don't think he liked that very much. You hate to ever see anybody give up that many runs, but I believe it got his focus where he needed it to be. He's had an unbelievable bulldog attitude ever since." Indeed, ..."

Strasburg and other Nats and O's stars to be featured on MLB Network

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October 30

Washington Examiner

"Stephen Strasburg Era is starting quietly in Arizona but you can bet over the next couple of weekends we will have a chance to have a peek at the Nats young star along with a number of the best young talent in baseball. He is playing for the East leading Phoenix Desert Dogs of the AFL and we will see him in the Rising Stars game and quite likely in the playoffs on MLB Network. Also on the team is fellow Nationals prospoect Drew Storen. But Orioes fans can be happy that their top young players are also Desert Dog teammares with the Nats gang."

Strasburg bounces back with impressive effort

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October 28

Washington Times

"Bouncing back from a ragged outing last week, Stephen Strasburg was dominant over 4 1/3 innings Tuesday in his third Arizona Fall League start. The Washington Nationals' top prospect, pitching for the Phoenix Desert Dogs, allowed one run and one hit to beat the Surprise Rafters. The right-hander carried a no-hitter into the fifth and struck out five, flashing a fastball that reached 100 mph three times in the first inning. It was an impressive performance for Strasburg, who was roughed up for eight runs in 2 2/3 innings Thursday against Peoria, serving up three homers in the process. "The thing about being a pitcher and something that I learned from being a closer at [San Diego State] my ..."

Marlins hire former Washington Nationals pitching coach

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October 27

Palm Beach Post

"The Florida Marlins, who earlier this month dropped pitching coach Mark Wiley, have a replacement. Randy St. Claire, who was fired June 1 as pitching coach for Washington, will take over for Wiley, a source said this morning. St. Claire, 49, had been pitching coach for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals for six-plus seasons."

Former Nats manager Acta gets another chance with the Indians

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October 26

Washington Post

"Three months after being fired as manager of the Washington Nationals, Manny Acta had no trouble lining up his next gig. The Cleveland Indians on Sunday named Acta their new manager, after Acta reportedly turned down the Houston Astros. Acta, who turns 41 in January, so impressed the Indians the team sped up its hiring process, apparently handing the job to Acta before he could change his mind about Houston. In a statement released through the team, Acta called the Indians "a talented group of young men who seem to possess a lot of energy and passion for their work." His contract with the Indians reportedly is for three years, plus a team option for 2013. "After speaking with an impressive ..."

Indians select Manny Acta as new manager with 3-year contract

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October 25

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Manny Acta will be named the 40th manager of the Indians today. Acta reportedly turned down an offer to become Houston's manager to accept the Indians job, which is for three seasons with a team option for 2013. Acta played eight years in the Astros' minor-league system and managed another seven years. The Indians interviewed Acta, Bobby Valentine and Torey Lovullo last week to be Eric Wedge's replacement. They were scheduled to interview Dodgers hitting coach Don Mattingly later this week. Acta managed Washington from 2007 until he was fired July on 13. His overall record was 158-252. The Nationals were 26-61 when he was fired this year. He used the free time by watching the Indians on ..."

Acta, Mills get second Astros interviews

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October 22

MLB.com

"Former Nationals manager Manny Acta and Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills both interviewed Wednesday for a second time with the Astros for the managerial position than became open when Cecil Cooper was dismissed last month. Acta, who was fired in July after 2 1/2 seasons as manager of the Nationals, and Mills were two of 10 men to interview with the Astros during a six-day span ending Monday. Houston general manager Ed Wade confirmed Acta interviewed with the front office, including owner Drayton McLane. "Manny came to town and had an opportunity to sit with us and sit with our group, including Drayton," Wade said. Acta arrived in Houston from Cleveland, where he interviewed Tuesday for the ..."

Nats weigh managerial candidates

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October 22

Washington Post

"As their managerial search gains traction, the Washington Nationals have compiled a list of candidates that includes Los Angeles Dodgers bench coach Don Mattingly and former big league managers Bobby Valentine and Bob Melvin. Mattingly told reporters on Tuesday that he's been approached by the Nationals, who are interested in an interview. Sources both within and outside the organization confirmed the interest in Valentine and Melvin, though certainly the team's list goes deeper than three. "I told [Nationals GM] Mike [Rizzo] to call me back after our season's over," said Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti. "[Mattingly] is tremendously valued in our organization, both professionally and ..."

Strasburg turns up the heat in debut

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October 17

Washington Times

"The temperature hit 100 here Friday, and Stephen Strasburg got close enough to make Washington positively glow. Strasburg threw two fastballs clocked at 99 mph in his start for the Phoenix Desert Dogs on Friday, turning his professional debut in the Arizona Fall League into a coming out party that made the Nationals' major league-record $15.1 million investment look like money conservatively spent. Strasburg hit 99 with his first pitch against Scottsdale and 99 again with pitch No. 46 before leaving one batter later, after his pitch count reached 50. He gave up two singles, walked one and struck out two, earning the win. "It definitely was a positive," said Strasburg, whose family flew in ..."

Nats Make Additions to Front Office; Managerial Decision Is on Hold

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October 17

Washington Post

"The Washington Nationals on Thursday made official a series of front-office additions, and though General Manager Mike Rizzo isn't necessarily finished with high-level organizational changes, he now feels comfortable turning his attention to the team's managerial opening. "The [managerial] search is going to begin a little more seriously in the very near future," Rizzo said, "but I wanted to make sure we got these vital hirings in the front office [first]." In the last few days, the Nationals have added three members to their front office. Roy Clark, the longtime Atlanta Braves scouting director, will serve as vice president of player personnel. (He'll be Rizzo's de facto right-hand man, ..."

Strasburg preparing to make his fall debut

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October 16

Washington Times

"As an experiment, Baltimore prospect Brandon Snyder wore a Stephen Strasburg jersey when he left the clubhouse after an Arizona Fall League game Wednesday night. Snyder still wore the rest of his Orioles gear - not that it mattered. He could not get to the team bus before being mobbed. "I thought it was funny until I had about 50 people surrounding me," he said with a laugh. "Then I didn't know if it was such a good idea. I got a little nervous after that." Strasburg will take the next step in what could be a short transition to the major leagues Friday night when the Washington Nationals' No. 1 pick makes his debut with the Scottsdale Scorpions. Strasburg, whose fastball hit triple digits ..."

Ex-Nationals manager Manny Acta among the Indians' candidates to replace Wedge

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October 15

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta is one of the candidates to replace Eric Wedge as manager of the Indians. Acta told The Plain Dealer Wednesday evening that he already went through a phone interview with General Manager Mark Shapiro earlier this week. Acta also will interview with Houston on Friday for their managerial opening. "I'm excited and honored to be part of this process," Acta said. "This team was only one game away from the World Series two years ago. They have lost some pieces, but I think things are going to be very exciting in Cleveland very soon. We are still very early in the process and I have to respect that process." Acta managed the Nationals for three ..."

Nats' MacDougal has surgery on hip

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October 14

Washington Times

"Washington Nationals closer Mike MacDougal underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip Tuesday in Vail, Colo., repairing an injury that hampered the right-hander during the last week of the regular season. MacDougal is expected to begin a throwing program in six to eight weeks and should be ready for spring training. The 32-year-old, who saved 20 games in 52 appearances with the Nationals this season and posted a 3.60 ERA, is entering his final year of arbitration. He is the likely pick to be the Nationals' closer next season, though the team could pursue other options this winter to add depth to a spot at which MacDougal was inconsistent late in the year."

Braves lose scouting director to Nationals

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October 14

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"The Braves are losing scouting director Roy Clark, who accepted a job with the Washington Nationals after 20 years in the Braves organization. After interviewing Monday in Washington, Clark told the Braves Tuesday that he had accepted a post as Nationals assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel. Clark, 51, will have wide-ranging duties including oversight of player development and all scouting -- amateur, professional, and international. The Braves have three different directors in charge of player development, international scouting and amateur scouting, and two other team officials run professional scouting. "It's one of those situations that come along in your ..."

Braves may lose scouting director to Nationals

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October 13

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Longtime Braves scouting director Roy Clark might leave the organization for a higher-ranking job with the Washington Nationals. Clark interviewed Monday in Washington for a position as assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel, with sweeping responsibilities that would include overseeing player development and scouting, including international scouting. "I'm going through a very tough time," Clark, 51, said before sitting down with his family Monday night to discuss the decision. "It's very difficult to let go of 20 years, but they're putting together a pretty good package up there. It's very exciting." A scouting director for the past 11 years, Clark was first ..."

Melvin joins list of managerial candidates

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October 12

MLB.com

"Bob Melvin, the 2007 National League Manager of the Year with the Arizona Diamondbacks, confirmed on Monday he will interview with the Astros this week for their vacant managerial position. Melvin is the latest in growing list of candidates who will be given interviews, including Boston Red Sox first-base coach Tim Bogar, bench coach Brad Mills, former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta and Astros interim manager Dave Clark. Astros general manager Ed Wade on Monday confirmed Bogar, Mills and Acta would interview later this week, along with Astros Minor League field coordinator Al Pedrique. Clark will be among one of two candidates to interview on Wednesday. "It's obviously a great ..."

Penalties cost Capitals vs. Red Wings

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October 11

Washington Times

"The effort was better and the execution improved, but the biggest obstacle for the Washington Capitals - their discipline issues - remained. In a battle of the league's top power plays from a season ago, the Caps' penchant for providing those opportunities cost them again. Detroit netted a pair of extra-man markers, each time with one of Washington's young stars in the box, and the Red Wings limited their own penalties in a 3-2 victory Saturday night at Joe Louis Arena. The loss was the Caps' third in a row. "When you take those dumb penalties, it is going to cost you in the end, and it did," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "You can kill the first two or three, but I knew when we took the ..."

Nats want a lot from a little

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October 6

Washington Times

"On the one hand, Adam Dunn looks at the Washington Nationals' just-completed season and has a hard time finding any silver lining. "It was terrible. It was horrible," the first baseman said. "You lose 100 freaking games, you obviously didn't do very good." On the other hand, Dunn looks at a Nationals roster that produced a 59-103 record and sees little need to make anything more than a couple of calculated changes this winter to produce a far different result in 2010. "That's the number one thing you take out of this season: We're really not that far off," he said. "If we were, I would tell you. I'm not going to blow smoke. I really know we're a couple of pieces away from being really ..."

A Start From Scratch

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October 6

Washington Post

"Stephen Strasburg's first professional baseball appearance will surely go down as one of his most humble career outings; many Little League games draw bigger crowds. Space Coast Stadium was so sparsely attended Monday afternoon, players left the ballpark when taken out of the game by climbing up through the stands and strolling through the main concourse. Strasburg's performance fit in with the sleepy atmosphere, which is exactly what his overseers in the Florida Instructional League wanted to see. Strasburg, who signed a $15.1 million contract with the Washington Nationals in mid-August, didn't show the quiet crowd of 50 all of his pitches. He threw mostly fastballs, as instructed, and ..."

Nationals Prepare for Offseason Makeover

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October 6

Washington Post

"When the final game ended in the Washington Nationals' 2009 season, a fair portion of the team -- players and coaches alike -- transformed, almost immediately, from employees into job seekers. Veteran pitcher Liván Hernández, luggage already packed, walked through the middle of the Turner Field visitors' clubhouse and raised his arms, as if making a public declaration. "All people, I love you guys," he said. "I hope to see you next year." "If not," he continued, after a pause, "you know where to find me." General Manager Mike Rizzo overheard the plea, walked over to Hernández, and said they'd be talking soon. "We just have to get [agent] Barry Praver on board," Rizzo told his pitcher. For ..."

Nats end on high note

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October 5

Washington Times

"The Washington Nationals, by all accounts, should have been itching for this miserable season to end at last and head home for the winter, erasing the past six months from their collective memories. Something funny, though, happened over the last week. The Nationals started winning, and baseball became fun. So when the end of the road finally came Sunday, no one wanted to accept it. What could have been a quick, run-through-the-motions finale at Turner Field instead turned into the longest game in the Nationals' five years of existence, with Washington and the Atlanta Braves delivering blows back and forth, unable to knock the other out. Finally, in the 15th inning, Alberto Gonzalez lined ..."

Nats' Dunn misses out on history

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October 5

Washington Times

"The most consistent slugger in baseball came up two home runs short of his usual benchmark. For the first time in six seasons, Adam Dunn did not reach the 40-homer mark. The Washington Nationals first baseman hit his 38th on Sept. 23 but went cold after that and wasn't even in the starting lineup for Sunday's season finale. Dunn had told interim manager Jim Riggleman he wanted the day off to allow younger teammates a chance to play. He did wind up pinch hitting in the seventh inning and roped a run-scoring single to right off Atlanta Braves starter Tim Hudson for his 105th RBI. Only three players in major league history have hit 40 or more homers in six consecutive seasons: Babe Ruth, Alex ..."

Unusual Season Plays Out Until the Very End

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October 5

Washington Post

"Unwatchable at the beginning, unbeatable at the end, unorthodox without interruption, the 2009 Washington Nationals finished their poorest season with their best effort. On Sunday, before the Nationals split for the winter, they set one final ambush on conventional expectations, turning a meaningless game into a compelling one and concluding their season with a 15-inning, 2-1 victory against the Atlanta Braves. Nothing, really, hung in the balance Sunday afternoon at Turner Field, but somehow, the game became a loopy delight. A bullpen that earlier could only blow leads on this afternoon couldn't let up a run. Fielding a starting lineup composed entirely of players who'd seen time this ..."

Now that the season's over, time for Nats management to get busy

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October 4

Washington Examiner

columnist Rick Snider

"A wicked season few will remember finally ends for the Washington Nationals come nightfall. While some say it can't end soon enough, or that it has been over since Redskins training camp, I totally disagree. I love the game unconditionally. After waiting 34 years for my favorite sport to return, I'll take bad baseball over no baseball anytime. I wish they played year-round. I even snagged a pair of $5 tickets last week and sat in the distant bleachers with a dozen or so other souls. Those final games are always fun because it's die-hards and not tourists in the stands. One poor soul was scoring the game in his season-long scorebook. Can you imagine having a scorebook from this season? But ..."

Youth yields another win

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October 4

Washington Times

"As an organization, the Washington Nationals have been touting for years their efforts to build a winner from within, to stockpile talent on the minor league level, develop it and then reap the benefits. For five years now, fans have been hearing about this plan without seeing many tangible signs of actual progress on the major league roster. Ian Desmond has been one of the players coming up through that system since before the Nationals were even the Nationals, and he knows the outside perception of the organization. He doesn't buy it. And the 24-year-old shortstop doesn't believe the results of the past month, featuring big-time performances from several recently promoted prospects such ..."

Call-Ups Dial Up Another Win

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October 4

Washington Post

"Precisely 30 players shared the visiting clubhouse on Saturday -- all big leaguers in the most literal definition. A few of the unproven players, when the season ends in one day, might never play in the big leagues again. But a larger lot of the unproven players have used the last few weeks to show why they deserve larger roles in 2010. It makes for an unconventional spectacle, watching a last-place team play its 161st game of the season while relying on players such as Ian Desmond (in Class AAA Syracuse until Sept. 7), Justin Maxwell (in Syracuse until Aug. 31), Ross Detwiler (in Syracuse until Sept. 7), Zack Segovia (in Syracuse until Sept. 7), Pete Orr (in Syracuse until Aug. 28) and ..."

Nats solve Lowe to post fifth straight win

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October 3

Washington Times

"Few other pitchers have dominated the Washington Nationals like Derek Lowe. Scan the Nationals' career numbers against the sinkerball specialist, and it becomes obvious. Adam Dunn: 3-for-22. Josh Willingham: 4-for-19. Ryan Zimmerman: 8-for-32. After years of flailing away unsuccessfully at Lowe, though, it appears the Nationals are beginning to figure him out. They enjoyed modest success against him in their first five head-to-head matchups this year, winning twice. And Friday night, they finally put it all together and dealt Lowe a legitimate beating for the first time in a long time. That surge, combined with a solid pitching effort from Livan Hernandez, gave the Nationals a 6-3 victory ..."

Nationals Make It Five in Row

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October 3

Washington Post

"No matter the style in which the Washington Nationals end their 2009 season, they will likely be remembered more for their first week (winless) than their final week (wonderful). All the ugly truths have long been self-evident. When the season ends, the Nationals will have more losses than any other team in baseball. For all of Washington's spring training goals, the aspiration to claim the 2010 No. 1 pick and draft Bryce Harper was never quite included in the plan. But here in the season's final days, baseball's poorest team is finishing as among its hottest. With Friday's 6-3 defeat of the Braves at Turner Field, the Nationals have a five-game winning streak -- no team in the National ..."

Bravestheir fourth in a row

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October 3

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"It has been a season of some hard knocks for Derek Lowe, and that didn't stop in his finale Friday night. The Washington Nationals put the finishing touches on Lowe's season by racking up eight hits and six runs on Lowe in a 6-3 loss. "This pretty much sums it up right here," Lowe said. "This is how it's been for three months. I really don't know where I went wrong. I got into so many bad habits mechanically. I put a lot of time and effort to try to correct it. It just seemed like it was never there." Lowe wraps up the season at 15-10 but with a 4.67 ERA. His ERA is almost two runs higher than Javier Vazquez (2.87), who has 15 wins as well, and Jair Jurrjens (2.61), who has a shot at 15 ..."

Zimmerman, pitching yield another win

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October 2

Washington Times

"It's tough enough gutting through September for a last-place club. It's even tougher when the regular-season schedule extends into October. Ryan Zimmerman has seen plenty of his Washington Nationals teammates struggle to sustain a high level of performance during the final weeks of a difficult year. Zimmerman understands the challenge, but he refuses to succumb to it. "Everyone wants to finish strong. You don't want to finish scuffling," he said. "But it's a tough time of year. You've got to stay focused." Zimmerman's focus at the plate and in the field Thursday night allowed the Nationals to snare a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Strong pitching performances by Garrett Mock (six ..."

Zimmerman, Nats Win a Tight One in Atlanta

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October 2

Washington Post

"The point, now, is to finish strong, even when the finish line itself doesn't promise much. Ryan Zimmerman knows this. For months now, the Washington Nationals have played games with only a night's dignity on the line, and Zimmerman has been there every time, enduring what few others manage to endure. "That's the hardest thing to do," Zimmerman said. "To have a year where I've been this consistent, it's huge for me." From their all-star, the Nationals take their cues. Sometimes, because of him, they also win late-season, grind-it-out games. That's what happened Thursday, in Washington's 2-1 victory over the Braves at Turner Field. Just hours before the first pitch, Atlanta had been ..."

Nats: Will you be mine, Valentine?

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October 1

Washington Examiner

"We will find out soon if Nationals interim manager Jim Riggleman has a future managing his hometown club. That decision is likely to come just days after the season ends on Sunday. But even if Riggleman is a candidate for the permanent job there are other intriguing possibilities out there for general manager Mike Rizzo. One of them is Bobby Valentine, who has spent the last six seasons managing in Japan, where he became a cult hero with the Chiba Lotte Marines before parting ways with that club this summer. The 59-year-old had success in New York, leading the Mets to the World Series in 2000, and also managed the Texas Rangers during a 15-year career. His teams have had 10 winning seasons ..."

Mets, K-Rod blow it again

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October 1

New York Post

"The Mets finished the road portion of their schedule in appropriately ridiculous fashion here yesterday with a 7-4, walk-off loss to the Nationals on Justin Maxwell's grand slam against Francisco Rodriguez. Rodriguez was a total disaster in the ninth, giving up two hits and walking in a run before serving the slam to Maxwell on a 3-2 pitch as the Mets finished 29-52 away from Citi Field. Maxwell's second career slam -- the second walk-off slam given up by Rodriguez in the past two months -- slipped just over the glove of Angel Pagan in left field, completing an embarrassing three-game sweep by baseball's worst team. It was K-Rod's seventh blown save of the season and wasted six strong ..."

Nats hit the five-year mark with victory

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October 1

Washington Times

"On Sept. 29, 2004, a group of city leaders stood proudly inside the National Building Museum downtown, donned curly W caps and celebrated baseball's return to the District. Hope filled the air for the arrival of the Montreal Expos 33 years after the Senators bolted town. It figured to be the first of countless hope-filled days in the weeks, months and years to come. Five years later, that remains one of the high-water marks in Washington Nationals history. Sure, there have been some memorable moments since then: the franchise's surprise playoff drive in 2005, Ryan Zimmerman's run of game-winning homers in 2006, the opening of Nationals Park in 2008. But there have been far more frustrating ..."

Maxwell Hits Grand Slam Walk-Off

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October 1

Washington Post

"As a parting gift, the Washington Nationals delivered pleasure -- no complications. The final scene of the 81st and final home game of the season was unlike any moment that preceded it, perfect and delirious, the one-minute attempt to undo a forgettable year. The manager said, "There's no way I can explain how good a feeling that is." And guy who took the last swing said, "It's like everything I've ever dreamed of in the big leagues." The Nationals, with Wednesday's 7-4 victory against the Mets, won't see Nationals Park again until April, and by then, both the team and its expectations will have a different feel. Until then, the Nationals can cherish the final flashing scenes of an ..."

Mets Fall Again; Reyes Further Damages Hamstring

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October 1

New York Times

"It is not easy to get swept by the worst team in baseball, but leave it to the Mets to find a way. Needing three outs to complete a 4-2 victory Wednesday against the Nationals in Washington, the Mets turned the game over to closer Francisco Rodriguez, who gave up a two-out, full-count, bases-loaded home run to the rookie Justin Maxwell. Final score: Nationals 7, Mets 4."

Nats hit the five-year mark with victory

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September 30

Washington Times

"On Sept. 29, 2004, a group of city leaders stood proudly inside the National Building Museum downtown, donned curly W caps and celebrated baseball's return to the District. Hope filled the air for the arrival of the Montreal Expos 33 years after the Senators bolted town. It figured to be the first of countless hope-filled days in the weeks, months and years to come. Five years later, that remains one of the high-water marks in Washington Nationals history. Sure, there have been some memorable moments since then: the franchise's surprise playoff drive in 2005, Ryan Zimmerman's run of game-winning homers in 2006, the opening of Nationals Park in 2008. But there have been far more frustrating ..."

Nats Grab a Real Team Win

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September 30

Washington Post

"The penultimate home game of a dismal baseball season belonged to the die-hards -- the eight fans in Section 234, who stood for the final three outs, and the fans behind the home dugout, snuggled into their hooded sweatshirts on a crisp evening, and the thousands who chanted "Gold Glove" before every Ryan Zimmerman at-bat. On Tuesday, 19,614 showed up. There was a fall chill and a modest pitching match-up between two losing teams. Fan Appreciation Day? That was still 24 hours away. But even in Game 157, the 80th at Nationals Park this year, baseball can still offer little self-contained surprises, no matter if the meaning only lasts as long as the post-game handshakes. When closer Mike ..."

90th loss adds to Manuel's misery

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September 29

New York Post

"Jerry Manuel still walks through the Mets' clubhouse with a smile and his head high, confident that ownership will honor its word by bringing him back as manager next year. But that doesn't make this miserable, injury-filled season any easier to swallow for Manuel after the last-place Nationals handed the Mets their 90th loss of the season here last night with a 2-1 decision at Nationals Park. Manuel, 55, has been part of some awful seasons in nearly two decades as a professional manager or coach, but he says 2009 will go down as by far the toughest in his book. "I've never experienced a year like this," he said yesterday. What makes this season tougher than any other to swallow is the ..."

Detwiler delivers in his final start

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September 29

Washington Times

"Baseball, with no clock to curtail its quirky musings, sometimes has a funny way of merging disparate sets of circumstances into a neat little package. On Monday night, when left-hander Ross Detwiler took the mound for his 13th and final start of the season, he knew he had one shot to get a big league victory before being shut down for the season. And closer Mike MacDougal, who was unhittable in August but rattled in September, was in similar need of some good news after a rough month. Neither was supposed to be here. But Detwiler, the former first-round pick who was called up ahead of schedule only because of injuries in the rotation, needed this win. And MacDougal, the scrap-heap pickup ..."

Finally, Detwiler Picks Up the 'W'

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September 29

Washington Post

"Withstanding defeat after defeat, interrupted only by the occasional no-decision, Ross Detwiler has been trained in his best professional season to expect the worst. Entering his final game of the year, he had not a win-loss record, but a loss record (0-6). Among the 165 starters who'd made at least 12 starts in the major leagues this season, only one -- Detwiler -- remained winless. The value of all that waiting only revealed itself on Monday, because that's when Detwiler finally did it. He broke a skid that was kind of-sort of getting too ridiculous to explain away. In the Washington Nationals' 2-1 win against the Mets at Nationals Park, the left-hander pitched six innings of one-run ..."

Nats' MVP started at the top

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September 28

Washington Times

"Quick, who has been the Washington Nationals' MVP in 2009? Ryan Zimmerman? Adam Dunn? John Lannan? While there are certainly arguments to be made for any of those guys, there might actually be a stronger case for a position player who was with the team for only 51 games this season. Yes, Nyjer Morgan. Plain and simple, the Nationals were a much better team with Morgan and have been much worse without him. Here's the statistical evidence: In 77 games before Morgan was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington's offense scored an average of 4.32 runs a game and struggled to a 23-54 record (a .299 winning percentage). In 51 games with Morgan, Washington increased its offensive ..."

Despite Doing Plenty Right, It Still Goes Wrong for Nats

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September 28

Washington Post

"It is the bleakest form of theater, watching the 2009 Washington Nationals in their final days, seeing them slump and stumble and lose almost without exception. They lose even when they can't quite figure out why. In Sunday's 6-3, 10-inning defeat against the Atlanta Braves, they committed no single unpardonable sin, at least until extra innings, and still it ended with the familiar feeling -- another quiet clubhouse, another closer sitting at his locker. For the Nationals, these are trying times. They are 51 games under .500, having lost 21 of 27 games. In that span, they're getting outscored by 2.5 runs per game. Their closer has an 11.57 ERA in September, their left fielder is 13 for ..."

Braves complete 6-0 road trip

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September 28

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"The Braves' improbable, invigorating, intoxicating run back into postseason contention reached a new crescendo Sunday, when they manufactured the winning run in the 10th inning without hitting a ball past the pitcher's mound. Brian McCann's bases-loaded dribbler drove in the go-ahead run in a 6-3 win against Washington, completing a perfect six-game road trip, stretching the Braves' tear to 14 wins in 16 games and keeping the pressure on wild-card leader Colorado. "I was telling the guys, when you've been around 15 years, you learn where the soft spots in the defense are," joked Chipper Jones, whose slow-rolling infield single loaded the bases for McCann, after Nate McLouth drew a leadoff ..."

Guzman, Burnett Could Sit Out for Remainder

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September 27

Washington Post

"With one week remaining in the Washington Nationals' season, shortstop Cristian Guzman might have played his final game in the field and reliever Sean Burnett his final game on the mound. Guzman could be used as a pinch hitter in select situations, interim manager Jim Riggleman said before Saturday's loss to the Atlanta Braves, but his "tender" right shoulder could keep him from playing shortstop again in 2009. He has not been throwing during pregame activities. Because he cannot take the field, his pinch-hitting opportunities would be limited to a pitcher's at-bat. Riggleman has not ruled out shutting down the veteran for the remainder of the season. "I've talked to the trainer, team ..."

Guzman, Burnett Could Sit Out for Remainder

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September 27

Washington Post

"With one week remaining in the Washington Nationals' season, shortstop Cristian Guzman might have played his final game in the field and reliever Sean Burnett his final game on the mound. Guzman could be used as a pinch hitter in select situations, interim manager Jim Riggleman said before Saturday's loss to the Atlanta Braves, but his "tender" right shoulder could keep him from playing shortstop again in 2009. He has not been throwing during pregame activities. Because he cannot take the field, his pinch-hitting opportunities would be limited to a pitcher's at-bat. Riggleman has not ruled out shutting down the veteran for the remainder of the season. "I've talked to the trainer, team ..."

Braves keep pressing Rockies with win in Washington

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September 27

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"No one is sure whether the resurgent Braves have enough time to complete an improbable dash for a postseason berth, but there's no question that Tommy Hanson has been a big contributor to their stirring run. "He's one of the biggest reasons," catcher Brian McCann said after Hanson pitched seven strong innings in an 11-5 Braves win against Washington on a soggy Saturday at Nationals Park. "What he brings to the team is a guy who's got No. 1 stuff and gives you a chance to win every time out." McCann homered in a five-run ninth that erased any remaining doubt about the outcome of the Braves' 13th win in 15 games. They are just 2-1/2 games behind National League wild-card leader Colorado ..."

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