Nationals News

Another Game, Another Nats Loss
Comment
July 4
Washington Post
 
"On the nights when the Washington Nationals do not invent new ways to lose, they merely perfect the old ways. Since the dawn of the strike zone, some one-and-a-half centuries of baseball have proved the value of throwing pitches there. Of course, that didn't stop Jesús Colome, appearing in a game with the score tied last night, from reiterating the point about what happens when you don't. If abiding Nationals followers didn't get a sense of impending doom simply from Colome's emergence through the bullpen doors last night, they got it after watching Colome's initial contribution -- six pitches to start the seventh inning, one leadoff walk. On cue, disaster followed. Colome walked one ..."
Former First-Round Pick Martin on Verge of Breakthrough
Comment
July 4
Washington Post
 
"Just about the only thing left for starting pitcher J.D. Martin to improve upon this season is his level of competition. On Thursday, Martin, 26, was one of three Class AAA Syracuse players -- along with second baseman Seth Bynum and outfielder Jorge Padilla -- elected to the International League all-star team. This year, Martin, in his first season with the Washington organization, has been among the most dominant pitchers in baseball, no matter the level. In each of his past seven starts, he's allowed either one or zero earned runs. He has an 8.29 strikeout-to-walk ratio. (For perspective, only three major league starters, Dan Haren, Roy Halladay and Zack Greinke, have strikeout-to-walk ..."
Boras May Explore Japan for Strasburg
Comment
July 4
Washington Post
 
"The Major League Rules is a sprawling, dense, little-known, 254-page document, periodically updated, that governs the business side of baseball. Among other things, it lays out, in painstaking legalese, the process and guidelines for the sport's annual draft, and in recent years, these sections have provided a road map for a certain notorious agent bent on circumventing the draft itself. In 1996, agent Scott Boras exploited a loophole to help gain free agency for four draftees who did not receive contract offers from the teams that selected them within 15 days of the draft, as required. A year later, he unsuccessfully attempted to make Philadelphia Phillies draftee J.D. Drew a free agent ..."
Conrad's HR key as Braves edge Nationals
Comment
July 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"Brooks Conrad didn't know any better. He didn't know the Braves were supposed to fall flat against the Nationals, like they often do, and kill whatever momentum they had built in a sweep against the Phillies. So Conrad, who was called up from Class AAA Gwinnett on Friday, launched a three-run pinch-hit home run in his first at-bat as a Brave for the winning blow in a 9-8 win over the Nationals. "Huge thrill," said Conrad, who arrived in D.C. on Friday after the Braves put Kelly Johnson on the disabled list with a sore right wrist. "Obviously the best experience I've had in the big leagues. It feels awesome to come up in a situation like that and contribute right away." It was the first ..."
For Nats' Rizzo, it's about 'character'
Comment
July 3
Washington Times
 
"Manny Acta spoke earlier this season about "changing the culture" around the Washington Nationals' clubhouse, a veiled reference to what he believed was an aspect of the organization's rebuilding effort just as important as drafting top prospects and making smart trades. The Nationals' clubhouse the last two seasons boasted too many players who, while possessing talent, didn't stack up in the character department. Plenty of people in the organization said that has been a significant factor in Washington's losing record and poor reputation around the sport. Slowly but surely, though, the Nationals are attempting to fix that problem. And two major transactions this week underscored that. On ..."
Hanley Ramirez stays hot in Florida Marlins' rain shortened win
Comment
July 2
Miami Herald
 
"Hanley Ramirez knocked in runs. Mother Nature delivered the knockout. The Marlins, behind a record-breaking performance from Ramirez, dealt the Washington Nationals a 7-5 defeat Tuesday night at Land Shark Stadium in a game that was called by rain in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ramirez was a big reason for the victory, which pulled the Marlins to within 1 ½ games of the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. The All-Star shortstop set a club record by becoming the first Marlin to drive in at least one run in nine consecutive games. Ramirez established the mark when he clubbed a two-run home run -- his 13th of the season -- in the sixth inning off Nationals ..."
Florida Marlins complete sweep as Ramirez extends RBI streak
Comment
July 2
Miami Herald
 
"Even though the Dominican Republic was wiped out by the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, the tournament wasn't a total waste for Hanley Ramirez. During the event in March, he sought advice from a few of his Dominican teammates on ways to become a better run-producer. ''I spoke to a couple of guys -- ``Big Papi,'' Tejada -- on what to do with guys in scoring position,'' said Ramirez, referring to David Ortiz and Miguel Tejada. ``I got some tips from them.'' If Ortiz and Tejada had anything to do with the wild success Ramirez is now experiencing at the plate with runners in scoring position, the two mentors should write a book. They would make a fortune. On Wednesday, Ramirez set ..."
Bonifacio often confounding, but he can be electrifying
Comment
July 2
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 columnist Dave Hyde
"Well, it was all on display in the opening three innings Wednesday, good and bad, pro and con, the reason the Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! should end this Emilio Bonifacio experiment right now and the proof they should keep the laboratory open for him all season. He swung at bad pitches. And his speed helped force a Washington error. His leaky judgment cost a run. And his baseball instincts created a run. He popped up balls that make him no money. And he slapped a single through the infield. His manager questioned his thinking in the dugout. And after this 5-3 Marlins win, in his office, manager Fredi Gonzalez talked of the run Bonifacio created by saying, "The guy's a winner." ..."
Marlins' mastery of Nationals continues
Comment
July 2
Washington Times
 
"By the time they arrived at Land Shark Stadium at about 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett already had spent seven hours making their way from Pittsburgh to South Florida. The newest members of the Washington Nationals were exhausted and still a bit stunned by the trade that uprooted their lives, but both insisted they couldn't wait to get on the field, even though they were now playing for the worst team in baseball. "That doesn't matter," Morgan said, a wide smile on his face. "The talent's here. [Acting GM Jim Rizzo], he wanted me bad. It feels good when someone wants you real bad." After experiencing a 5-3 loss to the Florida Marlins that featured all the staples of a ..."
Slumping Dukes Is Sent To Class AAA Syracuse
Comment
July 2
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Nationals sent Elijah Dukes to Class AAA Syracuse on Wednesday morning, saying Dukes was not a "finished product" and needed to play every day rather than sit on the bench in the majors. The move came in response to the team's acquisition Tuesday of middle reliever Sean Burnett and center fielder Nyjer Morgan in a trade that sent Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan to the Pittsburgh Pirates. "I don't think we're going to be doing him any help by just sitting him here," Acta said before Wednesday's game against the Florida Marlins at Land Shark Stadium. Acting general manager Mike Rizzo called the demotion of Dukes "a pure baseball decision" designed to ensure Dukes would ..."
Nationals option Dukes to Triple-A
Comment
July 1
MLB.com
 
"Calling it a "pure baseball decision," the Nationals optioned outfielder Elijah Dukes to Triple-A Syracuse prior to Wednesday's game in order to make room on the 25-man roster for the two players Washington acquired from the Pirates the previous day. The Nationals traded outfielder Lastings Milledge -- who was in the Minor Leagues -- and right-hander Joel Hanrahan to Pittsburgh for outfielder Nyjer Morgan and left-handed reliever Sean Burnett on Tuesday. Both their planes touched down in Miami a little after 10 a.m. ET and Morgan was not in the starting lineup, but manager Manny Acta said he expected to use Burnett out of the bullpen in the series finale against the Marlins at Land Shark ..."
Nationals call it quits on Milledge, Hanrahan
Comment
July 1
Washington Times
 
"When the Washington Nationals broke camp this spring and prepared for what they hoped would be a breakthrough season, they were counting on a young center fielder with a load of talent and a young closer with a cannon of an arm to help lead the renaissance. Within weeks, Lastings Milledge was in the minor leagues and Joel Hanrahan was in a mop-up role. And now neither player is employed by the Nationals. In the first significant trade of the Mike Rizzo era, Washington's acting general manager dealt Milledge and Hanrahan to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, acquiring speedy outfielder Nyjer Morgan and left-handed reliever Sean Burnett in return. It was a trade, the Nationals believe, ..."
Post-trade Thoughts, Reaction, Analysis And Marginalia
Comment
July 1
Washington Post
 
"1. Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett, acquired today from Pittsburgh in the Milledge-Hanrahan trade, will be in uniform for the Nats tomorrow. Morgan will wear No. 1. Burnett will wear No. 17. 2. Once Morgan and Burnett arrive, the Nats must subtract somebody from their 25-man roster. Almost assuredly, they will remove a position player -- most likely an outfielder. Acting GM Mike Rizzo said that the Nats won't announce a roster move until tomorrow. 3. Morgan will bat leadoff and play centerfield. "He's a high-energy speed type of guy," Rizzo said, "very plus-plus defensive capability. We see him as an everyday centerfielder for us hitting somewhere at the top of the lineup. It gives us the ..."
Milledge, Hanrahan Dealt Away to Pirates
Comment
July 1
Washington Post
 
"Just a few months ago, the Washington Nationals envisioned Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan as building blocks -- the future center fielder, the future closer. Yesterday, in a move dictated by a pair of disappointing seasons, the Nationals sent Milledge and Hanrahan to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for outfielder Nyjer Morgan and relief pitcher Sean Burnett, both of whom will be in uniform for today's series finale in Florida. The first significant trade orchestrated by acting general manager Mike Rizzo reflected his team-building strategy, which favors reliability over high-yield potential, a counter to predecessor Jim Bowden. The trade, too, commences Washington's attempt to ..."
Nats swap with Bucs, acquire Morgan
Comment
July 1
MLB.com
 
"The Nationals have traded reliever Joel Hanrahan and outfielder Lastings Milledge to the Pirates for reliever Sean Burnett and outfielder Nyjer Morgan on Tuesday afternoon. Morgan is considered the key to the deal for Washington. He was acquired to improve the team's outfield defense, which is one of the worst in the National League. The Nationals see Morgan as a center fielder/leadoff hitter. Washington also likes his hockey attitude. He once played with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League during the 1999-2000 season. Morgan was playing left field and batting second for Pittsburgh. Entering Tuesday's action, Morgan is hitting .277 with two home runs, 27 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. ..."
Nats, Bucs Closing In On Deal
Comment
June 30
Washington Post
 
"The Nationals are close to finalizing a deal that would send Lastings Milledge to Pittsburgh in exchange for Nyjer Morgan, a team source said. I'm still trying to uncover the final wrinkle in this trade, though. It probably includes one other player that the Nats will send to Pittsburgh. Morgan, who turns 29 on Thursday, represents that sort of player that Washington previously overlooked. He excels defensively, steals bases, and hits for adequate average but minimal power."
Marlins console former teammate Josh Willingham after his brother's death
Comment
June 30
Palm Beach Post
 
"Washington Nationals outfielder Josh Willingham said he appreciated the calls of support he received from his former Marlins teammates after his younger brother was killed in a car accident earlier this month. "It's just nice to get support from your friends. I'm fortunate to have a lot of friends and some of them are on the Marlins,'' he said Monday. "Whether it's people I'm going to be trying to beat tonight, it's good to have relationships with those people.'' Jon Willingham, 27, was killed after crashing his Ford Explorer head-on into a tree in Florence, Ala., around 1:45 a.m. June 13. According to The Times Daily in Florence, he was trying to elude police in a pursuit that lasted no ..."
Bullpen wastes Olsen's outing
Comment
June 30
Washington Times
 
"Among the developments that would have been least expected by anyone who stepped into Land Shark Stadium on Monday night was a pitching gem from Scott Olsen. So the left-hander's seven spectacular innings in his return from a shoulder injury were among the most encouraging things the Washington Nationals have seen all year. "You couldn't ask for anything better," manager Manny Acta said. Well, except for a victory. Another bullpen meltdown resulted in a 4-2 loss to the Florida Marlins and made Olsen's performance moot, closing what should have been an uplifting evening on a decidedly sour note. A nip-and-tuck pitchers' duel between long-time friends Olsen and Ricky Nolasco - combined, ..."
Harris, Stammen Benefit From Extra Deliberation
Comment
June 30
Washington Post
 
"A lot of thinking and rethinking went into a pair of big moves for the Washington Nationals this past weekend. Manager Manny Acta said he considered moving utility infielder Willie Harris into the leadoff spot for about a week before finally penciling in the lineup change Sunday, prodded by Harris's production at the plate and a nagging sense that something had to be done to jolt a sluggish lineup. "Willie has really helped us make that decision," Acta said Monday before the Nationals' game against the Florida Marlins at Land Shark Stadium. The same sort of extended contemplation caused the Nationals to move Craig Stammen from the starting rotation to the bullpen and back in a 24-hour ..."
Marlins Nolasco sparkles in battle of pitchers
Comment
June 30
Miami Herald
 
"Even though they no longer are teammates, Ricky Nolasco and Scott Olsen spent most of their offseason playing catch at Founder's Park in Aventura -- a place they grew to be close friends. On Monday night, after Nolasco gave Olsen a ride to the place where they used to work together, they hooked up for another version of catch -- a game of pitching tug-of-war that lasted more than seven innings. Luckily for Nolasco, it's Olsen who has baseball's worst bullpen as his backup. It made all the difference as the Marlins rallied for two runs off Nationals relievers in the eighth to beat Washington for the seventh time this season -- this time 4-2 -- in front of the third-smallest paid crowd of ..."
Olsen's return pushes Martis to Syracuse
Comment
June 29
Washington Times
 
"The roster move to clear space for Scott Olsen's return from the disabled list happened Sunday afternoon as expected. The pitcher sent down by the Washington Nationals, however, was not expected. Rookie starter Shairon Martis - not one of the Nationals' struggling relievers - was shipped out following Sunday's win over the Baltimore Orioles, a move that had a domino effect on the club's pitching staff. Martis, who struggled in Saturday night's loss to Baltimore, was optioned to Class AAA Syracuse to work out some kinks. Olsen, who had been on the 15-day DL since May 17 with shoulder tendinitis, was activated and is slated to start Monday at Florida. And Craig Stammen, who was told ..."
Stopper's role suits Nats' Lannan again
Comment
June 29
Washington Times
 
"When the Washington Nationals were stuck in a three-game losing streak June 6 and needed a big-time pitching performance to get out of their funk, they turned to John Lannan. When the Nationals were stuck in a four-game slide June 17 with their manager's job possibly on the line and facing a must-win game at Yankee Stadium, they turned to Lannan. So did it surprise anyone Sunday when a Washington club desperately trying to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles not only turned to the young ace of its young rotation but had all the faith in the world he again would come through and win? "We expect that out of him now," manager Manny Acta said after Lannan went 7 1/3 strong ..."
Notes From Camden
Comment
June 29
Washington Post
 
"Just a few pre-game notes here... * Here is what Manny Acta said about today's batting order: "We're just trying to deepen our lineup a little more. Willie [Harris] is swinging the bat well, getting on base, and our offense is scuffling a little bit. So we're just trying to make our lineup deeper and have as many guys in front of [Ryan] Zimmerman and [Adam] Dunn as possible." One fun fact about Zimmerman, the No. 4 hitter. He last batted fourth on Oct. 1, 2006, Frank Robinson's final game as manager. (That year, Zimmerman also batted leadoff 15 times.) And get this -- until today, Manny Acta had included Zimmerman's name as a starter on the lineup card 339 times. Every time, Zimmerman ..."
Nats, Mariners Swap Minor Leaguers
Comment
June 29
Washington Post
 
"The Nats have just pulled off a trade. Just a little one -- a swap of minor league position players. The Nationals acquired versatile IN/OF Mike Morse from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for outfielder Ryan Langerhans. The move doesn't affect the 40-man roster. Morse will report to Class AAA Syracuse. Morse, 27, has played seen only sparing playing time in the big leagues in the last few years, appearing in 35 big league games since 2006. At the time of the trade, Morse was hitting .312 (81-for-260) with 10 homers for Class AAA Tacoma. Morse's only significant run of time in the big leagues came in 2005, when he appeared in 72 games with Seattle and hit .278. Though he has a lifetime ..."
Wait! Martis Demoted To Class AAA, Stammen Back In Rotation
Comment
June 29
Washington Post
 
"Since spring training ended, the Washington Nationals have relied every fifth day on rookie pitcher Shairon Martis. They've trumpeted him as a central component of the team's future. For much of 2009, Martis has also looked like a central part of the team's present. But today, following a 5-3 win against Baltimore, Washington demoted its 22-year-old right-hander, the final and most surprising part of some major pitcher-reshuffling. Martis's departure clears room on the 25-man roster for Scott Olsen (shoulder tendinitis), who is coming off the disabled list to start Monday's series-opener against Florida. Martis's departure also means that Craig Stammen, another rookie pitcher, will keep ..."
Harris Shines in Lead Role
Comment
June 29
Washington Post
 
"With his first at-bat still 2 1/2 hours away, Willie Harris sat down in front of a laptop Sunday morning and searched for a way -- even a fractional one -- to boost his odds. For 10 minutes in the visitors' clubhouse, he watched video footage of Baltimore's rookie starter, David Hernandez. Maybe the visual study would help, Harris said. Maybe not. Oftentimes, preparation yields no immediate payoff. Baseball has too many coin-flip variables to obey any grand design. Still, every so often, the odds tilt just right -- as they did Sunday afternoon in the Washington Nationals' 5-3 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards. A new lineup begat a new leadoff hitter in Harris, whose patient ..."
Nationals acquire Morse from Mariners
Comment
June 28
MLB.com
 
"The Nationals made a minor trade on Sunday afternoon, sending outfielder Ryan Langerhans to the Mariners for infielder Mike Morse. Morse, who will report to Triple-A Syracuse, played in 107 games for the Mariners during his career and has a .300 career batting average with three home runs and 33 RBIs."
Mike Morse traded for outfielder Ryan Langerhans
Comment
June 28
Seattle Times
 
"Jack Zduriencik just announced that the Mariners have acquired outfielder Ryan Langerhans from the Nationals for Mike Morse. Langerhans, a left-handed hitter, plays all three outfield positions as well as first base. Though Langerhans characterized it as a minor-league trade, all indications are that Langerhans will be joining the Mariners Tuesday in New York. "This gives us a degree of flexibility,'' Zduriencik said. "We thought it was important to add another guy like this.'' The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Langerhans, 29, was hitting .278 (57x205) with 16 doubles, 9 home runs and 40 RBI in 64 games for Class AAA Syracuse. Langerhans has appeared in the majors in parts of the past seven seasons ..."
The Nats won't touch the Mets' record-breaking losing season
Comment
June 28
Washington Examiner
 columnist Phil Wood
"The 1962 New York Mets are safe. Their record 40-win, 120-loss season won't be threatened by the Nationals this year. I know, I know, some of you are going to be horribly disappointed, as ripping on the Nats has become such a fun thing for many casual fans for whom the word "research" reminds them of a class they tanked in high school. But, barring a clubhouse-wide outbreak of the green apple quickstep, this year's Washington squad will finish north of the dreaded .250 winning percentage. Don't get me wrong, here, the Nationals are far from "turning the corner," but a number of kinks have been, at least, partially smoothed out. Starting pitching looks extremely promising, and the bullpen's ..."
Reimold's blast lifts Orioles over Nats
Comment
June 28
Baltimore Sun
 
"The night started with boos raining down on Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie. It ended with the Orioles putting on a power and defensive display that allowed Guthrie to get the win. Rookie outfielder Nolan Reimold hit a go-ahead three-run shot in the fifth inning, one of three Orioles home runs on the night. The bullpen then turned in four scoreless innings in the Orioles' 6-3 victory over the Washington Nationals in front of an announced 39,633 at Camden Yards. The Orioles (34-40) improved to 4-1 against the Nationals this season and will go for the series sweep this afternoon, looking to replicate a defensive effort that kept them in the game long enough for the offense to take over. The ..."
Nats lose; Stammen to bullpen
Comment
June 28
Washington Times
 
"There's not much about the Nationals' 6-3 loss to the Orioles that will distinguish it from the scores of other losses they've had this season. Shairon Martis gave up a couple homers after picking around the plate a little too much, the Nationals grounded into two double plays with the bases loaded, and that was basically it. The more interesting news came after the game, when manager Manny Acta said the Nationals will move starter Craig Stammen to the bullpen when Scott Olsen returns from the disabled list (presumably on Monday). Stammen or Ross Detwiler was likely to get bumped from the rotation with Olsen returning, though Class AAA Syracuse seemed like the more likely destination for ..."
Nats lack defense for barrage of errors
Comment
June 28
Washington Times
 
"While the Nationals did not commit an error Saturday night, their defense was woefully inept Friday - as it has been most of the year. Athough the team is doing all it can to fix the problem, there aren't many attractive alternatives. Washington's farm system is virtually bereft of players who could improve the big league club's defense, and the moves that former general manager Jim Bowden made in the offseason, aimed at improving the National League's worst offense, have worked exactly as expected - and haven't helped the defense at all. "We didn't have a very good defensive ballclub last year, and they went out there and got some guys that were more to help our offense than our ..."
Orioles' young players show their supremacy
Comment
June 28
Washington Times
 
"The problems that beset the Washington Nationals on Saturday night were mostly the problems that have beset them all year - a starting pitcher learning on the job, an offense that leaves runners on base too often and a bullpen that seemingly gives up one run too many on a good night. The Baltimore Orioles don't have those issues to the same degree, which is why they are a few steps ahead of the Nationals in their sort-of rivalry. Saturday night's 6-3 Baltimore victory was the latest example of that. The home run that Josh Willingham never saw was merely the difference in a game the Orioles commanded because they didn't fall into the same traps as the Nationals. Baltimore's win clinched ..."
Bard Emerging As Nats' Regular Catcher
Comment
June 28
Washington Post
 
"About 1-1/2 months ago, Washington Nationals hitting coach Rick Eckstein approached Josh Bard and suggested that the catcher change his swing. Bard's swing, Eckstein said, had too many moving parts, too many variables that could betray him. "It was hard to hear," Bard recalled. Bard had always known his swing relied on lots of movement. But he'd used it successfully. In 2006, he'd hit .333 with nine homers in San Diego. "For a couple years since," Bard said, "I felt almost like I was chasing that swing." After speaking with Eckstein, Bard stopped chasing his old swing and dedicated himself to learning something new -- a swing that relied on less hand movement and a shorter stroke. It ..."
Olsen's Return Leads to Stammen Offering Some Relief
Comment
June 28
Washington Post
 
"With Scott Olsen (shoulder tendinitis) about to come off the disabled list, the Washington Nationals figured to either demote Craig Stammen or fellow rookie Ross Detwiler to the minors. Stammen imagined the either/or: Depending on what Washington wanted, he'd be starting in the big leagues or the minors. Instead, the Nationals have settled on an alternative. The team will send Stammen to the bullpen. The Nationals will add Olsen to the rotation on Monday. Before then, they must make another roster move -- presumably removing one member of their existing bullpen. Stammen occasionally pitched in relief during college at the University of Dayton. He also appeared out of the bullpen in six ..."
Orioles Rally to Drop Nationals
Comment
June 28
Washington Post
 
"Situational hitting is the blanket term used to describe what plagued the Washington Nationals on Saturday night. How does one identify poor situational hitting? Try finding a game where a single team grounds into four double plays, or goes 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position, or twice loads the bases with no outs and comes away with a combined two runs. But sometimes, as in the case of a 6-3 loss against Baltimore at Camden Yards, poor situational hitting is the side-effect of a more widespread ailment. Sometimes, poor situational hitting is merely the result of poor hitters. And how does one identify poor hitters? Try finding a right fielder who has almost 100 plate appearances ..."
Nats opting to handle starters with kid gloves
Comment
June 27
Washington Times
 columnist Thom Loverro
"A healthy debate is shaping up in baseball about the number of pitches a hurler should throw in a start. Nolan Ryan, the former fireballer and current president of the Texas Rangers, spurred the discussion with a plan to get pitchers in his organization to work deeper into games and to scrap what has evolved into a 100-pitch barrier for starters. This could be a case of an old-school pitcher who doesn't understand why the game can't be played the way it was back in his day. Ryan was a freak of nature: He pitched 27 years in the major leagues. He appeared in 807 games, starting 773. He threw 5,386 innings and 222 complete games - 72 of which came in a three-year period from 1972 to 1974. ..."
Johnson back in the lineup after early exit
Comment
June 27
Washington Times
 
"After leaving Thursday night's game against the Boston Red Sox with a left shin contusion, Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson returned to the starting lineup for Friday night's game against the Baltimore Orioles. The injury occurred in the first inning of Thursday's 9-3 victory. Boston's John Smoltz hit Johnson in the leg with a pitch. Johnson's leg swelled up, and he exited in the second inning. Adam Dunn took his place at first base. Before Friday's series opener at Oriole Park, Johnson said he felt he was ready to play. Nationals manager Manny Acta said Johnson would have been the designated hitter if his leg weren't healthy enough to play first base. But Johnson checked ..."
Orioles' Bats Hurt The Nats
Comment
June 27
Washington Post
 
"On Friday night, a video screen at Camden Yards showed the Baltimore Orioles' mascot running around downtown Washington. In the video, the outsize oriole turned a District resident into an Orioles fan by giving him a jersey and also placed a Baltimore cap on the head of Abraham Lincoln at his memorial. It was insult to injury. The Washington Nationals played inept baseball -- unable to hit, unable to field and unable to save themselves with a bullpen that has regressed -- falling to the Orioles, 11-1, before 45,024 at Camden Yards. Manager Manny Acta summed up the night in a sentence: "They just beat us across the board." The Nationals (21-50) struck out eight times. Starter Ross Detwiler ..."
Online balloting to decide '09 All-Stars
Comment
June 26
MLB.com
 
"We, the people, are deciding who goes to the 80th All-Star Game July 14 in St. Louis.We are ready for the mad rush.We are entering that Validation Key over and over, submitting our 25 allotted votes in the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Online Ballot at MLB.com.We punched those Walt Disney Pictures G-Force All-Star Game paper ballots and left those little chads all over ballparks, and now those last paper ballots are being collected tonight at Pittsburgh and Houston as it goes online-only for the homestretch.We know it's the final week to decide starters. Our deadline as empowered fans is 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, and we know that only because we have been staring at this javascript voting app ..."
Mother's Day bats now up for auction
Comment
June 26
MLB.com
 
"It has been a big first half of baseball for current American League All-Star first baseman vote front-runner Mark Teixeira, and that included that memorable Mother's Day game back in his hometown of Baltimore, where he crushed a two-run homer for the Yankees.He was swinging a pink bat."It's obviously huge -- I think that's the first home run I've hit with a pink bat, so I'm going to go bring that to Mom right now," Teixeira said on May 9, referring to Margy, a breast cancer survivor who had been diagnosed when he was a freshman at Baltimore's St. Joseph's High School. "As soon as I hit it, I thought about it. It's pretty special to me."Margy may have gotten that pink bat, but another one ..."
Smoltz comes stumbling in
Comment
June 26
Boston Globe
 
"On June 4, 1985, the Detroit Tigers chose John Smoltz with the 574th selection in baseball's amateur draft. Precisely 353 days later, Jordan Zimmermann was born. A record crowd poured into Nationals Park last night to watch Smoltz, now a Hall of Famer-to-be, begin another act in his stellar career, his first start with the Red Sox after 21 seasons with the Braves. Zimmermann, now an anonymous rookie on baseball's worst team, commanded the attention of the 41,985 fans by the end of the Nationals' 9-3 victory. He may not have overshadowed Smoltz, but he outpitched him. After Smoltz floundered in the first inning, allowing four runs on four hits, Zimmermann oppressed the Red Sox for seven ..."
David Ortiz goes 4th
Comment
June 26
Boston Herald
 
"David Ortiz [stats]' return to the middle of the lineup was a limited-time engagement, but could a permanent move be in his future? With Kevin Youkilis [stats] getting a night off and no DH in the National League park, Ortiz again started at first base but moved up from fifth to the cleanup spot last night against the Nationals. He was 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly in the Sox' 9-3 loss. Manager Terry Francona made it clear the move "was not by design," but rather a function of interleague play. For his part, Ortiz demurred when asked if he'd like to return to the third spot. "I'll go where I'm asked," he said. "I'm an employee here. I do what they tell me. It's OK. If Tito decides that's ..."
Kasten's Statement of Support, and Talk About Bats
Comment
June 26
Washington Post
 
"During an afternoon speaking engagement today at the National Press Club, Washington president Stan Kasten gave his firmest-yet support of Manny Acta, expressing hope that he can "serve as long-term manager here." Acta's job security has swung wildly in the last week, growing tenuous amid news media reports of an impending firing, then strengthening during last week's four-game winning streak. Only today, though, did Kasten elaborate on feelings about the third-year skipper. "In Manny's case, I happen to be a big fan of his," Kasten said. "I think he has the demeanor to be a long-term solution as a manager. He has the demeanor of a Bobby Cox and others who have been successful. I had this ..."
Zimmermann Defeats Red Sox, Smoltz
Comment
June 26
Washington Post
 
"John Smoltz joined the Boston Red Sox in the hope of a reinvention. He has been a starter, a closer and a starter again. He has learned to throw sidearm. And in this latest incarnation, he was looking for a fresh start with a new team. But the honeymoon did not last long in his first start with Boston. The Washington Nationals blitzed Smoltz and won, 9-3, last night before 41,985, the third attendance record in as many nights at Nationals Park. Washington (21-49) provided a harsh welcome, battering Smoltz with a four-run first inning. In 92 pitches over five innings last night, Smoltz allowed five runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. Jordan Zimmermann, pitched fearlessly against the ..."
Johnson Exits With Shin Contusion
Comment
June 26
Washington Post
 
"After being hit by a pitch by Boston's John Smoltz, Nick Johnson has left the game with a left shin contusion. Smoltz drilled Johnson with a pitch in the first inning. Adam Dunn has moved from left field to Johnson's position at first base. Josh Willingham moved from right field to left field. And Elijah Dukes was inserted into the game at right field and will bat in the second in Johnson's place."
New Start for Smoltz Has a Rocky Beginning
Comment
June 26
New York Times
 
"There was a B on John Smoltz's cap, not an A. Smoltz had Mike Lowell nearby at third base instead of Chipper Jones. Terry Francona, not Bobby Cox, was the manager studying Smoltz from the dugout. Smoltz's first pitch with the Red Sox was a strike. After that, it got ugly. In Smoltz's first outing in more than a year, the Washington Nationals bruised him for four runs in the first inning. Although Smoltz's fastball reached 93 miles per hour, he misplaced some breaking pitches and rediscovered what it was like to feel helpless on the mound. The Nationals flattened the Red Sox, 9-3. Eventually, Smoltz did halt Washington. Although Smoltz allowed five runs in five innings, he retired his last ..."
10 most likely to be traded - Infielders
Comment
June 25
NBC Sports
 
"Mark DeRosa (Indians) - With Grady Sizemore back, the Indians aren't likely to sell just yet. Still, at least as big of a problem as being 10 games behind is that they have four teams ahead of them in the AL Central. DeRosa has been talked about as trade bait for close to two months now, and the Indians have soured on him as a third baseman after originally acquiring him to play the position. Given that he's on pace for about 30 homers and 110 RBI, it shouldn't be a problem getting more for him in trade than they would by letting him walk for draft picks at season's end. Garrett Atkins (Rockies) - It certainly doesn't bode well for Atkins' future in Colorado that he's been given a total of ..."
Dunn dealing with sore right wrist
Comment
June 25
MLB.com
 
"Nationals outfielder Adam Dunn did not start Wednesday's game against the Red Sox because of a sore right wrist. Dunn had an MRI taken earlier in the day and the results were negative. Dunn said he has had problems with the wrist for a while, but the pain grew worse against the Red Sox after fouling off a pitch in the fourth inning on Tuesday. "It's a precautionary thing. ... It's no big deal," Dunn said. "I don't want to get days off. I don't feel like I do. You [can] just call it a good solid benching." With Dunn on the bench, manager Manny Acta put Josh Willingham in left field and inserted first baseman Nick Johnson as the cleanup hitter. Outside of Dunn, Johnson is the one guy who can ..."
David Ortiz three-run shot helps Sox win again
Comment
June 25
Boston Globe
 
"David Ortiz stood on first base, removed his batting gloves, and laughed at his fortune. He had just rolled a ball into the vacated part of the infield, a tumbleweed single few players could hope for. His mood owed to what he had done two innings earlier and for the past month. Ortiz's gap-toothed smile, along with his potency at the plate, disappeared at the start of the season. Both have returned in full, and the latest example came last night during a 6-4 Red Sox victory before 41,530, the second Nationals Park record in as many nights. Ortiz launched his sixth home run in less than three weeks, a three-run blast that lifted the Sox to their fourth straight victory. The first two months ..."