http://mlb.mlb.com WAS Homepage News Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:32:19 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130618&content_id=51017854&vkey=news_was&c_id=was Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:35:04 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130618&content_id=51017854&vkey=news_was&c_id=was The rivalry between the Nationals and Phillies is newly minted. As a result, it's not as entrenched as some of the more storied contentious relationships in baseball such as Yankees-Red Sox. Dodgers-Giants. Cardinals-Cubs. Expect that to change. Paul Hagen http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130618&content_id=51012252&notebook_id=51012098&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:37:38 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130618&content_id=51012252&notebook_id=51012098&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was After losing to the Phillies on Monday, Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond went to manager Davey Johnson and said the team wasn't playing as loose as it did last year. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130618&content_id=51012252&notebook_id=51012266&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:12:15 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130618&content_id=51012252&notebook_id=51012266&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was A day after having a strong performance against the Nationals, Phillies left-hander John Lannan expressed no ill feeling toward his former team. Lannan acknowledged it was weird facing the Nationals, that team that drafted him in 2005 and non-tendered him after last season. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_19_wasmlb_phimlb_1&mode=preview&vkey=preview_web_away&c_id=was Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:57:40 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_19_wasmlb_phimlb_1&mode=preview&vkey=preview_web_away&c_id=was Philadelphia is 35-37 overall but owns an 18-9 record against the National League East. The Phillies can improve on that number with a win and three-game series sweep over the Nationals on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park. Kevin Massoth http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_18_wasmlb_phimlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=was Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:47:52 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_18_wasmlb_phimlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=was The Nationals and the Phillies found themselves in a pitchers' duel on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. But the Phillies' offense would soon take over the game, scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to help Philadelphia defeat the Nationals, 4-2. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130617&content_id=50891486&notebook_id=50891696&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:45:20 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130617&content_id=50891486&notebook_id=50891696&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Nationals center fielder Denard Span was not in Monday's lineup because of a deep bruise in his right foot. He is hoping that he is back in the lineup Tuesday. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130617&content_id=50891486&notebook_id=50891364&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:40:06 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130617&content_id=50891486&notebook_id=50891364&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper saw Dr. Wiemi Douoguih, the team medical director, on Monday morning, and Harper was cleared to begin strengthening activities, which means he can walk and jog. The team is hoping Harper can soon progress toward running. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130617&content_id=50891486&notebook_id=50891362&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:47:40 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130617&content_id=50891486&notebook_id=50891362&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was With the way Anthony Rendon has been playing with the bat and glove, it seems almost impossible that second baseman Danny Espinosa will reclaim his job at second base. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130617&content_id=50890442&vkey=news_was&c_id=was Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:16:19 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130617&content_id=50890442&vkey=news_was&c_id=was With their top pick, Jake Johansen, locked up to a contract less than 24 hours after the First-Year Player Draft, the Nationals continued in that direction on Monday, when they announced that 22 picks have been signed. Jason Mastrodonato http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_17_wasmlb_phimlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=was Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:20:13 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_17_wasmlb_phimlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=was Chad Tracy homered to right field against Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning to tie the game, but Domonic Brown's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Phillies a 5-4 win over the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130616&content_id=50857040&vkey=news_was&c_id=was Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:53:07 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130616&content_id=50857040&vkey=news_was&c_id=was Stephen Strasburg has always had to balance reality vs. the public perception. While his big league performance has not yet lived up to the tremendous hype, the Nationals right-hander continues to grow as a pitcher. Anthony Castrovince http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130616&content_id=50803204&notebook_id=50854656&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:04:10 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130616&content_id=50803204&notebook_id=50854656&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Nationals center fielder Denard Span injured his right foot for the third time this season during Washington's 2-0 loss to the Indians on Sunday afternoon. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130616&content_id=50825048&vkey=news_was&c_id=was Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:00:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130616&content_id=50825048&vkey=news_was&c_id=was Although he hasn't played in a while, Bryce Harper still ranks third among National League outfielders in All-Star balloting, with 1,981,030 votes, after Major League Baseball announced the third NL update on Sunday. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130616&content_id=50803204&notebook_id=50803320&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:19:27 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130616&content_id=50803204&notebook_id=50803320&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was When the regular season started, Nationals left-hander Ian Krol wasn't thinking about playing in the big leagues until sometime in May. Now, manager Davey Johnson has made Krol one of his key late-inning relievers. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130616&content_id=50803204&notebook_id=50803994&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:19:23 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130616&content_id=50803204&notebook_id=50803994&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth is not surprised that Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown is having a breakout season. Entering Sunday action, Brown is leading the Phillies in home runs (19) and RBIs (48) Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130616&content_id=50803204&notebook_id=50803694&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:19:21 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130616&content_id=50803204&notebook_id=50803694&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon said he's getting more comfortable at second base and is learning the nuances of the position from hitting coach Rick Eckstein, one of two infield coaches on the team. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_16_wasmlb_clemlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=was Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:45:04 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_16_wasmlb_clemlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=was Stephen Strasburg allowed only one hit over five innings in his first start off the DL, but the Nats left seven runners on base in the 2-0 loss to the Indians on Sunday. Anthony Rendon has three of the club's seven hits. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130615&content_id=50706116&notebook_id=50704974&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:31:04 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130615&content_id=50706116&notebook_id=50704974&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond has been hot during the month of June and had seen his batting average climb to .290 entering Saturday's action. Desmond also came in tied for the team lead with 32 RBIs. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130615&content_id=50706116&notebook_id=50706422&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:32:13 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130615&content_id=50706116&notebook_id=50706422&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was According to manager Davey Johnson, outfielder Bryce Harper and catcher Wilson Ramos suffered minor setbacks recently. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_15_wasmlb_clemlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=was Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:16:55 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_15_wasmlb_clemlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=was An error by first baseman Nick Swisher and the first Major League home run by Anthony Rendon helped the Nationals edge the Indians, 7-6, at Progressive Field on Saturday night. The Nationals improved their record to 34-33. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130614&content_id=50606328&notebook_id=50607160&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:28:20 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130614&content_id=50606328&notebook_id=50607160&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Danny Espinosa started a rehab assignment for Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday and went 1-for-2 with a single, run scored and a strikeout. He was expected to play at least five innings on Friday against Toledo. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130614&content_id=50606328&notebook_id=50605804&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:30:21 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130614&content_id=50606328&notebook_id=50605804&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was While the Nationals are in Philadelphia next week, outfielder Bryce Harper could be involved in baseball activities, according to manager Davey Johnson. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130614&content_id=50606328&notebook_id=50606774&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:31:10 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130614&content_id=50606328&notebook_id=50606774&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Class A Potomac left-hander Sammy Solis is currently dealing with "general shoulder soreness," according to a baseball source. The soreness does not appear to be significant though, according to the source. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_14_wasmlb_clemlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=was Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:07:13 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_14_wasmlb_clemlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=was Jason Kipnis' fielder's choice grounder scored Drew Stubbs in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Indians a 2-1 win over the Nationals at Progressive Field on Friday night. The Nationals are back at the .500 mark with a 33-33 record. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130613&content_id=50525892&notebook_id=50529506&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:53:30 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130613&content_id=50525892&notebook_id=50529506&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was The Nationals optioned Erik Davis, a right-handed reliever, to Triple-A Syracuse to free up a spot for Thursday's starter, Ross Detwiler, who returned from a nearly month-long stay on the disabled dist with an oblique issue. Ian McCue http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130613&content_id=50525892&notebook_id=50529648&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:53:28 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130613&content_id=50525892&notebook_id=50529648&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Ross Ohlendorf got a pleasant surprise Thursday morning when Nationals manager Davey Johnson told him he would be sticking around a little while longer. Ian McCue http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130613&content_id=50525892&notebook_id=50528498&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:53:27 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130613&content_id=50525892&notebook_id=50528498&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Stephen Strasburg completed the next critical step toward his highly-anticipated return from the disabled list, tossing a bullpen session at Coors Field on Thursday morning. Ian McCue http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130613&content_id=50525892&notebook_id=50529286&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:53:25 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130613&content_id=50525892&notebook_id=50529286&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was Nationals manager Davey Johnson will be in the dugout at the All-Star Game this July for the first time in 26 years. Ian McCue http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130613&content_id=50526948&vkey=news_was&c_id=was Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:00:18 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130613&content_id=50526948&vkey=news_was&c_id=was Nationals right-hander Craig Stammen doesn't have to think twice about who gets the credit for his success on and off the baseball field. His father, Jeff, was the one who encouraged and taught him how to play baseball. Bill Ladson http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_13_wasmlb_colmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=was Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:15:36 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_13_wasmlb_colmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=was Ryan Zimmerman homered and drove in three runs and Ian Desmond went 4-for-4 as the Nationals took the series final against the Rockies on Thursday, 5-4. Ian McCue