 |
Stadium finale: Marlins lose to Nats 3-1 |
For the last game at the Florida Marlins’ first stadium, the atmosphere was far from funereal. There were standing ovations for manager Jack McKeon, who’s beginning his latest retirement; for Charlie Hough, who threw the first pitch in franchise history; and even for Washington Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez, a hero on the Marlins’ 2003 World Series championship team. When Logan Morrison stepped to the plate with two outs in the ninth, fans were on their feet again. Then he struck out, and the place went silent. The Marlins bid their much-maligned stadium goodbye Wednesday with a 3-1 loss to Washington. “Thanks for the memories,” McKeon said. Next year the Marlins move into a new ballpark with new manager Ozzie Guillen, who held his introductory news conference before the game. The Nationals also have a brighter future thanks to Strasburg (1-1), who threw a gem in his fifth start since returning from elbow surgery. The top pick in the 2009 draft allowed one hit and struck out 10 in six scoreless innings to earn his first win since July 2010. He gave up his first two walks this season but was otherwise dominant. “It felt pretty good out there to go out and pound the strike zone like I know I can,” Strasburg said. Having the right-hander for a full season should make a big difference for the Nationals, who finished 80-81 — their sixth consecutive losing season. Florida wound up last in the NL East at 72-90. Too much rain often meant too few fans at the Marlins’ stadium, but on a sunny afternoon the atmosphere was lively, with the crowd of 34,615 in a sentimental mood. The 80-year-old McKeon received a long standing ovation before the game, then stepped down with a record of 1,051-990. “I hate to see it end,” McKeon said. “It’s emotional, no question. What got me were the fans. That was special.” The crowd included more than 20 former Marlins honored after the game. Among the old-timers were Hough, who was the pitcher for the franchise’s first game in 1993 and returned to the same mound to throw out the final ceremonial first pitch. Rodriguez received a big ovation the first time he batted in the second inning. “I got goose bumps,” he said. Fans were on their feet again at the end. “It was great to see the fans’ support,” losing pitcher Chris Volstad said. “There have been a lot of memories for a lot of people. To be part of all that is very special.” The entire Marlins team and owner Jeffrey Loria congregated in the left-field corner before the sixth inning to tear the last number off the 2-year-old sign counting down the games remaining in the stadium. Florida played 1,504 games there and went 781-723. It was also the franchise’s finale as the Florida Marlins. In conjunction with the move to a ballpark near downtown, the team officially becomes the Miami Marlins on Nov. 11. The unusual 4:10 starting time appeared to make it difficult for hitters to see the ball in the early innings as shadows crept across home plate. Volstad (5-13) allowed no hits in the first four innings. Strasburg gave up a single and two walks in the second, but a double play helped him escape. The pace of the game made it clear players were heading into the offseason. In the fifth inning all five Nationals batters swung at the first pitch, including Ian Desmond, who hit a two-run single. The relative brevity of the finale was a big change for the Nationals, who ended the season with a 14-inning win in 2010 and a 15-inning victory in 2009. On this occasion, there wasn’t even any rain, and that won’t be a concern for the Marlins in the future. Their new ballpark has a retractable roof. NOTES: The Nationals finished 23-40 in the stadium. … The Marlins drew 1.52 million fans at home to finish last in the NL in attendance for the seventh consecutive year. … Florida’s batting average of .247 was the lowest in team history. … Marlins founding owner Wayne Huizenga was booed when introduced after the game. Many fans have never forgiven him for dismantling the 1997 World Series champions in a payroll purge. If you like reading our blog, remember to bookmark it. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Nationals Vs. Marlins Final: Stephen Strasburg… |
Read More: Roger Bernadina (RF – WAS), Ian Desmond (SS – WAS), Ryan Mattheus (P – WAS), Stephen Strasburg (P – WAS), Drew Storen (P – WAS), Washington Nationals, Florida Marlins Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg didn’t deliver just a “dominant’ performance in Wednesday’s 3-2 Nationals season finale victory. What he delivered can only be described as “Strasburgian.” Not hampered by a pitch limit, the young Nats phenom stepped on the mound during the final game at Sun Life Stadium in Florida and announced to Major League baseball: “I’m back.” Strasburg earned his first and only victory in 2011 by pitching six innings, giving up only one hit, no runs, walking two and racking up an astounding 10 strike outs. He threw 79 pitches, 54 for strikes and at one point hit 100 mph on the radar gun. It was a huge cherry on top of the Nationals 2011 cake and a performance Nationals fans will no doubt be talking about until the start of the 2012 season. Strasburg, who just returned from Tommy John surgery recovery, finishes the season 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA in five games. The Nationals were able to get on top of the Marlins in the fifth when shortstop Ian Desmond hit a two-run single. The Marlins were able to get one back off reliever Ryan Mattheus to make the score 2-1, but Roger Bernadina added an insurance run in the eight on an RBI single. Nationals closer Drew Storen recorded his 43rd save in the ninth. The Nationals complete their 2011 campaign 80-81 and third place in the NL East. What are your opinions. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Nationals lose to Marlins 3-2 on homer in 9th |
[ [ [['Conrad Murray', 15]], [ [['she-devil', 12]], [ [['diana nyad', 13]], [ [['Joshua Komisarjevsky', 10]], [ [['CASCO Signal', 13], ['Yu Yuan station', 13]], [ [['It is difficult to assess how many birds are affected', 7]], [ [['Andy Rooney', 9]], [ [['villages where people are trapped under collapsed houses', 8]], [ [['The absence of Borders is going to be felt across the industry', 6]], [ [['Anders Behring Breivik', 8]], [ [['like there is no way out', 9]], [ [['including snipers picking off protesters from rooftops', 5], ['Violence has flared anew in Yemen in frustration', 6]], [ [['Dolores Hope', 7]], Thanks for reading! . Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Brevard concerned about Washington Nationals’… |
If the Washington Nationals leave Space Coast Stadium in Viera for another spring training site, the minor league Brevard County Manatees would remain here. / CRAIG RUBADOUX/FLORIDA TODAY FILEAt a glanceThe Washington Nationals are asking for more than $700,000 in upgrades and repairs at Space Coast Stadium. The county has pared the list to $270,000. The county is willing to pay for such things as concrete repair, sidewalk replacement and corrosion control. But the county is saying no to new dugout benches, a clubhouse kitchen and batting cage upgrades.
More In News‘); Thanks for visiting my blog =). Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Nationals Vs. Marlins Final: Nationals Extend Road… |
Read More: Edward Mujica (P – FLA), Michael Morse (1B – WAS), Tom Milone (P – WAS), Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Florida Marlins The Washington Nationals defeated the Florida Marlins 6-4 on Monday night, extending their road game winning streak to nine which ties the record for the longest road winning streak in franchise history. The win also puts the Nationals two wins away from finishing for the first time in their history with a above .500 record. The Nationals and Marlins had kept the game close all through the night, trading runs and leads. Then in the ninth inning Michael Morse stepped to the plate with two men on and the score 4-3 Marlins. Morse jacked an Edward Mujica third-pitch splitter over the wall of Sun Life Stadium for his 30th home run of the year, a three-run blast to give the Nationals the 6-4 lead. Reliever Henry Rodriguez came into the game in the ninth and shut the door on the Fish earning his second save of the season. Nationals rookie starter Tom Milone lasted only four innings giving up three runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out four. Earlier in the night, the Nationals and their fans learned that the Cincinnati Reds defeated the New York Mets 6-5 allowing the Washington Nationals to clinch third place in the NL East. It is the highest place in the standings the Nationals have ever laid claim to since baseball returned to Washington D.C. in 2005. Monday’s game was delayed an hour due to rain. Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Michael Morse’s three-run homer in ninth lifts… |
The Nationals remain 10 1/ The Nationals can also finish with a winning record for the first time. They are 79-80 with two games remaining against the Marlins. They have Morse’s milestone home run to thank. Morse won the game by becoming the fourth Nationals player to hit 30 homers. Few of them have been more meaningful than Monday’s upper-deck blast. Against closer Edward Mujica in the ninth inning, Laynce Nix scalded a leadoff, pinch-hit single. Ian Desmond followed with his second hit on the night, a line drive to left field. The rallied fizzled when Rick Ankiel could not drop down a sacrifice bunt and ultimately struck out. The runners both moved into scoring position when Ryan Zimmerman grounded out to shortstop. Up came Morse, the Nationals’ cleanup hitter, batting with runners on second and third and two out. The words surely look more dramatic than the action felt. Football yard markers crisscrossed the grass and the University of Miami’s ‘U’ logo was left over from Saturday’s game in shallow center field. Dozens of fans quietly sat and watched. The Nationals, though, have played in September like every games means something — if not everything — to them. Mujica threw Morse a 1-1, 89-mph splitter that hung over the heart of the plate. Morse destroyed the ball. He knew immediately. So did Mujica, who crouched on the mound and covered his head. The ball landed over the scoreboard and rattled around the seats. Morse had seemingly reached the apex of his season Sunday afternoon, when he launched a homer in the Nationals Park finale and received the first curtain call of his life. Monday night, Morse added another memory. Henry Rodriguez saved the game in the bottom of the ninth, his second career save and second this month. Even before Morse’s heroics, another result on the other end of the Eastern Seaboard ensured this year would be new and different, anyway. The New York Mets’ loss to the Cincinnati Reds would have clinched a third-place finish for the Nationals in the National League East even if the Nationals lost on Monday. For a while, it appeared they might. The Nationals had won the first four starts of Tommy Milone’s career, but Monday night he could not escape the fifth. Milone left with one out in the fifth inning, with a one-run lead and the bases loaded. Craig Stammen allowed the tying run to score on a wild pitch, and in the seventh inning Todd Coffey yielded an RBI single to Gaby Sanchez. Milone allowed three runs in his 4 1/ While Milone did not match his success from his last start, when he shut out the Phillies over six innings, he did not leave an altogether sour taste in his final start of 2011. Milone, 24, will join Brad Peacock, Ross Detwiler and others next spring vying for a spot in the starting rotation. “There’s a lot of guys hungry to get in this rotation,” Manager Davey Johnson said. “You’ve seen it in September. I don’t care if it was any time of the year. You’re in big league ballgames. You’re pitching and trying to establish.” Desmond scored the Nationals’ first run in the third inning after he walked, stole second, took third on a balk and scampered home on Ankiel’s groundout. In the fourth, Desmond’s RBI double scored Wilson Ramos and Ankiel followed with an RBI single to center. Thanks for reading! . Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Morse hits 3-run homer with 2 out in 9th and… |
With two games remaining, the Nationals franchise (79-80) still has a chance at its first winning season since 2003. Florida led 4-3 when pinch-hitter Laynce Nix and Ian Desmond started the ninth with singles. Mujica retired the next two batters before Morse hit his 30th homer on a 1-1 pitch. The game marked the start of the final series at the stadium the Marlins are leaving for a new home near downtown. Two games remain in the stadium that has been their home since their first season in 1993. Jack McKeon announced before the game he’ll retire as Florida’s manager at the end of the season after a three-month career comeback at age 80. Logan Morrison hit his 23rd home run off Washington’s Tommy Milone, who allowed three runs in 4 1-3 innings. Florida’s Anibal Sanchez needed 104 pitches to get through five innings in his final start. He allowed three runs, two earned. Rookie Atahualpa Severino (1-0) earned his first career win. Henry Rodriguez pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save in five chances. The Marlins took a 4-3 lead in the seventh. Omar Infante reached on a two-out infield single, Mike Stanton walked and Gaby Sanchez followed with an RBI single. Washington then came from behind for the third time. The final series in the ballpark notorious for wet weather got off to an appropriate start with a 57-minute rain delay. The Nationals scratched out an unearned run in the third. Ian Desmond reached on an error by shortstop Emilio Bonifacio, stole second, took third on a balk and came home on a groundout by Rick Ankiel. Florida took a 2-1 lead in the third when Omar Infante tripled and scored on a single by Mike Stanton. The Nationals went ahead 3-2 in the fourth thanks to an RBI double by Desmond and a run-scoring single by Ankiel. Washington’s Craig Stammen retired all five batters he faced, but his wild pitch allowed the tying run to score in the fifth. NOTES: Marlins RHP Javier Vazquez takes a streak of 25 consecutive scoreless innings into his final start Tuesday. The start could be the last for Vazquez, 35, who says he’s leaning toward retirement. … Miami native Chris Marrero drew a big cheer when he singled for the Nationals in the eighth inning. … The Marlins chose RHP Michael Brady as their minor league pitcher of the year and OF Christian Yelich as their minor league player of the year. … With a single, Jayson Werth improved to 4 for 27 against Anibal Sanchez. … Sanchez’s balk was his fifth, most in the majors. Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. What are your opinions. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Morse helps Nationals beat Marlins 6-4 |
[ [ [['near the city of Hamamatsu', 10]], [ [['she-devil', 12]], [ [['diana nyad', 13]], [ [['Republican Guards have bigger ones in the capital and elsewhere in Yemen', 5], ['opposition forces loyal to defected General Ali Mohsen ', 8]], [ [['Bold farmers in Indonesia routinely', 5]], [ [['It is difficult to assess how many birds are affected', 7]], [ [['But after we launch this hamburger', 6]], [ [['villages where people are trapped under collapsed houses', 8]], [ [['The absence of Borders is going to be felt across the industry', 6]], [ [['Anders Behring Breivik', 8]], [ [['like there is no way out', 9]], [ [['including snipers picking off protesters from rooftops', 5], ['Violence has flared anew in Yemen in frustration', 6]], [ [['Dolores Hope', 7]], If you like reading our blog, remember to bookmark it. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Nationals Vs. Marlins Score: Nationals And Marlins… |
Read More: Jayson Werth (RF – WAS), Anibal Sanchez (P – FLA), Rick Ankiel (CF – WAS), Vinny Rottino (1B – FLA), Ian Desmond (SS – WAS), Wilson Ramos (C – WAS), Danny Espinosa (2B – WAS), Washington Nationals, New York Mets, Florida Marlins The Washington Nationals and Florida Marlins are tied 3-3 going into the seventh inning. The Nationals are trying to get a win tonight to clinch third place in the NL East over the New York Mets, but are having trouble pulling away from the Fish. Amid a night where several Nats have donned new haircuts (Danny Espinosa, Jayson Werth) and others wearing strange pants (Ian Desmond), the Nats first cracked Anibal Sanchez in the third when Rick Ankiel grounded out, but scored Desmond to tie the game 1-1. The Nats lead briefly in the fourth inning when Desmond hit a RBI double to score Wilson Ramos and Desmond scored when Ankiel hit a single that deflected off a Marlins player to make the score 3-2. The Marlins tied the game up in the fifth after reliever Craig Stammen threw a wild pitch with bases loaded and Vinny Rottino scored to put the game at 3-3. That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Nationals’ manager search to work off short list |
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — When the season ends Wednesday, the Washington Nationals will begin the process of searching for their 2012 manager. Their list, general manager Mike Rizzo said Sunday, is not long. They know what they want and who they’re looking at. And when it’s over, the guy in the dugout next spring may well be the same one who’s there now: Davey Johnson. But their list of candidates could dwindle soon if third base coach Bo Porter is hired elsewhere. Porter interviewed for the Florida Marlins‘ managerial opening Monday and is thought to be high on their list. The Marlins are expected to move swiftly with their decision on who will replace 80-year-old Jack McKeon, who announced Monday that he plans to retire after the season. “Bo Porter is an outstanding third base [coach] and baseball man,” Johnson said Monday. “I hope he’s back. I hope [his interview] went well. But I hope we don’t lose him.” This is the third time Porter has interviewed with the Marlins after interviewing twice during the 2010 season – first when Fredi Gonzalez was fired midseason and then after the season when the Marlins opted to go with Edwin Rodriguez, who resigned in June. Porter also interviewed for the Pirates’ opening last offseason but accepted the Nationals third base coaching job under then-manager Jim Riggleman when Pittsburgh opted to go with Clint Hurdle. Porter, who coached or managed almost all of the Marlins‘ current roster during a 2005-09 stint with the organization at the minor and major league levels, declined to comment. A report by the Chicago Sun-Times late Monday, however, said the White Sox were in the “final stages” of completing a deal to send Ozzie Guillen to Florida to manage the Marlins in 2012. Porter also is considered a main candidate for the Nationals’ opening — if there is one — and Rizzo thinks highly of him The GM interviewed Porter for the Nationals’ managerial job before the 2010 season but ultimately hired Riggleman, who’d been the interim manager. “I brought Bo in here,” Rizzo said when asked about Porter as a candidate for next season. “He’s a terrific baseball guy and certainly a major league-manager candidate.” If Johnson does return, the Nationals will have to make decisions on the rest of their coaching staff, including Porter. The feeling is that unless Porter is hired as Nationals manager or to manage another major league team, he would return. First base coach Trent Jewett and Triple-A manager Randy Knorr also are thought to be under consideration for the manager’s job. Knorr is well-liked in the organization and has managed a large percentage of Washington’s current roster while the players were coming through the minor leagues. He is open to interviewing for the position but also would also relish an opportunity to return to the Triple-A level. “I think Randy Knorr is definitely a major league-manager candidate,” Rizzo said. “His goal is to manage in the major leagues, and I think he’s a great candidate and a great baseball guy, and I feel very lucky to have him in the organization.” Neither Johnson nor Rizzo has wavered in their stance that Johnson is not a sure thing for the 2012 season, though his three-year consulting contract does include an option for him to manage the team next year. The decision is not expected to come until the season is over and a search following MLB guidelines has been conducted. “The biggest factor is whether they want me,” Johnson reiterated Monday. “That’s No. 1. And No. 2, I’d like to have a say-so in seeing how much they would want my opinion on trades and free agent signings and that stuff. I love the talent level, and I love what we have in the development stages.” © Copyright 2011 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission. Leave your comments on the news below. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg to have innings limit… |
Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg will be on an innings limit next season as he continues his comeback from reconstructive surgery on his pitching elbow. General Manager Mike Rizzo said Sunday that he already has “semi-calculated” the number of innings Strasburg will be allowed to throw in 2012. Strasburg had his ligament-replacement operation in September 2010, then returned to the majors this September. He’ll make the fifth start of his comeback Wednesday at the Florida Marlins on the last day of the regular season. Thome makes appearance at third base If Jim Thome is retiring, he made his last appearance in Cleveland as a third baseman. The 41-year-old took the position for one pitch in the ninth inning during Sunday’s game against Minnesota. Cleveland finishes with three games in Detroit. Thome got a standing ovation as a pinch-hitter in the eighth. When he walked, the crowd booed pitcher Glen Perkins. Fans then stood and cheered to start the ninth as Thome went to third base — where he started his big league career in 1991. He had not played there since Sept. 29, 1996. The next year, he moved to first base. Thome has 604 homers, eighth on the career list, and has not announced whether he will return for a 22nd season. On Friday night, the Indians unveiled plans to build a statue in his honor at Progressive Field. Thanks for reading! . Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Washington Nationals GM Rizzo says team will put… |
Rizzo didn’t say what Strasburg’s limit will be. “We’re still at the beginning of that process. We want to find out how he feels at the end of the season and where he’s at. We’ll calculate it and see what’s a comfortable amount for him,” Rizzo said. Strasburg had his ligament-replacement operation in September 2010, then returned to the majors this September. He is 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA, zero walks and 14 strikeouts in 18 innings heading into the fifth start of his comeback Wednesday at the Florida Marlins on the last day of the regular season. Nationals righty Jordan Zimmermann, who had the same surgery as Strasburg in August 2009, was shut down this season after reaching his innings limit. He threw 161 1-3 innings, making his last start on Aug. 28. With Strasburg and Zimmermann set for next year’s rotation, and the lineup taking shape, Rizzo looked ahead to the offseason by declaring: “I think we’re an outfield bat away and a starting pitcher away from really being a contender in the division.” Entering Sunday’s home finale against the Atlanta Braves, the Nationals were in third place in the NL East. Washington never has finished that high since moving from Montreal before the 2005 season. “With the personnel that we have, I think you’re seeing a very young team kind of maturing at the same time and it looks good for the future,” Rizzo said. He addressed a variety of other topics: — Rizzo won’t reveal it, but he has a timetable in mind for having a permanent manager in place. Davey Johnson replaced Jim Riggleman on an interim basis in July. “We certainly have a plan that we’d like to put in place so we can get on with the offseason,” Rizzo said. Johnson is under contract for next year and Rizzo said he will work for the Nationals even if he’s not brought back as the manager — which appears to be a strong possibility. “There’s a long process it’s got to go through,” Johnson said, “and I’m very comfortable with that.” — The Nationals have started contract talks with right-hander Chien-Ming Wang, who went 4-3 with a 4.04 ERA in 11 starts coming back from shoulder surgery. “He wants to be here, we want to have him and so I think there’s a lot of mutual interest,” Rizzo said. — Washington could use pitching depth to make trades. “Our pitching depth is the best I’ve seen since I’ve been around here, since the Lerners acquired the team (in 2006). We certainly would discuss trades to fill some of our needs, if the trade makes sense,” Rizzo said. Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Leave your comments on the news below. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Washington Nationals beat Atlanta Braves, 4-1 |
His teammates do not know how many more chances they might have to savor wearing the same uniform. “How many times do you get to play with an icon of the game?” Jayson Werth said. “He’s a first ballot Hall of Famer. He’s Pudge. As long as we live, I don’t know if we’ll ever see another player like that.” Rodriguez accepted his diminished role this season for the Nationals without complaint, but he rejected the notion that time had drained him of his ability. For him, starting in the Nationals’ 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves was about playing rather than ceremony. He did not think that Saturday’s game before 33,986 was possibly, if not likely, his final home start in a Nationals uniform. “I don’t think about that,” Rodriguez said. “If it is, it is. If it’s not, it’s not. I don’t think about that. I think about the game today. I think about doing my best today.” In his first start since July 4, Rodriguez showed why three teammates described him with the word “remarkable.” He still possesses the arm that has made him one of the greatest catchers ever, and he threw out two runners trying to steal second, including the game’s most crucial out. He called pitches for Chien-Ming Wang (4-3), who in his last start of 2011 allowed one run on four hits in six strong innings, a final accomplishment in his comeback from major shoulder surgery. In the seventh inning, National League steals leader Michael Bourn tried to steal second with the tying run standing at the plate. Rodriguez caught a fastball from Tyler Clippard and fired a missile to second baseman Danny Espinosa. Bourn slid in too late. Rodriguez pumped his fist then stuck his pinky and index fingers in the air — two outs. “For me, it doesn’t matter who’s running,” Rodriguez said. “I was surprised, to be honest with you. I’m ready to throw in any situation. But at the same time, I didn’t think he was going to run.” The throw answered any questions about rust. A strained oblique in early July cost Rodriguez almost two months. Since his return, the Nationals have sat him in favor of Ramos, their clear starter, and Jesus Flores. The ascension of Ramos had made Rodriguez a backup on opening day. This month, he became a full-fledged observer. The Nationals’ clubhouse has remained harmonious all year, and Rodriguez’s compliance played a crucial part. “If he’s not complaining about his role,” Storen said, “who is complaining?” It did not make his 20th major league season easy. Rodriguez played in his 43rd game Saturday. He had played less than 100 games only once before, and that came because of injury in 2000, the year after he won the American League Most Valuable Player award. Leave your comments on the news below. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
The Washington Nationals can’t catch Michael… |
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Bourn might be the fastest man in Major League Baseball and during last night’s game against the Washington Nationals, Bourn showed off his trademark speed. It happened in the ninth inning with the Braves up by the score of 5-2, Bourn was on second with Chipper Jones at the plate. Jones hit a chopper back to the mound and the Nationals caught Bourn in a rundown. After attempting to get Bourn out and not succeeding, the Nationals noticed that Chipper was out of position on the base paths and got him out but forgot about Bourn who dashed for home plate with nobody covering it: *** Bourn scores on wild play [MLB Video] What are your opinions. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Braves RHP Hudson taken to hospital with cramp |
AP Photo/Nick Wass Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson delivers against the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, in Washington. Atlanta Braves right-hander Tim Hudson has been taken to a hospital to be treated for a cramp near his neck. Thanks for reading! . Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Braves Vs. Nationals Final: Stephen Strasburg… |
Read More: Stephen Strasburg (P – WAS), Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves The Washington Nationals were defeated by the Atlanta Braves 7-4 on Friday night. The Nationals tried to rally back after a rough start from Stephen Strasburg, but the the offense’s gas just ran out. Friday’s loss ended the Nationals current win streak at five games. Strasburg didn’t have early control of his pitches, often going to the rosin bag, and the Braves were able to tag him for three runs, two earned in the first inning. However, Strasburg settled after that and put zeros across the board for the next three innings. The young pitcher went four innings total, walked none and struck out three. He has not offered up a walk to the 114 Major League batters he has faced going back to August 2010. He threw 75 pitches on Friday, 46 going for strikes. It is the first loss of 2011 for Strasburg who is now 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA. Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth and catcher Wilson Ramos both went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs which was the Nationals scoring for the night. There is the quick update of the day. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Putting Nationals’ Winning Record Vs. Philadelphia… |
The Washington Nationals completed a four-game sweep of the mighty Philadelphia Phillies last night, clinching a winning record (10-8) over the league’s leading team this season. To put that in perspective, some facts:
There’s really only one conclusion: the Nationals just own the Phillies. Obviously. There is the quick update of the day. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Washington Nationals complete four-game sweep over… |
Brad Peacock, making just his second major league start, pitched 5 2-3 scoreless innings and Michael Morse hit a three-run homer to lead the Washington Nationals to a 6-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, completing a four-game sweep.
Roger Bernadina drove in two runs for the Nationals (76-79), who handed the division champions their sixth straight loss. Washington has won five straight overall and eight in a row on the road, and needs to win five of its last six for the organization’s first season over .500 since 2003. Carlos Ruiz had three hits and an RBI for the Phillies (98-58), who clinched their fifth straight NL East title on Saturday night but haven’t won since. Thanks for visiting my blog =). Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Nationals striving to finish above .500 after… |
PHILADELPHIA — The standings, being what they are in the National League East, have mattered little to both the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies for some time. The Phillies have been six games or more ahead of the division’s second-place team since mid-August. All the Nationals have known is that they’re too far out of things to make the wins and losses significant in a playoff race. They’ve been two teams on somewhat divergent paths — the Phillies‘ road littered with many more victories than Washington’s. But when both arrived at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday morning they knew one thing: As far as the standings go, whatever happened was, in essence, meaningless. Two days and three Nationals’ victories later, the latest a 7-5 win that secured both John Lannan’s 10th victory of the season and the Nationals’ first series win in Philadelphia since April of 2008, and that surety is on unstable ground. “It just shows what we can do, what the team is truly capable of doing,” said second baseman Danny Espinosa after his two-run homer in the sixth gave the Nationals a lead and set a franchise rookie record for home runs with 21. “As far as what it does for next year, I don’t know,” he added. “This season and next season are completely different. But I think what it does show us as a team is that we can play with anybody and that we can beat anybody. I’m pretty sure the Phillies are the best team in baseball right now and we play them really well. If we believe in ourselves, I think it just shows that we can do whatever we want to.” Whatever they want to do this season can still include finishing with a winning record — a mark that seemed nearly impossible to reach two weeks ago. On Sept. 8, as the Nationals watched the rain cancel their game against the Dodgers and ensure they’d only play 161 games, they were 11 games under .500. A chance at finishing 81-80 was bleak. In the 13 games since, the Nationals have won 10 times — including seven straight on the road — and are aware that a 6-1 record over their remaining seven games will earn them the honor of being the only team in Nationals’ history to finish with more wins than losses. “I think that’s definitely something to shoot for,” Espinosa said. “I’ve said it before. I don’t care if it’s the end of the season. You play until the end and you try to get the best record that you can. You don’t just lay down the last month and let it go by. It’s definitely still a goal that’s very reachable, that we can be over .500.” “We know we’re not done yet,” Lannan said. “No one is packing it up yet. We want to get to .500. We want to finish the year strong.” Fueling Washington’s run has been a staff that’s seen one young pitcher after another impress. In staring down his Philadelphia demons Wednesday night, the 26-year-old lefty held the damage to two runs in a five-hit Phillies‘ second inning, when he escaped with the bases loaded. He surrendered just one more run over five innings. It wasn’t his best outing, but in his personal house of horrors, it was good enough for his 10th win of the season — the first time he’s reached that mark, and first-ever win inside Citizens Bank Park in seven tries. “I’ve had some tough times against the Phillies,” Lannan said. “Especially here. It was pretty big for me to come out here and battle through that second and third and get through five.” Aided by Espinosa’s home run, a two-run shot from Wilson Ramos in the second, along with what amounted to three insurance runs in the eighth inning and Henry Rodriguez’s first career save, the Nationals earned their ninth win against Philadelphia. Regardless of the outcome in their series finale Thursday, the Nationals cannot finish with a losing record in the season series. That has happened only once in their seven-year history. “I think we’ve played them as tough as anybody they’ve played,” said Nationals manager Davey Johnson. “I’m sure they’re fully aware of that. The last few games, [Phillies manager Charlie Manuel] has thrown everything at us. They’re not important games to them but they also want to end on a good note so, in a way, they are important games.” © Copyright 2011 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission. Feel free to leave your comments below. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
|
Nats hand Phillies fifth straight loss (AP) |
PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Davey Johnson had the best seat in the house when he His Nationals aren’t Amazin’ yet. But his young nucleus has .500 in sight and are no longer pushovers in the Danny Espinosa(notes) and Wilson Ramos(notes) each hit two-run home runs to help the Espinosa’s two-run shot in the sixth off Vance Worley(notes) (11-3) made it 4-3 as “The young guys are growing up and it’s fun to watch,” said Johnson, named The Nationals played like the team storming toward the postsesaon, not the The Phillies have been in a funk since they clinched their fifth straight The Phillies played again without right fielder Hunter Pence(notes) and first With postseason plans underway, the Phillies aren’t too worried about this “We definitely need to have our team ready and I plan on our team being They haven’t looked it against Washington. Backed by Espinosa’s go-ahead homer, the Nationals won their seventh John Lannan(notes) (10-13) allowed eight singles and three runs in five innings. “It feels good. I’ve run into some tough times here,” Lannan said. Henry Rodriguez(notes) worked the ninth for his first save. Worley had fit in nicely in a rotation that included Cliff Lee(notes), Roy He’ll be bumped to the bullpen for the playoffs and this was his last start “I’m still part of the team,” Worley said. “I’d rather come out of the Worley had a 43-inning streak this season without allowing a homer, but he The Phillies tied it at 2 in the second on five straight singles off Lannan. Raul Ibanez’s(notes) RBI single in the third put the Phillies up 3-2. That was all John Mayberry(notes) Jr. hit a two-run homer in the eighth for the Phillies that Howard and Pence have combined for 53 homers and the Phillies could have That kind of anemic run support will shift even more pressure to produce on Philadelphia’s top four hitters—Jimmy Rollins(notes), Shane Victorino(notes), Placido “I’m concerned about it,” Manuel said. “At the same time, I’ve seen them Ramos added an RBI single and Jonny Gomes(notes) had a sacrifice fly during Notes: The Nationals beat the Phillies for the eighth time in the last 10 Leave your comments on the news below. Posted in nationals-news | Comments Off
|
|
‘,
‘,
