ESPN.com first reported the swap Thursday.

A person with knowledge of the deal said Oakland will receive four players, including three top prospects: right-handers A.J. Cole and Brad Peacock, lefty Tom Milone and catcher Derek Norris. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the trade hadn’t been finalized, also said the Nationals would receive minor league right-hander Rob Gilliam from the A’s.

Gonzalez has been the subject of trade talk all offseason. Earlier this month, the A’s traded fellow top-tier starter Trevor Cahill to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The 26-year-old Gonzalez, drafted 38th overall by the Chicago White Sox in 2004, confirmed the trade to The Associated Press on Thursday. He went 16-12 last season — a career high for wins after he earned 15 victories in 2010 — with a 3.12 ERA in 32 starts and was selected to his first All-Star game. The left-hander has reached 200 innings the past two seasons.

“I love Oakland and appreciate them because they gave me a chance,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez would give the Nationals the reliable starter they’ve been seeking for two years to go along with young arms Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann. General manager Mike Rizzo made it a top priority last offseason to land another talented pitcher, and came through this time.

“I think we’re an outfield bat away and a starting pitcher away from really being a contender in the division,” he said late in the 2011 season.

Gonzalez was a big reason Oakland led the AL in ERA (3.56) and shutouts (17) in 2010 while holding opponents to a .245 batting average.

The Nationals went 80-81 this year to improve to third in the NL East after three straight last-place finishes in the five-team division.

A’s general manager Billy Beane is in rebuilding mode, stockpiling talent in the farm system with the hopes of the franchise getting the go ahead to build a new ballpark some 40 miles south in San Jose despite the San Francisco Giants owning the territorial rights to technology-rich Santa Clara County. Beane and owner Lew Wolff have said they expect to hear soon from Commissioner Bud Selig — and Beane said the unsettled stadium situation would affect him being able to sign free agents this winter.

The A’s (74-88) haven’t posted a winning record or earned a playoff berth since being swept in the 2006 AL championship series by Detroit.

Beane also sent reliever Craig Breslow to the defending NL West champion Diamondbacks this month. That came after reliever Brad Ziegler was traded to Arizona in July. The A’s appear to still be open to trading All-Star closer Andrew Bailey.

Peacock made his major league debut in September, pitching in three games with two starts — winning them both — to go 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA.

Milone also was a September call-up who made his debut in the big leagues. He went 1-0 with a 3.81 ERA in five starts. Milone was promoted after striking out 155 batters with just 16 walks this year at Triple-A Syracuse.

Norris has good power for a catcher. He hit 20 home runs for Double-A Harrisburg.

The 19-year-old Cole went 4-7 with a 4.04 ERA last season at Class-A Hagerstown.

Gilliam, the A’s eighth-round pick in 2009, went 12-7 with a 5.04 ERA and 156 strikeouts for Class-A Vancouver this year.

____

AP Sports Writer Joseph White in Washington contributed to this report.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — All-Star pitcher Gio Gonzalez said Thursday the Oakland Athletics have agreed to trade him to the Washington Nationals, and the deal is nearly finished.

“It’s 99 percent done,” Gonzalez said in a phone interview. “It’s pending a physical and I’m just waiting to hear from my agent.”

ESPN.com first reported the swap Thursday.

A person with knowledge of the deal said Oakland will receive four players, including three top prospects: right-handers A.J. Cole and Brad Peacock, lefty Tom Milone and catcher Derek Norris. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the trade hadn’t been finalized, also said the Nationals would receive minor league right-hander Rob Gilliam from the A’s.

Gonzalez has been the subject of trade talk all offseason. Earlier this month, the A’s traded fellow top-tier starter Trevor Cahill to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The 26-year-old Gonzalez, drafted 38th overall by the Chicago White Sox in 2004, confirmed the trade to The Associated Press on Thursday. He went 16-12 last season — a career high for wins after he earned 15 victories in 2010 — with a 3.12 ERA in 32 starts and was selected to his first All-Star game. The left-hander has reached 200 innings the past two seasons.

“I love Oakland and appreciate them because they gave me a chance,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez would give the Nationals the reliable starter they’ve been seeking for two years to go along with young arms Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann. General manager Mike Rizzo made it a top priority last offseason to land another talented pitcher, and came through this time.

“I think we’re an outfield bat away and a starting pitcher away from really being a contender in the division,” he said late in the 2011 season.

Gonzalez was a big reason Oakland led the AL in ERA (3.56) and shutouts (17) in 2010 while holding opponents to a .245 batting average.

The Nationals went 80-81 this year to improve to third in the NL East after three straight last-place finishes in the five-team division.

A’s general manager Billy Beane is in rebuilding mode, stockpiling talent in the farm system with the hopes of the franchise getting the go ahead to build a new ballpark some 40 miles south in San Jose despite the San Francisco Giants owning the territorial rights to technology-rich Santa Clara County. Beane and owner Lew Wolff have said they expect to hear soon from Commissioner Bud Selig — and Beane said the unsettled stadium situation would affect him being able to sign free agents this winter.

The A’s (74-88) haven’t posted a winning record or earned a playoff berth since being swept in the 2006 AL championship series by Detroit.

Beane also sent reliever Craig Breslow to the defending NL West champion Diamondbacks this month. That came after reliever Brad Ziegler was traded to Arizona in July. The A’s appear to still be open to trading All-Star closer Andrew Bailey.

Peacock made his major league debut in September, pitching in three games with two starts — winning them both — to go 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA.

Milone also was a September call-up who made his debut in the big leagues. He went 1-0 with a 3.81 ERA in five starts. Milone was promoted after striking out 155 batters with just 16 walks this year at Triple-A Syracuse.

Norris has good power for a catcher. He hit 20 home runs for Double-A Harrisburg.

The 19-year-old Cole went 4-7 with a 4.04 ERA last season at Class-A Hagerstown.

Gilliam, the A’s eighth-round pick in 2009, went 12-7 with a 5.04 ERA and 156 strikeouts for Class-A Vancouver this year.

____

AP Sports Writer Joseph White in Washington contributed to this report.

The Washington Nationals are dangling some top prospects as they attempt to pry coveted left-hander Gio Gonzalez from the Oakland A’s, MLB.com reported Wednesday.

The deal reportedly is a priority for the Nationals, who would give up four players including right-handed pitcher Brad Peacock and catcher Derek Norris.

Peacock, 23, was 15-3 with a 2.39 earned-run average at double-A and triple-A this year. Norris, 22, had an off-year at the plate, hitting just .210, but had 20 homers.

The Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox are also in the mix for Gonzalez, 26, who was 16-12 this past season with a 3.12 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 202 innings.

Roy Oswalt, a 34-year-old right-hander, is said to be a secondary target for both the Nationals and Red Sox.

RANGERS ADD CATCHING HELP

The Texas Rangers added catching depth Wednesday, trading pitcher Ryan Kelly to the San Diego Padres for Luis Martinez.

Martinez, 26, was added to the Rangers’ major-league roster, joining fellow catchers Mike Napoli and Yorvit Torrealba. Martinez played in 22 games over three stints with San Diego in 2011, hitting .203 with one home run and 10 RBI. In 58 games at triple-A Tucson, Martinez batted .323 with one homer and 28 RBI.

Kelly, 24, went 3-6 with a 3.95 ERA in 40 appearances (five starts) for single-A Myrtle Beach in 2011.

CUBS KNOCK ON WOOD

The Chicago Cubs have acquired left-hander Travis Wood from the Cincinnati Reds in a trade that hinges on all four players involved passing physicals, ESPN.com reported Wednesday.

The Cubs will get Wood — who fills a spot in the back end of their rotation — and two minor-leaguers for left-handed reliever Sean Marshall, 29.

Wood, who turns 25 in February, was 6-6 with 4.84 ERA in 18 starts last season with the Reds.

The Cubs opted for Wood over Canadian left-hander Jeff Francis, a free agent. Francis, who turns 31 in January, had been involved in talks with the Cubs, ESPN.com said.

The Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners and Colorado Rockies also are reported to have interest in Francis, who was 6-16 with a 4.82 ERA last season for the Kansas City Royals.

BUCKNER TO BOISE, NOT BOSTON

Former Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner, rumoured to be heading back to Boston as a coach, instead will become the hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs’ single-A affiliate in Boise, Idaho.

New Boston manager Bobby Valentine had wanted to hire Buckner for his staff, but the team’s front office resisted, ESPN.com said.

Bucker, who now lives in Boise, was the hitting coach with the Chicago White Sox in 1996 and ’97.

EX-JAY BACK IN WINDY CITY

Outfielder Reed Johnson agreed to a one-year deal Wednesday with the Chicago Cubs, pending a physical.

“I think I’m at home here with the Cubs,” Johnson told ESPN.com. “I talked to (new manager) Dale Sveum for an hour. This is a very smart guy, who I think we’ll all enjoy playing for. He’s a baseball guy. He understands the little things, as far as winning on a daily basis.

“I’m just happy coming back to a great organization and a great city, where I’ve grown to be comfortable.”

Johnson, 35, batted .309 with five homers in 111 games for the Cubs in 2011.

He was a popular outfielder with the Toronto Blue Jays for five seasons, 2003-07.

BRIEFLY

The Kansas City Royals have signed reliever Jose Mijares to a one-year contract. The 27-year-old left-hander appeared in 58 games for the Minnesota Twins last season, with an 0-2 record and a 4.59 ERA … Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario is facing a 25-game suspension for violating MLB’s drug policy, the Los Angeles Times reports. The right-hander missed last season because he was unable to obtain a visa to return to the U.S. from Venezuela … Jerry Royster has been hired as third-base coach of the Boston Red Sox, joining new manager Bobby Valentine’s staff. Royster and Valentine have known each other since being drafted two years apart by the Los Angeles Dodgers but never played together … The Cleveland Indians have signed infielder Andy LaRoche to a minor-league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. LaRoche, 28, hit .247 in 40 games with the Oakland A’s in 2011 … The Washington Nationals have claimed third baseman Carlos Rivero off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies. Rivero, 23, hit .275 with 15 homers last season, playing mostly at double-A Reading … The Milwaukee Brewers have signed infielder Cesar Izturis, 31, to a minor-league contract, Fox Sports reports. The Brewers announced they’ve also signed left-hander Juan Perez, 33, to a minor-league deal.

Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos has been found alive by Venezuelan police Thursday morning, according to the police’s Twitter feed. “State law enforcement officials confirm ballplayer Ramos alive,” it said.

NBC Sports reports that the kidnappers have yet to contact his family with a ransom request and that the abduction appeared to be the first case involving a Major League Baseball player.

Ramos, 24, who just finished his rookie season with the Nationals (batting .267 with 15 homeruns and 52 RBIs), was kidnapped from the Ramos family home in the Santa Ines district of Valencia, Venezuela Wednesday evening. He was taken away in an orange Chevrolet Captiva SUV by four armed men, according to the Twitter account of the spokeswoman for his Venezuelan League team, the Aragua Tigers.

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Venezuelan police found the kidnappers’ SUV Thursday morning abandoned in the Montalbán neighborhood of the small city of Bejuma about 25 miles west from Valencia and were gathering evidence, Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami told reporters. Aissami also said that the discovery was an important clue that could help authorities track down Ramos.

The Nationals and Major League Baseball said the league’s Department of Investigations was working in collaboration with Venezuelan authorities.

“Our foremost concern is with Wilson Ramos and his family and our thoughts are with them at this time,” MLB and the Nationals said in a joint statement. The statement said the ballclub and league had “been instructed to make no further comment.”

Ramos, a centerpiece to a rising Nationals team, had recently returned to his homeland to play winter league ball for the Aragua Tigers, and was even slated to play his first game with the team on Thursday, according to NBC Sports. It comes during a time of growing crimes in a country riddled with a violent history of kidnappings. It has especially garnered media attention because of baseball’s and, by extension Ramos’s, popularity.

El Aissami said that evidence-collection teams had been at the abduction scene since Ramos was kidnapped Wednesday evening and that “the best kidnapping investigators” were searching for a lead that would take them to Ramos.

“We have the duty to find who is responsible and to rescue this countryman of ours, safe and sound,” El Aissami said.

According to The Washington Post, family friend Marfa Mata said on her Twitter account late Thursday morning that the Ramos family had yet to hear from the kidnappers and urged the public to stay calm.

“We don’t have any information,” wrote Mata, who helped Ramos adapt to the United States when he arrived to play in the minor leagues for the Minnesota Twins. “The kidnapers haven’t called yet. Please, we must keep calm.”

The kidnapping of Ramos even led some Venezuelans to call for the suspension of at least Thursday’s games. However, that won’t happen.

“Turning off the lights is not the solution,” said Jose Grasso Vecchio, the president of the league, to The Post. “The professional baseball league is not planning it.”

The Post also reports that about a dozen players who played in the Nationals’ organization in 2011, mostly minor leaguers, remained in Venezuela, where they are playing for their winter ball teams.

Minor league pitcher Ryan Tatusko, one of the Nationals’ players in Venezuela, said the Nationals called him first thing Thursday morning to ensure he was safe. The Nationals are going to inform him “ASAP” if he’s staying or leaving the country, Tatusko said.

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BY JAMES JAHNKE

DETROIT FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

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The Washington Nationals have agreed to
terms with pitcher Chien-Ming Wang on a contract for the 2012 season.

The team did not release financial terms of the agreement, but the Washington
Post reported Thursday it is worth $4 million plus performance bonuses.

Wang made 11 starts for Washington this past season after missing most of 2009
and the entire 2010 campaign due to foot and shoulder problems. He had a 4-3
record with a 4.04 earned run average, including 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA in his
last nine starts.

“I am elated that Chien-Ming Wang will be with us in Washington again in
2012,” said Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo in a statement. “I was very
pleased with his progress and overall production last year and am anxious to
see what he can do with a completely healthy offseason at his disposal. Beyond
Wang’s on-field results, everyone in our clubhouse admires his professional
demeanor and appreciates the personal sacrifices he’s endured to regain full
health. He is a great example for all of us.”

The native of Taiwan had not pitched in the big leagues since July 4, 2009
while with the New York Yankees. Over five seasons in the Bronx, Wang went
55-26 with a 4.16 ERA and had 1.34 walks/hits per inning pitched.

“I am appreciative of the opportunity and all the support the Nationals gave
me to make the comeback,” said Wang. “I am excited about next season, playing
together with my teammates, and look forward to doing my best to help the
Nationals to the playoffs.”

The 31-year-old right-hander recorded consecutive 19-win seasons in 2006-07.
However, he made just 24 starts over the next two years because of injuries.

©2011 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Read More: Chien-Ming Wang (P – WAS), Jordan Zimmermann (P – WAS), Stephen Strasburg (P – WAS), New York Yankees, Washington Nationals

It looks like the Washington Nationals have indeed re-signed Chien-Ming Wang, according to multiple reports by several local media members. The deal is pending a physical, according to Ben Goessling of MASN Sports, who had the news first. Wang will receive a one-year contract, according to reports from several local beat writers. The amount of money Wang will make is still unclear.

UPDATE: Wang will make $4 million, according to Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman.

Wang has been with the Nationals for two years, but spent most of that time rehabbing reconstructive shoulder surgery. He appeared in 11 games in the second half of last season, going 4-3 with a 4.04 ERA. The Nationals envision him as a back-of-the-rotation starter behind Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann. The 31-year old is best known for his work with the New York Yankees, whom he pitched for during the first five years of his MLB career.

For more on Wang and the rest of the Washington Nationals, visit Federal Baseball.

Chien-Ming Wang has agreed in principle to a 1-year deal with the Washington Nationals according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. It was reported earlier that a deal was close. Heyman tweeted the news a little while ago.

Nats, Wang have agreed in principle on a 1-year deal

Wang spent much of last season with the Washington Nationals, starting 11 games with a 4-3 record and a 4.04 ERA. Wang is expected to be a back end of the rotation type of pitcher that can eat innings and not put the bullpen in the game early. Wang has been with the Nationals organization since 2009. In 2009, Wang spent much of the season on rehabilitation assignments in the minor leagues. The Nationals hope Chien-Ming Wang can remain healthy and give them more of what he did in his 11 starts during the 2010 season.

For more on the Washington Nationals, visit SB Nation’s Nationals blog Federal Baseball.

The New York Yankees have Luis Ayala, who pitched for the team for five seasons, three of them in Washington. He was an important part of that wonderful inaugural 2005 squad, going 8-7 with a 2.66 ERA out of the bullpen, but his remaining years were injury-plagued.

The Philadelphia Phillies have Brian Schneider as their backup catcher. Schneider played eight seasons with the team — three in Washington — and also was a key figure on that 2005 team and one of the franchise’s most popular players during his time in a Nationals uniform.

Then there is Endy Chavez, who once seemed as if he would be the Nationals’ leadoff hitter going into the 2005 season. The outfielder spent four years with the team but just seven games in a Nationals uniform. Still, he has gone on to have a solid 10-year major league career and batted .301 in 83 games for the Texas Rangers this year.

The jackpot, though, for ex-Nationals in the postseason is the Milwaukee Brewers, who were led to the playoffs by former Nats center fielder Nyjer Morgan. Morgan was a fan favorite when he arrived in Washington from Pittsburgh in the middle of the 2009 season but fought, talked and played his way out of favor in 2010.

Then there’s Jerry Hairston Jr., a Nationals infielder/outfielder for just 75 games this year before he was sent to Milwaukee at the trade deadline for a minor leaguer.

The third Nationals player in Milwaukee is reliever Marco Estrada, who appeared in 15 forgettable games for Washington in 2008 and 2009 but was part of the Brewers’ bullpen this season, posting a 4.08 ERA in 43 games.

Much has been made over the years of the ex-Cubs factor on a baseball roster, the notion being that the more former Cubs you have, the less likely your team will enjoy postseason success. The “Curse of the Billy Goat” apparently is contagious.

There has been no such vibe about an ex-Nationals curse, other than the logical conclusion that if you have a significant amount of players from the Nationals on your roster, you must not be very good.

There has been just one player who wore a Nationals uniform and then left to win a World Series championship — backup catcher Gary Bennett, who played in 68 games for Washington in 2005, batting .221.

He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals the following year and was part of the World Series winning team in 2006. But the success of ex-Nationals in the playoffs ends there.

The Brewers — with three former Nationals — could make a big leap forward for the Washington National alumni association.

Examiner columnist Thom Loverro is the co-host of “The Sports Fix” from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on ESPN980 and espn980.com. Contact him at tloverro@washingtonexaminer.com.

(Sports Network) – Right-handed phenom Stephen Strasburg makes his second
post-surgery start for the Washington Nationals today when they close out a
three-game series with the Houston Astros at Nationals Park.

The No. 1 overall pick out of San Diego State University in 2009, Strasburg
burst onto the major-league scene in 2010 and won five of eight decisions in
12 starts – striking out 92 batters in just 68 innings – before an elbow
injury shut him down prematurely.

He underwent ligament replacement surgery and returned to the mound in the
minors, going 1-1 with a 3.54 earned run average across six starts from
Single-A to Triple-A, where he struck out 29 batters in 20 1/3 innings.

Strasburg got back to the majors on Sept. 6 against Los Angeles and held the
Dodgers to only two hits in five scoreless innings, walking none and striking
out four in a game the Nationals ultimately lost, 7-3.

The 23-year-old has never faced the Astros.

On Saturday, Carlos Corporan drove in three runs as Houston downed the
Nationals, 9-3. Jason Bourgeois went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored
while Chris Johnson and Angel Sanchez each scored twice for the Astros, who
had lost six of seven.

Wandy Rodriguez (11-10) gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings to
get the win.

Chris Marrero drove in a pair of runs for the Nationals, who have lost three
of four.

John Lannan (9-12) was tagged for six runs — four earned — on eight
hits in just 2 1/3 innings.

For the Astros, rookie righty Henry Sosa makes his seventh big-league start
today.

An undrafted free-agent of the San Francisco Giants in 2004, Sosa debuted in
the majors on Aug. 10 at Arizona and allowed six hits and four runs over six
innings in a 6-3 loss to the Diamondbacks.

He was winless in his initial three starts overall, but has gone 2-1 in three
outings since while allowing just four runs on 12 hits in 18 innings.

The 26-year-old, who has never faced the Nationals. has 26 strikeouts and has
given up 16 runs in 35 overall innings.

The Astros took two of three over the Nationals on July 18-20, but lost three
of four in Washington a season ago.

The Sports Network

WASHINGTON (AP) – Wade Miley threw six scoreless innings to get his first major league victory, and Chris Young and Paul Goldschmidt homered as the Arizona Diamondbacks ended their road trip with an overdue burst of offense Thursday night in an 8-1 win over the Washington Nationals.

Miley (1-1) allowed five hits, struck out four and walked four in his second game in the majors. The 24-year-old left-hander repeatedly worked out of trouble _ allowing two men to reach base in four of the first five innings _ but he mixed his low 90s fastball with a generous dose of offspeed pitches to keep the Nationals in check.

The Diamondbacks relied heavily on their pitching to win the last three of a 4-6 road trip, salvaging a stretch in which their offense was mostly traveling elsewhere.

(Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

More than 44,000 fans packed Nationals Park in the Nation’s Capital in the second game of the three-game set. Unfortunately for Nationals followers, they were far outnumbered by the Phillies fanatics who traveled down I-95 to see their favorite team.

I guess the Nationals’ organization isn’t that concerned about it since a huge crowd brings in a lot of money, even if they are cheering against the home team. But for the Washington, D.C., sports fans who are very passionate about their teams, the sight of Phillies fans invading their home stadium can’t feel too great.

It’s not like this is Florida, where sports are a second-thought to partying on South Beach or visiting Disney World. This is Washington, one of the major cities in the sports-crazed Northeast. A city that follows the Redskins year in and year out despite the team not advancing to an NFC title game since 1992.

Yes, I know the Nationals have been pretty awful in their six-year existence. But you would think a passionate sports town like Washington would be able muster more than the Nationals’ average attendance of 24,000 per game this season.

I guess until hyped prospects Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper are regulars on the Nationals’ roster, the team will just have to rely on the Presidents mascot race and games against the Phillies to bring excitement to the ballpark.

Well even if they are rooting for two different teams, there is one thing Phillies and Nationals fans can agree on. Jayson Werth, who is currently batting .232 with 129 strikeouts in his first season with Washington, won’t be getting any standing ovations in the near future. 

(Sports Network) – The Arizona Diamondbacks probably have their sights set
on getting back to the desert, but must finish business on the road tonight in
the finale of a four-game series against the Washington Nationals.

This 10-game road trip hasn’t been so fun for the Diamondbacks and their 3-6
record on the quest is more than proof. Luckily, the subpar trek still has the
club two games ahead of San Francisco in the National League West standings.

Arizona made it two straight wins after a six-game slide with Wednesday’s 4-2
win in the third installment of this series. Ian Kennedy pitched well in
Tuesday’s victory with seven shutout frames and Daniel Hudson followed last
night with a gem of his own, holding the Nationals to a pair of runs in 8 2/3
innings of work.

Laynce Nix and Jonny Gomes hit back-to-back homers off of Hudson in the ninth,
so J.J. Putz got the last out for his 32nd save. It would have been Hudson’s
first-career shutout.

“I wanted him to finish it out, but he gave up back-to-back home runs,”
Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. “J.J.’s done a great job in that role. It
was a no-brainer.”

Miguel Montero drove in two runs and Lyle Overbay collected an RBI for the
D’Backs, who will return to Chase Field to host San Diego and Colorado after
this set at Nationals Park. Justin Upton went 1-for-3 with a run scored and
was back in the lineup after leaving Tuesday’s game due to a sore elbow from a
pitch by Jordan Zimmermann.

“I was a little upset about it,” Upton said on the club’s site. “My thing is,
man, control your pitches. I don’t know if you were trying to hit me or not,
but control your pitches. Obviously, I know what their plan is, they’re going
to try to come inside. So be it.”

On an interesting note, the D’Backs didn’t take batting practice for a second
straight night and they have won both times. Gibson said there won’t be any
pre-game swings either for Thursday’s series finale.

Youngster Wade Miley probably hopes the no BP rule will remain in effect when
he makes his second career start tonight. His first major league start didn’t
go so well, as the lefty gave up five runs and seven hits in four innings of
Saturday’s 8-1 loss at Atlanta. He struck out five and walked two batters.

Miley, the club’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2010, was 4-1 with a
3.64 ERA in eight starts for the Triple-A Reno Aces and is taking the rotation
spot left open by Jason Marquis, who landed on the disabled list with a
fractured right fibula.

Washington has lost two in a row and three of five games, but is a decent 5-4
on a 10-game homestand. Livan Hernandez was rattled for four runs and seven
hits over 7 1/3 innings to absorb the loss, falling to 7-12 on the season.

“I take responsibility for that one,” Nats manager Davey Johnson said on the
club’s website. “He was really pitching a great game and when he’s good, he’s
really good. I had it in my mind that if he gives me seven, I’m getting him
out of there. I balked. He got into trouble and couldn’t get out of it.”

Nix and Gomes hit the late homers and Ian Desmond collected three hits for the
Nationals, who didn’t have outfielder Jayson Werth in the lineup because of a
groin strain. Werth suffered the injury on Tuesday and is day-to-day. Third
baseman Ryan Zimmerman went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and saw his streak of
reaching base safely stop at 29 games. He batted .407 during the run that
started on July 22.

John Lannan has a strong career mark against Arizona, going 3-1 with a 1.04
earned run average in four starts, but is just 1-3 in his previous five trips
to the hill overall. In Saturday’s 5-0 loss versus Philadelphia, Lannan was
reached for five runs – three earned – in five innings. He is 8-9 in 26 starts
to go along with a 3.61 ERA.

Lannan, a lefty, is 4-5 in 13 outings at Nationals Park this season.

Arizona and Washington split a two-game series at Chase Field from June 2-5.

The Sports Network

By Sports Direct

It was an unconventional way to win a game
but the Washington Nationals will surely take it.

After erasing a ninth-inning deficit for the second time in three days, the
Nationals loaded the bases in the 10th against Philadelphia’s Brad Lidge
(0-1), who allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base.

Ryan Zimmerman, the hero from Friday night with a walkoff grand slam, doubled
to start the frame and Jayson Werth singled after Lidge intentionally walked
Michael Morse. The veteran reliever struck out Danny Espinosa before hitting
Jonny Gomes with a pitch on the left elbow, sending the Nationals to a 5-4
victory.

The hit batsman made a winner out of Sean Burnett (4-5).

The Phillies lost their first road series since dropping two of three in
Seattle from June 17-19.

“During a 162-game schedule you’re going to give up [the lead] every now and
then. You don’t want to see it, but at the same time that’s part of it,”
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

Philadelphia had won their previous eight series as the visiting club and
taken a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning on Sunday.

Raul Ibanez drew a one-out walk and scored after Carlos Ruiz and Michael
Martinez hit back-to-back singles off Drew Storen.

Antonio Bastardo struck out the first two batters in the bottom of the inning
before Ian Desmond drove a 1-2 pitch to the left-field seats. It was the first
blown save of the season for the Phillies’ left-hander.

“Bastardo and I go back a little bit,” Desmond said. “Once he moved my feet on
the pitch before I knew he was going to come back with it. I just wanted to
catch it out in front, and fortunately I did and caught the barrel on it.”

Washington jumped out to a 2-0 in the first inning against Philadelphia
starter Roy Halladay.

Desmond led off with a double, took third on Rick Ankiel’s infield single and
scored on Zimmerman’s sacrifice fly. Espinosa singled home Ankiel later in the
frame.

The Phillies quickly tied the game as Ruiz belted a two-run homer off
Nationals starter Chien-Ming Wang in the top of the second.

A solo blast by Chase Utley gave Philadelphia a 3-2 lead in the third.

The game featured a one hour, 11 minute rain delay in the top of the sixth.

Michael Schwimer replaced Halladay on the mound for Philadelphia in the bottom
of the sixth. Two pitches into his major league debut, Schwimer surrendered a
game-tying home run to Espinosa.

Game Notes

Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins left Sunday’s game in the third inning with a
right groin strain. He is listed as day-to-day…Halladay gave up seven hits
with five strikeouts in five innings. He had won each of his last 10 starts
against the Washington/Montreal franchise…Wang allowed five hits in 5 2/3
innings…Utley, who moved passed Johnny Callison into sole possession of 10th
place on the Phillies’ all-time home run list (186), went deep for the first
time since July 29…Zimmerman was 2-for-4 and now has now reached base
safely in 27 consecutive games for Washington.

©2011 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

By: SportsDirect

The Washington Nationals signed all their top picks in the 2011 MLB Draft in the wee hours leading up to the midnight signing deadline. Anthony Rendon, the No. 6 overall pick in the draft, was the big guy to sign, but the Nationals also signed their top four picks beyond Rendon, the team announced. That list includes first-round pick Alex Meyer, sandwich pick Brian Goodwin, third-round pick Matt Purke and fourth-round pick Kylin Turnbull.

Meyer, a pitcher from Kentucky, received a $2 million bonus, according to Baseball America’s John Manuel. Goodwin, an outfielder from Miami Dade College in Florida, received a staggering $3 million bonus, according to Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman. Purke, meanwhile, received even more than that, signing for around $4 million, which is less than originally reported. There was a good chance that Purke would return to college, so the Nationals were forced to ante up for him.

Ultimately, the Nationals spent anywhere from $16 to $17 million on their first five draft picks, according to reports. Once again, they are showing they are committed to spending at the MLB Draft.

For more on the 2011 MLB Draft and the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball.

(Sports Network) – Righty Jordan Zimmermann aims to continue a recently
effective stretch tonight, when the Washington Nationals continue a three-game
series with the Houston Astros with game two at Minute Maid Park.

The 25-year-old Wisconsin native has allowed more than two earned runs just
once in his last 10 starts while trimming his season earned run average to
2.66 after 115 innings.

He tossed 6 1/3 innings of scoreless, four-hit ball in his most recent outing
on July 10 against Colorado, walking none and striking out six in a 2-0
victory.

In the nine previous outings, he allowed zero earned runs three times, one
earned run twice and two earned runs on three occasions.

He’s 3-3 in 10 road starts in 2011 and lost his lone career start against the
Astros after allowing four runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings.

For Houston, lefty J.A. Happ tries again to end a winless drought that has now
reached 10 starts.

A 12-game winner in 2009, Happ was 3-4 this season after a 7-3 defeat of the
New York Mets on May 14. He’s 0-7 in the 10 outings since, including a 5-0
loss at Florida on July 7.

The Astros have lost each of the 10 games, scoring three runs or less seven
times.

He is 2-5 in 10 home starts in 2011 and 3-0 in nine career meetings with the
Nationals, including three starts. In 23 2/3 innings, he’s allowed 14 hits and
three earned runs, walking 15 batters and striking out 20.

On Monday, Ryan Zimmerman hit a solo home run and his RBI single in the ninth
inning sent Washington to a 5-2 win.

Laynce Nix bounced a ball over the head of first baseman Carlos Lee, resulting
in two more ninth inning runs, as the Nationals rebounded from a 9-8 walk-off
loss to the Braves on Sunday.

Zimmerman’s hit off Jordan Lyles prevented the rookie from possibly getting
his first major league victory. Lyles (0-5) gave up five hits and was charged
with four runs before leaving the game with one out in the ninth inning.

The Astros, who fell to 2-12 this month and a major league-worst 31-65, got an
RBI apiece from Lee and Carlos Corporan.

Jason Marquis (8-4) snapped a five-start winless stretch by fanning nine
batters over eight innings.

Drew Storen fanned three batters in the bottom of the ninth to get his 25th
save.

The Nationals and Astros split eight meetings last year, but Houston did win
three of four at home.

The Sports Network

By: SportsDirect

Read More: Michael Bourn (CF – HOU), Todd Coffey (P – WAS), B.J. Upton (CF – TAM), Tyler Clippard (P – WAS), Denard Span (CF – MIN), Colby Rasmus (CF – STL), Ian Desmond (SS – WAS), Danny Espinosa (2B – WAS), Drew Storen (P – WAS)

The Washington Nationals have popped up in the latest MLB trade rumors as we get closer to the MLB trade deadline. The Nationals sit around the .500 mark and may end up being sellers at the trade deadline just like last year. According to a report by FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Nationals may be willing to deal All-Star reliever Tyler Clippard or closer Drew Storen.

Numerous teams are calling on the Nationals’ two top relievers, closer Drew Storen and setup man Tyler Clippard, as well as a lesser right-hander, Todd Coffey, major-league sources say.

The Nats are listening on Storen and Clippard, but will trade one of them only if they can improve long-term by filling a specific need, according to one source with knowledge of the club’s thinking.

The Nationals aren’t going to give them away for mere prospects, though, according to Rosenthal. Instead, they are looking for a long-term center fielder, someone like B.J. Upton, Michael Bourn, Colby Rasmus or Denard Span.

Rosenthal also reports that the Nationals may consider dealing shortstop Ian Desmond and moving Danny Espinosa to second base.