May 25, 2013

Washington Nationals Game 48 Review: Zimmermann shuts down Phillies in Nats’ 5-2 win

May 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Jordan Zimmermann (W, 8-2) proved a dominant force once more as the Washington Nationals (25-23) shut down the Philadelphia Phillies (23-25), 5-2, Friday night in their return to Nationals Park.

After dropping six of 10 games out west, the Nats needed Zimmermann to deliver on a night where the wind blew hard from center, erasing all hope for the long-ball.

While Mother Nature opted to keep the ball in the infield, the Phillies made due with grounders and slow rollers in the second to step in front with a 1-0 lead by way of a Ryan Howard double and a Domonic Brown single. [Read more...]

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Wizards Nab Third Pick in 2013 NBA Draft

May 22, 2013 by 1 Comment

The NBA announced Tuesday night that the Washington Wizards received the third overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, taking place June 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Wizards entered the Draft Lottery with a 4.79 percent chance of receiving the third overall pick and were originally slotted to pick eighth prior to the unveiling of the draft order.

“We have recently been able to use the draft to form a potent backcourt in John Wall and Bradley Beal that we envision leading us for years to come,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld.  “We are thrilled to be able to add in another young talent with the third pick in this year’s draft and are very optimistic about what our team can accomplish moving forward.” [Read more...]

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Washington Nationals Game 44 Review: Padres tally 13 runs against Nationals’ rocky pitching

May 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Dan Haren (L, 4-5) lasted but five innings and gave up seven runs as the Washington Nationals (23-21) fell 13-4 to the San Diego Padres (20-23) Sunday afternoon at Petco Park.

The Nats went down in order in the first against right-hander Andrew Cashner (W, 3-2), but the Padres by no means returned the favor.

Everth Cabrera led off  the bottom of the inning with a single and stole second base before Chase Headley walked to give the Padres first and second with one out. Carlos Quentin doubled in Cabrera and Yonder Alonso brought home Headley on a sacrifice fly to quickly make it 2-0 San Diego. Before Haren could regain control, however, Jedd Gyorko – who’s hit hard off the Nats this series – doubled on a sharp grounder to left to make it 3-0. [Read more...]

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Washington Nationals Game 43 Review: Nats lack run support needed to hand Zimmermann win

May 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Jordan Zimmermann (L, 7-2) allowed just two runs in his third complete game of the season, but the Washington Nationals (23-20) came up with just four hits in their 2-1 loss to the San Diego Padres (19-23).

Left-hander Eric Stults (4-3) no-hit the Nationals through five innings and, in eight innings pitched, he allowed only one run to score.

Both Zimmermann and Stults were so effective that it took them only 85 and 89 pitches respectively to work through eight innings.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Padres took an early lead in the form of a solo shot by Yonder Alonso. The one-run advantage appeared larger than most with Stults’s near-perfect performance. [Read more...]

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Washington Nationals Game 41 Review: Strasburg pitches gem in native San Diego

May 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Righty phenom Stephen Strasburg (W, 2-5) allowed just three hits over a career-high eight innings in the Washington Nationals’ 6-2 win over the San Diego Padres (18-22) at Petco Park Thursday night.

Perhaps, the secret to returning Strasburg to true form was to allow him the opportunity to return home.

In front of 50 members of his family who attended the ballgame, Strasburg took command of his pitching arsenal in his native San Diego. He powered through 117 pitches, 68 of which were strikes, and allowed only one earned run and two walks to cap off his personal losing streak at five games.

Perhaps more importantly, the Nationals’ batting order finally provided Strasburg with run support. [Read more...]

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Washington Nationals Game 40 Review: Detwiler, Ramos suffer injuries in Nats’ 3-1 loss to Dodgers

May 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The Washington Nationals (21-19) have unquestionably struggled on offense as of late and, in his first start since April 11, right-hander Zack Greinke (W, 2-0) showed little remorse, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 win Wednesday night.

The matchup marked Greinke’s first start since he fractured his left clavicle in a brawl with San Diego Padres outfielder Carlos Quentin. Greinke showed no signs of a struggle as he allowed just five hits and one run over 5.1 innings pitched. He struck out four batters and tossed 50 of 83 pitches for strikes. [Read more...]

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Washington Nationals Game 39 Review: Clayton Kershaw tosses 132 pitches to shut down Nats

May 15, 2013 by 7 Comments

Dan Haren (L, 4-4) was sharp for the better part of seven innings, but Clayton Kershaw (W, 4-2) made it his day to shine, holding the Washington Nationals (21-18) to just five hits and one walk in 8.2 innings in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ (16-22) 2-0 win Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

Kershaw reached the 1,000-inning mark, making it official that he now boasts the best ERA (2.70) among starters with 1,000 or more innings pitched in the Live Ball Era. Kershaw struck out 11 batters and reached a career-high 132 pitches against a Nats lineup that featured a very different outfield from the norm. [Read more...]

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Bradley Beal Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team

May 14, 2013 by 1 Comment

The NBA announced Tuesday that Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal has been named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. With the announcement, Beal becomes the 15th rookie in franchise history to receive NBA All-Rookie First Team honors.

Beal appeared in 56 games during the 2012-2013 season, including 46 starts. Beal’s season was cut short due to a stress injury in his right fibula.
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Washington Nationals Game 37 Review: Suzuki’s error proves costly as Cubs top Nats 2-1

May 12, 2013 by 1 Comment

For the second day in a row, the Washington Nationals (20-17) were reminded of why, in baseball, it all comes down to the fundamentals.

With the Chicago Cubs (15-22) and Nats tied 1-1 in the ninth, Alfonso Soriano led off against Rafael Soriano with a single to left before pinch-hitter Julio Borbon followed up with a single of his own. With one out, the Cubs successfully ran the double steal with Wellington Castillo batting. Much to the Nats’ misfortune, however, Kurt Suzuki threw so far left of third base on the play that he bounced the ball into foul territory, allowing Alfonso Soriano to score the only go-ahead run the Cubs would need.
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Washington Nationals Game 36 Review: Strasburg unravels after Zimmerman error in Nats’ loss to Cubs

May 11, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The Washington Nationals (20-16) were reminded once more what a difference an error can make as they fell 8-2 to the Chicago Cubs (14-22) Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park.

Stephen Strasburg (L, 1-5) looked the best he’s been all season to start the game, retiring the first 11 batters he faced in a row before giving up a single to Anthony Rizzo in the fourth. [Read more...]

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