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Nationals Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Mon, 12 May 2008 03:38:35 PDT

Luis Ayala has been the most durable reliever in baseball this season, leading the majors with 23 appearances out of the bullpen. But the Nationals' right-hander is showing signs of cracking, the latest example coming in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Marlins.

Ayala entered in the eighth inning with Washington ahead 4-2 and gave the game away. He failed to cover first base on Alfredo Amezaga's grounder to the right side, then served up a two-run homer to Jeremy Hermida on his next pitch. Moments later, Ayala was taken deep by Dan Uggla, the go-ahead homer that dealt Washington its third straight loss.

Ayala hasn't appeared to be himself for the last week. He's now been scored upon in four of his last five outings, giving up nine runs over that span.

Uggla hits two home runs to lead Marlins over Nationals (AP)

Sun, 11 May 2008 15:24:19 PDT

Dan Uggla has no explanation for his sudden power surge. Uggla's second home run on Sunday was a go-ahead drive in the eighth inning that lifted the Florida Marlins to their seventh straight win, 5-4 over the Washington Nationals. Uggla had seven RBIs and three homers in the final two games of Florida's three-game series sweep; he hit a grand slam and had five RBIs Saturday.

Nationals option LHP O'Connor (PA SportsTicker)

Sun, 11 May 2008 14:45:54 PDT

The Washington Nationals optioned lefthander Mike O'Connor to Class AAA Columbus following Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Florida Marlins.

Nationals send O'Connor to Columbus, recall Schroder (AP)

Sun, 11 May 2008 14:03:39 PDT

The Nationals optioned left-hander Mike O'Connor to Triple-A Columbus after Washington's 5-4 loss to the Florida Marlins on Sunday and recalled right-hander Chris Schroder from the Clippers. O'Connor allowed nine runs in 3 1-3 innings in Washington's 11-0 loss to Florida on Saturday and was 1-1 with a 13.00 ERA in five games.

Uggla drives in 5 to lead Marlins to win (AP)

Sat, 10 May 2008 20:56:41 PDT

The Florida Marlins aren't shocked by their fast start. "You don't hear anybody saying 'We're in first place,"' catcher Matt Treanor said after Florida routed the Washington Nationals 11-0 on Saturday night for its sixth straight win. "We're not surprised at all." Dan Uggla drove in five runs and Andrew Miller allowed two hits in seven innings for the NL East-leading Marlins (22-14), who are eight...

Young to start rehab assignment (AP)

Sat, 10 May 2008 16:29:37 PDT

Out since early April with a sprained lower back, Dmitri Young is ready to begin a rehab assignment. "He'll go to (Double-A) Harrisburg on Tuesday. We'll play him at first base, and then his performance will dictate how quickly he'll get back up," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. "He's doing extremely well." Young, who signed a minor league deal in 2007 after a troubled past, led the...

Marlins win 5th straight, beat Nationals 7-3 (AP)

Fri, 09 May 2008 20:52:34 PDT

For young and old, winning is getting contagious for the Florida Marlins, whether it's 25-year-old Ricky Nolasco making his best start of the year or 40-year-old Luis Gonzalez clearing the bases to surpass 1,400 RBIs. Nolasco broke a personal three-game losing streak with six strong innings, and Gonzalez blew the game open with a three-run double in the sixth Friday night as the Marlins ran their...

Dukes back with Nationals (AP)

Fri, 09 May 2008 16:59:29 PDT

Elijah Dukes' first spin with the Washington Nationals lasted all of one day. He was in the starting lineup on opening night when he injured his right hamstring, forcing a stint on the disabled list. Dukes returned Friday as the Nationals made several roster moves. A pair of catchers, Paul Lo Duca (broken right hand) and Johnny Estrada (right elbow injury) were placed on the 15-day disabled list,...

Nationals place Cs Lo Duca, Estrada on DL (PA SportsTicker)

Fri, 09 May 2008 09:14:53 PDT

Playing catcher for the Washington Nationals has become a painful proposition this season.

Nationals beat Astros 8-3 (AP)

Thu, 08 May 2008 21:19:05 PDT

Two Washington Nationals players who don't get much playing time made the most of their opportunities. Willie Harris and Rob Mackowiak homered to help the Nationals beat Houston 8-3 Thursday night and end the Astros' five-game winning streak. They were two of four reserves in the lineup as manager Manny Acta rested some of his starters.

Nationals place pair on DL (PA SportsTicker)

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:57:31 PDT

The Washington Nationals on Thursday announced that catchers Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada will be placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday.

Lo Duca to go on disabled list with broken hand (AP)

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:30:33 PDT

Washington Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca will be placed on the 15-day disabled list on Friday with a broken right hand. Lo Duca broke the fourth metacarpal bone in his hand while batting in the seventh inning against Houston on Wednesday night. He just came off the DL last Friday after he was hit by a pitch and bruised the same hand on April 13.

Lee, Matsui leads Astros over Nationals 4-3 (AP)

Wed, 07 May 2008 21:25:18 PDT

Kaz Matsui has dramatically increased Houston's team speed. On Wednesday night, he showed the Astros just how valuable his quickness can be. Matsui stole second and raced to third on a wild pitch before scoring the winning run on a single by Carlos Lee in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Astros to a 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals.

Nationals C Lo Duca leaves game (PA SportsTicker)

Wed, 07 May 2008 19:15:36 PDT

Washington Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca left Wednesday's contest against the Houston Astros with an undisclosed injury.

Carlos Lee's double leads Astros over Nationals (AP)

Tue, 06 May 2008 21:37:19 PDT

Lance Berkman, Miguel Tejada and Carlos Lee have suddenly made the Houston Astros a tough team to beat. Lee hit the go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning and Berkman had a career-high five hits to lead the Astros to a 6-5 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night, Houston's fourth straight victory.

Baseball Power Poll: D-backs tops even before Scherzer (SportingNews.com)

Mon, 05 May 2008 09:26:26 PDT

The Diamondbacks already have Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Randy Johnson and Micah Owings in their rotation. Add in phenom Max Scherzer and it's not hard to see why they are No. 1.

Weak attendance could be a National emergency (Yahoo! Sports)

Sun, 04 May 2008 23:00:00 PDT

The Nats' gleaming new stadium has too many empty seats, but ownership isn't admitting too much concern yet.

Redding, Boone back Nationals' 5-2 win over Pirates (AP)

Sun, 04 May 2008 14:48:15 PDT

The Washington Nationals are prospering in their new ballpark. Tim Redding allowed one run over 6 1-3 innings, Boone homered and the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 on Sunday. Redding (4-2) closed out an 11-game homestand, Washington's longest of the season, by helping the Nationals to their sixth victory in seven games.

Nats 3B Zimmerman has ironman streak snapped (PA SportsTicker)

Sun, 04 May 2008 13:51:30 PDT

Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman's ironman streak ended Sunday.

Zimmerman not in Nationals' lineup (AP)

Sun, 04 May 2008 09:04:46 PDT

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman asked for and received a day off Sunday, likely putting an end to the majors' second-longest active consecutive games streak. If Zimmerman isn't used as a pinch-hitter or defensive replacement against the Pittsburgh Pirates, his streak would end at 205 games dating to Sept.

Guzman's 6 RBIs power Nationals' 9-8 win over Pirates (AP)

Sat, 03 May 2008 16:05:48 PDT

Cristian Guzman battled injuries the past two seasons. He's finally healthy this year and has the numbers to prove it. Guzman matched a career high with six RBIs, including a tiebreaking three-run double in the sixth inning, and the Washington Nationals held off the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-8 on Saturday.

Bautista homers twice, Pirates halt Nats' win streak, 11-4 (AP)

Fri, 02 May 2008 21:08:57 PDT

An electrical outage that interrupted Friday night's Pirates-Nationals game didn't do much to stop Jose Bautista. He homered twice and drove in four runs to help Pittsburgh beat Washington 11-4, ending the Nationals' season-high four-game winning streak. "He's been working awfully hard with the hitting coach (Don Long) to correct a couple of things we thought would make him better, and he's really...

Lighting problem delays Pirates-Nationals game (AP)

Fri, 02 May 2008 18:32:15 PDT

Friday night's game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals was delayed 25 minutes in the fourth inning when an electrical malfunction at Nationals Park caused lights along the left- and right-field lines to shut off. The problem occurred after Ryan Zimmerman led off the bottom half with an infield single to third.

Kearns' RBI single in 8th gives Nats 3-2 win over Pirates (AP)

Thu, 01 May 2008 19:48:36 PDT

Now that the Washington Nationals have started to win, they're doing it with a little variety. One night after persevering in a 12-inning marathon, they needed only 2 hours, 4 minutes to sprint past the Pittsburgh Pirates. One thing both victories had in common: a late game-winning hit. This time it was Austin Kearns, whose two-out RBI single in the eighth inning was the difference in Thursday...

A's and Rays head April honors (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 01 May 2008 15:59:00 PDT

One month into the season, surprises are plentiful and individual awards start and end with Cliff Lee.

Braves lose another 1-run game, 3-2 to Nats in 12 (AP)

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:38:17 PDT

Wil Nieves wasn't supposed to bunt, of course. Indeed, with a 1-2 count, the Washington Nationals tried to signal to Nieves that he shouldn't try to sacrifice over the two runners on base with no outs in the 12th inning against the Atlanta Braves. But Nieves didn't see the sign, and bunted a ball right back to the pitcher's mound.

Nats RHP Cordero to be sidelined 4-6 weeks with lat injury (AP)

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:33:20 PDT

Nationals reliever Chad Cordero is expected to be sidelined at least a month with a tear in a muscle below his pitching shoulder, although the team determined Wednesday he won't need surgery. Cordero left Washington's 6-3 victory over Atlanta on Tuesday night when he felt pain while throwing a pitch in the ninth inning.

Nationals P Cordero out 4-6 weeks (PA SportsTicker)

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:08:23 PDT

Washington Nationals closer Chad Cordero will miss four to six weeks with a torn muscle in his right shoulder, the club announced Wednesday.

Zimmerman's 3 hits lead Nationals past Braves 6-3 (AP)

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:54:21 PDT

As Ryan Zimmerman's slump stretched on, the questions mounted. Should he take a day off? Should he be dropped from No. 3 in the lineup? Why was he 2-for-31 with runners in scoring position? Had he really gone nearly 100 at-bats without a homer? He provided some answers Tuesday night. Zimmerman delivered a season-high three hits, including a homer and tiebreaking two-run double, to lead the Washington...