Nationals allow 29 runs in spring game vs Cardinals
Washington Nationals fans have reasons to doubt 2022 will be their year. Pitchers Anibal Sanchez and Cade Cavalli allowed 10 runs each while the Nationals were shellacked 29-8 by the St. Louis Cardinals in a spring training game — a laugher even by exhibition standards. “Things just got a little bit out of hand,” Washington manager Dave Martinez said.
news.yahoo.comDevers hits 2 HR; Red Sox to host Yanks in AL wild-card game
The Boston Red Sox have clinched a playoff berth on the regular season’s final day and will host the New York Yankees in the AL wild-card game after coming back to beat the Washington Nationals 7-5 on a tiebreaking two-run homer by Rafael Devers in the ninth inning.
Scherzer's 9 K's, Avila RBI double lift Nats past Cards 1-0
Max Scherzer struck out nine in six scoreless innings to move up to No. 21 on the career Ks leaderboard, and Alex Avila drove in the game’s lone run with one of his two doubles, helping the Washington Nationals edge the St. Louis Cardinals 1-0.
Panda! Sandoval helps Braves sweep doubleheader against Nats
Atlanta pinch-hitter Pablo Sandoval drove a two-run homer to the deepest part of the ballpark off a Washington reliever who took over after Stephen Strasburg’s six scoreless innings to lift the Braves to a 2-0 victory over the Nationals and a doubleheader sweep.
Nats finally play, beat Braves 6-5 on Soto's walk-off in 9th
Juan Soto drove in the winning run with a single on a 3-0 pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the coronavirus-depleted Washington Nationals to a 6-5 comeback victory over the Atlanta Braves after waiting five days to start their season.
Scherzer faces deGrom in spring game, rematch on opening day
Scherzer will make his Nationals-record sixth opening day start April 1, facing the New York Mets in Washington. The original lineup released by Washington before the game featured a designated hitter; that was revised to include Scherzer batting for himself. DeGrom struck him out, part of his 4 2/3 scoreless innings with three hits and five Ks. YANKEES 8, BLUE JAYS 3Gerritt Cole struck out eight in five innings, allowing one run in his fourth spring start for New York. BRAVES 11, RAYS 1Atlanta starter Max Fried gave up three hits and struck out five over six innings.
Strasburg leaves start early with leg issue; 'nothing major'
We’re in spring training. There’s no sense in pushing it.”Strasburg said he was looked at by a team doctor and had an ultrasound exam. “I didn’t really feel it at all except for that last pitch, where I kind of felt it simultaneously as I was finishing the pitch,” Strasburg said. “I’ve had my calves cramping up on me in the past and I’ve pitched through that," he said. Ad“If he wakes up tomorrow sore or something, he might be held back,” the manager said.
'I hit a brick wall': Sluggishness led to surgery for Lester
“There would be times where I would run out in the fifth, sixth, seventh inning and feel like I hit a brick wall. “Just thinking that maybe I needed to do a little extra in the weight room. “It’s like, ‘OK, if I miss one (start), they’ll be able to pick me up,’” Lester said. ... RHP Jefrey Rodriguez had a stiff shoulder so Washington “backed him down a little bit,” Martinez said. ... C Welington Castillo hasn't appeared in a game because he showed up to camp with a shoulder issue, the manager said.
Springer, Bauer, Lindor lead list of big names on new teams
The reigning World Series champions already had a pair of Cy Young Award winners in Clayton Kershaw and David Price. Darvish has twice finished runner-up for a Cy Young Award, including last season when he was 8-3 with a 2.01 ERA in 12 starts. Lester is a three-time World Series champion, winning twice with Boston and once with the Cubs. He’s part of a rotation led by three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, 2019 World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg and lefty Patrick Corbin. Bradley was a Gold Glove winner in 2018 when the Red Sox won the World Series.
All-Stars, Iowa cornfield, Arenado return spice MLB schedule
With a good young rotation and a deep lineup, the Braves are looking for their first World Series title since 1995. While San Diego is much improved, World Series MVP Corey Seager and Los Angeles are well-positioned for a run at another championship. The last time the All-Stars descended on Atlanta, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter had three hits and two RBIs in the AL's 6-3 victory at Turner Field in 2000. AdTHURSDAY, AUG. 12New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox: Major League Baseball comes to Iowa. SUNDAY, SEPT. 26Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics: The AL West rivals close out their season series with Oakland's home finale.
MLB spring training still a hot ticket in Arizona
FILE - In this March 18, 2016, file photo, fans at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick watch a spring training baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Scottsdale, Ariz. PHOENIX – Even during a pandemic, the appetite to sit in the sun and watch Major League Baseball spring training appears robust. The two teams open their spring training schedule against each other next Sunday. Spring training facilities across Arizona and Florida have been making their own decisions about how many fans — if any — are allowed to attend games. “Not just Diamondbacks fans but I think baseball fans throughout the entire United States.
Nats' Strasburg: 'Numbness in my whole hand' led to surgery
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, that Strasburg is in preparation mode not in rehabilitation mode at spring training after having surgery in 2020. I think, if anything, all the work I’ve done strengthening it has only improved the movement of my pitches," Strasburg said. “Endurance-wise, stamina-wise, I feel like I’m a lot further along than I have (been) in years past,” he said. There was a period of uncertainty about when the so-called “summer camp” would start, so Strasburg would throw into a net to try to stay ready. Martinez said he might ask position players to play seven, eight or nine innings of the last 10 days of exhibition games.
Scherzer's ankle keeping him off mound in deal's last spring
FILE - Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer delivers a pitch during the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets in Washington, in this Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, file photo. The last spring training of Max Scherzer's $210 million, seven-year contract with the Washington Nationals is not exactly beginning the way he -- or the team -- would prefer. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)The last spring training of Max Scherzer’s $210 million, seven-year contract with the Washington Nationals is not exactly beginning the way he — or the team — would prefer. So as soon as I can get that mobility back in the ankle, I’ll be off the mound here pretty soon,” Scherzer said in a video conference with reporters. Ad“I just want him to have the best year of his career, and then whatever happens after that, happens,” Martinez said.
Easy does it: MLB pitchers prepare for usual 162-game grind
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, that Strasburg is in preparation mode not in rehabilitation mode at spring training after having surgery in 2020. So the familiar feel of February spring training has pitchers eager to unleash fastballs, spin a few breaking balls and get ready for the 162-game long haul. “Spring training is 50 days long,” Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais said. But young pitchers — many of whom didn't throw many innings last season — will have to be watched closely. He practiced on the first day of spring training Wednesday but an MRI later revealed the break.
Lefty Jon Lester finalizes $5M, 1-year deal with Nationals
FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2020, file photo, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester throws to a Chicago White Sox batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago. A person with knowledge of the deal has confirmed to The Associated Press that left-hander Lester and the Washington Nationals have an agreement in principle in place for a one-year contract. Lester and the team had an agreement in principle in place last week, pending the successful completion of a physical exam. Lester pitched 61 innings across 12 starts in the truncated 2020 season, going 3-3 with a career-high 5.16 ERA for the Cubs. Lester is owed a $10 million buyout by Chicago: $2 million on each Dec. 31 from 2022 through 2026.
Nationals, manager Martinez agree to multiyear extension
FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2020, file photo, Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez, left, talks with general manager Mike Rizzo during spring training baseball practice in West Palm Beach, Fla. Armed with a new multiyear contract, Rizzo says his top priority is working on a new deal for Martinez. The team has a club option for Martinez for 2021, but Rizzo says he prefers a long-term deal for the manager. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)WASHINGTON – Manager Dave Martinez and the Washington Nationals agreed to a multiyear contract extension that the team announced Saturday. Martinez led the Nationals to the franchise’s first World Series championship in 2019, his second season as the team’s skipper. There were some calling for Martinez to lose his job last season when Washington got off to a 19-31 start.
Champs done: Time to look toward 2021 for eliminated Nats
FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, file photo, The Washington Nationals celebrate after Game 7 of the baseball World Series against the Houston Astros in Houston. A year after winning the World Series thanks to a historic turnaround, the Nationals woke up Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, with a 23-33 record and no mathematical chance of returning to the playoffs. There was no opportunity for a sellout crowd to roar during the raising of a championship banner or to witness a World Series ring ceremony. Most notably, World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg’s season lasted all of five innings before he was done because of a nerve issue in his throwing hand. The Nationals conclude their 60-game regular season with four games at home against the New York Mets, starting Thursday.
Out of the box: Umps eject Nats GM Rizzo from luxury suite
Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, left, looks on from the dugout as a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves gets underway, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Atlanta. Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was tossed for yelling at umpires from a luxury suite in Atlanta on Sunday, with longtime crew chief Joe West saying, enough is enough.I wouldnt take that from a player. I wouldnt take that from a manager, West told The Associated Press. Rizzo was standing outside the box, high above the plate at Truist Park, without a mask and was barking toward the field. Rizzo has gotten steamed at umpires in the past, most notably at Citi Field in 2016 after a loss to the Mets.
Nationals in a hole, and this year they're short on time
Washington Nationals' Carter Kieboom walks away after popping out to end a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)For a second straight season, the Washington Nationals are off to an awful start. CUTTING IT CLOSEWhile the Nationals have struggled from the start, the New York Yankees figured to be in the clear for a postseason spot after their 16-6 start. In 1993, San Diego executed an infamous fire sale, dealing Fred McGriff and Gary Sheffield in the middle of the season. He would go on to become a six-time All-Star for San Diego and, eventually, a Hall of Famer.
LEADING OFF: Brewers eye 3rd straight win vs rival Cubs
Cubs ace Jon Lester @-0, 1.06 ERA) will try to end the short skid in the finale against Milwaukees Josh Lindblom (1-0, 5.68). The team opted to place the 22-year-old on the injured list retroactive to last Tuesday, meaning he won't be eligible to return before Friday. The ace landed on the 10-day injured list with carpal tunnel neuritis on his right (pitching) hand. This is his first trip to the injured list since 2018. Brady Singer starts for the Royals in the series finale.