Castrovince: Harper, Hamels move forward
(Wed, 23 May 2012 23:01:00 -0400)
Long story short: If you're looking for a soap opera, nothing to see here. No brushbacks thrown, no benches cleared. Just Cole Hamels' flirtation with a no-hitter in an outstanding outing, Bryce Harper's continually jaw-dropping speed and hustle and a 4-1 win for the Phillies to avoid a three-game sweep.

Detwiler ready to lead Nats vs. Braves in series opener
(Wed, 23 May 2012 22:11:00 -0400)
It's only May, but Friday's meeting between the Braves and Nationals will have high stakes.

Jackson hangs tough, but Hamels bests Nats
(Wed, 23 May 2012 21:50:00 -0400)
Before Wednesday's game, the talk was about Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels facing Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper for the second time in a month. After all, it was Hamels who hit the 19-year-old Harper in the back on May 6, and then acknowledged after the game that it was his intention to hit Harper.

DeRosa back with Nats after visiting father
(Wed, 23 May 2012 19:22:00 -0400)
Outfielder/infielder Mark DeRosa returned to the Nationals after spending the last two days with his ailing father, Jack, who has cancer.

Zimmerman returns to lineup for finale
(Wed, 23 May 2012 19:21:00 -0400)
After missing a day because of right shoulder issues, Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was back in the starting lineup against the Phillies on Wednesday.

Morse ready for game action in Florida
(Wed, 23 May 2012 19:19:00 -0400)
Michael Morse, who is on the disabled list because of a torn left lat (shoulder) muscle, is expected to play in extended spring games starting Friday in Viera, Fla., according to manager Davey Johnson.

Johnson pleased with Harper's play, demeanor
(Wed, 23 May 2012 19:17:00 -0400)
Before Wednesday's game, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said he didn't think there will be any ill will between Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels and Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper.

Nats finally get over hump against Phils ace
(Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400)
The Nationals showed they could handle right-hander Roy Halladay on Tuesday night, as they defeated the Phillies, 5-2, at Citizens Bank Park.

Nats activate Wang, place Mattheus on DL
(Tue, 22 May 2012 21:08:00 -0400)
The Nationals have activated right-hander Chien-Ming Wang from the 15-day disabled list and placed reliever Ryan Mattheus on the 15-day DL on Tuesday.

Move to fifth appears to have helped Desmond
(Tue, 22 May 2012 19:46:19 -0400)
Ian Desmond said it helps that he is surrounded by good hitters, and that is the reason he didn't have to make adjustments when he made the switch from hitting leadoff.

Nationals remove Rodriguez from closer role
(Tue, 22 May 2012 19:46:18 -0400)
Nationals manager Davey Johnson has decided that right-hander Henry Rodriguez will no longer be the team's closer. Instead, the skipper will use a closer-by-committee.

Zimmerman sits because of sore shoulder
(Tue, 22 May 2012 19:46:17 -0400)
Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday because of a sore right shoulder, the same ailment that forced him to the disabled list late last month.

Boone, Corrales to represent Nats at Draft
(Tue, 22 May 2012 12:41:00 -0400)
Bob Boone and Pat Corrales will represent the Nationals -- who have the 16th overall pick -- during the 2012 First-Year Player Draft on June 4.

Harper embraces challenge of playing in Philly
(Tue, 22 May 2012 00:21:00 -0400)
The storyline coming into Monday's game between the Nationals and Phillies revolved around the reception rookie phenom Bryce Harper would receive from the notorious Philadelphia fans, especially after the incident at Nationals Park on May 6 in which Phillies starter Cole Hamels nailed him with a fastball.

After Gio dominates, Nats survive shaky ninth
(Mon, 21 May 2012 23:45:00 -0400)
Sean Burnett rescued the struggling Henry Rodriguez in the ninth inning Monday, securing a 2-1 victory for the Nationals and Gio Gonzalez, who dominated the Phillies by striking out nine and allowing just three hits over six scoreless innings.

Bodley: Johnson, Nationals a perfect match
(Mon, 21 May 2012 22:37:00 -0400)
Manager Davey Johnson has been a perfect fit for the young and talented Nationals, and it's no coincidence they're having a breakthrough season.

Mattheus unavailable with discomfort in foot
(Mon, 21 May 2012 19:22:00 -0400)
Right-handed reliever Ryan Mathheus experienced discomfort in his left foot while running in the outfield before Monday night's game and was not available to pitch.

Lidge cleared to begin throwing off mound
(Mon, 21 May 2012 19:22:00 -0400)
Nationals reliever Brad Lidge was examined by Dr. William Meyers, who performed the surgery to repair his sports hernia on May 1, and was cleared to begin throwing off a mound.

Nationals expect Strasburg to make next start
(Mon, 21 May 2012 19:22:00 -0400)
Stephen Strasburg is expected to make his next start. And that, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said, is all he's concerned about. Strasburg left his start Sunday after five innings with what was described as tightness in his right biceps.

Bill Ladson's MLBlog
(Sat, 07 Apr 2012 13:48:46 -0400)