Game #69 Scherzer’s turn in San Diego: Game Thread

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Tonight is the third game in this four game series against the Padres in San Diego, and the Nats won last night with a traditional mix of team balance. Dusty Baker was able to win without using Felipe Rivero or Shawn Kelley in the bullpen. Tonight, Dusty Baker hopes he can get at least 7 innings of a gem from Max Scherzer who starts tonight.

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Part VI: Around the #Nats Minor Leagues: Firsthand look at Drew Ward, Potomac Nationals

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Andrew Lang

Drew Ward  (Top Prospect #14) was recently named as a Carolina League All-Star. Ward is a 3rd baseman who has really stepped up his game from last year. Ward has a thick athletic frame 6’3″ and 215 pounds and can generate a lot of power as a lefty batter. Ward is sporting a .529 slugging percentage and a .920 OPS.  He has had a resurgent year and really coming into his own.

Mark Scialabba is the Washington Nationals Director of Player Development, and he thinks Drew Ward has really stepped up his game.

Top Prospects MLB Pipline

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Bryce Harper reminds us that Father’s Day is Sunday

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Andrew Lang

Inspired by this great message from Bryce Harper of what his ‘Pops’ means to him and honoring his father on Father’s Day this weekend, we wanted to show you some great Nats themed presents.

The Nationals are in San Diego for Father’s Day which will make it difficult to see the Nats in person on this Father’s Day. The Nats will be wearing for the first time special Father’s Day jerseys and caps and will be doing charitable efforts in support of prostate cancer. These special jerseys and caps will be available for purchase at this link.

Bryce Harper Fathers Day jersey

bryce harper fathers day cap

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Nats go longball and smallball again & bullpen holds on!

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

The Nationals won 7-5 in a game that was a nailbiter. Every starter got on by hit or walk and the longballs were the difference. Joe Ross looked better than his 3 earned run statline and the good news is that Joe ‘Cool’ Ross didn’t give up the lead his team gave him.

Oliver Perez was shaky again in relief, but luckily Treinen didn’t give up any runs on his ledger and Solis got his Hold in the 8th. Yusmeiro Petit got his Save in the 9th which allowed Shawn Kelley and Felipe Rivero a true night off. Continue reading →

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Game #68 Joe Ross returns to San Diego. Friedrich has extreme reverse splits: Game Thread

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Tonight is the second game in this four game series against the Padres in San Diego, and the Nats were able to rest both Daniel Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman while securing a win behind Tanner Roark who did not have his best stuff last night.

The Nationals bullpen did not get much of a rest as Felipe Rivero could not finish the 9th inning and the newly appointed interim closer Shawn Kelley had to finish off the 9th for the Save.

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Wilson Ramos finally qualifies for the leaderboards! Wilson Ramos finalmente califica para los premios !

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

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Nats went long ball and small ball for the win!: Postgame

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

The Nationals improved to a season high 17 games above .500 with an 8-5 win for the 1st game in San Diego. Tanner Roark got the win and Shawn Kelley earned his 2nd save of the season.

The Nationals got back-to-back home runs by Bryce Harper and Wilson Ramos. Anthony Rendon add a solo HR in the 6th inning. Our pre-game scouting was spot on regarding Erik Johnson, and he became predictable for many of the batters. Tanner Roark struggled much of the game and gave up 4 earn runs in 6 innings and his teammates scored enough runs for him to earn his 6th win of the season.

Every Nats position player got on-base via a hit or a walk. Bryce hit the home run and a single and had a walk while collecting 3 RBIs. Harper had dipped yesterday below a .900 OPS for the 1st time this year and tonight finished at a .911 OPS.

A good team win.

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Game #67 San Diego is the site of this year’s All Star Game!: Game Thread

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

The Nationals got into their San Diego hotel after midnight on Pacific time due to their afternoon game going 12 innings and ending as a ‘night’ game. It was all worth it in the end, and Dusty Baker had a happy birthday aboard Delta Nats One or is that Delta Nats Won?

“It was a crazy game. I’m just glad we ended up on the right side of it. We’ve got a long flight out to the west coast,” Werth said after yesterday’s game. “You always talk about having a happy flight. I think we should have a happy flight at least.”

This four game series against the Padres in San Diego is the Nats only trip there this year, however,  for Daniel Murphy, Wilson Ramos, Bryce Harper, and Stephen Strasburg and hopefully a few other Nats, they should be back in San Diego on the evening of July 10th for some real fun in the Gaslight District. Continue reading →

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We don’t have to worry about who plays 3rd base in the 13th! Nats walk-off!!!! Happy Birthday Dusty!

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Happy birthday Dusty Baker! We don’t have to worry about who plays 3rd base after Anthony Rendon was ejected in the 12th inning, and the walk-off made it so Dusty didn’t have to reconfigure his infield for the Washington Nationals in the 13th inning. The Nats win the series 2-1 and get back to 16 games above .500 as the team wins their 41st game.

Jayson Werth said it all, “Holy sh*t…” and then he added about the people who questioned what he could do at his age,”those people can kiss my a$$.”

Those who talked about the Cubs magic just learned about the Nationals magic. It’s the only way to explain the unexplainable.

jayson werth dusty baker happy birthday walkoff

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Game #66 Series tied 1-1. Who wins the series? Nats & Cubs: Game Thread

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

Both the Nationals and Cubs fans can find reasons to complain amidst great seasons by both teams, but this season is only 40% complete now and 60% to go in the regular season. Much can change, and there will certainly be much to complain about because that is what most sport’s fans do. Both fanbases can see this series as a vision of things to come.

The Cubs have had more to complain about than almost any franchise in sports history, and they have symbols of that lengthy history of losing with Goats and Bartman. They blame certain players and even their former manager Dusty Baker as a scapegoat for seasons gone wrong. They blew up the ‘Bartman’ ball, but the ball that lost them that game in 2003 still exists. Continue reading →

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