Author Archives: Mark Zuckerman

US Presswire photoIan Desmond eludes Matt Wieters’ tag to score in the fifth inning.
For weeks, Jim Riggleman would praise his Nationals for the manner in which they were playing clean baseball. Pitching well. Playing sparkling defense.

The only problem: They weren’t actually winning those games, making the manager’s sentiments feel a bit hollow at times.

"Guys are tired of hearing about how Continue reading →

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDERThe Battle of the Beltways resumes tonight at Nationals Park.
With a win tonight — their seventh straight — the Nationals would match their longest winning streak since the final week of the 2009 season. And who better to attempt to do that against than their interleague rivals from just up the road? Yes, it’s part two of the Battle of the Beltways, and Continue reading →

Ryan Zimmerman is back from the disabled list and he’s back blogging for CSNwashington.com.

In his latest post, the Nationals third baseman talks about the challenge of getting back to mid-season form, the excitement of watching his Virginia baseball team reaching the College World Series and provides some info about his upcoming "Night at the Park" charity event at Nationals Park. Continue reading →

Thanks for watching today’s live edition of Beltway Baseball, and thanks for your questions. If you missed the show, here it is in its entirety.

In Part 1 above, we discuss the Nats’ winning streak, the impact of Ryan Zimmerman’s return and the emergence of Michael Morse as an offensive force.

In Part 2 below, we take your questions on possible trade bait, possible upcoming roster moves and Continue reading →

Friday, 7:05 p.m. — LHP Zach Britton (6-4, 3.18) vs. RHP Jason Marquis (7-2, 3.67)
TV: MASN, MASN2 Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM

Saturday, 1:05 p.m. — LHP Brian Matusz (1-1, 5.11) vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann (4-6, 3.10)
TV: MASN, MASN2 Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM

Sunday, 1:35 p.m. — RHP Chris Jakubauskas (1-0, 5.09) vs. LHP Tom Gorzelanny (2-4, 4.25)
TV: MASN, MASN2, Ch. 50 Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM Continue reading →

US Presswire photoDanny Espinosa heads for home as Bo Porter celebrates the game-winning homer.
As the ball sailed off Yadier Molina’s bat and Drew Storen pursed his lips in frustration on the mound, the air suddenly was sucked out of Nationals Park. Three outs from securing their sixth straight win, the Nationals instead were about to blow this game to the Cardinals in demoralizing fashion. Continue reading →

Adam LaRoche had surgery this morning to repair what proved to be a sizable tear of the labrum inside his left shoulder, a procedure that will sideline the Nationals first baseman the rest of the season but should give him enough time to fully recover before spring training.

Club orthopedist Wiemi Douoguih performed the surgery at Washington Hospital Center, repairing a "SLAP" tear, which is a Continue reading →

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDERThe Nats go for the sweep and a six-game winning streak tonight.
The Nationals don’t often find themselves in this situation: Winners of five straight, with a chance to sweep a front-line opponent. Yet here they stand entering tonight’s game against the Cardinals.

Can the resurgent lineup keep it up after scoring 18 combined runs the last two nights? Jim Continue reading →

US Presswire photoLivan Hernandez is hugged by Ivan Rodriguez following his 50th complete game.
Jim Riggleman needed only two words to describe Livan Hernandez’s three-hit shutout against the Cardinals last night.

As the Nationals manager put it: "Vintage Livo."

Actually, Riggleman might have been underselling it. "Vintage" implies this was a somewhat typical performance for a guy who has Continue reading →

Before taking the field Tuesday night for the first time in nine weeks, Ryan Zimmerman tried to downplay the impact his return might have on the Nationals’ woebegone lineup.

"Me coming back is not going to make us score 10 runs every night," he insisted.

Technically speaking, Zimmerman was right. They’re only scoring nine runs per game since his return.

Oh well, that will just have to Continue reading →