Jim Riggleman was faced with the pitcher's spot in the batting order with the potential tying run in whomever he sent to the plate in the seventh on Thursday. First Jerry Hairston Jr. came out, but Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez countered by replacing left-hander Eric O'Flaherty with right-hander Peter Moylan. So Riggleman called Hairston back and sent out Laynce Nix. The question was posed in the pressbox -- and I'm sure in many living rooms in the MASN broadcast sector: Why not use Matt Stairs here? Published March 31 2011
The Nationals are considering skipping Tom Gorzelanny the first time through the rotation, and other pregame notes Published March 31 2011
As the Nationals prepare to embark on their seventh Opening Day since returning to Washington, D.C., I thought I'd take a few minutes to look back at the lineups from Opening Days past. Published March 31 2011
As the Nationals prepare to embark on their seventh Opening Day since returning to Washington D.C., I thought I'd take a few minutes to look back at the lineups from Opening Day's past. Published March 30 2011
Stephen Strasburg was back inside the home clubhouse at Nationals Park Wednesday afternoon, one day before what very well could have been the first Opening Day start of the young phenom's career. Published March 30 2011
Bryce Harper said Wednesday he expects to be healthy and ready to go for Single-A Hagerstown's season opener on April 7 in Rome, G.A. Published March 30 2011
For one day at least, the Nationals had Bryce Harper, Steven Strasburg, Cole Kimball, Derek Norris, Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman all inside the home clubhouse at Nationals Park. Published March 30 2011
Nationals prinicpal owner Mark Lerner reiterated the team's desire to improve their spring training travel situation by exploring venues on both the west coast of Florida and in Arizona but did say the team would be in Viera through 2013. Published March 30 2011
With just a workout and NatsFest standing between the Nationals and Opening Day 2011, manager Jim Riggleman revealed his lineup for the big day. And The Washington Times Baseball Preview section hit stands today, here's a preview of the preview. Published March 30 2011
Baseball America's MLB Preview issue was waiting on my desk when I returned from spring training this week, and flipping through it tonight I found a few items that I thought might be of interest to Nationals fans. Published March 29 2011
The final Nationals' lineup of the spring and an inspirational story about hitting coach Rick Eckstein and his family. Published March 29 2011
The Nationals have announced the schedule of events for Opening Day. Five Flag Officers, one from each branch of the military will throw out the ceremonial first pitches so, barring any changes, President Obama will not be making an appearance. The first 20,000 fans in attendance will receive a free "Opening Day Cap," and beginning at 12 p.m. the Nationals will induct six new members into the Washington D.C. Sports Hall of Fame. Published March 28 2011
The Nationals finalized their Opening Day roster Monday evening, trading infielder Alberto Gonzalez to the San Diego Padres in exchange for right-hander Erik Davis and cash considerations. The move solidifies Alex Cora as the team's utility infielder. Published March 28 2011
Here's the way 99 percent of the Nationals opening day roster will look. Down to 26 players in camp now, the Nationals will have to make just one more cut: Alberto Gonzalez or Alex Cora. Published March 28 2011
The Nationals' 6:05 p.m. game against the Braves in Orlando has been rained out. Published March 28 2011
The Nationals cut four more from their roster today, optioning outfielder Roger Bernadina, left-hander Ross Detwiler and right-hander Collin Balester to Triple-A Syracuse, and reassigning infielder Brian Bixler to minor league camp. Published March 28 2011
What do you think of the Nyjer Morgan trade? Love it? Hate it? Are the Nationals better off without Nyjer Morgan? Published March 28 2011
An MRI on first baseman Adam LaRoche's left shoulder revealed a slight labral tear. He is expected to be in the lineup as a DH on Monday and at first base on Tuesday. His availability for Opening Day on Thursday is not in question. Published March 27 2011
After trading Nyjer Morgan to the Milwaukee Brewers this morning, the Nationals look poised to go with Rick Ankiel as their starting center fielder, in a platoon of sorts with Jerry Hairson Jr. (against left-handed pitchers), and made their potential lineups a lot easier to sort out. Published March 27 2011
The Nyjer Morgan era in a Nationals uniform has officially come to an end. Washington traded the outfielder Sunday morning to the Brewers for infielder Cutter Dykstra, son of former major leaguer Lenny Dykstra, and cash considerations. Published March 27 2011
'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
