Nats double up vs. Twins

Photo by the Associated Press

The Nats entered Sunday two games under .500, fresh off an extra innings loss, after seven consecutive games where they had scored three runs or less. With a day-night doubleheader against the Twins in store, there was an unusual opportunity in their sights. They could gain some traction and do it quick.

Manager Davey Johnson took stock of the situation and called a team meeting in the morning. It was short and simple, a story from his playing days. But the message resonated and, judging by the outcome, must have worked.

The Nats scored a total of 12 runs on the day, which was more than all their previous games in June combined. The first win, a 7-0 drubbing of Minnesota, was a complete beatdown. The fifth inning alone brought five runs across, more than they had scored in an entire game since May 29.

Davey downplayed the move after the blowout, but will take the result.

Instant Analysis: Nats 5, Twins 4

Photo by the Associated Press

Game in a nutshell: The Nationals went down early thanks to an unfortunate outing by starter Nathan Karns, but rallied to chip away the lead and eventually leave with the series win. It took almost their entire bullpen and even featured a bizarre 12-minute rain delay as the Nats kept the game close before Ian Desmond drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning. He followed up an Adam LaRoche double with a two-bagger of his own, putting the Nats up 5-4 and extending his career-best hitting streak to 12 games.

Hitting highlight: Roger Bernadina had easily his best game of the season, providing just what the doctor ordered out of the two hole. He quietly reached base in his first four at-bats with two hits and two walks, coming home to score twice off Jayson Werth singles. He has struggled all season, but stepped up in a game the Nats desperately needed.

Game 62: Twins at Nats

Photo by the Associated Press

The Nationals blasted the Twins 7-0 in today's first game, the perfect way to kick off a doubleheader. Now they send RHP Nathan Karns (0-1, 6.00) to the mound to try and lock up a series win. Karns is making his third career start, already his second against an American League team after facing the Orioles in his MLB debut. 

Pitching for the Twins is 29 year old Samuel Deduno (2-1, 3.44 ERA). A four-year pro, Deduno has just 103 major league innings under his belt and has yet to face the Nats. He will go up against a Washington lineup fresh off a blowout win just hours earlier. We'll see if their hot bats can carry over into the night.

The updated lineups are below with Denard Span back in the mix and Roger Bernadina batting second. The Twins also have a different look with Joe Mauer and Josh Willingham set to play.

Please check back for updates, and enjoy the game...

MINNESOTA TWINS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500)
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 82 degrees

NATIONALS (30-31)
CF Denard Span
LF Roger Bernadina
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Jayson Werth
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Anthony Rendon
C Jhonatan Solano
RHP Nathan Karns

Instant Analysis: Nats 7, Twins 0

Photo by the Associated Press

Game in a nutshell: Facing a mediocre pitcher in Minnesota’s Scott Diamond, the Nats finally took advantage by scoring a barrage of runs and set themselves up nicely for the second game of their doubleheader. Through their first three innings, it was same old, same old. Baserunning mistakes, defensive miscues, and impatience at the plate. But in the fourth they finally broke through with two runs and added five more in the fifth. Jordan Zimmermann threw more pitches than he probably would have liked, including 26 in the second inning, but otherwise coasted with seven scoreless innings.

Hitting highlight: The Nats scored five runs in the fifth inning, more than they had in their previous seven games overall. Adam LaRoche knocked in the first with a hard infield single with the bases loaded. Ian Desmond then batted home two runners with a single up the middle. The final two were brought home on a double to right field by Anthony Rendon. 

Game 61: Twins at Nats

Photo by USA Today

Chase here again today as Mark is still recovering from surgery. I will be out here at the park providing coverage for both games as the Nats continue their interleague series with the Twins.

The Nats' lineup for the first game is, well, interesting. Jeff Kobernus is your center fielder and leadoff hitter with Denard Span out with a sore right foot. Fellow second baseman Steve Lombardozzi is slotted in left field and batting second. Chris Marrero is also up as the team's 26th player for the doubleheader, so you may see him today as well.

Fortunate for the Nats, considering their makeshift lineup, is the fact Jordan Zimmermann is on the mound. The right-hander will take his 8-3 record and 2.16 ERA up against a Twins lineup that is not exactly imposing.

Please check back for updates, and enjoy the game...

MINNESOTA TWINS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500)
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 82 degrees

NATIONALS (29-31)
CF Jeff Kobernus
LF Steve Lombardozzi
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Jayson Werth

Game 60: Twins at Mets

Photo by USA Today

Chase here posting the game thread today as Mark is actually recovering from getting his appendix removed. He had the procedure today and might need a few days. I am not able to attend the game today as well because of prior commitments, but I will be back on the beat tomorrow for the doubleheader.

After two games being postponed, Gio Gonzalez (3-3, 3.64 ERA) will finally take the mound for his first start since June 1. Throughout his career he has had trouble with extra time off, going 7-8 with a 4.85 on six or more days of rest. Gio also has an unfortunate history with the Twins with a 2-3 record and 7.80 ERA in six career starts.

Pitching for Minnesota is veteran right-hander Kevin Correia (5-4, 4.09 ERA). The 32-year-old has faced the Nats 13 times in his career, including six starts, and holds a 3.33 ERA against the club.

Enjoy the game...

MINNESOTA TWINS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, WUSA-9, MLB Network, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 185
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 75 degrees

NATIONALS (29-30)
CF Denard Span
RF Jayson Werth
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche

Nats-Twins opener postponed

USA Today Sports Images

Tonight's interleague series opener between the Nationals and Twins has already been postponed due to the heavy rain that has been sweeping through the area since yesterday and is expected to linger through the night.

The game will be made up Sunday as part of a split-ticket, day-night doubleheader. The original game scheduled for 1:35 p.m. remains unchanged, with tonight's rainout to be made up at 7:05 p.m.

Thus, fans holding tickets for tonight's rainout can either use them for Sunday's 7:05 p.m. makeup game or exchange them for a comparable ticket to any available future home game this season.

The Nationals weren't left with many scheduling options. A Saturday doubleheader wasn't possible because the originally scheduled game is for 4:05 p.m., with a postgame concert by Blues Traveler to follow. Because Fox has exclusive broadcasting rights from 7-10 p.m., the Nationals wouldn't have been able to televise a game in primetime.

Critical week ahead?

Associated Press

Any given week over the course of a baseball season can have lasting implications, but something about the upcoming week for the Nationals feels more significant than others.

It's not just the fact this team, now sitting a game under the .500 mark and seven games behind the Braves in the NL East, needs to go on a hot streak. It's also a convergence of decisions that must be made over the next week that could go a long way toward determining the Nats' long-term fate.

Let's start, though, with the actual games at hand. The Nationals play host to a six-game homestand, with a pair of sub-.500 teams coming to town in the Mets and Twins. Obviously, there are no sure things in baseball, but the Mets are a trainwreck (having just been swept by the even-worse Marlins) and won't have young ace Matt Harvey pitching in this series.

The Twins, meanwhile, have been hot lately in winning six of seven, but those all came against the Brewers and Mariners. Prior to that,

VIDEO: Span one-on-one with Mark

Saturday at NatsFest was an interesting day for Denard Span as he interacted with Nationals fans and met many of his new teammates for the first time. Here is Mark's one-on-one conversation with the new center fielder who is excited to bat leadoff in such a deep lineup.

You can also check out these links from CSNwashington.com:

**Four Nats in top prospects list
**Bo Porter hopes Nats success follows him to Houston

Span might have been best option at CF

Photo by US-Presswire

After searching for a long-term solution in center field for several years, the Nationals entered this offseason with a bevy of options at the position. The free agent class was deep with B.J. Upton, Michael Bourn, and Angel Pagan. Throw Josh Hamilton in there, the year’s top overall free agent, and few offseasons offer as many choices.

But instead of taking the free agent route, the Nationals pulled the trigger on a trade target long rumored to be on their wish list. In comes 28 year old Denard Span from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for top pitching prospect Alex Meyer. The Nationals decided to go with a cheaper, more short-term choice in Span, but still got the leadoff hitter and defensive stud they were coveting.

Acquiring Span shows that general manager Mike Rizzo opted for flexibility over flash. But looking at Span in comparison to this year’s other options, the difference really isn’t that dramatic. 

Take a look at how Span stacked up against the free agents in 2012:

B.J. Upton (28 years old)

146 G - .246/.298/.454 – 79 R – 28 HR – 78 RBI – 31 SB

Michael Bourn (29 years old)

155 G - .274/.348/.391 – 96 R – 9 HR – 57 RBI – 42 SB

Denard Span (28 years old)

128 G - .283/.342/.395 – 71 R – 4 HR – 41 RBI – 17 SB

Angel Pagan (31 years old)

154 G - .288/.338/.440 – 95 R – 8 HR – 56 RBI – 29 SB

Despite being tied to the Nationals in rumors, Upton was a poor fit from the beginning. He bats right handed, doesn’t slot well at the leadoff position, and would require the biggest contract of the group. He does have the best power numbers of the four, but when healthy the Nats’ lineup has plenty of big bats. They needed someone who could set the table and slot their core hitters later in the lineup.