Class A Potomac first baseman Tyler Moore, who less than two months ago was hitting less than .200, was named the Carolina League MVP following a remarkable seven-week power-hitting surge. Moore leads the Carolina League with 113 RBI and 29 home runs, 19 of which have been since July 15. Moore also leads the league in doubles (43) and extra base hits (75) and trails only Royals prospect Eric Hosmer with a .541 slugging percentage. In a six-week span starting July 15, Moore won the Carolina League player of the week four times and posted a mind-boggling 1.400 OPS.


Carolina League - Sports - Baseball - Slugging percentage - Extra base hit

Major League Baseball is reviewing the benches-emptying fracas Wednesday night between the Nationals and Marlins and will hand out any suspensions, which are likely, either later today or tomorrow, according to a league official. The league office has extra time for the review process, which includes reviewing video and speaking with the game's umpiring crew, because both teams have an off day today. The brawl capped an eventful, erratic week for Nyjer Morgan, who ignited the brawl after Marlins starter Chris Volstad threw behind him two innings after drilling him with a pitch. Morgan is currently appealing a seven-game suspension for what a league official labeled an "ongoing dialogue" with a fan in Philadelphia that preceded Morgan hitting a fan with a ball. In handing out any potential punishment for Wednesday night's ruckus, the league will treat the incident in Philadelphia and Morgan's role in the brawl as "separate incidents,"


Nyjer Morgan - Chris Volstad - Florida Marlins - Washington Nationals - Major League Baseball

The brawl last night and Nyjer Morgan's most recent controversial moment overshadowed two significant events in the Nationals' two-field goal loss, one of them a development of immediate significance and then other a sign for the future. Scott Olsen may have pitched himself out of the Nationals, and Danny Espinosa took his first step as a major leaguer. By surrendering nine runs and recording only five outs, Olsen may have taken himself out of the Nationals rotation. Since he returned from the disabled list July 29, Olsen is 1-6 with an 8.72 ERA, having allowed 45 hits in 32 innings. In Syracuse last night, Cuban right-hander Yunesky Maya made his final Class AAA start, going 5 2/3 strong innings. He is ready to pitch in the majors, and General Manager Mike Rizzo wants Maya inserted into the Nationals rotation. Maya he could seamlessly fill Olsen's spot five days from


Scott Olsen - Washington Nationals - Mike Rizzo - Nyjer Morgan - General manager

Your Browser DoesNot Support IFrames. To recap, here was Nyjer Morgan's week: On Aug. 25, Morgan learned he had been suspended for seven games by Major League Baseball for an exchange with one fan and hitting another with a ball in Philadelphia. One fan on the scene in the center field stands defended him, but the league learned about the incident after getting word from security at Citizens Bank Ballpark. Morgan is appealing the suspension, with a hearing scheduled for Sept. 7. On Saturday, he was dropped to eighth in the lineup. Late in the game he ran into St. Louis Cardinals catcher Bryan Anderson at home plate despite the lack of a throw home, missing home plate and costing the Nationals a run in the process. On Sunday, he was benched and Riggleman called his play "unprofessional." On Monday, he expressed displeasure in how Riggleman publicly categorized his play.


Major League Baseball - Philadelphia - Washington Nationals - Bryan Anderson - Sport

Danny Espinosa learned he would be heading to the major leagues late Tuesday night, after he returned to Syracuse from Buffalo. Manager Trent Jewett gave him the news. It felt surreal, to realize his dream. "That was the first thing that came into my mind, forever thinking what it was going to be like," Espinosa said. "Now I'm going to find out." Espinosa landed in South Florida at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and, after he figured out how to get there, drove straight to Sun Life Stadium. When he walked into the Nationals clubhouse for the first time, he found Ian Desmond. They had never played together - they had both been shortstops, Desmond a step ahead of Espinosa since the Nationals drafted him in the third round in 2008. "He was excited," Espinosa said. "Between the two of us, we're going to get a lot of balls up the


Ian Desmond - Wilson Ramos - Florida - Sun Life Stadium - Buffalo New York

Tonight's game promises to be, if nothing else, eventful. The very first pitch might be the most intriguing moment. Will Chris Volstad throw at Nyjer Morgan? If so, what will Morgan do? We'll about to find out. Scott Olsen will be facing his former team. If he can beat Volstad, whom he once competed with for a rotation spot, the Nationals will win a road series for the first time since May 12. Talk about the game right here.


Scott Olsen - Chris Volstad - Nyjer Morgan - Washington Nationals - Games

Manager Jim Riggleman gave Ryan Zimmerman the day off to rest "various aches and pains," particularly a pain in his left side. Zimmerman did not take batting practice today, either, but he said he is feeling OK and could have played. He is available to play off the bench, Riggleman said, another sign his ailment is minor. Zimmerman's day off also led to Nyjer Morgan batting leadoff. Riggleman wanted to drop Adam Kennedy, who had been batting leadoff, lower in the lineup in order to provide protection without either Zimmerman or Ivan Rodriguez playing. The main consequence of Morgan hitting leadoff today: The Nationals will find out with the first pitch of the game if the Marlins and starting pitcher Chris Volstad intends to throw at Morgan in retribution for his collision at home plate last night with catcher Brett Hayes. Morgan reported some minor soreness in the aftermath of


Ryan Zimmerman - Adam Kennedy - Washington Nationals - Brett Hayes - Nyjer Morgan

In the wake of controversial comments Rob Dibble made about Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals announced today Dibble will no longer broadcast their games. The separation will be permanent, and the Nationals -- not MASN -- made the decision. The Nationals offered no further comment on the matter. There is no word on a permanent replacement for MASN, but Ray Knight will serve as the analyst at least through the end of the Nationals' current road trip. He may finish the season out, but the Nationals may also try out new analysts in the season's final month. Dibble, who became MASN's analyst at the beginning of last season, has not broadcast a Nationals since Aug. 25. At the time, Nationals President Stan Kasten told the Post that Dibble volunteered to take a leave. "Rob asked for some time off," Kasten said at the time. "Perhaps he's not feeling well. But I'm


Rob Dibble - Stephen Strasburg - Washington Nationals - Ray Knight - Mid-Atlantic Sports Network

We'll find out right away if the Marlins intend to hit Nyjer Morgan in the wake of his collision last night at home plate -- he's batting leadoff. Ryan Zimmerman, meantime, has a rare day off. Nationals 1. Nyjer Morgan, CF 2. Ian Desmond, SS 3. Roger Bernadina, RF 4. Adam Dunn, 1B 5. Michael Morse, RF 6. Adam Kennedy, 2B 7. Alberto Gonzalez, 3B 8. Wil Nieves, C 9. Scott Olsen, SP Marlins 1. Cameron Maybin, CF 2. Logan Morrison, LF 3. Hanley Ramirez, SS 4. Gaby Sanchez, 1B 5. Donnie Murphy, 2B 6. Wes Helms, 3B 7. Mike Stanton, RF 8. Brad Davis, C 9. Chris Volstad, SP


Ryan Zimmerman - Adam Dunn - Roger Bernadina - Scott Olsen - Wil Nieves

The Nationals will begin their September call-ups tonight by recalling catcher Wilson Ramos and reliever Collin Balester and selecting the contract of Danny Espinosa, adding an additional reliever and, most significantly, two players the Nationals see as potential pieces of their future. All three players will be available tonight. Espinosa and Ramos will be available tonight, and Balester will likely join the Nationals by the weekend. Espinosa, 23, will make his first appearance in the majors after his excellent minor league. Espinosa at one point was the only minor leaguer to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases. A shortstop most of his career since the Nationals drafted him in the third round in 2008, Espinosa began playing second base after his call-up last month to Class AAA Syracuse, a sign the Nationals may see him and shortstop Ian Desmond as their future double play combination. In 123 games


Collin Balester - Wilson Ramos - sport - Baseball - Ian Desmond

In the Nationals clubhouse late Tuesday night, the main sounds were hushed interviews and forks scraping plates. They had lost a chance for their first four-game winning streak of the year and the opportunity to clinch their first victory in a road series since May 12, and they lost it in the 10th inning on two nerve-wracking, frustrating plays. At the moment, it was tough to shake. But in the long view, the most important development happened while Jordan Zimmermann occupied the mound. Stephen Strasburg will not throw another pitch for at least a year. After Tuesday night, they know they'll still have one twenty-something ace to both lead their staff and serve as an example for their other twenty-something ace. Zimmermann allowed one hit and faced the minimum in six innings, retiring the final 14 batters he faced. He struck out nine, including five in a row and


Jordan Zimmermann - Washington Nationals - Stephen Strasburg - Jordan - Middle East

One night after Jason Marquis earned his first win in almost a year, Jordan Zimmermann will try to earn his first win in more than a year. Zimmermann is making his second start since his return from Tommy John surgery, and because of that he'll have less control over his W. He'll be limited to five or six and no more than 100 pitches. The Nationals, who have broken out in their their three games with Bernadina-Zimmerman-Dunn-Morse comprising the heart of the order, will face right-hander Anibal Sanchez. He's having a nice year and enters with a 3.29 ERA and 11-8 record. With a win, the Nationals will notch two modest milestones. It would be their first four-game winning streak and it would clinch their first victory of a road series since May 12; the Nats have gone 16 series without winning one. Sanchez started with two strikeouts, but Ian


Jordan Zimmermann - Washington Nationals - Jason Marquis - Tommy John surgery - Tommy John

Though three games is obviously too small of a sample size to jump to conclusions, the Nationals' offense has sure been hot since Manager Jim Riggleman moved Roger Bernadina to the third spot in the order. The Nationals have scored 27 runs and won all three games comfortably, with Bernadina going 6 for 14 with a homer, a double, a triple and a walk. With Josh Willingham out for the season, Bernadina's place in the heart of the lineup makes perfect sense. His 105 OPS+ ranks fourth* on the Nationals this season behind Ryan Zimmerman (144), Adam Dunn (142) and Willingham (128). So without Willingham available, Bernadina, in his rookie season, has proven to be a middle-of-the-lineup bat on this team. *Michael Morse, batting sixth and also tearing the cover off the ball since the lineup realignment, has a 134 OPS+ but does not have enough at-bats to qualify. The


Josh Willingham - Roger Bernadina - Adam Dunn - Jim Riggleman - Washington Nationals

Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to undergo his Tommy John surgery Friday in Los Angeles, General Manager Mike Rizzo said. Dr. Lewis Yocum, who also performed Jordan Zimmerman's ligament-replacement surgery, will perform the surgery with Nationals team doctor Wiemi Douoguih assisting in the operating room. On Monday, Yocum gave Strasburg physical tests and "was surprised he could deal" with them, Rizzo said. "He tested very well." Yocum then administered a second arthrogram, which revealed the same significant tear in the ulnar collateral ligament. Following the surgery, Strasburg will rehab at home at the Scripps Clinic outside San Diego. Strasburg is scheduled to report to Viera, Fla. for spring training with the rest of the Nationals in late January or February. If he remains on the typical schedule, Strasburg will be able to throw again in four months. "He's dealing with it like a professional," Rizzo said. "He's very determined


Stephen Strasburg - Mike Rizzo - Tommy John surgery - Los Angeles - Tommy John

The Nationals will try for their fourth straight win -- and a new season-best winning streak -- tonight behind Jordan Zimmermann, who is making his second start back from Tommy John surgery. Nationals 1. Adam Kennedy, 2B 2. Ian Desmond, SS 3. Roger Bernadina, LF 4. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B 5. Adam Dunn, 1B 6. Michael Morse, RF 7. Ivan Rodriguez, C 8. Nyjer Morgan, CF 9. Jordan Zimmermann, SP Marlins 1. Emiliano Bonifacio, 2B 2. Logan Morrison, LF 3. Hanley Ramirez, SS 4. Gaby Sanchez, 1B 5. Chad Tracy, 3B 6. Mike Stanton, RF 7. Cameron Maybin CF 8. Brett Hayes, C 9. Anibal Sanchez, SP


Jordan Zimmermann - Ryan Zimmerman - Adam Dunn - Roger Bernadina - Tommy John surgery

The long slog of a losing baseball season can make it easy to take a great player for granted. This is especially the case when that great player, like Ryan Zimmerman, so rarely seems impressed with himself. Last night, he tore a bank of lights off the scoreboard, which was about 420 feet from home plate, and turned Sun Life Stadium into Sun Life Stadiu. The longest he's hit? "I have no clue," Zimmerman said, shrugging. "Maybe. No, I don't know." No big deal. The home run came after a play that few third baseman will make, and even fewer, if any, will make look as easy as Zimmerman did. He backhanded a smashed groundball by Cameron Maybin and, in one whippet-quick and smooth motion, sidearmed a laser throw to Adam Kennedy at second base, in the perfect spot for Kennedy to turn the double play on the speedy Maybin.


Ryan Zimmerman - Adam Kennedy - Sun Life Stadium - Baseball field - Second baseman

For three starts, Jason Marquis has pretty much been the pitcher the Nationals hoped he would be when they signed him. They were not expecting an elite starter, just someone to give them a chance to win more often than not. Marquis finally earned his first win of the season last night, but for three starts in a row he has provided a solid chance for the Nationals to win so long as they played halfway decent behind him. Marquis has allowed only five earned runs in his past three starts, a span of 18 innings. In that span, Marquis's ERA has dropped more than six runs. The thing is, it's still an 8.13 ERA at the end of August. It has not been easy, but Marquis has convinced himself to look beyond his numbers, which are tainted by his horrendous beginning to the season -- 19 earned runs


jasonmarquis - Washington Nationals - Earned run - Pitcher - Win–loss record

As the grounds crew continues to squeegee rainwater off the field, the Nationals and Marlins really are going to play tonight. Jason Marquis will try to build off his previous two starts, in which he allowed two earned runs in 12 1/3 innings. It's a little late, but Marquis has the chance to end his season in a manner that will provide optimism for next season. If the Nationals can beat Alex Sanabia -- who played a key role in shutting out the Nationals the last time he faced them -- they'll tie a season-best win streak. Really -- the Nationals still have yet to win four straight games this year. The playing conditions are the same for both teams, but they promise to be a factor. There are less than 500 people in the stands at first pitch to watch this one. If you're still awake, talk about the


Florida Marlins - Jason Marquis - Washington Nationals - Earned run - Games

9:25: The estimated start time is 10 p.m. Stunning. Grounds crew is squegeeing water off the outfield. UPDATE, 9:21: Tonight's game might be played after all. Despite standing water through out the field and some light rain still coming, the tarp is coming off and the grounds crew is pouring dirt on the field and raking. There's a small pond in right field. 8:41: Well, the skies opened up above Sun Life Stadium again. It will supposedly let up at about 9:15 p.m., but the condition of the playing field will be questionable at best, dangerous at worst. Still no official word. UPDATE, 8:35: The rain has finally slowed, but the field is pockmarked with puddles and appears unplayable at the moment. The tarp is still on, too, and there's no sign of the grounds crew mobilizing. Manager Jim Riggleman is walking the field, checking things out. Also, there's no


Sun Life Stadium - Florida Marlins - Sports - Baseball - Major League