Nationals first. Trea Turner homers. Adam Eaton grounds out to shallow infield, Rick Porcello to Dominic Smith. Starlin Castro pops out to shallow center field to Luis Guillorme. Juan Soto grounds out to second base, Luis Guillorme to Dominic Smith.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Mets 0.Nationals second. Howie Kendrick singles to shallow left field. Asdrubal Cabrera called out on strikes. Eric Thames lines out to deep right center field to Michael Conforto. Kurt Suzuki singles to shallow left field. Howie Kendrick to second. Victor Robles singles to left field, tagged out at second, Brandon Nimmo to Dominic Smith. Kurt Suzuki to third. Howie Kendrick scores.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Nationals 2, Mets 0.Mets fourth. Wilson Ramos grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Eric Thames. Andres Gimenez triples to deep right field. Luis Guillorme out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Juan Soto. Andres Gimenez scores. Billy Hamilton flies out to left field to Juan Soto.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Mets 1.

Nationals second. Juan Soto grounds out to shallow infield, Steven Matz to Pete Alonso. Howie Kendrick grounds out to shortstop, J.D. Davis to Pete Alonso. Asdrubal Cabrera homers to center field. Carter Kieboom strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Mets 0.Nationals third. Yan Gomes singles to right field. Victor Robles strikes out swinging. Trea Turner homers to left field. Yan Gomes scores. Josh Harrison grounds out to shallow infield, J.D. Davis to Pete Alonso. Starlin Castro reaches on third strike. Juan Soto homers to center field. Starlin Castro scores. Howie Kendrick flies out to right center field to Michael Conforto.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 5, Mets 0.Nationals fifth. Trea Turner singles to shallow center field. Josh Harrison singles to shallow center field. Trea Turner to second. Starlin Castro reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow left field. Josh Harrison out at second. Trea Turner to third. Juan Soto doubles to deep center... [More]

Nationals second. Juan Soto homers to left field. Howie Kendrick singles to shallow right field. Eric Thames lines out to left center field to Austin Hays. Asdrubal Cabrera singles to center field. Howie Kendrick to third. Kurt Suzuki out on a sacrifice fly to deep left center field to Dwight Smith Jr.. Howie Kendrick scores. Victor Robles grounds out to shallow infield, Rio Ruiz to Chris Davis.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 2, Orioles 0.Nationals sixth. Starlin Castro singles to shallow infield, advances to 2nd. Throwing error by Tanner Scott. Juan Soto called out on strikes. Howie Kendrick strikes out swinging. Eric Thames doubles to deep center field. Starlin Castro scores. Asdrubal Cabrera strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Orioles 0.Orioles eighth. Pat Valaika pinch-hitting for Chance Sisco. Pat Valaika homers to left field. Pedro Severino pinch-hitting for Dwight Smith Jr.. Pedro Severino homers to left field. Chris Davis strikes out swinging. Austin Hays walks. Hanser Alberto singles to left field. Austin Hays to second. Anthony Santander homers to left field. Hanser Alberto scores. Austin Hays scores. Jose Iglesias lines out to shallow center field to Starlin Castro. Rio Ruiz pops out to Trea Turner.5 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Orioles 5, Nationals 3.

Orioles first. Hanser Alberto grounds out to shallow left field, Carter Kieboom to Howie Kendrick. Anthony Santander doubles to center field. Jose Iglesias doubles to left field. Anthony Santander scores. Renato Nunez called out on strikes. Dwight Smith Jr. walks. Pedro Severino flies out to center field to Victor Robles.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Orioles 1, Nationals 0.Orioles second. Rio Ruiz walks. Chris Davis doubles. Rio Ruiz to third. Austin Hays singles to left center field. Chris Davis to third. Rio Ruiz scores. Hanser Alberto reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Austin Hays out at second. Chris Davis scores. Anthony Santander flies out to center field to Victor Robles. Jose Iglesias singles to center field. Hanser Alberto to third. Renato Nunez walks. Jose Iglesias to second. Dwight Smith Jr. strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Orioles 3, Nationals 0.Orioles fourth. Hanser Alberto doubles to deep left field. Anthony Santander lines out to deep... [More]

Mets first. Brandon Nimmo walks. Michael Conforto singles to deep right field. Brandon Nimmo to third. Pete Alonso strikes out swinging. Dominic Smith out on a sacrifice fly to Juan Soto. Brandon Nimmo scores. J.D. Davis grounds out to first base to Eric Thames.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 1, Nationals 0.Nationals first. Trea Turner strikes out swinging. Adam Eaton doubles. Starlin Castro flies out to center field to Billy Hamilton. Juan Soto doubles to left field. Adam Eaton scores. Howie Kendrick lines out to shallow infield to Rick Porcello.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 1, Nationals 1.Mets fourth. J.D. Davis singles to shallow center field. Andres Gimenez singles to right field. J.D. Davis to second. Wilson Ramos strikes out swinging. Luis Guillorme singles to shallow center field. Andres Gimenez to second. J.D. Davis scores. Billy Hamilton reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Luis Guillorme out at second. Andres Gimenez to third. Brandon Nimmo grounds... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto was set to make his 2020 debut for the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night against the New York Mets, starting in left field and batting cleanup after beginning the season on the COVID-19 injured list.The slugger failed a coronavirus test — he later said he thought it was a false positive — and went on the injured list on opening day July 23. He missed Washington’s first eight games of the truncated season. Soto was reinstated from the IL on Tuesday, but didn't play in a 5-3 victory over the Mets, instead hopping atop the dugout to celebrate homers by teammates Howie Kendrick and Josh Harrison. “I talked to him last night. He did everything yesterday and he felt good. He said he’s ready,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday. “He took a bunch of swings yesterday, I know. He ran. He did some outfield work. He said he feels like he can go out there.”Soto produced 34 homers and 110 RBIs in the 2019 regular season and helped the Nationals win their... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner lines out to deep right center field to Ryan Cordell. Adam Eaton strikes out swinging. Howie Kendrick homers to left field. Asdrubal Cabrera singles to center field. Starlin Castro strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Mets 0.Nationals second. Josh Harrison homers to left field. Carter Kieboom called out on strikes. Yan Gomes reaches on error. Fielding error by Brian Dozier. Victor Robles reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Yan Gomes out at second. Trea Turner pops out to shallow right field to Brian Dozier.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Nationals 2, Mets 0.Nationals third. Adam Eaton lines out to deep right field to Michael Conforto. Howie Kendrick singles to right field. Asdrubal Cabrera doubles to right field. Howie Kendrick to third. Starlin Castro singles to right field. Asdrubal Cabrera to third. Howie Kendrick scores. Josh Harrison out on a sacrifice fly to left field to Brandon Nimmo. Starlin Castro to... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto was still waiting on Wednesday to be cleared to play by the city government after getting the OK from Major League Baseball to return from the COVID-19 injured list.Manager Dave Martinez said the Nationals hope their 21-year-old slugger will be allowed to work out with the team starting Saturday and play in their first game after that — which is next Tuesday at home against the New York Mets.Soto, who had 34 homers and 110 RBIs during the 2019 regular season and was a breakout star of October, tested positive for the coronavirus and was sidelined on opening day last week. The Nationals' starting lineup lost another middle-of-the-order hitter when Howie Kendrick was scratched three hours before the scheduled first pitch of Wednesday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays because of upper back stiffness. Washington said Kendrick was available to pinch hit. Without Soto, the Nationals entered Wednesday with a 1-4 record, having... [More]

Blue jays second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homers to center field. Rowdy Tellez flies out to deep left field to Emilio Bonifacio. Brandon Drury grounds out to second base, Howie Kendrick to Austin Voth. Joe Panik called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 1, Nationals 0.Nationals third. Yan Gomes strikes out swinging. Emilio Bonifacio pops out to shortstop to Santiago Espinal. Trea Turner doubles. Adam Eaton singles to right field. Trea Turner scores. Howie Kendrick strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 1, Nationals 1.Blue jays fourth. Cavan Biggio flies out to Emilio Bonifacio. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homers to center field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounds out to shallow left field, Trea Turner to Howie Kendrick. Rowdy Tellez grounds out to second base, Asdrubal Cabrera to Howie Kendrick.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 2, Nationals 1.Blue jays fifth. Brandon Drury grounds out to shallow infield, Trea Turner to Howie Kendrick. Joe... [More]

Nationals third. Yan Gomes strikes out swinging. Michael A. Taylor grounds out to shallow infield, DJ LeMahieu to Luke Voit. Trea Turner homers to left field. Adam Eaton grounds out to second base, DJ LeMahieu to Luke Voit.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Yankees 0.Nationals fourth. Starlin Castro doubles. Howie Kendrick grounds out to shallow infield, DJ LeMahieu to Luke Voit. Starlin Castro to third. Eric Thames singles to shallow right field. Starlin Castro scores. Asdrubal Cabrera grounds out to shallow infield. Eric Thames out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Yankees 0.Yankees seventh. Aaron Judge strikes out swinging. Gleyber Torres homers to left field. Giancarlo Stanton strikes out swinging. Luke Voit homers to left field. Gio Urshela walks. Miguel Andujar grounds out to second base, Starlin Castro to Eric Thames.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 2, Nationals 2.Yankees eighth. Aaron Hicks pinch-hitting for Kyle Higashioka. Aaron Hicks walks. Gary Sanchez pinch-hitting for Mike Tauchman. Gary Sanchez called out on strikes. DJ LeMahieu singles to right field. Aaron Hicks to second. Aaron Judge lines out to deep left field to Michael A. Taylor. Gleyber Torres singles to left center field. DJ LeMahieu to second. Aaron Hicks scores. Giancarlo Stanton is intentionally walked. Luke Voit strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Yankees 3, Nationals 2.

Nationals second. Asdrubal Cabrera singles to shallow right field. Kurt Suzuki singles to left center field. Asdrubal Cabrera to second. Carter Kieboom singles to right field. Kurt Suzuki to second. Asdrubal Cabrera to third. Victor Robles doubles. Carter Kieboom to third. Kurt Suzuki scores. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Michael A. Taylor walks. Trea Turner grounds out to shortstop. Michael A. Taylor out at second. Victor Robles to third. Carter Kieboom scores. Adam Eaton flies out to left center field to Aaron Hicks.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Yankees 0.Yankees third. Gio Urshela reaches on error to shortstop, advances to 2nd. Fielding error by Trea Turner. Throwing error by Trea Turner. Brett Gardner flies out to deep right field to Adam Eaton. Gio Urshela to third. DJ LeMahieu singles to deep center field. Gio Urshela scores. Aaron Judge reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. DJ LeMahieu out at second. Gleyber Torres grounds out to third base, Asdrubal Cabrera... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals and Yankees knelt in unison before the first game of the baseball season as part of an opening day ceremony Thursday night that featured references to the Black Lives Matter movement, the coronavirus pandemic -- including an off-the-mark first pitch by Dr. Anthony Fauci -- and the home team’s 2019 championship.Players from both clubs wore T-shirts saying Black Lives Matter during batting practice at Nationals Park, and the letters “BLM” were stenciled into the back of the mound at the center of the diamond.In a poignant reference to the racial reckoning happening in the U.S., players and other members of both teams held a long black ribbon while standing spaced out along the two foul lines. After they placed the ribbon on the ground, everyone then got on their knees.They all then rose for a taped performance of the national anthem.Hours later in Los Angeles, the Giants and Dodgers held a black ribbon that wound along the baselines in a show of unity after... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals and Yankees knelt in unison before the first game of the baseball season as part of an opening day ceremony Thursday night that featured references to the Black Lives Matter movement, the coronavirus pandemic -- including an off-the-mark first pitch by Dr. Anthony Fauci -- and the home team’s 2019 championship.Players from both clubs wore T-shirts saying Black Lives Matter during batting practice at Nationals Park, and the letters “BLM” were stenciled into the back of the mound at the center of the diamond.In a poignant reference to the racial reckoning happening in the U.S., players and other members of both teams held a long black ribbon while standing spaced out along the two foul lines. After they placed the ribbon on the ground, everyone then got on their knees.They all then rose for a taped performance of the national anthem.Yankees players decided Wednesday they wanted to kneel for 60 seconds before the anthem. New York officials then asked Washington... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals and Yankees knelt in unison before the first game of the baseball season as part of an opening day ceremony Thursday night that featured references to the Black Lives Matter movement, the coronavirus pandemic -- including an off-the-mark first pitch by Dr. Anthony Fauci -- and the home team’s 2019 championship.Players from both clubs wore T-shirts saying Black Lives Matter during batting practice at Nationals Park, and the letters “BLM” were stenciled into the back of the mound at the center of the diamond.In a poignant reference to the racial reckoning happening in the U.S., players and other members of both teams held a long black ribbon while standing spaced out along the two foul lines. After they placed the ribbon on the ground, everyone then got on their knees.They all then rose for a taped performance of the national anthem.Yankees players decided Wednesday they wanted to kneel for 60 seconds before the anthem. New York officials then asked Washington... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals and Yankees knelt in unison before the first game of the baseball season as part of an opening day ceremony Thursday night that featured references to the Black Lives Matter movement, the coronavirus pandemic -- including an off-the-mark first pitch by Dr. Anthony Fauci -- and the home team’s 2019 championship.Players from both clubs wore T-shirts saying Black Lives Matter during batting practice at Nationals Park, and the letters “BLM” were stenciled into the back of the mound at the center of the diamond.In a poignant reference to the racial reckoning happening in the U.S., players and other members of both teams held a long black ribbon while standing spaced out along the two foul lines. After they placed the ribbon on the ground, everyone then got on their knees.They all then rose for a taped performance of the national anthem.Yankees players decided Wednesday they wanted to kneel for 60 seconds before the anthem. New York officials then asked Washington... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals and Yankees knelt in unison before the first game of the baseball season as part of an opening day ceremony Thursday night that featured references to the Black Lives Matter movement, the coronavirus pandemic -- including an off-the-mark first pitch by Dr. Anthony Fauci -- and the home team’s 2019 championship.Players from both clubs wore T-shirts saying Black Lives Matter during batting practice, and the letters “BLM” were stenciled into the back of the mound at the center of the diamond.In a poignant reference to the racial reckoning happening in the U.S., players and other members of both teams held a long black ribbon while standing spaced out along the two foul lines. After they placed the ribbon on the ground, everyone then got on their knees.They all then rose for a taped performance of the national anthem.That followed a series of videos: about Black Lives Matter, showing major league players such as New York’s Aaron Judge and Washington’s Howie Kendrick;... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals and Yankees knelt in unison before the first game of the baseball season as part of an opening day ceremony Thursday night that featured references to the Black Lives Matter movement, the coronavirus pandemic -- including an off-the-mark first pitch by Dr. Anthony Fauci -- and the home team’s 2019 championship.Players from both clubs wore T-shirts saying Black Lives Matter during batting practice, and the letters “BLM” were stenciled into the back of the mound at the center of the diamond.In a poignant reference to the racial reckoning happening in the U.S., players and other members of both teams held a long black ribbon while standing spaced out along the two foul lines. After they placed the ribbon on the ground, everyone then got on their knees.They all then rose for a taped performance of the national anthem.That followed a series of videos: about Black Lives Matter, showing major league players such as New York’s Aaron Judge and Washington’s Howie Kendrick;... [More]

The minute word leaked that the designated hitter was coming to the National League this season, fans and front offices alike began pinpointing the perfect candidates.Kyle Schwarber ... Ryan Braun ... Jay Bruce. And several others.Whether it be an aging slugger returning from injury or a younger hitter who’s not so good with the glove, nearly every NL team has a player who fits the profile: dangerous stick, suspect defense. A natural choice to bat for the pitcher and not play the field. Suddenly there’s an ideal spot in the starting lineup available to those guys, now that the DH has spread beyond the American League under new rules adopted for a postponed season shortened to 60 games because of the coronavirus.It all starts without fans on hand Thursday night in Washington, where the World Series champion Nationals host the New York Yankees. Probably with Eric Thames or Howie Kendrick becoming the first designated hitter for an NL squad playing a regular-season game in its home ballpark.“I... [More]

With all the protocols in place, Stephen Strasburg got a good feel Monday night for what pitching on the road will entail this season during the coronavirus pandemic. Last year's World Series MVP threw five strong innings for Washington in a 4-2 exhibition win over the Baltimore Orioles. Nationals manager Dave Martinez said the team took five buses for the 45-minute ride to Baltimore so players and staff could space out, with 14 people on each bus. “It’s pretty intense,” Strasburg said. “You get on the bus and you have to wear a face mask the whole time. Then you get in, and basically they temperature screen you. It’s kind of tough to get a good temperature reading when it’s 100 degrees outside. "But if you pass that, then you come into the clubhouse and everybody’s kind of sectioned off. So it’s just kind of an adjustment that we have to make. But unfortunately it’s kind of challenging to build team chemistry in an environment like this right now.” Strasburg looked just fine on the mound,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto and Howie Kendrick found pictures of themselves and a “Welcome back” message waiting in the home clubhouse at Nationals Park when they finally joined the World Series champions for “summer camp” and played in an intrasquad scrimmage Thursday night.“I just feel back at home, back with my team,” said Soto, adding that it was uncomfortable to be stuck at home — an apartment he called too small to swing a bat — while seeing everyone else around the majors getting ready for the season for nearly two full weeks.“It was tough for me, because I wanted to be back so bad,” he said. “But I got through all that and now we’re back.” While the Nationals never explicitly announced why Soto and Kendrick were absent for the ramp-up, there is a city rule mandating that anyone coming into contact with someone who had the coronavirus needed to self-quarantine for 14 days.Pitcher Luís Garcia also was back with the team Thursday. Still missing from the Nationals, though: starting... [More]