District Daily: Nationals News 5/13
By Kenny DeJohn
May 12, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg blows a bubble with his gum in the dugout against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Nationals defeated the Diamondbacks 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It was a wild win last night for the Washington Nationals thanks to a pinch-hit homer from Kevin Frandsen. What other exciting things do the Nats have in store for us?
Nats add veteran bat Dobbs to Minors deal
PHOENIX — The Nationals signed infielder Greg Dobbs to a Minor League contract on Monday. He will go to Viera, Fla., to get in baseball shape, and then probably play a few games for Triple-A Syracuse before he is called up to the big club.
The Nationals have had interest in Dobbs dating back to the offseason of 2011, but he ended up signing with the Marlins, where he didn’t see much action this season. He was 1-for 13 for Miami before he was released by the club last week.
Dobbs is best remembered for being part of a Phillies team that won a World Series title in 2008. Read full article here.
Nationals’ defense costing runs, causing frustration
(Adam Kilgore, washingtonpost.com)
Back in the fall, from his first moment as the Washington Nationals’ new manager, Matt Williams declared a clear priority. “You bring your glove to work every day,” Williams said at his introductory news conference, underscoring the belief that defense would be the bedrock of his team. He created a new position for a coach, Mark Weidemaier, to coordinate the Nationals’ defensive alignments. He carved space every day of spring training to emphasize specific principles and fundamentals.
Six weeks into the season, the Nationals’ efforts to improve their defense have fallen flat. By most every measure, they have one of the worst defenses in the National League, costing them runs, turning wins into losses and, in some cases, causing frustration to overflow. Still, the Nationals believe their defense will turn into the unit they hoped it would be. Read full article here.
Strasburg seeking to continue ace form vs. D-backs
When Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg is on, he is nearly unhittable. In his past four starts, the right-hander has been on. He is 2-0 with a 1.37 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. During that span of 26 1/3 innings, he has fanned 31 batters.
Washington hopes to see more of the same out of their young ace as he toes the rubber opposite Diamondbacks hurler Bronson Arroyo. Arizona hopes to fare much better against the Strasburg than the Dodgers did last Wednesday.
Strasburg’s strong stretch appeared to be in jeopardy when he gave up two runs against Los Angeles in the first inning of that start. However, two runs from the Nationals in the bottom half of the frame reinvigorated the right-hander. Read full article here.