Nats Nightly

Washington Nationals' right-hander Max Scherzer retired the first 16 batters he faced in a bid for perfection, but gave up a solo HR to batter No. 17, Addison Russell, in what ended up a 4-1 Nats win over the Chicago Cubs in the nation's capital. Scherzer struck out 11 total on the night and the National snapped a six-game losing streak to the NL's best with the win in the nation's capital. Two more with the Cubs to follow this week. Nats now winners of four straight overall.

Maikel Franco put the Philadelphia Phillies up 4-3 with a solo home run off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth, but Jayson Werth came up with a two-out, bases-loaded single for the walk-off win! Nats sweep the Phillies on Werth's walk-off! 5-4 final. Washington Nationas improve to 39-24 with the win. Up next, a big three-game series with the Chicago Cubs in the nation's capital. But enjoy the sweep for now! Werth's walk-off wins it! And then he coins the greatest catchphrase ever...

Tanner Roark tossed seven scoreless in a bounce-back outing after a rough start in Cincinnati, and the Washington Nationals made it two straight over the Philadelphia Phillies in D.C., knocking Aaron Nola out early in what ended up being an 8-0 win. The Nationals spread the offense around with thirteen hits total and four extra base hits as the Nats took the three-game set from the Phillies with back-to-back wins and set themselves up with a chance to sw_ _p tomorrow afternoon.

Stephen Strasburg gave up four runs early as the Washington Nationals fell behind, 4-0, but the right-hander retired the last fourteen Philadelphia Phillies he faced as the Nats rallied to take the lead in what ended up a 9-6 win in D.C. Strasburg struck out ten and earned his tenth win of the year, (10-0) as the Nationals improved to 37-24 on the year with the win in the nation's capital. Wilson Ramos, Danny Espinosa and Stephen Drew hit home runs in Nationals Park and Daniel Murphy put together another multi-hit game.

The Washington Nationals and Chicago White Sox managed just five hits apiece and the Sox did a little more damage with theirs -- taking advantage of a shaky Gio Gonzalez in the first inning -- to salvage the finale of the three-game set 3-1 at U.S. Cellular Field. Meanwhile, in Washinton, D.C., Mike Rizzo and Co. in the Nats' front office were hard at work on the first night of the MLB Draft. We heard from Assistant GM Kris Kline on the Nationals' first three picks...

Joe Ross didn't bring his command with him to Chicago's south side, but he battled through four innings and the Washington Nationals' offense battled back from an early deficit to take the series opener with the White Sox, 10-5 in U.S. Cellular Field. Mat Latos wasn't too impressive either going just 4 1/3 innings and giving five hits four walks and six runs. Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth and Michael Taylor had multi-hit games and the Nats improved to 35-23 on the year with the win in the series opener.

Tanner Roark was out early after giving up five runs in three innings, but the Washington Nationals rallied from the 5-0 deficit for a 10-9 win over the Cincinnati Reds, avoiding the sweep in Great American Ball Park and improving to 34-23 overall. Things got dicey in the ninth when the Reds rallied against Nats' closer Jonathan Papelbon, scoring a run before he was able to record three straight outs with the bases loaded. Phew. Day off tomorrow then three with the White Sox in Chicago.

When Washington Nationals' lefty Gio Gonzalez was done for the night in Cincinnati, he'd allowed nine hits and five earned runs in six innings, leaving him with 25 hits and 18 runs allowed in his last 15 2/3 innings pitched. Not a good stretch for the 30-year-old lefty. But did you see what Trea Turner did in his 2016 debut? 3 for 3 with a walk! Go Trea Turner! 7-2 Reds tonight in Great American Ball Park. Nats now 33-22. Two more in Cincy this weekend...

Max Scherzer struck out 11 batters in 8.0 IP, throwing six scoreless before he gave up a two-run blast in the seventh, but the Washington Nationals pounded the Philadelphia Phillies, 7-2, and swept the three-game set in Citizens Bank Park. With the win, the Nationals improved to 33-21 on the season heading into a day off tomorrow and their three-game weekend set in Cincinnati. Will Bryce Harper return to face the Reds? What was Michael A. Taylor doing when he got doubled up in the eighth? Lots of questions...

Washington Nationals' right-hander Joe Ross put together another solid start, allowing one run on three hits in seven innings pitched, and Jayson Werth, Daniel Murphy, Danny Espinosa and Stephen Drew all homered in what ended up a 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Ross allowed one run on three hits in seven innings and a late blast by Espinosa and an inside the park homer by Drew gave the Nats some breathing room. One more in Citizens Bank Park tomorrow. Nationals now 32-21.