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Sports

Reasons to love the Nationals

By Sam Lindauer | August 15

The Nationals are a last place team. At least that’s where they’re heading for the 2010 campaign. That should not come as a surprise to people that have been following baseball as the Nationals have been basement dwellers for a few years. After losing over 100 games in 2009, how much getter could they get? But don’t let the past give you hang ups about D.C.’s baseball club. Here are some reasons you should love the Nationals.

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Sports

Marlins shutout Nats 5-0

August 13

In the series finale against the Florida marlins, the Nationals pitching staff finally put up a fight. Too bad the offense was nowhere to be seen; Washington was shutout 5-0 on the last game of a Marlins’ sweep.

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Sports

Phillies beat Nats, 6-4, in extra innings

By Sam Lindauer | August 1

For the second day in a row the Nationals had their starting pitcher exit with a lead and for the second day in the row, the bullpen blew it.

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Sports

Nats beat Phillies, 7-5

By Sam Lindauer | August 1

Trailing in the bottom of the ninth, Ryan Zimmerman stepped to the plate and absolutely crushed a Brad Lidge fastball halfway up the grass beyond the centerfield wall to give the Nationals a 7-5 victory.

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Sports

Nats trade Capps for Ramos and Testa

By Sam Lindauer | July 30

It is by no means a shock that the Nationals traded their sole All-Star, reliever Matt Capps. Washington received highly touted catching prospect Wilson Ramos and reliever Joe Testa. This team is obviously a seller and Capps was probably the most expendable player on the team. Capps’ great season so far also gave him the highest value that he may ever have in his career. Capps’ current value may only be second to Adam Dunn, who may have been traded by the time this column is read.

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Sports

Nats beat Braves, 5-3, and win series

By Sam Lindauer | July 30

Anyone paying attention to the Nationals lately has been caught up in their starting pitchers’ injuries. One pitcher in particular has been one of the biggest news stories of the last couple of days.

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Sports

Nats lose to Braves, 3-1

By Sam Lindauer | July 28

In Wednesday night's 3-1 loss to the Braves, an early deficit mixed with a stellar pitching performance from veteran Tim Hudson kept the Nationals from coming away with their second straight victory.

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Sports

Nats beat Braves, 3-0, despite Strasburg missing game at last minute

By Sam Lindauer | July 27

Dominant. Shut-down. A pitching machine. All these words could be used to describe the Nationals’ pitcher on Tuesday night. But the man who stepped onto the mound just after seven o’clock was not the person the sell-out crowd had paid to see. It was Miguel Batista and he was brilliant.

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Sports

Former AU wrestler sues university over wrestling coach's alleged misconduct

By Sam Lindauer | July 12

AU's Athletic Department denies claims made against the school and wrestling coach Mark Cody in a lawsuit recently filed by former AU wrestler Adam LoPiccolo.

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Sports

Nats lose to Giants, 6-2, in last game before All Star break

By Sam Lindauer | July 11

In Saturday night’s loss the Nationals snapped a dubious streak of allowing a run to the opposition in the first inning. However they started a new streak on Sunday afternoon as Livan Hernandez gave up two runs in the first and put the offense in a hole before they even had a chance to hit.

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Sports

Giants beat Nats,10-5

By Sam Lindauer | July 10

Despite heading into the final third of the game with the lead in Saturday night’s game, the Nationals’ bullpen allowed the Giants to come back and eventually get on top to win 10-5.

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Sports

Nats lose to Padres, 7-1

By Sam Lindauer | July 9

A dominant performance from the opposition, paired with a bad start from Luis Atilano, buried the Nationals in Thursday night’s 7-1 loss.

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Sports

Nats score back-to-back wins with 7-6 victory over Padres

By Sam Lindauer | July 8

Maybe it was the record setting heat, maybe it was good fortune catching up with them, but the Nationals hit the ball hard, especially Adam Dunn.

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Sports

Nats beat Padres, 6-5, after Zimmerman homers in 9th inning

By Sam Lindauer | July 7

Ryan Zimmerman must really want the fans’ votes for that last All-Star spot on the National League roster. With two home runs, one being a walk-off solo shot to the deepest part of the ballpark, Zimmerman salvaged a victory for the Nats, who had lost a three-run lead just an inning before.

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Sports

Nationals pull off 6-5 win over Mets Saturday

By Sam Lindauer | July 4

The Nationals offensive woes did not seem to be evident in the bottom of the ninth in Saturday’s 6-5 win over the Mets. Thanks to a three run rally, Washington was able to finish on top.

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Sports

Nats lose to Mets Friday night, 5-3, tying series 1-1

By Sam Lindauer | July 3

With the Nationals’ offense in an extended rut, they have depended on pitchers being near perfect in order to scratch out a victory. Friday night they had the displeasure of facing a pitcher who was hitting on all cylinders and playing behind one who could not get out of the fourth inning.

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Sports

After going 8-19 in June, Nationals start July off with a win

By Sam Lindauer | July 2

Despite Stephen Strasburg's debut last month, the Nationals still posted a losing record of 8-19. But they started July off strong, with a 2-1 win over the New York Mets Thursday.

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