15 Nats Clinching GIFs That Will Make You Smile

Here are a bunch of awesome GIFs from the Nationals celebrations last night after clinching the NL East Division Title. You've got hugs, high fives, screaming, dancing, yelling, toasts, smiles, crazyness and more. Check em' out (give them a minute to load I screwed up the sizes).

Top Scenes From Nats Clinching The Playoff

Well they've done it again. The Washington Nationals are 2014 NL East Champions! The scene after the game clinching in Atlanta looked like one heck of a celebration. Here are our top images and videos from the magic night.

Washington Nationals Bullpen Attends Caps Game, Caps Collapse, Gio Chooses Soccer

A few Washington Nationals pitchers made the day/night baseball/hockey doubleheader on Saturday.  Tyler Clippard, Craig Stammen, and Drew Storen were spotted in a suite at Verizon Center during the Caps matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning following a loss of their own to the Atlanta Braves earlier that day.  The Caps were up 5-1 at one point, but you'll never guess what happened.

Ryan Mattheus First Shaving Cream Victim Of The Season

It took several home wins but the Washington Nationals finally gave a shaving cream pie to a post-game interview player.  On Thursday night, after a win and a sweep against the Chicago White Sox, Ryan Mattheus was discussing his relief appearance.  Meanwhile, Drew Storen was sneaking up behind him.

Nats Blow Lead, Beat Reds In Extras

Nationals 7, Reds 6 (11 Innings)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11		R	H	E
Nationals	0	0	2	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	2		7	10	3
Reds	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	2	0	1		6	13	0

Read the full box score at MLB

Tim McClelland Just Called Strike 3...

The Nats bounced back from an embarrassing 15-0 loss on Friday to defeat the Reds 7-6 in an 11 inning affair on Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati.  Ian Desmond and Wilson Ramos hit 2 big time homeruns (watch at bottom) in the 11th inning to help the Nats make up for a blown save in the 9th inning by Rafael Soriano.

With Ross Detwiler set up for the win after 6 innings of 1 hit ball and a 5-3 lead, the Reds scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to stun the Nats and new closer Rafael Soriano.  But the Nats fought off the adversity, taking home the win in extras.

Great American Ballpark once again showed why it is one of the toughest parks on pitchers as the Nationals hit 5 homeruns in the contest. (Cincinnati hit 7 the night before).  Bryce Harper hit a 2 run shot in the 3rd inning, Wilson Ramos hit a 2 run shot in the 6th inning, Werth hit a solo shot in the 7th, and then Desmond and Ramos homered in the 11th to seal the victory.

Man With Baby Catches Jayson Werth's Homerun Ball (FP: "That is impressive...just don't drop the kid")

With the score 5-2 in the bottom of the 8th with the tying run at the plate, Davey Johnson let Drew Storen fight through the situation.  An Ian Desmond error allowed a run to score and a terrible throw by Bryce Harper who tried to throw out a guy at home who had already scored, allowed the runners to advance and the tying run to stand on 2nd base.  Storen stepped up and struck out Xavier Paul to end the danger and the inning.

But in the bottom of the 9th, the collapse was completed.  Sin-Soo Choo lead off the inning with a homer, and then Joey Votto hit a triple off the wall and scored on a wild pitch.  It was Rafael Soriano's first blown save of the season.

Craig Stammen pitched the 10th and 11th innings giving up a run, but taking home the win.

One of the most interesting plays of the game was a Bryce Harper single up the middle.  Reds shortstop Zack Cozart came across the infield and booted the grounder, the ball rolling a few feet away right in the 1st-2nd baseline.  Bryce Harper hustled to first base, then took a big turn around the bag, considering trying to take 2nd base on the play.  Only Bryce.

The Nats and Reds meet again on Sunday afternoon...

Nationals, Teenage Mutant Ninja Hurlers Shirts

Here's a shirt that the Nats players are possibly wearing at Spring Training.  Google puts a date of January on this, so I don't think that this was randomly created today.

If this is the same shirt as described above, the players are Rafael Soriano, Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard, and Craig Stammen I believe.  I can't tell anything from this picture, lol.  Heroes On The Half Street!

Nats shirt created by @ambp77 (See links below)

You can get this shirt online here for $30 bucks.

Allan (@ambp77) first created the Photoshop for Tumblr then sent Ross Detwiler the image to create shirts.  It appears that Ross created the shirts, and a cause for minor buzz before a Spring Training game.  I suggest you see the other photoshops of Nats players at his Tumblr, they are awesome.

VIDEO: A Quick Look At Rafael Soriano, New Washington National

We take just one minute to look at what the deal is with Rafael Soriano, who was acquired by the Nationals from the New York Yankees on Tuesday afternoon.  Check it out!

A High Flying Drew Storen Closes The Gatorade On Gio Gonzalez After His 20th Win

On Saturday afternoon, Gio Gonzalez became the Major League's first 20 game winner.  Gio picked up the win in front of the home crowd and in front of his mom & dad who he gave game balls after the game.


"As a team feeling right now we feel amazing, i think that this definitely couldn't have been accomplished without this team. These guys have been unbelievable.  It doesn't feel like 20 wins for myself it feels like 20 wins for the team.  One of those things where you can just smile about it, this is a childhood dream, but at the same time to do it with a team that's in first place, makes it that much better" -GIO GONZALEZ

After the game during the post game interview with Kristina Akra, Drew Storen and Ryan Mattheus ran out with the Gatorade jug to dump orange Gatorade all over Gio.  Storen was really into it and did a flying ninja move.  It was awesome.  GIF after the jump:

Bad Night For Nats

Nationals 0, Brewers 6

Tonight wasn't pretty as the Nationals saw their winning streak end at 6.  They lost to the Brewers tonight, giving up 6 runs without scoring a single run.  Detwiler didn't pitch that bad, but he did give up 4 runs over 4.2 innings.  Craig Stammen came in from the pen and proceeded to give up 2 more runs to get the Brewers to 6.  Cory Hart and Aramis Ramirez both homered for the Brewers.

Their isn't much to talk about on the offensive side of the coin.  Lombardozzi, LaRoche, Morse, and DeRosa all recorded 1 hit on the night, and that was all she wrote.

"Michael Morse gets what you call a thing" -Bob Carpenter

H-rod pitched well in the 8th and Storen had a solid 7th inning, although both had zero pressure on them.

Can't win them all.  The Nats are at it again tomorrow for the third game of four against the Brewers. 

Weekly Fan Poll: Ian Desmond & The DL

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Last Week's Question:  What did you want to happen with the closer situation for the Nats?

Results:  Tyler Clippard had a really rough week, and Drew Storen came back to the team.  As the week went on, people may have wanted to change their votes.  37% wanted to stick with Tyler Clippard and only 14% wanted to throw Storen right back in.  However, almost 30% wanted to slowly phase Storen back into his role, and 18% wanted a closer by committee.  

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This Week's Question:  Who is to blame for Ian Desmond going on the DL?

Ian Desmond started complaining about his injured oblique even before the All-Star break.  The injury caused him to miss the All-Star game, but Dezzy came back to the Nats after the break and attempted to play.  He was clearly injured and looked like he couldn't swing the bat.  


In the series last week against the Mets, Desmond was given some rest, but two nights in a row he was put in towards the end of the game instead of held out.  The guy has heart and he doesn't want to sit out.  But now he will be sitting out for weeks.  So...who's fault was it?

Who is to blame for Ian Desmond going on the DL?

Natty Dread

Braves 11, Nationals 10 (10 innings)

The Washington Nationals led the Atlanta Braves 9-0 on Friday night, but a rough inning for Stephen Strasburg and some bad bullpen pitching contributed to a Braves comeback and a Nats loss.  The Braves are now only 2.5 games back of the Nattys.

The Nats were rolling with help from three run homers by Michael Morse and Ryan Zimmerman.  But in the 6th inning Strasburg began his collapse.  The Nats All-Star finished with 5 strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings, but he couldn't get into his groove all night.  Strasburg was lucky to make it into the 6th unharmed, and after giving up 2 runs and several baserunners, his night was done.

The bullpen came in and things did not get any better.  Each of the next 4 relievers for the Nats gave up 2 runs (Mike Gonzalez' were earned by Stras).  That included both Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard who blew his 2nd save in 3 games.

In the 10th, Zimmerman made a throwing error to first and Dan Uggla made it to 2nd base.  A passed ball later and the go ahead run was on 3rd.  Ian Desmond couldn't make the catch on a little duck snort (my favorite baseball word), Uggla scored, Nats lose.

Your Tyler Clippard update:

After his 14th save on July 7th, Clippard has given up 9 hits, 3 walks, and 8 runs in 6 appearances that included one save, 2 blown saves, and a loss.


The fun doesn't stop, 2 more games on Saturday in the Nats Braves series...

Braves @ Nationals: Game Preview (7/20)

Braves vs Nationals

7:05 PM Nationals Park

MASN-1

Story Lines:

• The innings limit of 160 for Strasburg has disappeared.  GM Rizzo is going to use an "eye test" to decide when to shut him down.
• The Braves will look to start narrowing the 3.5 game gap between them and the Nats tonight.
• Drew Storen is back with the Nationals after his lengthy DL time.

Pitching Match Up:

• Tommy Hanson
• 10-5 with a 4.02 ERA.
• Last time out against the Nats he gave up 2 runs on 6 hits in 7 innings.
• Gave up 6 runs in 5.1 innings last start.

• Stephen Strasburg
• 10-4 with a 2.66 ERA.
• Last start against the Braves he only went 3 innings because of dehydration.
• Pitched 6 innings of shutout ball last start.

Who to Watch:

•  Dan Uggla
• Hitting .538 with 2 homeruns and 8 RBIs against Strasburg lifetime.
• Has 12 homeruns this season (on pace for 21).
• Is only hitting .216 on the year.

• Danny Espinosa
• Hitting .375 against Hanson lifetime.
• Has 24 extra base hits on the season.
• Leads the team in stolen bases (14) and strikeouts (101).

Keys to the Game:

1. Stras-time.  With the burden of the innings limit slightly lessened now, Strasburg will need to deliver a big time performance tonight.
2. Quick Innings.  With a double header looming, a quick game is very important.
3. Get to the late innings.  Storen, T-clip, and Burnett make a formidable end of the game combination.

Injury Update

Here's a quick injury update as major developments have happened with two injured Nats.

First, we have some exciting news to share with you, of the Jayson Werth variety.

If you listened to last nights MASN broadcast you might have caught FP talking about watching Jayson Werth participate in the pre-game batting practice.  That's right, the man with a broken wrist was taking live swings, and apparently hit a handful out of the park.

Werth is ahead of schedule right now and should begin rehab in Potomac on Friday.

Second, Drew Storen pitched in his 5th rehab game on July 17th.  He has been activated from the DL and replaces Rick Ankiel DFA on the roster.  T-clip gave up two homeruns last night on his way to a save, so maybe he is feeling some pressure knowing Storen is on his way to Washington.

It looks like both of these guys will be back on the field sooner, rather than later, and could have a major impact on the playoff race down the stretch.   

Wild Night In Washington For Harper's Homeboyz

Nationals 5, Mets 4

Get it...Wild night...

In a back and forth game featuring 9th and 10th inning comebacks by Washington, the Nationals defeated the Mets 5-4 in front of a crowd that refused to leave the ballpark.  Tyler Clippard blew a save in the 9th, but a clutch Bryce Harper RBI triple and a wild pitch by the Mets in the 10th with 2 outs, 2 strikes, and the bases loaded, gave the Nats the 5-4 win at Nats Park on Tuesday night.

Screengrab from MASN

Ross Detwiler pitched a brilliant game and any time he had runners on base he pitched out of the situation unharmed.  Detwiler gave up only 5 hits through 7 innings and shutout the Mets in a performance that had the fans as well as Bob Carpenter going crazy.


Tyler Moore hit a homer in the 5th that cleared the right field fence by only a foot or two.  That was the rookie's 5th homer on the season and he has been on fire since being re-called up from the minors in early June.  He has hit in 15 and been on base in 18 out of the 22 games he has played in since returning with the team.

A Mark DeRosa stolen base followed by a Steve Lombardozzi double gave the Nats an insurance run in the 8th.

Stunner 1:  That is when the Mets stunned the crowd.  Tyler Clippard came on for the save with the 2 run lead and gave up 2 singles to put the go-ahead run at the plate. He struck out the next batter but followed that up by giving up a 3 run homerun, blowing the save.


Stunner 2:  The Nats comeback came in the bottom of the 9th.  With a surprise 9th inning appearance by Ian Desmond as a pinch runner, a hit and run put Dezzy on 3rd base with 1 out.  Tyler Moore struck out but Danny Espinosa saved the day after a great at bat, singling in Desmond to send the game to extra innings.

Stunner 3:  Mike Gonzalez gave up an RBI double in the next inning and the Nats looked like they were going to lose a tough one at home.

Stunner 4:  The Nats shocked the crowd again in the bottom of the 10th when Bryce Harper saved the day with an RBI triple.  Two intentional walks and a force at home later, the ball was at the backstop and Ryan Zimmerman was touching home plate for the win.

Closer Situation: Clip has given up 8 hits, walked 2, and gave up 4 runs in his last 5 appearances, the one on Tuesday a blown save.  Davy has said that Clip will be the man when Storen returns, but the current closer is doing a lot of things that may have Davy begin to reconsider.

Sidenote:  The Nats first round pick Lucas Giolito joined Bob & FP in the booth.  FP said the kid who just turned 18 a few days ago received a congratulatory text from Samuel L. Jackson when he was drafted. (And FP may have got the story wrong, he probably meant tweet)

The Nats face the Mets again on Wednesday night...Braves are coming...

Fan Poll: What Should The Nats Do With The Closer Role

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No Question Last week due to the All-Star Break

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With Drew Storen beginning his rehab assignment, it is almost time for his return to the Majors.  Davey says Storen's arm isn't ready yet, but in a few weeks the Nats former closer should be back with the team.

Last season Storen was 43 for 48 on save opportunities and he finished the year with an ERA of 2.75.  Since Clippard became the closer he has saved 13 out of 14 and now has 14 saves on the season.  Davey has said that Clip and his 1.83 ERA will be counted on to close games even when Storen returens.

"It's not a bad problem to have" is what fans and management both say, but we want to get your opinion.

What do you think the Nats should do about the closer situation?

Help On The Way: Injury Report

With the league gearing back up for an exciting second half of baseball, lets take a look at some injured Nats who hope to make an impact.

Back Soon:

• Xavier Nady: 15 day DL with wrist soreness.  Played in rehab game July 8.
• With Nady returning decisions have to be made about Moore's,or possibly another bench player's, place on the team.
• Drew Storen: 60 day DL with elbow bone chip.  Played in rehab game July 9.
• What will happen to T-clip and Burnett in the pen?  Storen will most likely slide into the set-up roll.
• Chad Tracy: 15 day DL with groin tear. Held out of rehab game July 7 with soreness. 
• After undergoing surgery on May 28, soreness is expected.  Ahead of schedule to return.  

Back Later:

• Chien-Ming Wang: 15 day DL with hip strain. Rehab game scheduled July 13.
• Despite struggles, Nats need Wang and Lannan in top form with a Strasburg shutdown looming.

Back Eventually:

• Jayson Werth: 60 day DL with broken wrist. Will start swing a bat again after All Star Break.
• When Werth returns Davey will have to adjust how he uses guys like Lombardozzi.

Injury Update

Let's take a look at what is going on at Nats Hospital...

At The Exits

Roger Bernadina: (Day-to-Day) -Tweaked his right hamstring -Back Any Day

  
Mark DeRosa:  (15 Day DL) Oblique - Ready to begin minor league rehab - Back This Week


Ryan Mattheus:  (15 Day DL) Foot -Throwing simulated games- Back Late June


Chris Marrero:  (Rehab) - Could be back soon, where does he go? - Back Soon

In The Distance


Drew Storen:  (60 Day DL) Elbow - Throwing off the mound, still targeting the All-Star break for return - Back Late July


Jayson Werth:  (60 Day DL) Wrist - Surgery from broken wrist, now just waiting to heal -  Back Late July-Early August


Chad Tracy:  (15 Day DL) Groin - Recovering from successful surgery - Out For 2 months...or the year...


Finished

Wilson Ramos:  (Doneski) Torn ACL -Had 1st of 2 surgeries successfully -  Never Coming Back

Washington Nationals Injury Update

The injuries keep piling up...let's take a look at what is going on at Nats Hospital...

At The Exits

Brad Lidge:  (Rehab) Hernia - Played Down in Potomac - Back End Of Week Maybe


Mark DeRosa:  (15 Day DL) Oblique - Recently took batting practice - Back Any Day


Ryan Mattheus:  (15 Day DL) Foot - Out of boot, Nats being careful- Back- Mid-Late June


In The Distance


Drew Storen:  (60 Day DL) Elbow - Moved to 60 day to get Mike Gonzalez on the roster - Back Late July


Jayson Werth:  (60 Day DL) Wrist - Surgery from broken wrist, now just waiting to heal.  Just transferred to 60-day.  Back Early August


Chris Marrero:  (60 Day DL) Shoulder - Having problems in rehab.  Back Late Season


Chad Tracy:  (15 Day DL) Groin - Reports had him out for the year, FP Santangelo said Tracy texted him and said 6 weeks - Out For 6 Weeks...or the year...

Finished

Wilson Ramos:  (Doneski) Torn ACL - Starting catcher out for the season.  Never Coming Back

Sandy Leon:  (60 Day DL) Ankle - One Game, One At Bat, One Strikeout, Done. I'm taking him off this cuz the only reason he was up is Jhonatan was hurt. Back To Minors Mid-July

Weekly Fan Poll: Injured Nationals

Each week we will ask you a question to see what you think about the Nats organization.  So vote, leave comments, tweet us, etc and we will discuss the results next week.

Last Monday we asked you who you would rather see pitch if you could only choose 1 guy for 1 game.  The results were 75% in favor of Gio Gonzalez with only 25% going with Stephen Strasburg.

I know that Gio has been pitching lights out lately.  In fact he was the MLB Pitcher of the Month for May.  But do you really want to take Gio over Stephen Strasburg?  Remember when Strasburg pitched his first Major League Game?  You aren't taking him?

I would like to ask the same people who participated this same question again now, after Strasburg's gem and Gio's letdown this weekend.  I bet it would flip completely.  Although how can you not vote for Gio Gonzalez for anything.

But I don't want to ask that question.  I could probably ask it all year.  Instead, this week's question will focus on injuries.  With Michael Morse coming back finally, I was thinking about some of the other guys that were on the DL with him.

Your answer doesn't have to be the biggest impact player.  It just has to be the player on the team that you hate not seeing out on the field.  So...

Which Injured Nat Do You Miss The Most?

Nats Injury Update

The injuries keep piling up...let's take a look at what is going on at Nats Hospital...

At The Exits

Michael Morse: (Rehab) Lat - Morse is starting his rehab assignment today in Potomac.  He hit 2 homers in his previous rehab game in "extended spring training".  Back Soon


Mark DeRosa:  (15 Day DL) Oblique - Recently took batting practice - Back This Week


Jesus Flores:  See Below

Mid-Term

Ryan Mattheus:  (15 Day DL) Foot - A few weeks in a boot - Back- Mid-Late June


Drew Storen:  (15 Day DL) Elbow - Back Mid-July


Brad Lidge:  (15 Day DL) Hernia - Recently threw some bullpen sessions - Back Mid-July


Chad Tracy:  (15 Day DL) Groin - Reports had him out for the year, FP Santangelo said Tracy texted him and said 6 weeks - Out For 6 Weeks...or the year...


In The Distance

Jayson Werth:  (60 Day DL) Wrist - Surgery from broken wrist, now just waiting to heal.  Just transferred to 60-day.  Back Early August


Chris Marrero:  (60 Day DL) Shoulder - Having problems in rehab.  Back Late Season

Catchers Ward

Wilson Ramos:  (Doneski) Torn ACL - Starting catcher out for the season.  Never Coming Back

Jesus Flores:  (Day to Day) Hammy - With Ramos out, Maldanado a poor hitter, a new catcher coming up, Flores needs to play through tight hamstrings.  While he does let's hope they don't get worse.  Could Play This Week

Sandy Leon:  (60 Day DL) Ankle - One Game, One At Bat, One Strikeout, Done.  Back Mid-July At Earliest


Carlos Maldanado isn't injured, but he is a poor hitter, so Nats brought up the next guy Jhonatan Solano just in case.