Jayson Werth Garden Gnome Crashes Nats Team Photo

Of course this little guy made it into the team photo...he is EVERYWHERE!!!!

Gnome in #Nats Team Picture (see Knorr's feet) @ScottSAllen @dcsportsbog @thisisdspan @IanDesmond20 @ZuckermanCSN pic.twitter.com/sgQtfZboAl
— hugh kaufman (@AltaKocker) September 28, 2014

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.

Gnomes Are Taking Over Nats Park

Well it is happening. What our ancestors have predicted thousands of years ago. Gnomes are taking over Washington DC! SAVE US ALL!!!!!!

After a huge Jayson Werth Garden Gnome giveaway, gnomes have been growing by the day at Nats Park. Fans are dressing up, wearing beards, wearing gnome hats (this guy even had Jayson Werth tug on his gnome beard). Pretty soon the entire ballpark will be overrun.

Were-Werth Attends Game, Gets Told To Remove Mask

A few Nationals fans were dressed up as werewolfs on Tuesday night at Nats Park and were caught on camera. Well it turns out these guys, one dressed in full werewolf outfit with a mask AND a Jayson Werth beard, had a run in with stadium security. Wow they look sort of scary in the following pics:

Jayson Werth Meets Nats Fan Gnome, Pulls His Beard

On Monday night, during the Nats game against the Braves, Nationals super fan @TracyTran went to Nats Park in full Jayson Werth Gnome outfit. The occasion was a special Social Media night at the ballpark, and several fans were selected to go down on the field and participate in some pregame activities. The gnome was one of those lucky fans and during warm ups he walked over and encountered his human alter ego, Jayson Werth.  And of course Werth did this:

Nats Dugout Exhibits Teamwork On Alley-Oop Homerun Celebration

It seems like every single night during this crazy homerun barrage the Nationals are putting on there is a variation of their 2014 homerun basketball helmet shot celebration.  At one point Jayson Werth was shooting 3 pointers, Gio Gonzalez was almost decapitated, and on Monday night half the dugout got involved with a 5 man alley-oop helmet dunk after a Jayson Werth homerun. Check out the GIF of this somewhat excessively complicated but hella-fun routine.

Top 5 Nats Vines Of The Weekend

It has been one heck of a ride at Nats park with the boys pulling off 9 wins of a 10 game homestand. The weekend series alone was packed with so much entertainment that we had to come up with a list of the top Nats vines from the weekend. Well now the fun part. You get to watch all the Nats magic happen, over and over and over and over and over again! And lucky for you, it is very Jayson Werth heavy:

The Jayson Werth 3 Point Basketball Helmet Shot, Latest Nationals Celebration

The Nats are having some serious fun right now. And with that fun comes new ways to celebrate homeruns.  The classic Gum Showers and Hugs & Low Tens that made 2012 such a fun year have moved on, but leave it to the Nats to think up some fresh celebrations as they push towards the playoffs in 2014.  Their latest celebration?  The Jayson Werth 3 Point Helmet shot. Check out these GIFs:

Jayson Werth's Birthday On PTI

Today is Jayson Werth's birthday and since they are from DC, the guys on PTI threw him in as the birthday of the day.  They took the time to wish Werth a happy birthday and then crush him for his contract/production.  Here's what they had to say:

Video: Jayson Werth's Rehab Start For The Potomac Nationals

Jayson Werth started a rehab assignment after hitting the DL with a hamstring injury.  Werth played for the Nats high A ball Potomac Nationals, started in right field, and took two at bats at the 2 spot before heading out early.

Werth got a hit, got in a rundown, threw out a guy at home plate, and parked his truck in a dangerous place.  Meanwhile I ate free hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs, and Uncle Julio's chicken tacos and chips.  Check out the video below.

Sage & Sacrifice: Nats Fans Look To Ancient Rituals & Rubber Chickens To Heal Team (With Video)

As the church bells rang in the noon hour, it was time for the ritual to begin.  A man reached into his giant goodie bag and yanked out an oversized knife and a bright yellow rubber chicken.  By his side, a younger woman pulled out an old lighter from her jacket and a bundle of sage.  Had anyone happened to walk by they might have thought something nefarious was going on.  However, the actions of the two individuals were far from perfidious.

So who are these two shady characters and what were they doing standing outside of Nationals Park on Thursday afternoon?

Jayson Werth Talks About His Game 4 Homer

The Washington Nationals sat down with Jayson Werth to go over his amazing at bat that ended in a walk-off playoff homerun that Nats fans will never forget.  The video was posted on MLB.com and then played before Monday night's game with the St. Lois Cardinals, their first matchup since the Cards eliminated the Nats from the playoffs in terrible fashion.

Check out the video and then rewatch my favorite video, the Game 4 experience from the crowd.

Decision Making At An All Time Low For Nats

Nationals 0, Mets 2

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	4	3
Mets	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0		2	4	0

A lack of hitting, some errors in the field, a running mistake, and a bad decision by Jayson Werth were all showcased during Sunday's 2-0 loss to the New York Mets.  The Nats managed just 4 hits on the day, only one more than errors committed, as the Mets took the series victory and the shutout in New York despite also getting just 4 hits.  It was a rough roadtrip for the Nats who ended 3-3 against subpar teams and who will now head home to face a tough upcoming schedule.

Viva LaRoche! Nats Beat White Sox Behind 4 Homers

White Sox 7, Nationals 8

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
White Sox	1	0	0	0	0	1	3	0	2		7	11	1
Nationals	0	0	0	1	1	4	1	1	x		8	13	0

Read the full box score at ESPN

Adam LaRoche was stuck in a rut.  He hadn't gotten a hit in his first fifteen at bats this season.  But on Tuesday night at Nats Park, after missing 2 straight games with a sore back, the slugger crushed his first two hits of the season, both homeruns, in a 8-7 win over the Chicago White Sox.

(A character from an HBO show joined the President's Race...lame...)

Gio Gonzalez started for the Nationals, but struggled early on raising his pitch count.  Much to his dismay, Captain Hook yanked Gio after 5 innings at 99 pitches.  Gio only gave up 1 earned run, on a bases loaded balk, and struck out 7.

Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth, Bryce Harper, and Adam LaRoche aptly named by FP as Murderer's Row

The Nats were in great position with a 6-2 lead heading into the 7th inning but Tyler Clippard gave up 3 runs and made the game much closer than it should be.  The Nats picked up insurance runs in the 7th and 8th, and Rafael Soriano came on in the 9th to seal the 8-5 victory.  Instead the new closer gave up a 2 run homer to Alex Rios and walked the game winning run before closing the game for his 3rd save of the season.

The Nationals finished the game with 4 homers, all big.  Ian Desmond a solo shot in the 5th, Jayson Werth (with a new walk-up song) hit a 2 run homer in the 6th, and LaRoche added one a few batters later in the 6th for his first hit of the season.  Bob Carpenter (continuing the hits) was so excited he exclaimed, "VIVA LAROCHE!" as the ball cleared the centerfield wall.

Later, in the 8th inning, LaRoche belted a second homer.

"He's baaaack!" - FP Santangelo

The Nats are now 5-2 with another 2 games against the White Sox starting tomorrow at 7...

Jayson Werth Walkup Song: Walking Dead Theme

On Tuesday night in the Washington Nationals matchup against the Chicago White Sox, Jayson Werth used the theme song from the popular AMC show The Walking Dead as his walk-up music.  He proceeded to strike out, now walk:

Other Werth Walk-ups this season include Werewolf In London and That Dave Matthews Band WOOOO song as well as Led Zepplin's Dazed and Confused.

Jayson Werth Is Gluten-Free, FP Santangelo Hopes Not For Long

When you think of Jayson Werth, what is the first word that comes to mind?  "Beard" most likely.  But for Washington Nationals Ryan Zimmerman, the word that popped into his head first concerning the bearded left fielder was "gluten-free".  A nickname was born...and eventually abbreviated to GF.

In an interview with Ryan Zimmerman that aired on WUSA 9 on Saturday afternoon, the thirdbaseman dropped that nugget much to the delight of FP Santangelo, and for at least one day, Jayson Werth had a new nickname. (See all Zim's teammate word associations here)

"I tell you what, there are a lot of nicknames that we go with up here that I hope stick, gluten-free is one I hope doesn't. We're just going with it cuz he's got a few hits today" - FP

Throughout the broadcast Werth made it hard for the Washington Nationals announce team ... well FP at least ... to stop bringing up "gluten-free".  After grounding out in the first, Werth's next three at bats were a double, a single, and a homerun.

"Double, Single, Triple, you can call me whatever you want" -Jayson Werth


Some of the quotes from FP:

"I said gluten-free last time he hit a double so here we go gluten free"

"He might not like the nickname 'gluten-free' but it's just gonna have to stick right now"

"you want to know what i wish I owned in DC today?  A Gluten Free store…sales through the roof."

"I tell you what, there are a lot of nicknames that we go with up here that I hope stick, gluten-free is one I hope doesn't. We're just going with it cuz he's got a few hits today"

"As soon as he checks his cell phone I will hear about it, trust me"

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...

Nats Sweep The Marlins, Give Up Just 1 Run In 3 Games

Nationals 6, Marlins 1

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Marlins	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		1	8	2
Nationals	2	0	1	0	0	0	3	0	x		6	9	0

Read the full box score at MLB

The Washington Nationals defeated the Miami Marlins 6-1 on Thursday at Nats Park to start the season off right with a sweep of the fish.  The Nats had a scary moment in the first inning where Bryce Harper took a shot to the face, but with solid defense, a few key double plays, and a 3 run BOMB by Jayson Werth the Nats rolled the Marlins.

In the series the Nats gave up only 1 run, a solo homerun by Justin Ruggiano.  After Strasburg and Gonzalez set the bar for the Nats pitching staff with 2 shutouts Jordan Zimmermann was one bad pitch of a shutout of his own.  Zim gave up a homer to Justin Ruggiano in the 2nd inning, but after that the Marlins couldn't reach homeplate.  The Nats 3rd starter gave up 8 hits, 2 walks, and lots of ground balls, but only the 1 run in 6 innings of work.

Bryce Harper continued his monumental start going 2 for 4 for the 3rd straight game.  Harper also had that risky play at the plate (he could have easily been thrown out) as well as a caught stealing of third base with just 1 out and the cleanup hitter at the plate.  Bryce is now 6 for 12 with 2 homers and 3 RBIs on the season.

"THAT BALL IS ROCKED" - Bob Carpenter

But the real star of the game was Jayson Werth.  After contributing defensively for two games, his offense finally broke through.  Werth went 2 for 4 including crushing a 3 run homer to put the Marlins to rest in the 7th.

The Nats went with an uneventful H-Rod (Or Mr. Henry as he is now known) 7th, Clippard in the 8th, and Stammen closing down the 9th.  In case you are counting the Nats bullpen has a 0.00 ERA with 2 saves.

Despite having just one more hit than the Marlins (9 to 8) the Nats dominated the ballgame.  The Marlins were a good warm-up, but they are far from a good baseball team.  The Cincinnati Reds on the other hand, who the Nats begin a 3 game set with tomorrow, are the cream of the crop in the National League.  It should be a real test for Haren, Detwiler, and even Strasburg.

Nationals & Gio Gonzalez Defeat The Marlins, Bob Carpenter's Voice Cracks

Nationals 3, Marlins 0

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	4	1
Nationals	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	x		3	6	1

Read the full box score at MLB

It was a cold, cold night at Nats Park on Wednesday, but it didn't stop the Nationals and Gio Gonzalez from heating up during a 3-0 win against the Miami Marlins.  The Nats shutout the fish for the 2nd straight game and have yet to give up a run on the season with new closer Rafael Soriano picking up his 2nd save in the process.

The star of the game was Gio Gonzalez who battled some early headaches, made love to his hands, and hit a homerun in the victory.  Gonzalez pitched through the pain, getting massaged during each half inning, and made it through six innings giving up just 2 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 5.  Not bad for a guy who felt like he was being hit with a "sledgehammer".

Bryce Harper (Terrible hashtag and all) continues to be the offensive catalyst and is now 4 for 8 on the season after going 2-4 with a double on Wednesday.  He has scored 3 of the Nats 5 runs this season.

Jayson Werth failed to pick up a hit on 4 at bats, but made some nice hustle plays in the outfield to limit extra bases for Marlins players, which in turn probably preserved the shutout.

Mattheus and Storen pitched a scoreless 7th and 8th, and Soriano came in to record a shaky but scoreless save (giving up a hit and a walk in the 9th).  The following is Bob Carpenter's reaction to a dropped foul ball that could have ended the game...very Brady Bunch like:




Nats look to finish off the Marlins on Thursday, an early 4pm start time...