Nats return home, topple Phillies

(John McDonnell / THE WASHINGTON POST)

A four-run fifth inning lifts Washington over Philadelphia as Jordan Zimmermann becomes the first National League pitcher to reach eight victories.

Baseball memories

...I never cried as a baby, but made up for it during Little League. I cried after strikeouts, after errors, after losses... It felt reflexive. Swing, miss and cry...
—Prewitt

Taking my 6 month old son to Opening Day at Nationals Park. I never did it with my Dad, feels good to start a tradition. Can't wait til next week.
—dasilva_ryan

...Being able to take my Dad back to Fenway, to hear his stories one more time... I hold that trip close to my heart, even though the damn Yankees won...
—Revdrbuck

The next pitch--the first my daughter ever saw in her life--disappeared into the haze for a 2-run HR.
—Justin Perras, Brooklyn, NY via Vienna, VA

Read more and share your own

Scores and Schedule

Teams | Standings | Statistics | Scoreboard

Nationals designate Yunesky Maya for assignment, call-up Jeff Kobernus

Nationals designate Yunesky Maya for assignment, call-up Jeff Kobernus

Kobernus, a utility man from Class AAA Syracuse, is expected arrive on Saturday.

Nats return home, topple Phillies

Nats return home, topple Phillies

A four-run fifth inning lifts Washington over Philadelphia as Jordan Zimmermann becomes the first National League pitcher to reach eight victories.

Phillies at Nationals discussion thread: Game 48

Phillies at Nationals discussion thread: Game 48

Kyle Kendrick vs. Jordan Zimmermann.

Danny Espinosa has been playing with a fractured wrist

Danny Espinosa has been playing with a fractured wrist

The Nationals second baseman will rest for the next few days.

Nats-Phillies lineups

Nats-Phillies lineups

Danny Espinosa is out of the lineup and Kurt Suzuki moves up.

Column

Simply put, no excuses for the Nats

Simply put, no excuses for the Nats

COLUMN | With the toughest part of its schedule almost over, Washington has an opportunity to become a playoff team — if it plays like it.

Updates on J.C. Romero, Bill Bray, as opt-out dates loom; Christian Garcia's progress

Updates on J.C. Romero, Bill Bray, as opt-out dates loom; Christian Garcia's progress

Romero and Bray both have been setback by shoulder issues this month.

Biggest disappointments of 2013

Biggest disappointments of 2013

A look at what's gone wrong for three teams who haven't reached high expectations more than a quarter through the season.

Re-thinking the Morse trade

Re-thinking the Morse trade

The benefit of hindsight shows the Nationals could have used Michael Morse this year.

Ryan Zimmerman raises $300k

Ryan Zimmerman raises $300k

A collection of various D.C. athletes showed up to show support for the ziMS Foundation.

RGIII on his parents

RGIII on his parents

The Redskins quarterback doesn't have a problem with his outspoken dad.

Here come the Phillies

Here come the Phillies

The Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies will finally meet on the field this weekend.

Nats are still looking to bust out

Nats are still looking to bust out

After a 4-6 West Coast road trip, Washington is 24-23 but continues to have the highest goal in mind.

Harry Reid draws analogy between Obama and Davey Johnson

Harry Reid draws analogy between Obama and Davey Johnson

Senate Majority Leader just can't stop talking about those plucky Washington Nationals.

The struggles of the Nationals bullpen

The struggles of the Nationals bullpen

The bullpen has logged relatively few innings but been underwhelming in those chances.

Bryce Harper's tornado tribute

Bryce Harper's tornado tribute

The Nats outfielder debuted his own personal tribute to tornado victims.

Harper conquers the wall

Harper conquers the wall

Bryce Harper said he's still thinking about the fence when he drifts back for a fly ball, but it didn't prevent him from making a great catch Wednesday afternoon.

Nationals head for home after a win

Nationals head for home after a win

Gio Gonzalez returns to all-star form, and Bryce Harper scores the winning run as Washington tops the Giants in 10 innings.

Soriano, Harper meet

Soriano, Harper meet

Rafael Soriano pulled Bryce Harper aside to discuss his comments to USA Today as the issue of Harper playing balls close to the wall hovered.

Gio models McCatty Playgirl T-shirt

Gio models McCatty Playgirl T-shirt

Now we have photographic evidence that these shirts are as awesome as we thought they'd be.

Nationals-Giants discussion thread: Game 47

Nationals-Giants discussion thread: Game 47

Gio Gonzalez vs. Madison Bumgarner to cap off the 10-game West Coast swing.

Nationals-Giants lineups

Nationals-Giants lineups

Bryce Harper at No. 2 and Ryan Zimmerman at No. 3 in the lineup again.

Rafael Soriano says he's not upset with Bryce Harper

Rafael Soriano says he's not upset with Bryce Harper

The Nationals closer says he no issue with Harper on the play and felt he was quoted when talking off the record.

In Quotes: McCatty Playgirl edition

In Quotes: McCatty Playgirl edition

The team weighs in on the photo from the '80's.

What's on Strasburg's iPod

What's on Strasburg's iPod

The Nats pitcher says he has eclectic tastes.

Strasburg pitches like an ace

Strasburg pitches like an ace

Even if the Nationals collapsed late, Stephen Strasburg stepped up when the Nationals needed him.

Battered bullpen betrays Strasburg

Battered bullpen betrays Strasburg

Stephen Strasburg’s stellar start goes to waste as Pablo Sandoval’s home run wins it for San Francisco in the 10th inning.

Johnson will serve on all-star staff

Johnson will serve on all-star staff

Owing to a long history, Bruce Bochy invited Davey Johnson to join his all-star coaching staff.

Discuss: Nats-Giants

Discuss: Nats-Giants

With Bryce Harper hitting second, the Nationals and Stephen Strasburg will face Matt Cain.

A new day, a cheerful clubhouse

A day after a depressing loss, the Nationals were all smiles thanks to new blood and a beefcake picture of their pitching coach.

Editor's Choice

Enduring a lifetime of hurt

DO NO HARM, Part IV | A Washington Post survey of retired NFL players finds 9 in 10 suffer from daily pain.

A swing of beauty

Twenty years old, Bryce Harper has a swing for the ages.

2013 Winter All-Met

Honoring the area’s best in basketball, indoor track, hockey, wrestling and swimming.