Mark Zuckerman

Washington, D.C.

Reporter at Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN)

I didn't invent Facebook, but I do cover the Washington Nationals for https://t.co/8yfuBWa0Zg and co-host the Nats Chat podcast: https://t.co/5IB3GP8kzE

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Articles

Nats drop series with sloppy loss to Cubs (updated)

2 days ago | masnsports.com | Mark Zuckerman

There was, undoubtedly, a healthy amount of bad luck associated with the Nationals’ 7-1 loss to the Cubs tonight. They hit the ball with authority a bunch of times and had little to show for it. But they also hurt their own cause with a number of unforced errors. They ran themselves into multiple outs on the bases. They failed to make several makeable plays in the field. And Jake Irvin couldn’t make a pitch in some key situations where the right-hander needed to be better.
After 10-day layoff, Nats bench plays and delivers in win

2 days ago | masnsports.com | Mark Zuckerman

It had been 10 days since Amed Rosario, Nasim Nuñez and Alex Call last found themselves in the Nationals’ starting lineup. That’s an eternity for big leaguers who were on the active roster that entire time but were confined to the bench, keeping themselves ready in case the call came but never actually participating (aside from one token inning in the field for Nuñez at the end of a blowout win in Seattle).
Game 62 lineups: Nats vs. Cubs

2 days ago | masnsports.com | Mark Zuckerman

The Nationals have won four of their last five series, beating the Orioles, Braves, Mariners and Diamondbacks. And tonight they have an opportunity to win another series if they can topple the Cubs in the rubber game of this three-game set. To do so, they’ll need to overcome the dreaded opener. Yes, Chicago manager Craig Counsell is going new-school with his pitching plan for tonight’s game.
As Young nears return, Nats have decision to make

2 days ago | masnsports.com | Mark Zuckerman

Jacob Young plays his third rehab game with Double-A Harrisburg tonight, after which the Nationals will decide if he needs more time there or will be activated off the injured list, creating a whole new dilemma in their outfield. Young has been out since crashing into the wall trying to make a catch at Camden Yards on May 17, suffering an AC sprain in his left shoulder on the play. He was deemed ready for a rehab assignment this week and began playing for Harrisburg on Tuesday.
Righties finally return to lineup, plus rehab updates

3 days ago | masnsports.com | Mark Zuckerman

You’re forgiven if you glanced at tonight’s lineup and didn’t recognize three of the names Davey Martinez penciled in for the second game of the Nationals’ series against the Cubs. Alex Call? Amed Rosario? Nasim Nuñez? They sound vaguely familiar, but it feels like a while since any of them saw the field. Indeed, none of those three players has been in the Nats lineup since May 25, the finale of their last homestand against the Giants, a full 10 days ago.
Game 61 lineups: Nats vs. Cubs

3 days ago | masnsports.com | Mark Zuckerman

The opener of the Nationals’ homestand was pretty much a dud. Despite scoring three early runs against the Cubs, they gave them all back – plus five more – en route to an 8-3 loss. So much for positive momentum coming off that winning West Coast trip. But there’s a golden opportunity to get back on track tonight, and that begins with the man on the mound for the home team. MacKenzie Gore is putting together the best first half of a season we’ve seen from any pitcher in a while around here.
Gore dominates again, lineup finally supplies him with win (updated)

3 days ago | masnsports.com | Mark Zuckerman

The narrative had already been well-established before tonight’s game. MacKenzie Gore had been pitching as well as anybody in the league but had only two wins to show for it because of a lack of run support from his Nationals teammates and a few bullpen mishaps along the way. "I wish we could score more runs for him. I hope today’s the day when we score 8-10," manager Davey Martinez said this afternoon. "But he’s pitched in some really good games and kept us in the game.
For six Nats regulars, lefty is right

4 days ago | masnsports.com | Mark Zuckerman

During their recently completed road trip to Seattle and Arizona, the Nationals took 240 total plate appearances. Only five of them were taken by a full-time, right-handed batter: Riley Adams, who started one of the six games behind the plate in place of Keibert Ruiz. Every other plate appearance the entire week was taken by someone who either bats left-handed all the time or switch-hits, a highly unusual situation for any major league club. But wait, it gets weirder.
After successful month, Nats want to get used to winning

5 days ago | masnsports.com | Mark Zuckerman

PHOENIX – Informed late Saturday night that the Nationals had just completed their first winning month in nearly two years, only their second winning month in four years, Nathaniel Lowe was pleasantly surprised. “Oh? Sweet,” the veteran first baseman interjected. Lowe, of course, would have had no way of knowing such information. He wasn’t here when the Nats began to tear down their roster in July 2021.
Game 59 lineups: Nats at Diamondbacks

6 days ago | masnsports.com | Mark Zuckerman

PHOENIX – We have come to the final day of a West Coast trip that has been both eventful and successful. The Nationals have gone 4-1 against the Mariners and Diamondbacks, and they’ve done with the most impressive offensive run in club history: Four straight games scoring at least nine runs, capped off by Saturday night’s historic 10-run top of the first. Given all that, the Nats could be excused if they take their foot off the gas pedal today. They’ve already won the series and the road trip.