2012 Washington Nationals season

2012 Washington Nationals
National League East champions
Major League affiliations
National League (since 1969) East Division (since 1969)
Location
Nationals Park (since 2008) Washington, D.C. (since 2005)
Results
Record	98–64 (.605)
Divisional place	1st
Other information
Owner(s)	Lerner Enterprises
General manager(s)	Mike Rizzo
Manager(s)	Davey Johnson
Local television	MASN WDCW (CW 50) (Bob Carpenter, FP Santangelo)
Local radio	WJFK 106.7 FM (Charlie Slowes, Dave Jageler)
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The Washington Nationals' 2012 season was the eighth season for the baseball franchise of Major League Baseball in the District of Columbia, the fifth season at Nationals Park, and the 44th since the original team was started in Montreal, Quebec. After finishing the previous season in third place with an 80–81 record, out of last place in the NL East for the second time since moving to Washington, the Nationals made several moves to pursue playoff contention in 2012 and beyond. Despite being plagued with injuries, the Nationals had an impressive start to the season, never dropping below the .500 mark and consistently holding first or second place in their division. On September 3, the Nationals won their 82nd game of the season, making this season their first winning season since moving to Washington, D.C. in 2005 and the first for the franchise since 2003. On September 20, the Nationals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers to clinch the franchise's first postseason berth since 1981, and the first for a Washington-based team since the Washington Senators won the American League pennant in 1933. On October 1, the Nationals clinched the National League East division.^[1] On October 3, they went on to clinch the best record in Major League Baseball at 98–64.^[2] They played the St. Louis Cardinals in the Divisional Series, which they lost three games to two.^[3]

Offseason[]

Departures[]

On October 30, 2011, following the World Series, the Nationals granted Todd Coffey, Alex Cora, Jonny Gomes, Liván Hernández, Laynce Nix, and Iván Rodríguez free agency. On November 2, they also granted Luis Atilano, J.D. Martin, Shairon Martis, Garrett Mock, Óliver Pérez, Miguel Perez, Michael Aubrey, Matt Antonelli, Gregor Blanco, Buck Coats, and Jeff Frazier free agency. On November 3, Brian Bixler was selected off waivers by the Houston Astros, and on December 8, Erik Komatsu was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the Rule 5 draft (he was returned, via the Minnesota Twins, on May 29). On December 9, the Nationals traded Collin Balester to the Detroit Tigers for Ryan Perry. On December 12, Doug Slaten was granted free agency.^[4]

Additionally, on October 31, the Nationals moved interim bench coach Pat Corrales back into a position in player development for the team. Corrales had assumed that role in June after the resignations of manager Jim Riggleman and interim manager John McLaren — McLaren had held the bench coach position under Riggleman.^[5]

On December 23, the Nationals traded Brad Peacock and Tommy Milone, along with minor-league prospects Derek Norris and A. J. Cole, to the Oakland Athletics for left-handed starting pitcher Gio González and Oakland minor-league prospect Robert Gilliam.^[4]

On February 19, 2012, Mike Cameron (signed on December 19) retired after seventeen years in the major leagues, with one All-Star appearance and three Gold Glove awards.^[4]

On March 30, the Nationals granted Andrés Blanco (signed on December 16) free agency, and on April 2, the Nationals granted Chad Durbin (signed on February 1) free agency.^[4]

Arrivals[]

On December 5, 2011, the Nationals signed Brett Carroll as a free agent. On December 11, they signed Jason Michaels; they released him on March 29, 2012 and re-signed him to a new contract on April 2. On December 14 they signed Jarrett Hoffpauir and Waldis Joaquin, on December 15 they signed Jeff Fulchino, on December 20 they signed Xavier Paul and Chad Tracy, and on December 22 they signed Mark DeRosa.^[4]

On December 16 they signed Andrés Blanco, who they later released on March 30. On December 19, they signed Mike Cameron, who retired on February 19. On February 1, they signed Chad Durbin, who they later released on April 2.^[4]

On December 23, the Nationals traded Brad Peacock and Tommy Milone, along with minor-league prospects Derek Norris and A. J. Cole, to the Oakland Athletics for left-handed starting pitcher Gio González and Oakland minor-league prospect Robert Gilliam.^[4]

On January 4, 2012, the Nationals signed Dan Cortes, on January 26 they signed Brad Lidge, on February 2 they signed Edwin Jackson, on February 3 they signed Mitch Atkins, on February 6 they signed Mark Teahen, on February 28 they signed Mike Schultz, on March 18 they signed Xavier Nady, and on March 29 they signed Zach Duke.^[4]

Spring training[]

The Nationals held their 2012 spring training in Viera, Florida, with home games played at Space Coast Stadium.

Regular season[]

On April 3, 2012, the Nationals placed Drew Storen and Michael Morse on the disabled list to start the season, and John Lannan was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. The Nationals also started a "Take Back Our Park" campaign vs. Philadelphia so Nationals fans in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. could receive tickets for the series on May 4–6 in an advanced pre-sale. On April 28, 2012, top prospect Bryce Harper made his Major League debut vs. Los Angeles in Los Angeles, finishing with a double and a go-ahead sacrifice fly. The Nationals, however, would lose the game on a Matt Kemp walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning.^{[citation needed]}

At the All-Star break, which began on July 9, 2012, the Nationals were in first place in the NL East with a 49–34 record, four games ahead of the second-place Atlanta Braves.^[6]

On July 30, 2012, despite having an off day, the Nationals obtained the best record in baseball due to a loss by the Cincinnati Reds. This was the first time that a Washington baseball team held sole position of first place in MLB since 1933.^[7]

On September 20, 2012, the Nats clinched their first Playoff berth since moving to Washington, with a 4–1 win over the L.A. Dodgers.

On October 1, 2012, the Nats clinched the NL East when the Braves lost 2–1 to the Pirates.

The Nats finished the season on October 3, 2012, defeating the Phillies 5–1. They finished with a 98–64 record, the best record in Major League baseball that year. The Nationals played 20 extra inning games during the season, the most of any MLB team in 2012.^[8]

All-Star Game[]

Nationals starting pitchers Stephen Strasburg and Gio González, and shortstop Ian Desmond, were chosen to represent the Nationals in the 2012 All-Star Game. Desmond decided not to participate in order to rest a sore oblique muscle; Michael Bourn of the Atlanta Braves was chosen to go in his place. Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins declined to participate because of a serious knee injury which required surgery,^[9] so the Nationals' Bryce Harper was chosen to play in his place. This made the 19-year-old Harper the youngest position player and the third youngest player to be named an All-Star.^[10]

The Nationals therefore had four All-Stars, the most since they moved to Washington, D.C.^[11]

The game was played on Tuesday, July 10, in Kansas City, and the National League won, 8–0. Gonzalez and Strasburg each pitched one scoreless inning; Gonzalez struck out one batter, and Strasburg allowed a hit and a walk. Harper entered the game in the fifth inning as a pinch hitter and played the remainder of the game in left field; at the plate, he went 0–1 with a walk.^[12]

Season standings[]

v t NL East	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Washington Nationals	98	64	0.605	—	50–31	48–33
Atlanta Braves	94	68	0.580	4	48–33	46–35
Philadelphia Phillies	81	81	0.500	17	40–41	41–40
New York Mets	74	88	0.457	24	36–45	38–43
Miami Marlins	69	93	0.426	29	38–43	31–50

v t Division leaders	W	L	Pct.
Washington Nationals	98	64	0.605
Cincinnati Reds	97	65	0.599
San Francisco Giants	94	68	0.580

v t Wild Card teams (Top two qualify for postseason)	W	L	Pct.	GB
Atlanta Braves	94	68	0.580	+6
St. Louis Cardinals	88	74	0.543	—
Los Angeles Dodgers	86	76	0.531	2
Milwaukee Brewers	83	79	0.512	5
Arizona Diamondbacks	81	81	0.500	7
Philadelphia Phillies	81	81	0.500	7
Pittsburgh Pirates	79	83	0.488	9
San Diego Padres	76	86	0.469	12
New York Mets	74	88	0.457	14
Miami Marlins	69	93	0.426	19
Colorado Rockies	64	98	0.395	24
Chicago Cubs	61	101	0.377	27
Houston Astros	55	107	0.340	33

Record vs. opponents[]

2012 National League Records v t Source: MLB Standings Grid
Team	ARI	ATL	CHC	CIN	COL	HOU	LAD	MIA	MIL	NYM	PHI	PIT	SD	SF	STL	WSH	AL
Arizona	–	2–5	5–4	2–5	9–7	6–0	12–6	5–3	3–3	3–4	2–4	3–4	7–11	9–9	1–5	2–4	9–6
Atlanta	5–2	–	3–4	1–5	6–1	4–2	3–3	14–4	3–3	12–6	12–6	3–2	4–3	3–4	5–1	8–10	8–10
Chicago	4–5	4–3	–	4–12	2–4	8–5	2–4	2–4	4–13	4–2	2–4	8–8	3–3	1–6	7–10	1–6	5–10
Cincinnati	5–2	5–1	12–4	–	5–1	10–5	2–4	3–3	9–6	6–2	3–4	11–7	6–2	4–3	6–7	2–5	7–8
Colorado	7–9	1–6	4–2	1–5	–	5–2	8–10	3–4	5–1	5–2	2–7	2–4	8–10	4–14	2–5	4–3	2–13
Houston	0–6	2–4	5–8	5–10	2–5	–	2–4	2–4	8–9	4–2	3–3	5–12	3–5	1–8	4–11	1–7	6–9
Los Angeles	6–12	3–3	4–2	4–2	10–8	4–2	–	4–2	1–6	4–3	5–2	6–1	11–7	8-10	6–5	4–2	6–9
Miami	3–5	4–14	4–2	3–3	4–3	4–2	2–4	–	4–4	4–12	8–10	1–4	5–1	5–2	2–5	9–9	5–13
Milwaukee	3–3	3–3	13–4	6–9	1–5	9–8	6–1	4–4	–	3–2	2–5	11–4	3–4	2–4	6–9	3–5	6–9
New York	4–3	6–12	2–4	2–6	2–5	2–4	3–4	12–4	2–3	–	10–8	5–2	4–3	4–4	4–3	4–14	8–7
Philadelphia	4–2	6–12	4–2	4–3	7–2	3–3	2–5	10–8	5–2	8–10	–	3–4	4–3	2–4	5–2	9-9	5–10
Pittsburgh	4–3	2–3	8–8	7–11	4–2	12–5	1–6	4–1	4–11	2–5	4–3	–	1–5	3–3	8–7	3–2	10–8
San Diego	11–7	3–4	3–3	2–6	10–8	5–3	7–11	1–5	4–3	3–4	3–4	5–1	–	6–12	3–3	2–3	8–7
San Francisco	9–9	4–3	6–1	3–4	14–4	8–1	10–8	2–5	4–2	4–4	4–2	3–3	12–6	–	3–3	1–5	7–8
St. Louis	5–1	1–5	10–7	7–6	5–2	11–4	5–6	5–2	9–6	3–4	3–4	7–8	3–3	3–3	–	3–4	8–7
Washington	4–2	10–8	6–1	5–2	3–4	7–1	2–4	9–9	5–3	14–4	9-9	2–3	3–2	5-1	4-3	–	10–8

Opening Day lineup[]

Opening Day Starters
Name	Position
Ian Desmond	Shortstop
Danny Espinosa	Second baseman
Ryan Zimmerman	Third baseman
Adam LaRoche	First baseman
Jayson Werth	Right fielder
Mark DeRosa	Left fielder
Roger Bernadina	Center fielder
Wilson Ramos	Catcher
Stephen Strasburg	Starting pitcher

Roster[]

2012 Washington Nationals
Roster
Pitchers 17 Sean Burnett 36 Tyler Clippard 48 Ross Detwiler 30 Zach Duke 56 Christian Garcia 47 Gio González 51 Michael Gonzalez 32 Tom Gorzelanny 33 Edwin Jackson 31 John Lannan 54 Brad Lidge 52 Ryan Mattheus 45 Ryan Perry 63 Henry Rodríguez 35 Craig Stammen 22 Drew Storen 37 Stephen Strasburg 40 Chien-Ming Wang 27 Jordan Zimmermann		Catchers 26 Jesús Flores 41 Sandy León 49 Carlos Maldonado  3 Wilson Ramos 23 Jhonatan Solano 24 Kurt Suzuki Infielders  7 Mark DeRosa 20 Ian Desmond  8 Danny Espinosa  6 César Izturis 25 Adam LaRoche  1 Steve Lombardozzi, Jr. 38 Michael Morse 18 Chad Tracy 11 Ryan Zimmerman		Outfielders 24 Rick Ankiel  2 Roger Bernadina 10 Corey Brown 15 Brett Carroll 34 Bryce Harper 57 Tyler Moore 21 Xavier Nady 55 Eury Pérez 28 Jayson Werth		Manager  5 Davey Johnson Coaches  4 Rick Eckstein (hitting) 44 Trent Jewett (first base) 53 Randy Knorr (bench)  9 Jim Lett (bullpen) 43 Steve McCatty (pitching) 16 Bo Porter (third base)

Attendance[]

The Nationals drew 2,370,794 fans at Nationals Park during the regular season in 2012. It was the first time since 2006 that they had drawn more than 2,000,000 fans, and only the 2,731,993 they drew in their first season in Washington in 2005 exceeded it. It placed them ninth in attendance for the season among the 16 National League teams, also their best showing since 2005.^[13][14][15] Their highest attendance at a home game was on May 19, when they drew 42,331 for a game against the Baltimore Orioles, while their lowest was 14,520 for a game against the Houston Astros on April 18. Their average home attendance was 30,010 per game, second-highest since their arrival in Washington and the first time they had averaged over 30,000 a game since their first season in Washington in 2005.^[16]

Game log[]

Legend
	Nationals win
	Nationals loss
	Postponement
Bold	Nationals team member

2012 Game Log
show April (14–8) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 1 April 5 @ Cubs 2–1 Clippard (1–0) Mármol (0–1) Lidge (1) 41,176 1–0 2 April 7 @ Cubs 7–4 Mattheus (1–0) Wood (0–1) Rodríguez (1) 40,102 2–0 3 April 8 @ Cubs 3–4 Samardzija (1–0) Zimmermann (0–1) Mármol (1) 31,973 2–1 4 April 9 @ Mets 3–4 Rauch (1–0) Rodríguez (0–1) 23,970 2–2 5 April 10 @ Mets 6–2 Detwiler (1–0) Gee (0–1) 26,927 3–2 6 April 11 @ Mets 4–0 Strasburg (1–0) Santana (0–1) 34,614 4–2 7 April 12 Reds 3–2 (10) Stammen (1–0) Simón (0–1) 40,907 5–2 8 April 13 Reds 2–1 (13) Stammen (2–0) Marshall (0–1) 26,959 6–2 9 April 14 Reds 4–1 Jackson (1–0) Bailey (0–2) 35,489 7–2 10 April 15 Reds 5–8 (11) Arredondo (1–0) Clippard (1–1) Marshall (1) 25,679 7–3 11 April 16 Astros 6–3 Strasburg (2–0) Weiland (0–2) Rodríguez (2) 16,245 8–3 12 April 17 Astros 1–0 Gonzalez (1–0) W. Rodríguez (0-2) Lidge (2) 17,889 9-3 13 April 18 Astros 3–2 Mattheus (2–0) F. Rodriguez (0–2) Rodríguez (3) 14,520 10-3 14 April 19 Astros 4–11 Norris (1–0) Jackson (1–1) 18,045 10–4 15 April 20 Marlins 2–0 Detwiler (2–0) Zambrano (0–1) Rodríguez (4) 24,640 11–4 16 April 21 Marlins 3–2 (10) Gorzelanny (1–0) Mujica (0–1) 26,745 12–4 - April 22 Marlins Game Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for August 3 as part of a doubleheader 18 April 24 @ Padres 3–1 Gonzalez (2–0) Richard (1–2) Rodríguez (5) 16,599 13–4 19 April 25 @ Padres 7–2 Zimmermann (1–1) Wieland (0–3) Gorzelanny (1) 15,154 14–4 20 April 26 @ Padres 1–2 Cashner (1–1) Clippard (1–2) Street (2) 18,356 14–5 21 April 27 @ Dodgers 2–3 Kershaw (2–0) Detwiler (2–1) Jansen (1) 44,807 14–6 22 April 28 @ Dodgers 3–4 (10) Wright (1–0) Gorzelanny (1–1) 54,242 14–7 23 April 29 @ Dodgers 0–2 Capuano (3–0) Gonzalez (2–1) Jansen (2) 48,753 14–8
show May(15–13) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 24 May 1 Diamondbacks 1–5 Cahill (2–2) Zimmermann (1–2) 22,675 14–9 25 May 2 Diamondbacks 5–4 Rodríguez (1–1) Putz (0–2) 16,274 15–9 26 May 3 Diamondbacks 2–1 Detwiler (3–1) Kennedy (3–1) Rodríguez (6) 19,656 16–9 27 May 4 Phillies 4–3 (11) Perry (1–0) Schwimer (0–1) 34,377 17–9 28 May 5 Phillies 7–1 Gonzalez (3–1) Worley (2–2) 39,496 18–9 29 May 6 Phillies 3–9 Hamels (4–1) Zimmermann (1–3) 33,058 18–10 30 May 8 @ Pirates 4–5 Watson (2–0) Rodríguez (1–2) 10,323 18–11 31 May 9 @ Pirates 2–4 Lincoln (2–0) Detwiler (3–2) Hanrahan (6) 11,478 18–12 32 May 10 @ Pirates 4–2 Strasburg (3–0) Correia (1–3) Rodríguez (7) 15,381 19–12 33 May 11 @ Reds 7–3 Gonzalez (4–1) Leake (0–5) 37,255 20–12 34 May 12 @ Reds 2–1 Zimmermann (2–3) Arredondo (2–1) Rodríguez (8) 42,294 21–12 35 May 13 @ Reds 6–9 Marshall (1–2) Rodríguez (1–3) 28,361 21–13 36 May 14 Padres 8–5 Stammen (3–0) Mikolas (0–1) Burnett (1) 19,434 22–13 37 May 15 Padres 1–6 Bass (2–4) Strasburg (3–1) 23,902 22–14 38 May 16 Pirates 7–4 Gonzalez (5–1) Bédard (2–5) Rodríguez (9) 25,942 23-14 39 May 17 Pirates 3–5 McDonald (3–2) Zimmermann (2–4) Hanrahan (8) 25,757 23–15 40 May 18 Orioles 1–2 (11) Gregg (2–1) Mattheus (2–1) Strop (3) 36,680 23–16 41 May 19 Orioles 5–6 Hammel (5–1) Detwiler (3–3) Johnson (15) 42,331 23–17 42 May 20 Orioles 9–3 Strasburg (4–1) Chen (4–1) 41,918 24–17 43 May 21 @ Phillies 2–1 Gonzalez (6–1) Kendrick (0–4) Burnett (2) 43,787 25–17 44 May 22 @ Phillies 5–2 Zimmermann (3–4) Halladay (4–4) Clippard (1) 45,569 26–17 45 May 23 @ Phillies 1–4 Hamels (7–1) Jackson (1–2) 43,926 26–18 46 May 25 @ Braves 7–4 Wang (1–0) Hudson (3–2) Clippard (2) 37,663 27–18 47 May 26 @ Braves 8–4 Strasburg (5–1) Medlen (1–1) Clippard (3) 42,698 28–18 48 May 27 @ Braves 7–2 Gonzalez (7–1) Beachy (5–3) 38,543 29–18 49 May 28 @ Marlins 3–5 Zambrano (3–3) Zimmermann (3–5) Bell (8) 31,528 29–19 50 May 29 @ Marlins 1–3 Sánchez (3–3) Jackson (1–3) Bell (9) 25,969 29–20 51 May 30 @ Marlins 3–5 Johnson (3–3) Wang (1–1) Bell (10) 24,224 29–21
show June (15–11) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 52 June 1 Braves Game Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for July 21 as part of a doubleheader 53 June 2 Braves 2–0 Strasburg (6–1) Beachy (5–4) Clippard (4) 41,042 30–21 54 June 3 Braves 2–3 Hanson (6–4) Gonzalez (7–2) Kimbrel (16) 38,046 30–22 55 June 5 Mets 7–6 (12) Detwiler (4–3) Ramírez (0–1) 26,256 31–22 56 June 6 Mets 5–3 Jackson (2–3) Hefner (1–3) Clippard (5) 27,335 32–22 57 June 7 Mets 1–3 Dickey (9–1) Wang (1–2) Francisco (15) 32,096 32–23 58 June 8 @ Red Sox 7–4 Strasburg (7–1) Doubront (6–3) Clippard (6) 37,309 33–23 59 June 9 @ Red Sox 4–2 Gonzalez (8–2) Matsuzaka (0–1) Clippard (7) 37,534 34–23 60 June 10 @ Red Sox 4–3 Gorzelanny (2–1) Aceves (0–4) Clippard (8) 37,467 35–23 61 June 11 @ Blue Jays 6–3 Jackson (3–3) Morrow (7–4) 18,513 36–23 62 June 12 @ Blue Jays 4–2 Wang (2–2) Álvarez (3–6) Clippard (9) 22,538 37–23 63 June 13 @ Blue Jays 6–2 Strasburg (8–1) Drabek (4–7) 41,667 38–23 64 June 15 Yankees 2–7 Hughes (7–5) Gonzalez (8–3) 41,406 38–24 65 June 16 Yankees 3–5 (14) García (1–2) Lidge (0–1) Soriano (12) 41,287 38–25 66 June 17 Yankees 1–4 Nova (9–2) Jackson (3–4) Soriano (13) 41,442 38–26 67 June 19 Rays 4–5 Price (9–4) Wang (2–3) Rodney (20) 27,835 38–27 68 June 20 Rays 3–2 Strasburg (9–1) Archer (0–1) Clippard (10) 27,485 39–27 69 June 21 Rays 5–2 Gonzalez (9–3) Peralta (0–3) Clippard (11) 29,551 40–27 70 June 22 @ Orioles 1–2 Hammel (8–2) Zimmermann (3–6) Johnson (21) 45,891 40–28 71 June 23 @ Orioles 3–1 Jackson (4–4) Chen (7–3) Clippard (12) 46,298 41–28 72 June 24 @ Orioles 1–2 Strop (4–2) Burnett (0–1) Johnson (22) 41,794 41–29 73 June 25 @ Rockies 2–4 Roenicke (3–0) Strasburg (9–2) Betancourt (12) 40,177 41–30 74 June 26 @ Rockies 12–5 Gonzalez (10–3) Friedrich (4–5) 36,110 42–30 75 June 27 @ Rockies 11–5 Zimmermann (4–6) Cabrera (0–1) 36,045 43–30 76 June 28 @ Rockies 10–11 (11) Ottavino (2–0) Stammen (3–1) 33,957 43–31 77 June 29 @ Braves 5–4 Burnett (1–1) Durbin (3–1) Clippard (13) 32,299 44–31 78 June 30 @ Braves 5–7 Minor (4–6) Strasburg (9–3) Kimbrel (23) 26,491 44–32
show July (17–9) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 79 July 1 @ Braves 8–4 Gonzalez (11–3) Hudson (6–4) 18,796 45–32 80 July 3 Giants 9–3 Zimmermann (5–6) Lincecum (3–9) 36,985 46–32 81 July 4 Giants 9–4 Jackson (5–4) Bumgarner (10–5) 35,806 47–32 82 July 5 Giants 6–5 Clippard (2–2) Casilla (2–4) 29,819 48–32 83 July 6 Rockies 1–5 Pomeranz (1–3) Strasburg (9–4) Betancourt (14) 28,951 48–33 84 July 7 Rockies 4–1 Gonzalez (12–3) Francis (2–2) Clippard (14) 28,032 49–33 85 July 8 Rockies 3–4 Brothers (4–2) Clippard (2–3) Betancourt (15) 25,125 49–34 All–Star Break (July 9–12) 86 July 13 @ Marlins 5–1 Zimmermann (6–6) Johnson (5–6) 30,911 50–34 87 July 14 @ Marlins 1–2 Buehrle (9–8) Gonzalez (12–4) Cishek (2) 28,707 50–35 88 July 15 @ Marlins 4–0 Strasburg (10–4) Nolasco (8–7) 29,889 51–35 89 July 16 @ Marlins 3–5 Zambrano (5–7) Jackson (5–5) Dunn (1) 29,248 51–36 90 July 17 Mets 5–4 (10) Mattheus (3–1) Byrdak (2–1) 26,342 52–36 91 July 18 Mets 4–3 Zimmermann (7–6) Young (2–4) Clippard (15) 31,660 53–36 92 July 19 Mets 5–9 Dickey (13–1) Gonzalez (12–5) 36,389 53–37 93 July 20 Braves 10–11 (11) O'Flaherty (2–0) Gorzelanny (2–2) Durbin (1) 34,228 53–38 94 July 21 (1) Braves 0–4 Sheets (2–0) Jackson (5–6) 28,745 53–39 52 July 21 (2) Braves 5–2 Lannan (1–0) Martínez (4–2) Clippard (16) 40,047 54–39 95 July 22 Braves 9–2 Detwiler (5–3) Jurrjens (3–4) 34,917 55–39 96 July 23 @ Mets 8–2 (10) Gorzelanny (3–2) Byrdak (2–2) 26,735 56–39 97 July 24 @ Mets 5–2 Gonzalez (13–5) Dickey (13–2) Clippard (17) 36,236 57–39 98 July 25 @ Mets 5–2 Strasburg (11–4) Hefner (1–4) Clippard (18) 35,517 58–39 99 July 26 @ Brewers 8–2 Jackson (6–6) Gallardo (8–8) 33,176 59–39 100 July 27 @ Brewers 0–6 Fiers (4–4) Detwiler (5–4) 35,858 59–40 101 July 28 @ Brewers 4–1 Zimmermann (8–6) Wolf (3–7) Clippard (19) 41,890 60–40 102 July 29 @ Brewers 11–10 (11) Stammen (4–1) Veras (3–4) Clippard (20) 44,663 61–40 103 July 31 Phillies 0–8 Lee (2–6) Strasburg (11–5) 30,167 61–41
show August (19–10) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 104 August 1 Phillies 2–3 Worley (6–6) Jackson (6–7) Papelbon (23) 23,777 61–42 105 August 2 Phillies 3–0 Detwiler (6–4) Hamels (11–6) Clippard (21) 28,825 62–42 17 August 3 (1) Marlins 7–4 Lannan (2–0) Hand (0–1) Clippard (22) 32,334 [note 1] 63–42 106 August 3 (2) Marlins 2–5 Johnson (7–7) Gonzalez (13–6) Cishek (6) 63–43 107 August 4 Marlins 10–7 Mattheus (4–1) Dunn (0–1) 33,449 64–43 108 August 5 Marlins 4–1 Strasburg (12–5) Nolasco (8–11) Storen (1) 30,453 65–43 109 August 6 @ Astros 5–4 (11) Stammen (5–1) López (3–1) 13,843 66–43 110 August 7 @ Astros 3–2 (12) Storen (1–0) Storey (0–1) Clippard (23) 14,273 67–43 111 August 8 @ Astros 4–3 Gonzalez (14–6) Galarraga (0–2) 16,038 68–43 112 August 9 @ Astros 5–0 Zimmermann (9–6) Harrell (9–8) 14,417 69–43 113 August 10 @ Diamondbacks 9–1 Strasburg (13–5) Cahill (9–10) 29,362 70–43 114 August 11 @ Diamondbacks 6–5 Jackson (7–7) Miley (12–8) Clippard (24) 34,030 71–43 115 August 12 @ Diamondbacks 4–7 Corbin (4–4) Detwiler (6–5) Putz (22) 27,345 71–44 116 August 13 @ Giants 14–2 Gonzalez (15–6) Vogelsong (10–6) 42,050 72–44 117 August 14 @ Giants 1–6 Bumgarner (13–7) Zimmermann (9–7) 42,081 72–45 118 August 15 @ Giants 6–4 Strasburg (14–5) Lincecum (6–13) Clippard (25) 42,133 73–45 119 August 17 Mets 6–4 Detwiler (7–5) Santana (6–9) Clippard (26) 34,827 74–45 120 August 18 Mets 0–2 Niese (10–6) Jackson (7–8) Francisco (20) 42,662 74–46 121 August 19 Mets 5–2 Gonzalez (16–6) Hefner (2–5) Clippard (27) 33,764 75–46 122 August 20 Braves 5–4 (13) Stammen (6–1) Martínez (5–3) 21,298 76–46 123 August 21 Braves 4–1 Strasburg (15–5) Maholm (11–8) Clippard (28) 33,888 77–46 124 August 22 Braves 1–5 Medlen (5–1) Detwiler (7–6) 29,111 77–47 125 August 24 @ Phillies 2–4 Kendrick (7–9) Jackson (7–9) Papelbon (28) 42,096 77–48 126 August 25 @ Phillies 2–4 Halladay (8–7) Gonzalez (16–7) Papelbon (29) 44,256 77–49 127 August 26 @ Phillies 1–4 Lee (3–7) Zimmerman (9–8) Lindblom (1) 44,653 77–50 128 August 28 @ Marlins 0–9 Nolasco (10–12) Strasburg (15–6) 24,877 77–51 129 August 29 @ Marlins 8–4 Detwiler (8–6) Turner (1–3) 24,909 78–51 130 August 30 Cardinals 8–1 Jackson (8–9) García (3–6) 23,269 79–51 131 August 31 Cardinals 10–0 Gonzalez (17–7) Wainwright (13–11) 29,499 80–51
show September (16–12) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 132 September 1 Cardinals 9–10 Boggs (3–1) Storen (1–1) Motte (32) 34,004 80–52 133 September 2 Cardinals 4–3 Mattheus (5–1) Lynn (13–6) Clippard (29) 31,096 81–52 134 September 3 Cubs 2–1 Detwiler (9–6) Samardzija (8–13) Clippard (30) 23,215 82–52 135 September 4 Cubs 11–5 Jackson (9–9) Rusin (0–2) 17,648 83–52 136 September 5 Cubs 9–1 Gonzalez (18–7) Volstad (2–10) 21,244 84–52 137 September 6 Cubs 9–2 Zimmerman (10–8) Germano (2–6) 22,447 85–52 138 September 7 Marlins 7–9 (10) Gaudin (3–1) Clippard (2–4) Cishek (13) 28,533 85–53 139 September 8 Marlins 7–6 (10) Storen (2–1) Gaudin (3–2) 28,860 86–53 140 September 9 Marlins 0–8 Nolasco (12–12) Jackson (9–10) 24,396 86–54 141 September 10 @ Mets 5–1 Gonzalez (19–7) McHugh (0–2) 21,923 87–54 142 September 11 @ Mets 5–3 Gorzelanny (4–2) Dickey (18–5) Clippard (31) 22,596 88–54 143 September 12 @ Mets 2–0 Lannan (3–0) Harvey (3–5) Storen (2) 21,205 89–54 144 September 14 @ Braves 1–2 Kimbrel (2–1) Burnett (1–2) 41,797 89–55 145 September 15 @ Braves 4–5 O'Flaherty (3–0) Mattheus (5–2) Kimbrel (36) 38,763 89–56 146 September 16 @ Braves 1–5 Minor (9–10) Gonzalez (19–8) 29,094 89–57 - September 18 Dodgers Game Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 19 as part of a doubleheader 147 September 19 (1) Dodgers 3–1 Zimmerman (11–8) Harang (9–10) Clippard (32) 26,931 [note 2] 90–57 148 September 19 (2) Dodgers 6–7 Belisario (7–1) Clippard (2–5) League (12) 90–58 149 September 20 Dodgers 4–1 Detwiler (10–6) Capuano (11–11) Storen (3) 30,359 91–58 150 September 21 Brewers 2–4 Veras (5–4) Clippard (2–6) Axford (32) 30,382 91–59 151 September 22 Brewers 10–4 Gonzalez (20–8) Peralta (2–1) 40,493 92–59 152 September 23 Brewers 2–6 Kintzler (3–0) Mattheus (5–3) Axford (33) 33,111 92–60 153 September 24 Brewers 12–2 Zimmerman (12–8) Estrada (4–7) 25,302 93–60 154 September 25 @ Phillies 3–6 Hamels (16–6) Detwiler (10–7) Papelbon (37) 42,304 93–61 155 September 26 @ Phillies 8–4 Lannan (4–0) Kendrick (10–12) 41,440 94–61 156 September 27 @ Phillies 7–3 Gonzalez (21–8) Cloyd (2–2) 44,070 95–61 157 September 28 @ Cardinals 2–12 Wainwright (14–13) Jackson (9–11) 39,166 95–62 158 September 29 @ Cardinals 6–4 (10) Storen (3–1) Freeman (0–2) Stammen (1) 42,264 96–62 159 September 30 @ Cardinals 4–10 Lynn (18–7) Detwiler (10–8) 40,084 96–63
show October (2–1) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 160 October 1 Phillies 0–2 Kendrick (11–12) Lannan (4–1) Aumont (2) 35,387 96–64 161 October 2 Phillies 4–2 Duke (1–0) Lindblom (3–5) Storen (4) 33,546 97–64 162 October 3 Phillies 5–1 Jackson (10–11) Lee (6–9) 37,075 98–64

Postseason[]

Postseason game log[]

2012 Postseason Game Log (2-3)

show National League Division Series vs. NL Wild Card Winner (2-3) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Series 1 October 7 @ Cardinals 3–2 Mattheus (1–0) Boggs (0–1) Storen (1) 47,078 1–0 2 October 8 @ Cardinals 4–12 Lynn (1–0) Zimmermann (0–1) 45,840 1–1 3 October 10 Cardinals 0–8 Carpenter (1–0) Jackson (0–1) 45,017 1–2 4 October 11 Cardinals 2–1 Storen (1–0) Lynn (1–1) 44,392 2–2 5 October 12 Cardinals 7–9 Motte (1–0) Storen (1–1) 45,966 2–3

Division Series[]

The Nationals played the St. Louis Cardinals in the Division Series. The Cardinals won the series, 3 games to 2.

Game 1, October 7[]

3:07 p.m. (EDT) at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Washington	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	3	8	2
St. Louis	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	3	1
WP: Ryan Mattheus (1–0)   LP: Mitchell Boggs (0–1)   Sv: Drew Storen (1)

Game 2, October 8[]

4:37 p.m. (EDT) at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Washington	0	1	0	0	2	0	1	0	0	4	10	2
St. Louis	0	4	1	2	0	1	0	4	X	12	13	0
WP: Lance Lynn (1–0)   LP: Jordan Zimmermann (0–1) Home runs: WSH: Ryan Zimmerman (1), Adam LaRoche (1) STL: Allen Craig (1), Daniel Descalso (1), Carlos Beltrán 2 (2)

Game 3, October 10[]

1:07 p.m. (EDT) at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	1	3	0	0	0	1	1	2	0	8	14	1
Washington	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
WP: Chris Carpenter (1–0)   LP: Edwin Jackson (0–1) Home runs: STL: Pete Kozma (1) WSH: None

Game 4, October 11[]

4:07 p.m. (EDT) at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	0
Washington	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	3	1
WP: Drew Storen (1-0)   LP: Lance Lynn (1-1) Home runs: STL: None WSH: Adam LaRoche (2), Jayson Werth (1)

Game 5, October 12[]

8:37 p.m. (EDT) at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	0	0	0	1	2	0	1	1	4	9	11	0
Washington	3	0	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	7	11	0
WP: Jason Motte (1–0)   LP: Drew Storen (1–1) Home runs: STL: Daniel Descalso (2) WSH: Ryan Zimmerman (2), Bryce Harper (1), Michael Morse (1)

Player statistics[]

Regular season[]

Both tables are sortable.

Batting[]

Note: POS = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases

Complete offensive statistics are available here.

POS	Player	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	AVG	SB
CF	Rick Ankiel	68	158	15	36	10	2	5	15	.228	1
OF	Roger Bernadina	129	227	25	66	11	0	5	25	.291	15
OF	Corey Brown	19	25	4	5	2	0	1	3	.200	0
P	Sean Burnett	70	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
CF	Brett Carroll	5	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
P	Tyler Clippard	74	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
UT	Mark DeRosa	48	85	13	16	5	0	0	6	.188	1
SS	Ian Desmond	130	513	72	150	33	2	25	73	.292	21
P	Ross Detwiler	33	45	0	2	0	0	0	1	.044	0
P	Zach Duke	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
2B	Danny Espinosa	160	594	82	147	37	2	17	56	.247	20
C	Jesús Flores	83	277	22	59	12	1	6	26	.213	1
P	Christian Garcia	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
P	Gio Gonzalez	32	64	2	6	1	0	1	4	.094	0
P	Mike Gonzalez	47	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
P	Tom Gorzelanny	45	6	0	2	0	0	0	1	.333	0
CF	Bryce Harper	139	533	98	144	26	9	22	59	.270	18
IF	César Izturis	5	4	4	2	1	0	0	0	.500	0
P	Edwin Jackson	34	57	6	13	0	0	0	0	.228	0
P	John Lannan	6	9	0	1	0	0	0	0	.111	0
1B	Adam LaRoche	154	571	76	155	35	1	33	100	.271	1
C	Sandy Leon	12	30	2	8	2	0	0	2	.267	0
P	Brad Lidge	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
UT	Steve Lombardozzi	126	384	40	105	16	3	3	27	.273	5
C	Carlos Maldonado	4	9	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	0
P	Ryan Mattheus	66	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
LF	Tyler Moore	75	156	20	41	9	0	10	29	.263	3
LF	Michael Morse	102	406	53	118	17	1	18	62	.291	0
OF	Xavier Nady	40	102	6	16	3	0	3	6	.157	1
P	Ryan Perry	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
OF	Eury Pérez	13	5	3	1	0	0	0	0	.200	3
C	Wilson Ramos	25	83	11	22	2	0	3	10	265	0
P	Henry Rodriguez	35	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
C	Jhonatan Solano	12	35	6	11	3	0	2	6	.314	1
P	Craig Stammen	59	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
P	Drew Storen	37	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
P	Stephen Strasburg	28	47	4	13	4	0	1	7	.277	0
C	Kurt Suzuki	43	146	17	39	5	0	5	25	.267	1
CI	Chad Tracy	73	93	7	25	7	0	3	14	.269	0
P	Chien-Ming Wang	10	6	1	1	1	0	0	0	.167	0
RF	Jayson Werth	81	300	42	90	21	3	5	31	.300	8
3B	Ryan Zimmerman	145	578	93	163	36	1	25	95	.282	5
P	Jordan Zimmermann	32	57	5	11	2	0	1	4	.193	0
	Totals	162	5615	731	1468	301	25	194	688	.261	105

Pitching[]

Note: POS = Position; G = Games played; GS = Games Started IP = Innings Pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; HLD = Holds; ERA = Earned Run Average; SO= Strikeouts; WHIP = Walks and Hits Per Inning Pitched

Complete pitching statistics are available here.

POS	Player	G	GS	IP	W	L	SV	HLD	ERA	SO	WHIP
RP	Sean Burnett	70	0	56.2	1	2	2	31	2.38	57	1.24
CL	Tyler Clippard	74	0	72.2	2	6	32	13	3.72	84	1.16
SP	Ross Detwiler	33	27	164.1	10	8	0	1	3.40	105	1.22
	Zach Duke	8	0	13.2	1	0	0	0	1.32	10	1.10
	Christian Garcia	13	0	12.2	0	0	0	4	2.13	15	0.79
SP	Gio Gonzalez	32	32	199.1	21	8	0	0	2.89	207	1.13
RP	Mike Gonzalez	47	0	35.2	0	0	0	7	3.03	39	1.32
	Tom Gorzelanny	45	1	72.0	4	2	1	9	2.88	62	1.32
SP	Edwin Jackson	31	31	189.2	10	11	0	0	4.03	168	1.22
	John Lannan	6	6	32.1	4	1	0	0	4.13	17	1.44
	Brad Lidge	11	0	9.1	0	1	2	0	9.64	10	2.46
RP	Ryan Mattheus	66	0	66.1	5	3	0	18	2.85	41	1.15
	Ryan Perry	7	0	8.0	1	0	0	0	10.13	3	1.75
RP	Henry Rodriguez	35	0	29.1	1	3	9	2	5.83	31	1.40
RP	Craig Stammen	59	0	88.1	6	1	1	10	2.34	87	1.20
RP	Drew Storen	37	0	30.1	3	1	4	10	2.37	24	0.99
SP	Stephen Strasburg	28	28	159.1	15	6	0	0	3.16	197	1.15
	Chien-Ming Wang	10	5	32.1	2	3	0	0	6.68	15	2.01
SP	Jordan Zimmermann	32	32	195.2	12	8	0	0	2.94	153	1.17
	Totals	162	162	1468.1	98	64	51	105	3.33	1325	1.221

Team leaders[]

Qualifying players only.

Batting[]

Stat	Player	Total
Avg.	Ian Desmond	.292
HR	Adam LaRoche	33
RBI	Adam LaRoche	100
R	Bryce Harper	98
H	Ryan Zimmerman	163
SB	Ian Desmond	21

Pitching[]

Stat	Player	Total
W	Gio González	21
L	Edwin Jackson	11
ERA	Gio González	2.89
SO	Gio González	207
SV	Tyler Clippard	32
IP	Gio González	199.1

Postseason[]

Both tables are sortable.

Batting[]

Note: POS = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases

Complete offensive statistics can be found here.

POS	Player	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	AVG	SB
OF	Roger Bernadina	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
P	Sean Burnett	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
P	Tyler Clippard	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
SS	Ian Desmond	5	19	2	7	1	0	0	0	.368	0
P	Ross Detwiler	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
2B	Danny Espinosa	5	15	0	1	0	0	0	0	.067	0
P	Christian Garcia	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
P	Gio Gonzalez	2	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
P	Mike Gonzalez	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
P	Tom Gorzelanny	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
CF	Bryce Harper	5	23	2	3	1	1	1	2	.130	0
P	Edwin Jackson	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
1B	Adam LaRoche	5	17	4	3	0	0	2	2	.176	0
UT	Steve Lombardozzi	3	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	.333	0
P	Ryan Mattheus	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
LF	Tyler Moore	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	1.000	0
LF	Michael Morse	5	19	2	5	0	0	1	2	.263	0
P	Craig Stammen	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
P	Drew Storen	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	0
C	Kurt Suzuki	5	17	0	4	0	0	0	2	.235	0
CI	Chad Tracy	5	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
RF	Jayson Werth	5	21	3	5	1	0	1	1	.238	0
3B	Ryan Zimmerman	5	21	3	8	1	0	2	4	.381	0
P	Jordan Zimmermann	2	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	1.000	0
	Totals	5	168	16	39	4	1	7	16	.232	0

Pitching[]

Note: POS = Position; G = Games played; GS = Games Started IP = Innings Pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; HLD = Holds; ERA = Earned Run Average; SO= Strikeouts; WHIP = Walks and Hits Per Inning Pitched

Complete pitching statistics can be found here.

POS	Player	G	GS	IP	W	L	SV	HLD	ERA	SO	WHIP
RP	Sean Burnett	2	0	1.0	0	0	0	1	27.00	1	4.00
CL	Tyler Clippard	3	0	3.0	0	0	0	2	3.00	5	0.67
SP	Ross Detwiler	1	1	6.0	0	0	0	0	0.00	2	1.00
	Christian Garcia	2	0	2.2	0	0	0	0	3.38	4	2.25
SP	Gio Gonzalez	2	2	10.0	0	0	0	0	4.50	10	1.70
RP	Mike Gonzalez	1	0	1.0	0	0	0	0	9.00	1	1.00
	Tom Gorzelanny	1	0	0.1	0	0	0	0	0.00	0	3.00
SP	Edwin Jackson	2	1	6.0	0	1	0	1	7.50	6	2.00
RP	Ryan Mattheus	3	0	3.0	1	0	0	0	6.00	0	1.33
RP	Craig Stammen	4	0	3.0	0	0	0	1	9.00	3	2.33
RP	Drew Storen	4	0	4.0	1	1	1	0	9.00	6	1.50
SP	Jordan Zimmermann	2	1	4.0	0	1	0	0	11.25	5	1.75
	Totals	5	5	44.0	2	3	1	5	6.14	43	1.659

Awards and honors[]

All-Stars[]

• Ian Desmond, SS
• Gio González, P
• Bryce Harper, OF
• Stephen Strasburg, P

Ian Desmond did not participate in the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game due to injury.

Annual awards[]

• National League Manager of the Year: Davey Johnson
• National League Rookie of the Year: Bryce Harper
• Gold Glove: Adam LaRoche, 1B
• Silver Slugger: Adam LaRoche, 1B; Ian Desmond, SS; Stephen Strasburg, P

Farm system[]

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Syracuse Chiefs	International League	Tony Beasley
AA	Harrisburg Senators	Eastern League	Matthew LeCroy
A	Potomac Nationals	Carolina League	Brian Rupp
A	Hagerstown Suns	South Atlantic League	Brian Daubach
A-Short Season	Auburn Doubledays	New York–Penn League
Rookie	GCL Nationals	Gulf Coast League	Tripp Keister

Notes[]

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2012 Washington Nationals season.

• 2012 Washington Nationals Season Official Site
• 2012 Washington Nationals season at Baseball Reference