The Washington Nationals' 2011 season was the seventh season for the American baseball franchise of Major League Baseball in the District of Columbia and the 43rd since the original team was started in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It involved the Nationals attempting to win the National League East after a 69–93 season the year before.
On June 23, 2011, manager Jim Riggleman resigned after contract disputes with general manager Mike Rizzo. Riggleman resigned following a 1–0 win over the Seattle Mariners which put the Nationals over .500 at the latest point in a season since 2005 and gave them their 11th win in 12 games. Riggleman compiled a 140–172 record with the Nationals after he replaced Manny Acta after the all-star break in 2009. On June 24, Davey Johnson was named the new manager. Previously, he was a senior advisor to Mike Rizzo. He began managing on June 27. Bench coach John McLaren managed the club for three games following Riggleman's resignation before Johnson was decided upon as interim manager.
The Nationals finished the 2011 season in third place in the NL East with an 80–81 record, playing only 161 games because one game against the Los Angeles Dodgers was canceled due to rain. Their third-place finish was their best finish in the standings and second-best win–loss record since they moved to Washington.
This was the last season that the Nationals finished with a losing record until 2020.
Offseason The Nationals formed a new minor league affiliation with the Auburn Doubledays of the New York–Penn League during the winter. The player development contract was officially announced December 14, 2010.
On December 16, 2010, the Nationals traded Josh Willingham to the Oakland Athletics for Corey Brown and Henry Rodríguez.baseball-reference.com Trades between Washington Nationals & Oakland Athletics On January 19, 2011, they traded minor-leaguers Michael Burgess, Graham Hicks, and A. J. Morris to the Chicago Cubs for Tom Gorzelanny.baseball-reference.com Trades between Washington Nationals & Chicago Cubs On February 2, 2011, they traded Justin Maxwell to the New York Yankees for minor-leaguer for Adam Olbrychowski.baseball-reference.com Trades between Washington Nationals & New York Yankees On March 27, 2011, they traded Nyjer Morgan to the Milwaukee Brewers for minor-leaguer Cutter Dykstra and cash,baseball-reference.com Trades between Washington Nationals & Milwaukee Brewers and the following day they traded Alberto González to the San Diego Padres for Erik Davis.baseball-reference.com Trades between Washington Nationals & San Diego Padres
Advertising and marketing The Nationals′ marketing slogan for 2011 was "Expect It." According to a letter to season ticket holders signed by Nationals Chief Operating Officer Andrew Feffer explained that the slogan let Nationals fans know that the team's rebuilding strategy "is beginning to show returns," and that "we are determined to continue to do what it takes to elevate the franchise to the next level." The letter added that "in 2010, we had a productive stable of veterans and stars in the lineup," that "we now have a solid and exciting pipeline of pitchers," and that the franchise's "improved Minor League system is now regularly producing a steady stream of Major League talent."Steinberg, Dan, "Nats to Fans: 'Expect It'," washingtonpost.com, November 8, 2010, 10:34 a.m., EST.
New radio flagship Starting with this season, the Nationals changed their flagship station to WJFK-FM (106.7 The Fan), after broadcasting their first six seasons on WTOP 104.1 FM.
Spring training The Nationals held their 2011 spring training in Viera, Florida, with home games played at Space Coast Stadium.
Regular season
Season standings
National League East
National League Wild Card
Record vs. opponents
Opening Day lineup +Opening Day StartersName Position Ian Desmond Shortstop Jayson Werth Right fielderRyan Zimmerman Third basemanAdam LaRoche First basemanMichael Morse Left fielderRick Ankiel Center fielderDanny Espinosa Second basemanIván Rodríguez CatcherLiván Hernández Starting pitcher
Notable transactions December 5, 2010: The Nationals sign free-agent outfielder Jayson Werth to a 7-year, $126M contract. May 8, 2011: The Nationals received Gregor Blanco from the Kansas City Royals as part of a conditional deal.baseball-reference.com Trades between Washington Nationals & Kansas City Royals June 27, 2011: The Nationals sold Miguel Pérez to the Pittsburgh Pirates.baseball-reference.com Trades between Washington Nationals & Pittsburgh Pirates July 26, 2011: The Nationals traded minor-leaguers Chris Manno and Bill Rhinehart to the Cincinnati Reds for Jonny Gomes and cash.baseball-reference.com Trades between Washington Nationals & Cincinnati Reds July 30, 2011: The Nationals traded Jason Marquis to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor-leaguer Zach Waltersbaseball-reference.com Trades between Washington Nationals & Arizona Diamondbacks and Jerry Hairston Jr., to the Milwaukee Brewers for minor-leaguer Erik Komatsu. August 9, 2011: The Nationals purchased Miguel Pérez from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Draft The 2011 Major League Baseball draft took place from June 6 to June 8. With their first pick – the sixth pick overall – the Nationals selected third baseman Anthony Rendon. Other notable players the Nationals selected were pitcher Alex Meyer (first round compensation pick, 23rd pick overall), pitcher Taylor Hill (sixth round, 187th overall), and outfielder Billy Burns (32nd round, 967th overall).baseball-reference.com 2011 Washington Nationals Picks in the MLB June Amateur Draft
Roster 2011 Washington Nationals Roster Pitchers
Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
Other batters Manager (Hired on June 26, 2011) (Interim from June 23, 2011-June 25, 2011) (Resigned on June 23, 2011) Coaches (bench) (Interim Bench Coach from June 23, 2011-June 25, 2011) (hitting) (bullpen) (pitching) (bench) (third base) (first base)
Attendance The Nationals drew 1,940,478 fans at Nationals Park in 2011, improving over the previous season for the second straight year. It placed them 14th in attendance for the season among the 16 National League teams, also for the second consecutive year.baseball-reference.com 2011 Washington Nationals Their highest attendance at a home game was on August 20, when they drew 44,685 for a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, while their lowest was 13,413 for a game against the Phillies on April 12. Their average home attendance was 24,256 per game, fifth-highest of their seven seasons in Washington but an increase from their previous season.baseball-almanac.com Washington Nationals Attendance Data
Game log
Legend Nationals win Nationals loss PostponementBoldNationals team member
|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || March 31 || Braves || 2–0 || Lowe (1–0) || Hernández (0–1) || Kimbrel (1) || 39,055 || 0–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 2 || April 2 || Braves || 6–3 || Lannan (1–0) || Hanson (0–1) || Burnett (1) || 21,941 || 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 3 || April 3 || Braves || 11 – 2 || Hudson (1–0) || Zimmermann (0–1) || || 22,210 || 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 4 || April 5 || @ Marlins || 3–2 (10) || Mujica (1–0) || Storen (0–1) || || 10,482 || 1–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 5 || April 6 || @ Marlins || 7–4 || Sanches (1–0) || Gaudin (0–1) || Oviedo (1) || 13,825 || 1–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 6 || April 7 || @ Marlins || 5–3 (11) || Coffey (1–0) || Mujica (1–1) || Burnett (2) || 10,696 || 2–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 7 || April 8 || @ Mets || 6–2 || Zimmermann (1–1) || Dickey (1–1) || || 41,075 || 3–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 8 || April 9 || @ Mets || 8–4 || Capuano (1–0) || Gorzelanny (0–1) || Rodríguez (1) || 31,696 || 3–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 9 || April 10 || @ Mets || 7–3 (11) || Storen (1–1) || Boyer (0–2) || || 35,157 || 4–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 10 || April 12 || Phillies || 7–4 || Hernández (1–1) || Blanton (0–1) || Burnett (3) || 13,413 || 5–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 11 || April 13 || Phillies || 3–2 || Halladay (2–0) || Lannan (1–1) || || 16,914 || 5–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 12 || April 14 || Phillies || 4–0 || Lee (2–1) || Zimmermann (1–2) || || 24,875 || 5–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 13 || April 15 || Brewers || 4–3 (10) || Gaudin (1–1) || Braddock (0–1) || || 17,217 || 6–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | – || April 16 || Brewers || colspan=6| Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for April 17 as part of a doubleheader |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 14 || April 17 (1) || Brewers || 8–4 || Marquis (1–0) || Gallardo (1–1) || || rowspan=2| 23,047The two games on April 17 were played as a single-admission doubleheader with attendance counted only for the two games combined. || 7–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 15 || April 17 (2) || Brewers || 5–1 || Hernández (2–1) || Loe (1–1) || Storen (1) || 8–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | – || April 19 || @ Cardinals || colspan=6| Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for April 20 as part of a doubleheader |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 16 || April 20 (1) || @ Cardinals || 8–6 || Lannan (2–1) || Westbrook (1–2) || Storen (2) || 32,340 || 9–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 17 || April 20 (2) || @ Cardinals || 5–3 || García (3–0) || Zimmermann (1–3) || Boggs (1) || 33,714 || 9–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 18 || April 21 || @ Cardinals || 5–0 || Lohse (3–1) || Gorzelanny (0–2) || || 36,160 || 9–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | – || April 22 || @ Pirates || colspan=6| Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for April 25 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 19 || April 23 || @ Pirates || 7–2 || Karstens (2–0) || Hernández (2–2) || || 18,262 || 9–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 20 || April 24 || @ Pirates || 6–3 || Marquis (2–0) || Correia (3–2) || Storen (3) || 9,520 || 10–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 21 || April 25 || @ Pirates || 4–2 || Maholm (1–3) || Lannan (2–2) || Hanrahan (6) || 12,457 || 10–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 22 || April 26 || Mets || 6–4 || Igarashi (1–0) || Zimmermann (1–4) || Rodríguez (5) || 14,603 || 10–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || April 27 || Mets || 6–3 || Beato (1–0) || Burnett (0–1) || Rodríguez (6) || 13,568 || 10–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 24 || April 28 || Mets || 4–3 || Hernández (3–2) || Capuano (2–2) || Storen (4) || 15,142 || 11–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 25 || April 29 || Giants || 3–0 || Marquis (3–0) || Lincecum (2–3) || || 21,399 || 12–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 26 || April 30 || Giants || 2–1 || Mota (2–0) || Lannan (2–3) || Wilson (8) || 28,766 || 12–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 27 || May 1 || Giants || 5–2 || Zimmermann (2–4) || Cain (2–2) || Storen (5) || 21,611 || 13–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 28 || May 2 || Giants || 2–0 || Gorzelanny (1–2) || Bumgarner (0–5) || Storen (6) || 15,342 || 14–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 29 || May 3 || @ Phillies || 4–1 || Hamels (4–1) || Hernández (3–3) || || 45,695 || 14–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 30 || May 4 || @ Phillies || 7–4 || Worley (2–0) || Marquis (3–1) || || 44,123 || 14–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 31 || May 5 || @ Phillies || 7–3 || Halladay (5–1) || Lannan (2–4) || || 45,316 || 14–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 32 || May 6 || @ Marlins || 3–2 (10) || Storen (2–1) || Dunn (2–2) || Burnett (4) || 15,325 || 15–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 33 || May 7 || @ Marlins || 5–2 || Gorzelanny (2–2) || Volstad (2–2) || Storen (7) || 17,409 || 16–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 34 || May 8 || @ Marlins || 8–0 || Sánchez (2–1) || Hernández (3–4) || || 10,523 || 16–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 35 || May 10 || @ Braves || 7–6 || Marquis (4–1) || Hudson (4–3) || Storen (8) || 16,143 || 17–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"