WASHINGTON - Infielder Yunel Escobar is heading to the Nationals, and All-Star reliever Tyler Clippard is going to the Athletics, thanks to the ninth deal between those clubs in a little more than four years. Joe Ross Nationals Jersey . The swap, announced Wednesday, gives Washington a player who could solve its search for a starting second baseman. Escobar could wind up at shortstop for the Nationals if they wind up trading away — or fail to agree to a new contract with — Ian Desmond, who can become a free agent after next season. The As just picked up Escobar from Tampa Bay, along with Ben Zobrist, in a trade Saturday that sent catcher John Jaso and two minor leaguers to the Rays. Among the players who have been part of the Oakland-Washington pipeline since December 2010 as As general manager Billy Beane and Nationals GM Mike Rizzo strike deal after deal: Gio Gonzalez, Josh Willingham, Kurt Suzuki, Jerry Blevins, Tommy Milone and Derek Norris. Beanes been busy reconfiguring Oaklands roster lately, making eight trades involving more than 20 players since the As lost in the AL wild-card game. The 32-year-old Escobar hit .258 with seven homers and 39 RBIs for Tampa Bay last season. He has played eight years in the majors, including with Atlanta and Toronto, mostly at shortstop. Escobar did start 20 games at second base for the Braves in 2007. Escobar was suspended for three games in 2012 for wearing eye black displaying an anti-gay slur while playing for the Blue Jays. The right-handed Clippard, Washingtons eighth-inning setup man, went 7-4 with a 2.18 ERA in 75 appearances in 2014. He was an NL All-Star in 2011 and 2014. On Twitter, Clippard wrote: Would love to take this opportunity to thank all the #nats fans. ... I loved every second of my time in DC, through the ups and downs the good and bad, every second was wonderful. Thanks forever Nats Nation! The 29-year-old is 37-25 with a 2.88 ERA and 34 saves in eight big league seasons, one with the New York Yankees and the last seven with the Nationals. He is the only reliever to pitch in more than 70 games each of the past five seasons. The As already have an All-Star closer in left-hander Sean Doolittle, who saved 22 games last season. Adding Clippard fills the void left by the departure of Luke Gregerson, who signed with Houston as a free agent, and gives Oakland a late-inning lefty-righty combination. With Escobar leaving before playing an inning in Oakland, Marcus Semien — acquired in the December deal that sent starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija to the White Sox — probably will take over at shortstop instead of being used in a utility role. The Nationals, meanwhile, will need to figure out who will be their main setup man in place of Clippard, a key cog in their runs to NL East titles in 2012 and 2014. In a swap of minor leaguers earlier Wednesday, the Nationals acquired catcher Dan Butler from the Boston Red Sox for left-hander Danny Rosenbaum, who had Tommy John surgery in May. ___ AP Sports Writers Janie McCauley and Josh Dubow contributed to this report. Patrick Corbin Nationals Jersey .ca has you covered for whos in, whos out and what to expect from all 30 teams. Jonny Venters Jersey . Russell Wilson against Darrelle Revis, former teammate Brandon Browner and whatever schemes Bill Belichick dreams up. https://www.cheapnationals.com/817r-jake-noll-jersey-nationals.html .Just like old times.Only this time, just one got to enjoy a victory.James return to Miami as an opponent was a success — for the Heat, that is. Wade scored 24 of his 31 points in the first half, Luol Deng had 25 points and dogged James defensively all night, and the Heat beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-91 in a hyped Christmas matchup Thursday.SAN FRANCISCO - A woman alleges former San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald sexually assaulted her after a night of drinking and after she injured her head in a fall by his swimming pool, according to court documents unsealed Monday.The woman told authorities she has no memory of the sexual encounter that occurred in McDonalds San Jose house, which police say occurred Dec. 14 a few hours after the 49ers returned from a 17-7 loss to the Seahawks in Seattle. The court papers quote McDonald as saying in a text message that he believed the encounter was consensual. McDonald also told police the entire incident was captured on his internal video system and was on his DVR in his room.No charged have been filed, and the San Jose police continue to investigate. McDonald could not be reached for comment, and his agent, Tom Condon, didnt immediately respond to text and phone messages.The court documents were written by San Jose police investigators to obtain a search warrant for McDonalds home.The documents were unsealed in Santa Clara County Superior Court and stated that the incident began with the woman drinking with friends at their home. They then met McDonald and several of his friends at a nearby bar and finished the night at his San Jose home.She told police the last thing she remembers about the evening is falling down near McDonalds pool and hurting her head. She awoke naked the next morning next to McDonald, who initially denied a sexual encounter, according to the court documents.The woman stayed with McDonnald at his home the next day and drank vodka with McDonald and San Francisco 49ers player Aldon Smith, according to the papers. Patrick Corbin Jersey. Thats when McDonald conceded that a sexual encounter occurred, according to the court documents.An investigator using the womans phone Dec. 16 and pretending to be her texted McDonald complaining about the encounter. McDonald responded by saying the woman started coming on to me and that the incident was consensual.I dont understand why youre bothered. U chose to stay with me another day, McDonald texted. The investigator posing as the woman replied that McDonald shouldnt have had sex with her while she was unconscious.I didnt do anything wrong, McDonald replied. His home was searched that night.The affidavit submitted by San Jose police to a judge in application for a search warrant said the sexual encountered occurred on Dec. 13 and that Smith had drinks with the pair Dec. 14. Sgt. Heather Randol, a police spokeswoman, said Monday that those dates were wrong. Police say the encounter occurred Dec. 14 and drinks with Smith happened the next day.The 49ers released McDonald on Wednesday, citing a pattern of behaviour and off-field issues.Last month, the Santa Clara County district attorneys office announced that it declined to file charges against the defensive lineman in a domestic violence investigation. He was arrested Aug. 31 while celebrating his then-upcoming 30th birthday at his home.___AP Sports Writer Janie McCauley contributed to this report from Santa Clara. ' ' '