In his 23rd game as an MLB manager, Blake Butera made his first in-game decision that opened himself up to significant second-guessing. It was rooted in sound logic, but it also raised a few questions about the Nationals’ process. natsjournal.com/p/it-just-di...
Final: Braves 9, Nats 4. Blake Butera pulled Jake Irvin in the 6th with his pitch count at 68. Atlanta proceeded to score 5 runs off the bullpen (plus 2 more in the 9th).
Injury update from the Nationals: RHP Josiah Gray "will undergo additional testing, not throwing at this time."
Julian Fernandez is here, so he’s the bullpen replacement for Andrew Alvarez.
Nats RHP Irvin vs Braves RHP Elder (6:45/Nationals TV/106.7 FM)
Game 22 on @natschatpodcast.bsky.social
* A surprising shutout
* Mikolas’ much-needed outing
* Our live reaction to Alvarez’s demotion while we were recording
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On Andrew Alvarez’s day, which began at 2:30 a.m. in Rochester and ended at 4:03 p.m. with an unconventional win in D.C. … followed shortly after by the news he’s going back to Rochester.
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The Nationals optioned Andrew Alvarez to Triple-A Rochester. Tough way for his uplifting day to end.
Final: Nats 3, Giants 0. PJ Poulin, Miles Mikolas and Andrew Alvarez combined for the unconventional shutout. Curtis Mead homered. The Nationals (10-12) avoided the sweep and won at home for only the second time this season.
Joey Wiemer began his season 10-for-17 with a triple, 2 homers, 4 RBI, 5 walks and 4 strikeouts.
Since then, he's 4-for-25 with 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 walk and 13 strikeouts.
Nats-Braves pitching probables
MON: RHP Irvin vs. RHP Lopez
TUE: LHP Griffin vs. RHP Elder
WED: RHP Littell vs. LHP Perez
THU: RHP Cavalli vs. LHP Sale
Nats LHP opener Poulin vs Giants LHP Ray (1:35/Nationals TV/106.7 FM)
And with Andrew Alvarez officially recalled from AAA, they've once again set up a scenario where they will use a left-handed opener and long reliever around Miles Mikolas. Alvarez threw 84 pitches for Rochester 5 days ago, so he's on turn. Nats have 5 lefties in bullpen.
PJ Poulin will open today’s game as the Nationals once again try to minimize Miles Mikolas’ time on the mound.
Blake Butera and his coaches meet with Nationals players the day after every game to dissect what went well and what didn’t go well. After yesterday’s fundamentally flawed loss: “I think tomorrow’s meeting will just be a good bit longer than usual.” natsjournal.com/p/a-fundamen...
DJ Herz is throwing bullpen sessions in West Palm Beach, hasn’t faced live hitters yet. Trevor Williams just threw off a mound for the first time since spring training, I believe.
The #Nats had a string of head scratching miscues in Saturday's 7-6 extra inning defeat at home:
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Nationals optioned RHP Paxton Schultz (who threw 48 pitches over 3 innings Friday night) to AAA after today's game. They'll need a fresh bullpen arm Sunday, especially with Miles Mikolas starting.
Final: Giants 7, Nats 6 in 12. They came back to tie it with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th but failed in multiple fundamental situations that could've won the game after that.
Cole Henry is playing catch today for the first time since going on the IL with a rotator cuff strain. Says he’s had no issues and is encouraged it won’t take long for him to return.
Nats RHP Cavalli vs Giants RHP Houser (4:05/Nationals TV/106.7 FM)
The #Giants were all over Zack Littell and the #Nats struggles at home continued on Friday night:
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Final: Giants 10, Nats 5. Zack Littell was roughed up for 8 runs (6 of them in the 2nd inning). Daylen Lile hit his first homer. James Wood hit a 441-foot, opposite-field homer. The Nationals are 1-6 at home, 8-5 on the road.
Game thread includes tonight's lineups, an explanation for Orlando Ribalta's demotion, Richard Lovelady's thoughts on a wild transactional ride and the state of Jacob Young's right hand.
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Nats RHP Littell vs Giants RHP Webb (6:45/Nationals TV/106.7 FM)
Jacob Young’s right hand is fine after getting drilled by a pitch yesterday. Ball glanced off his left wrist before getting him on the right hand. It’s the same hand he hurt in spring training, but a different spot. This time it never swelled up.
One day after recording his first career save, Orlando Ribalta had been optioned to AAA to clear a spot for Richard Lovelady.
James Wood's RBI single in the top of the 10th put the #Nats ahead for good in Thursday's 8-7 victory to split the series in Pittsburgh:
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How the Nationals did just enough when they needed it most to pull off a 10-inning victory at the end of a 5-2 road trip:
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Final: Nats 8, Pirates 7 in 10. James Wood delivered the winning hit in the top of the 10th. Orlando Ribalta got the save in the bottom of the 10th. Nats finish 5-2 on the road trip to Milwaukee and Pittsburgh.