Braves Get the Best of Harvey
The Nats scored first but ultimately fell 5-2 on Thursday night vs. the visiting Braves for their fourth straight defeat. Mark & Al have another mediocre showing from the offense to parse through as the only production came from Back to Back homers in the bottom of the 6th (CJ Abrams & Lane Thomas). Jesse Winker was the only member of the lineup to come through with multiple hits as the team collected just six in total.
Swept by the Mets
The Nats were clobbered 9-1 on Wednesday afternoon for a third consecutive loss to the visiting Mets. Al & Mark begin with Davey Martinez being openly critical of CJ Abrams and his role as the team's leadoff hitter. Abrams went 1 for 7 this series and his OPS is .739 on the season. Abrams also denied the opportunity to speak with the media after the game.
Williams to the IL & Herz Loses Debut
The Nats lost 6-3 to the Mets on Tuesday night in D.C. for their fourth loss in the past five game. Mark & Al evaluate the news that Trevor Williams is headed to the 15-day IL due to a right flexor muscle strain (same injury as Josiah Gray). Williams' ERA so far this season is just 2.22 in 11 starts.
(06:00) The start instead went to DJ Herz, a lefty that was called up from AAA Rochester. Washington acquired Herz last summer as part of the Jeimer Candelario trade with the Cubs. Herz pitched into the the 5th and allowed four runs in the outing.
Gore Gets Rocked & Rally Falls Short
The Nats opened the homestand with a 8-7 loss on Monday night to the Mets. Al & Mark recap the game that felt like it was from Pre Pitch Clock era as it lasted almost three and a half hours. MacKenzie Gore's pitching didn't help as he allowed six runs in just over four innings of work. It was first the bad start that Gore has had since May 5th, when he also gave up six runs.
Sloppy in a Bizarre Defeat
The Nats lost 3-2 on Saturday afternoon in Cleveland for their second straight defeat. Mark (From Ohio) and Al have plenty of sloppy Washington play to sort through, both defensively and on the bases. All of the Guardian runs came in quirky ways when facing Mitchell Parker, including Jose Ramirez scoring from second base on a wild pitch.
Beaten in Cleveland
The weary traveling Nats lost 7-1 on Friday night in Cleveland. Mark (From Progressive Field) & Al open with the crummy logistics that preceded the Nationals for this series opener as they did not make it to their hotel room until 5 AM after flying in from Atlanta. Davey Martinez gave the team off from "BP" for additional rest.
More Good Pitching Down South
The Nats won 3-1 on Thursday night to take three out of four games this week in Atlanta. Al & Tim begin with what has become a familiar starting point for this podcast.... solid team pitching. Trevor Williams earned the victory as he lasted into the 6th and four relievers combined for a scoreless effort. The final six outs were recorded by the dynamic duo of Hunter Harvey & Kyle Finnegan.
Gore Strikes Out Ten in an Atlanta Win
The Nats beat the Braves 7-2 on Wednesday night to move to 25-29 on the season, putting them on pace for 75 victories this season. Mark & Al have another solid starting pitching performance to discuss as MacKenzie Gore earned the win and struck out nine Atlanta hitters along the way. Gore's ERA so far is 2.91 through 11 starts.
No Run Support for Irvin
Jake Irvin was excellent on Tuesday night in Atlanta, but the Nats were shutout 2-0. Mark & Al begin with Irvin who struck out a career high ten batters in six innings of work. This game continued a season long pattern of Irvin not getting a lot of support from his offense. His counterpart Max Fried was also superb as he tossed eight scoreless frames.
Nats Double Up the Braves
The Nats opened the road trip with an 8-4 Memorial Day victory in Atlanta. Al & Tim have a crowded box score to sort through as the team collected fifteen hits and six Nationals had a multi hit afternoon. Lane Thomas was one of them as he had a pair of hits in his first game since returning from the IL. Thomas had been out since April 24th due to a sprained left MCL.
‘Pen Can't Hang On for the Sweep
The Nats led 5-4 entering the top of the 8th, but the Mariners jumped on the bullpen to hand Washington a 9-5 defeat on Sunday afternoon. Mark & Al have a different Dylan Floro conversation than the day before as he gave up a pair of runs and took the loss. It was the third consecutive day that Floro took the mound and it was his worst outing of the season.
Nats Defeat the Mariners Again
The Nats beat the Mariners 3-1 on Saturday afternoon in D.C. for their second consecutive victory. Al & Mark have another fine outing by Trevor Williams to recap as he only allowed one run in five innings of work.
Gore & Trio of Homers Beat Seattle
The Nats beat visiting Seattle 6-1 on Friday evening to open the three game series. Al & Tim begin with MacKenzie Gore who lasted seven frames just the 2nd time in his career. Gore struck out eight Mariners and did so on just 98 pitches. He might be on the way to an All Star season as we approach Memorial Day.
Offense Sputters Again
The Nationals lost the series rubber match to the Twins 3-2 on Wednesday afternoon in D.C. Mark & Al run through another collective dismal day at the plate for the team. Joey Gallo made the final out and went hit-less in the loss. Gallo is hitting just .126 so far this season and 3 for 21 since returning from the IL.
Minnesota Crushes Corbin
The Nats were shutout 10-0 on Tuesday night by visiting Minnesota and it is the 3rd time in the past week that they didn't score a run. Al & Mark begin with a familiar refrain, the one where they recap terrible start by Patrick Corbin. He allowed eight runs and his ERA is now at 6.29. Mark does explain though why he feels Corbin's time might be running out in the starting rotation.
Bats Wake Up to End the Skid
The Nats routed the Twins 12-3 on Monday night in Navy Yard to end their five game losing streak. Mark & Al have a lot of positive offensive statistics to sift through for a change as they collected fourteen hits and hit a pair of homers (Luis Garcia Jr. & Jesse Winker).
(04:30) Eddie Rosario continued his hot May as he had two hits, scored three runs, stole a base, and scored all the way from 1B on an errant throw to the outfield.
Swept in Philly
The Nats lost 11-5 on Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia for their fifth consecutive defeat. Mark (From Philly) & Al discuss the Nationals being on the wrong end of a sweep and a disappointing 2-7 road trip.
One Out Away But a Loss in Extras
The Nats led 3-2 in the bottom of the 9th but ultimately lost 4-3 in ten innings in Philadelphia on Saturday evening. Mark (From Philly) & Al examine the final two frames that saw Kyle Finnegan blow the save in the 9th and take the loss in the 10th. Finnegan retired the first two batters in the bottom of the 9th, but then gave up a game tying solo homer to Kody Clemens (yes, he is Roger Clemens' son).
Nats Drop Their 3rd Straight
The Nats fell 4-2 in Philadelphia on Friday night and have dropped three straight games on the road trip. Mark (From Citizen's Bank Park) & Al yet again go over a struggling offense that only collected four hits. Oddly enough, all four hits were doubles. One of them came from Joey Gallo, who was just called up from AAA following his rehab stint.