Nats Chat

The Nats were shutout by visiting Atlanta 8-0 as Bryce Elder tossed a complete game. Al begins with Washington reaching the unfortunate mark of 100 losses on the season, and for the first time since 2009. Hear what Davey Martinez had to say regarding this in his post game press conference.

(05:03) Elder is the second pitcher this month to go the distance against the Nationals, the other being Miami's Sandy Alcantara. It was also Elder's 1st victory since April 12th. Meanwhile, Cory Abbott was very ineffective once he faced the Braves order for the second time.

(12:10) The offense struggled yet again while facing a pitcher who has had limited success this season. Al puts in perspective how disappointing Cesar Hernandez's year at the plate has been, as his OPS is currently at .628.

(16:05) MacKenzie Gore did not pitch well in his rehab start in Rochester as he allowed six runs in under four frames and gave up a trio of HRs. Will he start for the Nats before the season ends?

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The Nats ended their difficult season series against Miami with a 6-1 victory on Sunday. Mark (Live from Florida) & Al begin by acknowledging that the Nationals will avoid the dubious distinction of 110 losses this year.

(04:20) Joey Meneses homered for the second straight day in the 1st inning and went deep three times on the road trip. He also flashed leather on a few occasions in the victory. Has he locked up 1B for Washington in 2023?

(11:55) CJ Abrams had a busy day that was mostly positive, but was involved in a pair of bizarre plays while running the bases. Abrams is hitting .307 in the month of September.

(22:03) Anibal Sanchez earned the win by throwing five shutout frames and he has pitched well recently. This leads to an in-depth conversation on Anibal's 2023 options as he is a Free Agent at the end of the season.

(30:05) A quick preview of the 3 game series this week in D.C. as the Braves come to town. Atlanta currently trails the Mets by a game and a half for first place in the NL East.

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The Nats lost 4-1 in Miami as they yet again were no match for Sandy Alcantara. Mark & Al tip their caps for the final time this season to the Cy Young candidate who went 4-0 in five starts in 2022 vs. Washington.

(09:42) The offense had a quiet evening, except for Joey Meneses' Solo HR in the opening frame. Alex Call had a good game as he reached base three times (walk, single, HBP). Lane Thomas went 0 for 4 and remains hit-less in his career against Alcantara.

(19:30) Erick Fedde took the loss and allowed nine hits in the process. The hosts look at Fedde's season as his ERA is currently at 5.34 and has struggled since coming off the IL.

(27:45) An update on Patrick Corbin and if he will make his next scheduled start,

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The Nats lost 5-2 in Miami and Josiah Gray took his 10th loss of the season. Al & Mark (Live from Florida) run through Gray's start, as he had only allowed one run until the Marlins scored three off of him in the 6th. On the bright side, Gray did not allow a home run for the first time in 14 starts.

(11:47) Updates on both MacKenzie Gore and Patrick Corbin. Will either guy start a game for Washington in the final stretch? Gore has a rehab start on Monday for Rochester and Corbin left his last start early due to back spasms.

(17:05) The offense struggled as the only runs came in the 1st and the 8th innings. Just how much has the absence of Keibert Ruiz played into that?

(25:02) We answer a pair of listener submitted email questions. Send yours into [email protected]

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The Nats rallied to win 3-2 in Atlanta and avoid the sweep. Mark & Al begin with another dramatic HR by Joey Meneses, who hit a 2 run shot in the 7th to grab the lead. Meneses has hit 10 homers since being called up on August 2nd, including three late HRs that led to victory.

(09:45) An emailer inquires about a stain on Meneses' resume, as he was once suspended in Japan for PED use. The hosts explore this part of his career as best they can with little information available on the subject.

(16:55) Tres Barrera was in the lineup for the first time since being called up and came through with two hits and threw out a runner trying to steal in the 7th inning. This leads to answering an emailer about one of the potential side effects of enlarging the bases.

(27:40) Paolo Espino did not get the win, but received plenty of help from his bullpen, as they combined for five scoreless frames. We conclude with asking Mark if he thinks Patrick Corbin will take the mound again this season; after he exited Tuesday night early due to back spasms.

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The Nats lost 3-2 in Atlanta on an evening where Patrick Corbin left the game in the 1st inning due to discomfort in his back. Al & Tim open with the narrow defeat for Washington as they could not capitalize with the bases loaded in the top of the 9th.

(07:48) Corbin only recorded two outs before exiting on Tuesday night. Could this end his season? He entered the evening with 18 losses on the season and no pitcher has lost 20 games since 2003 (Mike Maroth- Detroit). The Nationals were able to only use four relievers to cobble together the rest of the game.

(20:45) Maury Wills, Dodgers great and D.C. native, passed away at age 89. Wills stole 104 bases in 1962 and was All Star Game MVP that season when it was held in D.C. Should he make it to Cooperstown?

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The Nats lost 5-2 in Atlanta to begin a six game road trip. Al & Mark focus on how these games are of supreme importance to the Braves, who are just a game back of the Mets for the division lead. Atlanta is seeking a fifth consecutive NL East crown.

(05:30) Joey Meneses gathered four hits on Monday and is hitting .325 since being called up on August 2nd. His OPS in abbreviated action this season is .904. The conversation then steers to fellow pleasant surprise, Ildemaro Vargas.

(13:45) The team's official twitter account pointed out how high the Nats offense ranks in various categories this month. The hosts explore what it means that this has happened post trade deadline two seasons ago.

(20:10) Cory Abbott was tagged with the loss as he only lasted four innings. He gave up a Solo HR to Austin Riley, who has gone deep against Washington eight times so far this year.

(23:55) The conversation steers towards the struggles that Juan Soto and Josh Bell have experienced since last month's trade. Soto is hitting .163 this month and Bell's average has dropped 27 points since changing teams.

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The Nats lost to Miami 3-1 as Sandy Alcantara bolstered his Cy Young case by throwing a 103 pitch Complete Game. Al & Mark tip their caps to the Marlins right hander, who is 3-0 this year vs. Washington in four starts.

(03:30) Lane Thomas got the day off despite his surge as of late, because his career numbers against Alcantara have not been good (0 for 11 w/ 6 Ks). Do you agree with the manager filling out his lineup cards in this manner? His teammates had yet another game filled with base running gaffe in his absence.

(09:20) CJ Abrams committed an error, but was the only National to double off of Alcantara on Sunday. Luke Voit meanwhile had three hits as he seemingly has settled in nicely into the DH role. By the way, what's the latest with Nelson Cruz's eye inflammation?

(16:30) Anibal Sanchez pitched well, but was no match of course for Alcantara. Sanchez's ERA is at 4.40 and has five decent starts in last six outings. Al has some very interesting and unexpected words about Sanchez in mid September.

(22:10) The Nats open a three game series on Monday night Atlanta and the Braves are just a game back of the Mets. The divisional race is of extra importance, because the winner will likely have a bye into the NLDS.

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The Nats beat Miami 5-3 to guarantee a series win while hitting four solo homers and oddly enough not singling. Mark & Al run through the offensive stars from the victory, including all the starting outfielders (Thomas/Robles/Call). Lane Thomas for the second straight season is hitting well post trade deadline and the hosts wonder where he fits into the 2023 lineup.

(06:50) Victor Robles homered for just the 10th time post 2019, but this one went over 400 feet. He had been out of the lineup for a week and Mark explains the factors that led to why.

(12:14) Luke Voit homered from the cleanup spot, his 21st of the season. Voit is arbitration eligible next season; and does that mean he is likely to return next year?

(16:11) Riley Adams had a RBI double and has had an offensive impact ever since Keibert Ruiz's injury. However, Tres Barrera has not yet played since he was called at the beginning of the month and it does beg the question as to why that is the case.

(21:10) Erick Fedde only lasted four innings, but his bullpen combined for five scoreless frames. What effect will pitch clocks have next season on Fedde, who is a very slow worker on the mound.

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The Nats rallied in the late innings to edge the Marlins 5-4 and snap a five game skid. Al & Mark begin with how the comeback started; "Joey Four Bags" Inside-the-Park in the bottom of the 7th. Meneses now has slugged nine HRs since being called up after the trade deadline.

(06:10) CJ Abrams had a two run triple to tie up the affair in the pivotal 7th and his average this month is up to .313. His infield mate Ildemaro Vargas delivered the go ahead hit; a RBI ground rule double in the bottom of the 8th. Hear how surprising his WAR is this year in limited time.

(18:03) Josiah Gray struggled again and gave up a HR for the 13th consecutive start. This leads to a discussion of whether or not the team could end his season prematurely since he has not been pitching well as of late.

(25:30) Cade Cavalli suffered a setback as he experienced right shoulder discomfort in his first throwing session since landing on the IL. The Nationals say they are not concerned, but are you? Al puts in perspective how disappointing 2022 has been for Cavalli.

(32:55) Stephen Strasburg spoke with the Washington Post and it was a revealing piece. The World Series MVP expresses concern about ever being able to return to the mound. Was this first step towards a goodbye?

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