Nats Chat

The Nats held on 8-6 over Milwaukee to clinch the series. Mark & Al start with the mildly surprising news postgame that Paolo "The Secret Weapon" Espino will get his first start of the season on Sunday as the team seeks its first sweep of the season.

(04:32) The heart of the order took center stage on Saturday as Juan Soto, Nelson Cruz, and Josh Bell connected on back to back to back HRs that gave Washington a seven run lead. These three hitters were responsible for all eight RBIs during the afternoon.

(12:34) Luis Garcia had a mixed bag during the victory as he had three hits, got caught stealing, and was charged with an error. Since being called up ten games ago, Garcia is hitting .359. Has he met expectations?

(24:05) Patrick Corbin had a good outing until his pitching line received a few blemishes in the top of the 7th. Hear analysis of Corbin's start that for the most part was a positive.

(33:04) Mark gives an update on Sean Doolittle and Anibal Sanchez's rehab. We conclude by discussing the scary incident on Saturday as a fan attending the game suffered cardiac arrest and required immediate attention.

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The Nationals beat Milwaukee 11-5 to open up the eleven game home stand. Al highlights the myriad of offensive contributors as Washington collected 19 hits; four of which were homers. Nelson Cruz not only returned to the lineup, but had four hits (including his 455th career HR) in the process.

(08:40) Keibert Ruiz homered among his three hits and picked off another runner at first base on a snap throw to Josh Bell. Lane Thomas also had three hits and has been white hot so far in June.

(25:35) Cade Cavalli struggled Friday night in St. Paul as he allowed four runs in 5 IP. Al points out that a successful start might have been his final AAA outing, but now Mike Rizzo likely needs to see a few more starts.

(31:40) Our debut of "Where Are They Now" as former closer Matt Capps sends in a voice memo to update Nats fans on what he is up to today. He was the winning pitcher at the 2010 MLB All Star Game while wearing the "Curly W".

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The Nats lost 7-4 to the Marlins as Stephen Strasburg pitched for Washington for the first time in over a year. Mark (live from Miami) and Al dissect his up and down start. Do they focus more on the seven runs he allowed or the five strikeouts he threw? What to make of fastball velocity?

(20:45) Nelson Cruz was a late scratch due to a stiff back and will have a MRI soon. The lineup card meanwhile puzzled Al mightily as Ehire Adrianza was placed 2nd in the order (Cesar Hernandez was given a much deserved day off). Why not move up Luis Garcia higher in the lineup? Lane Thomas reached base three times in the lead-off spot and he already has five multi hits games in June.

(30:31) Paolo Espino threw a scoreless bottom of the 8th and his ERA is 2.03. HE HAS YET TO PITCH THIS SEASON WHILE THE NATIONALS ARE AHEAD! As the team is in a stretch with no off-days for awhile, he might start a game during the upcoming homestand,.

(34:47) We get a preview of Virginia Tech's first ever trip to the NCAA Super Regionals from diehard listener Akul Mehra. Akul gives background on the Hokies, who host Oklahoma in this weekend's Best of 3 series.

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The Nats lost 2-1 in 10 innings as all the runs scored came in extra innings. Mark (Live from Miami) and Al recap the very busy 9th and 10th innings, which concluded with Tanner Rainey blowing a save opportunity. Mark explains the unusual situation where a replay at the plate did not go Washington's way.

(17:10) Josiah Gray threw five scoreless frames as he was in quite the pitchers duel with Sandy Alcantara, who shutout the Nationals over nine innings. Gray struck out six and has lowered his ERA by over a full run in his past three starts.

(27:20) Keibert Ruiz had a busy evening as he had a RBI, threw out a runner trying to steal, and was central in the extra inning replay at the plate. Did he block the plate or was it a bad call?

(37:30) Stephen Strasburg is finally taking the Nats mound on Thursday night for the first time in over a year. What is your prediction for his final pitching line as he faces the Marlins?

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The Nats three game win streak came to a screeching halt in a 12-2 loss down in Miami. Al & Mark (Live from Florida) though do not begin with the game, but with the pregame confirmation that Stephen Strasburg will take the mound on Thursday night at the Marlins. He has not pitched for Washington since June 1st of last season.

(13:06) Joan Adon was hit hard early and often as he allowed eight runs in three plus frames. His ERA is above 6.00 right as Strasburg is returning to the rotation and so it begs the question... Will Adon be sent down to the minors? Who starts on Sunday?

(23:45) Luis Garcia homered on an evening that the offense did not do much against Edward Cabrera, as his tater traveled a distance of over 400 feet. What are reasonable expectations for Garcia at the plate now that he has seemingly been called up for good? Lane Thomas had two hits on Tuesday while occupying the second spot in the order and our antennas are on to see if he quietly is taking over in CF for Victor Robles.

(35:55) Josh Whetzel, the voice of the Rochester Red Wings, gives an update on the Nationals AAA affiliate after their very busy weekend that saw Stephen Strasburg, Cade Cavalli, and Cole Henry all succesfully take the mound.

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The Nats held off the Reds 5-4 to win their 3rd straight game and to take the series. Mark & Al open with Keibert Ruiz's fantastic defensive play for the final out, that allowed the Nationals to hang on and for Steve Cishek to notch the Save. Hear the explanation of how advanced scouting led to the execution of that snap throw to 1st Base,

(12:04) Luis Garcia had a RBI single and swung a hot bat in Cincinnati. However, there were more question marks about his play at shortstop, mainly in the bottom of the 9th. Should he have thrown the runner out for the final out?

(23:06) Patrick Corbin earned the win as all three runs he allowed came in the 1st inning. Al points out many of the lefty's advanced stats as we are two months into the season. He has been victorious in two of his past three starts.

(33:56) It was another banner day in Rochester as Cole Henry threw five scoreless innings in his AAA debut. What is the potential timetable for him to be called up to Washington later this season?

(40:05) Thursday's starting pitcher in Miami is "TBD". Is that Latin for Stephen Strasburg? How many fans will be in attendance?

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The Nats staged a late rally against the Reds bullpen to emerge with a 10-8 win on Saturday. Al recaps the victory as Juan Soto homered twice, giving him three dingers this series. The last time Soto had a multi homer game? Last September.... also at the Great American Ballpark.

(06:25) Luis Garcia had a huge day while batting in the 9th spot as he had three hits, four RBIs, including a crucial 2 run single for 9th inning insurance. Maikel Franco also had a solid day and Al addresses where his stock is at as the trade deadline is under two months away.

(16:01) Erick Fedde had a second straight poor outing as he did not last five innings and allowed seven hits. His ERA a week ago was 3.55 and after the past two starts, it now sits at 4.88. Speaking of ERA, a scoreless inning by Paolo Espino puts him at 2.10.... PITCH PAOLO IN MORE HIGH LEVERAGE SPOTS!

(25:47) Cade Cavalli threw a complete game for Rochester and struck out 10 in the process. It is starting to look more and more likely that he will be promoted to Washington at some point this season. Al concludes by relaying the news that Stephen Strasburg was given a locker in Cincinnati, a good sign that he will be joining the rotation soon.

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The Nats won 8-5 in Cincinnati to end their four game skid. Mark & Al marvel at how not only did Lane Thomas go deep three times, but the Nationals hit five HRs overall in the victory (Nelson Cruz & Juan Soto the others).

(18:55) Josiah Gray struck out nine Reds as he lasted six frames to get the win. His evening started off on the wrong foot as Tommy Pham slapped a HR off of him right away, but Gray settled in after that point. The hosts assess how the young right hander has looked on the so far this season. Tanner Rainey notched the save despite walking the lead-off hitter.

(31:44) Stephen Strasburg was excellent in his third minor rehab start as he threw six scoreless frames in Rochester. Will his next start be for Washington? How important is his return to the psyche of the fan base?

(40:04) Joe Girardi was fired as Phillies Manager. Al asks Mark if Girardi was ever under serious consideration to be Manager when the job was available after the 2017 season.

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The Nats were crushed 8-1 at fellow last place Cincinnati to drop them to 0-4 on the road trip. Al begins the conversation with the good news that pitching prospect Cole Henry is being promoted to AAA Rochester. Will he get called up to Washington this year?

(08:02) The offensive futility continued in this game as the scoreless inning streak eclipsed 27. Josh Bell was the only source for runs as he hit a solo HR, that was aided by the Ballpark's dimensions.

(12:15) Joan Adon right away allowed a 3 run HR to Joey Votto, but that was all he gave up in the loss. He walked as many as a he struck out, and Al points out his alarming walk rate per nine innings.

(16:07) Paolo Espino yet again was used in mop up duty as he threw a scoreless bottom of the 8th. His ERA is a very impressive 2.19 and it is mystifying why he isn't being used in more high leverage spots. Why?

(27:01) Matt Noble from the Maryland Baseball Network previews the first ever NCAA Baseball Tournament Regional that will be held in College Park, MD. The Terps will face LIU on Friday night in the double elimination event.

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The Nats were blanked by Mets 5-0 to conclude the decisive three game sweep. Mark & Al dig into how the Nationals were humbled and then some after entering the week with a bit of momentum.

(11:25) Luis Garcia was called up after Alcides Escobar was placed on the IL. Davey Martinez has declared that Garcia will play SS everyday and on Wednesday he went 1 for 4 at the plate.

(16:45) Evan Lee picked up the loss in his Major League debut as he was relieved in the 4th inning. Will he reamin with team or will he return to AA Harrisburg?

(21:20) Mike Rizzo was asked by The Sports Junkies (106.7 The Fan) if Washington will trade Juan Soto. The hosts parse through his answer in their analysis. Mark then adds insight from the beat reporters pregame conversation with Rizzo in the dugout that was held off-camera.

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