clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Wire Taps: Washington Nationals And Miami Marlins Honoring Jackie Robinson Tonight In Miami

Coming off a butt-whippin' at the hands of their NL East rivals from Atlanta, the Washington Nationals try to bounce back from the three-game sweep at home against the Braves by beating up on the Miami Marlins team the Nats swept in their season-opening series. Jordan Zimmermann takes the mound in Miami tonight...

By Patrick Reddington

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Curt Gunther

I'm going to turn the Wire Taps intro over to the tweeting Washington Nationals this morning for two reasons: 1. I'm tired. I drove back and forth from N.J. to D.C. this weekend, leaving for the nation's capital at 4:00 am on Saturday morning, taking in two games in Nats Park and then driving back to New Jersey last night, arriving back at home at around 11:30-pm.-ish. It was a long weekend and the Nationals got swept by the Braves too. 2. It's Jackie Robinson Day in the Majors as MLB celebrates the 66th anniversary of Robinson's first Major League game. If you're on Twitter, retweet the first one here from MLB's account and then check out what Ian Desmond and Bryce Harper had to say through their own accounts this morning. After that, links and lots of them, starting... RIGHT NOW!!!:

via @MLB on Twitter:

via Ian Desmond on Twitter (@IanDesmond20):

via Bryce Harper on Twitter (@BHarper3407):

• THE BIG STORY!!!:

• "The Washington Nationals returned to the refuge of their clubhouse Sunday afternoon after a nine-inning boot to the teeth, heartened only by the fact that for the next few days the Atlanta Braves will be somebody else’s problem." - "Nationals vs. Braves: Gio Gonzalez, Washington routed to cap sweep" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post

• NATS BEAT:

• "Shoulders slumped, head down: Gio Gonzalez struck the pose of a defeated man on the mound Sunday afternoon." - "Braves dominate Gio Gonzalez, Nationals to complete sweep" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "It's never a good thing when the only real positive news coming out of a game from one team's perspective is that a player who got hit by a pitch isn't seriously injured." - "Nationals Pastime: Hearing from Espinosa and Gonzalez after Nats' 9-0 loss" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "The Atlanta lefty tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings to extend his streak to begin the season to 20 2/3 innings without a allowing a run." - "Instant Analysis: Braves 9, Nats 0" - Chase Hughes, NatsInsider.com

• "Atlanta (11-1) has won nine straight and owns the best record in the major leagues. The Braves have outscored the opposition 62-23 and built a 20-6 advantage in home runs." - "Nationals lose to Braves 9-0, who complete sweep" - David Ginsburg, AP/WTOP.com

• "A team wins its division by grinding through that endless schedule against an entire league, after all, and there are 16 games left against Atlanta alone." - "For the Nationals, it's a lost weekend against Braves" - Brian McNally, WashingtonExaminer.com

• "When you’re the chic pick of the media to win the World Series, falling apart (how else would you describe glaring breakdowns in every phase of the game?) in the first meeting against a National League East rival only increases the heat." - "Nationals face a little heat in the spotlight after sweep by Braves" - Jason Reid, The Washington Post

• "It's [stinks]. He was working so hard in Spring Training. He gets back. He is in great shape. Something freaky like this to happen, it unfortunate,' catcher Kurt Suzuki said." - "Ramos heads to DL, Solano recalled" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "The Nationals do not believe Ramos, who declined to comment this morning, will miss more than the necessary 15 days with the strain." - "Wilson Ramos likely to miss minimum time on disabled list, Jhonatan Solano recalled" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• "The Nationals’ catchers had been one of their unquestioned strengths, particularly offensively..." - "Nationals place Wilson Ramos on DL, recall Jhonatan Solano" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "[Wilson] Ramos suffered the hamstring injury while hustling down the line on a groundout in the eighth inning of the Nats' 3-1 loss to the Braves yesterday." - "Nationals Pastime: Nats don't feel Ramos' injury is serious" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "[Danny] Espinosa had X-rays taken and the results were negative. Manager Davey Johnson said that Espinosa could miss a game or two." - "Espinosa day to day with sore right wrist" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "Braves left-hander Paul Maholm isn't the hardest thrower around, but his second-inning pitch had enough juice on it to leave [Danny] Espinosa yelping in pain." - "Nationals' Danny Espinosa leaves game after getting hit by pitch on hand" - Brian McNally, WashingtonExaminer.com

• "Afterwards manager Davey Johnson said that X-rays were negative, but that [Danny] Espinosa will likely miss a game or two in the team’s next series at Miami." - "Espinosa leaves game after HBP" - Chase Hughes, CSN Washington

• "[Danny] Espinosa, who is traditionally among the National League leaders in getting hit by pitches, was hit with an 88-mph fastball from Braves left-hander Paul Maholm." - "X-rays negative on Danny Espinosa's right wrist" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times

• "Manager Davey Johnson said [Danny] Espinosa will 'probably miss a game or two,' but Espinosa hopes he can start tomorrow at the Marlins." - "Danny Espinosa hopeful he can play tomorrow after X-rays come back negative" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• "But in three games, the Braves dismantled the Nationals in our nation's capital -- outscoring the Nats 18-5 in the sweep." - "Grading the weekend series: Braves make early statement" - Matt Snyder, CBSSports.com

• "The Braves have swept three straight series (Cubs, Miami and Washington) for the first time since April 2000, when they swept four in a row (Phillies, Pirates, Dodgers, and Padres)." - "Justin Upton, Braves beat Nats for 9th win in row" - David Ginsburg, WTOP.com

• "[Ryan] Zimmerman had right shoulder surgery last offseason, and on a scale of 1-to-10, Zimmerman rated his shoulder a 9-plus." - "Zimmerman not concerned by recent errors" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "Chris Johnson had four hits and two RBIs for the Braves, who received a sparkling pitching performance from Paul Maholm." - "Braves Batter Gio, Complete Sweep of Nats" - Dan Morrison, CBS DC

• "Center fielder Denard Span said the Nats weren’t exactly surprised by what the Braves brought to D.C. this weekend, but perhaps humbled by the resulting sweep." - "Braves pound Gio, sweep Nats" - Chase Hughes, NatsInsider.com

• "[Denard] Span was anticipating one chance against Paul Maholm, against whom he had gone 0 for 3. Bench coach Randy Knorr waved Span over with a finger." - "Denard Span isn’t so sure about the whole double-switch thing" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• "The positive news coming out of this afternoon's 9-0 bludgeoning is that Danny Espinosa's right wrist was not broken when he got hit by a Paul Maholm fastball in the second inning." - "Nationals Pastime: Johnson talks Espinosa's wrist, impressions from Braves sweep" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "[Jordan] Zimmermann will likely face a Marlins lineup missing slugger Giancarlo Stanton. The right fielder was shelved for Miami's series against Philadelphia with a bruised shoulder." - "Washington Nationals at Miami Marlins - April 15, 2013" - Zack Meisel, MLB.com Preview

• "After the Braves' sweep of the Nationals this weekend, the 26-year-old [Evan] Gattis is batting .324 with four homers and 10 RBI." - "Braves' Evan Gettis goes from cleaning up to cleanup hitter" - John Keim, WashingtonExaminer.com

• "In the second game of their series with the Braves, the Nationals suffered their first injury to a major contributor this season." - "State of the Nats-4/15" - Chase Hughes, NatsInsider.com

• "'It was good to make a statement early. Let them know we're going to be tough to beat. That was a great win for us,' said Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons." - "Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals - April 14, 2013" - Bill Ladson, MLB.com WSH Recap

• "The Nats leave their weekend series against the Braves suddenly trailing their division rivals by four games in the National League East after they were handed a spanking over the last three days." - "Nationals Pastime: Gio Gonzalez: 'You've got to give us a chance'" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama):

• NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

• "The Nationals dropped to 7-5, while the Braves bumped to 11-1, the second-best start after 12 games in franchise history. Espinosa did not back down from his comments when he spoke to the media after the game, though." - "Danny Espinosa doubles down on Braves comment" - Bill Baer, HardballTalk

• "The Nationals still seem to be babying Stephen Strasburg and as a fan this is extremely frustrating. Strasburg is nearly 3 years removed from Tommy John surgery." - "It's Time For The Nats To Take The Kiddie Wheels Off Of Stephen Strasburg" - Adam Banig, Blog So HardBlog So Hard Sports

• "'They're good. It's not shocking. It's no surprise to any one of us,' said [Gio] Gonzalez. 'We all know that's a good lineup, and the pitching staff is great.'" - "Braves make 'statement,' sweep Nationals for 9th in row" - Matt Owings, USA TODAY Sports

• "Righty Jordan Zimmermann eyes his third win of the season on Monday night when the Washington Nationals visit the Miami Marlins to open a three-game series at Marlins Park." - "Washington Nationals (7-5) at Miami Marlins (2-10), 7:10 p.m. (ET)" - Baseball Wires - MiamiHerald.com

• NATS MINORS:

• Class-A Hagerstown: "The Hagerstown Suns (6-5) turned a 4-2 deficit into a 6-4 advantage with a four-run seventh inning on Sunday, holding on to defeat the Delmarva Shorebirds (6-5) and split their four game series." - "Four-run seventh propels Suns past Shorebirds" - Eli Pearlstein, Hagerstown Suns News

• Class-A Potomac: "Potomac LHP Kylin Turnbull (0-2), the losing pitcher, pitched his way out of jams in the contest, but inevitably gave up six earned runs on nine hits, and walked two with a hit batter, as well." - "Potomac Comeback Comes up Short in Lynchburg" - Potomac Nationals News

• "The Senators now have Souza and Matt Skole, two of their top home run hitters, on the disabled list with injuries. Skole went down with a wrist injury last week and is continuing to be evaluated." - "Updates on injuries to prospects Higley, Souza" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• Double-A Harrisburg: "Anthony Rendon had four hits and two RBIs and the Senators hot pitching continued, as they won 4-2 in Altoona to take their third straight over the Curve and capture the four-game series." - "Rendon Breaks Out With Four Hits, Sens Win Third Straight in Altoona" - Marshall Kelner, Harrisburg Senators News

• "[Anthony Rendon] went a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs in the Double-A Harrisburg Senators' 4-2 win over the host Altoona Curve on Sunday." - "Rendon records first four-hit outing" - Ashley Marshall, MiLB.com News

• Triple-A Syracuse: "The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, earned a doubleheader split on Sunday afternoon against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs." - "Chiefs walk off in doubleheader split" - Syracuse Chiefs News

• Triple-A Syracuse: "Jimmy VanOstrand hit a single up the middle to drive in Chris Marrero in the bottom of the eighth as the Syracuse Chiefs split a twinbill with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at NBT Bank Stadium on Sunday." - AUDIO: "VanOstrand walk-off secures Chiefs split with IronPigs" - Ben Meyers, Auburn Citizen

• "[Zach] Walters took advantage of his opportunity to work with the big leaguers and the Nationals 'complete coaching staff in Viera, Fla." - "Walters making a name for himself in Syracuse" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com

• "Monday’s News & Notes" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com

• NATSTOWN:

• "Now, as I noted when this all came out, beer prices at Nats Park have clearly gone up since the park opened. And no one would say they’re cheap. But there isn’t really a metric under which the Nats have baseball’s most expensive beer." - "The Nats don’t really have baseball’s most expensive beer" - Dan Steinberg, D.C. Sports Bog, Washington Post

• "Nine visiting mascots joined the Washington Nationals’ racing presidents to celebrate Screech’s birthday on Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park..." - "Video: Visiting mascots beat up on Nats racing presidents in celebration of Screech’s birthday" - Presidents Race Fan, Let Teddy Win!

• "We just got waffled today" - Nats Enquirer

• "For a team whose manager declared, 'World Series or bust,' and whose supporters are turning out in droves, this is bad news." - "Nationals Buzz: Three reasons not to hit the panic button" - Marty Niland for MASNSports.com

• "You lose games you are supposed to win and you win games you are supposed to lose. This includes being swept by your rival." - "Monday quickie" - Harper, Nationals Baseball

• "It's a long season. The Nats swept the Braves in Atlanta last year in May and the Brave still won 94 games. This isn’t the end of the world." - "Braves sweep shows some areas of concern" - Todd Boss, Nationals Arm Race

• "Danny Espinosa on Braves: 'I still don’t think that they’re better than us'" - Nats Enquirer

• "After consecutive losses to the Atlanta Braves on Friday and Saturday, the Washington Nationals needed Gio Gonzalez to be the 'stopper' on Sunday." - "Washington Nationals Game 12 Review: Braves complete sweep; Gio hammered in loss" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page

• "Review-Preview: Tomahawk Assault and Goin’ Fishin’ Edition" - Nationals 101

• "Lost weekend for Nats as Braves sweep them" - William F. Yurasko, William World News

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• Marlins: "Kevin Slowey took the mound for the Marlins on Sunday hoping to break free of an obscure losing streak. Slowey was the first pitcher in 25 years to lose 10 consecutive starts." - "Kevin Slowey receives no run support, Miami Marlins fall to Philadelphia Phillies" - Clark Spencer, MiamiHerald.com

• Phillies: "The two longest-tenured players in the visiting clubhouse at Marlins Park toasted Roy Halladay with a magnum-sized champagne bottle that included a congratulatory inscription and photos of the pitcher, too." - "Roy Halladay earns 200th career win as Phillies beat Marlins, 2-1" - Ryan Lawrence, Philadelphia Daily News

• Mets: "Matt Harvey, who flirted with a no-hitter Saturday in Minnesota, will be given an extra day of rest and is scheduled to start Friday at Citi Field against Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals." - "Postponement of Sunday's NY Mets game sets up Matt Harvey vs. Stephen Strasburg matchup Friday at Citi Field" - Kristie Ackert, NY Daily News

• Braves: "B.J. [Upton] got three hits, C.J. (Chris Johnson) got four. [Andrelton] Simmons got a three-run homer, [Evan] Gattis….everybody up and down the lineup got some hits." - Fredi Gonzalez - "Braves quotes after Sunday’s win and sweep of Nats" - David O'Brien, www.ajc.com

More From Federal Baseball