Wire Taps: Washington Nationals walk off on Atlanta Braves after late-game rally in D.C.

Last night in the nation’s capital it was the Atlanta Braves’ bullpen that faltered, with Jim Johnson giving up a three-run lead in the ninth before the Washington Nationals won it in the tenth. Nats’ skipper Dusty Baker was asked after the game if there was any satisfaction in seeing it happen to someone else for a change after the Nationals’ bullpen has struggled this season.

“No, not really,” Baker said, “it was just gratifying for us to get the win. That was a two-game game, because we would have been seven— if we had lost that game, we would have been seven [ahead in the division] instead of nine, you know, and we’ve got two games to go and hopefully we can extend this lead and take a break. We’ve had that happen to us many, many times, and so we’ve done that to a few teams as well, but people seem to forget the times that we do it and just remember the times that they do it to us.”

The losses do hurt more, it’s true. But the wins like last night’s, those are the ones that fans remember...

NATS BEAT:

Better late: Nats rally to tie in ninth before beating Braves in 10th, 5-4
"The Nationals need help from unexpected places these days, with Jayson Werth, Michael A. Taylor and Trea Turner all on the disabled list. Friday night..."

On the decision to let Scherzer try to finish the eighth inning
"So if you’re wondering who decided Scherzer should remain on the mound in the top of the eighth inning Friday night..."

Washington Nationals' walk-off win a reversal of bullpen fortunes
"Even though the Nationals own the game’s fourth-best record, they’ve managed to lose six times already when leading after eight innings, most in the majors."

Nationals sign first-round pick Seth Romero for just over slot value
"Seth Romero passed his physical, signed his deal, and is now a Washington National, according to a person familiar with the situation."

Washington Nationals outfielder Michael Taylor placed on DL with right oblique strain
"'I felt like a sharp pain in my side,' Taylor told reporters after the game. 'Been dealing with it for a couple of weeks now.'"

Nationals agree to terms with Seth Romero, seven other draft picks
"[Seth] Romero entered the 2017 First-Year Player Draft rated by MLB.com as the №24 draft prospect, and by Baseball America as the №27 prospect."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Nationals Fans Suffer Three-Hour Rainless Delay, Some Get Free Ice Cream
"The game was only five minutes longer than the delay itself. Not the best look."

Buy or Sell: National League All-Star Edition
"1B: Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals: Raise your hand if you saw this coming (PUT YOUR HAND DOWN, LIAR)."

It was the night of the Rainless Rain Delay in D.C.
"Let’s cut through the B.S. and say what happened last night..."

Nationals' Anthony Rendon may be baseball’s best-kept secret
"The question is, with those numbers, why is it that so many fans outside the nation’s capital know so little of Rendon?"

'Next time...Camden Yards will get our money': Nationals fans look north after silly delay
"'...yeah we wasted a whole lot time money and time (3 1/2 hours each way) next time will go watch the O's play!'"

Two Orioles are MLB's least valuable at their positions, according to a statistical analysis
"The Orioles, though, aren’t the only ones dealing with poor contract value. Former Oriole Matt Wieters ranks as the analysis’ worst catcher."

What should the Tigers do at the trade deadline?
"Almost every team could use good relievers, but I think the Washington Nationals are a very good fit for Justin Wilson."