Wire Taps: Ryan Zimmerman on slow start, Spring Training; Nationals’ Minor League updates; Nats’ skipper Davey Martinez on opener...

Going into the home opener, Washington Nationals’ skipper Davey Martinez was excited to see things from the first base side of the field.

Martinez, 53, spent ten years with Tampa Bay and Chicago, but now the nation’s capital is his home and he said he looked forward to playing in front of the crowd in Nats Park in his new role, after serving as the bench coach under Joe Maddon with both the Rays and Cubs, who just happen to have beaten the Nationals in last October’s NLDS.

“It’s going to be fun, and I think this place is going to be electric, I really do,” Martinez told reporters on Thursday morning, before an announced crowd of 42,447 showed up for the opener.

“When I came here for Game 5 last year it was electric and we’re hoping that even though this is not a playoff game, but it is a Major League Baseball game, and it’s game one here, that they bring the energy because the players feed off of that.”

Martinez’s team didn’t give the hometown crowd much to cheer about in what ended up an 8-2 loss.

What will the energy be like in the second of three with the Mets in D.C. this afternoon?

NATS BEAT:

Ryan Zimmerman knows some will blame rocky start on his spring training choices
"Zimmerman’s meager early results, regardless of the quality of his at-bats, will reflect attention back to his unique, debated Spring Training."

'Last 3 games, not so good': Nats already ready for day off
"If ever a team needed a day off just a week into the season, the Washington Nationals sure seemed to fit the bill on Friday."

How Mike Rizzo contract affects Bryce Harper
"Rizzo's contract was set to expire on Oct. 31, right before the beginning of perhaps the best and most anticipated free-agent class in baseball history -- one that will be headlined by Bryce Harper."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

5 MLB players who could have 80 stolen bases
"If you were the Washington Nationals, and you had Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon and the rest coming up, would you risk sending Turner?"

NATS MINORS:

Triple-A Syracuse 2018 roster released
"Randy Knorr is the manager. The pitching coach is Brad Holman and the hitting coach is Brian Daubach."

Chiefs fall on Opening Night
"After a promising start to the 2018 season opener, the Syracuse Chiefs allowed five runs in the ninth inning to fall, 6-5..."

Syracuse Chiefs pitcher, after 2 Tommy John surgeries, eyes return to Majors
"The path Tim Collins took to the Majors wasn't the most orthodox, and his attempt at a return comes with another unusual feat: recovering twice from Tommy John surgery."

Nationals, Harrisburg Senators: Rough start for April baseball
"The game-time temperature was 42 degrees when the Nationals began its Opening Day game on Thursday at Nationals Park. Last week, the Mets’ home opener was postponed due to snow in the New York area."

Zach Collier Slugs Senators to 10-9 Win
"The Harrisburg Senators defeated the Bowie Baysox 10-9 in 13 innings in a thrilling victory on opening night in Minor League Baseball."

Offense Breaks Out in Potomac's 9-2 Win
"Potomac scored seven runs with two outs, and got a solo home run from both SS Carter Kieboom and 3B Jake Noll..."

Suns Held to Two Hits in Loss
"Branden Boggetto broke up a no-hit bid by the Rome Braves, but the Hagerstown Suns were unable to finish two rallies against Rome on Friday night at State Mutual Stadium, losing 3-1."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Braves' rolling offense spoils Rockies' opener
"Coming off series wins against the Nationals and Phillies, the Braves entered a frigid Coors Field on Friday afternoon and remained hot during an 8-3 win."

How a crying epsiode catapulted the Marlins to success
"It’s much too soon for tears. But if this Marlins season continues on a downward trajectory, manager Don Mattingly might want to borrow a page from Joe Girardi’s playbook."

Seuly Matias looks to continue power surge
"The Phillies' fourth-round pick in the 2016 Draft, Romero enjoyed a breakout full-season debut last year as he garnered midseason All-Star honors in the Class A South Atlantic League before moving up to Class A Advanced Clearwater."

NY Mets roaring to 5-1 start under new manager Mickey Callaway
"As Jay Bruce rounded the bases after a grand slam Thursday, dueling sounds of boos and chants of "Bruuuuuce" filled Nationals Park."