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With last night’s loss to the Braves, the Nationals are now 8-13 against the two teams that are currently ahead of them in the NL East... So, yeah, on to the links:
NATS BEAT:
Nats unable to produce big innings in 8-5 loss to Braves - (MASN)
"Eaton said the fact that the Nats couldn’t put a big inning together has been an unfortunate refrain to the season through 97 games."
Emotions in the dugout, peacekeeping in the manager's office - (MASN)
"Martinez was a bit more forthcoming. The rookie manager didn’t give out details, but he did speak more broadly about a situation he both tried to downplay as commonplace..."
Strasburg was asked what happened in the dugout.
— Todd Dybas (@Todd_Dybas) July 21, 2018
"Part of family, man. You’ve got to be in the family.”
He was asked if he talked with Scherzer since.
"You’ve got to be in the family. You’re not."
Stephen Strasburg loses in return vs. Braves - (MLB.com)
"The return of Stephen Strasburg from the disabled list was not enough to hold off the Braves in an 8-5 defeat in front of a sellout crowd on Friday night at Nationals Park."
Nationals start second half by slipping up right where they left off - (WaPost)
"Strasburg had briskly jogged off the field, exiting a disappointing return earlier than the Nationals envisioned, and was greeted with a pat on the back from Max Scherzer."
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
Second-half fantasy expectations for the struggling Washington Nationals - (ESPN)
"Few hitters offer the potential upside of Harper, which is why his current .214 batting average is such a drag."
Anthony Rendon has a new fan - (La Vida Baseball)
"The Nationals' third baseman won a new fan recently when he connected with another Mexican-American off the field."
Nationals pitchers Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg argue in dugout - (Yahoo! Sports)
"An animated exchange followed. Strasburg then attempted to head for the clubhouse, with Scherzer following close behind."
Stephen #Strasburg gets nasty with #Scherzer after getting the hook in his return versus the @Braves. #ATLatWSH #ATLWSH #Nats #Nationals pic.twitter.com/QmpHFJy66v
— Johnny Woodard (@JohnnyWoodard) July 21, 2018
NL EAST UPDATES:
Offense, leadoff hitter Acuna push Braves past Nationals - (AJC.com)
"Maybe the Braves’ offense really did need the All-Star break. Or just Ronald Acuna hitting leadoff."
Five big questions facing the Phillies entering the second half - (Philly.com)
"For the first time since 2011, the Phillies will emerge from the all-star break with a legitimate chance to reach the postseason."
Mets reportedly working to deal Jeurys Familia - (MLB.com)
"The Mets are working on a trade to send closer Jeurys Familia to the A's, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported Friday night."
Source confirms: #Athletics working to get Familia from #Mets. No deal in place. Other teams might still be in mix. Interest from A’s first reported by @susanslusser earlier today.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 21, 2018
Dietrich goes deep twice, Marlins hang on to edge host Rays - (Sun Sentinel)
"Derek Dietrich homered twice, including a three-run shot in the seventh inning that broke a tie, to lead Dan Straily and the Miami Marlins over the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5 on Friday night."