Wire Taps: Nationals’ prospect Matthew Crownover throws no-hitter for P-Nats; Adam Eaton hit with purpose pitch?

Zack Wheeler, who had pretty exceptional control Saturday in Citi Field, suddenly losing it when he hit Nationals’ outfielder Adam Eaton in the front hip, was sort of odd, especially considering that the last time they played Eaton went in hard at second and injured Phillip Evans’ leg during the series between the NL East rivals in Washington, D.C.

According to what he told MASN’s Dan Kolko, however, Eaton said he was okay with it, “... as long as he’s hit below the shoulders,” which he was, since it puts him on base.

Mets’ skipper Mickey Callaway wasn’t happy with Eaton’s slide in Nationals Park, explaining after that game that he thought the Nats’ outfielder, “slid in late.”

“And I think his hand actually came off the bag,” Callaway added. “I think if he hadn’t have hit Phil, he would have gone way past the bag. I thought it was a little high up on the leg. We have an injured player who could be out for the rest of the year because of it.”

So did Davey Martinez think the hit-by-pitch on Saturday was intentional retaliation?

“I’m not going to really look into it or make comments about it,” Martinez said. “They felt that was necessary. So we’ll see what happens. Eaton took it like a pro, ran to first base. I think they got frustrated because there he is just trying to play the game and get on base. And plays hard. I know you guys know Adam Eaton he plays really hard, so just play baseball. We’re professional, let’s just play baseball.”

NATS BEAT:

The Window is Not Closed – (The Nats Blog)
"General Manager Mike Rizzo balked at talk of the Nationals’ window closing in his press conference announcing the trades, and from this writer’s point of view, he was 100% right to do so."

Nats shut out three straight games for first time ever - (MASN)
"Never before, however, had this team failed to score a run in three consecutive games. Not during the Lastings Milledge Era. Not during the days of Cleanup Hitter Austin Kearns."

Ryan Madson set to return to the Nationals bullpen as soon as Tuesday - (WaPost)
"Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle, the Washington Nationals’ two best relievers, embraced in the visiting clubhouse at Citi Field on Saturday afternoon."

Nationals suffer third straight shutout, a first since team moved to District - (WaPost)
"It was the 14th time this season the Nationals failed to produce a run, doubling last season’s total."

Nationals shut out for third straight game - (MLB.com)
"Any hope that the Zimmerman walk-off would spur the Nationals into a late run at a playoff spot all but evaporated with three straight shutout losses."

P-NATS NO-HITTER:

Matthew Crownover throws no-hitter for Potomac - (MLB.com)
"Matthew Crownover was in total control on Saturday night as he tossed the first no-hitter in Class A Advanced Potomac history in a 7-0 victory against Lynchburg."

Matthew Crownover Throws First No-Hitter in Potomac Nationals History - (MiLB.com)
"In front of a sold-out crowd at Northwest Federal Field, LHP Matthew Crownover (W, 5-8) tossed the first no-hitter in the history of the Potomac Nationals (68-58, 31-28)."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Nationals were shutout for a third straight game - (Yahoo!Sports)
"That leaves only one question left to be answered over the next five weeks: How low will the Nationals season actually go?"

Under-the radar September call-ups may prove to be fantasy gold - (NY Post)
"Though most prospect-hunters are anticipating the arrival of speedy outfielder Victor Robles, many are missing the potential addition of infield prospect Carter Kieboom..."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Nick Pivetta, 'pen unable to protect big lead - (MLB.com)
"The losses have piled up and blended into a nightmarish 18-game blur that has put the Phillies' postseason hopes in serious peril."

Three takeaways from Marlins 3-1 win over Braves - (Sun Sentinel)
"Behind another strong home performance from Wei-Yin Chen, the Marlins topped the Braves for the second straight night, winning 3-1."

Braves’ deadline adds came through during busiest stretch of season - (AJC.com)
"The Braves are almost through their stretch of 22 games in 20 days, one that instead of upending their season, has vaulted them into first place."