Wire Taps: Nationals win third straight, six of last eight; Max Scherzer on mound, at the plate...

Three in a row. Six of the last eight. This whole winning thing is fun. Someone make an “I guess it was all Brandon Kintzler and Shawn Kelley’s fault” joke. Hahaha. That’s funny. Go read your links, hotshot...

NATS BEAT:

Nationals keep building, stretch winning streak to three by thumping Reds, 10-4 - (WaPost)
"As unforgiving as a baseball season can feel, that length also leaves room for forgiveness."

Sure, Scherzer can pitch, but have you seen him hit? - (MASN)
"But the true value of Scherzer in the National League as an all-around Cy Young winner and potential MVP candidate could be measured in his ability to hit."

Max Scherzer hits, pitches Nats past Reds - (Washington Times)
"Max Scherzer said Kevin Long, the Nationals hitting coach, engaged him in some trash talk before Thursday’s game with the Cincinnati Reds."

Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer lift Nats over Reds - (MLB.com)
"One of the biggest catalysts of their recent offensive turnaround has been Bryce Harper -- their star slugger, who has struggled at times this season but seems to be turning a corner."

Stephen Strasburg begins throwing from 90 feet - (MLB.com)
"The Nationals do not expect Stephen Strasburg, who threw from 90 feet on flat ground Wednesday, to need an extended stint on the disabled list."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Did the Nationals trade the wrong leaker? - (New York Post)
"The rat may still be roaming the Nationals’ clubhouse."

Olney: What trade deadline? These 12 players could move in August (6abc.com)
"If the Nationals fade and decide to execute a measured sell-off this month, Murphy could be a great target for a contender in either league."

Auburn Doubledays outfielder Jonathan Pryor suspended for PEDs - (auburnpub.com)
"Jonathan Pryor, a 2017 19th-round pick of the Washington Nationals, has been suspended 76 games for use of the substance dehydrochlormethyl testosterone."

After being labeled as a bad clubhouse guy, Brandon Kintzler wants to clear his name and win in October with the Cubs – (The Athletic)
"During a post-deadline interview with ESPN 1000, Cubs president Theo Epstein even volunteered this nugget of information: Yahoo! Sports columnist Jeff Passan called on Wednesday morning to say that he’s never spoken with Kintzler, ruling out the reliever as a source for a recent story that outlined Washington’s dysfunctional culture."

Washington Nationals Win Fans in the Bond Market - (Bloomberg)
The Washington Nationals may be having a down year by their current standards, but investors who bought their stadium bonds are winning more than ever.

What is happening with the Nationals clubhouse and front office? - (SBNation.com)
"In the past week, things seem to have come to a head. If they haven’t, the team’s public perception and apparent internal turmoil can’t be going anywhere good."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Maikel Franco's walk-off homer gives Phillies win over Marlins to hold first place in NL East - (Philly.com)
"Maikel Franco knew Thursday night’s ninth inning was complete as his fly ball soared to left field..."

"Wilmer Flores on his costly throw in the 4-2 loss" - (NorthJersey.com)
Wilmer Flores on his costly throw in the 4-2 loss to the Braves.

Barraclough's post-All-Star meltdown continues with more wildness, another walkoff HR - (Sun Sentinel)
"Maikel Franco launched a towering drive, watched the ball clear the left-field wall and flipped his bat high in the air backward before his jubilant trot around the bases."

Kevin Gausman joins Braves, believes he can realize his potential - (AJC.com)
"Kevin Gausman’s locker was adjacent to Nick Markakis’ in 2013 and 2014. Now he’s reunited with his former neighbor – along with several other ex-Orioles."