Wire Taps: Nationals take their walks; Jeremy Hellickson likely done for season + more...

That sure was a lot of walks. I mean, a. lot. of. walks. Really. Lot of walks. Free passes galore. Washington skipper Davey Martinez does like to say that if Nationals’ hitters take their walks, and stay up the middle good things will happen. Read some of this stuff before the finale of the series in SunTrust Park...

NATS BEAT:

Jeremy Hellickson (wrist) exits early, but Nats walk away from Braves, 7-1 - (WaPost)
"The Nationals had little room for Hellickson to begin with, which is why Saturday’s start seemed so important to the veteran’s future."

Hellickson re-injures wrist while batting (Nats lead 5-1) - (MASN)
"Jeremy Hellickson’s return from a sprained right wrist lasted only three innings after the Nationals pitcher appeared to re-injure the wrist while batting."

Juan Soto adds latest teen feats in race for NL rookie honors - (ESPN)
"In Game 2, the 19-year-old Soto reached base for a 20th consecutive game, becoming the third teenager since 1920 with a streak that long and the first since Mickey Mantle went for 20 in a row in 1951."

Nats beat Braves with club record 14 walks - (MLB.com)
"Hellickson, making his first start after missing a month with a sprained wrist, re-injured his wrist at the plate during his at-bat in the fourth inning."

Rodriguez great in relief again as Nats walk to 7-1 win - (MASN)
"Disappointed as they were to see Hellickson go down again, though, the Nationals couldn’t help but be encouraged by what they saw from Jefry Rodriguez..."

Nats instructional league roster, schedule - (MLB.com)
"Here's a look at the Nationals roster, with the players' rank in the team's Top 30 Prospects list..."

Nationals assistant GM to auction off World Series ring to help colleague with cancer - (WaPost)
"[Bob] Miller, who was in the Diamondbacks’ front office with General Manger Mike Rizzo when the team won the 2001 World Series, is auctioning off his World Series ring to raise money for Harris’s treatment."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Oakland A's riding D-list starting rotation right into October - (ESPN)
"Shortly after Jackson exercised an opt-out clause with the Washington Nationals and signed with Oakland in early June, Melvin entrusted him with taking the lineup card to home plate."

Madden: Turmoil at the top and a record at the bottom could mean the end of Buck Showalter in Baltimore - (NY Daily News)
"Above and beyond their horrendous record, the Orioles, once a model franchise in the game, are presently the most dysfunctional team in baseball, with rumors beginning to percolate they might actually have to leave Baltimore if they lose pending litigation with the Washington Nationals over their stake in MASN TV network rights fees."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies beat Marlins on Cesar Hernandez homer - (MLB.com)
"The Phillies, who are also five games back of the Dodgers in the NL Wild Card race, earned their first series victory since they swept the Marlins in early August."

The pitching duel that will make Mets-Red Sox worth watching - (New York Daily News)
"A relatively low-stakes Sunday afternoon game could have the feeling of a heavyweight bout."

Miami Marlins at Philadelphia Phillies game recap, Sept. 15 - (Miami Herald)
"The loss for the Marlins was their fifth straight. They have lost seven of eight games on a road trip that will finally end Sunday."

Braves’ pennant drive stalls, if only for a day, amid 14 walks - (AJC.com)
"The past week had seen the Braves essentially lap the East field. Ahead by 2-1/2 games on the morning of Sept. 8..."