Wire Taps: Nationals and Mets go at it again, Davey Martinez and decision-making + more

It was only one game... but it was really the 163rd and some folks out there were surprised by the decisions Davey Martinez made in what ended up a 2-0 loss to the New York Mets.

Is it a sign of a lingering problem from the manager’s first year on the Washington Nationals’ bench? People have opinions. We have links to prove that fact. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Nationals lose 1st game of 2019 with 2018-type miscues - (Washington Times)
"In some respects, the first game of 2019 felt a bit like a remnant of 2018 all over again for manager Dave Martinez and the Washington Nationals."

Dissecting Martinez's opening day bullpen decisions - (MASN)
"Nothing any manager does draws as much attention as his bullpen decisions, so Martinez isn’t alone in this regard."

3 takeaways from Nationals' Opening Day- (MLB.com)
"The Nats should take no shame in being shut out by Jacob deGrom, who recorded his 30th consecutive start of allowing three runs or fewer, and the improved back end of the Mets bullpen..."

Trea Turner’s three-steal opener indicates just how long his base-running leash is - (WaPost)
"Running is what Turner does, without the benefit of surprise or secrecy, and the Washington Nationals want him to run more than ever this season."

Barrett touched by Sánchez's gesture during return to Nats Park - (MASN)
"Manager Davey Martinez saw that Sánchez wanted to stay on the mound after being replaced so he could give the ball to Barrett."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Square, Washington Nationals Offer Concessions - (PYMNTS.com_
"Payments company Square has partnered with the Washington Nationals and Levy Restaurants to let fans order concession menu items right from their seats, according to reports."

FGCU's Noll makes Opening Day roster for Washington Nationals - (Wink News)
"Noll is the first position player from FGCU to join the MLB. All other FGCU baseball alumni have been pitchers."

MLB gives out championship belt for team that pays out lowest arbitration total - (Yahoo!Sports)
"According to a report from Marc Carig of The Athletic, the league hands out a championship belt to the team that does the best in the arbitration process every year."

‘Ready to strike tomorrow’: How one $20 toy belt captures the strife within a $10 billion industry – (The Athletic)
"The ceremony ends with the presentation of a replica championship belt, awarded by the league to the team that did most to 'achieve the goals set by the industry.'"

Love baseball? Unique DC exhibit shows off deep, crowdsourced history - (WTOP)
"At a recent event at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Library of Congress 'Baseball Americana' exhibit curator Susan Reyburn dispelled some of baseball’s greatest myths, including its origin story."