Wire Taps: Patrick Corbin leads Nationals to win over Marlins; Joe Ross back to Fresno to get stretched out...

Patrick Corbin threw a complete game shutout to spare the bullpen for a day. Now the Nats are trying to win a third straight for the first time this season in the third game of four in the series with the Marlins. We found out what the Nationals are planning on doing with reliever Joe Ross as well, after he was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Masterful Corbin spins shutout against Marlins - (MLB.com)
"[Patrick] Corbin had tremendous command, allowing four hits and one walk with five strikeouts. The lefty faced the minimum through five innings, thanks in part to a pair of inning-ending double plays in the first and second."

Corbin cruises, defense shines in shutout of Marlins (updated) - (MASN)
"[Davey] Martinez wanted better play from his team. And he got it this afternoon in one of its best all-around showings of the year."

Patrick Corbin finds cure to Nationals’ bullpen woes: a complete game shutout over Marlins - (WaPost)
"Before the game, with an extra day off ahead, Corbin told Martinez he had 115 pitches in him. He was at 103 through eight when he made his case."

Nationals sign veteran reliever Kontos to minor league deal - (MASN)
"The Nationals signed right-hander George Kontos on Saturday to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Fresno’s roster, where he’ll attempt to earn his way into Washington’s bullpen."

Joe Ross returns to Fresno to be stretched out, Bourque promoted - (MASN)
"Ross was optioned to Triple-A Fresno this morning, his ERA (9.22) and WHIP (1.829) too high to warrant continued opportunities out of the major league bullpen."

Nationals ship Joe Ross to Class AAA Fresno, call up right-hander James Bourque - (WaPost)
"Manager Dave Martinez said the team sent Ross down to 'stretch him out' and transition him back to being a starter, though they’d still think of him if the need for another reliever arose."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Saturday's top prospect performers - (MLB.com)
"[Malvin] Pena, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound righty, kept his opponents from scoring for the first time in nine starts this season, firing 5 2/3 frames of two-hit ball for the P-Nats in a no-decision against Frederick."

A one-inning meltdown cost Sandy Alcantara and the Marlins. Here’s how it went down - (Miami Herald)
“'I thought Sandy threw the ball good. I thought he had good stuff today,' manager Don Mattingly said. 'That inning, a little unfortunate.'"

A team of sailors played the Washington Senators during World War II — and won - (WaPost)
"Sailors from Norfolk Naval Station, formally Naval Training Station 9, defeated the Washington Senators, 4-3, at Griffith Stadium in front of a crowd of more than 29,000 that included a whole lot of celebrities on May 24, 1943."

Here are MLB's 9 most exciting players - (MLB.com)
"8. Max Scherzer, RHP, Nationals - He belongs on this list despite some numbers that reflect a diminished performance, but those numbers are deceptive."