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Patrick Corbin couldn’t make it through the third last night. But hey, the Nationals’ bullpen had a pretty good night at least. Javy Guerra, Tony Sipp, and Matt Grace threw a total of 5 1⁄3 out of the ‘pen, giving up just four hits and one earned run (all off Guerra) after taking over for Corbin in the bottom of the third.
“Our bullpen was really, really good by the way,” manager Davey Martinez said after the 9-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
“Javy was amazing. He gave us the innings we needed. Sipp comes in and throws the ball well, then Grace comes in and throws the ball well, so kudos to those guys, that was huge for them to come in and do that.”
So there’s that at least, and there are links. Go read your links. 4:10 PM game today, btw:
NATS BEAT:
Corbin Struggles:
More on Turner's finger, Corbin's slider and the Nats bullpen - (MASN)
"Nationals skipper Davey Martinez said Turner’s finger is not the issue with all these errors since his return, and that he just needs more game reps and at-bats."
Corbin's off day helps Reds roll up big first inning, drop Nats 9-3 - (MASN)
"With the Nats coming off wins in five of their last six, Friday’s loss felt like a step in the wrong direction again, similar to the struggles the team had endured last week against the Cubs and the Mets."
Patrick Corbin and the Nationals have nothing from the start, fall to Reds - (WaPost)
"Corbin’s arsenal revolves around his slider, regarded as one of the best out pitches in baseball. But the Reds forced him to throw his fastball in the first inning, then proceeded to pound it all over the field."
Patrick Corbin is hit hard in short outing vs. Reds - (MLB.com)
"Coming off a shutout in his last start, Corbin lasted only 2 2/3 innings on Friday, his shortest outing since he pitched in relief in 2017 while with the D-backs."
Roark vs Nationals Today:
Roark excited about chance to face old team Saturday (Nats fall 9-3) - (MASN)
“'They were texting me, and the lights came on and I could see them. They were telling me to come back and I was like, ‘No, these are my teammates now. Screw ‘em!,’ Roark said, smiling."
“It’s going to be strange. But eye contact, I’m going to,” Roark said. “I usually don’t, but with guys I know it’s going to be like backyard baseball with your friends.” https://t.co/OW29OFdHkz
— Post Sports (@PostSports) May 31, 2019
Roark keeps distance from ex-Nats teammates - (MLB.com)
"Roark might have a book on the Nationals batters, but they have a book on him, too. So, who will win that war of wits?"
More Nats links:
Each team's top performer from the '18 Draft - (MLB.com)
"Tim Cate, LHP, Nationals' No. 5, 2nd round (No. 65 overall) - Cate’s curveball was viewed by scouts as one of the better breaking balls in the 2018 Draft."
Craig Kimbrel is still a free agent, and the Nats’ bullpen is still a mess. Do the math. - (WaPost)
"This dash for Kimbrel appears to have a starting gun. At 12:01 a.m. Monday, the 31-year-old truly will be free — of compensation penalties that drop from him when the amateur draft arrives this week; those are MLB’s rules."
FWIW, Trevor Rosenthal is not being activated in Cincy today. Apparently he’s in town to throw a bullpen w the Major Lg staff watching.
— Brittany Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) May 31, 2019
Friday's top prospect performers - (MLB.com)
"Nationals: Ben Braymer, LHP (No. 24) -- 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 8 K (Double-A Harrisburg)
Braymer, pitching at the Double-A level for the first time, has a 2.63 ERA through 10 starts."
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
Bullpen Woes Mar First Two Months Of Nationals Season - (Forbes.com)
"Washington went 12-16 in May, not including Friday’s game at Cincinnati to close the month, and didn’t look pretty while doing so."
An Early Look At Nationals' Deadline Options - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"Unfortunately for the Nationals, with the deadline still two full months away, teams with valuable relief trade chips may want to keep them in hopes of sparking a late-July bidding war."
19 of our favorite photos this season (in no particular order).@AdamSpankyEaton // #OnePursuit pic.twitter.com/BcJzFFEthH
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 31, 2019
Stephen Strasburg - Not Max Scherzer - Should Be Nats' Rep In Heated NL Cy Young Race - (Forbes)
"Stephen Strasburg, Luis Castillo, Zack Greinke - not Max Scherzer - lead the pack in the early stages of the NL Cy Young race."
Trevor Rosenthal Pitching Update: Look Out! - (Deadspin)
"Tellingly, Rosenthal’s stomach bug and resulting 'muscle fatigue' were cleared up by April 29, and Rosenthal was off to extended spring training in West Palm Beach, Florida."