Wire Taps: Nationals’ closer Sean Doolittle blows save; Ryan Zimmerman rehab updates + more Nats links...

Maybe it’s just the fact that we’re on West Coast time, but last night’s loss seemed tougher to take, and it might just be the fact that we had to stay up until 1:05 AM on the East Coast to see Sean Doolittle blow his third save opportunity of the season as the Padres walked off on the Nationals for a second straight win in Petco Park. It wasn’t fun. Now we’re tired. And guess what? It’s another 10:10 PM EDT start time tonight...

NATS BEAT:

Doolittle Blows Save:

Nats rally late, then fall apart in ninth in dagger of loss - (MASN)
"All the Nationals needed to pull off a solid win over the Padres tonight were three outs from Sean Doolittle."

Doolittle 'just got beat' as Padres walk off - (MLB.com)
"Nationals closer Sean Doolittle knew the Padres’ intentions in the ninth inning Friday night. He knew how to counter those intentions."

Sean Doolittle fails to get Nationals across the finish line in dispiriting defeat - (WaPost)
"By the end of the night, by the time Doolittle, hands on his hips, was watching the Padres mob Hedges in shallow left field, the Nationals had stuffed the ninth inning with a whole list of head-scratching questions."

Fedde Good:

Erick Fedde seizing opportunity to stay in Nats rotation - (MASN)
"Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Fedde, beyond the low number of runs he’s giving up, is the low pitch counts he’s maintaining."

Zimmerman’s Foot:

Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman calls ongoing recovery for foot injury ‘really frustrating’ - (WaPost)
"Ryan Zimmerman is relieved to be back traveling with the Washington Nationals, who are beginning to steady their season without his help."

Zimmerman ups rehab, travels with team - (MLB.com)
"After Zimmerman has healed enough to run on flat ground, a quick Minor League rehab stint is in order. Meanwhile, Martinez is happy to see Zimmerman with the team."

Zimmerman ramps up again after "frustrating" rehab (Nats lose 5-4) - (MASN)
"Zimmerman skipped the Nationals’ last road trip to Atlanta and Cincinnati, staying back in Washington to get treatment."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Where can these NL East contenders upgrade? - (MLB.com)
"But unless the bullpen is fixed, the Nationals are going nowhere. Its 6.57 ERA is the worst in baseball by a wide margin and has forced manager Davey Martinez to put closer Sean Doolittle on pace to pitch in a career-high 72 games."

Friday's top prospect performers - (MLB.com)
"Nationals: Jake Irvin, RHP (No. 16) -- 5 1/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K (Class A Hagerstown) -

Irvin bounced back with a strong start Friday after having given up six runs over his previous 10 innings (two starts) and spending time on the injured list."

The Washington Nationals Are Facing A Dilemma - (Forbes)
"The question facing them is this: Does their recent two-week barrage of wins – 9-3 in their last 12 games – help them or hurt them?"

Nationals sign Bichette Jr. to minor league deal - (ESPN)
"The Washington Nationals have agreed to a minor league deal with Dante Bichette Jr. after purchasing his contract from the High Point Rockers of the Independent League."

Padres win on Hedges' first career walk-off - (MLB.com)
"Austin Hedges has made quite the impact behind the plate this season. At the plate? He’d hardly made an impact at all."