Wire Taps: Juan Soto hits another big home run; Nationals’ needs at the Trade Deadline + more Nats links...

Juan Soto knew it was coming and he crushed the splitter Phillies’ closer Hector Neris left up in the zone for him, lifting the Nationals to a 4-3 lead and eventually a win over their NL East rivals with a two-run home run late in last night’s game.

As a few writers note in the links below, the Phils should be used to Soto’s heroics since he’s done it before. He’ll likely do it again, more than a few times. Also, he’s only 20 years old. 20 years old. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Soto = Hero:

More on Soto heroics, Scherzer, Rendon, Corbin and 30-11 run - (MASN)
"Juan Soto has pulled off three career go-ahead homers in the ninth inning or later to win games for the Nationals. All came at Citizens Bank Park..."

Ready for splitter, Soto hammers homer for 4-3 Nationals victory - (MASN)
"With the game on the line, the 20-year-old connected on a splitter from Phillies closer Héctor Neris and slammed a line drive well over the left-center field wall."

Soto's homer in 9th lifts Nationals over Phillies 4-3 - (Washington Times)
"The second-place Nationals have won 17 of 21 and moved 2½ games ahead of the struggling Phillies, who are 14-23 since leading the NL East by 3½ games on May 29."

Juan Soto’s two-run homer in the ninth stuns Phillies - (WaPost)
"When asked if he knew it was gone when he hit it, Soto grinned and said: 'Uh, yeah. I hit it so hard.'"

Soto stuns Philly with game-winning 2-run blast - (MLB.com)
"The fact that Soto's latest revelation came at a pivotal moment in a road game against a division rival is also nothing new for the youngster -- and no opposing team knows that better than the Phillies."

Scherzer to IL:

Max Scherzer, Nationals pitcher, placed on injured list - (Washington Times)
"Scherzer was originally slated to pitch Sunday, but the Nationals announced Friday he would not pitch. Anibal Sanchez will get the start here Sunday for Washington."

Nationals ace Max Scherzer heads to the 10-day injured list with mid-back strain - (WaPost)
"About 20 hours after he said he felt good enough to start soon, Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer landed on the 10-day injured list with a mid-back strain..."

Scherzer placed on injured list with back strain - (MLB.com)
"Scherzer was optimistic following Friday's game that he could take the mound as soon as Tuesday against the Orioles, but that will not be the case."

Other Nats Stories:

As trade deadline approaches, Nats need to consider adding a starter - (WaPost)
"Nationals will be without Max Scherzer for at least the next week, but the bigger question mark is how their rotation rounds out moving forward."

Resilient Nats sit squarely in NL East race - (MLB.com)
"The Nats stood 19-31 after a loss on May 23, and their bullpen looked as if it couldn’t get out the guys in the Presidents Race at Nationals Park."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Bryce Harper hoses down Nationals runner with 310-foot throw - (Big League Stew)
"Per Statcast, Harper’s 310-foot throw clocked in at 93.5 mph arm strength."

Nationals "Considering" Jake Diekman - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"Diekman, who’s owed less than $1MM through season’s end, would be a reasonably priced addition for a wild card-leading Washington team trying to stay below the luxury tax."

As second half of MLB season kicks off, teams and players who you should be watching - (New York Daily News)
"They were mostly hurt the first two months of the season and seemingly falling out of contention in May when GM Mike Rizzo felt compelled to give manager Davey Martinez a vote of confidence."