Wire Taps: Davey Martinez and the 9th inning last night; Max Scherzer update + more Nationals links...

It was all like, yes Victor Robles! and then all, no why try to get two innings out of Fernando Rodney? Davey Martinez had his reasons. It did not work out. But remember Robles’s home run? His game-tying home run? That was fun. Go read your links...

NATS LINKS:

Martinez’s bullpen decisions:

Nats lose after wild, head-scratching ninth inning - (MASN)
"Down to their last out in what had been a sleepy night at SunTrust Park for 8 2/3 innings, the Nats had just tied the game on Robles’ monster home run off Braves closer Luke Jackson."

Robles' heroics thwarted after curious decision - (MLB.com)
"The last time Fernando Rodney pitched two full innings in a game was on Sept. 20, 2013."

Nats make it interesting in the ninth before getting walked off by Braves - (WaPost)
"Martinez ran the calculations in his head. He needed [Fernando] Rodney to get at least one out, even though he had loaded the bases without recording any..."

Scherzer Updates:

Nationals change diagnosis on Max Scherzer, who will miss at least one more start - (WaPost)
"The condition, known as scapulothoracic bursitis, will cause the right-hander to miss two turns through the rotation, at a minimum..."

Scherzer to miss pivotal series with injury - (MLB.com)
"Both Scherzer and the Nationals were hopeful Scherzer would feel improved enough to come off the injured list this weekend in Atlanta..."

Inflamed bursa sac will keep Scherzer on IL - (MASN)
"An inflamed bursa sac in his back will prevent Max Scherzer from pitching Sunday night against the Braves, but the Nationals ace is optimistic he’ll be good to go soon..."

Other Nats Stuff:

Washington Nationals launch Kids Eat Free program - (MLB.com)
"Today, the Washington Nationals launched the Kids Eat Free program, a brand-new initiative that will offer complimentary meals for children ages 12 and under beginning with the July 22nd game..."

Kurt Suzuki on Strasburg's hitting and Scherzer's health (106.7 The Fan)
"Washington Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki joined Grant & Danny on 106.7 The Fan to talk about the hot Nats, Stephen Strasburg's offensive explosion and gave an update on Max Scherzer."

NATIONAL(S) LINKS:

Why Is Bryce Harper’s Old Team Ahead Of Bryce Harper’s New Team? - (FiveThirtyEight)
"For one thing, Washington always had a very underrated core outside of Harper — starting with future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer..."

Mike Rizzo On Nationals' Deadline Plans - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"Nationals president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo took to the airwaves to discuss his organization’s approach to the upcoming trade deadline."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies’ decade-long inability to develop pitching leaves them little choice but to pay a steep price now - (Philadelphia Inquirer)
“I still believe,” MacPhail said, “if you have to be active in free-agent pitching, that’s a dicey market to be in.”

Dominic Smith's gaffe in 10th dooms Mets in loss to Giants - (NY Post)
"Wasted was a dominant performance by Jacob deGrom, who resembled the unfortunate ace who pitched to a 1.70 ERA last season but won only nine games."

The Marlins’ Zac Gallen held his own against the Dodgers. And then came the sixth inning - (Miami Herald)
"Overall, Gallen limited the Dodgers to three hits and four walks while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings of work."