Wire Taps: Nationals rumors; bullpen search; Nats drop opener to Dodgers; Max Scherzer setback...

We had a busy morning, but wanted to get the links together for you to read while you wait for the start of the second game of the Nationals and Dodgers’ three-game series in D.C. which starts at 4:05 PM EDT this afternoon.

NATS BEAT:

Parra vs Martin:

Nationals left confused by ruling on play at plate - (MASN)
"Alex Verdugo’s throw from shallow left field beat Parra to the plate. And Martin applied the tag before Parra touched the plate. Of that there’s no debate."

Why Gerardo Parra’s decision to not slide into home may have cost the Nationals - (WaPost)
"Parra, the Nationals’ utility-outfielder-turned-cult-hero, represented the go-ahead run in a tight game. But he slowed up ahead of Russell Martin, figuring the Los Angeles Dodgers catcher was blocking the plate."

Sánchez/Barraclough/Bullpen:

Nats' bullpen allows 3 runs after Anibal's gem - (MLB.com)
"After a pitchers’ duel for seven innings between Dodgers left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu and Nationals starter Anibal Sanchez, the Nats’ bullpen could not keep the game knotted at [1-1]."

Sánchez rolls after shaky first frame, retires 20 in a row - (MASN)
"The start was another example of how well Sánchez has pitched for the past two months. He now has a 2.58 ERA since returning from the injured list."

Another eighth-inning bullpen meltdown dooms the Nationals to a 4-2 loss - (WaPost)
"The Nationals really lost the game in the eighth, Kyle Barraclough was the reliever most responsible for it, and some things never change."

Nationals' fatal flaw on display in 4-2 loss to Dodgers (updated) - (MASN)
"The Nationals and Dodgers put on a show worthy of these kind of high stakes and gave a taste of what a potential five-game series might look and feel like should they meet again come October."

Barraclough believes he needs to trust slider more in big situations - (MASN)
"After giving up that homer, [Kyle] Barraclough said he will now consider throwing his slider more."

Scherzer Setback:

Max Scherzer has a mild strain in his upper back, will be shut down for two days - (WaPost)
"Scherzer returned from the injured list Thursday and gave up three runs in five innings. He experienced pain when he woke up Friday morning."

Muscle strain leaves Scherzer's status up in the air - (MASN)
“I’m not happy,” the right-hander said. “But on the other hand, we’re talking minor strain."

Other Stuff:

Ryan Zimmerman on a future contract: ‘Money doesn’t matter to me anymore’" - (NBC Sports Washington)
“'I’m not going to ask for a multi-year, crazy deal. Money doesn’t matter to me anymore. I just want to keep playing baseball.'"

Nationals not ready to embrace computer-generated strike zone - (MASN)
“'It seems that’s where everyone is going, but it’s a tough one,’ [Kurt] Suzuki says. 'I don’t think it will be perfect. People will just start complaining about the computer.’"

RUMOR MILL: