Wire Taps: Washington Nationals win marathon with Atlanta Braves + Yadiel Hernandez talks to press + more...

Nineteen years later, the memories are still vivid for Davey Martinez, who was with Atlanta’s Braves in 2001 when they traveled to New York in the weeks after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

He experience, the Nationals’ skipper said is one he’ll never forget.

“We were the first team go back and play in New York. I was there when [Mike] Piazza hit the home run, I was playing first base, but just the somber mood in NY while we were there.

“You’ll never forget that. Ground Zero. We went down there and visited, talked to fire fighters, police officers, I’ll never forget that. We’ll all never forget that.

“Here we are 19 years later talking about being united again. But still, you’ve got to love this country, and people got to pull together. We said that 19 years ago, and now more so than ever we’ve got to stand together.”

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

MLB says no new COVID-19 positive tests among players - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Major League Baseball announced Friday there was only one positive COVID-19 test among the 11,669 samples tested in the last week. That positive was not among players."

For Hernández, difficult journey to majors was worth it - (MASN)
"Hernández’s path to the majors certainly wasn’t conventional."

Facing season's close, FA, Doolittle hits IL - (MLB.com)
"Doolittle’s ninth Major League season got off to a rocky start. His velocity had dropped and he struggled to find a rhythm on the mound."

Doolittle to injured list with strained oblique, likely down for season - (MASN)
"With a little over two weeks remaining, the apparently significant strain likely spells the end of the season for Doolittle."

To walk or pitch to Freddie Freeman? That is the question - (NBC Sports Washington)
"This year is worse. Much worse. Freeman is operating with a 1.522 OPS against the Nationals."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

The Nationals Are Running Out Of Time - (FiveThirtyEight)
"Washington overcame a bad start to win it all in 2019. But the schedule is too short for that in 2020."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Aaron Nola and Phillies' bats shift the momentum, but for how long? - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"The Phillies needed something big like this, something to change the momentum and get them pointed back in the right direction after a couple of days’ worth of bad news on the field and off."

Michael Conforto ‘silky elk’ shirt now available from BreakingT - (Amazin' Avenue)
"Michael Conforto made a fantastic catch the other night, and now that catch is on a t-shirt from BreakingT—with a nod to the 'silky elk' nickname that Pete Alonso had bestowed upon him early in the 2019 season and brought up again this week."

Acuña helped off field after foul strikes ankle - (MLB.com)
"Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was helped off the field after injuring his left ankle/foot during the fourth inning of Friday night’s game at Nationals Park."

Sixto Sánchez talks with idol Pedro Martinez - (MLB.com)
"Sixto Sánchez on Friday afternoon lived out every player's dream: He spoke with his childhood idol."

Aaron Nola and Phillies' bats shift the momentum, but for how long? - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"The Phillies needed something big like this, something to change the momentum and get them pointed back in the right direction after a couple of days’ worth of bad news on the field and off."

Michael Conforto ‘silky elk’ shirt now available from BreakingT - (Amazin' Avenue)
"Michael Conforto made a fantastic catch the other night, and now that catch is on a t-shirt from BreakingT—with a nod to the 'silky elk' nickname that Pete Alonso had bestowed upon him early in the 2019 season and brought up again this week."

Acuña helped off field after foul strikes ankle - (MLB.com)
"Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was helped off the field after injuring his left ankle/foot during the fourth inning of Friday night’s game at Nationals Park."