Wire Taps: Washington Nationals drop fourth straight overall; Aaron Nola dominates + more Nats links...

How good was Aaron Nola last night? Well, he held the Nationals’ dynamic duo of Juan Soto and Trea Turner 0 for 6 (with two walks and 2 Ks). Nola gave up two hits and three walks and struck out nine of the 23 batters he faced in eight scoreless innings in the Phillies’ 6-0 win.

“Tonight we ran into a good pitcher... he was really good tonight, Nola was good,” manager Davey Martinez said.

How good was he?

“This is the best I think I’ve seen Nola throw. Really. He threw the ball really well, so I tip my hat to him,” Martinez added.

Was it like running into anything?

“Some days you run into a buzzsaw. Nola was good. I watched him. He mixed his pitches up really well. Like I said, that was the best I’ve seen him throw.”

So, he was good. He really was. We’re just bored after four straight losses and funning. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Loss No. 4 in a row:

Free-falling Nats are no match for Aaron Nola and the Phillies - (WaPost)
"Despite being built around their rotation, the Nationals have been wholly unable to lean on it this summer."

Nationals' bats go silent in 4th straight loss - (MLB.com)
"It was a scoreless pitchers’ duel through four innings. Patrick Corbin and Aaron Nola were both in control of their respective starts, keeping the opposing bats at bay."

Same old, same old for Nats in 6-0 loss to Phillies - (MASN)
"It would be one thing if the Nationals were engaged in nip-and-tuck, well-played ballgames every night and just couldn’t find a way to emerge on top. That’s not what’s happening right now."

Turnoto? Soturner? TurnSoto? Turneroto?:

Can the Nats better maximize Turner and Soto's production? - (MASN)
"Soto, meanwhile, is coming up to bat with Turner on base a ton. But during this trip, he has come up to bat with multiple runners on base only twice."

More Nats Links:

The Nationals deserve a do-over in 2021. So do we all - (WaPost)
"The Washington Nationals did absolutely nothing at the trade deadline — just like they have all season."

Prospect Luis García learning big-league lessons with Nationals - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals are 12-21 after Tuesday’s 6-0 loss in Philadelphia, stumbling through this season with a winning percentage lower than the doomsday one of 19-31."

After no trade deadline deals, 5 ways Nats can turn their season around - (NBC Sports Washington)
"General manager Mike Rizzo said his Nationals would operate like World Series contenders at the 2020 MLB trade deadline."

Victor Robles not in Nationals lineup Tuesday - (MLB.com)
"When Victor Robles' usually boisterous personality was toned down over the weekend at Fenway Park, Nationals manager Dave Martinez took notice."

Martinez gives Robles two days of rest with busy schedule looming - (MASN)
"Manager Davey Martinez said he noticed Robles appeared to be a bit fatigued during the weekend series at Boston."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Unity Reed's Jerome Hruska is the fan base at this season's Washington Nationals’ home games - (insidenova.com)
"At a recent Washington Nationals home game, a member of the grounds crew ran on the field to retrieve a foul ball. It was a routine task, but one Jerome Hruska wanted to point out for two reasons."

5 Players You Forgot Played for the Nationals - (Radio.com)
"[Y]ou may have forgotten that these five former stars also had brief stints with the Nationals..."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Ozuna 1st NL player to hit 3 HRs at Fenway - (MLB.com)
"Marcell Ozuna became the first National League player to produce a three-homer game at Fenway Park and top pitching prospect Ian Anderson delivered yet another strong start..."

Nola's latest gem pushes Phillies above .500 - (MLB.com)
"Aaron Nola's second and third pitches Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park should have provided the Nationals plenty of warning."

Mets pummeled by Orioles as season is slipping away - (NY Post)
"Nothing says meaningful September baseball like Ariel Jurado and Franklyn Kilome on the mound trying to halt a Mets losing streak."

Marlins Promote Jazz Chisholm - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"One of the Marlins’ key acquisitions of the 2019 trade deadline is now set to make his Major League debut just after the 2020 trade deadline."