Wire Taps: Washington Nationals sweep Baltimore Orioles; Juan Soto doesn’t run out pop-up + more Nats news...

With a runner on third and two out in the fourth inning on Sunday, Juan Soto popped one up behind home, only it didn’t go back into the seats, but straight up, and blown by wind, came back over the field, falling in-between the Orioles who were tracking it as well. Soto ran towards first, but O’s catcher Pedro Severino picked it up and threw it by him for out No. 3, on what could have been an unconventional RBI single. Soto slammed his helmet past first base. He clearly knew that wasn’t a good look. His manager let him know just in case Soto didn’t realize it.

“I already talked to him about it and I told him it’s embarrassing for the whole club,” Martinez told reporters in his post game Zoom call.

“He understands that, and I made him apologize to the team, and I told him it doesn’t happen again, and he understands that as well.”

Soto seemed to take it hard, assuming that it’s what he was still seething about as Kevin Long, the Nationals’ hitting coach tried to talk to him in the dugout an inning later...

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Bullpen vets hang on, secure series sweep for Nats - (MASN)
"Martinez’s bullpen decisions were based on his daily communication with his relievers. He also found himself needing to communicate with his biggest star position player after this game..."

Nationals sweep Orioles, trusting Daniel Hudson, Brad Hand again in relief - (Washington Times)
"After the Washington Nationals intentionally walked the hot-hitting Trey Mancini, putting the go-ahead run on first base with two outs in the ninth inning, pitching coach Jim Hickey walked to the mound."

Nationals sweep Orioles, put Will Harris, Victor Robles on IL - (WaPost)
"The Nationals, who put Will Harris and Victor Robles on the injured list before the game, managed to limp to their 20th victory and a sweep of the Orioles."

Nationals sweep Orioles at home - (MLB.com)
"Alex Avila was tasked with catching Patrick Corbin on Sunday. He ended up helping lead the Nationals’ offense in their 6-5 win over the Orioles, too."

Nationals remain committed to Hand as closer - (MASN)
"It’s only one appearance, of course, so nobody is going to declare Hand fixed for good yet. Here, though, is what can be said with certainty: Martinez isn’t about to remove him from his closer’s role."

Harris, Robles both land on IL before series finale - (MASN)
"Harris was hoping the hand issues would be behind him when he made his delayed season debut May 4, but he has since seen his appearances fluctuate between effective and ineffective each time he’s taken the mound."

Victor Robles, Will Harris go on injured list - (MLB.com)
"The Nationals placed center fielder Victor Robles and reliever Will Harris on the 10-day injured list on Sunday shortly before the Battle of the Beltways finale against the Orioles."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Nationals manager has Juan Soto apologize to teammates after 'embarrassing' play costs team a run - (CBSSports.com)
"It's 'lucky' for Soto because in the fourth he had what could've been an outcome-altering mental lapse."

NL EAST UPDATES:

What is going on with Phillies' Bryce Harper? - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Bryce Harper, mired in a weeklong slump, had the afternoon off Sunday in the Phillies’ series finale against the Red Sox."

Mets' Kevin Pillar could start activities Monday after surgery - (MLB.com)
"Kevin Pillar is slowly making his way back from his traumatic injury."

Bryse Wilson goes back to Triple-A, but he’s impressed - (AJC.com)
"Despite Wilson’s recent success, he was optioned back to Gwinnett following the game, as expected. That’s the reality of being an unestablished starter for these Braves."

Miguel Rojas wears Marcus Stroman cleats vs. Mets - (MLB.com)
"If the Marlins’ City Connect Series uniform wasn’t enough swag, shortstop Miguel Rojas paired the look with the latest addition to his impressive shoe collection on Sunday afternoon at loanDepot park."