Wire Taps: Washington Nationals drop series opener to Cincinnati Reds; Sean Doolittle is back in D.C. + more...

“It’s just the way the game is played now,” Max Scherzer said as he discussed the aggressive approach hitters take against him these days, “the way that the hitters work on their swings and what they’re trying to do with the baseball, and when they catch that mistake they’re much more proficient now at hitting a home run, and and getting the ball out of the ballpark. That’s that launch angle stuff. So, instead of hitting line drives, they’ve got their swings crafted to be able to hit home runs, and so when you make mistakes — it does make it — you can pitch around their swings, you know what their strengths are and what they’re not, and you know how to execute around it, but when you make mistakes, you can pay dearly for them.”

Scherzer gave up two home runs last night. His teammate, Josh Bell, hit one. That was all of the scoring in last night’s 2-1 loss to the Reds in Nationals Park.

If only Kevin Long hadn’t created launch angle in a lab and unleashed it on an unsuspecting baseball world. Wait, where is that sarcasm font.

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Loss to Reds:

Nationals’ bats lend little support to Max Scherzer in loss to Reds - (WaPost)
"The Nationals’ ace delivered another strong start, but two mistakes -- both of which left the yard -- cost him on a night when Washington’s office went dormant."

Max Scherzer gives up two solo homers in Nationals' loss to Reds - (Washington Times)
"Eugenio Suarez homered off Washington ace Max Scherzer in his first career start as a leadoff hitter, Tyler Mahle allowed three hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings..."

Max Scherzer strong over 7 innings vs. Reds - (MLB.com)
"Max Scherzer's attempt at an undefeated month of May was halted on Tuesday in a 2-1 loss to the Reds in the series opener at Nationals Park."

Nats' bats go silent again in 2-1 loss to Reds (updated) - (MASN)
"They’ve had moments over the last two months when they appear to have figured things out, especially at the plate, only to fail to sustain any sense of positive momentum."

Roster News:

Nationals call up infielder Luis García with Victor Robles on the IL - (WaPost)
"García, 21, made 35 starts at second base in 2020. He replaced Victor Robles on the active roster."

García called up from Triple-A, Fedde and Rainey back in D.C. - (MASN)
"Kieboom would’ve seemed like the most likely candidate, based on his pedigree and the fact that he entered spring training as the team’s planned everyday third baseman."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Nationals honor Sean Doolittle in pregame ceremony - (MLB.com)
“'I loved my time with the Nats,' Doolittle said on Sunday. 'I loved everything about it.'"

Washington Nationals recall Rochester Red Wings shortstop Luis Garcia - (Democrat and Chronicle)
"The Rochester Red Wings lost for the 15th time in 19 games this season, this time to the Mets, as they played without shortstop Luis Garcia."

New Era releases ‘local market’ series of MLB caps that fall flat among fans - (NBC Sports Washington)
"New Era removed all the caps from its website Tuesday evening, making it less than 24 hours that they were available before being pulled."

2021 MLB draft - Mock drafts, rankings, order and analysis - (ESPN)
"After being shortened to five rounds in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, the draft will consist of 20 rounds this year -- half the length of the previous 40-round edition last held in 2019."

Top prospect performers for May 25 - (MLB.com)
"Nationals: Drew Mendoza, 3B (No. 11), Double-A Harrisburg - Mendoza showed up to the park Tuesday mired in a 2-for-22 slump, but wasted no time getting back on track."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Bryce Harper placed on injured list - (MLB.com)
"The Phillies insisted this week that Bryce Harper did not play Sunday and Monday simply because they wanted to give him a couple days off."

Billy McKinney traded to Mets - (MLB.com)
"Seeking yet another patch for their injury-ravaged roster, the Mets acquired outfielder Billy McKinney from the Brewers late Tuesday night for Minor League pitcher Pedro Quintana."

Sandy Alcantara, Marlins lose to Phillies - (MLB.com)
"Alcantara, who entered Tuesday giving up 0.9 homers a game, doesn’t often allow that kind of contact due to his velocity."

Morton pitches Braves to win over Red Sox, .500 record - (AJC.com)
"The win was the Braves’ fourth in a row and lifted their record to .500 – 24 wins, 24 losses – for the first time since May 11."