Wire Taps: Washington Nationals drop 5th straight; Victor Robles returns + more Nats links...

The crowd the Nationals played in front of yesterday in Truist Park was 22,228 fans bigger than any other crowd they’ve played in front of this season the players noticed.

“It was good,” Trea Turner said after a tough 0 for 5, 4 K day in Atlanta. “I feel like D.C., the last few days was pretty close obviously, they probably had a lot more here just in general, capacity-wise.

“But the crowds have been loud this year, which is great. We enjoy it. We love it. We love having people in the stadium. It’s fun having them loud at home and then we try to quiet them on the road. But it was good seeing all those people out there.”

“Someone mentioned to me during the game this is our first real full crowd, which I really didn’t think about until after I was already out,” starter Joe Ross said.

“It was awesome. Awesome,” manager Davey Martinez said of the Memorial Day crowd in the Braves’ home. “The boys loved it. It was exciting. What a day.”

Go read your links. More baseball to come tonight at 7:20 PM ET in ATL:

NATS BEAT:

Nationals’ losing skid reaches five in loss to Braves - (WaPost)
"Washington fell behind early before piecing together a midgame rally. It wasn't enough as host Atlanta posted a 5-3 win."

Nationals lose to Braves to start National League East trip - (MLB.com)
"After defeating the Braves on Opening Day, the Nats are 0-6 against them since then."

Nationals can't complete rally, drop fifth straight - (MASN)
"Having now reached the 50-game mark that proved the turning point during their championship run in 2019, these Nats are only two games better than that squad was..."

Nationals' struggling offense leaves much to be desired -- especially runs - (Washington Times)
"When Josh Bell goes on a hot streak at the plate, the tear begins with a thought. He imagines himself driving a fastball into the gap for a double, and if that thought becomes reality, the results tend to stack up."

Robles active but not starting, Fedde likely needs rehab start - (MASN)
"Victor Robles is back on the Nationals’ active roster. He’s just not back in the Nationals’ starting lineup quite yet."

Monday morning thoughts on Robles, Fedde and Castro - (MASN)
"Victor Robles might be ready to rejoin the club today. The injured center fielder went on a rehab assignment for Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday afternoon at Bowie and put together a solid batting line."

Nationals need more from Juan Soto, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin - (WaPost)
"Those three members of the Nationals’ core have combined for less than zero value. That’s got to change."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies' Roman Quinn to undergo Achilles surgery later this week - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Roman Quinn’s MRI revealed the news the Phillies feared but expected: He has a ruptured left Achilles tendon."

Pete Alonso, Kevin Pillar, Seth Lugo return for Mets - (New York Daily News)
"At long last, the Mets received some good injury news on Monday."

Marlins' scouting strategy for 2021 MLB Draft - (MLB.com)
"With an extra month, the Marlins intend on executing a strategy that proved successful in '20, according to director of amateur scouting DJ Svihlik."

Braves promote veteran outfielder Abraham Almonte from Triple-A - (AJC.com)
"The Braves selected the contract of outfielder Abraham Almonte from Triple-A Gwinnett before Monday’s series opener against the Nationals."