Wire Taps: Washington Nationals snap five-game losing streak; Juan Soto homers + Stephen Strasburg leaves outing in Atlanta...

Juan Soto’s take on what’s most impressive about Trea Turner’s game?

“The way he swings the bat is amazing,” Soto said after last night’s win, “and how skinny he is and how hard he hits the ball is impressive. It’s just great to see him hit it like that and just run around the bases with his speed and all that kind of stuff, it’s just great to enjoy and see how he plays baseball.”

That’s a good point, where does Turner’s power come from?

“I don’t know man,” Soto said. “I’ve been asking him about it and he just says you got to hit the ball on the ground, but I’m like, ‘You don’t hit the ball on the ground anymore.’ So, he’s just impressive.”

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Stephen Strasburg leaves game after being hit by comebacker vs. Braves - (NBC Sports Washington)
"If Strasburg does land back on the IL, it would mark the 14th time that he’s done so since first reaching the majors in 2010."

Strasburg exits early, Nats pick him up with 11-6 win - (MASN)
"With their best offensive showing in nearly two weeks, the Nats produced sustained offense throughout the game."

Stephen Strasburg exits start vs. Braves after just 30 pitches - (WaPost)
"In his third start since coming off the IL, Stephen Strasburg was pulled after just 30 pitches after showing a noticeable drop in velocity."

Lester to start Wednesday night on short rest - (MASN)
“The Nationals won’t be turning to a sixth starter to take the mound in a pinch Wednesday night. They’ll instead ask the oldest player on their roster to pitch on short rest against the Braves.”

Turner's rare four-strikeout game highlights breaking ball issue - (MASN)
"Consider it a compliment, in many ways. Turner has become such a dangerous hitter over the last few years, and such a force against fastballs, opposing pitchers just aren’t giving him many opportunities to swing at them anymore."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

The Time for “Reach Out” Calls Is Here - (FanGraphs)
"It’s also time to reach for the stars. This is when teams will let Washington know that if the Nationals decide to move Max Scherzer, they would have considerable interest and indicate the level of prospect they’d be willing to discuss in such a deal."

Washington Nationals Stat of the Day June 2021 - (MLB.com)
"For the first time in his career, Juan Soto recorded four RBIs and four runs in a single game."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Travis Jankowski excited to join Phillies - (MLB.com)
"Jankowski, 29, graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School in 2009, so he spent his formative years watching the Phillies win a World Series and dominate the National League."

Steve Cohen has some observations about Mets fan complaints - (NY Post)
"Mets owner Steve Cohen made a $14 billion fortune because of his ability to make shrewd observations that others cannot."

Marlins' Sandy Alcantara allows four runs vs. Toronto - (MLB.com)
"Alcantara lasted six innings, but allowed four runs, with three of those coming on a three-run home run by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., one of the four hits he had on the night, three of them against Alcantara."

Braves among 16 MLB teams to reach 85 percent vaccination threshold - (AJC.com)
"The Braves are among the 16 MLB teams that have cleared the 85% vaccination threshold, which has allowed them to relax COVID-19 protocols. They reached the threshold May 12, according to the team..."