Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Kyle Schwarber hits two more home runs; Cade Cavalli strikes out 11; more Nats news...

Kyle Schwarber hit his fifth first-at-bat-of-the-game-for-the-Nationals leadoff home run in last night’s game, then hit a three-run home run the 2nd time up, connecting on his 12th home run in the last 13 games and 21st home run of the season. It’s, I mean, it’s just, it’s — who knows what to make of it at this point, just enjoy the ride.

“I feel like it’s almost a joke at this point,” Joe Ross said after tossing seven scoreless in last night’s win. “And you know, obviously today it’s not just the first inning homer but the big two-out homer in the third I think, guy’s just on fire right now and hopefully he can keep it going.”

“When he’s like that, you don’t say much to him,” manager Davey Martinez said. “You let him go out there and just play the game and let him get his swings. He’s been awesome getting us going.”

“I mean, you’re not going up there expecting to hit home runs every time you’re up at the plate,” Schwarber told reporters, though, maybe at this point you should be?

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Schwarbombs:

Kyle Schwarber multiple homers vs. Marlins - (MLB.com)
"On Thursday night in Miami, Schwarber belted a leadoff homer against the Marlins and followed it up with a three-run shot in his next at-bat the following inning, bringing his season total to 21."

Kyle Schwarber hits two homers for Nationals against Marlins - (WaPost)
"Kyle Schwarber has long had unusual power. Just ask his college coach."

Schwarber's historic surge keeps Nats red hot - (MASN)
"Schwarber is now doing things only a handful of power hitters have ever done, either for the Nationals or for any other club in major league history."

Other Nats Stories:

Tropical-themed Nationals visit Marlins for four games - (MLB.com)
"The Nationals’ flight from Philadelphia to Miami on Wednesday was filled with palm trees, flamingos and bright colors."

Davey Martinez says Stephen Strasburg still 'has a ways to go' in recovery - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Strasburg was placed on the 10-day Injured List with a neck strain on June 2, just a day after he exited his start against the Braves after just 30 pitches. It's the 12th-year pro's second stint on the IL in 2021."

Hudson should be ready to throw off mound before Strasburg - (MASN)
"Hudson has been out since June 10, having now missed two full weeks."

Espino's memorable week now includes first career save - (MASN)
"Espino, drafted 15 years ago by Cleveland and having barely seen any time in the majors until this year, now is the proud owner of a 2.20 ERA and 0.767 WHIP in 16 appearances, two of those emergency starts."

Paolo Espino has become Nationals' 'secret weapon' in do-it-all pitching role - (Washington Times)
"That mentality has been paramount for a pitcher thrust into different situations on the regular, turning his high-leverage appearance into nothing more daunting than anything else he’s done this season for the Nationals — and he’s done a lot."

‘That made him a National’: Josh Bell’s awakening at the plate fueled by attention to detail – (The Athletic)
"Bell stood in front of the home dugout at Nationals Park last Monday and described himself as 'treading water, just waiting to gain traction again and go off on a little spurt.' Asked if he felt pressure, he chuckled."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Top prospect performers for June 24 2021 - (MLB.com)
"Just two starts into his Double-A promotion, Cavalli flashed the type of strikeout stuff that helped him get to that level so quickly."

Nationals' Kyle Schwarber continues historic hot streak with seventh and eighth homers in last five games - (CBSSports.com)
"Schwarber is the seventh player ever with eight home runs in a five-game span."

NL EAST UPDATES:

With 'depleted' Phillies farm system, Bryce Harper knows it's on this group to get going now - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Fall farther behind and maybe management starts fastening For Sale signs to a good chunk of the roster. Bryce Harper knows the math."

Breaking down Francisco Lindor's improved offense - (MLB.com)
"Lindor's April was so weak that it was the worst full month of his entire career."

Jazz Chisholm Jr. homers in Marlins' loss to Nationals - (MLB.com)
"During Wednesday's BP, Chisholm listed off his recent trends at the plate."

Reds spoil Jesse Chavez’s Braves return in series opener - (AJC.com)
"The Braves used veteran reliever Jesse Chavez, promoted earlier in the day, as an opener. After playing four games in two days earlier this week, and using Kyle Wright to replace an injured Max Fried Wednesday, the Braves were shorthanded in the rotation and forced to pitch a bullpen game."