Wire Taps: Washington Nationals with bases loaded; Juan Soto “shimmy”? + more Nats links...

The Nationals, as a team, walked eight batters last night. Jon Lester walked four, but none of them scored. Wander Suero walked two, and both came around, for the 2nd and 3rd runs in the Rays’ 3-1 win. Davey Martinez does. not. like. walks. Really doesn’t like them.

“I don’t like them at all. I want those guys to come in and throw strikes,” Martinez said.

“They’re good,” he said of his pitchers, “... they’ve been good. All of a sudden now we’re starting to walk guys, and when you walk those guys runners are going to score, plain and simple. We saw that tonight again, so we’ve got to come in there and throw strikes and let them put the ball in play. Our guys got good enough stuff to get guys out, work ahead of the count, and make some good pitches.”

Word. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Jon Lester short start in Nationals' loss to Rays - (MLB.com)
"It was Jon Lester’s shortest outing of the season, tossing just 3 2/3 innings in the series opener at Tropicana Field."

Nationals can’t overcome walks, missed chances in loss to Rays - (WaPost)
"Nationals pitchers issued eight walks, and two missed chances in the late innings doomed them to their ninth loss in 12 games."

Nats again can't convert with bases loaded, lose 3-1 - (MASN)
"You wanted to believe it would be different this time. Really, aren’t teams supposed to be excited to bat with the bases loaded?"

Juan Soto adds shimmy to the Soto Shuffle in at-bat vs. Rays' Tyler Glasnow - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Everyone knows about Juan Soto's patented shuffle and how it became an iconic sidebar to the Nationals' 2019 World Series run, but what about the 'Soto Shimmy?'"

Nationals’ Dave Martinez pushes for answers on foreign substances - (WaPost)
"Voth was injured on a 90-mph fastball from the Phillies’ Vince Velasquez on Sunday."

Voth out "for some time" after surgery to repair nose - (MASN)
"Well wishes have poured in to Voth and the Nationals since Sunday’s frightening moment. Martinez said Phillies manager Joe Girardi called him today to check on the right-hander’s progress."

Checking in on the Nationals farm system - (MASN)
"The Nationals' farm system, as has been well documented, is a work in progress. But there have been signs of life in recent weeks..."

Nationals’ Austin Voth posts update from hospital after pitch broke his nose - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Voth has been a steady presence out of the bullpen this season after losing out on the fifth-starter job in spring training. He owns a 2.73 ERA in 19 appearances with 29 strikeouts to 10 walks."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Scripting the Reach-Out Calls: National League - (FanGraphs)
"We are not ready to open up for business yet, but we are close, so we would like your thoughts on Max Scherzer should we start listening on him in the coming weeks."

Yankees P Gerrit Cole stumbles through answer on use of foreign substances - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Cole’s fastball spins at an average rate of 2,552 revolutions per minute (RPMs), enough to put him in the 93rd percentile among pitchers in 2021. He’s averaged over 2,500 RPMs each of the last three seasons, an elite number he couldn’t touch just a few years prior."

Washington Nationals schedule MLB scores World Series - (wusa9.com)
"For a third straight year, the Washington Nationals have dug themselves an early hole."

Aggressive FredNats are trying to become men of steal - (fredericksburg.com)
"Before they pulled off the heist of their inaugural season—stealing nine bases in a June 3 win over the Delmarva Shorebirds—the Fredericksburg Nationals cased the joint."

Under-the-radar trade candidates - (MLB.com)
"Daniel Hudsdon, RHP, Nationals - The 34-year-old has avoided those types of blow-ups this year, recording a 2.38 ERA while slashing his walk and home run rates and posting a career-high 36.8% strikeout rate."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Don't expect the Phillies, Dave Dombrowski to do anything unless they're in first - (PhillyVoice)
"The Phillies are a few games back in the NL East, a division that is the most evenly distributed and competitive in baseball and one that could be the Phillies for the taking if they get their crap together."

Mets vs. Orioles prediction: Hard to trust David Peterson - (NY Post)
"With no one playing well, the Mets have inherited the lead in the NL Least."

Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcántara’s shoes: What is on there? - (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
"Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcántara will wear custom cleats for World Ocean Day."

Braves begin 6-game, in-division road trip - (AJC.com)
"If the next week goes well, the Braves can truly be considered as moving in the right direction."