Wire Taps: Washington Nationals blow big lead in finale with San Diego Padres; Max Scherzer has rough night + more Nats links

Things went all pear-shaped for Max Scherzer in the fourth inning last night in San Diego, CA’s Petco Park, in what ended up being a seven-pitch frame for the Padres, who rallied from an 8-0 deficit and won it on a walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth.

“[I] ran into a buzz saw there,” Scherzer said of what ended up a 45-pitch frame. “That’s the funny thing about this game, you can think that you have something working and you have flow and everything and it shows you how quickly that can turn.

“This game can snap in a heartbeat like that. When you’re up 8-0, there’s never just a free out, free at bat, like, oh, you can just throttle down and pitch. That’s never the case in the major leagues.”

Word. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Scherzer vs SDP:

Max Scherzer yields first homer by pitcher - (MLB.com)
"What was billed as a pitchers’ duel turned into a battle of the bats Thursday night at Petco Park."

Scherzer, Nats turn eight-run lead into 9-8 loss - (MASN)
"They led by eight runs after 3 1/2 innings, with Max Scherzer cruising and looking very much like he wanted to make a definitive statement about his exclusion from the All-Star Game roster for the first time since 2012."

In Nationals’ walk-off loss to Padres, Max Scherzer suffers ultimate indignity - (WaPost)
"Max Scherzer unravels in the fourth inning after being handed an 8-0 lead, surrendering a grand slam to Padres' rookie reliever Daniel Camarena in a confounding 9-8 loss in San Diego."

Other Nats Stuff:

Washington Nationals 2021 MLB Draft preview - (MLB.com)
"In each of the past four years, the Nationals have selected a pitcher with their first pick in the MLB Draft."

Nationals reliever Kyle McGowin honors Sag Harbor on the mound - (WaPost)
"Kyle McGowin writes 15 letters in the mound ahead of each appearance, remembering seven people from Sag Harbor, N.Y., who died too young."

Could Nats get both Bell and Zimmerman in lineup? - (MASN)
"The truth of the matter is this: As much as Zimmerman was the bigger offensive threat earlier in the season, right now Bell clearly provides the more potent bat."

Ross To IL:

Ross lands on IL but expected to return after break - (MASN)
"The Nationals have been talking for months about the need to monitor Joe Ross’ workload after the he opted out of the 2020 season."

Nationals put Joe Ross on IL, recall Ryne Harper - (WaPost)
"The move leaves Paolo Espino, Jon Lester and Erick Fedde to start the Nationals' final three games before the all-star break."

Joe Ross hits IL with elbow inflammation, eyes return after All-Star Break - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals placed starting pitcher Joe Ross on the 10-Day Injured List with right elbow inflammation Thursday, forcing him to finish the first half on a sour note after he struck out 11 Dodgers on Sunday."

All-Star Davey:

Davey Martinez: All-Star Break ‘couldn’t come at a better time’ for Nationals - (NBC Sports Washington)
"When the Nationals placed starter Joe Ross on the Injured List before Thursday’s series finale with the San Diego Padres, he became the 11th player on their 40-man roster to be sidelined with an injury as the club closes in on the All-Star Break."

Davey Martinez got robbed, but Major League Baseball can still fix that - (NBC Sports Washington)
"You know what ... MLB commissioner Rob Manfred should step in and just let Davey be a part of the NL coaching staff. Why not? He deserves it."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Jake Noll has developed into a power hitter with Rochester Red Wings - Democrat & Chronicle
"Jake Noll has been one of the most reliable Red Wings this season, both at the plate with a .300 average, and as a fielder at multiple positions."

MLB Tiers: Ranking the best all-time draft picks from all 30 teams – (The Athletic)
"If we limited this exercise to players drafted and developed by the Nationals, Ryan Zimmerman (40.0 WAR) would be the winner, with Stephen Strasburg (32.8) coming up behind him."

The ZiPS Projections Midpoint Roundup of Triumph and Shame: The National League - (FanGraphs)
"That Washington apparently felt the need to acquire Alcides Escobar and use him as a starter tells you quite a bit about the quality of the organization’s Plan Bs."

NL EAST UPDATES:

MLB draft 2021: Phillies' 1st-round pick could go either way - (NBC Sports Washington)
"It's too early to tell where the Phillies will go with the 13th overall pick. Much will be dictated by what the 12 teams above them do."

Where Taijuan Walker ranks among MLB's best pitching bargains - (NY Post)
"Where would the Mets be, for instance, if Taijuan Walker hadn’t lingered until February, at which point he signed for $20 million over two years?"

Miami Marlins' Jake Eder breaking out in 2021 - (MLB.com)
"Entering Thursday, Eder leads all qualified Minor Leaguers with a 1.03 ERA through 52 2/3 innings with the Blue Wahoos."

Michael Harris II in 2021 Futures Game - (MLB.com)
"Count Andruw Jones among those who are looking forward to getting their first look at Braves prospect Michael Harris II in the 2021 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on Sunday afternoon."