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Game 34: "Joey Four Bags" Comes Through in the 9th May 08, 2023

Show notes

The Nationals rallied again in the 9th in Arizona and this time they were rewarded with a 9-8 victory. Mark (Live from Phoenix) & Al have another comeback to discuss; with Joey "Four Bags" Meneses being the hero this time around by connecting on a 3 run HR. Washington is now 10-9 since the 4-11 start to the season. Chase Field is also the venue where Meneses hit two HRs vs. USA in the World Baseball Classic in March FWIW.

(9:00) Luis Garcia had a solid series and hit 2nd in the lineup all weekend. Garcia reached base four times on Sunday; including a lead-off double to put the pressure on the Diamondbacks.

(19:30) Trevor Williams had a mediocre outing, which included a run scoring balk. Hunter Harvey was the star of the day on the mound as he notched his first career save to preserve the comeback win. The bullpen could use an off-day, but none is on the horizon until after the series this week in San Francisco.

(31:10) Carter Kieboom was optioned to AAA Rochester after returning from "Tommy John" Surgery.

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Game 33: Finnegan's Blown Save Negates Late Comeback May 07, 2023

Show notes

The Nats lost 8-7 in heartbreaking fashion in Arizona as the 9th inning saw the lead change hands multiple times. Al & Mark (Live from Phoenix) do their best to sort through everything, but begin with a recap of MacKenzie Gore's outing. Gore allowed a pair of runs in six innings, but struck out nine in the process.

(09:20) The Nationals staged a furious five run rally in the top of the 9th; capped by Lane Thomas' 2 run HR to temporarily give Washington the lead. This all began when Keibert Ruiz hit a leadoff homer to cut the deficit to 6-3. The lead was a brief one as Kyle Finnegan could not hang onto it and walked in the decisive Arizona run.

(16:15) Jeimer Candelario was hospitalized on Friday evening due to dehydration and Victor Robles exited the game early on Saturday night due a tweaked back. Mark gives a first hand account on where both players stand entering Sunday's series finale.

(19:40) The bullpen did not have a particularly good evening, but Thad Ward did have a good outing. Mason Thompson struggled on the mound, but didn't have stellar defense behind him. This leads to an explanation of the bizarre Diamondback HR that tied the game in the bottom of the 9th. Should Finnegan remain as the team's closer?

(29:00) Closing thoughts that encompass what all the positives are to look for in the difficult defeat. (Hint: MacKenzie Gore's development).

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Game 32: Quiet Night for the Bats in Arizona May 06, 2023

Show notes

The Nats lost 3-1 in Arizona to open up their two city/ six game road trip. Mark (Live from Phoenix) & Al discuss how the offense was no match for Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly. The lineup only mustered four hits and Luis Garcia had two of them (including a Solo HR).

(06:15) Keibert Ruiz is mired in a slump as he struck out three times and has not yet had a hit in May. Joey Meneses went 0 for 4 and his average has dropped .267.

(12:45) Josiah Gray had a so-so outing as he allowed three runs in five innings. Gray threw 92 pitches and struck out six D-Backs in the process. His ERA now currently sits at 3.03.

(17:00) Hunter Harvey had the evening off after pitching for three consecutive days. Mark relays his pregame conversation with the important bullpen cog who has a long injury history.

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Game 31: Call Dials Up a Walk-Off HR to Cap Corbin's Gem May 05, 2023

Show notes

Thursday was an exciting day for the Nationals for many reasons, but with the most important being Alex Call's Walk-off HR to lead-off the 9th inning and give them a 4-3 victory over the Cubs. Al & Tim run through all the positives which include the game finishing under two hours, the Nats winning a series, and a 9-7 stretch in the past 16 games.

(06:10) Kyle Finnegan came through with an incredible escape in the top of the 9th after putting the first two hitters in scoring position. Davey Martinez showed trust in his closer by not calling for an intentional walk against the heart of the order and was promptly rewarded for it.

(12:30) Patrick Corbin was phenomenal on Thursday for 7 of the 7+ IP that he was on the mound. Corbin threw just 80 pitches and only tossed 56 pitches through five innings. The only time he ran into trouble was when facing the middle of the Cubs order in the top of the 8th.

(17:30) Lane Thomas gave Washington the early lead with a 3 Run HR in the 2nd and he appropriately donned the "Home Run Wig". It was extra clutch because it was the only occasion that the Nats had any runners in scoring position.

(26:20) Nationals Park drew an announced crowd of 18K+ on Thursday afternoon and the attendance is in the middle of the pack amongst MLB teams. Tim gives some additional background and context to the Navy Yard neighborhood for our listeners that have never been to a game.

(32:30) Terry Byrom, the Voice of the Harrisburg Senators, gives an update from the AA level.

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Game 30: Abrams the Hero in Irvin's Debut May 04, 2023

Show notes

The Nats defeated the Cubs 2-1 on an evening where Jake Irvin made his Major League debut on the mound. Mark & Al analyze the right hander's first Big League start, which had an inauspicious beginning as he hit Nico Hoerner with the first pitch he threw. Washington is 3-3 on this home stand with the rubber match on Thursday afternoon.

(10:00) The bullpen was outstanding as they combined for nearly five scoreless innings. Andres Machado, just promoted from Rochester, came through with clutch outs in the middle frames. Hunter Harvey yet again was extremely impressive as well.

(16:15) The Nationals turned multiple double plays on Wednesday and did so at crucial moments. The defense has been much better this year compared to last season; evidenced by the fact that Luis Garcia has not yet committed an error.

(19:15) CJ Abrams had the game winning hit and now leads the team with 15 RBIs through 30 games. Abrams has been producing the past few weeks while hitting in the bottom of the order.

(26:10) Ildemaro Vargas returned after last month's shoulder injury. Jeter Downs was sent down to make room for Vargas, but only appeared in one game for three+ weeks. What's the explanation for that?

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Game 29: Abrams Has 3 Hits in Victory May 03, 2023

Show notes

The Nats beat the Cubs 4-1 on Tuesday night as the offense broke the tie open in the 7th with a trio of runs. Al & Mark start though by breaking down the curious continued calls for bunting; highlighted by Alex Call's 5th inning bunt that blew up on Washington. This conversation is the definition of "Inside Baseball".

(15:30) The bottom of the order came through with five hits between Victor Robles and CJ Abrams. Robles surprisingly leads the team with a .732 OPS.

(18:00) Trevor Williams pitched well and is the only member of the rotation who has lasted at least five innings per start. Was this his best outing of the year?

(30:20) Jake Irvin (RHP) will start Wednesday night for the Nationals as he is getting called up for AAA Rochester to make his Major League debut. Mark explains all the reason that led to Irvin getting the nod instead of others in the organization and insight into an impossible to be believe Washington trivia note.

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Game 28: Gore Struggles vs. the Cubs May 02, 2023

Show notes

MacKenzie Gore was dealt a loss by the visiting Cubs as he was not able to make it through five innings. Al & Mark examine the left hander's difficult outing as opposed to recent starts by Gore. His ERA currently sits at 3.77 on the season.

(09:15) Lane Thomas homered, but that was the only offense in the 5-1 defeat. It is surprisingly his firs homer of the year after he slugged 17 of them in 2022. Dominic Smith had two hits on the evening; including a double in the 7th.

(15:00) Chad Kuhl was placed on the IL and his replacement was Cory Abbott, who took the mound out of the bullpen on Monday night. Wednesday's night starter vs. Chicago remains TBD and Mark explains all the scenarios at play. Where does Mason Thompson fit into all of us this?

(23:45) Carter Kieboom will make a rehab start on Wednesday with AA Harrisburg. He has been out for over a year due to "Tommy John Surgery" on his elbow. A few years ago he was the hot prospect in the team's farm system at 3B, but Brady House now seems to be the plan of the future.

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Game 27: Gray Beats the Pirates May 01, 2023

Show notes

The Nats ended April on a high note as they handled the Pirates 7-2 following a lengthy rain delay. Mark & Al begin with praise for Josiah Gray who only allowed one run in six innings. Gray closes out the opening month with a ERA at 2.67 and has thrown five consecutive solid starts.

(14:00) The offense came alive early in the game as it was a quickly 5-0 lead. Al points out some surprising numbers regarding the lineup, especially in the category of team batting average. Joey Meneses did not have a lot of power in April, but he finishes the month with a .286 average and a RBI single on Sunday.

(25:00) Washington needs to figure out its starting pitcher for Wednesday night and Mark explains who will likely get the nod. MacKenzie Gore takes the mound on Monday night against the visiting Cubs.

(31:30) Tim Shovers gives his "End of April" report and highlights the areas to be excited about within the organization.

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Games 25 & 26: Swept in the Doubleheader Apr 30, 2023

Show notes

The Nationals were no match for visiting Pittsburgh on Saturday in the twin bill. They lost the opener 6-3 and then were clobbered 16-1 in the nightcap. Al & Mark point out just how poorly the Nats have played at home this season despite their recent winning road trip. Chad Kuhl did not pitch well on Saturday evening and his future with the organization is respectfully brought into question.

(11:30) The bullpen did not have a banner day and it was so bad that Lane Thomas had to pitch in Game 2. Will LHP Anthony Banda remain on the roster? We give the latest update on Sean Doolittle's rehab effort as well.

(22:00) Riley Adams started behind the plate in Game 1 and came through with pair of hits and RBIs. Might we see him in the lineup as the team seeks to give Keibert Ruiz more rest.

(28:15) Al points out how well Alex Call has performed in the lead-off spot during the 1st inning. What role will he grow into as the season develops?

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Game 24: Abrams' Grand Slam Not Enough in NY Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

The Nationals were six outs away from a series sweep, but the Mets got to Mason Thompson in the bottom of the 8th and New York prevailed 9-8. Mark & Al start with the top of the 8th where the Nats turned a 7-3 deficit into a brief 8-7 edge as CJ Abrams hit his first career Grand Slam. Does this qualify as a "Good Loss" considering the circumstances?

(07:00) Leadoff hitter Alex Call also homered for Washington and Al points out the positive contributions from Call this season in that role.

(14:15) Jeter Downs yet again did not play despite being on the Major League roster for the past few weeks. Mark gives an explanation as to all the factors that have led to his extended idle stretch.

(22:45) As the final score indicates, it was not a banner pitching evening for the organization. Trevor Williams gave up nine hits in only five innings of work and allowed plenty of contact. Erasmo Ramirez also struggled as he ceded a trio of runs in only one inning of work and has not pitched as well this year as in 2022.

(33:15) Sam Cowin, Maryland based attorney and diehard listener, gives legal analysis of this week's MASN ruling in the New York Court of Appeals.

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