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Game 13: Gore Doesn't Last 4 Innings in Narrow Loss Apr 13, 2023

Show notes

The Nats lost the series rubber match in Anaheim 3-2 and came up short for the first time when MacKenzie Gore took the mound. Al & Mark (Live from Angels Stadium) examine the decision by Davey Martinez to remove the young left hander after 88 pitches. Gore still did manage six strikeouts in 3.2 IP.

(11:40) The bullpen only gave up one run in 4+ frames and Mason Thompson had himself a very solid series. A well deserved and needed day off awaits for the relief pitching staff.

(16:00) The bats were very quiet in the final two games vs. the Angels as they combined for only a pair of runs scored. All six hits recorded were singles, which is a common theme for this season's offense.

(24:20) Robert Hassell III was scratched from a rehab start with the Fred Nats due to a flight issue as he is recovering from a wrist injury. Mark explains what the likely plan for Hassell is this season.

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Game 12: Shutout by Ohtani Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

The Nats were no match for the right arm of Shohei Ohtani as they were blanked 2-0 by the Angels on Tuesday night. Mark (Live from Anaheim) & Al tip their caps to the marvel that is Ohtani, who only allowed one hit in seven innings. CJ Abrams had the lone hit on the evening, coming in the 4th inning.

(06:00) Keibert Ruiz is just hitting .216 so far on the season and Mark assesses what he has been seeing from the catcher's approach at the plate.

(11:00) Josiah Gray took a hard luck loss as he only allowed two runs on the evening. He did issue back to back HBPs in the 4th inning; which led to the first run of the contest. Gray's highlight of the game came when he struck out Shohei Ohtani on one of his rarely used pitches in the 6th.

(20:40) Luis Garcia sat out for a fourth consecutive game due to his hamstring issue. Mark gives an update on the 2B and if he will return on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Ildemaro Vargas has been placed on the 10 day IL due to a shoulder injury.

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Game 11: Bullpen Bounces Back in Anaheim Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

The Nats ralled in California to beat the Angels 6-4 on Monday evening after trailing early on by three runs. Al & Mark (Live from Anaheim) begin with the bullpen's sterling effort, as the staff combined for four shutout frames. Hunter Harvey really came through as he struck out both Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. This was the opposite of Sunday in Colorado where the 'pen couldn't hang on to the three run lead.

(10:30) Patrick Corbin lasted five innings and ended on a high note as he retired eight of the final nine batters he faced. Calling the shots in this series opener was Bench Coach Tim Bogar as Davey Martinez was under the weather. Corbin earned the victory, his first since September 3rd, 2022.

(16:00) The offense came through with 14 hits and in typical fashion for this team, a dozen of them were singles. Victor Robles came through with two hits and he is now hitting .412.

(21:00) Mark gives an update on Luis Garcia who did not play for a 3rd straight day as Michael Chavis got the nod at 2B. The Nationals will face Ohtani's right arm on Tuesday and it will be telling to see if Garcia returns to the lineup or not.

(26:30) Hear a day in the life of a sports reporter as Mark talks about his hectic travel schedule on Monday morning between Denver and Anaheim.

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Game 10: Fatigued Bullpen Can't Keep the Lead Apr 10, 2023

Show notes

The Nats had to settle for a series split in Colorado as the bullpen could not maintain a 6-3 lead and ultimately Washington lost 7-6. Mark (Live from Coors Field) & Al dive into Erasmo Ramirez's tough afternoon while Davey Martinez was limited in his options. Will Erasmo return to his 2022 form?

(12:00) Victor Robles was positioned in right CF as opposed to straightaway CF on Elias Diaz's RBI double to trim the lead to 6-5. Mark explains all the "Inside Baseball" that went into Robles defensive positioning during that crucial at-bat in the bottom of the 6th.

(17:00) Meanwhile Robles lifted his average up to .387 so far on the young season and a RBI single on Sunday. Where do you currently stand on Vic?

(23:30) Alex Call has drawn eight walks this season and surprisingly made a case to be the team's leadoff hitter. Call was acquired in the middle of last season after being placed on waivers by Cleveland.

(28:00) Chad Kuhl had an eventful 1st inning, but came out unscathed. Kuhl had the team in position to win, but did not get help from his bullpen. The team immediately will move their road trip to Anaheim and in Game 2 on Tuesday night, will face Shohei Ohtani on the mound.

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Game 9: Nats Hang On For Stone Garrett's Big Night Apr 09, 2023

Show notes

The Nats have won two in a row for the first time in 2023 as they held off the rallying Rockies 7-6 on Saturday evening. Mark (Live from Coors Field) & Al discuss the roller coaster bottom of the 9th where the fatigued bullpen eked out a narrow victory despite being given a five run lead. Did Davey Martinez make the right decisions with his 'pen?

(09:45) Stone Garrett hit 2nd and rewarded his trusting manager with a career evening. Garrett raked four hits and was a triple shy of the cycle, including three extra bases hit.

(17:45) Victor Robles continued his strong offensive start to the season as he doubled (on a controversial call) and laid down an 8th inning safety squeeze to give the Nationals a much needed insurance run. Robles is hitting .370 with an OPS at .913.

(24:40) Trevor Williams continued the pitching staff's run of quality starts in Denver by only allowing two runs. Can Chad Kuhl keep it up on Sunday against his former team?

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Game 8: Gore Moves to 2-0 Apr 08, 2023

Show notes

The Nationals doubled up the Rockies 10-5 as MacKenzie Gore improved to 2-0 in as many starts. Al & Mark (Live from Denver) examine the lefty's strong start that last six innings. Gore was given a lead before he even took the mound as Alex Call and Jeimer Candelario went Back to Back right off the bat.

(13:00) CJ Abrams had quite the evening as well as he tripled TWICE as part of his three hit night. He is only the fifth player in franchise history to triple twice in a game; can you name the other four? (We highly doubt it).

(18:40) Joey Meneses had an impressive game at the plate as he reached base four times, including a double off the wall. Victor Robles had not one, not two, but three infield hits on Friday. Robles is hitting .375 so far on the young season.

(24:45) Luis Garcia exited early due to a hamstring issue. Mark explains what he saw and if he might return to the field in this series.

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Game 1: Abrams Commits a Trio of Errors in Opening Day Defeat Apr 08, 2023

Show notes

The Nats lost 7-2 to the Braves on a beautiful but cold Opening Day in D.C. Mark & Al recap the sloppy defensive effort as the young SS CJ Abrams had three errors on his scorecard. How much of a factor did the sun monster play in the afternoon game?

(12:30) The lineup only scored a pair of runs, but no surprise one of the RBIs came from Joey Meneses. The Nationals recorded eight hits, but only one was for extra bases. Keibert Ruiz and Dominic Smith had bright days, as they both registered two hits along with Menses. Victor Robles drew two lead-off walks in an afternoon where he was slotted in the eighth spot.

(20:55) We know this is a familiar refrain on this podcast, but Patrick Corbin struggled in his outing. He only lasted three innings and threw 85 pitches; thus that he will enter April with an ERA of 6.00. The bullpen overall had a solid day as they tossed five scoreless frames until Kyle Finnegan allowed three runs in the 9th.

(27:45) GM Mike Rizzo met with the media during Pregame and gave up an update on Stephen Strasburg, which included him not being at the Ballpark on Opening Day. He also addressed the latest with Carter Kieboom as he still rehabs from "Tommy John" surgery.

(34:20) The Sports Business Journal reported this week that the Nationals ownership sale is now "paused". Will the Lerner's remain the owners for the entire 2023 season?

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Game 7: Gray's Gem Wasted in Coors Field Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

The Nationals skid extended to four games in a 1-0 loss in Colorado. Mark (Live for Coors Field) & Al balance the negative of the lineup with the big picture positive of Josiah Gray only allowing one run in six innings. Yet again a Nats outfielder lost a ball in the sun (Lane Thomas), and it was a very costly one that led to the lone run.

(15:40) Washington was shutout and only had one runner reach scoring position. The troubles aren't only with the bats, they surprisingly are only 1 for 4 in stolen base attempts this year.

(23:20) Joey Meneses had a rough day at the plate and is well below the Mendoza Line so far (.172). Why has he looked lost so far this season in the batter's box? Luis Garcia returned to the lineup and singled in the afternoon, but Mark points out what troubled him with his approach at the plate. The offense so far has only homered twice in seven games!

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Game 6: Swept by the Rays Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

The Nationals were swept by the visiting Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 as Patrick Corbin is now 0-2 on the season. Al Galdi solo hosts this edition and recap the lefty's outing; which did include a string of retiring 11 straight, but also plenty of runs allowed.

(09:00) The Nats stranded the bases loaded in the 4th when trailing 3-2. Hear what Davey Martinez said about his young nucleus and their evolving plate approaches.

(12:45) Al discusses why Luis Garcia sat for a 2nd straight game and what went into the managerial decision. Michael Chavis in his place did knock in his first run with the Nationals.

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Game 5: Finnegan Implodes in the 9th Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

Kyle Finnegan inherited a ninth inning one run lead, but after a trio of 9th inning Tampa homers, Tuesday became a 10-6 loss for the Nationals in D.C. Mark & Al discuss Davey Martinez's decision to keep his closer on the mound after surrendering back to back homers to lose the lead.

(15:30) Chad Kuhl made his franchise debut on the mound and settled down after giving up four runs right away. Kuhl became a member of the rotation after Cade Cavalli was ruled out for the season.

(19:00) In addition to the blown save, what makes the loss so tough to swallow was that the Nats squandered an evening where they collected sixteen hits, but only had three for extra bases. Five players had multiple hits, including a hat trick for both Lane Thomas and Alex Call. We then spend a few minutes focusing on what exactly Washington has in Lane Thomas, last year's offensive player of the year in the organization.

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