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Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Wednesday, April 8, 2026
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GAME RECAP
🔥 HEADLINE
Nats Come Up Short In Extras
Final Score: Nationals 6, St. Louis Cardinals 7
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Location: Nationals Park
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
In a game that was a tight back-and-forth until extra innings, the Nationals fell to the Cardinals’ comeback 7-6. The game was a strong one for the Nats’ bats, with both James Wood and Curtis Mead hitting solo home runs.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: George Soriano ([1–0], 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K)
Losing Pitcher: Cole Henry ([0–2], 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K)
Key Hitters:
Curtis Mead: 3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R, SB
James Wood: 2-for-4, HR, 3 R, RBI, BB, SB
Daylen Lile: 1-for-4, 2 R, RBI, BB
Team RISP: [3-for-13]
Errors: Nats 2, Cardinals 1
Attendance: 20,036
🎙️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
“Especially in the beginning, maybe not super long. But in the past I’ve been able to go long relief, I’ve had some starts. I’ve let them know on my end I’m able to do whatever the team needs me to help win,” said Paxton Schultz, the pitcher the Nats activated who’s expected to help with recent bullpen issues.
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. St. Louis Cardinals, April 8th, 4:05 PM ET, Nationals Park
Probables: Nats — Miles Mikolas, Cardinals — Michael McGreevy
Key Storyline: Can the Nats take the series despite continuing bullpen issues?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Who was tonight’s MVP?
✅ Mead
✅ Wood
✅ Lile
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For more on yesterday’s game, make sure to check out Ryan’s game notes.
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Bullpen Shuffle
Via Washington Nationals
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Things are already moving around in the Nationals' bullpen, as Andre Granillo has been optioned to Triple-A. Paxton Schultz is reportedly being called up to fill the open pitching spot.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
The Nationals announced Monday night that they were optioning right-handed pitcher Andre Granillo, who they acquired this past winter in a trade from the St. Louis Cardinals, to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings
Granillo’s five outings this season thus far have produced six earned runs across 4 1/3 innings pitched, including him striking out just one batter for every five that he’s walked
Right-handed pitcher Paxton Schultz was picked up on waivers by the Nats after being designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays, with whom he appeared in 13 games and recorded an ERA of 4.38 with 28 strikeouts across 24 2/3 innings pitched
Starting the season on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation, Schultz started the season on rehab assignment with Rochester, appearing in three games and allowing just one earned run across 3 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and one walk
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
With the Nationals' recent bullpen woes, blowing leads to both the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers, this move could be exactly what the team and Granillo need. With Granillo, it’s obvious the right-hander is out of sync right now, particularly with the number of walks he’s given out in comparison to strikeouts, so this reset could be just what he needs to get back on track. Meanwhile, with Schultz, his first MLB start with the Nats could be what the team needs as both an answer in their search for reliable bullpen arms as well as a boost to the pitching rotation.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
What do you think about this move for the Nationals? What do you think Paxton Schultz could bring to the pitching lineup?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
For more on where and how to watch Schultz’s upcoming games with the Nationals, check out this full season schedule.
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theFUTURE
Via Washington Nationals
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Red Wings’ starting pitching, despite the team having an even record at 5-5, has been quite strong through their first 10 games of the season. While they have stumbled at times, their overall performance has shown serious promise for the season ahead.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
After a rough start in Jacksonville, giving up five earned runs, left-hander Andrew Alvarez looked untouchable in his next start on April 2nd against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, going five innings and giving up only one hit and one walk with a total of ten strikeouts
It was this performance last week against the RailRiders that got him named International League Pitcher of the Week, marking his first time having the honor, as well as the first Red Wing to have it this season
While right-hander Riley Cornelio didn’t have as rough a start, his ERA was still 4.15 until last night’s game against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, in which he went five innings and only gave up one earned run with six strikeouts, getting the win and making his current ERA 2.89
Left-hander Mitchell Parker started the season off well for the Red Wings against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, striking out six and giving up only one earned run across five innings
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
Andrew Alvarez has emerged in recent weeks as a major piece of Rochester’s pitching rotation to start the season. Not only was his April 2nd start dominant, but he’s one of just four Rochester pitchers since at least 2004 to record 10 or more strikeouts in 5.0 innings or less. He’s also one of only two Triple-A pitchers to strike out batters in the double-digits in an outing so far this season. All of this and his recent performance cement him as a key piece of the Red Wings starting rotation moving forward, and a player that the Nationals should definitely keep their eye on as the season progresses.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
What have you thought of the Red Wings' starters so far this season? Who looks the strongest to you after the first two series of the season?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
For more on the Red Wings, be sure to check out this article on Harry Ford, the Nats’ number three prospect.
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WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING
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