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Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Friday, May 15, 2026
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GAME RECAP
🔥 HEADLINE
Nats Lose Rough One But Win Series
Final Score: Nationals 1, Cincinnati Reds 15
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Location: Great American Ball Park
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Drew Millas accounted for the team’s only run as the Nationals lost to the Cincinnati Reds in the series finale, 15-1. Foster Griffin had a particularly rough outing, as he allowed nine earned runs across four and one-third innings.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: Chase Burns ([5–1], 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K)
Losing Pitcher: Foster Griffin ([4–2], 4.1 IP, 7 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 3 BB, 7 K)
Key Hitters:
Drew Millas: 1-for-3, R
Luis García Jr.: 1-for-2, 2 BB
Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-2, 2B
Team RISP: [0-for-7]
Errors: Nats 0, Reds 3
Attendance: 22,651
🎙️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
“There’s just so many games. If our goal is to be 22-22, I don't know what that does for us. Our goal is to just keep getting better every day. I know it might sound cliché or whatever, but that really is what these guys are focused on doing,” said manager Blake Butera on where the team is.
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. Baltimore Orioles, May 15th, 6:45 PM ET, Nationals Park
Probables: Nats — Zack Littell, Orioles — Shane Baz
Key Storyline: Can the Nats bounce back at home after one of their rougher games of the season so far?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Who was tonight’s MVP?
✅ Millas
✅ García Jr.
✅ Vivas
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Clayton Beeter Update
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
While the Nats’ bullpen has been better as of late, they’ll likely be getting more help sooner rather than later. This is because strong reliever Clayton Beeter finally started his rehab assignment just this past week.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
On Wednesday, right-handed pitcher Clayton Beeter was sent to the Florida Complex League Nationals, the Nationals’ Rookie-level affiliate, to start his rehab assignment
In his start on Wednesday for the FCL Nationals, the reliever allowed one run and one hit in the one inning he pitched, while striking out two batters and walking none across the twelve pitches thrown
Beeter was originally placed on the 15-day Injured List on April 26, retroactive to April 23, with right forearm soreness
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
"[Beeter] probably won't need a lengthy rehab assignment," said manager Blake Butera, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
What do you think about Beeter’s progress in coming back? What do you think he’ll be able to bring to the bullpen once he’s back?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
For more on potential Nationals talent, make sure to check out this article on Dylan Crews’ progress and development in Triple-A.
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theFUTURE
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
It was a rough evening for each of the Nats’ minor league teams, as all of them lost a game, with some of them being particularly close. The Red Wings will see potential pitching help, as the major league team has optioned their most recent waiver pickup.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
The Red Wings lost their game yesterday to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 6-3, scoring all three of their runs within the first three innings, jumping out to an early lead in the first
Yesterday, Harrisburg split their double header with the Altoona Curve, winning the first game 3-1, but getting shut out in the second game, losing 2-0
The Blue Rocks lost a close one to the Winston Salem Dash on the road last night, 3-2, after a home run from Angel Feliz to start the game and an attempted comeback in the ninth inning
Fredericksburg lost their game against the Salem RidgeYaks yesterday, 6-3, with the bullpen allowing all six runs scored by Salem
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
With Zak Kent allowing four earned runs in his last two performances for the Nats, the team has decided to option him to Triple-A. This allows the right-hander time to grow and get his game back to where it was at the beginning of the season, or even just when the Nationals first acquired him. But it also gives the Red Wings an extra arm in their bullpen to use, as their current bullpen has allowed seven earned runs in their last three games.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
What do you think about the Nats’ minor league teams’ latest performances? How do you think Zak Kent will fare while in Rochester?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
For more on the Nats’ minor league teams, be sure to check out the Harrisburg Senators weekly recap.
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WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING
Speed Reads
📌 3 Things Stood Out During Nationals Series Win Over Reds (Sports Illustrated)
📌 The Top 100 Prospects list has been updated, and there's a new No. 1 (MLB)