⚾⚾ The Morning Briefing: Nats avoid sweep against the Dodgers
One of the biggest weaknesses in the Nationals’ lineup is their lack of power. Their batting average as a team is fifth in MLB. Their OPS and runs scored rank 19th and 22nd respectively.
Good Morning Washington Nationals Fan,
Here are the latest headlines and analyses around the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball for today, June 1, 2023. My name is Haden Raymer and this is your morning briefing. Today’s top story is the Nationals’ victory yesterday, so let’s jump right into it.
Be sure to follow The Nats Report on Twitter for all the latest headlines and more.
Leading today’s Morning Briefing: Nationals avoid the sweep against the Los Angeles Dodgers
One of the biggest weaknesses in the Nationals’ lineup is their lack of power. Their batting average as a team is fifth in MLB. Their OPS and runs scored rank 19th and 22nd respectively.
Yesterday that wasn’t the case, with eight of their 12 hits going for extra bases. Keibert Ruiz, who has struggled so far this season clubbed two home runs and a single against his former club. Luis García struck out in his first two plate appearances but rebounded with a home run and a double. Jeimer Candelario was practically guaranteed to get on base, going 2-3 with two walks and a go-ahead home run in the fifth inning. Stone Garrett even contributed off the bench, playing solid defense and a double in his only plate appearance.
Patrick Corbin struggled, allowing four runs over five innings with four walks and two strikeouts. Carl Edwards Jr. had a scary outing but still managed to keep runs off the board. Finnegan blew a save but was still credited with the win, and Hunter Harvey threw two innings and only allowed one base runner to earn the save. This game was the epitome of the 2023 Nationals. But it shows how great of a team it can be.
Your Nats Report Player of the Game is without a doubt Keibert Ruiz, who had a great series overall and an amazing game on Wednesday. That’s two consecutive Player of the Games for him so put that on his Baseball Reference page.
The next Nationals game is on Friday. They take on the Phillies at home at 7:05 p.m. on MASN.
Update on Dukes Grocery in the Navy Yard
Two days ago a tweet circled the Nats community of Dukes Grocery flying Cubs and Mets flags while the teams were in town.
Hey @DukesGrocery what’s going with your marketing? You need to fly the curly W only!! @TalkNats@NavyYardNats
— TheNatsReport ⚾ 🇺🇸 (@TheNatsReport)
May 30, 2023
Dukes Grocery released a statement on Twitter.
Everyone is welcome at Duke's Grocery & while we're Nats fans first, we've offered "Visitor's Dugout" specials at #Duk#DukesNavyYard select series to celebrate the diversity of fan bases in our town. We flew visiting teams' flags to indicate we were running those specials. 1/2
— Duke's Grocery (@DukesGrocery)
May 31, 2023
It wasn't our intention to upset fellow Nats fans and we love the passion for our home team! We will continue these specials for select games, but will have a specials menu instead of flying away flags going forward. 2/2
— Duke's Grocery (@DukesGrocery)
May 31, 2023
What do you think about this? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter.
Down on the Farm
The Rochester Red Wings won 6-1 against the Syracuse Mets. Click here to read our game recap.
The Harrisburg Senators beat a strong Bowie Baysox team 3-1. Jackson Cluff is responsible for the three runs scored thanks to a triple and a sac fly. Alemao Hernandez threw six innings of scoreless ball, striking out six. We will be at tonight’s Baysox vs. Senators Game. Make sure to follow us on Twitter for live updates throughout the game!
The Wilmington Blue Rocks cruised to an 8-2 victory over the Asheville Tourists. Jeremy De La Rosa, who hit two home runs the night before, went 3-5 with two doubles and a walk. Center fielder Jake Young went 2-3 with two walks, a stolen base, and a home run. Rodney Theophile threw four innings, striking out five and allowing only one earned run.
The FredNats are now on a seven-game win streak after defeating the Delmarva Shorebirds 9-2. Paul Witt hit a home run. Brady House went 2-4, Elijah Green didn’t record a hit but walked twice and only struck out once, and Daylen Lile drove in two with a triple.
Links around the league
TalkNats recap of yesterday’s win over the Dodgers
ICYMI: TalkNats sat down with Paul Skenes and his coach and teammates
Alden Gonzalez of ESPN on the first regional sports network to fall
Scott Allen of the Washington Post on players catching balls from the Washington Monument ($)
Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post on Jeimer Candelario as a trade chip
