Good morning, Washington Nationals fans.

Here are the latest headlines and analyses around the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball for today, May 24.

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Welcome to the Morning Briefing!  Richard here, we are giving  the day off!

Oh, by the way, Happy Nationals Day!

Five years ago today, the Washington Nationals turned it around from 19 wins and 31 losses to World Series Champs!

Don't forget to Go 1-0 Everyday! GO NATS!

Let’s talk about the latest Washington Nationals news, Nationals Minor League News, and the elephant in the clubhouse or room, the James Wood situation.

Let’s talk about today’s game.

Leading this Morning’s Briefing: Hmm.. Where do we start?

Tonight, the Washington Nationals will kick off a weekend series by hosting the Seattle Mariners, and it should be another fun series to watch. The Nats Report will cover you with our Game Notes, Game Recaps, and in-game updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X, so make sure you tune in and follow us on social media for the latest.

The Nationals have yet to announce the probable pitching matchups. However, our friends at TalkNats have the probable starting pitching. Click here to check it out.

James Wood exits the Rochester Red Wings last night's game in the fifth inning.

During last night’s Rochester Red Wing game against the IronPigs, outfielder and the top Washington Nationals prospect James Wood exited the game during the fifth inning, and let’s say the rumor mill went nuts. Many thought the Washington Nationals called up James Wood, which isn’t the case.

As we reported last night, sources said James Wood exited last night’s game with “tightness in his hamstring.” Hopefully, we will find out what the latest is soon, and more importantly, nothing serious happened to Wood.

Down in the Minors

The biggest story in the Minor’s last night was the James Wood exit. However, there was a full slate of games that happened. Here is what happened around the Nationals farm system last night:

Rochester Red Wings:

After Rochester’s offense posted ten runs on 13 hits, the Red Wings fell to the IronPigs in a low-scoring pitchers’ duel Thursday night, 5-2 in 10 innings. RHP Spenser Watkins turned in 5.0 strong innings and allowed two earned, while RHP Adonis Medina and LHP Joe La Sorsa turned in scoreless outings in relief. Offensively, CF James Wood extended his on-base streak to 29 games, DH Travis Blankenhorn drove in a pair of runs, and LF Darren Baker collected a pair of knocks.

• Next game: The Rochester Red Wings will continue their series tonight against the Iron Pigs, with LHP DJ Herz slated to make his eighth start of the season, taking on Iron Pigs RHP Mick Abel. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Harrisburg Senators: The Harrisburg Senators fell to the Akron RubberDucks 3-2 in 10 innings Thursday night at FNB Field. Akron jumped on top early with two runs in the first inning. The Senators scored single runs in the second and fifth inning to tie the game 2-2. In the top of the tenth, Akron plated the go-ahead run and hung on to win. Andry Lara allowed two runs and struck out eight batters across six innings in his second AA start. Orlando Ribalta extended his scoreless streak to 17 innings by tossing a hitless ninth inning.

• Next game: The Senators and Akron RubberDucks play game four of their six-game series Friday at 7:00 p.m. at FNB Field.

Wilimington Blue Rocks:

Wilmington BlueRocks lost last night against the Rome Emperors 2-1.  RHP Jose Atencio went 5.0 innings, giving up two runs on five hits. Getting the Blue Rock’s sole RBI was Terone Harris his ninth during the season in the top of the fourth inning.

• Next game: Wilmington and the Rome Emperors will resume play on Friday evening with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch. Mitch Farris is slated to make his AdventHealth Stadium debut.

Fredericksburg Nationals:

It was a complete team effort in a 7-3 win for the FredNats on Thirsty Thursday. The Nationals are 27-15, and Lynchburg is .500 on the year at 21-21.

Nate Ochoa gave the Nats a 1-0 lead with an RBI double in the second inning, but Lynchburg answered in their half of the fourth. A pair of doubles mixed in with an error put the Hillcats in front 3-2.

Brenner Cox cut the deficit to 3-2 with an RBI groundout in the home fourth. Then, in the sixth, Nate Ochoa ripped a single into right field to tie things up at 3-3.

Fredericksburg got a leadoff double from Everett Cooper III after the seventh-inning stretch, and he moved to third base on a ground ball to the right side. Brandon Pimentel drove him in two pitches later with a liner to left field to put the Nats up 4-3.

• Next game: In game four of the series, Jarlin Susana (0-5, 8.06) takes the ball against Alex Clemmery (0-3, 8.65) in a 7:05 start.

Featured Story of the Day

• One-run losses are piling up. The value of run manufacturing and run prevention! via Talk Nats

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