Good Morning, Washington Nationals Fans,

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

Welcome to the Morning Briefing! Haden here. Let’s talk about yesterday’s game.

Leading this Morning’s Briefing: Nats lose the game in the eighth inning

The Nationals kept it tied heading into the top of the eighth inning last night. Patrick Corbin threw 5.1 scoreless innings, but Derek Law gave up a two-out single to allow the Dodgers first run of the game.

Hunter Harvey came down to earth, allowing two runs in the eighth inning. Despite the blowup, Harvey is still the most valuable reliever according to FIP-based WAR, or fWAR. That is because Harvey has a 0.66 FIP, which is the fifth lowest among qualified relievers. While Harvey’s 35.3 percent strikeout rate is excellent, it is just outside the top 20. What really benefits Harvey is he currently has a 3.9 percent walk rate and has yet to allow a home run.

Of course, the Nationals could not escape the night without controversy. In the bottom of the ninth, with one out and runners on first and second, CJ Abrams laced a ball to right field. Third base coach Ricky Gutierrez waved his arm to send the lead runner, Luis García Jr. home but as García rounded third, Gutierrez threw up the stop sign. Trailing runner Joey Gallo was already well on his way to third when the sign was thrown, and the Dodgers got García out as he ran back to third.

In the postgame interview (via MASN), manager Davey Martinez said, “I mean, people are praising us for the way we run the bases. That's just how we're going to play. ... That last play, I thought Ricky did a good job. I really did,"

Potentially hindering a comeback like this never feels great. But no blame can be placed on the players there. García did what he was supposed to do, and it’s a shame that play will bring down his baserunning numbers in what has been a breakout season so far.

The Nationals lost Robert Garcia to the flu and they called up Jacob Barnes to replace him. In the corresponding move, utility man Jake Alu was DFA’d. Alu has struggled since his breakout 2022 season, but hopefully, he sticks with the org to get another shot as the Nationals’ 26th man in the future.

Lane Thomas also went down with an injury last night, and while there was buzz that Stone Garrett or James Wood would join the team, that was potentially put to rest this morning as Andrew Golden reported Trey Lipscomb would be joining the team.

Jake Irvin takes the mound at 6:45 pm ET against Landon Knack.

Down in the Minors

St. Paul Saints 15, Red Wings 9: Jackson Rutledge hasn’t looked right since taking a comebacker off his foot. He gave up nine runs over two innings. Alex Call hit his sixth home run of the year. Carter Kieboom, Juan Yepez, Travis Blankenhorn, and James Wood all doubled.

Senators 4, Erie SeaWolves 3: Robert Hassell III went 2-3 with three stolen bases and Brady House went 1-3 with a home run and a walk. Rehabbers Keibert Ruiz and Stone Garrett both got on base, and Garrett stole a base.

Brooklyn Cyclones 4, Blue Rocks 0: Andry Lara struck out nine in five innings. Things have seemingly kicked for the former Nationals’ top-five prospect. Daylen Lile got two hits and stole a base and Kevin Made got a knock of his own.

Nationals 6, Delmarva Shorebirds 0: Elijah Green went 2-4 with a double, a walk, and two stolen bases. Armando Cruz went 3-5 with three stolen bases. Phillip Glasser doubled, Cristhian Vaquero got a hit and two stolen bases, Gavin Dugas got a knock and stole home, and Brenner Cox got two hits and two stolen bases. If you cannot tell, the Fred Nats stole a lot of bases. Oh, and they added last year’s third-round pick Travis Sykora to the roster.

Featured Stories of the Day

O’s call up outfield prospect Kjerstad via MLB Trade Rumors

Cardinals option former top-10 prospect Walker via MLB Trade Rumors

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