Good Morning Washington Nationals Fan,

Here are the latest headlines and analyses around the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball for today, September 6, 2023. My name is Haden Raymer, let’s dive into the news.

Leading today’s Morning Briefing: The Nationals drop game one to the Mets

Patrick Corbin gave up eight runs over four innings. Andres Machado gave up one run over three innings. Amos Willingham allowed two runs over two innings. When the pitching gives up this many runs, the game is practically un-winnable. Especially when CJ Abrams (rest day) and Lane Thomas (back) are not in the lineup.

So let’s talk about the positives. Jacob Young played really well out of the leadoff spot, going 2-4 with a double and a walk. Davey Martinez was so impressed with Young that he is considering moving him up there and having CJ Abrams hit behind him on a regular basis. With that lineup construction, a top-of-the-lineup may look more like Jacob Young, CJ Abrams, Lane Thomas, Keibert Ruiz, and then Joey Meneses in the five-hole. Obviously, this requires Young to have more sustained success, but if he does, that top-of-the-order is something worth getting excited about.

Keibert Ruiz, Ildemaro Vargas, Travis Blankenhorn, and Jake Alu all got hits.

Jacob Young is The Nats Report Player of the Game. Game two of this two-game series starts at 7:05 p.m. and will be televised on MASN. Joan Adon will take the ball for the Nationals. Spot starter José Butto will start for the Mets.

You can read our game notes from yesterday’s game here.

International scouting director’s resignation was mutual

As you all know from Monday’s briefing, Johnny DiPulgia resigned over the weekend. This morning Mike Rizzo talked with the Junkies on 106.7 The Fan. On the show, Rizzo discussed how he wanted to stay in DC with the Nationals, but also talked about Johnny DiPulgia’s resignation. It was a mutual resignation according to Rizzo.

This makes sense. The Nationals are trying to completely overhaul their front office, and DiPulgia might not fit the mold that Rizzo is looking for.

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Down on the Farm: What happened last night with the Nationals Minor League teams

The Rochester Red Wings dropped game one to the Syracuse Mets in the 6-5 loss. Luis García went 3-5. Brady Lindsly went 3-5 as well. Darren Baker and Frankie Tostado both went 2-5, with Tostado hitting his first Triple-A home run. Tommy Romero struck out two in his three innings of work. Tanner Rainey threw a scoreless inning.

You can read the game notes for this game here.

The Harrisburg Senators won 6-4 over the Altoona Curve.  Dylan Crews went 2-5. Brady House hit his first Double-A home run. Trey Lipscomb hit a home run and walked. James Wood went 2-4 with a triple. Murphy Stehly got a hit. Dustin Saenz threw five innings of one-run ball. Garvin Alston and Tyler Schoff both had scoreless appearances.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks lost 4-2 to the Brooklyn Cyclones. Yohandy Morales had a monster game, going 3-3 with a double and a walk. Andrew Pinckney doubled and walked. Matt Suggs went 2-4. No one else recorded a hit for Wilmington.

The FredNats lost 4-0 to the Delmarva Shorebirds to open their final series of the season. Elijah Green and Phillip Glasser were the only two Nats to record a hit. Riley Cornelio had a good start, striking out six over six innings while allowing two runs.

You can read the game notes for this game here.

Featured Story of the Day

Mets are pursuing Brewers exec David Stearns via The Athletic

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