Good morning, Washington Nationals fans.

Here are the latest headlines and analyses around the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball for today, June 26.

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Welcome to the Morning Briefing! Haden here. The Nats lost to the Rockies last night. Let’s talk about it.

Leading this Morning's Briefing: Nats lose to Padres in strange game

It’s not often that CJ Abrams gets picked off twice in a game. Nor is it common for the Nationals to have a benches clearing scuffle in the first inning. Nor do the Nationals allow all that many home runs, let alone grand slams. Yet, all of these things happened yesterday.

In the first inning, prior to Jurickson Profar’s first at bat, Keibert Ruiz spoke to Profar to complain about his antics in the Padres walk-off win on Monday. During their brief conversation, Ruiz touched Profar briefly, Manny Machado stepped in, and the benches cleared.

Davey Martinez said he was proud of the 25-year-old catcher in a post-game interview: “Honestly, I was proud of him. I really was. Sometimes you carry emotions on your sleeve; sometimes you swallow it. But I like the fact that he stuck up for our guys.”

Following the benches clearing incident, MacKenzie Gore hit Profar in the first pitch of the at-bat. Machado followed, hitting a two-run home run to take an early lead.

The Nationals lineup battled, scoring four runs in the top of the third and then three runs split across the eighth and ninth innings, but it was not enough and the team lost 9-7.

Profar’s night was not over though. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Dylan Floro came into the game to relieve Gore in a 5-4 game in favor of the Padres. Floro proceeded to allow three straight singles, and Martinez yet again came to the mound to call to the bullpen. Knowing that Derek Law has allowed 14 of 23 inherited runners to score heading into this game, Martinez called upon him. With Profar up at the plate, he parked the third pitch of the at-bat in the seats, leading to a grand slam. Law has now allowed 17 of 26 inherited runners to score.

The Nationals' Trade Deadline Dilemma

Richard • Jun 25, 2024

With the MLB trade deadline approaching, every Nationals fan's question is: buy, sell, or hold? The Nationals will unlikely be buyers, so let's focus on the two more realistic options: selling and holding. The saying goes, "You gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em." Analyzing the Nationals' current situation, selling might be the more st…

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As for Abrams, he got caught on the base paths twice early in the game. In the top of the first, Abrams was picked off after singling to lead off the game. Then in the top of the third, Abrams notched a one-out single that put runners on first and second in a 2-1 game. Abrams was slow back to the bag and shortstop Ha-Seong Kim threw him out, to the surprise of Abrams and first base coach Gerardo Parra.

As for positives, CJ Abrams got on base in all five of his plate appearances in this game. Jesse Winker hit a big two-run home run. Lane Thomas only got one hit in five at-bats, but made that hit count, hitting an RBI triple in the third inning.

Now down two games in the series, the Nationals have no other choice than to try and avoid the sweep. The team will send DJ Herz to the mound to take on off-season addition, right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease (6-6, 4.14 ERA). First pitch is at 4:10 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on MASN2.

Down in the Minors

Featured Story of the Day

Veteran lefty Keuchal is back in the majors via MLB Trade Rumors

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