Good Tuesday Morning, Washington Nationals Fans!

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Upcoming Games

• Tuesday, April 13, 2021, Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals 7:45 pm EDT
• Wednesday, April 14, 2021, Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals 1:15 pm EDT
• Thursday, April 15, 2021, Arizona Diamondbacks @ Washington Nationals 7:30 pm EDT
• Friday, April 16, 2021, Arizona Diamondbacks @ Washington Nationals 7:30 pm EDT

Today's Morning Briefing was written by Richard

Quote of the Game

"We left Spring Training with these gentlemen, and now we get to get them back."

- Davey Martinez on Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber returning to the Washington Nationals Lineup

Today's Top Story: Regulars Return leading the Nationals to a 5-2 Win over the Cardinals.

It is nice to write about a win as opposed to a loss, and that is what I am going to be doing today. Last night, coming off a pretty bad weekend in Los Angeles, the Nationals were able to piece together a win for the first time in five games. Last night's game finally saw the Nationals debut of Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber, and it couldn't come sooner. After weeks in isolation and wishing that they were playing with their team, they returned to the Nationals last night to help the Nationals snap a five-game losing streak.

Stephen Mears from TalkNats has the recap from last night's game: "The Nats got Josh Bell, Josh Harrison and Kyle Schwarber back from the IL, and each contributed to a 5-2 win. That 5-game losing streak is over.. It was Erick Fedde who started the game, and only gave up one run over 4 2/3 innings that included Fedde striking out the side in the second inning.

Sure, the game should have been a blowout by the Nats given the 16 runners on-base that they had in the night. Also credit to the Nats bullpen as they only yielded one run over 4 1/3 innings. The game opened on a triple by Victor Robles, and he was knocked in by Juan Soto who had 3 hits on the night. Kyle Schwarber had 2 hits, Josh Bell had 1 hit and 2 walks for his Nats debut game. Add to that a pinch-hit home run by Andrew Stevenson who is the only player besides Soto and Trea Turner to club a homer this season for the Nats. Also, Starlin Castro took the team lead with 6 RBIs for the season as he had two big ribeyes in this game."

After a rough first start of the season, Erick Fedde was able to help the Nationals and navigated through the St. Louis Cardinals lineup. Fedde went four and a half innings, giving up only two hits, one earned run, struck out five, and walked two. He lowered his ERA to a still high 8.53. Brand new Nationals closer Brad Hand secured the win with his first save as a Washington National and 2021 season.

Tonight, Stephen Strasburg will take the mound for the Washington Nationals as the Nationals will face the right-hand pitcher Jack Flaherty. Strasburg has held the Cardinals to a .223 average over his career.

Don't forget to subscribe to our GameNotes, which gets you ready for each Washington Nationals game with information and analysis that you need to know—sent two hours before game time you have the latest.

Missed the action last night? Watch the condensed game via MLB's film room below:

First Pitch at five with Chris Russell & Pete Medhurst on Team 980

Andrew Stevenson continues to impress

After a great end of 2019 and Spring Training, fifth outfielder and pinch hitter Andrew Stevenson continues to impress. Last night Stevenson hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh against St. Louis pitcher Giovanny Gallegos.  So far this season, Stevenson has had 18 at-bats, and has four hits, scored two runs, had three RBI's and has a batting average of .222 and an OPS of .599

Andrew Stevenson as a pinch hitter in his career, is 21-for-68 (.309), with two homers, six extra-base hits, nine RBIs, nine walks,  and 24 strikeouts. It's hard not to find a way to keep him in the lineup with these impressive stats so far this season and throughout his career.

#ICYMI: The Case for Shane Greene in a Nationals Uniform

With uncertainty still looming over the Washington Nationals with COVID protocols, other injuries/unknowns, and their players, maybe it is time for Rizzo and management to look into pieces to bring the club together. Could Shane Green be that piece to the puzzle?

Brandon takes a look at the idea of bringing Green to Washington D.C.

Podcast Alert: In the Clubhouse with the Nats Report

This week's episode features Harrisburg Senators Team President Kevin Klub. During the interview, Kevin and Richard discuss the impact that the Harrisburg Senators have had on the Nationals organization over the years and so much more! Take a listen

Apple: https://apple.co/3dOq39a
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PYNUeD

Upcoming Podcast: Matt Weyrich from NBC Sports Washington will be joining the podcast on Wednesday to discuss the St. Louis and Los Angeles Series and give a preview to the Arizona Diamondback Series. Subscribe today to get this episode delivered right to your favorite podcasting platform.

Must Reads: Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball Headlines

• Schwarber, Bell check-in, spark Washington Nationals’ offense in 5-2 win over St. Louis via Federal Baseball
• Nationals, finally becoming whole, end their skid with 5-2 win over Cardinals via the Washington Post
• Despite delay, Hand encouraged by Nationals debut via MASN Sports Washington
• Washington Nationals: Josh Harrison bunt attempt uncalled for via District on Deck
• It is past time for MLB to address its umpiring problem via Talking
• Chop Company hiring ‘MLB Food Tester’ to eat hot dogs at stadiums via New York Post
• Ohtani scalds 119 mph 2B: 'Did you see that?' via MLB.com