Good Morning Washington Nationals Fan,

Here are the latest headlines and analyses around the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball for today, September 25, 2023. I am Haden Raymer, let’s dive into the news, or uh, the game recap.

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Leading today’s Morning Briefing: Jackson Rutledge earns first MLB win over Atlanta

The Nationals failed to take home the win on Keibert Ruiz’s bobblehead night. In the 9-6 loss, the Braves attacked the Nationals early, with Patrick Corbin giving up three runs in the first. The Nationals never managed to come back from that, trailing the rest of the game. On the bright side, CJ Abrams had a three RBI game, going 2-4 with a double and a walk, while also stealing a base. Luis García has seen the ball well since the series against Milwaukee, going 2-5 with a double. Jake Alu went 2-2 with a triple. Jacob Young stole his eighth base this year. Over a full season, Young would be on pace to steal 46 bases.

Saturday’s game was canceled immediately after Friday’s loss, setting up the doubleheader we saw yesterday. In game one, the Nationals answered a second-inning run from the Braves with two of their own. A Jacob Young double in the sixth added what ended up being a much-needed insurance run, and the Nationals ended up winning 3-2. Jackson Rutledge threw five innings, striking out four. He allowed only five baserunners in the game. Robert Garcia threw two scoreless innings, and Hunter Harvey had one of his own. Jake Alu had two hits again, this time a double instead of a triple. Joey Meneses, Carter Kieboom, and Young all got on base twice this game.

In the second leg of the doubleheader, the Nationals lost 8-5. Ruiz and Luis García each had three hits in the game, including a double from Ruiz and a home run from García. CJ Abrams went 2-5 with a double, and Lane Thomas secured a 20-20 season, stealing his 20th stolen base while also hitting his 27th home run and a single.

The Nats Report Player of the Weekend is going to be Luis García. He went 6-14 with a double and a home run this weekend. The Nationals will have the day off tonight, making their way north to take on the Baltimore Orioles for two games.

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

The Rochester Red Wings lost their final game of the season to the Indianapolis Indians 5-1. The Red Wings failed to record an extra-base hit, with Jordy Barley being the only player to record two. Mitchell Parker threw four strong innings to open the game, striking out eight batters. Lucas Knowles allowed all five of the runs for the Red Wings. The Red Wings season ends at 66-80.

The Harrisburg Senators season is now over.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks season is over.

The FredNats season is over.

Featured Stories of the Day

Charlie Morton of the Braves heads to IL after game against the Nats via ESPN

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