The Morning Briefing: The Nationals Bullpen Blows Another in Atlanta

Here are today's latest headlines and analyses around the Washington Nationals for Friday, September 10, 2021

by Richard Wachtel

Updated September 10, 2021

The Nationals bullpen blows another in Atlanta, as the Nationals lose the series against the Braves and their last game against Atlanta for 2021; what's behind Carter Kieboom's Resurgence and tomorrow marks 20 years from 9/11/2021. We have a special article on the site about the baseball game in New York that started the healing of our country.

Good Morning; here are your Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball headlines for Friday, September 10, 2021.

Upcoming Schedule:

Friday, September 10, 2021: Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates; 6:35 pm EDT
Saturday, September 11, 2021: Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates; 6:35 pm EDT
Sunday, September 12, 2021: Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates; 1:05 pm EDT

Last night, the Washington Nationals bullpen couldn't hold the Braves in extra innings as they blew another save opportunity and a chance to fly to Pittsburgh, with a win underneath their belts. Let's hope that Rizzo and Co take a close look at the reliever market during the offseason to address that glaring issue. The Braves walked off the Nationals on a Joc Pederson single in extra innings after the two teams were tied 6-6 after an exciting game. Erick Fedde gave up three solo home runs and an RBI double in six innings of work on the mound last night in Atlanta, GA, after the Nationals rallied to tie the game up.

Fedde has been a bit inconstant over his last couple of performances and all year. Last night in Atlanta, Fedde faced the Braves for the fourth time this season as he gave up 19 hits and 16 runs in 11 1/3 innings, earning himself an 11.12 ERA in these previous three appearances.

Erick Fedde’s Line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 7 Ks, 3 HRs, 108 P, 70 S.

The Nationals manufactured offense last night with contributions from Luis Garica, Juan Soto, and Josh Bell. Bell hit his 20th double this season to put the Nationals up early in the game. Bell is has shown some pop over the past few games. He has had 14 hits in his last 16 games, going 19-60 (.317 AVG) with three doubles, five home runs, 12 RBI's, 11 walks, and seven runs scored. Bell has reached base safely in 30 of his 71 plate appearances with a ..423 OBP and .617 SLG in that stretch. Many, including myself, were wrong about Bell, and hopefully, the Nationals figure out a way to bring him back next year.

With the Nationals loss and Marlin's win, the Nationals are now in last place in the NL East with a 58-82 and 16.5 games back from the first-place Braves. The Nationals now head to Pittsburgh for a three-game series against the Pirates. The Pirates are 50-90 and in last place in the NL Central.

Brandon has our series preview as the Nationals head to Pittsburgh for the weekend, talking about the Pirates. The Nationals will be sending Josiah Gray, Patrick Corbin, and Paul Espino to the mound this weekend. Here is our preview.

In addition to Josh Bell, Carter Kieboom has performed extremely well since becoming the Nationals third baseman every day. Brandon takes a closer look at what is behind his recent resurgence. From the article: "Transitioning to post-deadline Kieboom, the pressure is off of him and the team with the sell-off and the removal of Starlin Castro, allowing Kieboom the reins to play third full time. In his 141 plate appearances starting August 1, Kieboom is batting .258, has an OBP of .340, SLG% of .435. One issue is strikeouts, with a K% of 26.8% for the entirety of 2021. Another thing that has not gone unnoticed by Nationals fans is that all six of Kieboom's home runs have come in the second half of this season."

Lastly but most importantly, tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. After that horrible day, our Nation was looking for ways to start the healing process and after a week off the country turned its eyes once again to New York, specifically to Flushing, Queens, and Shea Stadium, for a much-needed break. We take a closer look at that game.

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