The Morning Briefing: September 20

Good morning, Washington Nationals fans.

Here are the latest headlines and analyses around the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball for today, September 4.

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Welcome to the Morning Briefing!

Leading this Morning's Briefing: One PC Start Remains

Patrick Corbin made his penultimate start for the Nationals yesterday, and unfortunately it went kind of like too many of his starts have gone over the past five seasons. He was vital to the 2019 World Series-winning team, but I will be relieved to not have to watch him anymore beyond next week against the Royals.

Last Game Out

The Nats dropped a back-and-forth affair in the opener of their four-game series on the North Side, but at least it was a competitive, exciting game unlike their final two in Queens. The Nats stranded the go-ahead run in scoring position in the ninth inning when Andrés Chaparro flew out to left with two men on base - hopefully the Nats can rebound tomorrow and even up the series.

Nationals Headline of the Day: Baker Gets a Start

As a four-year-old, Darren Baker led Wrigley Field in singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Over twenty years later, he got to make his first major league start there in place of the injured Luis García Jr., and oh by the way had a three-hit day.

Down on the Farm

While the Chicago Cubs were beating the Nats, Rochester was beating the Iowa Cubs 4-3. Both Orlando Ribalta and Carlos Romero pitched well in relief, with Ribalta recording three of four outs via strikeout and getting the win.

Featured Baseball Story of the Day

I mean, could it be anything else?

And he did it while creating the 50-50 club. Absolutely bonkers.

Former National of the Day

Chad Tracy was firmly ensconced as a lefty bench bat by the time he reached Washington - his fourth and final team - before the 2012 season. Tracy was a strong hitter in the Nats' first playoff season with a .269/.343/.441 line, but managed to hit just .202/.243/.326 the following season, which wound up being his ninth and last major league season. He is not to be confused with the other baseball Chad Tracy, son of former manager Jim and himself a minor league manager for the AAA Worcester WooSox (and a college acquaintance of mine from Pepperdine).

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