Jul 31, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher
Aaron Barrett(30) throws during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit:
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Good morning DoD readers! As you get ready to start a new week, get caught up on all things Nats with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web in today’s District Daily!
Reliever Barrett among Nats’ September callups
LOS ANGELES — The Nationals made their September callups on Monday, recalling pitchers Aaron Barrett , Xavier Cedeno and Blake Treinen, catcher Sandy Leon and first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore from Triple-A Syracuse. Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. (left shoulder) also returned to the Major League club after a rehab assignment.
Before being sent to Syracuse in early August, Barrett, 26, was an integral part of the Nationals’ bullpen, going 3-0 with a 3.21 ERA in 40 games. His 11.50 strikeouts per nine innings ranks second among all rookie National League relievers this season, behind only Philadelphia’s Ken Giles (12.72). Read full article here.
The Nationals and Orioles lead by a lot on Labor Day. We’re in for a scare and a treat.
(Thomas Boswell, Washington Post)
How do you hold a lead that ought to be safe but isn’t?
How do you keep from choking in September when you have just enough of a division lead to relax? Or gag and be overtaken in a final week that feels like a slasher flick come to life?
How do you avoid the trap of “if we just play .500 we’ll be okay”? How do you ignore your magic number? How do you keep grinding in Games No. 140, 150 or 160?
And how do you prepare to play the team that’s chasing you six times in September when it has the underdog’s desperation edge?
The Washington Nationals and their fans, with a six-game lead in the NL East, are about to find out. Read full article here.
Jayson Werth: ‘I want another ring’
(Adam Kilgore, Washington Post)
On Aug. 11, Jayson Werth decided he needed a change. He required a cortisone injection to relieve his inflamed right shoulder, which sidelined him for five days. During that span, Werth came to believe a long follow-through in his swing caused the irritation in his shoulder. While he waited for the shot to take effect, he tinkered.
Have a couple of Werth’s swings lately reminded of you of the swing he used to homer in Game 4 of the 2012 NLDS? That’s because it’s almost the same. Read full article here.