MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:
No team release available.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS NOTES:
BACK AND FORTH AFFAIR
The Washington Nationals fell to the Miami Marlins, 6-5, in a hard-fought matchup on Friday night…Washington fought back from early 2-0 and 4-2 deficits to tie the game at 5-5 heading into the fifth inning…Miami plated one run in the eighth inning and would hold on to secure the victory.
- Lane Thomas (2-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, R), Jeimer Candelario (3-for-5, 3 2B, R) and Joey Meneses (1- for-3, 2 RBI) led the offense.
WE WANT CANDY!
Jeimer Candelario leads National League third basemen in wins above replacement (2.0) and third with three defensive runs saved, according to FanGraphs.com.
- His 20 doubles are tied for most among National League third basemen and are tied for fourth in the National League overall.
- Candelario matched a Nationals record (2005-pres.) with three doubles on Friday night vs. Miami.
- Over the last 27 games, Candelario his hitting .313/.414/.586 with 11 doubles, two triples, four homers, 16 RBI, 13 walks and 17 runs scored…The 11 doubles are tied for third-most in Major League Baseball since May 15.
- Canelario is 11-for-16 (.688) with six doubles and a homer against the Marlins this season.
LEADOFF LANE
Lane Thomas is hitting .304/.346/.577 with 12 doubles, two triples, 10 homers, 23 RBI, 10 walks, four stolen bases and 32 runs scored since May 1.
- He ranks in the National League in extra-base hits (T2nd, 24), hits (5th, 51), doubles (T7th, 12) and slugging percentage (11th, .577) since May 1.
- On the season, he ranks 10th in the National League in batting average (.288), seventh in hits (76) and ninth in runs scored (45).
- All of his team-leading 10 home runs have come since May 1.
- On defense, Thomas has recorded six outfield assists, tied for the most among National League outfielders.
LEFT IS RIGHT
The Nationals rank second in the National League with a .347 on-base percentage against left-handed pitching…Their .294 batting average against lefties ranks third in the National League behind Atlanta (.299) and Miami (.295).
- Dominic Smith (5th, .325) and Luis García (9th, .288) rank among National League left-handed hitters against left-handed pitchers this season.
- Lane Thomas is tied for second in Major League Baseball with 30 hits off left-handed pitchers this season, and ranks in the National League in batting average (5th, .361), on-base percentage (9th, .418) and slugging percentage (10th, .639) against lefties.
CHECKIN’ IN ON THE ‘PEN
A few of Washington’s relievers find themselves among the best in baseball:
- Carl Edwards Jr. (T3rd, 13) and Hunter Harvey (T10th, 11) each rank in the top 10 in the National League in holds.
- Kyle Finnegan is tied for sixth in the National League with 11 saves.
- In his last seven games, Mason Thompson has posted a 0.00 ERA (7.0 IP) with six strikeouts, two walks and a .208 opponents’ average (5-for-24)…All five hits have been singles.
- Jordan Weems has not allowed a hit in his last three relief appearances (0-for-12)…He has six strikeouts and just one walk in 4.0 innings across those outings.
ON-BASE MACHINE
Joey Meneses has reached safely in 29 of his last 32 games, hitting .333/.388/.444 with nine doubles, one triple, one homer, 24 RBI, 12 walks and 17 runs scored during the stretch.
- Meneses ranks in the National League in average with runners in scoring position (3rd, .439), hits (6th, 78) and batting average (8th, .298).
- Meneses is hitting .522 (24-for-46) against right-handed pitchers with runners in scoring position, the best mark in Major League Baseball ahead of Miami’s Luis Arraez (.459).
STARTING PITCHER – #74 JAKE IRVIN
Tall right-handed starter was added to Washington’s 40-man roster following the 2022 season…Has the “Best Control” in Washington’s system, per Baseball America…Joins other University of Oklahoma pitchers Cade Cavalli (2020 Draft) and Jake Bennett (2022 Draft) in the Nationals organization….Is the 25th pitcher drafted/signed and developed by the Washington Nationals to start a game for Washington (2005-pres.).
LAST START
Allowed four runs (three of them earned) on five hits with three walks and one strikeout on June 6 against Arizona…He took a no decision in Washington’s 10-5 defeat.
FIRST MAJOR LEAGUE WIN
Earned his first Major League win on May 8 at San Francisco…Tossed 6.1 shutout innings with five strikeouts, three walks and four hits allowed…With the outing, Irvin became the first pitcher in Nationals history (2005-pres.) to finish one of his first two career starts with at least 6.0 scoreless innings.
FIRST MAJOR LEAGUE START
Made his Major League debut at home against the Chicago Cubs…Allowed one run on two hits in 4.1 IP with four walks and three strikeouts…Took a no decision but the Nationals won the game 2-1.
THE STORY OF HIS CURVEBALL
As told to Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post: “To Irvin, baseball was more about having fun than plotting a future. He learned his curveball grip by messing around in the backyard. He honed the pitch by throwing it from shortstop to first base during practice, a way of messing with his teammates.”
- Opposing batters are 6-for-37 (.162) with 12 strikeouts against his curveball.
ANNOUCING HIS PRESENCE WITH AUTHORITY
With his first Major League pitch, Irvin hit Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner in the back…According to Elias Sports Bureau, Irvin was the first pitcher since 2000 to hit a batter with the first pitch he threw in his MLB debut as a starting pitcher.
2023 IN TRIPLE-A
Irvin made five starts for Triple-A Rochester this season…He went 2-2 with a 5.65 ERA (14 R/22.1 IP).
