Jac Caglianone (elbow) out sixth straight game

Pinckney has been up-and-down for the Nationals over the last few weeks. He heads back to the minors with Washington set to bring up some pitching help in advance of Friday’s series opener against the Cardinals.

Snell elaborated that he experienced some left groin tightness while warming up and decided not to push it after throwing a scoreless opening frame against the Reds. He also noted that it’s not as severe as groin issues that he’s dealt with in previous years. There should be a clearer idea of his next steps once he resumes throwing in a couple days. The positive news for the Dodgers is it doesn’t appear to be a worst-case scenario for Snell with the playoffs right around the corner.

Bassitt spent most of this game in the proverbial rocking chair. The Mets finally pushed a runner into scoring position by the fourth inning and they only got there due to a balk from Bassitt. That set up the only run he’d allowed and afterwards, he retired seven batters in a row before being pulled as the Mets threatened in the seventh. Reliever Anthony Nunez would neutralize said threat and preserve an excellent final line for Bassitt. Reaching back for a little extra, Bassitt’s velocity was up by more than a tick across the board and his 14 swings-and-misses tied his season-high. Overall, it was a great series for Orioles players who were former Mets to get some revenge. Bassitt is scheduled to face the Blue Jays at home next week in what figures to be his final start of the season.

The Orioles unloaded on Mets’ starter Xzavion Curry here for four homers and a double. Encarnacion-Strand was responsible for one of those long balls and the double as he continues his late season renaissance since joining Baltimore. In 51 games, he has 10 home runs, 12 doubles, and an .846 OPS. Still just 26 years old, this could be the breakout many thought was in front of Encarnacion-Strand a few years ago.

As all the eyes this series were on the Mets’ former first baseman, their current one had a solid game. He scored their only run and was practically the only member of their lineup to put together consistently solid at-bats against Orioles’ starter Chris Bassitt with a trio of hard-hit balls in total. On the season, he has a respectable .763 OPS while working as a strong-side platoon option.

This looked more like batting practice than a competitive game. Pete Alonso took Curry deep in the first inning in what’s been an eventful homecoming for the slugger. Then, Jeremiah Jackson did the same in the second before Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Samuel Basallo socked back-to-back homers in the third. Thrust into action after the scheduled starter Robert Stock was placed on the injured list Wednesday afternoon, Curry did not rise to the occasion as an emergency option. He may get another start next week in Texas against the Rangers to close out the season.

It was as if Wheeler didn’t break a sweat during this start. He only needed 91 pitches to get through these seven shutout innings and just one runner reached scoring position. Of the four hits he let up, only two left the infield as he commanded his entire repertoire beautifully. His fastball was regularly at the letters or elevated above the zone, his cutter consistently bearing down on the hands of the Nationals’ left-handed batters, and his splitter diving low and below the zone practically every single time he threw it. This was the exact type of start the reeling Phillies needed and Wheeler is scheduled for a potentially marquee matchup with the Brewers next time out. He could wind up with a second start if the end of the regular season gets hairy, but it’s difficult to predict that.

Completely overpowering, 10 of Duran’s 21 pitches in this ninth inning were at least 100 mph and 16 came in at least 98 mph. He hasn’t blown a save since late July and it was nice to see him look dominant after letting up a run and taking a loss in two of his last three appearances.

The Nationals literally could not get Bohm out here. The three walks he drew were three of 13 total by Washington pitchers in this game and the first time Bohm walked thrice since June of the 2021 season. He had a catastrophic first half of the season, but has been red-hot since the All-Star break with a .314/.383/.461 slash line as the Phillies push towards the postseason.

In a game where the Nationals were shut out by Zack Wheeler and the Phillies’ bullpen, Lile accounted for exactly half of their four total hits. Similar to last season, it’s been a strong half for the left-handed hitting outfielder with an .823 OPS, 11 home runs, and six stolen bases since the All-Star break.