The Nationals' slow offensive start has been concerning to some, worrisome to others and downright nerve-fraying to certain factions of the fanbase. For plenty, it's been maddening to watch them strike out, swinging or looking, so often. To see them come up small in large situations. To hit the ball on the screws, and right at a waiting fielder.
Jones got two hits and Bernadina drove in two runs to help the Netherlands upset South Korea 5-0 in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday.
Justin Upton, acquired with Johnson from Arizona in a seven-player trade on Thursday, had his first news conference on Tuesday. Brother B.J. was in the audience with the brothers' beaming parents, Manny and Yvonne.
Jason Heyward was in the audience as B.J. Upton was introduced Thursday as Atlanta's new centerfielder.
Free-agent outfielder B.J. Upton and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a five-year contract, a person familiar with the deal said Wednesday night.
Strange things transpire on baseball fields on October. Even by the standards of the month that creates baseball's legends and goats, what occurred Friday night under a shower of bottles and profanity and garbage at Turner Field was unusual.
Ryan Mattheus kept his eyes low, his words muffled. He berated himself. He called his inability to throw strikes in the decisive eighth inning Saturday night "inexcusable" and searched for the reason why his command deserted him.
Braves rookie shortstop Andrelton Simmons will miss at least a month with a broken right little finger.
