Koda Glover throws shutout inning for Triple-A Syracuse

Right-handed reliever Koda Glover had a better outing in his second minor league rehab appearance for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday night.

Glover, recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, pitched a shutout inning, allowing no hits, no walks and striking out one for the Chiefs against Louisville. It was his fifth rehab appearance overall.

This was his best showing since his minor league rehab began on July 7. On July 18, in his first game for Syracuse, Glover allowed one run on three hits. He struck out two.

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said he expected Glover to pitch in "eight or nine" rehab games before his possible return to the Nationals. He is already halfway past that goal.

In five games for three affiliates, including two starts, Glover has a 4.76 ERA over 5 2/3 innings. He has allowed three runs on eight hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.

* Outfielder Victor Robles played in his first minor league rehab game for short-season Single-A Auburn on Friday. He went 1-for-4 with a single to left field and did not strike out.

It wasn't THAT long ago that top @Nationals prospect Victor Robles came through Auburn. Rehabbing with the @Doubledays tonight, he delivered this single. https://t.co/ut2Or22ZqU pic.twitter.com/6EY9ho6G7z

-- Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 21, 2018

Robles is batting .343 with 12 hits, one double, two RBIs and six stolen bases in 13 rehab games. He has been recovering from an elbow injury since early April.

* Outfielder Adam Eaton had more to say Friday night after the Nationals' 8-5 loss to the Braves. He talked about finding other ways to manufacture offense besides the home run, which the Nationals have gotten used to the past few seasons.

"Like I said, we're not all going to be there this year. It's not going to be .320 with 40 (homers) at the end of the year," Eaton said. "Hopefully, we can realize that and scrape together more runs and try to really produce them instead of trying to hit the ball over the fence. You can only beat your head against the wall so many times. It's going to give, one way or the other. We're either going to start doing that, or we're going to start hitting. And it's going to happen sooner rather than later."

It is a critical realization by Eaton that the Nats must find new ways to produce offense. The bunt and double steal in the first inning Friday is a good way to begin that new strategy.