The Nationals bats were mostly quiet except for Ryan Zimmerman so the Nationals did it old-school with great starting pitching, defense, and a solid bullpen. The Nationals win 3-2 and leave Atlanta with a 4 game winning streak.
The Nationals improve their record to 10-5 and were able to win this team with their best defensive outfield with Adam Eaton in leftfield and Michael Taylor in centerfield and Bryce Harper in rightfield. All three turned in one spectacular catch a piece. Not to be outdone, Anthony Rendon at 3rd base had the play of the year robbing a double down the line which would have tied the game. Honorable mention to Wilmer Difo who robbed R.A. Dickey on a slow roller with the bases loaded and one out.
The disappointment in the game besides the offense was the shaky defense of Grant Green at second base. He misplayed two balls that turned into singles and led to the two runs in the game.
Strasburg continues the great Nationals’ starting pitcher as he went 7 strong striking out 10 batters and lowering his ERA to 2.89.
“Our defense, and this is what we preach all the time,” Dusty Baker said after the game. “Finally tonight we corralled Freddie Freeman.”
Oliver Perez, Koda Glover, and Shawn Kelley completed 2 scoreless innings for the Nationals bullpen tonight and respectively earned Holds and a Save.
Here is the video link on the Ryan Zimmerman game winning two-run home run, and on this link is the defensive Web Gems compiled on one video.
