Max Scherzer didn’t have his best stuff tonight, and it works that way sometimes that you get a win when you give up 4 runs. Wilson Ramos is now batting .381 and had 2 hits with RISP. Daniel Murphy had a huge 1st inning 2 run HR. Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman continue to get on-base any way they can and it was smart baserunning by Ryan Zimmerman to tag up on a foul ball that created the game winning RBI by Ramos on an infield hit.
The bullpen continued to be perfect with Blake Treinen and Felipe Rivero getting Holds and Jonathan Papelbon got his 4th save in 4 attempts. A technicality in the way it works sometimes, Matt Belisle also got a Hold even though he gave up a single after retiring 1 batter and got pulled.
Wilson Ramos threw out Mallex Smith which snuffed the Braves attempt to get things going for his team. On the other side, the Nats had 4 stolen bases including a double steal by Taylor and Harper. Taylor and Harper had 2 steals each. The Davey Lopes effect at work here.
Michael Taylor with his best offensive production so far as he had two hits tonight and showing signs where he is coming around to right his batting average.
Dusty Baker as Wally pointed out has worked his starter and bullpen plans well as he has pulled the right strings to help squeak out wins in close games.
The strike zone was a moving target much of the night as you can see on the chart below.
Call hurts #Nationals
Ball 1 should be strike 2
Top 9 Papelbon vs Beckham
10% call same
3.1in from edge pic.twitter.com/g6neSpjYtx— Nats Strike Zone (@NationalsUmp) April 12, 2016
The Nats win!
.@WRamosc3 went 4-for-4 as the #Nats topped the #Braves. And don't you dare run on him: https://t.co/MEA19SNm5j pic.twitter.com/x7QlLu6jJf
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 12, 2016
That's a final! Papelbon closes it out & the #Nats top the #Braves, 6-4 – their 11th straight home win over Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/VMDVg2OKnK
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 12, 2016
