Max Scherzer played the role of stopper, and the four game losing streak has ended! The Nationals won behind some great Scherzer pitching, and a Ryan Zimmerman three-run home run which cut the Magic Number to 3 then minutes later Ender Inciarte went over the outfield wall to rob Yoenis Cespedes of what would have been a three-run walk-off home run winner and instead was the game-ender as the Braves beat the Mets 4-3 to cut the Nationals’ Magic Number to 2.
All of the Nats starters, including pitcher Max Scherzer, had one hit in the game except Danny Espinosa who reached base on a walk. Trea Turner could be the happiest about his hit in the game which was a 402′ home run and was his only hit in this three-game series.
Turner was playing each game in front of dozens of family and friends who traveled over an hour from Palm Beach County and some traveled even further. It was originally reported that Turner purchased forty tickets per game, and those who were there tonight got to witness Turner’s 12th home run of the season which is the 6th highest total for a Nationals rookie.
“I didn’t have to listen to my mom yell at me or anything,” Trea Turner responded with some humor about his worst series of the season. “It’s fun having them all here. I get to see them every day they come down. Family, friends, everybody. It’s nice to get a chance to play here. Last year, I was here, but I didn’t play much. It was good to get in there.”
Dusty Baker knows that sometimes playing in front of so many family and friends causes a young player to change their approach.
“When you play in front of your parents, your uncles, cousins and home boys and everybody, you want to do well, and sometimes you try too hard,” Baker said. “This is probably the worst series he’s had. But it’s great for him to play in front of everybody. But I’m sure he’ll be more relaxed when we get to Pittsburgh.”
The Nationals have a much needed day-off tomorrow in Pittsburgh, and will rest up for their weekend series with the Pirates.
There is now 10 games remaining in the regular season and the Nationals improve to 89-63 on the season.
