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The Washington Nationals have been in a need of a game without mistakes, and the only one came on the stadium construction that should have been a pop-up out that turned into a freebie do-over that led to a home run — and the only run that Tampa would score in the game. The Nats were as close to flawless as you could get. Without the do-over, starter Jake Irvin would have had a 6.0 inning no-hitter and a shutout going. Instead, manager Dave Martinez gave the ball to his bullpen after the 6th inning — or should we say — his rested bullpen, to close it out an 8-1 win.

The Washington Nationals have a lot of work ahead of them as they have fallen to fourth place in the NL East. The mathematical second half of the season begins today. With T-2 days until the arrival of James Wood, here is to new beginnings. Right now, we have to find our optimism in tiny slivers of hope. Do you remember the “Hope Row” story? This is just the beginning as general manager Mike Rizzo said there would be top prospects (plural) called up. You have to think Dylan Crews is enjoying the strike zone and ABS challenge system in Triple-A. He’s pushed his K rate down to nearly 10 percent. Wood will likely head out of Rochester with an OPS over 1.000. Help is on the way from Hope Row.

The Washington Nationals averaged 6-runs scored per game in San Diego, and need keep that up in Tampa tonight as well as the team has to get back to some ace pitching and shutdown bullpenning.

At the end of the game tonight, the Nats’ season is mathematically half completed. The team opens the series at 4-games under .500, and they have to get back to their winning ways.

The Washington Nationals have averaged 6.5 runs per game so far in San Diego, and that should have been enough to produce two wins if the defense and pitching did their jobs. They didn’t.

The Nationals are the 6th worst defensive team in baseball not counting their catching defense — and if you remove Jacob Young — the Nats are the worst by far. The plays not made are piling up. A flyball to Lane Thomas, a grounder to Luis Garcia Jr., a throw to Nick Senzel, a scoop by Joey Meneses are all recent costly missed plays … in the past few days. The infield has looked like swiss cheese for groundballs finding the fertile green outfield grass for back-breaking hits.

Would you be surprised if you learned that Abrams leads the Nationals in the worst fielding per Statcast, and also most recently in the worst baserunning. You want to be paid like Bobby Witt Jr.? Play a complete game like Witt! Going 3-for-3 then getting picked-off twice won’t get you the massive contract. You have to play all parts of the game, not just hit the ball.

The Washington Nationals had one of their best comebacks of the season yesterday, with contributions from players in the back of the lineup. Unfortunately, another blown save negated a great win. That happens to all teams in experiencing a heartbreak loss. It is what you do in the next game that says more. That is what the Nats did on Sunday, after a Saturday night blown save.

The Washington Nationals arrived in San Diego last night just one-half game behind the Padres in the Wild Card standings. A Nationals win tonight, and the teams flip-flop spots. Can Patrick Corbin and his team replicate what they did with him on the mound in Boston? Corbin has pitched four games this season giving up 1-run or less, can he make it five games tonight?