The Home for Washington Nationals Game Talk

Bob Henley and Adam Eaton; Photo by Jim Osborn for TalkNats

The Nationals have been the team that never gives up, and they came back from a 4-1 deficit to tie it up in the 9th inning and hang a blown save on the Braves bullpen. But Sean Doolittle gave up a home run to Josh Donaldson in the 10th inning, and the Nats had two runners on in the bottom of the 10th inning and could not push across any runs. Rewind back to the 6th inning when pinch-hitter Howie Kendrick walked and Trea Turner laced a double into the gap with no outs — but for some reason, third base coach Bob Henley windmilled Kendrick home and he was easily thrown out for the first out of the inning and the Nationals did not score in that inning. What was Henley thinking sending Kendrick who was recovering this year from an achilles injury and a hamstring injury. Howie is not the speedster he once was, and with Adam Eaton, Anthony Rendon, and Juan Soto behind them in the order — you move the line!  Continue reading →

Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats

Every Nats starter had a hit in this game, but clawing back from a 9-run hole courtesy of Nats starter Erick Fedde proved to be too deep of a hole as the Nationals lost 11-8. It was good to see Howie Kendrick once again pummeling the ball as he went 3-5 in the game, and Trea Turner, Yan Gomes, and Juan Soto each added home runs. There is no way to put a positive spin on Fedde’s night as he was pulled at 3 2/3 innings and gave up 9-runs on 9-hits with four walks. If there is any good news, manager Dave Martinez only used his “B” bullpen and saved all of his back-end arms thanks to Javy Guerra who mopped up 3 1/3 innings while Michael Blazek and Tony Sipp closed out the game. Continue reading →

When Patrick Corbin needed some more run support, Anthony Rendon took the 2-2 tie and in an instant made it 6-2 with a 412 foot grand slam that left his bat as a no-doubter at 105 mph into the leftfield stands in Section 105 of Nationals Park among the Nats faithful. Corbin who exited after he completed the top of the 6th inning in a tied game needed some runs in the bottom of the 6th to have a chance at a win otherwise it would have been a no-decision, and Rendon obliged. Corbin’s teammates came through as the Nats defeated the Braves to cut their lead in the NL East to 4.5 games. Continue reading →

Photo by Lynn G. for TalkNats

Once again, Stephen Strasburg was the “stopper” for the Washington Nationals and led them to a victory with a gem while putting an end to a three-game losing streak. His manager, Dave Martinez, and starting rightfielder, Adam Eaton, both had to watch the game from the clubhouse after they were ejected in the first inning. All the offense Stras would need was Brian Dozier‘s 2-run oppo home run, and for good measure, Strasburg once again swung the bat and added a RISP RBI hit to help his own cause. Sure, the Dodgers added some meaningless runs in the 9th inning in this 11-4 Nats blow-out win, but they were stymied all day by Strasburg who was throwing a perfect game until midway in the 5th inning. His final line was 7.0 IP 1 ER 2 H 0 BB 9 K for his 14th win of the season which leads the Majors, and his ERA is now 3.26.  Continue reading →