The Home for Washington Nationals Game Talk

Photo by Lynn G. for TalkNats

After yesterday’s bullpen meltdown, the Nationals really needed Stephen Strasburg to throw an 8-inning gem, and he delivered just that while going 8.0 innings and yielding 1 earned run on just 4 hits and no walks. Stras turned over the game to his All-Star closer, Sean Doolittle, who quickly closed out the game on just seven pitches although there were was an umpiring delay between pitches which added to the drama of the game. The D.C. offense jumped on Jon Lester early and knocked him out at 4 1/3 innings. With this Nationals win in this game 5-2 game, it was Brian Dozier and Juan Soto providing the much needed bulk of the RBIs.  Continue reading →

Photo by Lynn G. for TalkNats

It is hard to believe that this was a 1-run game entering the top of the 8th inning before the Nats bullpen imploded — again — and allowed a winnable game to slip away quickly. The bullpen gave up 5 home runs in this game in just 3.0 innings of work. Max Scherzer certainly was not his sharpest but he only gave up 3-runs over 6 innings, and his offense had numerous opportunities to get ahead in the game. Emphasis on the word “numerous”. To add to the misery, two more Nats player went down in an insult to injury as the team saw Victor Robles get plunked on his wrist by Cubs starter Cole Hamels, and Robles headed to the x-ray room, and in addition, reliever Justin Miller (rotator cuff strain) exited after surrendering a 2-run home run and wincing in pain. The Nationals bullpen ERA ballooned to 6.82 after this disastrous game as they gave up 11-runs in their 3.0 innings of work. Continue reading →

The Nats won a series and a big game this afternoon on the back of Gerardo Parra who was a triple shy of hitting for a cycle on a perfect batting day. The Nats bullpen had to go into overtime after Anibal Sanchez pulled his hamstring and exited the game in the middle of the second inning. Continue reading →

Photo by Navy Yard Nats for TalkNats

The difference a day makes. With Patrick Corbin on the mound, the Nationals return to the win column in a game they dominated right from the start with a 3-run first inning. The 29,673 fans in attendance were treated to a Trea Turner bobblehead and a spirited Nats win. Corbin went 8.0 inning giving up just one run on 4 hits with 11 strikeouts on 108 pitches. All nine of the Nationals hits were accumulated in the 1-5 spots in the batting order with Victor Robles and Howie Kendrick getting two hits each and Anthony Rendon with a trio of hits.  Continue reading →

Wilmer Difo after his gaffe, and a picture says 1,000 words.

The game started off with an ominous sign when shortstop Wilmer Difo could not make a good throw on a tailor-made doubleplay to end the first inning. Taking advantage of the Nats gaffe, the Mets put two more baserunners on for Wilson Ramos who swung at a ball under the zone for a grand slam that slammed the door on the Nats tonight in the first inning. The team only got 2-runs back after being no-hit for 5 innings, and the team fell 9 games below .500 with this 6-2 loss. There were few positives in the game besides Victor Robles 2-run home run.  Continue reading →