Nats Take Matinee, 3-0
By Scott Bline
Jun 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) hits a double during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
On a rather unusual day where the Nationals and Cubs played a scheduled double-header, game one went to the Nats 3-0.
Gio Gonzalez (5-4) came into Saturday’s matinee with a 7 2/3 inning scoreless streak, and he extended that streak to 14 2/3 with seven scoreless. Gonzalez threw six shutout innings against the Brewers on Monday, and he was equally impressive today as he went seven innings of two-hit ball with two walks and seven strikeouts. It is Gonzalez’s third start since returning from the disabled list.
The Nats first run came in the sixth, when Anthony Rendon scored on a wild pitch. In the eighth, Rendon tripled home Denard Span. Adam LaRoche’s sacrifice fly plated Rendon to give the Nats the 3-0 lead.
For the Cubs Dallas Beeler made his Major League debut, and he kept the Nats batters off balance all day. Beeler threw six innings, allowing the one unearned run on four hits and three walks while striking out six. Beeler also singled off Gonzalez in his first big league at-bat, so congratulations to you sir.
Rafael Soriano pitched the ninth for his 19th save. Soriano has not allowed a hit in his last five outings and has not allowed a run in his last seven.
Entering Saturday, Rendon was 3-for-8 in the prior two games in the series, and this afternoon he went 3-for-4, falling a home run short of the cycle. Rendon accounted for all of the Nats runs, scoring two and driving in one. Span also had a great game at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a walk. Nate McLouth, playing right-field for Jayson Werth, went 2-for-4. The three hitters accounted for all seven of the Nats hits.
Span’s contribution to the game also extended to the field when he made a great overhead catch in the fourth, perilously close to Wrigley’s ivy covered walls, and then pulling of a running catch and throw to first for a double-play.
Many of the Nats regulars sat for the opening game. Danny Espinosa, Werth, and Wilson Ramos all sat out the early game.
The matinee win broke a three-game losing streak by the Nats. In the late game, the Nats send Blake Treinen (0-3) to face off against Jeff Samardzija (2-6). There are rumors that Samardzija is pretty good.