Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Wilson Ramos Saves Day In 5-4 Win Over Diamondbacks
By Ricky Keeler
Aug 4, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) is congratulated by catcher Wilson Ramos (40) after earning a save against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park. The Washington Nationals won 5 – 4. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Nationals came into last night’s game reeling after losing four straight games. With the offense being the central focus of the team’s struggled, it was important for the team to get off to a fast start against Patrick Corbin.
The Nats were able to do that by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first after scoring four in the ninth inning the night before. Yunel Escobar got it started with a solo home run, and by the time Washington had one out in the inning, they were already ahead 3-0.
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Normally, that lead would be good enough for Max Scherzer, but the Nats’ ace had troubles with his command as he walked three straight batters for the second straight start. Ultimately, Arizona would battle back to put up three runs in the top of the fourth, which was culminated by a two-run double from Chris Owings.
Scherzer was still able to battle and give the Nats six strong innings. Then, he gave the ball to the Nats’ bullpen. The trio of Casey Janssen, Drew Storen, and Jonathan Papelbon held the Diamondbacks’ offense to one unearned run on one hit over the final three innings. While Escobar’s throwing error with two outs in the ninth, Papelbon got Cliff Pennington to groundout to pick up his second save as a National.
However, the big moment of the night came off the bat of Wilson Ramos in the bottom of the eighth. After Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth started the inning off with a walk and double, Ramos would follow up two batters later by blooping a single to score both runs and ultimately, win the game. It’s a big hit for Ramos, who has been a disappointment at the plate this season after a great start to the year.
Even though the Mets won in Miami last night and Washington remains one back in the NL East, this is the kind of game that can bring positivity back to a clubhouse and it could be a game that starts another long winning streak.
Before Rubby De La Rosa takes on Gio Gonzalez tonight at 7:05 PM ET (MASN2), check out my takeaways from last night’s 5-4 Nats win:
Next: Nats Get Off To Fast Start Vs. Corbin