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Washington Nationals Recap: Matt den Dekker Pinch-Hit Double Helps Nats Defeat Braves, 3-1

By Ricky Keeler

Apr 6, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Matt den Dekker (21) hits a two RBI double as Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) is shown on the play in the seventh inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Matt den Dekker (21) hits a two RBI double as Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) is shown on the play in the seventh inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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On a night when Stephen Strasburg made Nats’ history, Matt den Dekker’s pinch-hit double in the 7th helped the Nats sweep the Braves

Tonight, the Washington Nationals offense failed to score against Atlanta Braves’ starter Bud Norris for the first six innings. However, in the seventh, the Nats used heads up baserunning by Ryan Zimmerman and a clutch pinch-hit double by Matt den Dekker to help Stephen Strasburg get the win, 3-1. The Nationals will now head home to Nats Park with a 2-0 record after getting the mini-sweep of Atlanta at Turner Field.

Before the game today, den Dekker was called up to the Nats to replace Ben Revere, who went on the 15-day disabled list due to an oblique injury:

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As for Strasburg, he had a strong opening outing of 2016. The right-hander went six innings, gave up one run on six hits, struck out four, and walked three on 88 pitches (57 strikes) in the win. When he struck out Norris to lead off the bottom of third, he passed Jordan Zimmermann for the most strikeouts in Nats’ history.

The only inning where Strasburg had some command concerns was the bottom of the fourth. Adonis Garcia led off the inning with a base hit to center, but was thrown out at second on a good throw by Michael Taylor. After one-out walks to Nick Markakis and Hector Olivera, A.J. Pierzynski hit the first pitch into right-center for a base hit that drove in Markakis, but Taylor made another good throw to get him at second base.

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Unlike Monday afternoon, the Braves’ defense took some hits away from the Nats today early in the game. In the top of the fourth, Zimmerman hit a ball to right center that Ender Inciarte made a great diving catch on. Bryce Harper would end up being doubled up on the play.

In the top of the seventh, the Nats finally broke through against Norris. Zimmerman would lead off with a single to right and advance to second two batters later on a groundout to first by Jayson Werth.

Then, Wilson Ramos hit an infield single to short, but because of a bad throw by Erick Aybar, Zimmerman tried to score and was able to on a bad throw by Freddie Freeman. After Danny Espinosa was intentionally walked, den Dekker, who was pinch-hitting for Strasburg, hit a two-run double off the wall in right to put the Nats in front, 3-1. Norris went seven innings, gave up three runs on six hits, struck out four, and walked two on 98 pitches (59 strikes) in the loss.

Once the Nationals took the lead, the bullpen did their job. Shawn Kelley got the first out of the seventh, then Felipe Rivero came in. Rivero went 1.2 innings, did not give up a hit, and struck out two of the five batters he faced.

In the ninth, Jonathan Papelbon ran into a bit of trouble. After striking out Freeman to begin the inning, Garcia and Markakis had back-to-back singles. Then, Hector Olivera hit a groundout to short that looked to be a double play, but Daniel Murphy made a bad throw to first. However, Papelbon struck out Pierzynski swinging to end the game and record his second save of the year.

Next: District Daily: Nats Happy To Have Murphy On Board

Next Game: The Washington Nationals will play their first home game of 2016 tomorrow afternoon against the Miami Marlins (0-2). You can catch the game at 4:05 p.m. on MASN. Adam Conley gets the start for Miami against Tanner Roark for the Nats.

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