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Washington Nationals: Three Takeaways From 7-6 Loss To Royals

By Ricky Keeler

May 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) cannot make the tag as Kansas City Royals outfielder Terrence Gore (0) steals second base in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) cannot make the tag as Kansas City Royals outfielder Terrence Gore (0) steals second base in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) cannot make the tag as Kansas City Royals outfielder Terrence Gore (0) steals second base in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

For the second time this year, the Washington Nationals end up losing the game to the Royals due to a blown save by Jonathan Papelbon

Last night, the Washington Nationals (18-8) were three outs away from improving to 5-0 on this tough ten game road trip. However, they saw something that everyone has seen the last two years from the Kansas City Royals (14-12), which is that they keep fighting until the last out.

The Royals scored four runs in the final two innings, including three against Jonathan Papelbon in the bottom of the ninth to pull off a 7-6 win. This took away a win from Tanner Roark, who was able to pitch into the eighth inning as he put up another strong outing. Instead, it was former National Chien-Ming Wang, who got the win for Kansas City.

On offense, while Bryce Harper’s slump continues (one hit in his last 23 at-bats), the other bats in the lineup have been able to step up and help him out. Anthony Rendon hit his first home run of the season, Wilson Ramos went 3-for-4 in his first game since coming off the bereavement list, and Daniel Murphy hit his third home run of the year.

Despite a tough loss last night, the Washington Nationals still have a chance to win the series this afternoon and secure nothing worse than a .500 road trip with four games left against the Cubs, starting tomorrow night.

Before Stephen Strasburg takes on Kris Medlen in the series finale this afternoon (2:15 p.m ET, MASN), here are my three takeaways from last night’s 7-6 loss to the Royals:

Next: Roark Puts Up Good Performance

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