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Offense explodes again as Washington Nationals top White Sox in series opener

By Pablo Roa

Jun 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) looks at his hit during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) looks at his hit during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /
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After beating the Reds 10-9 on Sunday, the Washington Nationals’ offense put on another show Tuesday night in a 10-5 win over the White Sox.

Despite an ineffective start from Joe Ross, the Washington Nationals beat the White Sox, 10-5, in the first game of a three-game series in Chicago Tuesday night.

The White Sox’ offense got things started early against Ross, who struggled mightily with his command during a 39-pitch bottom of the first inning. Chicago scored two runs in the frame, one on an RBI single off the bat of Jose Abreu, and the second on a bases-loaded walk by J.B. Shuck.

It was a forgettable inning for Ross, who walked three batters and allowed two hits in the frame. It also hindered the right-hander’s pitch count for the rest of the night. After two innings, Ross was already up to 65 pitches.

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The Nationals’ offense answered Chicago’s two-run first with two runs of their own in the top of the second. An RBI double off the bat of the suddenly-hot Anthony Rendon made it a 2-1 game, before an RBI groundout by Danny Espinosa tied the game at 2-2.

Unfortunately for the Nationals, Chicago’s offense wasn’t finished. The White Sox scored three runs in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly by Abreu and a two-run homer by Todd Frazier.

It was a rough start for Ross, who allowed five runs on five hits in just four innings of work. Command was a major issue for Ross, who walked four batters and only threw 56 of his 91 pitches for strikes.

Fortunately for Ross, the Nationals’ offense wasn’t going to let him get the loss.

A two-run homer by Rendon in the fourth trimmed the White Sox’ lead to 5-4. A two-run double by Bryce Harper an inning later gave the Nationals a 6-5 lead. From that point on, the Nationals never looked back.

A two-run double by Michael Taylor stretched the Nationals’ lead to 8-5 in the top of the sixth. A sac fly by Bryce Harper and a bases-loaded walk by Wilson Ramos later in the inning made it a 10-5 game.

After Ross left the game, Blake Treinen came in and dominated — pitching three scoreless innings while allowing just two hits. Oliver Perez and Yusmeiro Petit each pitched a scoreless frame of their own, securing a 10-5 win for the Nationals.

With tonight’s win, the Nationals improve their record to 35-23 on the season. They remain in first place in the NL East, leading the Mets by 3 1/2 games.

Next Up: The Nationals and White Sox will be back in action tomorrow night in Chicago. Right-hander Max Scherzer takes the mound for the Nationals, while James Shields gets the start for the White Sox. First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET.

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