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Washington Nationals: Offense Sputters In Loss To White Sox

By Chris Lacey

Jun 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) throws against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) throws against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tonight, the Washington Nationals were unable to sweep the White Sox as they lost the series finale at U.S. Celluar Field, 3-1. 

The Washington Nationals were looking for a series sweep but had to settle for taking two out of three, as the offense fell flat in the 3-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Chicago’s offense pounced on Nats’ starter Gio Gonzalez during the first inning. Melky Cabrera smoked a two-run double to right field, which gave them a 2-0 lead. Then, later in the inning, Brett Lawrie hit another double to left field and increased their lead to 3-0.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Nats got on the board when Daniel Murphy led off with a solo home run to right field to cut the deficit to 3-1. The home run was Murphy’s 11th of the season.

The Nats squandered a terrific scoring opportunity in the sixth. They had runners on second and third with no outs, but Chris Heisey grounded into a fielder’s choice, and Jayson Werth ended the inning, by grounding into a 5-4-3 double play.

As for Gonzalez, he had a horrendous first inning, as he yielded three runs, but he did not give up a run over the last six innings of his outing.  The southpaw fanned 10 batters, issued two walks and allowed three runs on 115 pitches (72 strikes) in the loss.

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Miguel Gonzalez experienced better success on the mound for the White Sox. He tossed six innings, gave up one run on three hits, struck out five and allowed just the one home run on 78 pitches (50 strikes) in the win. The only blip in this outing for him was the home run allowed to Murphy.

The White Sox turned to the bullpen in the seventh with Zach Duke and Nate Jones combining to throw a scoreless inning, which included strikeouts of Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman.

After Shawn Kelley threw a scoreless eighth, the Washington Nationals had a chance to do some damage in the ninth off White Sox closer David Robertson. Werth and Bryce Harper each singled with two outs, but Murphy flied out to Cabrera in left field, which ended the game.

Even though the Nats entered this game having scored at least 10 runs in their last three games, but couldn’t generate many scoring opportunities in the series finale.

Next: Nats Select Kieboom And Dunning In 1st Round Of 2016 MLB Draft

Next Game: The Washington Nationals (36-24) will send Stephen Strasburg (9-0, 2.85 ERA) to the mound at Nats Park in the series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies (29-31) tomorrow night. Jeremy Hellickson (4-3, 3.80 ERA) gets the call for the Phillies. You can watch the game at 7:05 p.m. ET on MASN.

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