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Washington Nationals: Sloppy Defense Leads to 7-6 Loss Against Braves

By Matt Holleran

Aug 21, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) watches his three run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) watches his three run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Poor defense cost the Washingotn Nationals today as they lost, 7-6, in the series finale against the Braves. 

The Washington Nationals looked for a four game sweep of the Atlanta Braves today, but poor defense and struggles by the bullpen spoiled their attempt at a sweep.

In the bottom of the second inning the Braves threatened for the first time. A single by Matt Kemp, and walks to Anthony Recker and Jace Peterson, loaded the bases with just one out. Gonzalez bared down, and struck out the next two batters leaving the bases loaded and keeping the game scoreless.

After Gio got out of the jam, the Nats got him some offense in the top of the third. With the bases loaded, Daniel Murphy grounded into a force out, scoring Gio Gonzalez and giving the Nationals the 1-0 lead. Bryce Harper came up next, and demolished his 22nd homer of the year to deep right field, increasing the lead to 4-0 Nats.

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In the bottom half of the inning, the Braves offense struck back. After allowing the first two men of the inning to reach base, Gonzalez gave up a two-run double to Nick Markakis, cutting the Nats lead in half at 4-2. The next batter, Matt Kemp, lifted a sac fly to center, scoring Markakis and making it a one run game at 4-3.

Both starters settled down nicely, and the neither offense scored until the top of the sixth inning, when the Nats got back on the scoreboard. After a walk to Ryan Zimmerman, Chris Heisey launched his 8th homer of the year, giving the Nationals a 6-3 lead.

Once again in the bottom half of the inning, the Braves responded with offense of their own. Anthony Recker doubled with one out, and Jace Peterson drove him in with an RBI single, cutting the Nats lead to 6-4. Gonzalez  was pulled after retiring the next batter, ending his day after a shaky outing, but keeping the Nats in a position to pull out the win.

Matt Kemp led off the bottom of the eighth inning, and crushed a solo homer off Yuemeiro Petit, making it a one run game at 6-5.

Jeff Francoeur followed with a single of his own, and Anthony Recker reached on a throwing error by Petit. This was the Nationals’ fifth error of the game, making it the first time in five years the Nats have made five errors in a game. After an intentional walk to Peterson, the bases were loaded with nobody out, and the game went into a rain delay.

After the rain delay, Blake Treinen came in with the bases loaded. Treinen got Beckham to ground into a 6-4-3 double play, but a run did score, tying the game at 6-6. After intentionally walking pinch hitter Ender Inciarte, Treinen got rookie Dansby Swanson to ground out, ending the threat.

With two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning and Shawn Kelly in for the Nats, Peterson launched a walk-off homer to right, giving Atlanta the 7-6 win.

Next Game: The Washington Nationals (73-50) will take on the Baltimore Orioles (67-55) at Camden Yards tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. ET. Stephen Strasburg (15-4 3.59) will take the mound for the Nats and will be opposed by Dylan Bundy (6-4 3.36) for the Orioles. You can catch the game on MASN2 or MLB Network.

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