Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Max Scherzer Has Been Everything Nats Could Have Hoped For
By Ricky Keeler
Jun 20, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) is congratulated by third base coach Bob Henley (14) after hitting a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Nats Offense Breaks Game Open In The 6th
In the backdrop of Scherzer’s perfect game bid, Francisco Liriano was having a good game of his own. Through 5.1 innings, Liriano had only given up three hits, one of them being a Bryce Harper home run and another was a single by Scherzer in the third inning.
With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Denard Span struck out swinging, but Francisco Cervelli could not find the ball, which allowed Span to go to first. After stealing second, Anthony Rendon drove Span in with a RBI double to left field. Not only did Span steal his eighth base of the season, but the Nats have stolen three bases in two games this series.
After the Rendon double, Bryce Harper drove in his second run with a base hit to left to make the score 3-0. Three batters later, the Nats had a chance to break the game open with runners at second and third and two outs. That’s when Tyler Moore came up with the clutch hit. Moore singled to center and drove in Harper and Wilson Ramos to cap a four run sixth inning and end Liriano’s afternoon.
Last week, it was Clint Robinson’s series to shine in Milwaukee. This week, Moore is taking advantage of his playing time against the Pirates. In the last two days, Moore is 3-for-6 with two RBI’s and has raised his average from .177 to .200.
After going 4-for-17 with runners in scoring position Friday night, the Nationals took full advantage of their scoring opportunities yesterday, going 3-for-5 in those situations. Harper’s home run is the only long ball the team has hit in this series, but the Nats have shown that they are capable of stringing hits together and playing small ball when they have to in order to get the job done.