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Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Wilson Ramos Saves Day In 5-4 Win Over Diamondbacks

By Ricky Keeler |
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Aug 4, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) is congratulated by catcher Wilson Ramos (40) after earning a save against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park. The Washington Nationals won 5 – 4. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals came into last night’s game reeling after losing four straight games. With the offense being the central focus of the team’s struggled, it was important for the team to get off to a fast start against Patrick Corbin.

The Nats were able to do that by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first after scoring four in the ninth inning the night before. Yunel Escobar got it started with a solo home run, and by the time Washington had one out in the inning, they were already ahead 3-0.

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Normally, that lead would be good enough for Max Scherzer, but the Nats’ ace had troubles with his command as he walked three straight batters for the second straight start. Ultimately, Arizona would battle back to put up three runs in the top of the fourth, which was culminated by a two-run double from Chris Owings.

Scherzer was still able to battle and give the Nats six strong innings. Then, he gave the ball to the Nats’ bullpen. The trio of Casey Janssen, Drew Storen, and Jonathan Papelbon held the Diamondbacks’ offense to one unearned run on one hit over the final three innings. While Escobar’s throwing error with two outs in the ninth, Papelbon got Cliff Pennington to groundout to pick up his second save as a National.

However, the big moment of the night came off the bat of Wilson Ramos in the bottom of the eighth. After Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth started the inning off with a walk and double, Ramos would follow up two batters later by blooping a single to score both runs and ultimately, win the game. It’s a big hit for Ramos, who has been a disappointment at the plate this season after a great start to the year.

Even though the Mets won in Miami last night and Washington remains one back in the NL East, this is the kind of game that can bring positivity back to a clubhouse and it could be a game that starts another long winning streak.

Before Rubby De La Rosa takes on Gio Gonzalez tonight at 7:05 PM ET (MASN2), check out my takeaways from last night’s 5-4 Nats win:

Next: Nats Get Off To Fast Start Vs. Corbin

Aug 4, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar (5) celebrates after hitting a solo homer against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Nats Offense Chases Corbin Early

After scoring four runs in the ninth inning the night before, the Nationals’ offense was looking to make a small statement early as they tried to carry the late momentum from Monday night. They were going up against a pitcher in Patrick Corbin that was an All-Star in 2013, but has been working his way back from Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss all of last season.

Yunel Escobar didn’t waste any time getting it started as he hit the third pitch of the game from Corbin over the wall in center for his seventh home run of the season. Escobar has dominated the Diamondbacks this season as he is 10-for-22 against them with a home run and two RBI’s.

The inning would continue as Anthony Rendon singled and Bryce Harper was aggressive on the bases and turned a single into a double. That set up Ryan Zimmerman for a run-scoring opportunity that he took full advantage of. Zimmerman singled to left to score Rendon and Harper and made it 2-0 Nats.

Jayson Werth would follow that up with a groundout to short, but he drove the run in to extend the lead to 3-0. The Nationals would get another leadoff hit, a single, from Escobar in the second. After Harper drew a walk two batters later, manager Chip Hale decided to pull Corbin from the game after only 54 pitches.

While Washington did not get any more runs until Ramos’ single in the eighth, they were able to at least set the tempo early. This season, the Nats have been a great first inning team. They lead the National League in hits (128) and are third in the NL in runs scored (66), behind the Reds and Rockies (who they will see this weekend at Nats Park).

Next: Scherzer Lacks Command, But Battles Through

Aug 4, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher

Max Scherzer

(31) throws to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Scherzer Battles, But Still Shows Command Issues

For the first time since July 12, Max Scherzer threw over 110 pitches in a start last night. However, after showing near pinpoint command for the majority of the season, Scherzer has walked eight hitters in his last four games.

Last night, the Nats’ ace went six innings, gave up three runs on four hits, struck out nine, and walked three on 114 pitches (76 strikes). It is the second straight start in which Scherzer has walked three batters.

Unlike his last outing on July 30 against the Marlins, Scherzer was not able to get the big double play ball when he needed it. The command problems began in the third inning when he walked the opposing pitcher at the time, Josh Collmenter. Collmenter would go on to walk him one inning later.

However, the fourth inning was when it got ugly. After Scherzer struck out Paul Goldschmidt for the second time, he walked David Peralta after getting ahead 1-2 in the count. After a Jake Lamb single, Jarrod Saltamacchia got ahead 3-1 in the count and hit a 96 mile per hour fastball to right for a base hit that scored Peralta. Then, Chris Owings came through for Arizona by hitting a 1-2 slider down the line in left for a game tying double. Ian Desmond had the chance to get Saltalamacchia at the plate, but made a bad relay throw home.

While the Nationals’ ace did not have his best stuff last night, he was able to battle throughout the game and give his team a chance to win, despite blowing a 3-0 lead. On the plus side, Scherzer did strike out nine batters, which was the most K’s he has had in his last six starts (nine on July 2 at Atlanta).

Next: Ramos Starting To Find Confidence?

Aug 4, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (40) hits a two run RBI single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. The Washington Nationals won 5 – 4. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Ramos Delivers Game Winning Hit In Eighth

Coming into last night’s game, Wilson Ramos was having one of the worst stretches of any Nats’ player in the starting lineup. Since the All-Star Break, the Nats’ catcher was 4-for-40 (.100/.098/.175) with one home run and five RBI’s.

When you look back at that four-run ninth inning Monday night, Ramos’ RBI single may have only cut the team’s deficit to 6-2, but it may end up being a big hit for him going forward.

Ramos’ night began when he drew a walk in the first inning on eight pitches against Corbin. Then, with two outs in the third, Ramos took a 2-0 fastball from Collmenter and singled to left field.

After grounding out to short to start the sixth, Ramos stepped to the plate two innings later with a chance to give the Nationals the win. With runners at second and third with one out, he knew not to do too much and just blooped a 1-2 curveball from David Hernandez into right field for a base hit that ended up driving in Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth.

While it is only two games, Ramos is 2-for-7 in this series with three RBI’s. After the game, his postgame comments suggested that he is starting to feel some confidence and that could only mean good things for the Nationals’ offense going forward if Ramos provides a daily contribution at the bottom of the lineup:

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