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

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).

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