Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Bad
Yunel Escobar was injured in the top of the first inning trying to catch a foul ball. He hit the fence and face planted into the chest of a fan. It appeared he injured the back of his neck, and left the game. Anthony Rendon moved over to play third, and Danny Espinosa came in to play second.
The Nationals only managed six hits all night, and two of those hits were solo home runs. The team’s hitting woes continue.
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Jayson Werth got on base in the bottom of the third inning when Braun lost a fly ball in the lights. This was great because there was one out and if Rendon could avoid hitting into a double play, Harper would get to bat without a shift on and with at least one runner on base. Then Werth (or the bench) decided to try to steal second. Werth didn’t get a good lead or a good jump when he took off and was thrown out at second. Bad move. Werth’s legs aren’t what they used to be, he was probably tired from the late road trip return, and hasn’t had a chance to do much base running this year. Rendon made the third out of the inning.
Ryan Zimmerman came into the game to pinch hit in the bottom of the sixth and replace Clint Robinson at first base. At that time, Harper had homered and the Nats were down 5-2. Espinosa singled and stole second. The Nats had something cooking and needed hits. Zimmerman struck out looking at an pitch inside that was too close to take. The next batter, Desmond, struck out on a pitch up around his eyes to end the Nats’ threat. Momentum appeared to be swinging in the Nats direction, but those back to back strikeouts killed the rally.
Next: The Ugly