Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Nats Still Have Concerns Despite Walk-Off Win

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Nationals Have Trouble Scoring Runs (Again)

Although the final score of 5-2 didn’t reflect the game, the Nationals had trouble plating runners in this one. They had plenty of chances to blow this game open, but never got the job done. The Nats have a bad habit of scoring few runs the game after they score a ton. Friday night’s game was no exception.

In the bottom of the third, the Nationals had runners on the corners with one out. Anthony Rendon would strike out swinging, Bryce Harper was intentionally walked to load the bases for Ryan Zimmerman, but Zimmerman would line out to right to end the inning.

The Nats got another runner to third with less than two outs in the bottom of the fourth, but Jose Lobaton would ground into an inning ending 1-6-3 double play.

The bases were loaded again in the bottom of the sixth with less than two out. Ian Desmond struck out and Lobaton flew out. The strikeout by Desmond was grim. Tonight, Desmond was back to swinging like he is trying to hit a six run home run every time he comes to the plate. His swing was out of control and he was swinging at pitches out of the zone.

The Nats had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth and avoid the extra innings. After Trea Turner, pinch running for Yunel Escobar, scored the tying run on the single by den Dekker, Jayson Werth singled to keep the inning alive. With two on and two out, Rendon ground out to end the inning.

Although there were lots of hits and walks drawn, the Nationals had trouble getting a fly ball for a sacrifice or a single when there was a runner on third with less than two outs. All in all, the team got the win, but the team has to improve on the 4-for-12 performance they had with runners in scoring position.

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