Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Ian Desmond Shines In Nats’ Loss To Marlins

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Mandatory Credit:

Brad Mills

-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals entered last night’s game against the Miami Marlins on a four game win streak as they tried to make one last attempt at a playoff run. However, the Nats just did not have enough at the end to complete a comeback. Down 6-2 after the fifth inning, Washington scored two runs in the eighth, but Michael Taylor struck out with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Even if the Nationals had tied the game, it would have been interesting to see whom Matt Williams would have sent in to pitch the ninth inning. Of course, Drew Storen is out for the season with a thumb injury, so he was unavailable. Plus, Williams told the media after the game that closer Jonathan Papelbon was unavailable to pitch tonight because he had the fever.

Worth noting: Nats were one swing away from tying/leading in 8th & Jonathan Papelbon wasn't up. That's b/c he's sick. A high fever, per MW.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) September 18, 2015

In his last three starts, Tanner Roark has been unable to get past the fifth inning. Plus, he was hurt by two home runs, a two-run shot by Martin Prado in the top of the first and a three-run homer by Justin Bour in the top of the fifth. After Roark, the Nats bullpen, which consisted of Doug Fister, Matt Grace, Rafael Martin, and Matt Thornton combined to give up three hits and strike out three over the final four innings.