Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Nats Can’t Capitalize Off Orioles Mistakes

Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Jimenez Walks Five, But Nats Can’t Get Big Inning

When I previewed this game in our series preview Monday, I said that the key to the game would be which team would take advantage of the free passes given to them. Ubaldo Jimenez, who is eighth in the American League with 64 walks this season, has been giving out free passes to opposing hitters this season.

Last night, Jimenez did walk five Nats’ hitters, but he did not give up an earned run for the first time since August 8 against the Angels. He went six innings, gave up one unearned run on three hits, struck out five batters, and had the aforementioned five walks on 110 pitches (61 strikes). Plus, he only threw 16 first pitch strikes to the 26 batters he faced.

The Nats were able to take advantage of Baltimore’s defensive miscues in the fourth when Junior Lake dropped a fly ball by Clint Robinson in left center and Schoop bobbled what looked like a double play ball hit by Jose Lobaton. However, the offense went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.

The best chance for the Nationals to put up a big inning was in the bottom of the first. With one out, Yunel Escobar and Bryce Harper drew back-to-back walks and Jayson Werth was ahead in the count, 2-0. But, give Jimenez credit as he was able to strike out Werth looking and he got Robinson to groundout to end the inning. Baltimore would end up scoring two runs in the following inning.

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