Reaction: Big First Inning Helps Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals Win 7th Straight

Apr 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) slides safely into home past Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) slides safely into home past Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) slides safely into home past Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) slides safely into home past Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Nats used a three run first inning to help Max Scherzer out as they got their seventh straight win.

This weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Washington Nationals’ offense has continued a trend that they started at the end of the Braves series. Over the last three games, they have outscored their opponents by a combined score of 23-4.

One of the main reasons for that, especially in this weekend’s series at Citizens Bank Park, has been the success of the offense in the first inning. After scoring five in the first on Friday night, the Nats put up three runs against Aaron Nola last night to give Max Scherzer a good lead to start with.

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Last season, the Nats were third in the National league in runs scored in the first inning, trailing only the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. This season, through the first ten games, Dusty Baker’s squad has scored 49 runs in the first, which is tied for sixth in the NL and is 11 more than any other team in the division (Marlins have 38).

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Now, the Nats will take the field today at Citizens Bank Park looking for their second consecutive sweep, their eighth straight win, and a 10-1 start through their first 11 games. Remember last year that the Nats didn’t win their tenth game of the season until April 30 against the Mets.

Before Gio Gonzalez takes on Charlie Morton this afternoon at 1:35 PM ET (MASN and WUSA9), here are my other takeaways from yesterday’s 8-1 win:

Next: Scherzer Has Best Start Of Season

Schedule