Washington Nationals: Three Takeaways From Wild Win Over Tigers

Check out our three takeaways from the Washington Nationals’ 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers from last night

After being swept by the Chicago Cubs during their four game series at Wrigley Field, the Washington Nationals (20-12) were back in action last night against the Detroit Tigers (14-17). Both teams were looking to snap out of their own respective losing streak and it was the Nats who rallied from a 4-1 deficit to win the game, 5-4.

Stephen Strasburg took the mound for the Washington Nationals. As he was pitching, it was being reported that he had signed a seven-year, $175 million extension to stay in DC. He gave up two two-run home runs, but he went seven innings, gave up four runs on six hits, struck out 11, and walked three on 107 pitches (65 strikes)

Before the Strasburg news, the biggest headline heading into the game was the decision Dusty Baker made to keep Ryan Zimmerman in the cleanup spot of the batting order after stranding 14 men on base Sunday. Of course, Zimmerman found his way in another bases loaded situation during the game, but was unable to get the hit.

In the end, the Washington Nationals got clutch hits from Daniel Murphy, who drove in all three runs and Clint Robinson, who came in to pinch-hit for Shawn Kelley (who got the win) and hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth, even though he said he forgot what inning it was:

But, one of the storylines after the game ended up being Bryce Harper getting ejected and yelling what he called “choice words” to the home plate umpire, Brian Knight.

Before Joe Ross takes on Michael Fulmer in the second game of the series tonight (7:05 p.m. ET, MASN/MLB Network), here are my three takeaways from last night’s game:

Next: Time For Murphy To Hit Cleanup

Time For Murphy To Hit Cleanup

Once again, Daniel Murphy was able to keep the Washington Nationals in the ballgame with his consistent offense. The second baseman went 2-for-4 with a run scored, a home run, and three RBI’s, but his average dropped to .398.

Murphy’s first clutch hit of the night came in the fourth inning. With Anthony Rendon on second and two outs, Murphy hit a 1-1 fastball from starter Anibal Sanchez into center field for a base hit to drive in the first run. With that hit, Murphy is now hitting .480 (12-for-25) with 14 RBI’s with runners in scoring position this year.

Two innings later, Murphy would provide some power against Sanchez when he hit a 2-2 slider over the wall in right for a two-run homer, his fifth of the season.

Other than Murphy’s RBI’s, the Nats didn’t have much success against Sanchez. The Tigers’ right-hander went six innings, gave up four runs on six hits, struck out two, and walked three on 91 pitches. He made one other mistake in the field when he didn’t let a Strasburg bunt go foul in the seventh inning.

Right now, the best decision for the Nats’ lineup would be for Baker to put Murphy in the cleanup spot because he provides the best protection for Harper. On the other hand, Anthony Rendon is not providing much protection in front of Harper (.211 average).

The big situation that stood out in this game was in the seventh. With runners on the corners and one out, Brad Ausmus pulled a Joe Maddon and walked Harper intentionally to load the bases. Zimmerman still couldn’t make the manager pay as he popped out to first base.

I was surprised Zimmerman got the start yesterday after he left 14 men on base Sunday and that he didn’t get at least the first part of the game off. But, it will be interesting to see if this game is the one that has Baker makes the change.

Next: Baker With Edge Over Ausmus

Baker Has Manager Edge Over Ausmus

If you were doing a tale of the tape for both of these teams before the series began, it would be clear that Baker has the edge over Ausmus in the manager category. Last night, that decision became even more clear-cut based on some of the questionable decisions during this game.

Both of these managers had interesting decisions to make in the latter innings of the game. Let’s start with Baker first. In the seventh, he left Strasburg in the game to bat with first and third and no outs, but Strasburg was able to reach on the bad fielding play by Sanchez on the bunt.

While Baker did leave Strasburg in to start the eighth on 103 pitches and he walked Miguel Cabrera, but it was a good call when you consider how much work the Nats’ bullpen has had lately.

As for Ausmus, his questionable decisions came in the top of the eighth. With two outs and a man on second, he elected to pinch-hit Victor Martinez against Blake Treinen, but ended up wasting him because Baker chose to walk him intentionally.

Two batters later, with Jarrod Saltalamacchia pinch-hitting for Anthony Gose, Baker brings in Felipe Rivero so the Tigers’ catcher hits left-handed and the Nats ended up being correct on that call because Rivero struck him out to end the eighth.

Now, Ausmus wasn’t helped by Cabrera’s decision to try to go to third on a wild pitch earlier in the inning. However, on this night, Baker made all the right decisions and it became more evident why Ausmus is on the hot seat as his team has lost seven games in a row.

Next: Thoughts On The Harper Ejection