Washington Nationals: Takeaways From 3-2 Loss To Dodgers

June 21, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) hits a three run home run in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
June 21, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) hits a three run home run in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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Washington Nationals
June 21, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) hits a three run home run in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Check out our three takeaways from last night’s Washington Nationals 3-2 loss to the Dodgers

The Washington Nationals (43-29) were looking like their three-game losing streak was going to be snapped last night when they had a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the eighth against the Los Angeles Dodgers (40-33). Instead, Yasmani Grandal had other ideas.

In the eighth, Grandal hit a three-run home run against Tanner Roark that ended up being the game-winner and handing the Nats their fourth straight loss while the Dodgers picked up their fifth consecutive win.

Roark still put up a strong outing despite taking the loss and he did have his first two hits of the season. But, the effort was wasted by the offense as they managed only two runs against Scott Kazmir and both came from solo home runs by Bryce Harper and Danny Espinosa.

There were a couple chances to break the game open, but the Washington Nationals were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Plus, there were some questionable base running decisions such as when Wilson Ramos was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a single from Roark in the eighth.

While tonight’s game isn’t exactly a must win and the Washington Nationals are still 4.5 games ahead of the Mets in the NL East, they could definitely use the win to go into the off day on a positive note before they begin their weekend series against the Brewers.

Before Joe Ross takes on Julio Urias in the series finale tonight (10:10 p.m ET, MASN and ESPN), check out my three takeaways from last night’s 3-2 loss to the Dodgers:

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