Washington Nationals: Takeaways from 3-2 Win Over Brewers
Check out our three takeaways from yesterdays 3-2 win by the Washington Nationals over the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Washington Nationals finally ended their season long seven game losing streak Sunday afternoon, by defeating the Brewers 3-2. The New York Mets also lost to the Atlanta Braves, so the Nats increased there lead in the division back to three games.
Tanner Roark once again came up big for the Washington Nationals when they needed a great start. He went seven outstanding scoreless innings and delivered once again on short notice after Stephen Strasburg was scratched and eventually placed on the 15-day disabled list before yesterday’s game.
Although the offense only was able to deliver four hits in the game, they made them count with two of them being home runs in the final three innings of the game and coming from two bench players normally in Jose Lobaton and Clint Robinson.
While the Brewers did try to comeback in this game against the Nats bullpen, Shawn Kelley was able to strike out three batters and record his third save. It was a huge win for the team, even though they ended up losing two out of three to Milwaukee.
Before Joe Ross takes the mound in a huge series versus the New York Mets tonight (7:05 p.m ET, MASN/MLB Network), check out my three takeaways from the 3-2 win over the Brewers yesterday:
Next: Roark Comes Through Again
Roark Comes Through Again
Since Tanner Roark was called up in 2013, he has been used in many different ways by this team. He has pitched as a starter, a long man out of the bullpen, and even used as a middle inning reliever at times. On Sunday, Roark once again made clear he deserves to to be in the Nats starting rotation, and you can make the case he has been their best starter yet.
Roark had an outstanding outing against the Brewers. He posted a final line of seven scoreless innings, allowing seven hits, and striking out seven on just 95 pitches (63 strikes).
Although Roark did get into some trouble in the game he worked his way around it. He escaped a bases loaded jam in the fourth, and a leadoff double in the seventh after the Nats took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the inning on the Lobaton home run.
With this scoreless outing, Roark has now allowed one run or fewer and gone six or more innings in seven of his 16 starts this season. He also lowered his ERA on the season to 2.96, which is best in the Washington Nationals starting rotation.
The main takeaway is when the Washington Nationals needed Roark to stop a long losing streak, he delivered once again as he has been prone to do for this team.
Next: Bench Players Continue To Impress
Bench Players Continue To Impress
The Washington Nationals have had their ups and downs this season, but one thing that has been constant throughout is the great play of their bench players. On Sunday afternoon, Jose Lobaton and Clint Robinson both got starts off the bench and they both came through for this struggling offense.
In the top of the seventh inning, Jose Lobaton hit his first home run of the season, and gave the Nats a 1-0 lead. Lobaton also called a fantastic game behind the plate and threw out a runner trying to steal. Although the Nats shouldn’t get used to relying on Lobaton as a key part of their offensive attack, it was very cool to see him come up big and help carry the team to stop the losing streak.
Clint Robinson also came up huge, with a two run homer in the top of the eight inning. Robinson came through big again off the bench, showing how much power the Nats bench has. The Washington Nationals bench now has hit 20 home runs on the season, which is a very impressive number and the shows the strong depth that Baker has to turn to when guys need a day off.
Coming into the year, the Nats bench seemed to be one of their question marks. As we come close to the halfway point of the year, it looks like one of the strongest points of the team. If the Washington Nationals keep getting contributions from their bench players and when starters such as Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman start to get hot, they will be tough to beat.
Next: Huge Series Starts Tonight
Huge Series Starts Monday
Every year, a team has some series that define their season. Last year for the Washington Nationals, it was getting swept by the New York Mets at the trade deadline, and again at home in mid September. The Nats start a three game set with the Mets later tonight at Nats Park and it may well be a series that helps define both teams seasons.
Coming into tonight’s game, the Nats hold a 3 game lead in the N.L. East. Not to be lost in all this, the Miami Marlins are playing very good baseball and are tied with the Mets for second in the division. Although Miami has played well of late, I don’t think they will be a factor down the stretch, making this a two team race.
More from District on Deck
- Latest DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code in Maryland: Bet $5, Win $200 Guaranteed
- Nationals Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers
- Washington Nationals Minor League Spotlight: Robert Hassell III
- Washington Nationals Tuesday Q&A
- 3 Free Agents the Nationals Should Gamble On
The Nats come into this series not playing great baseball, as they are just 3-7 in their last 10 games, but the Mets have stumbled too. This weekend, they split a four game series with the 26-49 Atlanta Braves.
The Mets pushed back their ace Noah Syndergaard last week, so he could start tonight vs the Nats. He has already shut them out once this year, and the Nats will have to hope their starter Joe Ross can hold the Mets to one or two runs at the most.
Next: Nats Beat Brewers 3-2, Snap 7 Game Skid
Although it is only the last week of June, this really could be a huge momentum swing in the season for either team. If the Mets sweep, they are tied for the division lead. However, if the Nats sweep, they extend their lead to an impressive six games. Both teams are going to be very fired up for this series and it should make for some fantastic baseball.