Washington Nationals: Takeaways From 5-2 Loss To Brewers
The Washington Nationals struggles continued against the Brewers last night. Here are my three takeaways:
Last night, the Washington Nationals (50-35) had four players selected to the 2016 All-Star Game for the first time since 2012 during the game. But, as the game was going on, the Nats offense continued their struggles this week against Milwaukee Brewers (37-46) pitching.
Like Junior Guerra the day before, Zach Davies had his second strong outing against the Washington Nationals lineup this season. He went 6.2 innings, gave up two runs on nine hits, struck out three, and walked one on 96 pitches (63 strikes) in the win.
As for Gio Gonzalez, he put up a quality start, but his lack of control ended up costing him in the end. With the score tied at one in the sixth, he gave up what ended up being the game-winning two-run home run to Hernan Perez. Plus, the Brewers ended up getting two key insurance runs against Blake Treinen in the top of the seventh.
For some reason, the Washington Nationals just can’t seem to figure out the Brewers. In their five meetings this season, the Nats have scored only 13 runs. On the other side, the Brewers have seven home runs and none of them have come from their two best offensive players in Ryan Braun (4-for-15) and Jonathan Lucroy (4-for-19, one RBI).
Before Tanner Roark tries to help the Washington Nationals avoid the sweep this afternoon against Matt Garza and the Brewers (4:05 p.m ET, MASN2), here are my takeaways from yesterday’s 5-2 loss:
Next: Gonzalez's Lack Of Command Costs Him
Gonzalez’s Lack Of Command Costs Him
While Gonzalez technically put up a quality start and he continues to pitch better, it just wasn’t enough last night against the Brewers. The left-hander went six innings, gave up three runs on seven hits, struck out four, and walked three on 102 pitches (57 strikes) in the loss.
The three walks for Gonzalez continue to be a problem for him as he has walked three or more batters in four of his last five starts. His 35 walks are the most on the Washington Nationals, but that could change today since Roark is one walk behind him.
Last night, he had problems trying to get out third baseman Aaron Hill. Hill was 2-for-2 against him as he had a double in the first, a RBI single in the third, and a walk in the fifth. The other bad inning he had was in the sixth inning.
During that inning, he gave up a leadoff single to Jonathan Lucroy. Two batters later, Hernan Perez hit a 1-0 fastball over the wall in right-center for a two-run home run. It was only Perez’s fourth home run of the season.
It is tough to blame Gonzalez for last night’s loss because he wasn’t getting any run support from his offense, which has struggled mightily in this series. But, if Gonalez doesn’t fix his recent command woes, its tough to see him starting to put a streak of wins together since he has just one win in his last nine starts.
Next: Sloppy Play Dooms Nats
Sloppy Play Dooms Nats
Usually, we have seen the Washington Nationals play good defense this season as their 31 errors are by far the fewest in the National League. However, the defense made some sloppy plays last night.
In the first inning, Bryce Harper misplayed a ball in right field (one of two misplays on the night). During this game, there also was a rare passed ball by Wilson Ramos (his fourth of the season) and an error by Ryan Zimmerman trying to pick a throw in the dirt from Danny Espinosa.
The sloppy defense carried over into the baserunning as well. In the bottom of the eighth, Daniel Murphy hit a ball off the wall in right field. He thought he didn’t get all of it, but he ended up having to hustle to second. Murphy stopped for a bit and then tried to go to third, but was thrown out.
In a three-run game where the Nats needed baserunners, you can’t be the first out in that situation. Murphy hasn’t been the only player to do that this homestand. Bryce Harper didn’t run hard out of the box on Friday and ended up having a deep single off the wall.
When playing a mediocre team like the Brewers, you have to take advantage of your opportunities to score runs and not give away outs. Last night was one of those rare nights where the Nats struggled defensively and the bases, which are two aspects of the game that the team normally excels at.
Next: Golden Opportunity Lost In 7th
Golden Opportunity Lost In The 7th
Although the Washington Nationals didn’t have many chances to drive in runs against Zach Davies, their best chance to comeback in the game was in the bottom of the seventh during a two-out rally.
After back-to-back singles by Danny Espinosa and pinch-hitter Stephen Drew, Ben Revere’s second single of the night cut the deficit to 5-2. That hit got Craig Counsell to go to his bullpen and bring in Carlos Torres to face Jayson Werth; Werth showed his usual good plate discipline and loaded the bases with a four-pitch walk.
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
Counsell would make his second bullpen change of the inning and bring in the left-hander Will Smith to face Harper, who has two grand slams this season. However, Harper ended up striking out on four pitches as he looked at a fastball on the outside corner.
Two innings later, the Nats had the first two baserunners had on in the ninth, but Clint Robinson (pinch-hitter) grounded into a 1-6-3 double play and stopped the rally. In all, the Washington Nationals were 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position, but the seventh inning was their chance to erase the early defensive mistakes and they failed to capitalize.
Next: Four Nats Going To 2016 All-Star Game
In two games, the Washington Nationals have managed just two runs against the Brewers after putting up 32 against the Reds. The offense will go through peaks and valley throughout the season, but this is not the way the offense wants to be playing with a big series against the Mets beginning tomorrow night at Citi Field.