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