Nationals: Takeaways From 14-1 Win Over D’Backs
By Ricky Keeler
Check out our three takeaways from last night’s Washington Nationals win over the Diamondbacks
Even though the Washington Nationals (62-44) did not make a move on trade deadline day, their offense got a big piece back in the starting lineup in Daniel Murphy. Murphy only played five innings because the Nats had a big lead, but he went 3-for-3 with a RBI and a walk in last night’s 14-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks (43-63).
When you look at the production of the starting lineup, everybody who was in the starting lineup had at least one hit with six of the nine players having two hits or more. Plus, there were no home runs last night and the offense had only five extra-base hits out of their 19 total hits.
Right out of the gate, the offense gave Stephen Strasburg a 4-0 lead before he even took the mound and he was able to hold Arizona’s offense to one run over six innings as he continues his impressive season. Plus, he had an excellent night at the plate, going 3-for-4.
In addition to the Washington Nationals blowout win, last night was the Nats debut for their new closer, Mark Melancon. Even though it wasn’t a save situation, Melancon struck out two batters in a 1-2-3 ninth inning, even though the Washington Nationals were already up 14-1 at that time.
Before Tanner Roark takes on Robbie Ray tonight in the second game of the series (9:40 p.m ET, MASN2), check out my three takeaways from last night’s win:
Next: Strasburg's Great All-Around Night