Washington Nationals: Takeaways From 5-4 Win In Colorado
Here are my three takeaways from last night’s Washington Nationals comeback win against the Rockies
Last night, the Washington Nationals (70-47) found themselves in an early 3-0 hole against the Colorado Rockies (56-63) after the first inning. On a night where Max Scherzer didn’t have his best stuff and didn’t last long in the game, the offense and the bullpen were able to pick him up.
The first runs for the Washington Nationals were in the third inning when Jayson Werth hit a two-run home run to left. Werth walked in the first inning to extend his on-base streak to 43 games, which tied Ryan Zimmerman for most consecutive games on-base in Washington Nationals history.
In addition to Werth, the usual big names found a way to make an impact on this game. Daniel Murphy’s single in the fifth cut the lead to one run, Wilson Ramos tied the game in the sixth with a solo home run, and Bryce Harper reached base in all five plate appearances and had the game-winning double in the seventh.
Plus, the bullpen was excellent after Scherzer as they shut out a strong Rockies lineup over the final five innings. However, the one batter no Washington Nationals pitcher was able to keep off base was second baseman DJ LeMahieu. LeMahieu went 4-for-4 to increase his batting average to .337, ten points behind Murphy for the league lead in league lead.
Last night was one of those games where the Washington Nationals showed that despite facing an early deficit, they have the ability to battle back in games, which could come in handy if this team makes the postseason.
Before Gio Gonzalez takes the mound against Chad Bettis tonight at Coors Field (8:40 p.m ET, MASN2), check out my three takeaways from last night’s 5-4 win by the Washington Nationals:
Next: Scherzer Has Shortest Outing Of Year
Scherzer’s Shortest Outing Of The Season
If there was one disappointment from last night’s loss, it was the performance of Max Scherzer as he had one of his worst starts of the season. The right-hander only went four innings, gave up four runs on seven hits, struck out three, and walked two on 97 pitches (61 strikes). Plus, his struggles at Coors Field continued yesterday as he is 0-3 with a 5.88 ERA in five career starts.
Just like early in the season, the first inning was the problem for Scherzer as he gave up three early runs and he had trouble locating his pitches. After a one out single by LeMahieu, Carlos Gonzalez drew a seven-pitch walk and Nolan Arenado took four straight sliders from 0-2 down in the count.
With the bases loaded, rookie David Dahl hit a two-run double to center field to get the Rockies on the board. Then, Daniel Descalso’s sacrifice fly extended the lead to 3-0.
While Scherzer only gave up one run over the final three innings of his outing (Charlie Blackmon solo home run in the fourth), the high pitch count was just too much to leave him in for five innings in the altitude. In two of the four innings he pitched, he needed 30+ pitches, including 35 in the first inning.
All that being said, it was good to see the Washington Nationals offense step up for Scherzer and bail him out after not giving him much run support against the Indians. However, I wouldn’t expect a bad outing from Scherzer in the next series against the Braves.
Next: Harper Delivers Go-Ahead Clutch Hit
Harper Delivers Go-Ahead Hit
While two games is too early to say that Bryce Harper is “back”, the reigning NL MVP had a game last night that would remind fans of last year or the first month of this season. Harper, who was back in the cleanup spot, went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a RBI, and two walks.
Last night, Harper saw 21 pitches in his five at-bats, which was tied with Jayson Werth for the most on the Washington Nationals (ESPN). In the first inning, Harper drew a seven-pitch walk against Jorge De La Rosa.
His first double of the night came in the third inning when he hit a 0-2 splitter from De La Rosa into right field. Two innings later, Harper drew a four-pitch walk with one out. He did make two great plays defensively in the game, but his best at-bat came in the seventh.
With runners on the corners and facing a tough lefty in Boone Logan, Harper doubled to right on a 1-2 slider to give the Washington Nationals the lead. How tough was this matchup? Well, Harper is hitting .222 against lefties while left-handed hitters are hitting .159 against Logan with eight extra-base hits.
Even though it is only two games since he returned from the neck injury, Harper is 4-for-6 with three doubles, three walks, and two RBI’s. He may not be all the way back yet, but this is definitely the Harper that Washington Nationals fans have been waiting to see for most of the season.
Next: Bullpen Shuts Out Rockies
Bullpen Shuts Out Rockies
Since Scherzer only went four innings last night, it was up to the bullpen to pick up one of the team’s aces and they did just that. The Washington Nationals used five pitchers last night out of the bullpen as they combined to give up three hits over the final five innings.
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First, Matt Belisle gave up one hit in the 1.1 innings he pitched. He did get help on a good sliding catch by Harper in the fifth. However, keep in mind that Belisle has only given up two earned runs and teams are hitting .229 against him since the All-Star Break (11 games).
After the one hit against Belisle (Ben Paulsen single), Sammy Solis came in and got Cristhian Adames to ground into a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play.
Solis gave up a pair of one out singles in the seventh before handing the ball to Blake Treinen. It was Treinen’s turn to escape trouble as Nolan Arenado grounded into a 5-3 inning-ending double play. Over his last 14 outings, Treinen has a 0.73 ERA and opponents are hitting a mere .179.
Next: Werth, Harper Deliver As Nats Defeat Rockies
Over the final two innings, Shawn Kelley and Mark Melancon retired the last six Rockies of the game. Kelley struck out two batters in the eighth and Melancon only needed four pitches in a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Even though Melancon had that hiccup against the Braves in a save on Saturday, he still brings stability to the ninth inning for the Washington Nationals. With Jonathan Papelbon now released and Oliver Perez struggling this season (4.45 ERA), look for those five relievers who pitched last night to be in crucial situations down the stretch for Dusty Baker.