Washington Nationals: Takeaways From 4-3 Loss To Orioles

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Aug 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) tags out Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) on a fielders choice in the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Washington Nationals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Murphy’s Up And Down Night

The Washington Nationals offense managed only five hits last night, but two of them came from second baseman Daniel Murphy. Murphy strengthened his case for NL MVP last night with yet another multi-hit game (2-for-4).

Murphy got the scoring started in the first inning when his single to center field drove in Trea Turner, who walked and stole second to begin the inning. The RBI was Murphy’s 90^th of the season as he is most likely going to shatter his previous best RBI total in a season (78 in 2013).

This month, Murphy is hitting .328 with three home runs, 14 RBI’s, and a .405 on-base percentage. The 31-year-old has eight hits in his last seven games, but three of those games have been multi-hit games. This includes a three-hit night he had in Atlanta on August 20, a game in which he had two hits in one inning (top of the fourth)

Later in the game, it looked like Murphy started a big inning when he doubled to left field against O’s left-handed reliever Donnie Hart. But, the sloppy play from Atlanta by the Nats continued as Murphy was caught off second on a comebacker hit by Bryce Harper back to Hart.

Now, it’s easy to go back and say what if, but if Murphy was on third base when Brad Brach threw a wild pitch against Ryan Zimmerman, that could’ve tied the game for the Nats. Murphy hasn’t lost many games with his defense this season, but his baserunning gaffe last night prevented the Washington Nationals from making a comeback.

Next: Offense Misses Early Chances

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