District On Deck
FanSided

Washington Nationals: Lightning plays spoiler in D.C.

By Blake Finney

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 15: The grounds crew puts the tarp on the field for a rain delay in the sixth inning in the game between the Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees at Nationals Park on May 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 15: The grounds crew puts the tarp on the field for a rain delay in the sixth inning in the game between the Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees at Nationals Park on May 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Washington Nationals fell victim to the Lightning, just like their hockey brothers. Tuesday’s game was suspended in the middle of the sixth inning.

Lightning had it’s way in D.C. on Tuesday, as the Washington Nationals and Capitals were both victims. Before the stoppage, Nats Park was playing small early on with a couple of home runs from Anthony Rendon and Tyler Austin. But it was suspended in a 3-3 tie, and the game will resume today at 5:05pm.

The Nationals bats kept rolling against Masahiro Tanaka, who has been shaky all of this season. Rendon hit a shot out to left field to get the scoring started. It was the third-baseman’s third blast since returning from the disabled list, and he’s really found his power stroke of late.

Also on a roll of late is Pedro Severino, who had an RBI base hit in the second inning. He’s got a six game hit-streak and will be relied upon heavily over the next week or so.

More from District on Deck

With Matt Wieters back on the DL, Severino has taken over as primary catcher and has a chance to win the role permanently. Hitting .274 and a .386 OBP this season, he’s proving to be serviceable with the bat. But also he’s now second in the majors in defensive runs saved for a catcher with four.

He looks ready to take the mantle, even when Wieters returns and could make this lineup even deeper.

Gio Gonzalez stumbles through five

Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez had been getting results so far this season despite allowing a lot of base-runners. Once again on Tuesday, we saw that script play out again.

Gonzalez could only make it through five innings after throwing 111 pitches, a season high. He allowed six hits and four walks, and didn’t get a 1-2-3 inning all night.

His WHIP is now up to 1.41 on the season which is worrying for Nats fans, especially as the weather warms up. When that happens, Nats Park plays even smaller and he’ll allow more homers that take advantage of those base-runners.

Game resumes tomorrow evening

After a one hour and nine minute rain delay, the contest was suspended and will pick up where it left off Wednesday at 5:05pm. It’s going to be a battle of the bullpens in this one, and both are fully rested with yet another day off for the relievers.

With Max Scherzer set to take the ball in the second game, they can afford to use some of the trusted relievers in the first game. So expect the Nats to lean on the likes of Brandon Kintzler and Ryan Madson if the game is tied in the seventh and eighth inning.

The Nationals and Yankees also get a 26th man for tomorrow. It’s likely the Nats will call up an extra reliever given the nature of the first game, with at least three innings left to play. So look for either Austin Adams or Austin Voth to be called up, depending on whether they want length or a one-inning guy.

Next: Grading the rotation so far

Despite the first game needing a conclusion, remember it’s Scherz-day today. The Nationals will be looking for an unorthodox sweep and to win 15 of their last 17 games.

Home/Nationals News