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Washington Nationals: The bizarre doubleheader that ignored the script

By Blake Finney

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 07: Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals is safe at first base against Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves after a single by Juan Soto #22 in the third inning at Nationals Park on August 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. Soto was called out at first base for passing Turner on the bases. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 07: Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals is safe at first base against Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves after a single by Juan Soto #22 in the third inning at Nationals Park on August 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. Soto was called out at first base for passing Turner on the bases. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Coming into Tuesday’s doubleheader with the Atlanta Braves, the Washington Nationals likely expected a split. But, it didn’t play out as expected.

With Jefry Rodriguez and Max Scherzer taking the mound for the doubleheader, the Washington Nationals most likely outcome was a split. However, it didn’t quite play out as everyone thought it would against the Atlanta Braves.

In game one of the doubleheader, the Nationals called on Jefry Rodriguez as their 26th man. He looked fantastic, limiting the Braves to one run on three hits, striking out three, en route to recording his first major league win.

Martinez gave him the same treatment as Jeremy Hellickson. With the heart of the order up, Matt Grace got the sixth inning to face Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis. At the time, a sensible decision by the Nats manager that helped get the team the victory in the first game.

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In the nightcap however, the Nats bats went missing again as they let down their ace in a 3-1 defeat. Scherzer held the Braves to just one run on four hits, with the Charlie Culberson homer the only big mistake on the night.

But the blame for the loss is almost solely on the offense. They went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position in the game as they failed to get the line moving at any point. Now it leaves an uphill task to get a positive result out of the series.

Herrera forced out with injury

With the second game tied at 1-1 in the ninth inning, Kelvin Herrera came in to attempt to keep it tied for a potential walk-off. However, he ended up allowing three hits to give the Braves the lead late on.

After the three hits, the trainer came out to visit Herrera and they ended up taking him out of the game. After the game, it was revealed that he had shoulder tightness and would get an MRI on Wednesday.

Although the right-hander has been far from what the team imagined when they acquired him, losing an experienced arm at the backend of the bullpen would be a big blow. Now we await the results of the MRI.

Holland has a successful debut

Speaking of experienced arms in the bullpen, Greg Holland was officially signed on Tuesday morning. He was thrust straight into the action as he took the mound in the seventh inning of game one.

He delivered a scoreless inning, striking out three after walking the leadoff hitter. The command looked iffy at first, but he settled down and flashed his potential despite a rough 2018 so far.

If he can be half the pitcher that he was before this season, when he had a career 2.60 ERA, then the Nats could have a bargain. And now with the possible Herrera injury, it could be an even more shrewd signing by Mike Rizzo.

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With All-Star Mike Foltyneiwicz on the mound for the Braves tomorrow, the Washington Nationals face a stiff test. Tommy Milone will look to keep his good run going, but Atlanta will be his first real test this season.

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