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District On Deck

Washington Nationals: Offense embarrassed in second straight shutout

By Blake Finney

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 24: Tim Collins #55 of the Washington Nationals walks to the back of the mound as Jay Bruce #19 of the New York Mets rounds third base after he hit a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a game at Citi Field on August 24, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms. The Mets defeated the Nationals 3-0. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 24: Tim Collins #55 of the Washington Nationals walks to the back of the mound as Jay Bruce #19 of the New York Mets rounds third base after he hit a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a game at Citi Field on August 24, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms. The Mets defeated the Nationals 3-0. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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For the second time in a row, and 13th time this season, the Washington Nationals were shutout. This time, it was Jason Vargas dominating the bats.

The New York Mets shutout Washington Nationals on Friday night and it was the 13th game this year they haven’t scored a run. It was one thing to be blanked by NL Cy Young candidate Aaron Nola the day before, but it was Jason Vargas and the Mets bullpen this time.

Vargas had a 7.67 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP coming into the game, but the bats could only muster up three hits off the left-hander. The Nats also struck out eight times against the starter in just six innings, which adds to the embarrassment.

Eight strikeouts against a soft-tosser is simply unacceptable from the offense. They needed to put the ball in play more often and take advantage of a very hittable pitcher.

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The offensive inconsistency has been one of the most frustrating parts of this Nationals season. While the bats have been shutout 13 times, they have also scored double-digit runs on 12 occasions.

With the opposition scoring three runs or less in seven of those shutouts, some of them were well within range had the bats shown up. The season keeps slipping away, if it hadn’t already, and the feast or famine offense is a big reason for this.

Gio guts out a quality start

While his offense let him down, Gio Gonzalez managed to grind out a phenomenal effort on Friday. He went seven innings, allowing just one run on seven hits and struck out two.

The key for Gonzalez in this game was the fact that he didn’t walk a single batter, which has been his main issue this year. That allowed him to have three innings facing the minimum, which he routinely struggles to do.

The left-hander’s next outing will come against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. Unless he continues this form, his rotation spot could be in jeopardy with the team out of contention, and more likely to look at younger rotation arms down the stretch.

Collins coughs up insurance home run

The Nats still had a chance heading into the latter stages of the game with just a one-run deficit. However, in the bottom of the eighth, Tim Collins gave up a two-run blast to Jay Bruce to put the game out of reach.

Koda Glover initially started the inning and had recorded two straight outs after walking the leadoff hitter Jeff McNeil. Then manager Davey Martinez brought on Collins for the dangerous lefty, which seemed like the right call in a tight game, but he just didn’t execute.

Collins has taken over as the lefty specialist after Sammy Solis was sent down just over a week ago. It didn’t work out this time but expect Martinez to turn to Collins again in a similar spot if a left-handed hitter comes up, given the southpaw’s overall success against lefties.

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The Washington Nationals now face another uphill battle on Saturday. They send Tanner Roark to the mound to face the red-hot Zack Wheeler in a tough matchup.

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