Washington Nationals Finally Best Huascar Ynoa
By Max Rayman
In a rotation that consists of Charlie Morton, Max Fried, and Mike Soroka, it’s Atlanta Braves starter Huascar Ynoa that has given the Washington Nationals the most problems. In fact, mention his name around Nats fans and they start to have nightmares. In his career, Ynoa is 4-6, with a 4.75 ERA, 120 strikeouts, and a 4.18 FIP, but always finds a way to torment the Nats.
Against the Nats, Ynoa is 1-0, with a 3.20 ERA, 25 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings. Despite consistently holding Washingtons’ bats in place, he will always be remembered for hitting a grand slam off of Tanner Rainey last year. Fortunately, with the implementation of the universal DH Ynoa can no longer hurt the Nats with his bat.
Due to a broken hand, Ynoa’s 2021 season was cut short, with the righty making his season debut last night against the Nats.
After only allowing 10 runs against the Nats in his first six appearances against them, they tagged him for five runs across three innings last night.
Unlike in past games, the Nats were able to work Ynoa’s pitch count early and often. Yet, they were unable to find the big hit, stranding four runners through the first two innings. Entering the top of the third, the Braves held a 1-0 lead, but this time around, Ynoa was unable to dig himself out of another jam.
After walking Juan Soto and allowing a single to Nelson Cruz, Josh Bell tied the game with a single of his own — marking the fifth straight game the 29-year-old recorded a hit. After striking out Keibert Ruiz and getting Yadiel Hernández ground into a fielder’s choice, it seemed the Nationals were going to waste another prime opportunity.
Then Lane Thomas who struggles against righties and Maikel Franco came through with a two-run double and a two-run homer respectively to make it a 5-1 game. In the Nats opening series against the Mets, Franco in particular looked awful at the plate. Through the first four games, he went 1-13, with strikeouts.
Ynoa was able to get Alcides Escobar to ground out to end the inning, but he was replaced by the bullpen at the top of the fourth. This marked the shortest start of his career against the Nats. Washington went on to tally six runs against the Braves bullpen in an 11-2 blowout.