If you knew that the Nats scored 11 runs tonight with Max Scherzer on the mound, you are thinking ‘laugher’. Scherzer went 6 1/3 innings and left with a runner on base with a 9-3 lead. Blake Treinen relieved Scherzer and allowed the inherited runner to score. The defense failed Matt Belisle once again to where he gave up 2 runs (0 earned), and Dusty would need 5 relievers on the evening as only Shawn Kelley had a clean frame tonight.
Koda Glover came in for the 9th in a non-save situation and quickly gave up 1 run and left 2 runners in scoring position and Dusty went to Mark Melancon to get the final out of the game in a Save situation. The first batter Melancon faced hit a single with 2 outs to score 2 runs and make the score 11-9. That closed the book on Koda Glover who was charged with 3 runs on his statline. Melancon got the next batter to pop-up for the final out for his 6th save (36th overall) as a Nat, and a 11-9 win.
The Nationals offense had 9 hits and 8 runs scored in the 4th inning for the most productive inning in Nats history. The add-on runs were needed to keep that final margin at 11-9 win in a 17 hit assault with 3 walks in this game.
The bullpen has to tighten up, and the defense needs to also as sloppy defense late in the game stressed the bullpen. Wilmer Difo had an error while also failing to execute a tailor-made doubleplay earlier in the game, and the same for Daniel Murphy who botched another tailor-made doubleplay only getting the lead runner.
Ryan Zimmerman in his first game back had 3 hits including a home run. Anthony Rendon had 4 hits. Daniel Murphy had 3 hits including a home run, Bryce Harper had 2 hits, and Max Scherzer had 2 hits with RISP. The big blast of the game was a 3-run home run by Trea Turner.
A win is a win and the Nats are at a season-high 24 games over .500 at 73-49. There are now 40 games remaining in the season. In 2014, the Nationals were at 69-53 at this point in the season. In 2o12, the Nationals were 76-46 at the same point. In 2012, the Nationals won 98 games, and in 2014, the Nationals won 96 games.
You can view the game recap video here.
