The Washington Nationals season finale with the Atlanta Braves and final game in (Trea) Turner Field did not go according to (Dusty’s) plan. In a game with multiple rain delays, the game was finally called as an official rain shortened game with a Nationals loss of 6-2.
Joe Ross pitched well in his first start since July 2nd, and he was pulled early after he gave up just 1 run today in 3 innings as he got near his limit today. Ross threw 51 pitches and had five strikeouts and no walks while the Braves were able to scatter 6 hits.
The game was called in the bottom of the 7th inning. The highlights for the Nationals were few, and Trea Turner had a stand-up triple, Jayson Werth an RBI double, and Bryce Harper had an RBI single.
Trea Turner got his 100th career hit today, and we believe that is a Nationals record for the fastest to 100 hits as we await confirmation. It has taken Turner just 296 career at-bats to reach the 100 hit total. 2,900 to go Trea!
.@treavturner has 100 hits in 312 PA. That's more hits in the same # of PA than Ted Williams (81) & Pete Rose (74). pic.twitter.com/lR915Y0E40
— Nick Jones (@NickJonesCreate) September 19, 2016
Here is the swing from Trea Turner for the triple that was his 100th hit:
Photo by Stan4Nats for TalkNats.com
The Nationals clawed back in the game in the top of the 6th inning to get the score back to 3-2 then Rafael Martin came in to pitch the bottom of the 6th inning and walked the lead-off batter. Marc Rzepczynski took over for Martin and gave up two straight hits and before you knew it the score was 6-2.
Joe Ross once again showed that he can hit and was 1-1 in the game. His value to the Nats in the post-season will include his ability to pinch-hit and pinch-run. Joe Ross raised his batting average to .270. That is a higher batting average than four of the starting Nationals’ position players.
