The Washington Nationals continue to give away wins, and this time the lucky recipient was the Atlanta Braves. A 3-run lead in the 8th inning was not enough. The Nationals gave away 2-runs in the 8th inning to hand on to a 9-8 lead. After a quick bottom of the 8th inning, the 9th inning began with a lead-off walk, an out, another walk, then a 3-run home run by Tyler Flowers who was 0-4 in the game. The Braves went into the bottom of the 9th inning with a 10-8 lead.
Michael Taylor led-off with a double off of the Braves’ closer Jim Johnson. The next two batters struck out. Trea Turner singled to drive in Taylor and make the score 11-10 with Bryce Harper coming to bat. Harper was first pitch swinging and just missed on a line drive that was hit right at Ender Inciarte in centerfield for the final out.
It was another team loss as Stephen Strasburg gave up 6 runs over 5 innings. Jacob Turner was charged with 2 runs in 2 1/3 innings. Matt Albers shut the door in the 8th inning but he was charged with the blown save loss in this one.
The Nationals offense clearly was in-sync most of the night as Trea Turner, Michael Taylor, and Brian Goodwin each had 3 hits in the team’s 17 hit barrage but it was not enough.
