The Nationals blew two leads of two runs each then the Nats held on for a 9-to-5 win that just never seemed firm until “The Firm” entered the game.It’s been quite the week for Michael Taylor who had a walk-off double two days ago and got the scoring started with a 2-run home run in his hometown South Florida. As we wrote in the pre-game, Taylor grew up close to Miami and loves playing in Miami and Tampa where his family and friends and can travel to watch him. Max Scherzer unfortunately gave up 4-runs in this game after Matt Adams gave him another 2-run lead with a centerfield homer for his 12th of the year in part-time play, and Scherzer exited in a 4-to-4 tie. The Nationals then exploded for 3-runs off of the Marlins bullpen, and in the bottom of the 7th inning manager Dave Martinez went through 4 relief pitchers to get 3-outs.
“This is just a great team win,” Scherzer said. “Just shows you what our offense is capable of.”
In the top of the 8th inning, the Nationals added two more runs for what would be the final score of 9-to-5. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Davey Martinez went to closer Sean Doolittle with a 4-run lead and 1 out and 2 runners on-base making it a save situation. Doolittle got the last 5 outs to preserve this win and earn his 10th save on the season.
“BP felt good today,” Michael Taylor said. “My cage work is definitely getting better. I feel like I’m headed in the right direction.”
The Nats were only credited with 7 RBIs since 2 runs scored off of errors but it is possible that Trea Turner will be credited with another RBI and a hit on a 95.5 mph line drive that the shortstop jumped for and hit his glove and bounced out. Trea also had an infield RBI single with bases loaded and Bryce Harper added 2 RBIs of his own to match Taylor’s and Adams 2 RBIs each. Anthony Rendon had three hits in the game, and Andrew Stevenson pinch-hit for Max Scherzer in the top of the 7th inning and worked two walks and scored two runs. Wilmer Difo went 1-for-3 with a walk and also scored two runs.
Scherzer on throwing 114 pitches: "I was fine. Sometimes it’s almost like – I know this is going to sound weird –but sometimes when you get those extended pitch counts, when you get above 110 and everything, it’s almost easier on your arm. I don’t know how. I don’t know why."
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) May 26, 2018
For Max Scherzer, he wasn’t his sharpest in this game coming off of a 121-pitch outing 6 days ago, and Max labored through 114-pitches in this start. Martin Prado who entered the game batting .169 got 3-hits off of Max Scherzer and exited the game with a hamstring injury. In contrast, Max Scherzer handled the Marlins top-hitter, J.T. Realmuto, well while striking him out twice. Baseball is a funny game.
Top defensive plays were turned in by Michael Taylor at the wall, and Matt Adams with an over the shoulder catch running down the 1st base line.
“I felt like I had a bead on it,” Taylor said about his top defensive play. “I wasn’t sure how well it was carrying out there. It was a little challenging with the ceiling. I lost it for a second. Felt good going back on it.”
With the usage of Kintzler and Doolittle it calls into question what Martinez will do tomorrow with his bullpen.
