Photo by Marlene Koenig for TalkNats
The Nationals 5-game winning streak came to a screeching halt with this extra innings loss against the Cubs. The Nationals came back and tied this game twice behind some clutch RBIs by Victor Robles and Trea Turner to go with the earlier home run by Spencer Kieboom and a nifty hit-and-run pinch-hit by Andrew Stevenson, but unfortunately in the top of the 10th inning, the Nationals defense did not make a play in the field allowing a single to turn into a double, then a Wilmer Difo error happened, and all of that was followed by a squeeze bunt in the air that Ryan Zimmerman could not reach which all led to the winning run scoring and a tough one-run loss.
This game was started by Joe Ross who gave up two-runs over 5 innings. Ross was good and 3-of-the-4 hits off of him were weak hits. The bullpen was very good except for Jimmy Cordero who gave up a home run ball. In the 8th inning, Greg Holland came in with bases loaded and 1-out and got 2 outs without allowing a run to score. The hard luck loser was Sean Doolittle who got the shaky defense to finish this game.
The middle of the Nationals batting order of Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon, Juan Soto and Ryan Zimmerman combined for 1-17 with the only hit by Soto. It was the youngsters who got it done today with the offense. Pinch-hitter Andrew Stevenson had one of the key hits in a hit and run where he hit the ball through the vacated shortstop spot while showing the ability to inside out the pitch.
For as many positives the Nats had, the star players for the Nats just did not step up in key at-bats. The game started off with a bang-bang play as Anthony Rizzo singled and tried to stretch it into a double and the rookie Victor Robles gunned him out at second base. Later in the game, it was Robles diving for a ball in the gap for another amazing play.
While the Nats veteran threesome of Harper, Rendon, and Zimmerman were 0-12, the Cubs veteran stars of Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Baez were a combined 8-14 with all 4-runs scored and 3 of the RBIs.
