After last night’s win, manager Dave Martinez acknowledged that the team has to play better. For Martinez, he was clearly referring to the four errors committed by his defense and other recent mistakes made in baserunning and plays that were not made. You take an ugly win, and hopefully learn from it. A team loses plenty of games where they played well so it does even out.
“That was a sloppy game … But we have to play better. We have to be consistent,” manager Dave Martinez said. “We have to play clean baseball. If I’m a fan, I’d be frustrated.”
The Nationals send their lefty Patrick Corbin to the mound and he will face the Marlins righty Sandy Alcantara. In addition, the Nationals have added James Bourque to the roster and option Joe Ross to Triple-A Fresno.
The Nationals send Joe Ross to AAA to become a starter (again). What this means for him and the team going forward: https://t.co/Uinefgn7Rg
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) May 25, 2019
Ross has been inconsistent in his appearances, but also inconsistent in his usage. There has clearly been some issues there and hopefully Ross can figure it out in Fresno.
The Nationals have allowed 52 runs in the 8th inning this season.
The Brewers allowed 56 runs in the 8th inning *all of last season*.
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 25, 2019
There is also concern over Sean Doolittle who has turned in two consecutive poor appearances. Doolittle gave up 3-hits in the 9th inning last night including a 450+ foot home run after his 6-run meltdown on Wednesday. On this night, Doo was saved by his defense when Victor Robles made a diving catch on a low liner, and a fortuitous bounce off of the mound directly to second baseman Brian Dozier who was positioned perfectly to glove it to finish the game. The Bourque move could be more about Doolittle who was not locating his fastball last night, and the Marlins almost made him pay.
Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 4:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN, Fox Sports – Florida, MLB.TV
Nats Radio: 106.7 FM The Fan; SiriusXM® Sirius 211 XM 186 (Internet 869)
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
Turner SS Eaton RF Rendon 3B Soto LF Adams 1B Dozier 2B Robles CF Gomes C Corbin LHP
