Photo by Lynn G. for TalkNats
The Nationals put up four runs quickly on a pitcher making his second career start, but then the Nats bats went quiet which put the pressure on the Nats pitching to hold the lead which they did. Nats starter Anibal Sanchez only gave up one earned run but because of his throwing error he departed with 6.0 innings in the books with a 5-2 lead. The Nats bullpen gave up one run and holds by Hunter Strickland and Fernando Rodney and the save by Sean Doolittle as the Nats won their 60th game of the season.
The Nats clinched this series with the win tonight, and the season finale against the Giants is tomorrow in a mid-afternoon getaway game. The Nats won this game 5-3, and the offense was led by Kurt Suzuki who knocked in three of the runs going 3-4 with a home run. Trea Turner added the final run of the night for the Nats with a solo home run which was also his 500th career hit. The Nats only had eight hits, and much of that credit went to the Giants bullpen for holding the Nats to two hits over three innings.
“These guys are fighting and scratching and playing with a lot of heart,” manager Dave Martinez said.
With pressure in the Wild Card chase, the Nats really needed to piece together some wins, and the team got it done. With Fernando Rodney and Sean Doolittle pitching in back-to-back games, we will have to see how manager Dave Martinez pieces together his bullpen tomorrow.
