The Washington Nationals battled back last night to win a game in the Queen City that could only be described as the “Scrappy Nats” are back! Manager Davey Martinez pushed every button in the ninth inning while using every position player except for Riley Adams, and the go-ahead run was scored by pinch-runner and Rule-5 pick, Nasim Nunez. They scored five runs in the final three innings to win by a final score of 7-6. Every Nats player contributed in that one, and the newbie, Trey Lipscomb, had a hit, stolen base, and a few highlight reel defensive plays to make his mark — and set a Nats record.
The left side of the Nats field with Lipscomb was hot — especially if you created a type of quadrilateral effect to stretch from left fielder Jesse Winker to catcher Keibert Ruiz with Lipscomb and shortstop CJ Abrams as middle points in there. Those four combined to reach base 12-of-19 times (.632 OBP), and Ruiz had three RBIs that included a huge homer to tie the game in the 8th inning, and then tied it again in the 9th inning with a bases loaded HBP. Did that set a record? It had to at least tie a record. Ruiz literally collared two relievers with blown saves including Reds’ closer Alexis Diaz.
Defense mattered big time in that game, and Winker had an outfield assist to nail a speedy runner at home, and went 2-4 with a walk at the plate. Abrams walked three times, stole three bags, hit a triple to add to his big game, and scored three key runs.
“Davey tells me if I walk — it’s a double. [My goal is to] try to get on there for the team, and score runs.”
— CJ Abrams said after Saturday’s win
Yesterday’s win put the Nats into sole possession of second place in the NL East after just two games. Find a way to win that first game after Patrick Corbin hit the wall in the fifth inning was a case of déjà vu. He was cruising until the wheels suddenly came off. Through 4.0 innings he had only given up one run on three hits and one walk. Then he opened the fifth inning by giving up four consecutive hits that included one of those gift home runs that would have been a can of corn, 374 foot out, in Nationals Park.
The Nats bullpen was good until the pesky Nick Martini victimized Hunter Harvey in the eighth inning for a two run double on an 0-2 pitch that should have been a swing and miss chase pitch. When you’re hot — you’re hot, and Martini has seven RBIs in just five at-bats this season. Before this season the 33-year-old had 67 ABs in his entire MLB career. Clearly the Nats might need to drink the antidote like the anti-Martini with crushed red cherries.
“I know one thing about this team is that we’re going to fight for 27-outs, and we showed it today.”
— manager Dave Martinez said after Saturday’s game
The Nats chose Josiah Gray to start this opener followed by Corbin yesterday, and today is Jake Irvin spot in this finale in Cincinnati for the series win. The Nats’ home opener on Monday (weather permitting) has MacKenzie Gore on the mound, and the Nats can choose to pitch Gray on Wednesday on one day of extra rest or go with their №5 starter Trevor Williams.
Game time temperature for first pitch today is forecasted to be around 58 degrees with cloudy skies and a chance of rain. It is currently raining in Cincinnati. The temperatures should climb during the game into the low 60’s.
Washington Nationals vs. Cincinnati Reds
Stadium: Great American Ball Park; Cincinnati, Ohio
1st Pitch: 1:40 pm EDT
TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app; Sirius/XM Online for the Nats with Channel 177 for the opposing team
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
TalkNats is Celebrating the 5 and 100 year anniversaries of World Series Wins by providing Game-by-Game Summaries.
Game 3:
The Nationals won on 3/31 on a walk-off home run by Trea Turner at home against the Mets by the score 6-5 resulting in a record of 1-2. Box Score / Standings
The Senators lost on 04/17 at home against the Athletics by the score 3-4 resulting in a record of 1-2. Box Score / Standings
