Position Players: Brandon Belt (.5) Charlie Blackmon (.48) Michael Cuddyer (10.5) Ian Desmond (3.8) Bryce Harper (.75) Adeiny Hechavarria (.5) Aaron Hill (5.5) Steve Lambordozzi (.5) Adam Laroche (10) Will Middlebrooks (.49) AJ Pierzinsky (7.5) Anthony Rendon (1.8) Jarred Saltalamachia (4.6) Denard Span (4.7) Ryan Zimmerman (14) -65.62 million
Starting Pitchers: Hisashi Iwakuma (4.6) Gio Gonzalez (6.25) Kris Medlen (2.6) Stephen Strausburg (3.4) Jordan Zimmerman (5.35) -22.2 million
Relief Pitchers: Javier Lopez (4.3) JJ Putz (6.5) Rafael Soriano (14) Jean Machi (0.49) Tyler Clippard (1.65) -26.94 million
In the season opener, the Nationals lost in a thriller. First round draft pick pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma played well early, but gave up two late runs scored by Victorino on a solo home run, and an RBI double that scored Jennings in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings. In the top of the tenth, Nationals fans hearts were wrenched out when Michael Cuddyer hit a home run to take the lead. Unfortunately, he was batting out of order, and the home run was called back. When the Rays got to bat, Adrian Beltre, on the first pitch of the inning, hit a walk-off home run off of reliever Jean Machi to complete the comeback. The loss went to Machi and the win went to Mariano Rivera.
Game 2: Nationals 1 @ Rays 7
In the second game, the Rays jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. It was a rough day for the Nationals and thoughts of forfeiture even came to mind during the blowout. Gio Gonzalez played well below his expectations and was pulled after only 5 innings. The lone spark of hope for the Nationals came when Bryce Harper crushed a deep homerun into center field in the fifth inning. The Nationals eventually lost 7-1. The losing pitcher was Gio Gonzalez and the winning pitcher was Madison Bumgartner, who pitched all nine innings. The Nationals will now try to look past their disappointing series toward their first National League matchup against the Cincinnati Reds.
Ian Desmond started the scoring off for the Nationals when he scored off of Charlie Blackmon’s RBI double in the 1st inning. Blackmon, who was a subbed into the lineup late, had two RBIs and went 2-3 during the game. The Reds however, loaded the bases in the bottom of the first and scored, then added two more runs over the span of the game, two against starting pitcher George Zimmerman, and one off of the go-ahead homerun against the Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard. The defense played decently, only giving up one error, a passed ball, and a stolen base. However, with the final nine batters for the Nationals being retired in a row, the Reds were able to hang on and win the close game. The win went to Reds pitcher, Cingrani and the loss went to Zimmerman.
Game 2: Nationals 3 @ Reds 4
The second game of the series started off with a bang. Denard Span hit a double to left, then stole third, but the Nationals weren’t able to capitalize. However, the next inning, Brandon Belt hit a bomb into left field that went 450 yards over the fence. The Reds, however got the best of the Nationals starting pitcher Steven Strausburg and jumped out to a three-to-nothing lead in the first inning. They then added one more run against Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard. The Nationals rallied however and came back to score two runs making it 4-2 going into the ninth inning. Even though pinch hitter Anthony Rendon added a solo home run in the ninth making it 3-4 in favor of the Reds, the Nationals weren’t able to mount a full comeback and the Reds swept the series. Starusburg recieved the loss and Cueto got the win.
The Nationals were having a rough start to the season when the braves came into town. The nationals were planning on getting their first win of the season with Hisashi "Kuma" Iwakuma pitching the first game of the series. The opposing pitcher was Tanner Roark. Hisashi wasn't feeling the first game of the series, as he gave up a run in the first and a 2 run double to Troy Tulowitzki in the third. Kuma also walked two batters that inning. The Nationals woes stretched to the offensive half of the game. A plethora of strikeouts led to the Nats only scoring twice. Not known to the other teams, the Nats are just setting themselves up for the comeback of the century.
After the unfortunate loss in the first game of the series, the Nats decided it was time to...turn up. Gio Gonzalez was pitching this game for the Nats. Gio gave up an early two-run homer to ex-National Jayson Werth. But in the bottom of that inning, Bryce Harper hit his first home run of the season. The Nats were on the board. Later that inning, Brandon Belt hit a two-run double to take the lead. Belt wasnt finished. In the fifth, he hit an RBI triple. To close the game, Ryan Zimmerman batter in three runs with a double. Behind the solid pitching of Gonzalez, Jean Machi, Tyler Clippard, and Javier Lopez, the Nats played a solid defensive game. The Nats started their long walk on the comeback trail.
Final Score: Nationals 6 Braves 4 Winning Pitcher: Gonzalez Losing Pitcher: Minor (1-1)
The nationals looked to continue the long, hopeful road to the playoffs when the dodgers came to town. 'twas an embarrassing performance by the nationals. The Nats only got two hits. Yes, you read that right...two. The hits came from Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and catcher Jarrod Saltalamachia. Both hits were singles, and neither one mattered in the long run. Zimmerman's brother Jordan Zimmerman had 8 strikeouts but three walks and earned runs. Jean Manuel Machi and Javier Lopez came into the game for the Nats and did ok. Machi gave up a run.
Game 2 LA: 5-WSH: 4 The Nats looked to regain their pride in the second game of the series. Matt Holliday hit a 2-run homer against Strausburg in the 4th inning. Yasiel Puig also had a two run shot. The nationals rode on a one-run HR from Brandon Belt and a two run homer by Bryce Harper. In the 9th, the nationals got their hopes up, and Ian Desmond and Michael Cuddyer let them down. The Nats pitching was mediocre and did not make up enough for the average batting. The nationals dropped the last game of the series.
In this exciting series between American and National League teams, the Nationals were desperately hoping to get back on the right track and make a late run for the playoffs. With Max Scherzer on the mound for the Indians, and Hisashi Iwakuma pitching for the Nationals, the game was predicted to be low scoring and it lived up to its expectation with the Nationals winning 3-1. The Nats were lifted in the fifth with a 2-run homer from the DH Charlie Blackmon and later Ian Desmond scored on a RBI double by Denard Span. Iwakuma played his best game of the season and pitched through eight innings until Javier Lopez came in and closed the game out in the ninth.
WP: Iwakuma Save: Lopez HR: Blackmon
Game 2: Nationals 4 @ Indians 2
The second game of the series was no different. The Nationals cruised out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning after Bryce Harper’s two run homer and then added two more in the seventh as Harper again hit yet another two run homer. Gio Gonzalez of the Nats pitched very well for six inning only allowing one run. The bullpen then pitched the last three innings only giving up one more run as the Nationals won handily 4-2. The Nationals now having won two games in a row have a serious chance to make at least the third seed and make the playoffs. The need to win the majority of their remaining games though, and will look to obliterate the Pirates in their upcoming series.
In game one of this exciting National League series, the Pirates jumped out to a 1-0 lead given up by Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmerman. The game remained close as both pitching staffs pitched well. However, the game got hectic in the ninth. With one out in the ninth, Michael Cuddyer hit a liner into right field and got all the way to second on a clutch double. Then, on the next pitch the crowd roared as Cuddyer took off to third, while he still would have been safe, the throw by the Pirate’s catcher was wild and skipped into left field. Cuddyer sprinted home and tied the game as the Pirates looked on in disbelief. However, in the bottom of the ninth, the Nationals solid closer, Javier Lopez gave up a walk off double to Pablo Sandoval.
LP: Zimmerman Save: none HR: none
Game 2: Nationals 2 @ Pirates 0
In the second game of the series, the Pirates were shocked by the resurgence of Steven Strausburg, the last pitcher in the rotation for the Nats pitched his best game of the season only giving up four hits in eight innings and striking out ten batters. The Nats batters also had a better second game scoring off a home run by Ryan Zimmerman and an RBI single by Brandon Belt. Taking one out of two from the Pirates who are near the top of the NL was a boost for the Nationals who now need to win more than ¾ of their next games if they want to get to the playoffs.
The Nationals needed to defeat the struggling Cardinals who were in a similar situation as them as each team is at the bottom of the National League, trying to scrap their way to the playoffs. The game started off with a bang as the Cardinals got three runs in the first inning off of Nationals ace Hisashi Iwakuma. The Nationals looked to make a comeback though as Aaron Hill and Michael Cuddyer hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth. However, in the high scoring affair, the Cards were able to out score the Nats 5-3 and get the very important win.
LP: Iwakuma Save: none HR: Hill, Cuddyer
Game 2: Nationals 1 vs Cardinals 3
In game two, the Nationals jumped out to an early one to zero lead after Aaron Hill scored off of Michael Cuddyer’s RBI single in the first. However, the Nationals were shut out for the rest of the game and couldn’t get another run off of the Cardinal’s pitcher Michael Wacha. In the seventh, the Cardinals tied the game off of Brandon Phillips’s RBI double and then later took the lead for good after David Freese hit a two-run homer into left field. Now having been swept, the Nationals need to run the table if they want to have a serious chance of getting into the playoffs. Every game from here on out is crucial.
In the first game of this interleague matchup, the Nationals pitcher, Jordan Zimmerman pitched extremely well giving up only two hits in eight innings to one of the best offenses in the American League. The scoring was low throughout the game and it remained 0-0 going into the bottom of the eighth inning. Then, the Nationals bats exploded. Blackmon started the inning off with a ground rule double deep into right field. The next batter, Ian Desmond, then proceeded to drill another double over Tori Hunter’s head. Zimmerman then walked setting up another great scoring opportunity. After Zimmerman was caught stealing, Span batted in Desomond with he third double of the inning. The score of 2-0 then held through the rest of the game and the Nationals took game one.
WP: J. Zimmerman (1-3) LP: Fister Save: Lopez HR: none
Game 2: Nationals 6 vs Tigers 0
The second game of the series was the highest point for the Nationals all season so far. In an offensive detonation, the Nationals scored six runs off of Paxton including 5 runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Nationals pitching continued to ball out as Steven Strausburg continued his resurgence to hold the Tigers to only two hits through seven innings. Lopez then successfully closed out the last two innings. While the Nationals now have a losing record against National League teams, they are four and zero against American League teams and some wonder what could have happened if the Nats had been in the AL this year.
The first game of the series rematch against the Pirates for the Nationals was a complete and utter disaster. Hisashi Iwakuma hit an all time low as the Pirates batters continued to have their way with him. Iwakuma, the former Nationals number one draft pick, gave up six runs in only six innings. The Nationals bats couldn’t muster up anything to even come close to a comeback and the day finally ended with the Pirates obliterating the Nationals at home. The National’s chances at a potential playoff spot might now just be dead and the Nats will have begin to look towards next year.
WP: Moore LP: Iwakuma (1-3) Save: none HR: none
Game 2: Nationals 1 vs Pirates 0
After the horrid performance in game one, the Nationals showed once again why they are the most inconsistent team in the major leagues. Gio Gonzalez, pitched extremely well and only gave up two hits through eight innings. The Nationals scored the only run of the close and exciting game in the bottom of the fourth when Bryce Harper scored off of Aaron Hill’s RBI single. With only one game remaining, the Nationals playoff hopes are officially over. They now look to spoil their National League East rival, the Atlanta Braves, chances at making it as well in their final home game.
In the last game of the regular season, the Braves hosted the Washington Nationals. The Nats, who had already been eliminated from the playoffs, had nothing to lose and they sure played like it. Michael Cuddyer scored the game’s first run off of Brandon Belt’s RBI single. The game then remained 1-0 throught the next eight innings. Then, in the top of the ninth, the Nationals seemed to catch fire. They scored five…yes five runs in the top of their last offensive inning of the year. The highlight of the inning was pinch hitter Denard Span’s 3 RBI triple with the bases loaded. Javier Lopez then successfully closed out the season only allowing one run. In a somewhat disappointing season for the Nationals, they made sure to end the year strong and give the fans something to hold on to.
WP: J. Zimmerman (2-3) LP: Tehran Save: Lopez HR: none
Washington Nationals Roster
ReplyDeletePosition Players:
Brandon Belt (.5)
Charlie Blackmon (.48)
Michael Cuddyer (10.5)
Ian Desmond (3.8)
Bryce Harper (.75)
Adeiny Hechavarria (.5)
Aaron Hill (5.5)
Steve Lambordozzi (.5)
Adam Laroche (10)
Will Middlebrooks (.49)
AJ Pierzinsky (7.5)
Anthony Rendon (1.8)
Jarred Saltalamachia (4.6)
Denard Span (4.7)
Ryan Zimmerman (14)
-65.62 million
Starting Pitchers:
Hisashi Iwakuma (4.6)
Gio Gonzalez (6.25)
Kris Medlen (2.6)
Stephen Strausburg (3.4)
Jordan Zimmerman (5.35)
-22.2 million
Relief Pitchers:
Javier Lopez (4.3)
JJ Putz (6.5)
Rafael Soriano (14)
Jean Machi (0.49)
Tyler Clippard (1.65)
-26.94 million
Total Spent1: 114.76 million dollars
Nationals vs Rays series Recap (1/13/13)
ReplyDeleteGame 1: Nationals 2 @ Rays 3
In the season opener, the Nationals lost in a thriller. First round draft pick pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma played well early, but gave up two late runs scored by Victorino on a solo home run, and an RBI double that scored Jennings in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings. In the top of the tenth, Nationals fans hearts were wrenched out when Michael Cuddyer hit a home run to take the lead. Unfortunately, he was batting out of order, and the home run was called back. When the Rays got to bat, Adrian Beltre, on the first pitch of the inning, hit a walk-off home run off of reliever Jean Machi to complete the comeback. The loss went to Machi and the win went to Mariano Rivera.
Game 2: Nationals 1 @ Rays 7
In the second game, the Rays jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. It was a rough day for the Nationals and thoughts of forfeiture even came to mind during the blowout. Gio Gonzalez played well below his expectations and was pulled after only 5 innings. The lone spark of hope for the Nationals came when Bryce Harper crushed a deep homerun into center field in the fifth inning. The Nationals eventually lost 7-1. The losing pitcher was Gio Gonzalez and the winning pitcher was Madison Bumgartner, who pitched all nine innings. The Nationals will now try to look past their disappointing series toward their first National League matchup against the Cincinnati Reds.
Game 1:
DeleteWP: Rivera
LP: Machi (0-1)
S: none
HR: none
Game 2:
WP:Bumgartner
LP: Gonzalez (0-1)
Save: -
HR: Harper 1 (1)
Nationals (0-2)
DeleteNationals vs Reds Series Recap (1/14/13)
ReplyDeleteGame 1: Nationals 2 @ Reds 3
Ian Desmond started the scoring off for the Nationals when he scored off of Charlie Blackmon’s RBI double in the 1st inning. Blackmon, who was a subbed into the lineup late, had two RBIs and went 2-3 during the game. The Reds however, loaded the bases in the bottom of the first and scored, then added two more runs over the span of the game, two against starting pitcher George Zimmerman, and one off of the go-ahead homerun against the Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard. The defense played decently, only giving up one error, a passed ball, and a stolen base. However, with the final nine batters for the Nationals being retired in a row, the Reds were able to hang on and win the close game. The win went to Reds pitcher, Cingrani and the loss went to Zimmerman.
Game 2: Nationals 3 @ Reds 4
The second game of the series started off with a bang. Denard Span hit a double to left, then stole third, but the Nationals weren’t able to capitalize. However, the next inning, Brandon Belt hit a bomb into left field that went 450 yards over the fence. The Reds, however got the best of the Nationals starting pitcher Steven Strausburg and jumped out to a three-to-nothing lead in the first inning. They then added one more run against Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard. The Nationals rallied however and came back to score two runs making it 4-2 going into the ninth inning. Even though pinch hitter Anthony Rendon added a solo home run in the ninth making it 3-4 in favor of the Reds, the Nationals weren’t able to mount a full comeback and the Reds swept the series. Starusburg recieved the loss and Cueto got the win.
Game 1:
DeleteWP: Cingrani
LP: J. Zimmerman (0-1)
S: none
HR: none
Game 2:
WP: Cueto
LP: Strausburg
Save: none
HR: Belt 1 (1), Rendon 1 (1)
Nationals (0-4)
DeleteThe Nationals were having a rough start to the season when the braves came into town. The nationals were planning on getting their first win of the season with Hisashi "Kuma" Iwakuma pitching the first game of the series. The opposing pitcher was Tanner Roark. Hisashi wasn't feeling the first game of the series, as he gave up a run in the first and a 2 run double to Troy Tulowitzki in the third. Kuma also walked two batters that inning. The Nationals woes stretched to the offensive half of the game. A plethora of strikeouts led to the Nats only scoring twice. Not known to the other teams, the Nats are just setting themselves up for the comeback of the century.
ReplyDeleteFinal Score: Braves 6 Nationals 2
Winning Pitcher: Roark(1-1)
Losing Pitcher: Iwakuma (0-2)
After the unfortunate loss in the first game of the series, the Nats decided it was time to...turn up. Gio Gonzalez was pitching this game for the Nats. Gio gave up an early two-run homer to ex-National Jayson Werth. But in the bottom of that inning, Bryce Harper hit his first home run of the season. The Nats were on the board. Later that inning, Brandon Belt hit a two-run double to take the lead. Belt wasnt finished. In the fifth, he hit an RBI triple. To close the game, Ryan Zimmerman batter in three runs with a double. Behind the solid pitching of Gonzalez, Jean Machi, Tyler Clippard, and Javier Lopez, the Nats played a solid defensive game. The Nats started their long walk on the comeback trail.
Final Score: Nationals 6 Braves 4
Winning Pitcher: Gonzalez
Losing Pitcher: Minor (1-1)
Game 1:
DeleteWP: Roark
LP: Iwakuma (0-1)
Save: none
HR: none
Game 2:
WP: Gonzalez (1-1)
LP: Minor
Save: Zopez
HR: Harper 1 (2)
Nationals (1-5)
Game 1: LA: 4-WSH: 0
ReplyDeleteThe nationals looked to continue the long, hopeful road to the playoffs when the dodgers came to town. 'twas an embarrassing performance by the nationals. The Nats only got two hits. Yes, you read that right...two. The hits came from Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and catcher Jarrod Saltalamachia. Both hits were singles, and neither one mattered in the long run. Zimmerman's brother Jordan Zimmerman had 8 strikeouts but three walks and earned runs. Jean Manuel Machi and Javier Lopez came into the game for the Nats and did ok. Machi gave up a run.
Game 2 LA: 5-WSH: 4
The Nats looked to regain their pride in the second game of the series. Matt Holliday hit a 2-run homer against Strausburg in the 4th inning. Yasiel Puig also had a two run shot. The nationals rode on a one-run HR from Brandon Belt and a two run homer by Bryce Harper. In the 9th, the nationals got their hopes up, and Ian Desmond and Michael Cuddyer let them down. The Nats pitching was mediocre and did not make up enough for the average batting. The nationals dropped the last game of the series.
Game 1:
DeleteWP: Lee
LP: Zimmerman (0-2)
Save: none
HR: none
Game 2:
WP: Ryu
LP: Strausburg (0-2)
Save: none
HR: Harper 1 (3), Belt 1 (2)
Nationals (1-7)
DeleteNationals vs Indians Series Recap
ReplyDeleteGame 1: Nationals 3 @ Indians 1
In this exciting series between American and National League teams, the Nationals were desperately hoping to get back on the right track and make a late run for the playoffs. With Max Scherzer on the mound for the Indians, and Hisashi Iwakuma pitching for the Nationals, the game was predicted to be low scoring and it lived up to its expectation with the Nationals winning 3-1. The Nats were lifted in the fifth with a 2-run homer from the DH Charlie Blackmon and later Ian Desmond scored on a RBI double by Denard Span. Iwakuma played his best game of the season and pitched through eight innings until Javier Lopez came in and closed the game out in the ninth.
WP: Iwakuma
Save: Lopez
HR: Blackmon
Game 2: Nationals 4 @ Indians 2
The second game of the series was no different. The Nationals cruised out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning after Bryce Harper’s two run homer and then added two more in the seventh as Harper again hit yet another two run homer. Gio Gonzalez of the Nats pitched very well for six inning only allowing one run. The bullpen then pitched the last three innings only giving up one more run as the Nationals won handily 4-2. The Nationals now having won two games in a row have a serious chance to make at least the third seed and make the playoffs. The need to win the majority of their remaining games though, and will look to obliterate the Pirates in their upcoming series.
WP: Gonzalez
Save: Lopez
HR: Harper (2)
Game 1:
DeleteWP: Iwakuma (1-1)
LP: Scherzer
Save: Lopez
HR: Blackmon 1 (1)
Game 2:
WP: Gonzalez
LP: Jimenez
Save: Lopez
HR: Harper 2 (5)
Nationals (3-7)
*Gonzalez is (2-1)
DeleteNationals vs Pirates Series Recap
ReplyDeleteGame 1: Nationals 1 @ Pirates 2
In game one of this exciting National League series, the Pirates jumped out to a 1-0 lead given up by Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmerman. The game remained close as both pitching staffs pitched well. However, the game got hectic in the ninth. With one out in the ninth, Michael Cuddyer hit a liner into right field and got all the way to second on a clutch double. Then, on the next pitch the crowd roared as Cuddyer took off to third, while he still would have been safe, the throw by the Pirate’s catcher was wild and skipped into left field. Cuddyer sprinted home and tied the game as the Pirates looked on in disbelief. However, in the bottom of the ninth, the Nationals solid closer, Javier Lopez gave up a walk off double to Pablo Sandoval.
LP: Zimmerman
Save: none
HR: none
Game 2: Nationals 2 @ Pirates 0
In the second game of the series, the Pirates were shocked by the resurgence of Steven Strausburg, the last pitcher in the rotation for the Nats pitched his best game of the season only giving up four hits in eight innings and striking out ten batters. The Nats batters also had a better second game scoring off a home run by Ryan Zimmerman and an RBI single by Brandon Belt. Taking one out of two from the Pirates who are near the top of the NL was a boost for the Nationals who now need to win more than ¾ of their next games if they want to get to the playoffs.
WP: Strausburg
Save: Lopez
HR: R. Zimmerman
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteGame 1:
DeleteWP: Melancon
LP: Zimmerman (0-3)
Save: none
HR: none
Game 2:
WP: Strausburg
LP: Liriano
Save: Lopez
HR: R. Zimmerman 1 (1)
Nationals (4-8)
*Strausburg is (1-2)
DeleteNationals vs Cardinals Series Recap
ReplyDeleteGame 1: Nationals 3 vs Cardinals 5
The Nationals needed to defeat the struggling Cardinals who were in a similar situation as them as each team is at the bottom of the National League, trying to scrap their way to the playoffs. The game started off with a bang as the Cardinals got three runs in the first inning off of Nationals ace Hisashi Iwakuma. The Nationals looked to make a comeback though as Aaron Hill and Michael Cuddyer hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth. However, in the high scoring affair, the Cards were able to out score the Nats 5-3 and get the very important win.
LP: Iwakuma
Save: none
HR: Hill, Cuddyer
Game 2: Nationals 1 vs Cardinals 3
In game two, the Nationals jumped out to an early one to zero lead after Aaron Hill scored off of Michael Cuddyer’s RBI single in the first. However, the Nationals were shut out for the rest of the game and couldn’t get another run off of the Cardinal’s pitcher Michael Wacha. In the seventh, the Cardinals tied the game off of Brandon Phillips’s RBI double and then later took the lead for good after David Freese hit a two-run homer into left field. Now having been swept, the Nationals need to run the table if they want to have a serious chance of getting into the playoffs. Every game from here on out is crucial.
LP: G. Gonzalez
Save: none
HR: none
Game 1:
DeleteWP: Wainwright
LP: Iwakuma (1-2)
Save: none
HR: Hill 1 (1), Cuddyer 1 (1)
Game 2:
WP: Wacha
LP: Gonzalez (2-2)
Save: none
HR: none
Nationals (4-10)
Nationals vs Tigers Series Recap
ReplyDeleteGame 1: Nationals 2 vs Tigers 0
In the first game of this interleague matchup, the Nationals pitcher, Jordan Zimmerman pitched extremely well giving up only two hits in eight innings to one of the best offenses in the American League. The scoring was low throughout the game and it remained 0-0 going into the bottom of the eighth inning. Then, the Nationals bats exploded. Blackmon started the inning off with a ground rule double deep into right field. The next batter, Ian Desmond, then proceeded to drill another double over Tori Hunter’s head. Zimmerman then walked setting up another great scoring opportunity. After Zimmerman was caught stealing, Span batted in Desomond with he third double of the inning. The score of 2-0 then held through the rest of the game and the Nationals took game one.
WP: J. Zimmerman (1-3)
LP: Fister
Save: Lopez
HR: none
Game 2: Nationals 6 vs Tigers 0
The second game of the series was the highest point for the Nationals all season so far. In an offensive detonation, the Nationals scored six runs off of Paxton including 5 runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Nationals pitching continued to ball out as Steven Strausburg continued his resurgence to hold the Tigers to only two hits through seven innings. Lopez then successfully closed out the last two innings. While the Nationals now have a losing record against National League teams, they are four and zero against American League teams and some wonder what could have happened if the Nats had been in the AL this year.
WP: Strausburg (2-2)
LP: Paxton
Save: Lopez
HR: Blackmon 1 (2), Desmond 1 (1)
Nationals (6-10)
Nationals vs Pirates 2nd Series Recap
ReplyDeleteGame 1: Nationals 0 vs Pirates 7
The first game of the series rematch against the Pirates for the Nationals was a complete and utter disaster. Hisashi Iwakuma hit an all time low as the Pirates batters continued to have their way with him. Iwakuma, the former Nationals number one draft pick, gave up six runs in only six innings. The Nationals bats couldn’t muster up anything to even come close to a comeback and the day finally ended with the Pirates obliterating the Nationals at home. The National’s chances at a potential playoff spot might now just be dead and the Nats will have begin to look towards next year.
WP: Moore
LP: Iwakuma (1-3)
Save: none
HR: none
Game 2: Nationals 1 vs Pirates 0
After the horrid performance in game one, the Nationals showed once again why they are the most inconsistent team in the major leagues. Gio Gonzalez, pitched extremely well and only gave up two hits through eight innings. The Nationals scored the only run of the close and exciting game in the bottom of the fourth when Bryce Harper scored off of Aaron Hill’s RBI single. With only one game remaining, the Nationals playoff hopes are officially over. They now look to spoil their National League East rival, the Atlanta Braves, chances at making it as well in their final home game.
WP: Gonzalez (3-2)
LP: Sale
Save: Lopez
HR: none
Nationals (7-11)
Nationals vs Braves Final Game Recap
ReplyDeleteNationals 6 @ Braves 1
In the last game of the regular season, the Braves hosted the Washington Nationals. The Nats, who had already been eliminated from the playoffs, had nothing to lose and they sure played like it. Michael Cuddyer scored the game’s first run off of Brandon Belt’s RBI single. The game then remained 1-0 throught the next eight innings. Then, in the top of the ninth, the Nationals seemed to catch fire. They scored five…yes five runs in the top of their last offensive inning of the year. The highlight of the inning was pinch hitter Denard Span’s 3 RBI triple with the bases loaded. Javier Lopez then successfully closed out the season only allowing one run. In a somewhat disappointing season for the Nationals, they made sure to end the year strong and give the fans something to hold on to.
WP: J. Zimmerman (2-3)
LP: Tehran
Save: Lopez
HR: none
Nationals (8-11)