Washington Nationals 2017 Season Thread

[Aa3rt]

Wednesday, April 19th Nationals 14, Braves 4

An impressive performance by Washington starter Joe Ross (After a shaky 1st inning), two grand slams by Nationals hitters and another blown call by 3rd base umpire CB Bucknor highlight a 14-4 defeat of the Braves in Atlanta.

Washington's Joe Ross gets the start and the win, working 7 innings, giving up 6 hits, 3 runs and 1 walk while striking out 7. Washington sent 3 pitchers to the mound. For Atlanta, starter Julio Teheran is charged with the loss, giving up 7 runs on 7 hits while both walking and striking out 3. Atlanta used 5 pitchers in the game.

Offense for Atlanta came in the form of a Freddie Freeman home run while Washington provided the majority of the offensive fireworks. The Nationals got doubles from Bryce Harper, Chris Heisey and Wilmer Difo and home runs from Harper, who stroked round trippers in both the 1st and 2nd innings, the second with the bases loaded, and Ryan Zimmerman, who was also credited with a grand slam.

The Braves completed 1 double play, the Nationals 2.

Umpire CB Bucknor, who had a rough Tuesday behind the plate, blew another easy call at 3rd base when a Bryce Harper fly ball into left field was played on a hop by Emilio Bonifacio. Well, it was apparent to almost everyone in the park with the exception of Bucknor, who called Harper out. Bucknor's call was overruled by the first base umpire and Harper was credited with a double.

Nationals note: After Tuesday's poor performance by Blake Trienen, manager Dusty Baker has lessened Trienen's role in the bullpen and will be using Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover as closers for the immediate future.

The final line: Nationals 14 runs, 20 hits, 0 errors, Braves 4 runs, 8 hits, 1 error

Next game: Thursday, April 20th, Nationals vs Braves in Atlanta, game time 7:35PM EDT

Nationals record: 9 wins, 5 losses

[Aa3rt]

Thursday, April 20th Nationals 3, Braves 2

The Washington Nationals complete a sweep of the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta with a 3-2 Thursday night victory.

Stephen Strasburg picks up the win, working 7 innings, giving up 6 hits and 2 runs while walking 2 and striking out 10. Strasburg and the Nationals benefitted from some good defense keeping the Braves in check. The Nationals sent 4 pitchers to the mound with Shawn Kelley earning his second save of the season.

For the Braves, R. A. Dickey is charged with the loss. Dickey would pitch 7 innings, giving up 3 runs on just 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3. The Braves also sent 4 pitchers to the mound.

Extra base hits were few, Brandon Phillips doubled for Atlanta while Ryan Zimmerman doubled and homered for Washington. Zimmerman's homer with 1 on proved to be the game winner.

There were no double plays in the game.

Nationals note: Trea Turner will be activated from the DL but is not expected to start in tonight's game.

The final line: Nationals 3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, Braves 2 runs, 7 hits, 0 errors

Next game: Nationals vs the New York Mets in New York, game time 7:10PM EDT

Nationals record: 10 wins, 5 losses

[Aa3rt]

Friday, April 21st Washington Nationals 4, New York Mets 3 (11 innings)

The Washington Nationals make their way to the Big Apple for their first encounter of the 2017 season with the New York Mets and come away 4-3 winners in 11 innings.

The performance of both teams was amazingly similar - both would use 5 pitchers with the 4th pitcher to appear getting the decision and both teams would hit 1 double and both starters would give up 2 home runs. The game winning run would score on a bases loaded walk in the top of the 11th.

For the Nationals, Tanner Roark started, working 7.2 innings, surrendering 7 hits and 3 runs while walking 3 and striking out 5. Enny Romero would get the win, his first of the season, pitching a perfect 10th inning while Shawn Kelley picked up his 3rd save.

The Mets would send Matt Harvey to the mound to start the game. Harvey would work 7 innings, giving up 4 hits, 3 runs and 2 walks while striking out 2. Josh Smoker would be charged with the loss.

Extra base hits for the Mets came in the form of a double from Zack Wheeler and solo home runs from Michael Conforto and Curtis Granderson. For the Nationals, Bryce Harper doubled and homered with 1 aboard while Jose Lobaton hit a solo shot.

The Nationals executed 1 DP.

The final line: Washington 4 runs, 5 hits, 1 error, New York 3 runs, 7 hits, 0 errors

Next game: Saturday, April 22nd vs the Mets in New York, game time 4:00PM EDT

Nationals record: 11 wins, 5 losses

[Aa3rt]

Saturday, April 22nd Nationals 3, Mets 1

The Washington Nationals make it 6 victories in a row and Gio Gonzalez flirts with a no-hitter before yielding a hit in the bottom of the 6th, picking up his second win of the season.

Gonzalez would work 6.1 innings, giving up 2 hits and 1 run, striking out 6 and walking 3. The Nationals would use 4 pitchers in the game with manager Dusty Baker's "bullpen by committee" seeing Enny Romero being credited with a hold and Koda Glover earning his first save of the season by working just 1/3rd of an inning.

Mets starter Jacob deGrom is charged with the loss, pitching 5.2 innings and giving up 8 hits and 3 runs while walking 6 but striking out 10. The Mets would also send 4 pitchers to the mound.

There was little offense on this cold, wet day. The Mets would get one double from Asdrubal Cabrera, the Nationals 2 from Adam Eaton and Trea Turner. The Mets would execute the only double play of the game.

The final line: Nationals 3 runs, 8 hits, 0 errors, Mets 1 run, 2 hits, 1 error

Next game: Sunday, April 23rd vs the Mets in New York, game time 8:00PM EDT, the nationally televised Sunday night game

Nationals record: 12 wins, 5 losses

[Aa3rt]

Sunday, April 23rd Nationals 6, Mets 3

The Washington Nationals complete the sweep of the Mets in New York with a 6-3 Sunday night victory. The Nationals are now 6-0 on their current road trip.

Max Scherzer raises his record to 3-1 by pitching 8 innings, giving up 5 hits and 3 runs while striking out 9 and walking 1. The Nationals would send 3 pitchers to the mound with Koda Glover picking up his 2nd save of the season.

For the Mets, Zack Wheeler is charged with the loss, his record now 1-2. Wheeler would work 7 innings, giving up 4 hits and 4 runs while walking 2 and striking out 6. The Mets also used 3 pitchers.

There were 4 home runs in the game accounting for all of the scoring. For the Mets, Michael Conforto stroked a solo shot while Neil Walker homered with 1 on. The Nationals got a grand slam from Daniel Murphy in the 1st inning and a 2 run shot from Ryan Zimmerman. Those were the only extra base hits in the contest.

Both teams pulled off 1 double play.

The final line: Washington 6 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, New York 3 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors

Next game: Monday, April 24th vs the Colorado Rockies in Colorado, game time 8:40PM EDT

Nationals record: 13 wins, 5 losses

[Aa3rt]

Monday, April 24th Colorado Rockies 8, Washington Nationals 4

The Washington Nationals see their 6 game winning streak come to a screeching halt in Coors Field in Denver as they are handed an 8-4 loss. h

Neither starting pitcher would figure in the decision. For Denver, Tyler Anderson got the starting nod, working 5.2 innings, giving up 6 hits and 4 runs while walking 1 and striking out 5. Carlos Estevez is awarded the win with 1.1 innings of work while Adam Ottavino is credited with a hold. The Rockies sent a total of 4 pitchers to the mound.

For the Nationals, Jacob Turner got the starting nod, pitching 6 innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 runs while striking out 6 and not walking any. Enny Romero is charged with the loss on 0.2 innings of work, surrendering 2 runs and 2 hits. The Nationals would also use 4 pitchers with Blake Trienen surrendering 6 hits and 3 runs in just .1 of an inning, his ERA now very close to 10.00.

In the extra base department, the Rockies got a double from Pat Valakia, a triple from Nolan Arenado and 2 home runs, both 2 run shots from Charlie Blackmon and Mark Reynolds. The Nationals would counter with doubles from Trea Turner and Jayson Werth, a triple from Adam Eaton and a 2 run homer from Ryan Zimmerman.

The Rockies would pull off 1 double play in the game.

The final line: Colorado 8 runs, 14 hits, 0 errors, Washington 4 runs, 8 hits, 0 errors

Next game: Tuesday, April 25th vs the Rockies in Colorado, game time 8:40PM EDT

Nationals record: 13 wins, 6 losses

[Aa3rt]

Tuesday, April 25th Nationals 15, Rockies 12

Despite a 66 minute rain delay at the start of the game, some continuing drizzle and cold temperatures more fitting of football season, the weather did not douse the offensive fireworks as the Washington Nationals manage to hang on and defeat the Colorado Rockies by a score of 15 - 12. Washington's Trea Turner hit for the cycle for just the third time in Nationals history and drove in 7 of the Nationals 15 runs.

The night was not a good one for pitchers with the Nationals sending 6 hurlers to the mound, the Rockies 5.

Joe Ross got the start for Washington, working 4.2 innings, giving up 7 hits (Including 2 home runs), 5 runs, walking 2 and striking out 2. Enny Romero would pick up the win, his record now 2 - 1, working 1.1 innings and giving up 1 hit. For Colorado, German Marquez gets the start and the loss having given up 9 hits and 8 runs in just 4 innings. Marquez would walk 3 and strike out 2.

Despite the relative cold, bats were hot - Washington got doubles from Trea Turner, Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman, triples from Turner and Daniel Murphy (Who had 5 RBIs for the evening) and the Turner home run. The Rockies bats were hot as well with 5 doubles coming from the bats of DJ LeMahieu, Nolan Arenado, Pat Valaika, Tony Wolters and Alexi Amarista and 4 home runs courtesy Charlie Blackmon, Carlos González, Mark Reynolds and Gerardo Parra.

Nationals note: In case you were wondering, the other Nationals who have hit for the cycle are Brad Wilkerson in 2005 and Cristian Guzman in 2008.

The final line: Washington 15 runs, 14 hits, 0 errors, Colorado 12 runs, 15 hits, 2 errors

Next game: Wednesday, April 26th vs the Rockies in Colorado, game time 8:40PM EDT

Nationals record: 14 wins, 6 losses

[Aa3rt]

Wednesday, April 26th Nationals 11, Rockies 4

The Washington Nationals score in double digits for the second night in a row as they defeat the Colorado Rockies 11 - 4.

Tanner Roark gets the starting nod, and the win for Washington, working 5 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, striking out 4 and walking 4. Roark is now 3 - 0 on the season. The Nationals would send 4 pitchers to the mound. For Colorado, starter Tyler Chatwood is charged with the loss, his record now 2 - 3. Chatwood also worked 5 innings giving up 5 runs on 8 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. The Rockies would also use 4 pitchers in the game.

Washington's offense stayed hot with Trea Turner and Bryce Harper stroking doubles. Turner would also homer as would Ryan Zimmerman and Daniel Murphy. Harper had a 4 for 4 night while both Murphy and Zimmerman are credited with 3 RBIs. For the Rockies Gerardo Parra doubled.

The Rockies pulled off 2 double plays, the Nationals 1.

The final line: Washington 11 runs, 14 hits, 0 errors, Colorado 4 runs, 8 hits, 3 errors

Next game: Thursday, April 27th, game time 3:10PM EDT

Nationals record: 15 wins, 6 losses

[Aa3rt]

Thursday, April 27th Nationals 16, Rockies 5

The Washington Nationals complete their first road trip of the season, scoring in double digits once again, in a 16 - 5 defeat of the Colorado Rockies. The Nationals finish the road trip with a 9 - 1 record and have scored an even 50 runs in the 4 game set in Colorado.

Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez works 6.2 innings for the win, his record now 3 - 0. Gonzalez would give up 7 hits and 2 runs while striking out 5 and walking 3. The Nationals would use 3 pitchers in the game. For the Rockies, starter Antonio Senzatela is charged with his first loss of the season, his record now 3 - 1. Senzatela would pitch 6 innings, surrendering 7 hits and 4 runs while walking 3 and striking out 1.

The Nationals bats stayed hot with Adam Eaton, Trea Turner, Daniel Murphy, Adam Lind and Wilmer Difo all hitting doubles while Eaton, Bryce Harper and Murphy stroked round trippers. For the Rockies, Charlie Blackmon and Pat Valaika doubled, Tony Wolters tripled and Nolan Arenado homered.

The Nationals completed 2 DPs, the Rockies 1.

The final line: Nationals 16 runs, 19 hits, 1 error, Rockies 5 runs, 10 hits, 1 error

Next game: Friday, April 28th vs the New York Mets in Washington, game time 7:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 16 wins, 6 losses

[Aa3rt]

Friday, April 28th New York Mets 7, Washington Nationals 5

Home sweet home wasn't so sweet for the Washington Nationals after returning from a 9 - 1 road trip as the visiting New York Mets hand the Nationals a 7 - 5.

Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom picks up his first win of the season working 7 innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 runs while walking 1 and striking out 12. The Mets sent 5 pitchers to the mound, Jeurys Familia is credited with a hold and Josh Edgin gets the save.

For the Nationals, Max Scherzer is charged with the loss, his record now 3 - 2. Scherzer pitched 6 innings giving up 9 hits and 5 runs, walking 1 and striking out 7. The Nationals used 4 pitchers.

The Mets benefitted from doubles by Jay Bruce, Jose Reyes and T. J. Rivera while Travis d'Arnaud homered twice for the visitors. The only extra base hits were 3 round trippers, 1 by Matt Wieters and 2 from Ryan Zimmerman.

A rough bottom of the ninth for the Nationals saw the Nationals load the bases with no outs, however Adam Eaton would injure his ankle while legging out an infield hit to load the bases. Eaton lay on the dirt near first base for some time, obviously in pain, before being carried off the field. Concern for Eaton seemed to take the wind out a hoped for comeback - Trea Turner would strike out and Bryce Harper hit a comebacker to the mound resulting in a game ending double play. :dismay:

Both teams managed 2 double plays.

Nationals note: Adam Eaton is hitting .314 as a lead off hitter

The final line: New York 7 runs, 12 hits, 0 errors, Washington 5 runs, 13 hits, 2 errors

Next game: Saturday, April 29th vs the Mets in Washington, game time 1:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 16 wins, 7 losses

[Aa3rt]

Saturday, April 29th Mets 5, Nationals 3

The New York Mets make it 2 in a row as they defeat the Nationals in Washington by a score of 5 - 3.

The Mets would send 6 pitchers to the mound, starter Zack Wheeler would not figure in the decision. The win goes to Hansel Robles, his record now 4 - 0 with Addison Reed being credited with a hold and Jeurys Familia picking up his first save of the year.

For the Nationals, Stephen Strasburg sees his record drop to 2 - 1. Strasburg would work 7 innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 runs while striking out 2 and not walking any. The Nationals used 3 pitchers in the game.

Extra bases for the Mets come in the form of a double from T.J. Rivera and home runs from Jose Reyes and Michael Conforto, who performed the feat twice. For the Nationals, Michael A. Taylor and Jayson Werth doubled while Ryan Zimmerman hit his 11th home run of the season.

The Mets executed 2 double plays, the Nationals 1.

Nationals notes: The Nationals are 10 - 3 on the road thus far however today's loss drops their home record to 6 - 5. The Nats bullpen has surrendered 14 home runs in 24 games: h

The final line: New York 5 runs, 8 hits, 1 error, Washington 3 runs, 7 hits, 0 errors

Next game: Sunday, April 30th vs the Mets in Washington, game time 1:35PM

Nationals record: 16 wins, 8 losses

[Aa3rt]

Sunday, April 30th Washington 23, New York 5

To quote the late, great Harry Caray "Holy Cow!" After dropping the first 2 games of the home stand by a combined score of 12 - 8, the Washington Nationals explode for 23 runs in the Sunday finale and defeat the New York Mets by a final score more befitting of a football game.

The Nationals set a franchise record dating back to when the franchise, then the Montreal Expos, began play in 1969 by scoring 23 runs and tied another franchise record by hitting 7 home runs in the game. Third baseman Anthony Rendon was a one man wrecking crew, going 6 for 6 with 3 home runs and 10 RBIs. Bryce Harper set a major league record for runs in April with 32. He passed Larry Walker, who scored 29 in March/April of 1997.

It was a rough day for the Mets pitching staff. Starter Noah Syndergaard was pulled after just 1.1 innings of work after a possible lat strain but that was enough to have him charged with the loss, his record now 1 - 2. Syndergaard would give up 5 hits and 5 runs while walking 2 and striking out 2. The Mets would use a total of 5 pitchers, the last of the 5 was actually back up catcher Kevin Plawecki who worked the final 2 innings.

For the Nationals, Joe Ross got the start, working 4 innings however it was Matt Albers, the second of 5 Washington pitchers who would pick up the win, his first of the season. Albers pitched 2 innings, giving up 1 hit and striking out 3, not walking any.

The Mets got doubles from Jay Bruce and Sean Gilmartin, a triple from Jose Reyes and home runs from Bruce and Rene Rivera. The Nationals got doubles from Trea Turner, Ryan Zimmerman, Daniel Murphy and Anthony Rendon and home runs from Bryce Harper, Adam Lind, 2 from Matt Wieters and the 3, already mentioned, from Rendon.

There were no double plays in the game.

Nationals note: Adam Eaton's season is likely finished. After the injury sustained Friday (28th) while running out a hit in the bottom of the 9th inning, the news was finally released late yesterday that Eaton has both a torn ACL and meniscus as well as a high ankle strain. This is a blow to the Nationals as he was hitting .297 with 2 home runs and 13 RBIs and had reached base in 20 of 23 games, great numbers for a lead off hitter. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in the line up before the end of the season.

The final line: Washington 23 runs, 23 hits, 0 errors, New York 5 runs, 9 hits, 2 errors

Next game: Tuesday, May 2nd vs the Arizona Diamondbacks in Washington, game time 7:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 17 wins, 8 losses

[Steve Jeltz]

Impressive blowout by the National's against the Mets. But not as impressive as this blowout:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...98506110.shtml

[Aa3rt]

Tuesday, May 2nd Arizona Diamondbacks 6, Washington Nationals 3

After scoring 23 runs on Sunday, the Nationals are only able to muster 3 runs in their first meeting of the season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona doubles Washington's output and comes away 6 - 3 winners.

The D'backs sent 5 pitchers to the mound. Starter Taijuan Walker worked 4.2 innings, giving up 5 hits and 3 runs but gets no decision. T. J. McFarland picks up his first win of the season with 1.1 innings of work. Jorge De La Rosa earns his 6th hold and Fernando Rodney gets save number 7 on the season.

For the Nationals, Tanner Roark is charged with his first loss, his record now 3 - 1. Roark would last 6 innings, giving up 6 hits and 4 runs, walking 2 and striking out 6. The Nationals used 3 pitchers.

Arizona's only extra base hits were all home runs from Jake Lamb, Chris Hermann and Jeremy Hazelbaker while the Nationals were limited to 3 doubles by Trea Turner, Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon.

The Nationals executed 2 double plays, the D'backs 1.

The final line: Arizona 6 runs, 10 hits, 0 errors, Washington 3 runs, 7 hits, 1 error

Next game: Wednesday, May 3rd, vs Arizona in Washington, game time 7:05PM

Nationals record: 17 wins, 9 losses

[Aa3rt]

Wednesday, May 3rd Nationals 2, Diamondbacks 1

The Washington Nationals come away 2 - 1 victors in a tight affair against the Arizona Diamondbacks that didn't see a whole lot of offense.

Washington starter Gio Gonzalez worked 5 innings, giving up 3 hits and 1 run, striking out 8. However he kept things a little too interesting by walking 7 and pitching out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the 5th. Jacob Turner would pick up his first win of the season by working 4 scoreless innings, striking out 4 and not walking any.

For Arizona, starter Robbie Ray sees his record drop to 2 - 2. Ray would pitch 6 innings, giving up 4 hits and 2 runs while striking out 10 and walking 1. The Dbacks would use 3 pitchers.

Offense for Arizona came from an A. J. Pollock double and a home run from Chris Owings. The Nationals got a double from Ryan Zimmerman and a triple from Michael A. Taylor.

The Diamondbacks would pull off 1 double play.

Nationals note: Ryan Zimmerman was named the NL Player of the Month for April. He is batting .427 with 11 homers and 30 RBIs.

The final line: Washington 2 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, Arizona 1 run, 5 hits, 0 errors

Next game: Thursday, April 4th vs Arizona, game time 1:05PM

Nationals record: 18 wins, 9 losses