July 7, 2019 – Nats 5, Marlins 2 – Nationals Park

https://www.mlb.com/nationals/news/nationals-end-first-half-with-win-over-royals

 

Weather: 82 degrees, Cloudy.

Wind: 1 mph, In From RF.

Umpires: HP--Barksdale, 1B--Barrett, 2B--Lentz, 3B--Tumpane.

Time: 2:37

Attendance: 21,873

 

Patrick Corbin had another strong outing for the Nats, setting the tone by fanning the side in the top of the first, and retiring the final 9 batters he faced. The fourth was his only rough inning, when he gave up 3 of his 5 hits, but Robles gunned down Alex Gordon on Cheslor Cuthbert’s one-out single to keep the visitors off the board.

 

Kansas City’s Jakob Junis was almost as effective through his first 5 innings, although he did allow a solo HR to Brian Dozier in the 2^nd. The Nats missed a great chance in the 6^th, when Rendon grounded into a double play and Soto flied out after a Turner double and an Eaton walk. They did double their lead off Junis in the 7^th when Robles homered.

 

As has so often been the case, however, the 8^th inning was not kind to the Nats’ bullpen. Martin Maldonado led off with a single off Fernando Rodney, and pinch-runner extraordinaire Terrance Gore promptly stole second. Rodney retired the next two batters, but Adalberto Mondesi blooped a single in front of Soto to score the Royals’ first run of the game. Davey’s strategy of having Doolittle warmed up for the left-handed-swinging Gordon backfired, as he doubled on Sean’s first pitch to tie the game.

 

The Washington offense finally came to life in the bottom of the inning, with Jake Diekman replacing Junis on the mound. With one out, an Eaton single and a Rendon double gave the Nats back the lead, then Kendrick doubled in two insurance runs following a Diekman error. Doolittle preserved the victory in the 9^th, despite subpar velocity on his fastball.