September 19, 2021 – Nats 3, Rockies 0

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rockies-vs- nationals/2021/09/19/632438#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=wrap,game=632438

 

Weather: 78 degrees, partly cloudy

Wind: 4 mph, in from LF

Umpires: HP--Mahrley, 1B--Rackley, 2B--Vanover, 3B--Hudson.

Time: 3:01

Attendance - 26,309

 

Trois étoiles:

#3 – Juan Soto, who accounted for Washington’s second run with a 454-foot third-inning homer to CF.

#2 – The Nats’ much-maligned bullpen. Yes, two of their five relievers did walk the first batter they faced, but they collectively covered the final 3.1 innings of the game without allowing a run, highlighted by the just-recalled Tanner Rainey fanning the side in the top of the 7^th.

#1 – Paolo Espino, who pitched into the sixth while keeping Colorado off the scoreboard, allowing just three hits and three walks while fanning seven.

 

The weather was perfect, and it was good to finally see the home team win a game. (Heading into today, our personal August-September record had been 2-6, after having much better luck during June and July.) We ordered takeout from the &pizza on Half Steet, enjoying our meals on one of the many shaded tables around the corner. Traffic was heavier than usual both coming and going, closer to 2019 levels than to those of earlier games this season. In a possibly-related item, I was quite surprised that the Nats managed to attract over 75,000 fans to this three-game series between two non-contenders. Maybe the promotions had something to do with it, although many who attended Friday’s game were vocally unhappy that the 4-hour monstrosity of a Washington loss prevented the launch of the promised fireworks.