Nats Show Fight But Fall Short in Attempt to Sweep Dodgers
Jake Irvin works out of bad first inning to go six and strike out seven, including Shohei Ohtani
WASHINGTON, DC-Before the Dodgers (10-4) came to town for a three-game series with the Nationals (5-7), they were 9-2 and vying for first in the NL West. Since they arrived, they have dropped two. The Nats, meanwhile, are on the upswing, winners of four straight prior to yesterday’s 4:05 start. They have found their swings and defense, and look like a completely different team than the one that left Spring Training.
Seeking to take control early, the Dodgers found themselves up immediately in the first, Before today, LA hadn’t led in the series. They proceeded to score four runs against Jake Irvin before one out was recorded. Two runs scored on a ball that Alex Call had trouble fielding, then Teoscar Hernandez added on with a two-run homer 397 feet to center.
Nats shortstop CJ Abrams led off the bottom of the first, putting the Nats on the board with a solo home run that landed in the Nats bullpen. With two runners on and no outs, Nathaniel Lowe stepped up to the plate against Dodgers righty Landon Knack. Lowe walked to load the bases, giving Josh Bell a huge opportunity. Bell secured RBI number four on a chopper to first, moving the runners up and cutting LA’s lead in half. Luis Garcia followed with a sac fly to center, scoring James Wood, bringing the Nats within one run.
As the game progressed, Irvin settled in, throwing only 29 pitches in the second and third, increasing his chances to go deeper into the game. His counterpart Knack continued to find trouble. With Lowe and Bell on base, Garcia drove in the game-tying run, his seventh RBI of the season. LA manager Dave Roberts exited the visitor’s dugout to bring in a new arm, Jack Dreyer. Call immediately hit a sac fly to left, scoring Bell. The run gave the home team a 5-4 lead.
With the lead, Irvin looked re-energized. He struck out his first better in the fourth. With two outs and a man on, he faced Shohei Ohtani, who, on a 2-2 count, failed to connect on a curveball. This at-bat was Irvin’s fifth strikeout. Had the tables turned? It felt like it. All they needed to do was pad the lead.
Irvin put himself in position for the win, retiring the three batters he faced in the fifth inning, all on deep fly balls. He entered the sixth, still in command of his pitches and throwing strikes. He struck out two more hitters, finishing his start with seven K’s and surrendering just one hit after that rough first inning. This performance demonstrated why fans should never leave a game before it’s over.
Eduardo Salazar came on in the seventh in relief. After a strikeout of Enrique Hernandez, Andy Pajes hit a slider just beyond the left field wall to tie the game, 5-5. For all his work, Irvin would not get the decision. The Dodgers regained the lead, 6-5, on a soft hit over the head of Garcia by Teoscar Hernandez. Nationals manager Davey Martinez walked out of the dugout, signaling for a new pitcher. With a man on third and two outs, Jorge Lopez faced Michael Conforto, getting the out to end the top of the inning.
The middle of the order came to bat for the Nats in the eighth against lefty Alex Vesia. Bell reached first on a walk and was substituted for pinch-runner Jacob Young. The inning ended when he was caught stealing.
The bullpen did its job in the ninth, keeping the score close and giving the offense a chance. Pitching for LA, Blake Treinen, a former Nats reliever, threw heat and a nasty slider. Paul DeJong reached first on a hit with one out. Dylan Crews was up. Ball three in the count got away from the catcher, moving the runner to second. Crews walked. Keke Hernandez made a nice stop for LA. With two outs and a man on third, Abrams stole second, moving two runners into scoring position. Looking for a big swing, Wood came up short, grounding out to second.
The Nats finished this homestand winning four out of six. Despite not being able to sweep LA, they showed up for all three games of the series. They face the Marlins in Miami on Friday to begin a long road trip, no doubt taking confidence with them.
After the game, Irvin commented on that difficult first, but complemented his teammates. “Just watching those guys go out and fight, you know they’ve got your back, and for me that’s huge, just to know that those guys are pulling like that [for me],” he said.
To view highlights and the box score, click HERE.
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