Nationals Take Game 1 Of Doubleheader, Beat Braves 8-3
There is no understatement to be made here. This is a big series for the Washington Nationals as they host the division rival Atlanta Braves, who entered the week 4.5 games ahead of Washington in the division and the wild card standings. The urgency was certainly there this afternoon.
Washington entered the bottom of the fourth inning down 1-0 thanks to three singles by Braves hitting, their first hits of the game. The Nationals exploded for four runs, most notably on back-to-back home runs by Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman to take a 4-1 lead through four innings. From here, the Nationals had an answer for everything the Braves did for the rest of the game. That being said, the Braves didn’t do much for the rest of the game. Atlanta got a run closer on a single from Nick Markakis in the sixth inning, only for the Nationals to get the run back on a sacrifice fly by Anthony Rendon in the same inning and add on with a single from Bryce Harper and a two run double from Ryan Zimmerman to take an 8-2 lead, a lead which the Nationals would hold on to for an 8-3 victory to clinch a winning homestand with their sixth win in the ten game homestand.
Jefry Rodriguez had by far his best outing today, allowing just one run on three hits over five innings, earning him a much needed win.
Additionally, when it comes to winning the two teams and their respective bullpens, Atlanta removes their starting pitcher Max Fried after just two innings, leaving their bullpen to finish the last six. The Nationals on the other hand, made it through this game without using Kelvin Herrera or Ryan Madson and Sammy Solis needed just five pitches to retire the Braves in the eighth.
Greg Holland made his Nationals debut today, and after giving up a walk to his inaugural hitter, struck out the side in the seventh inning.
Nationals will try to sweep the doubleheader tonight as Max Scherzer takes the mound at 7:05 PM.
