Nationals shut out Diamondbacks 3-0 in series opener; recap: 8/2/19

The Washington Nationals shut the Arizona Diamondbacks out 3-0 in their series opener at Chase Field. Joe Ross threw 5.1 excellent innings in which he gave up only one hit, walked five (and got out of a major jam), and struck out three. Newcomers Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland as well as Fernando Rodney and Sean Doolittle aided in relief with excellent shutout work. Doolittle earned his 24th save, and unfortunately, Elias departed with an apparent leg injury after batting in the seventh inning.

In the sixth inning, Matt Adams hit a 2-RBI double that scored Adam Eaton and Brian Dozier; and in the eighth, Juan Soto hit a massive solo home run. Even with Howie Kendrick scratched at the last minute, the Nationals still pulled through with a rather thin bench but strong spirit, and the team hopes to carry this momentum into tomorrow night's game when Stephen Strasburg faces Robbie Ray. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.