Nationals sweep Reds in 17-7 blowout; recap: 8/14/19

The Washington Nationals not only swept the Cincinnati Reds for today's matinee game, but also blew the Reds out in a shocking and exciting 17-7 victory. Stephen Strasburg threw 5.2 spectacular innings despite giving up seven hits, four runs, and three walks as well as striking out four batters. Matt Grace and Javy Guerra had also done a decent job from the bullpen, and despite giving up three more runs, Guerra had earned his second save, thanks to the three-inning rule. But what truly reigned supreme was the Nationals' offense and their fighting spirit.

In the third inning, Trea Turner got out on a sacrifice fly that scored Victor Robles. In the fifth, Strasburg started an epic rally with an RBI single that scored Kurt Suzuki. Turner hit an RBI single to score Robles, and then Adam Eaton hit a three-run home run to break the gap even further. As if that wasn't enough, Anthony Rendon provided back-to-back home run work with a solo shot to center field. Asdrubal Cabrera followed suit with an RBI double that scored Juan Soto, and at last, to end the long rally, Kurt Suzuki hit a two-run home run to make it 11-1 Nationals.

In the sixth inning, Rendon hit an RBI single to score Turner. Soto then hit an RBI single to score Eaton, and Cabrera hit a ground-rule, 2 RBI double to score Rendon and Soto. Suzuki then singled to score Matt Adams, and Robles hit an RBI single to score Cabrera. All in all, the Nationals' entire lineup had batted completely twice in this game, making this a major milestone for this young, exciting team.

On Friday, the Milwaukee Brewers will visit the Nationals for a weekend series. Patrick Corbin is set to start against Adrian Houser. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.