A 3-run seventh-inning rally in opposition to Graham Ashcraft led the Washington Nationals over the Cincinnati Reds, 4-1, earlier than 23,494 at Nice American Ball Park.
Remaining
R
H
E
Washington Nationals (16-19)
4
9
0
Cincinnati Reds (18-17)
1
5
1
W: Lopez (4-0) L: Ashcraft (2-3)
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Cincinnati’s bullpen, which earlier within the week compiled a streak of greater than 30 batters in a row, had the inevitable letdown in the present day. Mixed with solely 5 hits on offense, it led to the Reds’ twentieth loss in its previous 23 sequence rubber video games, relationship again to final 12 months. It’s ridiculous, and never a statistic that represents a great group. We’re hoping the Reds will discover a solution to be good this 12 months, however the indicators are usually not overwhelming thus far.
The loss leaves Cincinnati three video games behind the first-place Cubs, who fell to Milwaukee in the present day, 4-0. The win moved the Brewers to just one sport behind the second-place Reds, and 4 video games behind the Cubs.
The Offense
Cincinnati’s mixed offensive line rating: 5-f0r-31 (.161), 4 walks and 13 strikeouts.
Over the losses in the present day and yesterday, the Reds batted 2-for-19 with runners in scoring place.
Tyler Stephenson obtained the Reds on the board within the backside of the second inning, launching a solo homer to left to tie the rating at 1-1.
Within the backside of the fifth, Blake Dunn drew a leadoff stroll, however was thrown out making an attempt to go to second on a pitch within the dust to Matt McLain, who then additionally walked. With Santiago Espinal batting, McLain stole second. McKenzie Gore dropped a fantastic breaking pitch on the surface nook for strike three on Espinal, and with two out, Elly De La Cruz lined a shot down the left subject line that missed hitting the foul pole by inches. It was initially referred to as truthful by the umpiring crew, resulting in a second of confusion earlier than the right name of foul ball was made. With the fourth consecutive full depend of the inning in opposition to Gore, De La Cruz drew a stroll. On ball 4, Gore slipped and appeared to have suffered an harm to his proper leg — the plant leg on his follow-through. He stayed on to face Noelvi Marte, who once more went to a 3-2 depend earlier than putting out on a low breaking ball out of the strike zone.
Over the previous week, Marte is 4-for-21 following maybe his greatest hitting streak as a serious leaguer over the previous couple of weeks. He’ll have to get issues proper, or else he once more may be vulnerable to returning to Louisville.
The sport turned a bullpen battle within the backside of the sixth, when righthander Jorge Lopez retired the Reds so as over two innings and earned his fourth win within the course of. Jose A. Ferrer entered within the backside of the eighth, permitting a two-out single to Marte however no further harm. Kyle Finnegan closed the sport for Washington.
The Pitching
The Reds’ mixed pitching line: 9 innings, 9 hits allowed, 1 stroll, 8 strikeouts and 4 runs, all earned. The distinction in the present day: Washington obtained huge hits in huge conditions, and the Reds didn’t.
Starter Nick Martinez pitched his greatest sport of the 12 months to this point, however the bullpen faltered within the prime of the seventh inning.
Martinez’s main technique in the present day was to combine his changeup along with his fastball. He threw the changeup 28 p.c of the time, in comparison with the four-seamer at 24 p.c. His slider, curve, cutter and sinker have been unfold among the many different 48 p.c of the pitches he threw on a day on which he appeared very near the Martinez of the ultimate two months of 2024.
Over six innings and 86 pitches, he allowed solely 4 hits and no walks whereas putting out six — actually his greatest begin of the season.
Graham Ashcraft entered within the seventh, and surrendered a solo house run to Luis Garcia, Jr., to present Washington a 2-1 lead. He had pushed within the different Nationals run within the second inning with a sacrifice fly that adopted two hits. Following a single by Alex Name and an error by rightfielder Espinal, Dylan Crews cracked an infield single that McLain knocked down. Crews then stole second to place runners at second and third with one out. Jacob Younger then hit one again to the mound that deflected off Ashcraft and to De La Cruz, who was in a position to document an out at third with out a run scoring.
Supervisor Terry Francona then summoned lefty Taylor Rogers to face lefthanded batting C.J. Abrams. On an 0-2 pitch, Abrams looped one into left-center to attain two runs and put the Nationals up 4-1.
Scott Barlow obtained out of a bases-loaded jam to pitch a scoreless eighth inning. Yosver Zulueta pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.
One Fan’s Ideas
It’s changing into clear rapidly that the Cubs, barring a barrage of accidents, are the group to beat within the Nationwide League Central Division. Ought to each the Reds and Cubs preserve their positions as second place and first place within the division, respectively, the ultimate week of this month shapes up as essential within the divisional race.
Between Might 23 and June 1, the 2 groups play six instances in 9 video games over the 1o days. After that, they received’t play one another till August.
Up Subsequent for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds at Atlanta Braves
Monday, Might 5, 7:15 p.m. ET
Brady Singer (4-1, 3.24 ERA) vs. A.J. Smith-Shawver (1-2, 4.26 ERA)
