Washington Nationals lose their first series of the season
After falling to the New York Mets by a score of 3-1 on opening day, the Washington Nationals came back last night and sailed on the shoulders of Jordan Zimmerman to grab their first win of the season. The Nats scored two runs in the bottom of the first thanks to a two-run jack by third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, and the other Zimmerman was able to hold the Mets in check.
The sixth-year pitcher allowed just five hits and one run in six innings, while striking out five. Three different relievers each pitched an inning, and Drew Storen sealed the game in the ninth, earning his first save of the year.
The Nats and Mets played for the series in the rubber game this afternoon, as Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg went up against the very talented Mets ace Matt Harvey. Both of these players started off their careers on a high note before undergoing Tommy John surgery.
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However, Harvey had the upper hand in this one, striking out nine batters and allowing no runs in six innings. Strasburg struggled mightily in the third inning, giving up four runs on five hits. He departed from the contest in the sixth inning, giving up six runs (three unearned) and nine hits.
If you didn’t read my last article that I put out yesterday (check below), I put an emphasis on hitting. Through the first three games of the season, the Nats have scored a total of six runs. Only four teams have scored less than that, and all four of those teams have only played two games compared the Nats who have played three.
With 159 games left, it is obviously way to early to start delving into stats like that. However, the Nationals better look at the tape, figure out whats wrong, maybe sign a player or two, and get the lineup back on track.
Their rotation consists of five pitchers that would be a number one or two man in almost any other rotation in the league. In other words – their rotation is insanely good. That rotation will help them to a good number of wins. However, they will not win a World Series unless they start getting some production out of their lineup.