Nationals score a season-high seven runs in loss to the Red Sox
The Washington Nationals finally got the bats going last night against the Boston Red Sox, scoring seven runs in one game after recording just 17 in the first seven games of the season. They jumped from 30th in the league in runs scored to 22nd in just one game.
However, even with the barrage of runs, Washington was still unable to grab a victory in Boston. The pitching lead to the teams downfall this time around. Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg lasted over five innings, but surrendered ten hits and five runs.
The Nats rallied back from a 5-1 deficit with a sixth-run fifth inning, which was capped off by a two-run triple off the bat of outfielder Michael Taylor to put the Nats on top by two. In the bottom of the seventh, Red Sox catcher Ryan Hanigan sent a slow grounder right to the pitcher, but reliever Matt Thornton was unable to field the ball cleanly. He then attempted a throw to home plate, but the ball sailed right over the catchers head, scoring in two runs for Boston.
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Shortstop Brock Holt came up next, and grounded out to second, but was able to knock in the go-ahead run on the sacrifice. Washington had one more chance in the eight putting men on first and second, but could not capitalize, as they fall to 2-6 on the year after an 8-7 loss in Boston.
Despite the loss, last nights game should have been a good sight for Nats fans. The Nationals recorded a season-high of ten hits and seven runs, but were just not able to get a good start from Strasburg. The struggles by him last night should not be a concern, because the pitching will come; but the hitting should be the focus.
They scored just eight runs in the first six games of the season, but have put up 11 runs in the last two competitions. Although they did lose both, there is no need to worry about the pitching staff. They will do their thing.
We will have to simply wait and see as to whether this is a fluke or not.