Nats lose second straight in Beltway Series
The Washington Nationals dropped their second straight to Beltway rival Baltimore Orioles 6-5 tonight. No doubt, the Nats are struggling. They fall to 23-17 overall.
While the Orioles continue to be red hot and thrive, the Nats are struggling. The loss tonight is their third consecutive defeat and fourth out their last five games. If there is any good to come from tonight, the Nats can feel a little comfort that the Braves, Mets, Phillies, and Marlins all left the evening with losses.
On the day Manager Davey Johnson gave him praise, Ross Detwiler struggled on the mound, allowing 9 hits and 6 runs through 5 innings of work. Craig Stammen, Ryan Perry, and Henry Rodriguez combined for four innings of shutout relief. Stammen put together another nice inning, striking out 3 batters and lowering his ERA to 1.57.
Rookie Steve Lombradozzi, filling in for a struggling Danny Espinosa, went 2-5 and drive in a run. He raised his batting average to a nice .324. Nats have to find ways to get Lombardozzi in the game. Ryan Zimmerman went 3-5 including a ninth inning home run to pull the Nats to within 1 run. Roger Bernadina was 2-3 with an RBI. Bruce Harper had a less than flattering night at the plate going 0-5 and whiffing twice.
The losing streak makes you wonder if the incredible injury losses of Jayson Werth, Mike Morse, and Wilson Ramos is beginning to take effect. According to report, Morse could be on rehab soon and the Nationals could desperately use his bat in the lineup.
The Nationals will look to get out of the funk tomorrow with Stephen Strasburg also looking for a rebound on the mound.
