Game Notes: Houston Astros vs. Washington Nationals (April 20, 2024)
The Washington Nationals drop the series opener last night and will face RHP Ronel Blanco in today's afternoon game against the Astros.
Game Details
Houston Astros (7- 14) vs. Washington Nationals (8 - 11)
Pitching Matchup: RHP Ronel Blanco (2-0; 0.86 ERA) vs. RHP Trevor Williams (2-0; 3.45 ERA)
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024 | 4:05 p.m. ET | Game #20 / Home #8
Location: Nationals Park | Washington, D.C.
Game storylines and notes
Last time out.
The Washington Nationals dropped the series opener against the Houston Astros last night 5-3. LHP MacKenzie Gore got his first loss of the 2024 season. Gore pitched 4.0 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits. He threw 92 pitches, with 64 of them being strikes. He struck out four and walked only one.
Making his 2024 Debut, RHP Justin Verlander got the win. He pitched 6.0 innings, giving up two runs on four hits. He struck out four and gave up one home run to Nationals catcher Riley Adams. Verlander threw a total of 78 pitches, with 50 of them being strikes. Josh Hader got his second save of the 2024 season despite giving up a run on two hits. He struck out two and walked one.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Nationals were able to plate three runs on eight hits. Catcher Riley Adams hit his second home run of the 2024 season on a fly ball to center field that traveled a total of 402ft with an exit velocity of 106.1 mph off of Justin Verlander in the bottom of the fifth.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Nationals got the go-ahead run up to bat thanks to a CJ Abrams triple, a Lane Thomas single, and a Luis García Jr. walk. However, Hader struck out Joey Meneses and Nick Senzel to close the door and get the save.
Pitching Rotation.
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