Game Summary

Mackenzie Gore was on the bump for the Nationals, while Brandon Williamson had the start for the Reds yesterday afternoon. In the top of the second, Elly De La Cruz singled to start the inning and then stole second base shortly after. After an eight-pitch at-bat, Spencer Steer flew out to Stone Garrett in left field, moving De La Cruz to third base. After a 1-hour and 45-minute rain delay, Mason Thompson entered the game and faced Tyler Stephenson with the infield in. Stephenson hit a ground ball to CJ Abrams, who threw home and got Elly De La Cruz out. Then, the catcher Riley Adams threw to first to turn a 6-2-3 double play.

The Reds then stranded two runners in the third inning, as Will Benson had a walk and Kevin Newman singled. In the bottom of the 3rd, Riley Adams hit a ground-rule double in left field. In a 10-pitch at-bat, Alex Call reached base with a walk; both of those runners would be stranded that inning. Buck Farmer entered the game for the Reds in the fifth inning and had a 1-2-3 inning. Jordan Weems entered the game in the top of the 5th and also had a 1-2-3 inning.

The real excitement happened in the bottom of the 5th when Riley Adams started the rally with a 1-out single. CJ Abrams then grounded into a fielder's choice as he beat out the throw to first base. Abrams then stole second, and Alex Call drew a walk for the second time in the game. The Reds attempted to pick off Abrams, and at the time, they had him out at third. The Nationals challenged, and the call was overturned, with Abrams deemed safe at third and Call making it to second. Lane Thomas singled to left field, scoring both runners. Jeimer Candelario would then single as well, but both of them would end up being stranded. After a TJ Fridiel pinch-hit walk and a Matt McLain walks, Elly De La Cruz singled down the third base line to tie the score at 2-2. This was almost a 2-run single, but a great relay from Stone Garrett to CJ Abrams ended with Riley Adams tagging a speedy Matt McLain at home.

Fast forward to the bottom of the 7th with the score still 2-2, the Reds brought in Daniel Durate to pitch. Alex Call blasted a 400+ foot home run over the left-field fence. The Nationals now led this game 3-2. Kyle Finnegan entered to pitch for Washington and immediately gave up a double to Will Benson. Joey Votto then singled in Will Benson to even the score at 3 apiece. In the 10th inning, Nick Senzel hit a lead-off two-run home run for the Reds. In the bottom of the 10th, Lane Thomas singled in Alex Call, and Jeremier Candelario was hit by a pitch. Both of those runners would be stranded as the Nationals would lose 5-4 and be swept in the series.

Nationals Pitching

The Nationals used many different pitches as the rain delay was a major factor. Mackenzie Gore had the start but that start was derailed due to the weather. Gore's final stat line was 1.1 IP, 1 Hit, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR, 17 Pitches, 13 Strikes, and 1-2 Ground outs to flyouts.

Player of the Game - Riley Adams Catcher

For me, the player of the game was a tough choice but I went with Nationals Riley Adams. Adams led the Nationals in hits as he went 3-4 with two doubles. Adams also played some exceptional defense as he had to make quick tags which would be crucial and save multiple runs.

What is up next for the Nationals

The Nationals will play one last series before the All-Star Game. The series will be played at home against the Texas Rangers. Texas is currently 51-36 and they are in 1st place in the AL West. The Nationals will play this 3-game series from Friday, July 7th - Sunday, July 9th. Let's take this last series before the All Star Game.