Washington, D.C. - Tonight, the Washington Nationals kicked off a three-game series against the San Diego Padres with a loss, 4-0.
With tonight's loss, the Nationals have an overall record of 47-54 and are 23-25 at home. The Nationals are now 6-9 in series openers this season at Nationals Park. The Washington Nationals have also lost all four games this season against the Padres.
Getting tonight's start for the Nationals was LHP DJ Herz, recalled from Rochester earlier today. Herz went 5.0 innings, giving up two runs on five hits and striking out four. Herz threw 79 pitches, 51 strikes, and faced 21 batters.
LHP Robert Garcia pitched a scoreless seventh inning; he has not allowed a run in any of his last eight appearances over 8.1 innings. Garica has also struck out ten batters during this span and has just given up two hits and three walks.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Nationals where unable to score tonight and only got four hits and left five on base.
On the bright side, Juan Yepez extended his hit streak to fourteen, tying him for fourth with Jason Kendall of the Kansas City Royals in 2010 among players beginning their tenure with their respective clubs, according to Elias Sports. (Yepez went 2-4.)
Additionally, Lane Thomas went 1-for-4 with a double tonight, which extended his on-base streak to 20 games. During this streak, Thomas is hitting .269 (21-for-78), which includes five doubles, five RBI, eight walks, nine stolen bases, and eight runs scored.
Lastly, catcher Keibert Ruiz went 1-3 thanks to a single in the bottom of the second inning.
Padres pitching was impressive as RHP Randy Vásquez threw 6.0 shutout innings to help the Padres secure the win. Padres starters now have a 0.69 ERA in their four games since the start of the season's second half, with only allowing two runs over 26.0 innings pitched and have not given up a home run.
Tomorrow’s Pitching Matchup
The Nationals will send LHP Mitchell Parker (5-5, 3.90) to the mound to face the Padres in game two tomorrow. Mitchell Parker will make his first career start against the Padres. Parker is 3-1 with a 2.82 ERA in his seven starts at Nationals Park this season.
RHP Matt Waldron (5-9, 3.59 ERA) will start tomorrow's Padres game.
Against the Nationals:
Regular Season: 2 GP, 10.2 IP, 0-1 W-L, 0 SV, 3.38 ERA, 10 SO, 3 BB