Washington Back on Track; Win Series over Miami

The Washington Nationals have been quite inconsistent lately. A blown ninth inning lead in yesterday’s game; and five innings of scoreless relief today. But that’s what happens when you have a team trying to find its way.

Tonight’s game was scoreless until the top of the fourth. Heriberto Hernandez started off the inning with a base on balls. Singles by Agustin Ramirez and Javier Sanoja loaded the bases. A wild pitch sent Hernandez home. Kyle Stowers then stroked a two-run single to right field. 3-2 Miami.

The Nationals got a couple of those runs back in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Andrew Pinckney ran out an infield single. He then came around to score on Daylen Lile’s 19th home run to center field. 3-2 Marlins.

Washington took the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Nasim Nunez led off with an infield single. After one out, Daylen Lile smacked a two-run homer to right field, his 20th of the season and 2nd of the game. Abimelec Ortiz then drew another walk and came all the way around to score on a single off the bat of Andres Chaparro and a throwing error by Esteury Ruiz. With two outs, Brandy House singled to right field, scoring Chaparro. 6-3 Nationals.

And that’s the way it ended…6-3 Nationals.

Washington won the series against Miami 4 games to1.

Will Dion started for the Nationals, going 3 innings while giving up 2 hits and no runs. This was Dion’s first major league start, and he was on a strict pitch count. Nice job, Will.

Dion was replaced by Luis Perales who had a tough 4th inning, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits with a couple strike outs. Perales was called up from Rochester on August 26th, but unfortunately, he’s had a couple tough outings. Here’s hoping he gets it together.

The next two Nats’ relievers had great showings. Matt Waldron went 3 innings giving up 5 hits but no runs. Erik Tolman pitched the last 2 innings, surrendering not a single hit or run while striking out 5 Marlins.

Dylan Lile was the offensive star of the game, going 3 for 3 with 2 runs, 1 walk, a pair of home runs and 4 RBIs. Nice job, Dylan.

This series win was especially satisfying for the Nationals. Before this weekend, the Marlins had defeated the Nats eight out of nine times. Even with that blown save yesterday marring an otherwise great series, getting three out of four this time is quite an achievement.

No rest for the weary as the Nationals host the Atlanta Braves in a quick two-game series. Starting time tomorrow is 6:45 ET.

Dave’s Dime…40-Man Roster Moves

Our Washington Nationals have had quite a season. One of extremes. Great offense, little relief pitching. I still think that eight game series around the end of July and beginning of August changed this team’s trajectory in a couple of ways.

That one-win seven-loss road trip to Atlanta and Philadelphia turned the Nats from buyers to sellers. It changed our direction from thinking about the playoffs to just getting ready for next year. I’m certain the drive and will to win are still there, but some of the parts are missing. Those parts being Luis Garcia Jr., Curtis Mead, and Foster Griffin. The jury is still out concerning what the Nationals received in return.

So, what should the Nationals strive to achieve over these remaining twenty-three games?

One of the changes that has taken place during the past few weeks is the team’s desire to make CJ Abrams a second-baseman. I’m sure we’ve talked about this before, but here’s an update. Abrams did play his first game of the year at second base this past Saturday.

Abrams and his agent weren’t really thrilled about this change of position when it was first presented to the all-star. But let’s give Abrams the credit he deserves. He continues to harbor a team-first attitude and is willing to give it a try.

Nasim Nunez has seen increased time at shortstop, and it looks like the Nationals will split time between Nunez and Abrams at these two positions. Let’s hope it works and everyone stays positive.

I just looked at tonight’s lineup and noticed Abrams is not playing. Word is he was scratched just before game time due to back tightness. We’ll have to keep our eye on that.

We also need to discuss the James Wood injury situation. It looks like the star outfielder could soon be back with the team. Wood played over the weekend with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. Wood went seven innings with the Senators in their game on Sunday. He’s now shooting for a return to the big club after the major league rosters expand tomorrow. Let’s hope so.

I believe I mentioned in an earlier article that tomorrow major league rosters can expanded from 26 active players to 28 for the rest of the season. If that team makes the playoffs, the active roster returns to 26 players.

The full roster of 40 players includes the active roster, players on the injured list, and other protected prospects. It also includes players on paternity leave or absent from the team due to family medical emergencies.

A team can bring a player up to the active 26-man roster at any time. Of course, a player has to first leave that active roster.

If a team wants to promote a player from the minor leagues to their 40-man roster, that team needs to send a player down to the minors or release him.

This might sound confusing but it’s not really that bad. College level Statistics 101…now that’s confusing, especially to an English Major. Spoken from experience.

So, the baseball gurus are betting on James Wood being one of those two additions to tomorrow’s active roster. Pitcher Cole Henry and infielder Yohandy Morales are in consideration for the second addition to that active roster.

I’m going to have a tough time sleeping tonight…the suspense is palpable!

Let’s keep a positive attitude.