The Nationals dropped another extra-innings loss to a division rival after failing to capitalize on multiple opportunities. Miles Mikolas delivered five scoreless innings and worked through trouble, including a two-out single in the sixth. Washington scored first in the sixth when Curtis Mead hit a home run to make it 1-0. The lead held until late innings, when the bullpen struggled again in high-leverage moments. CJ Abrams provided major offense, hitting a clutch homer in the eighth and a two-run triple in the tenth, with family and friends in attendance. Despite the late production, the Nationals could not finish the game, and bullpen performance and the bottom of the batting order remained concerns.
"The Nationals, for the second time this week, have dropped a heartbreaking extra-innings game against a division rival. Just like Monday night, the Nats had numerous opportunities to put this game away and in the win column, but could never get the job done. Interestingly enough, considering it was a hard loss, there were plenty of positives to hang our hats on tonight. Miles Mikolas did an excellent job with potentially a rotation spot on the line, tossing five scoreless innings. CJ Abrams was magnificent, coming up with a clutch homer in the eighth and a huge two-run triple in the tenth in front of a full contingent of his family and friends."
"There was nothing to report on in terms of scoring in the first five innings of this game, as Bryce Elder dueled a combination of Richard Lovelady and Miles Mikolas for five innings, neither side blinking. There were chances every now and then; the Nats did put a runner on second base in three of those first five frames, Atlanta just one. But those opportunities were all for naught as Elder wormed out of it every time."
"That was until the sixth inning. Curtis Mead, batting third despite the tough matchup against a good righty, worked a six-pitch at-bat, and on the sixth offering he unloaded on a ball, sending it to the seats in left field to make it 1-0 Washington. The lead held too, as Mikolas worked around a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth and managed to throw up his fifth consecutive zero in as many innings of work in what was by far his best outing as a Nat."
"The trouble for Washington came in the bottom of the seventh, as Mitchell Parker was thrown into yet another high-leverage situation in relief of Mik... The negatives? Same as usual. The Nationals' bullpen just isn't good at all, and the bottom of their batting order just might be worse."
Read at TalkNats.com
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