The Arizona Diamondbacks didn't want to lose a series opener against the Washington Nationals. But to lose 14-1? Oh brother, that was definitely not in the pregame chats.

The Nationals scored 14 runs on 16 hits. For the Diamondbacks, they scored just one run and had six hits. Arizona starter Merrill Kelly just didn't have the good stuff working for him. Kelly, who took the loss and falls to 5-4 this season, gave up six hits, seven earned runs, walked three, and struck out four.

Philip Abner came on in relief and, well, he became a batting practice pitcher. Yes, friends, it was that bad. In 1.1 innings, Abner gave up five hits, five earned runs, walked one, and struck out two.

Meanwhile, Nationals starter Foster Griffin had his pitches working for him. Griffin, who got the win and is now 7-2 this season, gave up two hits, one earned run, didn't walk a batter, and struck out four.

Two Nationals relievers gave up four hits, but that was it. Washington scored two runs in the first inning, four runs in the third inning, one in the fifth, five runs in the sixth, and single runs in the eighth and ninth innings.

Washington was dialed in at the plate. After struggling on offense recently, the Nationals found their groove against the Diamondbacks' pitching staff.

Luis Garcia Jr. hit a two-run homer in the top of the first inning. In the third inning, James Wood slammed his 17th home run for a 3-0 Nationals lead. Daylen Lile singled to center and Jose Tena scored to up the Washington advantage.

Jorbit Vivas doubled to right, bringing home C.J. Abrams and Lile.

The Diamondbacks' Aramis Garcia hit his first home run this season, getting Arizona on board at 6-1.

In the top of the fifth inning, Lile hit his eighth home run, a solo shot, to give Washington a 7-1 lead. In the top of the sixth inning, Abner replaced Kelly and the Nationals started licking their chops.

Drew Millas, Nasim Nunez, and James Wood singled to load the bases. Luis Garcia Jr. got to home plate and turned on an Abner pitch. He hit a grand-slam home run, cleared the bases, and the Nationals went up 11-1.

Abrams smoked his 13th home run this season, a solo shot over the right-center field fence.  Washington was up to 12-1. In another bases-loaded situation, Dylan Crews was hit by a pitch, another run scored and the Nationals went up 13-1.

Vivas singled to left field, bringing home Curtis Mead and, finally (for the Diamondbacks' sake), the Nationals put a bow on their 14-1 beatdown.

The Nationals could have scored even more as they went 6-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base. Arizona was 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and left seven runners on base.

You better believe that Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo probably wasn't pleased with his pitching staff on Friday night. Arizona has a chance to get even in the series on Saturday as game two of this weekend series takes place at Chase Field in Downtown Phoenix.

Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!

It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.

Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!