The Washington Nationals will officially head into the All Star break under .500 after being swept at home by the New York Yankees
The Nationals couldn’t avoid the sweep at home after the Yankees clinched the third win in the three-game series after the 5-3 loss on Sunday afternoon.
Cade Cavalli returned to the mound after he served his five game suspension. With his 20th start of the season, Cavalli entered today’s game 5-4 averaging a 3.88 ERA, 31 walks surrendered, and 105 strikeouts.
Meanwhile, James Wood continued to prove why he is the lead off man. Wood got the Nationals on the board first after he homered the 94 mph four-seam fastball 434 feet to center for his third home run and second back-to-back lead off home run in two games during the series.
Wood now has 28 home runs on the season, ten of which came from lead off home runs to set a new franchise record -- before the All Star break.
James Wood swinging at the 94 mph four-seam fastball to produce the first run of the game.The Nationals lineup also saw a new face. Abimelec Ortiz spent six seasons in the minors where he had 124 home runs and a .478 slugging percentage. The left-handed designated hitter was acquired with the Mackenzie Gore trade with four other players.
Ortiz was third in today's lineup and though he grounded into a double play, Ortiz is one to look out for when he’s in the lineup.
In no time, Ortiz got his first major league hit in the fourth inning after he doubled to center off a four-seam fastball. CJ Abrams added to the cheerful atmosphere after he singled to right. Ortiz advanced to third. The Nationals finally had runners on corners and no outs.
Unfortunately, Ortiz didn’t make it back to home after a Dylan Crews strikeout then Daylen Lile double play ended the inning.
The Nationals lead didn’t last long after Yankees Cody Bellinger doubled to left followed by a single by Jazz Chisholm Jr. to bring Bellinger home for a Yankees run that tied the game 1-1. With two outs, Cavalli looked to wrap the fifth inning up but that didn’t happen.
Instead, Chisholm advanced to second off a wild pitch. Then Austin Wells singled to right far enough that he drove in a Chrisholm run for the Yankees to take the lead 2-1.
Just as the Yankees moved ahead, Curtis Mead responded in the sixth inning. Mead homered the 88 mph sinker 409 feet out to center field for his second homer run of the series and his 17th home run on the season.
Once again, the Nationals faced an all too familiar situation in the seventh inning. With two outs the Nationals needed an offensive spark to break the tie and take the lead late in the game. Tena soon singled to right but it was Nasim Nuñez who ran for Tena. Nuñez went on and did what he does best and stole second base.
The offense kept it going after Keibert Ruiz became safe at first but after Chisholm had a throwing error to Ben Rice at first it allowed Ruiz to reach second base and Nuñez to score.
The Yankees knew how to respond to the lead change though. With two outs in the eighth inning, Rice stepped up to the plate and delivered. With two runners on base, Rice tripled to left. It appeared like Dylan Crews would be able to secure the ball back after he tracked the ball down it got away from him. Rice’s triple sent two Yankees back home for a 4-3 lead over the Nationals.
It was going to be a tough road for the Nationals if they wanted to see a comeback victory in the ninth inning. The Yankees managed to tack on two runs with only one record out in the top of the ninth to advance their lead.
Unfortunately, the Nationals couldn’t make anything happen offensively.
Even though the Nationals didn’t secure the win against the Yankees, fans still got to witness a special moment before the game got underway. The Nationals recognized Wood, Abrams, and Foster Griffin as Bill Nye the Science Guy presented the players with their jerseys ahead of the All-Star Game that kicks off this week in Philadelphia.
Bill Nye the Science Guy takes a picture with Wood, Abrams, and Griffin after he presented them with their All-Star Game jerseys.The Nationals will resume their schedule Friday at 9:40 PM when they take on the Athletics in a three-game road series.
