The Washington Nationals convincingly shut down the Cincinnati Reds with a 7-1 win on Sunday afternoon, securing the series sweep
After what proved to be a grueling road trip that seemingly flipped the outlook on the season, the Washington Nationals have returned home to secure the series sweep against the Cincinnati Reds after picking up a 7-1 win on Sunday afternoon.
With the win, the Nationals have secured wins in five of the six meetings against the Reds this season.
Will Dion, who was acquired ahead of the trade deadline in the Foster Griffin deal, picked up his first win as a National after tossing one strikeout and giving up one hit in three innings. It marked an encouraging outing for the Nationals' pitchers through the series with Sunday no different after Dion, Brad Lord, Trevor Williams and Jake Bird combined to allow just four hits in the win.
Keibert Ruiz, meanwhile, posted an RBI on a perfect 3-for-3 performance while Abimelec Ortiz put together another encouraging showing after finishing 2-for-3, one of four Nationals to record multiple hits.
The lone run allowed by Washington came with Lord on the mound in the second after a sac fly into right field kicked off the scoring, but the Nationals answered right back in the bottom of the inning.
Dylan Crews and Jorbit Vivas kicked off the frame with consecutive singles before Keibert Ruiz's single added his RBI, while a sac fly from Jacob Young gave the Nationals the lead for good the next at bat.
Abimelec Ortiz kicked off the third inning with a solo shot after taking an 83 mph sweeper 378 feet for a home run, marking his second of the season.
The good news was the Nationals allowed just one Reds batter to reach base before scoring the next run after CJ Abrams opened the seventh inning with a single into center. After Andres Chaparro struck out then Brady House flied out, Daylen Lile would add the two-out insurance run after his single into right was enough to bring in Abrams.
Washington then broke the game open in the bottom of the eighth inning after loading up the bases with no outs, leading a grounder to drive in one run before a double from Andres Chaparro cleared the bases to cement the 7-1 win.
Now sitting just two games below .500, the Nationals will welcome the Chicago Cubs, who currently lead the wild card race in the National League, for a three game series set to begin on Monday night. Jake Irvin is set to take the mound with first pitch set for 6:45 PM.
