Offensive struggles continue for the Washington Nationals, dropping their second consecutive game in another struggle for the bullpen.
The Washington Nationals managed only one win in the three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals, capped by Wednesday's 6-1 loss, moving to 4-8 this season.
After just two innings, the Nationals quickly found themselves down 2-0, setting an early tone for the game.
It wasn’t until the third inning that center fielder Jacob Young got things started for the Nationals.
Young singled to left, followed by outfielder James Wood's single to center, pushing Young to third base. Second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. grounded into a fielder's choice to second, allowing Young to slide into home, leaving the Nationals only one run short of tying the game.
Despite that spark, the Nationals would not score again for the rest of the game.
As the game continued, opportunities arose for Washington to close the gap, but the Nats struggled to generate enough offense to change the rhythm.
The Cardinals built on their lead in the fifth inning when right fielder Jordan Walker nailed a 405-foot homer, making it 3-1. Washington again was unable to respond offensively.
From that point on, the Cardinals steadily controlled the game, adding runs that the Nationals simply couldn’t stop.
Pitcher Cionel Perez gave up two walks in the top of the seventh inning. Cardinals JJ Wetherholt was the first walk of the inning, followed by Ivan Herrera.
Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson drilled a 96 mph sinker down the middle, splitting Nats Nasim Nuñez and CJ Abrams, who were unable to secure the ball, giving Burleson the single that allowed Wetherholt to score.
St. Louis rounded out the game in the top of the ninth, scoring two more runs on the home team.
With early relievers for the Nationals, there were still signs of struggle on the mound. The Nats gave up seven walks throughout the game, which manager Blake Butera said is more than he’d like to see. As a result, the pitch count was on the higher side, which is also something Butera mentioned needed to come down in the games moving forward.
With another off day on Thursday, the Nationals are back on the road starting Friday at 7:40 p.m. as they look to overcome the struggles they faced at home when they face the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-game series. The Brewers opened the season 8-2, but they're coming off consecutive losses against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway to end the seven game road trip. The Nationals, meanwhile, will look for their first road win of the month.