The Washington Nationals pitching staff struggled in game one against the Chicago White Sox, falling 5-4 on Friday night
The losing streak has hit three as the Washington Nationals opened the weekend series against the Chicago White Sox with another frustrating loss courtesy of the bullpen, falling 5-4 on Friday night.
With Miles Mikolas set to start, manager Blake Butera turned back to the opener as he's normally done as PJ Poulin tossed one strikeout and allowed one hit in 1.2 innings.
Mikolas finished the night allowing a pair off earned runs and four hits while tossing just one strikeout in 3.2 innings.
The Nationals would open the scoring in the top of the second after Jorbit Vivas singled into left field before a single by Nasim Nunez, then error by Chicago, put runners on second and third. Luis Garcia Jr. would capitalize with a sac fly into right field.
The White Sox would answer back with a 415 foot solo shot in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game at one, but the Nationals would answer right back in the next frame.
Nasim Nunez opened the fifth inning with a walk before stealing second, then getting to third after a single from Luis Garcia. After Nunez was caught stealing home, the Nationals broke the deadlock after Daylen Lile drew a bases loaded walk. Brady House then grounded into a fielder's choice to put Washington ahead, 3-1, yet the threat ended after CJ Abrams fouled out behind the plate.
The White Sox would chip away with a two out RBI single in the sixth inning before Riley Cornelio gave up consecutive infield hits, one a sacrifice, to squander the lead in the seventh inning.
Brady House would answer right back with a 374 foot solo home run on the second pitch of the eighth inning, tying the game once more.
Yet with Cornelio on the mound again, the White Sox would take the lead right back in the bottom of the inning after a sac fly brought in the White Sox batter who opened the inning with an infield hit.
The Nationals would threaten after Keibert Ruiz doubled into center then advanced to third before a James Wood strikeout ended the loss.
Now sitting at 11-16 overall, the Nationals will return to action on Saturday with first pitch set for 4:10 PM. Jake Irvin is set to take the mound where he has allowed at least two earned runs in all five starts and enters Saturday with a 6.00 ERA.