Impressive offensive efforts lift Nationals to their second win in the three-game series against the Diamondbacks.
The Nationals kept their momentum rolling into game two of the three-game Diamondback series after an early lead helped pave the way to a 6-1 victory.
James Wood was back at it after he singled to left but it was Curtis Mead who was able to get the Nationals on the board. Mead earned the two run homer after he launched the 87 mph cutter 411 feet to left center.
James Wood prepares for the first inning against the Diamondbacks in game two of the three-game series. This marked Mead’s ninth home run of the season. It also marked 51 first inning runs for the Nationals this season which they currently rank first in all of the MLB for.
Despite no outs, the Nationals wouldn’t be able to add any more runs as they closed out the first inning on top with a 2-0 lead.
Curtis Mead watches his home run ball sail to left center field. Zach Littell started on the mound for the Nationals. Headed into today’s game, Littell has recorded a 5.01 ERA, 59.1 innings, 19 walks, and 35 strikeouts.
The Diamondbacks first base runner didn’t come until the fourth inning after Littell hit Gabriel Moreno on a pitch. But with two outs, Nasim Nuñez sealed the third out after the batter grounded into fielder’s choice to second just in time for Nunez to apply the tag.
The next inning, Keibert Ruiz doubled down the left line. He had the opportunity to make it a triple but stayed on second. With Wood at bat, the Nationals had the opportunity to get another run but left Ruiz stranded on second to close out the fifth inning.
Just when it seemed like the Nationals had it together the fifth inning started to unfold. The Diamondbacks got their first base hit of the day after Pavin Smith ripped the four-seam fastball down center.
Smith continued to make his way around the diamond and eventually scored due to a fielding error by Jacob Young. But the Nationals left runners stranded on corners to close out the inning with only a one run in. After five innings, Littell was retired.
Zach Littell continued to put on the heat agaisnt the Diamondbacks. The Nationals added insurance to their lead in the seventh inning after Dylan Crews opened the inning with a home run 432 feet to left center off a four-seam fastball. This marked Crews second big league homer this season.
Young redeemed himself from his fifth inning fielding error after he tripled to get the Nationals back in scoring position. Nuñez made the perfect sacrifice bunt that allowed Young to score and cushioned the Nationals lead to 4-1.
The Nationals continued to make this game out of reach for the Diamondbacks in the ninth inning. It started when Crews singled to center followed by a Daylen Lile walk. Nuñez was also able to reach base after he singled to right that also allowed for Crews to score. Lile went on to score and leave the Nationals with a five run advantage.
Brad Lord did his job and recorded his first major league save as he stopped the Diamondbacks from any chance of a comeback win.
The Nationals will close out the three-game series Sunday at 3:15 PM before they make their way to San Francisco to take on the Giants.
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