*Photo from Federal Baseball*
The Washington Nationals are on a tear that no one can pinpoint why. Adam Eaton said that ''If anyone knew the answer to that, they could write a book and make millions of dollars." That tear continued on Monday, when the bats homered 4 times, and the pitching allowed just 4 hits as the Nats shutout the Pittsburgh Pirates 13-0. Over their last 8 games, the Nats have gone 7-1 and scored 79 runs, including 43 runs in the last 3 games.
They jumped ahead early in the first inning, when Eaton hit a solo homer to right field. After Asdrubal Cabrera's sac fly, Matt Adams launched a two run shot to right field to make it 4-0 Washington. In the second inning, Trea Turner connected for a 3 run bomb, and Matt Adams doubled in Juan Soto to make it 8-0. In the 4th, Cabrera doubled to left field to score two runs. Adams followed that up with another RBI double to score Cabrera and make it 11-0. In the 9th, Cabrera capped off the scoring with a two run homer to left field to make it 13-0.
The Nats have been known for terrific starting pitching, with Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin, but manager Dave Martinez believes Washington's offense needs to be feared as well. He said that ''We've got guys that can get on base, guys that can steal bases, guys who can move the ball around and hit the ball all over, and guys in the middle of the lineup who can juice balls." Javy Guerra got the win for the Nationals, pitching 3 2/3 perfect innings in relief of starter Joe Ross, who went 3 1/3. Kyle McGowin and Tanner Rainey finished the game after that. Martinez had high praise for Guerra, saying that ''He really saved us from having to go deep into our bullpen.''
Trevor Williams got the loss for the Pirates, giving up 8 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks over two innings pitched. Pittsburgh is now 7-28 since the all star break. Williams said that ''It's a really tough stretch right now, hopefully, tonight is the bottom. I look forward to coming to the field tomorrow. Being a pitcher, you have to have a short-term memory.''
The Nationals moved to 5 games behind of the division leading Atlanta Braves, and are in possession of the first wild card spot in the NL. The series will continue on Tuesday, where Stephen Strasburg will face off against Chris Archer. Archer has not won since June, while Strasburg is 8-1 in his last 10 starts.
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