Ceci Ferrara
July 27, 2015
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
After dropping back-to-back games, the Nationals bounced back by belting out 14 hits for nine runs on Saturday night at PNC Park. The 9-3 victory against AJ Burnett was their sole victory in a four-game series against the Pirates, who beat them three games to one.
One day after their offensive outburst, the Nats’ bats once again went silent. Their only run of the game came on a Michael Taylor home run in the top of the third. Aside from that, they were no match for All-Star pitcher Gerrit Cole, whose dominating performance notched him his league-leading 14th win of the year.
Bryce Harper had a chance to score the go-ahead run in the eighth but he left two-men stranded when he grounded out. The Nats were then retired in short order in the top of the ninth to end the game, and a series in which they struggled with subpar pitching and missed multiple opportunities to score. In his fifth start of the season rookie starter Joe Ross (2-3) pitched well, giving up three runs over six innings, but without run support, the deficit was overwhelming.
“Sometimes they hit the ball hard right at someone, and sometimes it drops in,” he said. “Nothing you can do.”
After dropping six of 11 since the All-Star break, the Nats enjoyed a much-needed day off on Monday. They will try to rebound on Tuesday as they face the division rival Marlins to kick off a non-stop 20-game stretch.
As the regular season winds down, the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline is only a few days away. The Nationals haven’t announced any major roster moves, but there are several options they are rumored to be exploring, most of which focus on their bullpen.
Among them are San Diego star closer Craig Kimbrel and Philadelphia veteran Jonathan Papelbon. Kimbrel boasts a 2.75 ERA and 29 saves in 30 chances this season for the struggling Padres, who may be eager to let go of his high-price tag. Papelbon, meanwhile, has 17 saves and 1.59 ERA, along with a desire to leave Philadelphia. Any team he moves to, however, would have to commit to him remaining a closer, as well as guarantee his $13 million option for next season.
Another possibility is Cincinnati’s Aroldis Chapman, who pitched a scoreless ninth inning in this year’s All-Star Game. The Nationals were also hoping to get back Tyler Clippard, the six-year Washington veteran who was traded away in January for Yunel Escobar. The Nats were hopeful they might get him back, but the Mets acquired him from Oakland on Monday, delaying a possible return to the Nationals.
Whatever moves the Nationals make, they will be calculated and dedicated to the long-term plan: winning games, making the playoffs, and bringing a championship trophy home.
