The Washington Nationals hosted the Minnesota Twins this week, hoping to erase the unpleasant memory of getting swept in Philadelphia last weekend. The Nats battered the Twins, 12-3, on Monday to begin a six-game homestand. Unfortunately, the Twins returned the favor the next night, then eked out a 3-2 win Wednesday afternoon to take the series. The Nats had the tying run on second with one out in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday, but two of the Nats’ most ineffective hitters this season again failed to come through – Joey Gallo fanned for the 54th time in 95 at-bats, and Keibert Ruiz grounded out weakly to end it.
Mariners coming to town
Washington faces another first-place team this weekend as the Seattle Mariners come to town, but Seattle is no Philadelphia. The Mariners are a mere three games over .500, so this series is an opportunity for the 21-27 Nats to move back toward .500 themselves. The Mariners just won two of three from the Yankees in New York, but Seattle’s .225 team batting average is tied with Washington near the bottom of the Major League rankings. Lefty McKenzie Gore (2-4,3.30) takes the mound Friday for the Nats, facing Seattle righthander George Kirby (4-4, 3.99).
Reasons to be cheerful
The Nationals’ pitching (notwithstanding the 10-0 loss to the Twins Tuesday) continues to be reasonably effective. The team’s 4.01 ERA puts Washington in the middle of the National League pack. Look for the Nationals’ bats to heat up this weekend and for Washington to win the series against Seattle.
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