WASHINGTON NATIONALS Series REVIEW: Three game series sweep of the Minnesota Twins
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OPPONENT: Minnesota Twins
SERIES RECORD: 3-0
RECORD VERSUS TWINS: 3-o
NATS OVERALL RECORD: 14-4
DIVISION PLACE: First
RUNS SCORED: 16
RUNS YIELDED: 9
WINNING PITCHER: Gio Gonzalez (1-0), Tanner Roark (2-2) and Oliver Perez (1-0)
LOSING PITCHER: None
SERIES MVP: Bryce Harper. Not sure when we will list another player. Harper has been our series MVP for three consecutive series. Harper sat out the series finale, but did pinch hit in the ninth inning, with the Nats down by 1 run. Harper does what Harper does best, he smashed a home run that ultimately led to a 16th inning win. Harper’s numbers this series … (3-9 (.333) at the plate, 1 home run, 1 double, 3 runs scored, and 1 RBI)
UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT: The improbable bottom of the 16th inning, walk-off home run by Chris Heisey today. Unbelievable. Hersey was 2 for 3 off the bench, but the walk-off homer will be one for the books.
TOP STARTING ARM: Ummm, who saw that start coming from Tanner Roark. Roark evened out his record at 2-2 with a really incredible performance on the mound. Roark pitched 7 shutout innings, allowed just 2 hits and 3 walks while striking out a whopping 15 batters. Roark dominated the game from the start until he was pulled in the seventh inning… [7 IP, 2H, 0 Runs, 3 BB, 15 KOs, 0.00 ERA, on the season, 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA]
TOP BULLPEN ARM: The whole bullpen had a good series. They pitched a combined 13.2 innings and allowed just 2 runs and recorded 12 strikeouts. Yusmeiro Petit pitched 4.2 solid innings today, permitted 1 run, but fanned 6 batters. Papelbon picked up another save in a 1-2-3 performance in the 2-0 win.
HOT AS FIRE: Daniel Murphy. Murphy was 4 for 11 this series with a double, a run scored, and 2 RBI. His four hits kept his batting average up at .397. He maintains his lead as the top average on MLB.
STARTING PITCHING: Again, just like the rest of this season thus far, the Nationals starting pitching did their job effectively. This series was obviously led by Tanner Roark’s 15 strikeout performance. Overall, the three starters tossed 20.1 innings and allowed 15 hits, 6 runs, 4 walks, and struck out 33 batters. Excellent strikeout to walk ratio. All three starters went 6 innings or longer.
COLD AS ICE: None really. Michael Taylor was 2 for 8 and still is hitting below .200 at .185.
What’s Next? The Nats get a needed day off after a 16 inning win today. They then will host division rival Philadelphia Phillies for a three game series. Max Scherzer will look to get back on track on Tuesday as he faces Vince Velaquez.
Season Record: 14-4
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