A three-run seventh-inning rally against Graham Ashcraft led the Washington Nationals over the Cincinnati Reds, 4-1, before 23,494 at Great American Ball Park.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Nationals (16-19) | 4 | 9 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Reds (18-17) |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| W: Lopez (4-0) L: Ashcraft (2-3) |
|||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
Cincinnati’s bullpen, which earlier in the week compiled a streak of more than 30 batters in a row, had the inevitable letdown today. Combined with only five hits on offense, it led to the Reds’ 20th loss in its past 23 series rubber games, dating back to last year. It’s ridiculous, and not a statistic that represents a good team. We’re hoping the Reds will find a way to be good this year, but the signs are not overwhelming so far.
The loss leaves Cincinnati three games behind the first-place Cubs, who fell to Milwaukee today, 4-0. The win moved the Brewers to only one game behind the second-place Reds, and four games behind the Cubs.
The Offense
Cincinnati’s combined offensive line score: 5-f0r-31 (.161), 4 walks and 13 strikeouts.
Over the losses today and yesterday, the Reds batted 2-for-19 with runners in scoring position.
Tyler Stephenson got the Reds on the board in the bottom of the second inning, launching a solo homer to left to tie the score at 1-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, Blake Dunn drew a leadoff walk, but was thrown out trying to go to second on a pitch in the dirt to Matt McLain, who then also walked. With Santiago Espinal batting, McLain stole second. McKenzie Gore dropped a beautiful breaking pitch on the outside corner for strike three on Espinal, and with two out, Elly De La Cruz lined a shot down the left field line that missed hitting the foul pole by inches. It was originally called fair by the umpiring crew, leading to a moment of confusion before the correct call of foul ball was made. With the fourth consecutive full count of the inning against Gore, De La Cruz drew a walk. On ball four, Gore slipped and appeared to have suffered an injury to his right leg — the plant leg on his follow-through. He stayed on to face Noelvi Marte, who again went to a 3-2 count before striking out on a low breaking ball out of the strike zone.
Over the past week, Marte is 4-for-21 following perhaps his best hitting streak as a major leaguer over the preceding couple of weeks. He’ll need to get things right, or else he again might be at risk of returning to Louisville.
The game became a bullpen battle in the bottom of the sixth, when righthander Jorge Lopez retired the Reds in order over two innings and earned his fourth win in the process. Jose A. Ferrer entered in the bottom of the eighth, allowing a two-out single to Marte but no additional damage. Kyle Finnegan closed the game for Washington.
The Pitching
The Reds’ combined pitching line: 9 innings, 9 hits allowed, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts and 4 runs, all earned. The difference today: Washington got big hits in big situations, and the Reds did not.
Starter Nick Martinez pitched his best game of the year to date, but the bullpen faltered in the top of the seventh inning.
Martinez’s primary strategy today was to mix his changeup with his fastball. He threw the changeup 28 percent of the time, compared to the four-seamer at 24 percent. His slider, curve, cutter and sinker were spread among the other 48 percent of the pitches he threw on a day on which he appeared very close to the Martinez of the final two months of 2024.
Over six innings and 86 pitches, he allowed only four hits and no walks while striking out six — certainly his best start of the season.
Graham Ashcraft entered in the seventh, and surrendered a solo home run to Luis Garcia, Jr., to give Washington a 2-1 lead. He had driven in the other Nationals run in the second inning with a sacrifice fly that followed two hits. Following a single by Alex Call and an error by rightfielder Espinal, Dylan Crews cracked an infield single that McLain knocked down. Crews then stole second to put runners at second and third with one out. Jacob Young then hit one back to the mound that deflected off Ashcraft and to De La Cruz, who was able to record an out at third without a run scoring.
Manager Terry Francona then summoned lefty Taylor Rogers to face lefthanded batting C.J. Abrams. On an 0-2 pitch, Abrams looped one into left-center to score two runs and put the Nationals up 4-1.
Scott Barlow got out of a bases-loaded jam to pitch a scoreless eighth inning. Yosver Zulueta pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.
One Fan’s Thoughts
It’s becoming clear quickly that the Cubs, barring a barrage of injuries, are the team to beat in the National League Central Division. Should both the Reds and Cubs maintain their positions as second place and first place in the division, respectively, the final week of this month shapes up as critical in the divisional race.
Between May 23 and June 1, the two teams play six times in nine games over the 1o days. After that, they won’t play each other until August.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds at Atlanta Braves
Monday, May 5, 7:15 p.m. ET
Brady Singer (4-1, 3.24 ERA) vs. A.J. Smith-Shawver (1-2, 4.26 ERA)
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