The Nats’ four-game win streak ground to a halt as the ‘pen gave up seven runs and three big flies over the last three innings to turn a 5-1 lead into an 8-5 loss to the Cards.
The implosion, which was “led” by Sean Doolittle’s five-run 9th that was capped by a three-run homer. Doolittle retired just two of seven batters faced and had already blown the save before giving up the game-winner.
Max Scherzer turned in six innings of one-run ball strong while striking out nine. It might have been six scoreless with an actual outfielder in CF as the Cardinals tripled over Wilmer Difo’s head to lead off the game. The second St. Louis batter dumped a single to RF to take a 1-0 lead. Scherzer then settled down to retire 14 in a row and finished with five hits and no walks allowed.
No watchlist players were in the starting lineup and just three appeared in the game:
- Carter Kieboom subbed for Trea Turner at SS and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout
- Jake Noll followed Ryan Zimmerman at 1B and went 0-for-1
- Austen Williams got the last out of the 9th on a strikeout
The Nats (12-9) remain in West Palm Beach tomorrow to host the Mets (9-12). Stephen Strasburg is slated to pitch for Washington. The game can be heard on MLB Audio with both teams’ feed available.