Washington was in midseason form yesterday in Lakeland as they collected 11 hits—all singles—and left on 14 in a 2-1 loss to Detroit.
Chad Kuhl got the start and got seven outs on 30 pitches, allowing one hit, no walks, and striking out one. The loss went to Jackson Rutledge, who let in the first Tiger run on a leadoff walk, a single, and a sacrifice fly in the 6th.
Jeter Downs was the sole watchlist player in the starting lineup. The 24-y.o. played shortstop and went 1-for-3.
Here’s how the rest of “our guys” did coming off the bench or in the from the ‘pen:
- Thad Ward finished the 3rd inning with two strikeouts after giving up a double to the first batter he faced
- Daylen Lile took injured Victor Robles’s spot in the batting order in the 2nd and finished the game, going 3-for-4 with a run, a stolen base, and a nifty diving catch
- Rutledge pitched the 5th and 6th innings and finished with one run let in on one hit and one walk. He struck out two
- Jake Irvin pitched the 7th and 8th innings and gave up a run on three hits and no walks. He set down two on strikes
- Drew Millas subbed for Keibert Ruiz behind the plate in the 6th and drew a walk in the 8th
- Trey Lipscomb replaced Ildemaro Vargas at 3B in the 6th and went 1-for-2
- Jeremy De La Rosa took over CF from Lane Thomas in the 7th and struck out in the 9th
- Jacob Young pinch-hit for DH Riley Adams in the 8th and struck out
Tonight, the Nats return to West Palm Beach to host Team Israel in a WBC tuneup game before Pool D starts play in Miami on Saturday.