Washington Nationals win fourth in a row but Dylan Crews gets injured

The Nationals once again used early offense to jumpstart yet another win

Ladies and gentleman, he Washington Nationals are hot. They have now won four in a row and five of their last six after defeating the Braves 5-3. The Nats pounced on Spencer Strider, who did not look like his pre-surgery self, with less steam on his fastball.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Nationals gave Spencer Strider a rude welcome back. They strung together four straight hits. After a Luis Garcia Jr. single made it 2-0, Strider threw a wild pitch to make it three.

However, Mitchell Parker gave it all back in the top of the second, giving up a homer to Matt Olson and then three straight doubles later in the inning. It was now 3-3 and the shaky Parker had given away the momentum. At least he was throwing strikes though.

After two quick outs, Dylan Crews would answer the bell. He turned on a Spencer Strider fastball launching it into the left field bleachers. Crews was finally beginning to look comfortable, with homers in back to back games.

However, misfortune would strike the Nationals outfielder later in the game. On a check swing, it looked like Crews tweaked something in his back or oblique area. This would be a huge bummer for him and the Nats if it was serious, especially with Crews just beginning to heat up.

Outside of that injury, it was a great night for the Nats. After the second inning, Parker really locked in. He pitched into the sixth inning for the first time in a while and only walked one batter.

The offense wasn’t doing a ton after those first two innings, but they were making Braves pitchers work and had good at bats. They would get an insurance run in the seventh thanks to a Nathaniel Lowe sacrifice fly. Lowe had his best at bats in a while tonight, and I think it could be a sign of him turning it around.

The bullpen was also excellent. They have been turning things around and a lot of that has to do with some fresh faces rising to the occasion. Cole Henry received Parker with one out in the sixth and gave Davey three big outs.

Davey also did an excellent job playing the matchups tonight. If you criticize him for his mistakes, you have to credit his successes. He went to Ferrer to get Michael Harris and Nick Allen out, and he did just that.

Davey then extended Ferrer into the 8th, but after allowing a base hit, he wisely turned to Jorge Lopez, who immediately got a double play ball. That wise bullpen management, as well as guys doing their jobs won the Nats this game.

Up two in the ninth, the Nats turned to star closer Kyle Finnegan and he got the job done. It was an uncharacteristically drama free inning from the Nationals closer, who delivered a 1-2-3 9th. Finnegan’s command has been excellent of late, and he has been the one guy who has been reliable all year.

That is now four in a row for the Nats. They needed to go on a run after the seven game losing streak, and they did just that. The Nationals were on the mat and they responded. Tomorrow, they have a chance for a series win and a fifth straight win. Maybe I am greedy, but I think they can get the job done.