The Washington Nationals rallied against the Miami Marlins on Monday, scoring four runs in the eighth inning to win, 6-4. Yunel Escobar had five hits, Ian Desmond hit a pivotal home run and Tanner Roark struck out Giancarlo Stanton to save it.
THE RUNDOWN: In the top of the eighth inning, it seemed like this game would be like so many other Nationals’ losses: A stellar start gone to waste, several runners left stranded in key situations and a collapse by the bullpen. That changed in the bottom of the inning. Trailing 4-2, Washington mounted a furious comeback, tying the game on a two-run homer by Desmond and prolonging the inning with a string of two-out hits. Pinch-hitter Tyler Moore singled, Denard Span doubled and Escobar singled to right to bring both runners home. Roark, filling in for closer Drew Storen, who had pitched the previous two games, closed it out in the ninth.
THE HIGHLIGHT: It’s been a rough season so far for Desmond. First there were the frequent errors, a fielder’s version of the yips that plagued him for much of the season’s first month. Then, after putting that behind him, he struggled at the plate, going 0-for-29 in one stretch during the team’s last road trip. He ended that skid Saturday, then tied the game with one swing Monday. The shortstop crushed a two-run shot to the batter’s eye in center field, knotting the game at 4 and setting the stage for Escobar’s heroics.
STAR OF THE GAME: Well, this one’s easy. Escobar had his most impressive game yet in a Nationals’ uniform, singling in each of his five at-bats, scoring one run and driving in two more. As much as the Nationals have missed right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard, it’s hard to criticize any aspect of Escobar’s performance so far in Washington. Apart from a groin injury that caused him to miss a few games last month, he has been even better than advertised, playing both second and third base and acting as a constant in Washington’s up-and-down lineup.
THE TAKEAWAY: The Nationals simply were not very good early in the season, but they’re playing with tremendous amounts of confidence right now. Regardless of what the players say about momentum, it does exist. And since Dan Uggla’s go-ahead three-run homer in Atlanta, Washington has had plenty of it. After weeks where it seemed like nothing could go right for the Nationals, it now seems like nothing can go wrong.
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
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