Instant Analysis: Dodgers 8, Nats 6
Despite a strong start from Foster Griffin and a three-run homer from James Wood, the Nationals still got swept after a second bullpen meltdown in four games
It takes a lot to beat the Dodgers. And though the Nationals thought they had positioned themselves to do that today and salvage one game from their weekend series against the two-time defending World Series champs, they found out the hard way how difficult it is to actually pull that off.
Despite opening up a five-run lead behind Foster Griffin’s five strong innings (following a 2-hour, 9-minute rain delay) and homers from Luis Garcia Jr. and James Wood, the Nats watched as their beleaguered bullpen gave it all back and then some during an eventual 8-6 loss that finished off a three-game sweep for Los Angeles and sent the home team to its fifth straight loss after a 3-1 start to the season.
In failing to tack on any more runs after their early success, the Nationals left this game within reach and had to entrust the final four innings to a bullpen that had already blown a four-run lead Wednesday afternoon in Philadelphia. Manager Blake Butera asked PJ Poulin for two innings, and though the left-hander did record all six outs, he only did so after surrendering a two-run homer to Dalton Rushing in the sixth.
Fellow lefty Cionel Pérez was then asked to face the right-handed-heavy portion of the Dodgers lineup in the eighth and proceeded to allow five straight batters to reach before Butera had no choice but to summon closer Clayton Beeter an inning earlier than planned. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts countered with left-handed pinch-hitter Kyle Tucker and then the left-handed Shohei Ohtani, and though Beeter did retire each, each also drove in runs to complete the Los Angeles comeback and deal the Nats an agonizing series sweep.
HITTING HIGHLIGHT: As frustrating as his first week-plus has been, Wood has remained in the lineup as leadoff hitter throughout. Why? Because within those poor at-bats were just enough glimmers of the All-Star slugger to realize he could break out at any given moment. And sure enough, that’s exactly what Wood did today. Despite taking a fastball for strike one and then badly whiffing at a slider for strike two, he flipped the switch and hammered Roki Sasaki’s splitter to left-center for a three-run homer. It’s exactly the kind of swing Wood always has in his back pocket, and it’s exactly the reason why the Nationals are willing to wait it out until he snaps out of his slump.
PITCHING HIGHLIGHT: Griffin did what Miles Mikolas and Jake Irvin could not and tamed the Dodgers lineup. Only one member of that lineup had ever faced him before (Ohtani, once in 2022) and he used that unfamiliarity to his advantage, not allowing anybody to record a hit off him the first time through the order. Using the whole kitchen sink, Griffin again threw seven different types of pitches. And aside from his sinker (which he only threw five times), the left-hander threw each of his other six pitches at least 10 times, using anything in any count. The only downside: He needed 95 pitches to complete five innings, forcing Butera to go to his bullpen earlier than hoped. But two starts in, Griffin is looking like a keeper, someone whose success in Japan the last three seasons wasn’t a complete fluke.
NOTABLE: José Tena today became only the third designated hitter in club history to bat ninth. The previous two: Adam Eaton (June 25, 2018, at Tampa Bay) and Chad Tracy (July 30, 2013, at Detroit).
UP NEXT: After three straight series against expected contenders to begin the season, the Nationals now get a three-game series against a Cardinals club embarking on a rebuild for the first time in a long time. Monday’s opener at 6:45 p.m. will see Zack Littell make his first actual start for the Nats (he followed opener PJ Pouin last time out) against St. Louis right-hander Andre Pallante. TV: Nationals TV RADIO: 106.7 FM
Frustrating result, but realistic. The bats are improving, the offense is there. Pitching, I ask those questioning the bullpen construction: what is there to do?
“Spend money.” On who? Nevermind the fact that all reliever FA contracts are inherently risky investments—contracts are a two way affair. What’s the manner in which you (1) convince players to choose a team embarking on the first year of a rebuild, and (2) shell out above average money to get an extra, what, meaningless 2 wins? You wanna throw $5 million at Kirby Yates to maybe win a game? The Mets threw a million at Lovelady after we cut him, and he’s already throwing away games. If we’re 15 out of the Wild Card or 16, what’s the difference?
Trade? Chip away at the very farm that we’re trying to build up? If players aren’t being sent away for arms, it’s a binary of Toboni sees something worth keeping, or more harshly, there’s nothing to be earned in return. This bullpen will be a combination of whatever Rizzo “developed” and left us (aka, close to nothing) and waiver claims.
Call it salty, call it sore loser, but I have no interest in whatever brand of baseball the Dodgers are selling. Mercenary ball is simply not what I find attractive when I choose to watch baseball. There is nothing exciting to me about a reliever market where an arm like Diaz costs you $23 million. Development is what this sport is about, and the results of this new regime won’t be an instant success in 9 games. And with that said, there’s already been so many results of marked improvement.
Dodgers have great hitters, true. They also have great pitchers and yet this Nats offense scored a lot of runs - enough to expect to win a game - consistently through this series and all year really. Very impressive and hopeful sign.