Three factors that led to a one-run loss
Carson Palmquist's early struggles, Clayton Beeter's late homer surrendered and three outs made on the contact play all cost the Nationals in Colorado
DENVER – It’s easy to look at Tuesday night’s 8-7 loss to the Rockies and focus on how the Nationals gave up the decisive run: Hunter Goodman’s solo homer off Clayton Beeter in the bottom of the eighth. And, sure, that one swing represented the final margin.
There was a lot more to this game, though. A lot more opportunities for the Nats to score. A lot more opportunities for their pitching staff to give up fewer runs. A lot more opportunities for the team to execute fundamental plays on the bases and in the field.
And when this all comes against the backdrop of a critical two-week stretch that will determine how the front office will approach the Aug. 3 trade deadline, each close loss looms large.
“It stings,” manager Blake Butera said. “These losses aren’t fun by any means, no matter what our record is, where we’re at in the season. It was a game we felt like we could’ve won.”
Let’s look at three aspects of this game, in particular, that turned a winnable game into a one-run loss …
