After comeback, Nats look for another win in Cincinnati.
Following a dramatic come-from-behind win Saturday, the Washington Nationals look for a series win Sunday when they play the rubber match of their three-game series against the host Cincinnati Reds.
Keibert Ruiz is off to a hot start for Washington, going 4-for-7 in the first two games. That includes Saturday’s 3-for-4 performance with a game-tying homer in the eighth inning and three RBIs in the Nationals’ 7-6 come-from-behind win.
Joey Meneses is 4-for-8 through the first two games and former Reds left fielder Jesse Winker is 3-for-8 and threw out Santiago Espinal at the plate in Saturday’s game.
After giving up two runs in the eighth inning, the Nationals rallied for three in the ninth off Cincinnati closer Alexis Diaz, who retired just one batter before being lifted.
“First time out, he wasn’t as sharp as we’ve seen him at times,” Reds manager David Bell said of his 2023 All-Star closer. “Then he got off to a tough start. Pitches were close. The walks are something (bad). We know that. The walks can lead to runs. He’s been outstanding for us in that situation for a long time.”
Diaz was tagged for two hits, two walks and three runs in the blown save.
The Nationals also took advantage of several misplays. Perhaps chief among them was when Reds center fielder Stuart Fairchild eased up on a Meneses fly ball, thinking it was the third out and allowing CJ Abrams to score in the fifth.
