The Washington Nationals look to continue the success they enjoyed on the road when they return home to host the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.
Despite the lowlight of getting routed 19-4 by the Phillies on Saturday, the Nationals completed a 6-3 trip through San Diego, Seattle and Philadelphia with a 5-4 win over the Phillies on Sunday.
The Nationals got a solid start from Trevor Williams and a grand slam from Stone Garrett to rally and take the rubber match of the series.
“Loved it,” Washington manager Dave Martinez said. “(Saturday), we got beat really bad, right? And these guys come (Sunday), we’re down 3-0 and we come back. Big home run by Garrett, but we come back and we play a tough game. We fight ‘til the end there.”
While Washington has often had problems getting to them, late-game relievers Hunter Harvey and Kyle Finnegan have been solid and were on Sunday. Finnegan pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings and Harvey worked the ninth for his eighth save.
“They’re the backbone of our bullpen, those two guys. They hold down everything,” Martinez said. “Those two guys, man, they’re something else. They really are. When they’re throwing strikes, you can see what they can do.”
Washington will start rookie Jake Irvin (1-4, 4.72 ERA) in the opener. Since having his turn skipped in the rotation, Irvin is 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in his last three starts. He allowed three runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings of a no-decision at Seattle in his last outing.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, looks to continue an unlikely winning streak.
Luke Weaver (1-2, 6.96) will get the nod for the Reds, who have won six straight Weaver starts. The right-hander has been very inconsistent over that span — allowing seven runs once and five twice — but each time the Reds have done enough to come out on top.
Weaver hasn’t picked up any of those wins, as his last decision — a win — came on May 9 when he beat the New York Mets.
Last time out, Weaver allowed four runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings, but the Reds defeated the Baltimore Orioles 11-7 on Wednesday.
The Reds have won four of their last five, including a series-clinching 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. Pinch hitter Tyler Stephenson broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run homer in the eighth inning.
“That’s what a team is all about. It’s not the same guy every day,” Cincinnati manager David Bell said. “It is very special.”
Rookie first baseman Spencer Steer hit his 14th home run of the season to give the Reds a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. Starter Andrew Abbott allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings while striking out 12.
Right-hander Alexis Diaz allowed a run but closed out the game for his 23rd save in 24 chances. Diaz had a streak of 27 consecutive saves end on Friday. The 26-year-old learned on Sunday he had been named to the National League All-Star team.
“What he’s been doing this year is incredible, and it’s been awesome to see him grow from last year to this year and just how dominant he’s been,” Stephenson said of Diaz.
Cincinnati begins the week tied with Milwaukee atop the NL Central.
–Field Level Media