Cincinnati RedsvsWashington Nationals
CIN 3/WSH 5
Things to say
The Nationals beat the Reds 5-3 at Nationals Park.
01
opener
Nats took it 5-3 over the Reds. Close one for a while, then Washington broke it open late. Good win for a team that needed one.
02
key player
Whoever they ran out there kept the Reds' heart of the order quiet all night. That's the difference in a two-run game.
03
hot take
Honestly Cincinnati's bullpen let that one slip. You keep it tied that long, you can't give it back in the late innings.
04
deep cut
Reds are basically a .500 team now sitting at 56-59, and this is the kind of game that decides whether they buy or sell.
05
exit
Anyway, we'll see if the Nats can carry it into the next one — momentum's a funny thing this time of year.
The recap
The Nationals took care of business at home, holding off the Reds 5-3 to snap out of the funk a little in front of the Nationals Park crowd. Washington's bats did enough damage against the heart of the Cincinnati order early, and the bullpen slammed the door once the starter handed it off.
Cincinnati kept it a two-run game late but never got the big hit to flip it. Getaway-day win, and both these clubs are still scrapping right around .500 trying to stay in the mix.