Nationals Game Review

The Nationals took Game 1 over the Cardinals in stunning fashion, in a game when the difference in runs was never more than one. After taking a 1-0 lead on Kurt Suzuki's second inning RBI single, Gio Gonzalez immediately had a control meltdown as he walked four batters in the bottom of the frame, allowing the Cardinals to score two runs, one on a wild pitch, and the other on a Jon Jay sac fly. The game stayed 2-1 into the eventful late innings. The Cardinals had a prime opportunity to blow the game open when they had the bases loaded and nobody out against Washington pitcher Craig Stammen. Ryan Mattheus relieved him, and induced an Allen Craig force out to nail Jay out at home. As if there was nothing to it, Mattheus then got Yadier Molina to hit a ground ball to Ryan Zimmerman, who flipped it to Danny Espinosa at second and on to Adam LaRoche at first for the inning-ending double play. In the top of the eighth, when the Nationals had first and third and nobody out, Espinosa was out on a bunt and Suzuki struck out. That left it to pinch hitter Tyler Moore, with runners on second and third, to come through in the clutch. With a two-run single, he reversed the score to put the Nationals up 3-2, where the final tally would stay.

News

The Indians hired former Boston manager Terry Francona to be their manager for the 2013 season.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy resigned as manager.

The Tigers won an a walkoff Don Kelly sac fly.

Game Scores

Nationals beat the Cardinals 3-2, lead series 1-0.

Yankees beat the Orioles 7-2, lead series 1-0.

Reds beat the Giants 9-0, lead series 2-0.

Tigers beat the A's 5-4, lead series 2-0.

Postseason Leaders

Offensive: AVG: Ian Desmond (Nationals), Freddie Freeman (Braves), and David Ross (Braves), .750 (3-4). Home runs: 10 tied with 1. RBI: Nate McLouth (Orioles) and Brandon Phillips (Reds), 4. Stolen bases: Yoenis Cespedes (A's), 2.

Pitching: Wins: 8 tied with 1.  K's: Justin Verlander (Tigers), 11. ERA: Bronson Arroyo (Reds), 0.00 (7 shutout innings). Saves: Jason Motte (Cardinals), Drew Storen (Nationals), and Jose Valverde (Tigers), 1.

Top Performers

Offensive: Ryan Ludwick (Reds): 2-3, home run, RBI, 2 runs, walk.

Pitching: Bronson Arroyo (Reds): Win, 7 shutout innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 4 K's.

Worst Pitching Performance: Jim Johnson (Orioles): Loss, 0.1 innings, 5 runs (4 earned), 5 hits, no walks.

Today's Probables

Nationals @ Cardinals: Jordan Zimmermann (Reg. season: 12-8, 2.94 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) vs Jaime Garcia (7-7, 3.92 ERA, 1.36 WHIP).

Yankees @ Orioles: Andy Pettitte (5-4, 2.87 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) vs Wei-Yin Chen (12-11, 4.02 ERA, 1.26 WHIP). 

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Teams followed in this update: Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies

If your team is not included, please leave a comment.

HR: home runs. RBI: runs batted in. AVG: batting average. SB: stolen bases. ERA: earned run average. WHIP: walks/hits per innings pitched. K's: strikeouts. WPCT: winning percentage

Zack Silverman