The Washington Nationals lost to the San Francisco Giants 7-6 after blowing a 5-1 lead. The bullpen struggled again, with Mitchell Parker allowing three runs in the game.
Bullpen Struggles Again, Nationals Blow Lead in 7-6 Loss vs. Giants
The struggles at home continue for the Washington Nationals, this time squandering an early 5-1 lead to drop game two against the San Francisco Giants in a 7-6 extra innings finish on Saturday night.
Cade Cavalli started hot after tossing strikes on 16 of his first 20 pitches, setting the stage for another productive outing after allowing one earned run and tossing five strikeouts in four innings.
Yet once again, it would be the bullpen that let the Nationals down with Mitchell Parker responsible for three runs to help the Giants mount the comeback in Nationals Park.
For the second consecutive game, James Wood belted a home run and his team high seventh of season after opening the first inning with a 406 foot home run into the Giants bullpen. Wood would be responsible for the Nationals next run after drawing a hit by pitch with the bases loaded, sending Nasim Nunez over the plate before Luis Garcia Jr and Jose Tena notched consecutive singles in the second inning to put Washington ahead, 5-1.
The Giants cut the deficit in half after Cavalli allowed a two run double in the top of the third inning before Parker's two run home run given up in the top of the sixth inning tied the game back up at five.
For the first time of the day, the Nationals then found themselves trailing in the seven inning after a two out single allowed by Parker pushed the Giants ahead, 6-5, in the latest frustrating effort out of the bullpen.
Yet in the final at bat possible, the Nationals would find a way to send the game into extra innings after Jorbit Vivas opened up the ninth inning with a double into left field. Yet he would later be called out in a fielder's choice, enough to get James Wood to second after drawing an intentional walk. And with a runner in scoring position, drove in the game-tying single into center field with Wood's run giving Washington another chance.
The Nationals lost due to their bullpen's poor performance, allowing three runs that contributed to the Giants' comeback.
Cade Cavalli started for the Nationals, allowing one earned run and recording five strikeouts in four innings.
The final score was 7-6 in favor of the San Francisco Giants after extra innings.
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Washington would load the bases in the tenth inning before watching a pair of strikeouts ended the threat, while Joey Wiemer's strikeout ended another chance in the bottom of the 11th inning. San Francisco delivered the game-winning run in the top of the 12th inning with the Nationals unable to counter, dropping the second straight game.
Now sitting at 9-12 overall, the Washington Nationals will return to action on Sunday to close out the series with Miles Mikolas set to make the start.