RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesAfter making the trip home following an eight game road trip, the Washington Nationals got back in the win column in game one of the three game series against the Cincinnati Reds after a 5-3 finish.
Cade Cavalli picked up his first win of the month after tossing eight strikeouts and allowing three earned runs and seven hits across six innings. Yovanny Cruz, Orlando Ribalta and Clayton Beeter would all pitch one inning each and combine to allow no hits while tossing a pair of strikeouts to cement the win.
Daylen Lile also ended a three game hitless streak against his hometown ball club after going 2-for-4 in the win after his three run, 400 foot home run in the opening inning gave the Nationals some early cushion.
Cincinnati was able to cut into the lead after blasting a 422 foot solo home run in the top of the second before Cavalli gave up back to back home runs in the third inning to tie the game at three.
Yet that would change in the fourth inning after Daylen Lile opened with a leadoff double, setting up Harry Ford with a scoring opportunity two at bats later. He would capitalize on exactly that in what proved to be the difference on Friday, taking an 81 mph sweeper 396 feet to clear the bases and put the Nationals ahead for good, 5-3.
It marked Ford's first home run since his first career game back on July 17 against the Athletics, the opening game of the second half of the season that ended in a blowout 23-4 win.
Cincinnati would threaten in the top of the fifth inning after Cavalli gave up a double then walk with just one out, but a grounder into a 5-4-3 double play to end the frame. Cavalli would give up a leadoff walk in the sixth inning before a pair of strikeouts then grounder ended the threat. After giving up consecutive hits in the seventh with runners on the corners, manager Blake Butera turned to Cruz before loading the bases, then forcing a 6-4-3 double play.
It marked the last time the Reds were able to get a runner on, cementing Washington's win.
With the win, the Nationals move to 57-61 overall in addition to taking three of the first four matchups against the Reds this season. Washington will look to pick up the series win on Saturday, Aug. 8 with Andrew Alvarez set to take the mound and first pitch scheduled for 6:45 PM.
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