An Espinosa Mistake Proves Costly In 6-3 Loss To Reds

Nationals 3, Reds 6

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Nationals	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		3	8	1
Reds	3	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	x		6	11	0

Read the full box score at MLB

In a game featuring an epic matchup between two of the top pitchers in baseball that didn't turn out too epic, the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Washington Nationals 6-3 on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ballpark (or smallpark as FP calls it) with a barrage of grounders and line drives.

Johnny Cueto and Stephen Strasburg each gave up 3 early runs and amassed high pitch counts.  Cueto lasted 6 innings hurling 108 pitches.  Surprisingly, Strasburg threw even more in 5 1/3 inning, 114 pitches coming off a season in which he was shutdown early.

In the 6th inning of a tie game with a runner on first and the Reds fastest baserunner on third, Danny Espinosa made a huge mental mistake.  On a ground ball to second base, Espy overlooked the easy double play and decided to try to throw out the speedy Derrick Robinson at home to preserve the tie.

Not only did Espy's wide throw allow the runner to score, but he passed over 2 crucial outs.  The play caused the inning to be extended, which was a disaster for Strasburg who already had thrown over 90 pitches.  The Reds went on to score 2 more runs and take home the 6-3 win.

The Nats only scoring was a 3 run homerun in the 2nd inning by Kurt Suzuki who finished with 3 extra base hits (2 doubles and the homer).  Despite Cueto's early struggles, he hit the zone, and the Reds bullpen shut down the Nats ending with Aroldis Chapman making Denard Span look silly tossing 100+ stuff past him.

The Nats get Monday off before a 3 game interleague set at home against the White Sox...