Decision Making At An All Time Low For Nats

Nationals 0, Mets 2

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	4	3
Mets	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0		2	4	0

A lack of hitting, some errors in the field, a running mistake, and a bad decision by Jayson Werth were all showcased during Sunday's 2-0 loss to the New York Mets.  The Nats managed just 4 hits on the day, only one more than errors committed, as the Mets took the series victory and the shutout in New York despite also getting just 4 hits.  It was a rough roadtrip for the Nats who ended 3-3 against subpar teams and who will now head home to face a tough upcoming schedule.

Jordan Zimmermann struggled with control, walking 3 batters in a 96 pitch 4 inning start.  Zim only gave up 2 hits and 2 earned runs, but his pitch count (thanks to a few errors) was growing and he was not at his best.

The Nats didn't have much offense all day, and the 2 times they did it was ruined by player decision making.  Let's take a look at these 2 key plays:

Denard Span led off the top of the 6th inning by drawing a walk.  With one out and Bryce Harper at the plate, Span was tricked into running to second base on a pitch in the dirt that was picked cleanly by Mets catcher John Buck.  Buck threw out Span by a mile, and that second out proved to be costly.

Bryce Harper walked followed by an Adam LaRoche walk, and what could have been bases loaded with 1 out turned into first and second with 2 outs.  That was a huge difference and a big momentum killer as Ian Desmond struck out looking to end the inning.




Then, in the top of the 8th inning when a Lombardozzi single and a Span walk put the Nats on first and second with no outs, Jayson Werth made a decision that proved to be costly.  With a 3-0 count and Bryce Harper waiting on deck, Werth surprisingly swung at the next pitch and grounded to a crushing double play.  Werth was upset with himself after the game and Davey Johnson refused to talk about it, but it was a mental mistake which have been all too common this season.

Anthony Rendon made his major league debut.  He made a nice grab in foul territory but also committed an error and went hitless in 4 at bats.

The Nats come home tomorrow and look to get their heads back in check as they face the dreaded Cardinals.  It doesn't get any easier.