The Nationals broke a tie with a three-run fifth inning and defeated the Indians, 7-4, at Nationals Park on Wednesday afternoon. The two clubs ended up splitting the two-game series.
With right-hander Josh Tomlin on the mound for Cleveland, Daniel Murphy broke the 4-4 deadlock by hitting a double to left field, scoring Trea Turner. Two batters later, Anthony Rendon also doubled to right field, scoring Jayson Werth and Murphy to take a three-run lead. Tomlin has been shaky lately, allowing 14 runs on 17 hits in his past two starts (8 2/3 innings).
Murphy’s double clanked off the glove of right fielder Abraham Almonte, who also misplayed a ball in right that helped the Nationals to a run in the first inning. Indians manager Terry Francona cited both plays when discussing Tomlin’s four-inning outing.
“The way J.T. pitches, he’s going to pitch to contact,” Francona said. “The better [a] defensive team we are certainly helps him. And there’s been a number of times where we haven’t finished plays, or we haven’t made plays, and that hasn’t helped.”
Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez picked up his eighth win of the season, but he wasn’t at his best. He was given a 4-1 lead after two innings, but the Indians made a comeback in the fourth and tied the game. Francisco Lindor highlighted the scoring with a two-run homer. Mike Napoli scored the tying run on a double by Jose Ramirez.
By the end of the game, manager Dusty Baker ended up emptying the bullpen in order to get the last nine outs of the game. He used five relievers — Matt Belisle, Blake Treinen, Oliver Perez, Shawn Kelley and closer Mark Melancon — in order to get the victory.
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