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Nationals Look for Strong Pitching Again in Rematch vs. Mariners
Strong Start to a Demanding Stretch
The Washington Nationals started off an exhausting 17-game stretch with a triumph on Friday, denoting the start of a difficult period without a vacation day until June 10. To explore this requesting plan, the Nationals will depend intensely on their beginning pitchers to give profound excursions and keep the warm up area new.
Gore Sets the Tone
MacKenzie Gore led the charge on Friday night, matching his career high by pitching seven innings in a 6-1 win over the Seattle Mariners. This win was crucial for the Nationals, who had lost seven of their previous eight games and endured two games earlier in the week where they allowed 10 or more runs.
“You hope that it is (a long outing); you hope that things don’t blow up,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “But as he (Gore) got to that fourth inning and I’m watching his pitch count, I’m watching what he’s doing, I thought then that he can go deep in this game, which would be great. And he did. Going seven innings is really good, especially for our bullpen. We’ve got a lot of games coming up, so we’re going to need our starting pitchers to go a little deeper in games.”
Gore’s Performance
Despite a rocky start with a leadoff home run to Seattle’s J.P. Crawford in the first inning—the first time in his 50 major-league starts that he had given up a home run to the leadoff batter—Gore quickly regained control. He allowed just three more hits and struck out eight over the remainder of his outing.
“You never want to lead off a game with a homer, but just (focus on) the next guy,” Gore said. “What had happened had happened.”
“After that, he controlled the game really good,” Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz added. “He executed the plan.”
Offensive Support
The Nationals’ offense backed Gore with ample run support. Luis Garcia Jr. hit a three-run homer, Ruiz added a two-run blast, and Eddie Rosario hit a solo shot to account for all of Washington’s runs.
“Homers are fun,” Gore said. “We all love them. You guys probably love them, too.”
Mariners’ Struggles
The Mariners, who were closed out 5-0 by the New York Yankees on Thursday, coordinated a season-worst with their third consecutive loss on Friday. They were held to one run or less for the eleventh time in 52 games this season and struck out multiple times, driving the majors with 529 strikeouts.
Earlier on Friday, the Mariners made a roster move, recalling rookie outfielder Jonatan Clase from Triple-A Tacoma and demoting third baseman Luis Urias, who was hitting just .152.
“We have truly battled to assemble much against beginning pitching here as of late, and that is got to improve,” Seattle chief Scott Servais said. ” You won’t dominate matches 1-0, 2-1, positively out and about. We must swing the bats better.”
Saturday’s Matchup
The Mariners will send right-hander Logan Gilbert (3-2, 3.20 ERA) to the mound on Saturday. Gilbert, who is tied for the major league lead with eight quality starts, will face Nationals righty Trevor Williams (4-0, 2.35 ERA). Gilbert is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in one previous start against Washington, while Williams has a 6.75 ERA in one career outing against Seattle.
As both teams look to make adjustments, the Nationals will aim to build on their recent success while the Mariners hope to break out of their offensive slump.
