“We created some opportunities,” Manager Dave Martinez said. “We just couldn’t get that big run in.”
In the top of the tenth, shortstop CJ Abrams hit a groundball to first base. Trey Lipscomb, who was standing on second base as the automatic runner, hesitated before taking off. First baseman Tyler Nevin fielded the ball, tagged first and then threw across the diamond to nail Lipscomb at third. In the bottom of the inning, Oakland’s Lawrence Butler delivered an RBI single to drive home pinch runner Maxwell Schuemann with the game-winning run. The Nationals finished 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
Washington spoiled a stellar outing from right-hander Jake Irvin, who allowed just three base runners and one hit — a third-inning solo blast by Butler — in six innings.
But Athletics starter Paul Blackburn surpassed Irvin’s gem with 6⅓ scoreless innings. Blackburn, who has yet to allow a run in 19⅓ innings this season, surrendered five hits buts found a way to escape every jam.
Once Blackburn exited the game, Oakland’s bullpen was equally as stingy. In the seventh, Abrams stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and struck out against lefty T.J. McFarland. In the eighth, Washington’s frustration boiled over when first baseman Joey Gallo was ejected by home plate umpire John Libka for arguing a called strike three. Winker, though, gave the Nationals life. But they still couldn’t take advantage.
“These are the games we should try to scratch and claw and get one more run than the other guys,” Martinez said. “It didn’t happen.”
Keibert Ruiz out with illness
Catcher Keibert Ruiz missed his third straight game with the flu. Martinez said Ruiz seemed to turn a corner on Wednesday afternoon, but his symptoms got worse during the team’s off day Thursday. That left the Nationals with one active catcher for Friday’s game after they optioned Drew Millas to Class AAA Rochester on Wednesday and recalled right-handed reliever Amos Willingham on Friday. …
Nick Senzel (fractured right thumb) and Stone Garrett (fractured left fibula, ankle) are both rehabbing with Class AA Harrisburg, though the Senators’ game Friday was rained out. Senzel, who was expected to be the team’s everyday third baseman, has already played twice this week and a decision will be made on his next steps after this weekend. Garrett is further behind in his rehab — he hasn’t played in an affiliated game this year and Martinez wants to see him play every day to see how his body responds coming off the injury.
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