Washington Nationals Game 73 Review: Fister Excels Against the Braves for a Series Sweep

Starting pitcher Doug Fister shut out the Atlanta Braves on Thursday afternoon leading the Washington Nationals to a 7-0 win at Nationals Park. Fister threw 111 pitches and 72 strikes in seven innings pitched. He gave up four hits, one walk, and struck out four batters while the Nats offense did their best to hit Braves starting pitcher Matt Wisler.

Outfielder Denard Span led off the game with a single off Wisler before advancing to second base on a throwing error made by Braves outfielder Nick Markakis. Span scored on a sacrifice ground out hit by second baseman Danny Espinosa putting the Nats up 1-0 early.

Washington’s rally continued in the second inning when a hot streak of doubles plus an error made by Atlanta put the Nats up 3-0. Catcher Wilson Ramos led off the inning with a double and scored during the next at-bat when short stop Ian Desmond reached on a throwing error scoring Span. A RBI-single hit by outfielder Michael A. Taylor sent Desmond home to make it a 3-0 game.

The Nats continued their productivity streak through the third inning by tacking on an additional three runs, putting them up 6-0 against Atlanta. Third baseman Yunel Escobar hit a double with one out before scoring on a RBI assist from Ramos. Desmond, whose walk-off sacrifice fly on Wednesday night helped push him forward from a rough patch, launched a solo home run off Wisler.

Taylor scored the Nats final run of the day, putting them up 7-0, in the bottom of the eighth inning on a RBI single hit by outfielder Matt den Dekker off Braves reliever Grandon Cunniff.

Nats reliever Blake Treinen finished the job holding the Braves through two innings of work with two hits, two strike outs, and no runs scored against him. Nats win 7-0.

HERO: Doug Fister. A solid outing for a guy who was out for a bit on the disabled list. Seven strong innings is a welcomed positive for the Nats pitching staff.

GOAT: Let’s give a pass on naming a goat today. It’s that kind of day.

NATS NOTES:

• Two innings from Treinen gave the bullpen a break to sweep a division series.
• Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon had the day off. No need to panic. They remain available off the bench with the possibility of being back in the lineup on Friday.

NEXT GAME: Friday at 7:05 p.m. Max Scherzer (8-5, 1.76) and the Washington Nationals face Aaron Harang (4-9, 3.41) and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Banks Park.