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Coming into this game, it seemed reasonable to predict a high-scoring contest given the matchup of Jeff Hoffman against Joe Ross. Ross hadn’t been a good pitcher since 2016, when he pitched to a 3.43 ERA backed by a 3.49 FIP and 3.87 xFIP. Since the start of the 2017 season, Ross has posted a 5.32 ERA, 5.13 FIP, and 4.78 xFIP. Hoffman, meanwhile, came into tonight’s game sporting a 4.31 ERA, 4.30 FIP, and 4.70 xFIP with a concerning walk rate.
This did not turn out to be the case, at least for the Reds, who failed to score off of Ross. The biggest storyline of this game was the rain delay and eventual suspension of the game after the conclusion of the top of the fourth inning. The Reds were able to score late after the resumption of the game, but it wouldn’t be enough as they would fall 5-3.
Offense
The Reds were able to put two runners on base in the first inning via a Jesse Winker single and Tyler Naquin walk. Kyle Farmer and Jonathan India each singled in the second inning. The common denominator of those two innings is that in both instances, the Reds were unable to score. The Reds went down in order in both the third and fourth innings.
The fifth inning, after the resumption of the suspended game, again saw the Reds record two baserunners. Eugenio Suárez and Winker recorded back-to-back singles, though Winker was thrown out at second base to end the inning.
The Reds again went down in order in the sixth, and a walk by India was the only baserunner in the seventh. India did steal second base, his second steal of the season.
Suárez singled again in the eighth, this time to left field. While you’d initially think that home runs are a sign of Suárez beginning to turn around, singles are encouraging as well. This year, Suárez has been all or nothing, on pace to hit over 30 home runs, but still near the bottom of the league in run production. Seeing him begin to fill some of his at bats with other hits is an encouraging sign.
Winker again followed with a single of his own, making it first and second. Nick Castellanos then singled, driving in Suárez and extending his hitting streak to 13 games. Naquin added another single to load the bases, still with no outs. After pinch hitter Mark Payton struck out, Tucker Barnhart added yet another single, driving in another run and making it 5-2. Farmer drove in a third run with a sacrifice fly before India struck out to end the inning.
Winker singled again in the ninth inning, but the Reds were unable to score.
Pitching
Jeff Hoffman had a rough outing, only recording four outs before leaving due to injury. The Reds later reported that Hoffman left due to shoulder soreness.
Hoffman walked Juan Soto in the first inning before allowing a shift-beating single to Josh Bell. Two batters later, Starlin Castro hit a single of his own, this time plating Soto and giving the Nats the early lead. Hoffman then proceeded to walk the next two batters, forcing in the game’s second run. Hoffman was then able to get out of the inning, but the damage was already done.
Hoffman issued another walk in the second to Trea Turner, who proceeded to steal second. The steal wouldn’t end up mattering, as Hoffman walked the next batter as well. Hoffman then motioned for the trainer, and left the game. He ended up walking five batters, and allowing a pair of singles, giving up two runs. He recorded just four outs without striking out a batter.
Brad Brach entered to replace Hoffman. He retired the first batter he faced before allowing an infield single that India should have been able to make a play on. Brach then induced a routine flyout to end the inning.
Brach stayed in for the third inning. He allowed a single to Josh Harrison, who proceeded to steal second base. He retired the next two batters, though Harrison was able to advance to third on a groundout. Brach then allowed a single to pitcher Joe Ross, plating Harrison and giving the Nats a 3-0 lead. Brach struck out the next batter to end the inning.
After the suspended game resumed, Cionel Pérez, freshly called up from AAA, pitched a clean inning. He struck out one while recording a 47% CSW (called strikes plus whiffs). Ryan Hendrix added a clean fifth inning, but ran into trouble with one out in the sixth. He allowed a triple and an RBI single before leaving the game.
Ashton Goudeau relived Hendrix, allowing a stolen base and an RBI single while recording two outs. The run was charged to Hendrix. Goudeau pitched the seventh as well, walking the leadoff batter but retiring the next three batters in order.
Michael Feliz pitched the eighth, allowing just a single while striking out one.
Stats
Hardest-Hit Balls
- Tyler Naquin: 105.0 mph | Groundout in 3rd inning
- Eugenio Suárez: 103.6 mph | Single in 8th inning
- Nick Castellanos: 102.9 mph | Forceout in 9th inning
Unluckiest Out of the Day
- Tyler Naquin: .400 xBA | Groundout in 3rd inning
Highest Velocities By Pitcher
- Jeff Hoffman: 94.2 mph
- Brad Brach: 95.1 mph
- Cionel Pérez: 97.1 mph
- Ryan Hendrix: 96.3 mph
- Ashton Goudeau: 93.8 mph
- Michael Feliz: 94.3 mph
Highest Pitch Spins
- Cionel Pérez: 2,741 rpm | Slider
Most Pitch Movement
- Ashton Goudeau: 61 inches vertical movement | Curveball
- Brad Brach: 19 inches horizontal movement | Changeup
Team Expected Batting Averages (xBA)
- Reds: .245
- Nationals: .245
What’s Next?
The Reds conclude the Nationals series tonight with a seven-inning game. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST as Sonny Gray faces off against Stephen Strasburg.
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