The Washington Nationals visited Globe Life Field on Friday for the first time in 17 years. June 19th, 2005 was the exact date the Nats were in Arlington.
Dane Dunning was making his team-high 15th start of the season. Dunning came in at 1-5 with a 4.38 ERA.
The 27-year-old right-hander came into the night having much success at Globe Life Field. Dunning has posted a .195 opp. BA and a 0.984 WHIP figure in 7 starts at home this season.
The Nationals countered with righty Paolo Espino who came in at 0-1 with just a 2.29 ERA.
Washington has struggled as a team this season, The Nats came in with just a 25-47 record, worst in the NL East.
The Rangers had a shot to reach the scoreboard first after Marcus Semien singled and advanced to second on a passed ball. However, Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia popped out before Kole Calhoun grounded out to first to end the opening frame.
The Nationals would come up with their first legit scoring chance in the bottom of the third inning after a hit-by-pitch and a bunt single. Juan Soto would come up with two runners on a no-one out.
Dane Dunning would get Soto to ground into a 1-6-3 double play and then force Josh Bell to bounce out to Marcus Semien and hold the Nats scoreless through three.
Nelson Cruz lead off the 4th inning with a double to get into scoring position. Then Washington catcher Keilbert Ruiz singled into the left-center field gap.
The ball was cut off by Adolis Garcia, who fired an absolute Cuban Missile to home plate and gunned down Cruz who was trying to score and the game remained scoreless.
A pair of doubles would get the Nationals to the board first in the top of the 6th. Short Stop Luis Garcia launched a ball that bounced into the Rangers bullpen scoring Josh Bell and making it 1-0 Washington.
Leading off the 6th inning Adolis Garcia blasted a ball into the left-field seats to tie us up at 1!!!
After 6 innings the Rangers and the Nationals were tied at 1.
Dane Dunning put forth a solid performance going 6 innings and allowing just one run!! He struck out 4 along the way.
Dennis Santana would come on to pitch the 8th inning for Texas.
He would allow Juan Soto to double to start the inning. The Irving Texas native Josh Bell singled him home to give the Nats a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the 8th Kole Calhoun singled and was ran for by Leody Tavares who would swipe second base. However, he would be stranded after a Mitch Garver line out and a Jonah Heim strike out.
Going into the bottom of the 9th the Rangers would have Loew, Duran, and Miller due up.
Josh Smith would walk with one out in the 9th. Brad Miller followed that with a single to put runners on the corners and the Rangers down by 1.
Marcus Semien popped out to third leaving the game in Corey Seager’s hands.
Corey Seager flew out and the Nats won 2-1..
