August 26, 2013
Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
Following a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs, the Nationals (65-65) were on the verge of doing it again in Kansas City. But after edging the Royals 11-10 Friday and 7-2 on Saturday, they fell apart Sunday afternoon to snap their five-game winning streak.
Starter Dan Haren struggled early, giving up four runs in the first inning. He quickly gained control and threw six scoreless innings as the Nats attempted to get back into the game. “I was determined to keep the team in the game and throw as many zeros as I could,” Haren told reporters afterward.
His recovery was aided by a solo shot by Ian Desmond in the fourth that put Washington on the board. In the top of the seventh, Denard Span sent the first pitch he saw over the center field wall, followed by a single by Ryan Zimmerman. Bryce Harper then came to the plate and hit his eighteenth homer of the year to tie the game 4-4.
But their late-game rally was not enough. Craig Stammen came in to relieve Harren in the eighth, but things started to unravel after retiring the first two batters. After giving up a walk, confusion about first-base coverage gave the Royals two base runners on what should have been a ground out. The defense mishap led to another walk and two singles, which gave the Royals a 6-4 lead they did not relinquish.
While Washington did not win, their 6-4 run, including that five-game win streak, has given them renewed hope for the final stretch of the season.
“We showed a lot of heart coming back,” Haren said. We didn’t win, but all in all, it was a pretty good road trip. Having a winning record in a long road trip I think is good. It’s time to go home and take care of business.”
Still eight-an-a-half games behind the Reds for the second and final Wild Card spot in the National League—the best finish they could hope for—the Nats have a lot of ground to cover in the coming weeks. It’s a long shot, but not impossible.
Redskins
In the third pre-season game last Saturday, Redskins fans got a glimpse of what might happen if both RG3 and back-up quarterback Kirk Cousins were unable to play, as both sat out the game with injuries. And it was not half-bad.
Third string quarterback Rex Grossman started for Washington and orchestrated two scoring drives to open the game, including a seven-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon. Pat White took over in the second quarter, and was also effective, directing his own touchdown drive in the Skins’ 30-7 rout of the Buffalo Bills.
As the deadline for the fifty-three-yard roster draws near, it will be interesting to see if the Skins opt for an experienced NFL vet or a young player with promise as their third-string quarterback. There is also competition for running back, with Keiland Williams and Evan Royster potentially vying for a single spot. Royster was the front-runner before he missed Saturday’s game with an ankle injury and Williams impressed, rushing for fifty-two yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Roy Helu and Alfred Morris are also in the running back competition but are expected to have starting roles.
The Skins need to trim their roster to seventy-five by 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, and have already released veteran receive Dante Stallworth and fullback Eric Kettani. Thursday’s fourth and final preseason game will be the last chance for players to prove their worth before the final fifty-three-man roster is announced on Saturday.
