Reds at Nationals
After their beleaguered bullpen finally came through to salvage the finale of a three-game series against the New York Mets, the Washington Nationals have another concern as they open a six-game homestand with the first of three against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night. Outfielder Juan Soto exited Sunday's game with an ankle injury and is listed as day-to-day.
Soto, who is second on the team to Anthony Rendon in homers (24) and RBIs (77), extended his on-base streak to 17 games before appearing to turn his ankle rounding third base in Sunday's 7-4 win. Victor Robles replaced Soto and delivered a huge insurance two-run homer, the fifth of his 15 blasts in the eighth inning or later, to help the Nationals maintain their razor-thin lead in the crowded wild-card chase. The resurgent Reds had won five of six before blowing a three-run lead in Sunday's 6-3 setback to the Chicago Cubs to drop five games back of the second wild card. Rookie Aristides Aquino, summoned from the minors when Yasiel Puig was traded, has seven homers to go with 14 RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak and tied the major league record for most homers (7) by a player in his first 10 contests.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), MASN2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (7-6, 4.20 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Erick Fedde (2-2, 4.20)
DeSclafani allowed two home runs for the third time in six starts but managed to come away with the victory after giving up four runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings versus the Los Angeles Angels last time out. While he has not pitched beyond six innings this year, the 29-year-old has never lost to Washington, posting a 2-0 record and 2.17 ERA in seven appearances (four starts). It's uncertain if he will face Soto (2-for-3), but DeSclafani has stymied Rendon (0-for-7).
Faced with the unenviable task of replacing injured ace Max Scherzer (back strain), Fedde has had wildly mixed results in his previous two turns. He was shelled for nine runs and nine hits over 3 2/3 innings in a loss to Atlanta on July 30 but bounced back with a stellar effort last time time out at San Francisco, picking up the win with six scoreless innings. Fedde gave up two runs over four innings in a no-decision at Cincinnati on June 1, but is 1-2 with a 6.10 ERA at Nationals Park this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Scherzer felt good after Saturday's bullpen session and is scheduled to throw a simulated game Tuesday.
2. Reds 3B Eugenio Suárez homered in each of the last three games to boost his season total to 33 - one shy of last year's career high.
3. Washington had lost five in a row when leading in the eight inning prior to Sunday's victory.