Hot One at Nats' Park

The weather was hot. The bats for both teams were hot. In the end the Nationals came out on top 7-4 over the Indians.

From the Post:

A back-and-forth sequence between the clubs ensued. The Indians (63-48) matched Washington with a run in the second off Gonzalez when Almonte smacked an RBI double to redeem himself somewhat for his trouble in the outfield.

Then, with two outs in the bottom of the frame, Werth swatted an 87-mph cutter over the plate 409 feet away into the visitors’ bullpen beyond the left field wall for a three-run home run. The homer was the league-high 27th Tomlin has yielded and Werth’s 15th.

It again took just a half inning for Cleveland to tie the game off Gonzalez. First, Francisco Lindor blasted a two-run homer into the same bullpen. The ensuing batter, Mike Napoli, doubled, and Jose Ramirez followed with a double to make it 4-4. Gonzalez’s pitch count for the day was at 63 by the third out.

In the fifth inning, the Nationals, often too reliant on the long ball, manufactured a response with their own string of doubles. Trea Turner doubled to lead off the inning. Werth then walked before Daniel Murphy whacked an RBI double to chase Tomlin. The final double came off Anthony Rendon’s bat, his second on the day, to score two and balloon Washington’s lead to three. Ben Revere also registered two hits — a single and a double — for the second straight day.

The new closer Mark Melancon came in and finished the out the game. The Nats continue to lead NL East by 7.5 games over Miami. So far so good for this season.

Jayson Werth rounds third base on the way home after his three run homer.