Anthony Rendon hit a double in the top of the first to put the Nationals up 2-0. Alex Bregman answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to tie it up 2-2. Verlander and Strasburg coasted like aces do until the 6th inning. Yuli Gurriel had an amazing AB that he turned into a full count double down the left-field line with two outs. Strasburg then threw two balls to young DH Yordan Alvarez that led to an intentional walk. Fernando Rodney started warming up for the Nationals. Then Carlos Correa worked a full count before popping out on a change-up. Kyle Tucker came in and Strasburg struck him out.
Then, in the top of the 7th, the Nationals exploded. Suzuki got it started with a solo homer..
A K to end it. A HR to start it.
Robles was walked next. Then Pressly came in for Verlander and it got ugly for Houston. Bregman had a play to his right he should have made.. but he didn’t and the Nationals rally started. Kendrick, Cabrera, and Zimmerman all had 2 RBI singles in the 7th. The score was 8-2 and that bottom of the 6th/top of the 7th changed the game. Strasburg 1 – Verlander 0.
Adam Eaton added a 2-run homer for good measure in the 8th. Nationals are leading 2-0 headed back to the Nation’s Capital.