John Lannan costs Washington Nationals 0-2 defeat against Philadelphia Phillies - MLB Update
Starter John Lannan gives up two runs and suffers the loss as Washington Nationals face 0-2 defeat against Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C. on October 1, 2012 in the first game of the three match series.
Nationals came into this game with the aim to clinch the Division Championship with a win.
Although they failed to draw a victory against the Phillies, the objective has been achieved. The fact the Atlanta Braves, the other team in contention for claiming the title in National League East, lost their match has made the Nationals the Division Champions.
During the game, Washington’s offence was clueless. With just five hits on Monday, it could not post even a single run on the scoreboard. It was for the same reason that even a feeble lead of the Phillies remained intact throughout the match.
Ever since securing a place in the playoffs, the Nationals have downgraded in a number of areas. Their offence is below par and so are their pitchers. Not many runs are being scored by them. The opponents have been thrashing them throughout the season and
are challenging them successfully.
Going into the post-season, such performances cannot help.
Lannan completed five innings in the game as he yielded six hits.
As far as the offence was concerned, apart from right fielder Jayson Werth and centre fielder Bryce Harper, most of the batters struggled to find connections at the plate.
Nationals’ General Manager Mike Rizzo is ecstatic as he celebrates along with players the Division crown that they have earned. Rizzo will never forget the way the jubilation was expressed by the players.
"I'll remember being in the scrum in the middle of the clubhouse with all the guys, just elated and all together," Rizzo said. "We live with each other for seven months a year. Culmination of all that emotion and such a successful season for us."
Similarly, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has talked about winning the Division title.
"The way it happened tonight doesn't really matter," said Ryan Zimmerman. "We put ourselves in that position to have the luxury of having the other team have to play perfect baseball.”
Nationals will be looking to fix issues with their offence and come up strong in the next two matches of the series.
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