Washington Nationals fall to New York Yankees 4-2 in nightcap in D.C.

The Washington Nationals couldn’t capitalize with runners in scoring positions in their 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees on Monday evening.

The Nationals went 0-11 with runners in scoring position on the night and nine left on base in the two-run loss.

Erick Fedde took the mound for the Nationals and gave up three runs on seven base hits and tallied four strikeouts in 5.1 innings or work.

Yankees’ pitcher Sonny Gray allowed two runs and recorded seven strikeouts in five innings.

Yankees’ right fielder Giancarlo Stanton went 4-5 with two RBI. Center fielder Aaron Hicks belted a two-run bomb in the fifth inning, which gave the Yankees a 3-2 advantage.

Adam Eaton, Juan Soto and Anthony Rendon each tallied two hits.

First baseman Mark Reynolds drove in the Nationals’ two runs on a RBI groundout and a sacrifice fly. Bryce Harper and Trea Turner combined to go 0 for 7 at the plate.

Up next: The Nationals will kick off a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at home on Tuesday evening.

Fedde vs. the Yankees: Fedde was close to getting out of the first inning without allowing a run until he allowed an RBI single by Stanton. Fedde bounced back in the second, forcing three ground ball outs.

Fedde forced Torres to hit into a double play before walking Greg Bird in the fourth inning. Fedde struck out Andujar to get out of the inning.

Fedde allowed his third home run of the season when Hicks belted a two-run bomb to right field, which gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth inning.

Fedde kicked off the sixth inning, striking out Stanton, but gave up a base hit to Torres before coming out of the game.

Fedde’s Line: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO, 97 P, 55 S, 7/1 GO/FO

Sonny Gray: Gray allowed back-to-back singles to Rendon and Soto, which led the Reynolds hitting a RBI groundout to tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning.

Gray allowed a single to Eaton in the third, but that was it.

Gray allowed a leadoff double to Rendon, which led to Reynolds driving him in on a sacrifice fly. Gray recorded his fifth strikeout to end the bottom half of the fourth.

Gray recorded his sixth strikeout, but allowed a two-out single to Eaton and hit Turner with a pitch in the fifth. Gray got out of trouble by striking out Harper.

Gray walked Rendon and gave up a single to Soto before being taken out of the game with runners on the corners in the sixth inning.

Gray’s Line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO, 86 P, 61 S, 6/2 GO/FO

Bullpen: Nationals’ pitcher Tim Collins came out of the bullpen to face Bird in the top of the sixth. Collins walked Bird, which forced manager Dave Martinez to bring in Wander Suero to get the final two outs of the inning.

Yankees’ pitcher Jonathan Holder came out of the bullpen and struck out Reynolds and Daniel Murphy. Nationals’ catcher Pedro Severino popped out to end the inning.

Suero struggled with command, hitting Clint Frazier and walking Judge with one out in the seventh. Sammy Solis took over on the mound and allowed an RBI double by Stanton that gave the Yankees a 4-2 lead.

Yankees’ pitcher David Robertson pitched a scoreless seventh inning to keep the score at 4-2.

Dellin Betances was lights out in the eighth inning, striking out the side.

Aroldis came in to close in the ninth inning. Chapman gave up a double to Murphy and walked Michael A. Taylor before striking out Eaton and Turner flied out to right field.

Final Score: 4-2 Yankees

Nationals are now 38-32