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Washington Nationals’ lineup for Max Scherzer vs Aaron Nola rematch with Philadelphia Phillies...

Two Cy Young hopefuls meet for the second time in a week when the Nationals and Phillies go at it again tonight in Citizens Bank Park.

By Patrick Reddington
MLB: Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

An RBI single by Juan Soto. A solo homer by Matt Wieters. A bases-loaded bunt by Stephen Strasburg. A pop to left with the bases loaded by Trea Turner. An RBI double by Adam Eaton.

Washington’s runs (or points) last night came in all different forms. Davey Martinez’s squad made things happen.

“I preach all year long about doing the little things,” Martinez told reporters after Nationals’ 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

“That’s the way we’ve got to win games right now. Our lineup’s good, when we hit, we hit, but we’ve got to score runs any way we can.”

They couldn’t score any runs against Aaron Nola when they faced the Philly righty last week in the nation’s capital.

Nola tossed eight scoreless against the Phillies’ NL East rivals, taking the head-to-head matchup with Nationals’ ace Max Scherzer.

Nola takes the mound tonight unbeaten in his last six outings (3-0), with a 1.58 ERA and a .194/.255/.292 line against in 40 IP over that stretch.

Martinez’s Nats had their opportunities in that game, however. Spencer Kieboom doubled to left to start the third, and moved up on a sac bunt by Scherzer, but two quick outs from Adam Eaton (who K’d swinging) and Trea Turner (who lined out to center) ended that threat.

Overall, the Nationals went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position and six left on base in what ended up a 2-0 loss.

“We’ve talked about it a lot,” Martinez said after the game, when asked about the missed opportunity with a runner on third and one out in particular, “... about staying in the middle of the field.

“Infield’s in, just try to hit a fly ball, just try to put the ball in play. You just want to put the ball in play. We couldn’t do that. Like I said, Nola’s tough.”

Nola’s (3-0) with a 1.25 ERA, six walks, 22 Ks, and a .184/.244/.250 line against in 21 2⁄3 IP in three starts against the Nationals this season, and he makes his fourth tonight.

HERE’S THE NATIONALS’ LINEUP FOR THE 2ND OF 3 WITH THE PHILLIES:

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