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Washington Nationals’ lineup for 2nd of 3 with the Arizona Diamondbacks in Chase Field...

Washington’s Nationals started the post-Trade Deadline part of the season with a one-hit, 3-0 shutout of Arizona’s D-Backs. Now they try to make it two in a row.

By Patrick Reddington
MLB: Washington Nationals at Arizona Diamondbacks Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t Walk Dozier in Front of Big City: Howie Kendrick was a late scratch from last night’s game, with leg cramps taking him out of the starting lineup just 10 minutes before the Washington Nationals’ series opener with the D-Backs in Arizona.

Matt Adams ended up starting at first in place of Kendrick, and, of course, came up with a big hit, knocking in two runs with a line drive double on a first-pitch cutter from left-hander Alex Young in the top of the sixth.

Adams started the night with a .289/.308/.658 line in 41 plate appearances against lefties this season, so the Diamondbacks’ decision to walk Brian Dozier in front of the big slugger might have been a mistake even before the hit, though he was 0 for 2 with two Ks against Young as he stepped to the plate in the sixth.

“Third time seeing the guy,” Adams said, as quoted by MASN’s Mark Zuckerman after the win.

“He’s got good stuff. He’s very, very deceptive with his spinning pitches, his off-speed pitches. Just tried to get the ball up, and got one I didn’t miss.”

Adams’ line vs lefties is up to .293/.310/.659 after the hit, with three of his 10 doubles, and four of his 17 home runs on the season off southpaws.

Arizona’s throwing another left-hander tonight, with Robbie Ray starting for the D-backs in the second of three in Chase Field.

It’s Gerardo Parra at first base tonight for the Nationals...

Soto’s keeps driving in runs: Juan Soto hit a solo home run for the third of the three runs the Nationals scored in last night’s 3-0 win, and with his 21st home run of the season, and 43rd home run of his career, he is now 3rd on the list of hitters with the most homers before their 21st birthday, behind just the Boston Red Sox’ Tony Conigliaro (56), and the New York Giants’ Mel Ott (61). He also has four home runs in his last five games, and a seven-game RBI streak going into tonight’s matchup with the D-backs.

HERE’S THE NATIONALS’ LINEUP FOR THE 2ND OF 3 WITH THE D-BACKS:

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