Pitching was key in this low scoring rubber match between these two teams. Patrick Corbin would start for the Nationals, while the Yankees went with a bullpen game on what would normally be Masahiro Tanaka’s start in the rotation.
The Nationals struck first, scoring a run in both the third and the fourth innings. Corbin would hold the Bronx Bombers off the base paths until Gleyber Torres singled in the fourth. Torres home run in the seventh would put New York on the board and Corbin’s day was done. Luke Voit would take his replacement pitcher, Will Harris, deep for another run.
Torres would knock in the go ahead run in the eighth. Washington threatens to tie the game with bases loaded, but Tommy Kahnle gets Eric Thames to strike out swinging for the third and final out of the inning. They came close in the bottom of the ninth as well, pinch-runner Emilio Bonifacio stealing second on a passed ball and heading to third on a walk to Victor Robles, but Bonifacio overshot the bag, allowing Gio Urshela to tag him out.
Final score 3-2 Yankees, taking the series in Washington D.C. The Yankees face the Phillies next while the Nationals welcome the Blue Jays.
