3 Takeaways From Washington Nationals Opening-Series Weekend

Holding a two-run advantage in the bottom of the ninth, the Nats were just one out away from coming home with a series win in Cincinnati. That was until all the screws fell loose for closer Kyle Finnegan when Will Benson hit a game-tying two-run home run which was then followed by a walk-off 113.3 MPH home run off the bat of Christian Encarnacion-Strand. The Nats dropped Sunday afternoon’s game 6-5, while also dropping the series losing two of three. They will head home as tomorrow is the home opener at Nationals Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates (4-0).

3 takeaways from this weekend:

Trey Lipscomb is here to stay

Trey Lipscomb came to play this weekend. After learning that he would begin the season in the minor leagues, 24 hours later he was selected to rejoin the team with Nick Senzel (fractured thumb) expected to miss a few weeks. On Saturday he made his big league debut and in his first plate appearance collected his first career base hit. This afternoon he followed up that by belting his first big league home run which gave his team a seventh inning lead. It was not only the offensive numbers from spring training that translated to the no. 16 prospects success this weekend, but defensively the glove and mechanics are smooth as silk. In the two games that started this weekend, Lipscomb collected three hits (3-for-7), a home run, two RBI, and a stolen base.