“Every loss hurts, but we know where we’re at, we know we need to win ballgames now,” Hand said. “It definitely stings, for sure.”
The Nationals had the chance to add to their one-run lead in the top of the ninth. But they scuttled that chance, just as they had scuttled chances throughout the contest. Apart from Ryan Zimmerman’s three-run homer in the sixth inning, Washington went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position Sunday.
And over the three-game series with the Orioles, the team went 2-for-23 with runners in scoring position, leading to three deflating losses during a key part of the season.