With expected starter Stephen Strasburg on the Injured List with shoulder inflammation, the Washington Nationals had to count on an emergency pitcher and the bullpen to come through against the Arizona Diamondbacks. While both fell short in a 5-2 loss Sunday, manager Davey Martinez said hie team is in a good place after the split of the four-game series.
Emergency starter Paulo Espino and four relievers couldn’t keep the Arizona offense in check long enough, while Madison Bumgarner and his four cohorts kept the Nats’ bats mostly quiet.
In 4 1⁄3 innings, Espino gave up five hits, one walk and two earned runs and struck out three.