Late Rally Propels Nationals to Victory Over White Sox in Game 1 of Doubleheader

Flexed Late

Chris Flexen came into the game with a 1.69 ERA over his last three starts. However, the righty labored through most of his abbreviated outing. Flexen pitched over a fielding mishap by Gavin Sheets in right field while the Nationals worked deep into counts and registered a hit in three of the first four innings.

Manager Pedro Grifol acted too late, with two on and two out, to warm up a reliever in the bullpen. Sheets threw home, missing the cut-off man on Eddie Rosario's RBI single. Rosario appeared to be far enough off first to get caught at second or a potential inning-ending run down. 

However, with Grifol late to warm up a reliever, Flexen faced the 2-for-2 Joey Meneses, who singled home two more runs. Tim Hill relieved Flexen and recorded the final out. 

A Rally and Some Hope

The White Sox showed some resilience in the sixth, scoring twice to even the score. Bryan Ramos singled and advanced to third on Nick Lopez's base hit. Ramos read the play perfectly and hustled into third, and Lopez advanced to second on a heads-up baserunning play. 

Braden Shewmake's sacrifice fly to right allowed Ramos to score and Lopez to move up to third. Tommy Pham delivered a clutch hit with a single to left to score Lopez and tie the game. 

The Nats plated three runs off Brebbia in the eighth, his second inning of relief. Back-to-back one-out RBI singles from Keibert Ruiz and Trey Lipscomb chased Brebbia, who allowed three singles and a walk in the frame. Victor Robles' sacrifice fly off Steve Wilson plated the Nationals final run.

News and Notes

Bryan Ramos exited the game with right quad tightness. He is day-to-day.

The White Sox announced that Justin Anderson would be the 27th man for the doubleheader. He pitched a scoreless sixth inning. 

Brad Keller will take Michael Soroka's spot in the rotation. Soroka will move to the bullpen.

What's On Tap Next?

The White Sox and Nationals will play the day's second game with Erick Fedde on the mound to face lefty Mitchell Parker. First pitch is at 7 PM CT and the game will air on NBC Sports Chicago.