Cather Chris Herrmann hit a two-run home run, the bullpen held the Washington Nationals hot offense in check over the final 4.1 innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks claimed the series opener, 5-3 at Nationals Park in Washington D.C.
Both starting pitchers were the definition of inefficient. Diamondbacks’ right-hander Taijuan Walker lasted 4.2 innings and threw 117 pitches (61 S). Nationals’ right-hander Tanner Roark needed a career-high 125 pitches (77 S) to finish six innings. Walker issued six base on balls and 12 Arizona hitters reached a full count against Roark.
But, the Diamondbacks’ offense got timely hits from Herrmann and Owings and left-hander Jorge De La Rosa stranded runners at first and second in the eighth.