SB Nation DC - Nationals Vs. Braves: Nationals Start Second Half On Wrong Side Of 11-1 Blowouthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2011-07-16T00:40:44-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20419712011-07-16T00:40:44-04:002011-07-16T00:40:44-04:00Nationals Vs. Braves Final: Nationals Blown Out By Braves 11-1
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<p>The problems that plagued the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> in the first half of the season came back to haunt them during the first game of the second half of the 2011 season. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> completely blew out the Nationals 11-1 in their first game back from the All-Star Break.</p>
<p>Nothing went right for the Nationals and nothing seemed to work against a potent Braves line-up. Starter Livan Hernandez lasted only four innings giving up six runs (three earned) on eight hits. Washington committed five errors. The Nationals offense couldn't do much against Braves starter <span>Tim Hudson</span> except swing and miss and score just one run when <span>Ryan Zimmerman</span> hit into a fielder's choice in the first inning. Three relievers came in for the Nats and only one, Henry Rodriguez was able to prevent the Braves from scoring a run.</p>
<p>It was an absolutely atrocious game and not one Washington wanted to start its second half with. The Braves used the Nationals to propel themselves to their 10,000th franchise win and to further put them further ahead in the NL East standings.</p>
<p>The Nationals now have a 46-47 record and are 6-9 under new manager Davey Johnson.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2011/7/16/2278427/nationals-vs-braves-final-nationals-blown-out-by-braves-11-1Andrew Kinback2011-07-15T17:15:11-04:002011-07-15T17:15:11-04:00Nationals Vs. Braves: Nationals Look To Start Second Half Of Season On The Right Track
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> kick off the second half of their season on Friday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> in Atlanta and they hope the same luck and success that put them at .500 by the mid-season break continues to be with them. They are going to need it as they will be facing <span>Tim Hudson</span> and a burning Braves team that is beginning to put the heat on the division leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a>.</p>
<p>The first half of the Nationals 2011 season began with a pitching performance from right-hander <span>Livan Hernandez</span> on Opening Day. The second half will begin the same way only the Nationals hope the results are different (Nats lost 2-0 on Opening Day). Hernandez will be looking to redeem himself from that Opening Day performance and his last performance which entered the Nationals history books as he gave up six runs in one inning which acted as a catalyst to the Nationals blowing an eight run lead against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a>, the largest blown lead in franchise history.</p>
<p>Behind Hernandez will be the usual cast of characters. The Nationals big guns in <span>Danny Espinosa</span>, <span>Michael Morse</span>, <span>Laynce Nix</span> and <span>Wilson Ramos</span> are all in the first line-up of the second half and hope to continue their first half success. Right fielder <span>Jayson Werth</span> and third baseman <span>Ryan Zimmerman</span> are rested and hopefully relaxed and they will seek to break out of a string of slumps and bad luck.</p>
<p>First pitch is at 7:35 P.M.</p>
<p><b>Nationals Line-Up</b></p>
<p><span>Roger Bernadina</span> CF</p>
<p>Danny Espinosa 2B</p>
<p>Ryan Zimmerman 3B</p>
<p>Michael Morse 1B</p>
<p>Laynce Nix LF</p>
<p>Jayson Werth RF</p>
<p>Wilson Ramos C</p>
<p><span>Ian Desmond</span> SS</p>
<p>Livan Hernandez SP</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/7/15/2337962/nationals-vs-braves-nationals-look-to-start-second-half-of-season-onAndrew Kinback