Injury bug continues to chase Nationals in 3-2 loss

The Nationals showed up to spring training with injuries and they've continued to play short-handed since opening day. They've persevered through serious setbacks and nagging twinges to maintain their expected position atop the National League East.

At some point, though, the depleted roster has to catch up to them. Tonight, the Nationals couldn't outlast the Reds after losing center fielder Denard Span and third baseman Yunel Escobar. An eighth-inning solo homer from Eugenio Suarez off Nats reliever Casey Jannsen broke a late tie as the Reds won 3-2.

Span has been dealing with back spasms since June 7. He's been in and out of the lineup since while still delivering a .304 batting average, eight-best in the NL. After the second inning, Span's back flared up again and he couldn't continue. It's now the seventh game that Span has either missed or left early since first experiencing the pain a month ago.

"We've changed programs, he's strengthening, he's stretching," Nationals manager Matt Williams. "The trainers are doing everything that can possibly do. We'll continue to monitor, continue to do what we're doing. Some days it's great, some days it just pops up on him."

Meanwhile, Escobar's left hamstring tightened up on him after legging out an infield single in the third. He remained in the game for an inning and a half before departing after the top of the fifth.

Both Escobar and Span will be re-evaluated tomorrow. Neither were available for comment after the game.

After updating his players injuries, Williams refused to let them be an excuse for his ballclub's performance.

"Nope. Not gonna do it," Williams said. "Ain't gonna do it. Got games to play."

Doug Fister allowed two runs (one earned) with one walk and two strikeouts over six innings tonight. He's been affected by the injury bug that's swept through the Nats clubhouse this year, missing more than a month with a flexor strain in his right forearm.

"There's been a few hiccups this year with injuries, and that's always demoralizing," Fister said. "But it's been, I don't want to say good for the guys stepping in and filling in roles. But we're playing OK baseball. We're playing together and making things work. We're without some of our top guys. But you know what? Guys are going in there and playing hard, and that's what we need to do. Unfortunately, we didn't have Denard and Yuni tonight. Hopefully they're back tomorrow."

Jayson Werth (fractured left wrist), Ryan Zimmerman (plantar fasciitis), Anthony Rendon (left quad strain) and Stephen Strasburg (left oblique strain) won't be back tomorrow. All remain on the 15-day disabled list with no definite timetable on their returns in sight.

Through all the season interruptions, the Nationals continue to survive based on significant contributions from players not expected to see lengthy playing time this year. Seldom-used Matt den Dekker entered the game when Span left and immediately made an impact. He ripped a one-out single to right and then found his way to third after Escobar and Bryce Harper reached. When Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani uncorked a wild pitch, den Dekker raced home, leaping headfirst for the plate to tie the game at 1-1 in the third.

And once again, Danny Espinosa delivered a big blast. Moments after the Reds took the lead, Espinosa's ninth homer of the year evened the score in the sixth.

"It's a testament to all 25 guys out there," Janssen said. "We're playing pretty good despite all the injuries. Unfortunate situations that we put ourselves into but it says a lot about the guys in this locker room picking each other. For the most part we've been in every game so that's a pretty good sign."

The Nationals will need all the firepower they can get facing Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto on Tuesday night. Then again, Williams is sending his ace, Max Scherzer, to the hill to face the Reds.