Nationals Swept in Toronto as Offensive Struggles Continue For the third consecutive game, the Nationals fell behind early and failed to recover, ultimately losing 4-2 to the Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon at Rogers Centre. A late rally brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the ninth inning, but pinch-runner Jacob Young was caught stealing, sealing a three-game sweep for Toronto. “The at-bats have to improve early in games,” Nationals Manager Dave Martinez said. “We always talk about scoring first and getting to the starter early, but it just hasn’t happened.” Washington (1-5) struggled offensively throughout the series, managing just 16 hits over three games. Meanwhile, Toronto (5-2) recorded double-digit hits in each game, finishing with 10 on Wednesday. The Nationals have scored only 21 runs through six games, with just two coming in the first three innings. CJ Abrams provided a spark with a solo home run in the sixth, one of only two hits Washington recorded through the first eight innings. The Nationals mounted a two-out rally in the ninth with singles from James Wood and Josh Bell, along with a Nathaniel Lowe double, but Young was thrown out attempting to steal second, ending the game. “If our offense was producing more, we could afford to be more patient,” Martinez added. “But we haven’t gotten those clutch hits, and we need to improve offensively throughout the whole game.” Josh Bell believes part of the team’s struggles stem from adjusting to pitchers’ strategies early in the season. Facing Toronto’s left-hander Easton Lucas—who had just eight MLB appearances before this season—the Nationals failed to make adjustments, as Lucas allowed only one hit over five innings. Washington starter MacKenzie Gore, fresh off a dominant Opening Day performance, was less sharp this time. He allowed four runs over five innings, struggling with command and execution in key situations. In the first inning, he gave up a two-out RBI single to Andrés Giménez after Anthony Santander doubled. George Springer later launched a home run off Gore in the fourth, and a sacrifice fly in the fifth added another run for Toronto. Despite the Nationals’ slow start, Gore remains optimistic. “It’s only the sixth game of the year, and we’re not getting blown out,” Gore said. “We just have to figure out how to win these close games.” Outside of Abrams and Keibert Ruiz—who has a hit in every game this season—the Nationals’ lineup has struggled. Paul DeJong went 1-for-9 with six strikeouts against Toronto, while Dylan Crews is still searching for his first hit of the season. Lowe finished the series 1-for-10 with seven strikeouts, and Wood, after a strong opener, went 1-for-8 in the final two games. “We have over 100 games left,” Bell said. “It’s not a matter of if we get hot, it’s when. Hopefully, it starts this weekend.”