WASHINGTON -- It was the kind of scenario that has become too familiar for the Nationals this season.
Trailing the Yankees in the opener of an important three-game series Friday night, the Nationals got back-to-back solo homers from Keibert Ruiz and James Wood to take a one-run lead in the seventh inning and ignite a sold-out Nationals Park.
Left-hander Tom Cosgrove got two outs in the eighth. After Trent Grisham singled, right-hander Clayton Beeter struck out righty Paul Goldschmidt to end the inning.
Manager Blake Butera called on left-hander Matt Krook to face lefty-handed batter Cody Bellinger, switch-hitter Jasson Domínguez and lefty-hitting Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the ninth.
Making his seventh appearance of the season and second since being acquired from the Athletics, Krook retired Bellinger. Domínguez singled to left on a 2-2 pitch and Chisholm homered into the second deck off a 1-1 sweeper.
“The main reason is just because of what was coming up,” Butera said of the move to Krook. “Especially with Domínguez and Chisholm much better against right-handers.”
Austin Wells added a solo homer against Justin Lawrence, and the Yankees held on for a 5-3 win.
For his career, Chisholm is hitting .251 against right-handers, 22 points higher than when facing lefties.
“Historically, [Chisholm] is a lot better against righties than he is lefties, and then he hits a home run against us and you’re sitting here wondering if that was the right thing to do,” Butera said.
Cosgrove was called up Friday from Triple-A Rochester to give the Nationals four left-handers in the bullpen against a Yankees lineup heavy on lefty batters. One left-hander, Carson Palmquist, opened and allowed a run in three innings. Cosgrove got two outs and that left Krook and PJ Poulin as left-handed options for the ninth.
“Krook was slightly better against Domínguez,” Butera explained. “He’s slightly better against righties than PJ is. So that was the thought, just with Domínguez there in the middle of those three.”
In his 21st Major League game, the 31-year-old Krook was looking for his first save.
“Get the first guy out. Then threw the two-strike pitch to Domínguez. Got too much plate. It was a cutter that needed to be in,” Krook said. “Then the home run pitch. It was a great swing. It was not too far off what I was trying to do there in a 1-1 count. Obviously disappointing.”
Washington has 26 blown saves, the most in the Majors. Nationals relievers have allowed four go-ahead home runs in the ninth inning in their past 16 games.
The collapse overshadowed another strong night from Wood. The All-Star outfielder finished a triple short of the cycle and has reached safely in 27 of his last 42 plate appearances with 14 hits and 13 walks, raising his batting average to .273. He has homered in three of his past four games.