Three hours before the Washington Nationals took on the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, players practiced fundamentals, bunting and running the bases in an empty Nationals Park.
When the game started, though, those same skills failed them — a frustrating, public reminder that they are still an inexperienced, young team with a long way to go. The Nationals had chances in the ninth and extra innings, but multiple mistakes and missed opportunities led to a 7-6 loss in 12 innings.
