Washington 9 BALTIMORE 6 (ESPN Boxscore)
Behind another solid Matt Chico outing, the Nats went to the ninth with the lead. Chad Cordero couldn’t save it though and the game went to extra innings. After arguing a strike call, 2B Felipe Lopez hit a triple that cleared the bases and provided the margin of victory.
Washington has now clinched at least a tie in the season series with a chance to win it tonight.
Nats Blow It, Then Blow It Open – The Post
Lopez, Nats keep cool – The Wash. Times
One Baltimore columnist is already counting down the days until Ravens training camp (The Sun). Ha!
Lopez is having better at bats since moving behind SS Cristian Guzman in the batting order. Guzman hasn’t many hits to show for his new spot, but he walked three times last night. In fact, the top of the order did well overall last night, scoring five runs. RF Austin Kearns and 1B Robert Fick also scored one, while CF Ryan Langerhans scored two, including a solo shot in the fifth.
Fick is playing with a heavy heart (The Wash. Times) because his mother is dying of cancer in California. Despite his poor production, the Nationals are standing by him during his tough time.
Today’s pitching, pitching, pitching news is a little bit encouraging with John Patterson, Jason Bergmann and Jerome Williams all scheduled to pitch in the minors tomorrow. Shawn Hill will throw for the first time since a follow-up exam on his right elbow and left shoulder.
Jim Bowden has a “column” in The Wash. Examiner called Nats could be buyers or sellers.
A resurgent Dimitri Young says he wants to stay in D.C. (The Free Lance-Star), but realizes that may not happen.
The open air pressbox (The Wash. Times) at Camden Yards is problematic when it rains.
I forgot to mention that Langerhans talked about being traded to Oakland and Washington recently on nationals.com.
Admit it — you can’t get enough Levale Speigner coverage from his hometown paper, The Thomasville Times-Enterprise, can you?
The Nats can take the season series tonight with a win. Make it happen Jason Simontacchi!