WASHINGTON 7 Houston 6 (CBS Sportsline Boxscore)
Yesterday’s game started off well for the Nationals. Ryan Zimmerman and Dimitri Young both walked with two outs in the first and were doubled home by Ryan Church. Austin Kearns then followed up with a double to bring Church home.
In the 2nd, Mike Lamb got one run back for Houston on a solo home run. in the bottom of the inning, Ronnie Belliard doubled home Jesus Flores to put the Nats up 4-2. In the fifth, Ryan Langerhans hit a three run homer (his first at RFK) into the mezzanine (where my co-worker John used to sit) to put the Nats up 7-2, a seemingly unsortmountable lead for the Astros to overcome.
Jason Bergmann pitched into the seventh for the home team. After allowing two on, Bergmann was removed for Ray King who promptly gave up a Eric Munson double to allow a run to score. Saul Rivera replaced King and gave up another run on a Craig Biggio sacrifice. Chris Burke walked, followed by Hunter Pence striking out. Lance Berkman doubled Burke home, putting Munson at thrird. Carlos Lee followed with an infield single, which Munson tried to score on. Young made a heads up throw from first to the plate to get Munson and preserve the lead, 7-6.
Jon Rauch retired the side in order in the eighth. In the ninth, Chad Cordero had a typical outing, allowing runners on second and third. Zimmerman, who had a fantastic and busy day at the hot corner, made a throwing error that put the tying run on third. Cordero got Hunter Pence to ground out to short to end the game, earn the save and ensure Bergmann got his second win of the season.
Nationals Have a Field Day – The Post
Clutch plays carry Nationals in close win – The Wash. Times
There are concerns that Bergmann may not be as sharp (The Post) as he had been before his trip to the DL. Also, yesterday was his second straight start of solid run support (The Wash. Times).
Jim Bowden’s weekly dictation to The Wash. Examiner is here.
How cluch are the Nationals? You don’t want to know (The Post).
Good headline from the Frederick News-Post: Nats’ trade bait helps sink Astros
The Business Gazette notes that Clark Construction and other Maryland companies were part of the topping off party last week.