Nats Rally to Topple Dodgers – The Post
On the day the Dodgers learned that their left fielder and marketing plan was done for fifty days, the Nationals came back to get the first 2009 win (in 14 tries) for a visitor in Dodger Stadium.
“Go write your [Ramirez] story,” Acta said, almost winking. “But we’ll have a ballgame for you, too.”
Did they ever. Perhaps the Nationals, initially, were incidental witnesses to a blindside, but they capitalized on Thursday night’s game by subjecting the Dodgers to yet another blindsiding outcome. In a nerve-rattling 11-9 comeback victory against Los Angeles, the Nationals fought against an early six-run deficit with a late-inning comeback that thwarted their opponent’s desire to recover and kept the goodwill at Dodger Stadium in the hands of a select few.
Dramatic rally lifts Nats in L.A. – The Wash. Times
The worst team in the major leagues was already trailing the best team in the major leagues by six runs, and looking quite inept in the process. Chalk up another loss for Washington, another home win for the Manny Ramirez-less Los Angeles Dodgers and head home for the night.
Say this about the Nationals: They never gave in, never wilted. And because of it, they emerged with the kind of come-from-behind victory that can change an entire clubs fortunes.
With a stunning series of rallies against the Los Angeles bullpen, the Nationals pulled off an 11-9 win that defied common sense.
Down 6-0 and well on its way to an 11th straight loss at Chavez Ravine, Washington scored once in the sixth, three times in the seventh and then six more times in the eighth to seize control of a ballgame that seemed lost. It was the franchises biggest comeback since it rallied from seven runs down to beat the New York Yankees on June 17, 2006 at RFK Stadium.
Emphasis added, let’s hope they are right. They must be believing in themselves a little more right now.
Rookie Jordan Zimmerman put the Nats in the 6-0 hole in the first inning, but came back to pitch five scoreless innings. Washington did not even score until the sixth inning, when they got a mere run. Three more runners crossed the plate in the seventh, but the big inning was the eighth when the Nats tagged L.A. for six runs. An insurance run was added in the ninth. It was not specifically needed, but after the legendary Joe Beimel and Kip Wells combined to give up three late runs, it didn’t hurt.
3B Ryan Zimmerman extended his hitting streak to 25 games.
Nats replace Hinckley with veteran Villone – The Wash. Times
Newly promoted 39 year old Ron Villone got the win for Washington. Mike Hinckley, formerly a top Nats prospect, was designated for assignment to make room for Villone.
