Down 6, Nats Do Number on Marlins – The Post
Nats extend win streak to 5 – The Wash. Times
Five curly W’s in a row for the Washington Nationals! Yesterday afternoon, the fell behind 6-0 in the second behind another poor effort by Craig Stammen, who gave up six runs, five of them earned in just 1 2/3 innings. It looked as though the Marlins would salvage one win out of the series, but the Nats bullpen rose to the occasion. First, Logan Kensig came in and pitched 3 1/3 innings, giving up two runs. Ron Villone only lasted a 1/3 of the inning, leaving with the bases loaded in the 6th and only one out. Jason Bergmann came in and got two consecutive popups to center to get out of the inning unscathed.
At the plate, the Nats began chipping away at Florida’s lead in the fourth. Elijah Dukes singled home Ryan Zimmerman for the first D.C. run of the game. Alberto Gonzales doubled home Josh Willingham and Dukes. They had pulled to within three and then after the Marlins added to more in the top of the fifth, the Nats came back with four runs to get within a run. Dukes tied it up in the seventh with a solo home run. In the eighth, Ronnie Belliard knocked in Cristian Guzman, who shockingly walked after going 0-2, for the winning run. Four more runs followed in the inning. Nats win 12-8!
Zimmerman had a great day, going 4 for 4 and falling a double short of hitting for the cycle. Dukes also had a great day, going 3 for 4 with a home run.
It has been fun being a Nats fan this week! Even grumpy old Dick Heller is acknowledging that all is not lost.
Hernández ‘Surprised’ To Be Traded to Mets – The Post
Nationals send Hernandez back to Mets – The Wash. Times
Anderson Hernández was traded back to the New York Mets for their 22nd best prospect, Gerg Volez, a .249 career hitter in the minors. Whatever.
Daryle Ward was bought out of the White Sox system. Didn’t think I’d hear that name again.
