Washington Nationals Defeat Houston Astros, 6-5
By Kenny DeJohn
Jun 17, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) high fives teammates after scoring a run in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
It was a close one, but the Washington Nationals were able to squeeze out a 6-5 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night at Nationals Park.
Starter Tanner Roark allowed just one earned run in five innings pitched before Tyler Clippard imploded, and Astros starter Dallas Keuchel was tagged for four runs in five innings before getting the boot. Here’s how it all went down.
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The Nationals got to work early. Anthony Rendon hit his 12th double of the year in the bottom of the first, scoring Denard Span. After Adam LaRoche got aboard, Ryan Zimmerman knocked home Rendon with his eighth double of the season.
Zimmerman wasn’t done, however, as his ninth double of the year in the bottom of the third plated Jayson Werth. Ian Desmond singled to score Zimmerman to end the scoring in that frame.
Roark would surrender his only run of the game in the top of the fourth. With Jose Altuve on third, Matt Dominguez hit a grounder back up the box. Roark made contact with the ball, deflecting it to second base. Danny Espinosa couldn’t make a play to get Dominguez, resulting in an RBI-infield-single.
Rendon would cap the Nats’ scoring in the bottom of the sixth, as his 13th double of the year scored Scott Hairston and Span. Both of those runs were charged to reliever Darin Downs.
The wheels began to come off a bit in the top of the eighth, as Clippard allowed the Astros to come storming back. Jonathan Villar singled to score Jason Castro. Dexter Fowler singled to score Dominguez. Altuve then hit his 23rd double of the year to score both Villar and Fowler. Clippard was pulled after getting just two outs.
Rafael Soriano locked down the save in the ninth inning, allowing just one walk. It was his 14th save of the season.