Washington Nationals Recap: Nats Win First Game of Double-Header 3-2
The Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies in the first game of a doubleheader Sunday afternoon by a final score of 3-2 to record their eighth straight win.The Nationals started Stephen Strasburg, who was looking to continue his good work after coming of the DL, while the Phillies trotted out journeyman Kevin Correia.
Strasburg had a great outing as he went seven innings and gave up two runs on four hits to get the win. During his outing, he looked comfortable, even when the team stretched his pitch count up to 113 pitches.
The Phillies started off the scoring in the bottom of the second when a homer off the bat of Jeff Francoeur made the score 1-0. As for Correia, he had a surprisingly solid outing. He went 5.1 innings and gave up one run on seven hits. He held the Nats scoreless through four innings, including working his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the fourth inning on a strike-out of Michael Taylor.
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The Nats were able to break through in the top of the fifth after a Denard Span double. He ended up on third after an error by the right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Danny Espinosa was able to drive home his 22nd RBI of the year with a sacrifice fly to left to tie the game at one.
The Nats were able to add to their tally in the top of the sixth when Clint Robinson lead off the inning with a walk , which was followed by a Dan Uggla single that put runners on first and second. After Ian Desmond flied out, Michael Taylor doubled to left field to score Robinson and give the Nats the lead. After Strasburg grounded out, Span walked loading the bases and the Phillies helped out the Nats a bit by giving up a passed ball that scored Uggla to make the score 3-1.
Strasburg had a long inning in the bottom half of the sixth, where he gave up his second run. After recording two straight outs, Maikel Franco singled and then Ryan Howard walked, which put runners on first and second. Jeff Francoeur continued his good day with a single to center, scoring Howard to make the score 3-2. Stras was able to work out of the inning with a Cody Asche groundout to limit the damage at one run.
The bullpen came in for the bottom of the eighth starting with Matt Thornton who got his assigned batter, Ben Revere, to strikeout. David Carpenter then came on and after Cesar Hernandez singled and stole second, was able to record the final two outs of the inning. Drew Storen came on in the ninth and worked a perfect one-two-three inning to close out the game, earning his 23rd save of the year.
Next Game: The Washington Nationals (42-33) continue their doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies (26-50) this afternoon at 4:45 PM ET on MASN. The Phillies called up Severino Gonzalez as their 26th man to get the start (1-4, 4.06 ERA in Triple-A) while Tanner Roark (3-2, 3.25 ERA) will get the start for the Nats.