National Record

The Washington Nationals were able to produce 14 hits and 14 runs against the Houston Astros and win their 26 game by the score of 14-4. Washington saw seven players get at least a hit and five players drive in at least a run. Washington got three hit games from Cristian Guzman and Nyjer Morgan. Guzman hit a double from one of those hits, giving him his eighth double on the year. Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham each provided two hits. Zimmerman and Dunn each had one of their hits be a double, giving Zimmerman number 13 and Dunn 15. Ian Desmond and Carlos Maldonado each provided one hit.

The Nationals got on the board in the top of the first, as Zimmerman hit a sacrifice fly to center that drove in Guzman and put Washington up 1-0. Then in the top of the third, Dunn hit a double that drove in Guzman, Morgan and Zimmerman and giving Washington a 4-1 lead. In the fifth, Willingham hit a single that drove in Morgan and it gave Washington a 5-1 lead. After that, the Washington offense exploded for nine runs in the top of the seventh. It started with a Dunn infield single that drove in Morgan and putting Washington up 6-2. Then, Desmond hit a single to left that drove in Zimmerman and Dunn, which made the score 8-2. Carlos Maldonado came up to the plate in the top of the seventh and was able to hit his first home run as a Washington National. Maldonado hit a three run shot off of Chris Sampson and pushed Washington to a 11-2 lead. Finally, with two outs in the top of the seventh, Zimmerman hit a three run shot on Sampson and put Washington up to a 14-2 lead, which was plenty of run support for Washington to win.

All in all, Zimmerman’s four RBI’s gave him 31 on the year and Dunn’s four gave him 27 this season. Maldonado had his first three RBI’s in a Washington uniform, while Desmond’s two runs batted in gave him 27 on the year. Willingham established his team leading 35 RBI this season.

Rookie Luis Atilano was able to get his fifth win of the season and moved his record to an impressive 5-1. Atilano pitched 6 2/3 innings, giving up six hits and four runs. Atilano provided two walks but was able to get two strikeouts. Tyler Walker finished out the final 2 1/3 innings of work. Walker did an outstanding job, only allowing a hit but did walk two. Walker was able to provide a strikeout.

Yesterday, Washington was unable to beat the San Diego Padres in extra innings by the score of 4-3. Livan Hernandez got the no decision, as he put up the line of 6 1/3 innings pitched with eight hits and two runs. Sean Burnett got his third loss of the season, as he pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing two hits but allowed the game winning hit to Padres Catcher Nick Hundley. The Washington offense was pretty nonexistent. Dunn and Zimmerman combined for five of the seven hits and Zimmerman had the only two runs in the game. Both runs came from solo home runs, both which were off of starter Jon Garland. Zimmerman hit one in the top of the first to right field and the other in the top of the sixth to left field. San Diego was able to win the series 2-1.

Washington did announce some very big news. Rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg will make his major league debut on Tuesday June 8 at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates at 7:05 p.m.

The Nationals are 26-26 and are tied for third in the National League East with the Florida Marlins and New York Mets. Washington is 3.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves (29-22) for first place. and are three games back of the Philadelphia Phillies (28-22), who are second in the standings.

The Nationals play against the Astros tomorrow at 8:05 p.m. Craig Stammen (1-2, 5.60 ERA) will go up against Brett Myers (3-3, 3.22 ERA) on the first day in June.

Before we start, congratulations to Phillies starter Roy Halladay on pitching the 20 perfect game in Major League Baseball history. Halladay struck out 11 and led Philadelphia to a 1-0 victory against the Florida Marlins.

The Nationals were unable to get themselves out of a hole today as they lost to the San Diego Padres 4-3. Pitcher JD Martin got his first loss of the season, as he was just recalled from AAA Syracuse. Martin got Washington in a hole in the first inning as he allowed a three run home run to Nick Hundley. Martin allowed another run in the bottom of the fourth inning on a Chris Denorfia groundout that brought in Hundley. All in all, Martin was able to go six innings, allowing four hits and four tuns. Martin also struck out five. Miguel Batista pitched the final two innings and didn’t allow a hit or a run. Batista was able to strike out three and only walked one.

Washington was able to get two runs in the game. They got on the board in the top of the second inning. Adam Kennedy was able to single to center that brought in Adam Dunn. That was Kennedy’s 15 RBI of the year.Also in the second inning, Wil Nieves grounded out to second but was able to bring in Josh Willingham. That was Nieves sixth run batted in on the year.

The Nationals were only able to get five hits on the day. Cristian Guzman, Ryan Zimmerman, Roger Bernadina, Dunn and Kennedy each got a hit. Bernadina got a double today, giving him his fourth double of the year.

Recapping the past four games, the Nationals have been 2-2. Washington had some solid performances and some bad outings. Livan Hernandez pitched on May 25 and would lose to the San Francisco Giants 4-2. Hernandez pitched five innings giving up seven hits and four runs. Hernandez also had four strikeouts and gave up one walk. Hernandez moved his record to 4-3. On May 26, rookie Luis Atilano got his fourth win of the season, as his pitching led Washington to a 7-3 win against the Giants. Atilano pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up four hits and two runs. On May 27, Craig Stammen started the game but got the no decision. Stammen pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing hit hits, three runs and three walks. Sean Burnett ended up getting the loss, as he only allowed two hits but he gave up two runs that put San Francisco up and led them to the win by the score of 5-4. Finally, yesterday John Lannan got the win against the San Francisco Giants by the score of 5-3. Lannan pitched seven innings, while giving up seven hits and two runs. That was Lannan’s second win and now has a 2-2 record on the year. During those four games, Tyler Clippard earned his 11 hold, while Matt Capps got his 17 save this season.

Josh Willingham had the hottest bat in the past four games. Willingham went 6 for 12, getting a double, two home runs and eight runs batted in. Ian Desmond was also able to give some production. Desmond was 5 for 14 with a home run and six RBI’s. Dunn was the other batter who produced, as he went 6 for 17 with two doubles, a triple, a home run and two RBI’s.

And with the hot hitters, there comes the batters that were cold. Nyjer Morgan and Ryan Zimmerman  were a combined 4 for 27 with six strikeouts. Cristian Guzman was only 1 for 12 and Roger Bernadina and Justin Maxwell were a combined 0 for 14 when they started.

The Nationals now have a record of 25-25 on the year and are tied for third in the National League East with the New York Mets. Washington is four games back of the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Nationals play against the Padres tomorrow at 4:05 p.m. Livan Hernandez (4-3, 2.08 ERA) will go up against Jon Garland (6-2, 2.10 ERA)

The Washington Nationals were able to beat the Baltimore Orioles by a score of 4-3 in ten innings. The Nationals were able to get the win by a Josh Willingham walk off solo home run in the bottom tenth off of Cla Meredith. With a 2-1 count with one out, Meredith threw the ball over the heart of the plate and Willingham was able to hit it to left center that gave Washington the lead. That was Willingham’s eighth home run of the season and his 26 RBI.

Washington scored their previous three runs in the bottom of the first. Roger Bernadina was able to hit a triple to deep center that scored Ryan Zimmerman, Nyjer Morgan and Willingham. That gave the total to 12 RBI’s on the season. Also, that was Bernadina’s second double on the year.

The Nationals were able to provide 11 hits this afternoon. Wil Nieves, Cristian Guzman, Morgan and Willingham each had two hits, while Drew Storen, John Lannan and Bernadina each provided one. Guzman’s two hits made his batting average sit at .345.

Washington had Lannan start the game and he would end up getting the no decision. Lannan pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing two hits and one earned run. Lannan also walked three and struck out two. Sean Burnett, Tyler Clippard and Storen pitched the next combined 2 2/3 innings of work and didn’t allow a run. Only one hit was allowed and that came off of Sean Burnett. Burnett and Storen were each able to get a strikeout. Storen earned his first major league hold, while Burnett earned his seventh and Clippard got his tenth.

Matt Capps came into the ninth and got his first blown save of the year. Capps went the ninth inning and allowed three hits and had two runs earned. Capps did get a strikeout but the damage was done. Capps two runs tied the game at three a piece and put the game into extra innings. Baltimore was unable to get anything in the top of the tenth. Doug Slaten came into the game and pitch a perfect inning. Slaten didn’t allow a run or a hit but was able to get a strikeout. Then in the bottom of the tenth, Willingham was able to hit the home run and lead the Nationals to victory.

A quick roster move the Nationals made. The Nationals recalled outfielder Justin Maxwell after placing Scott Olsen on the 15-day disabled list due to a shoulder injury.

The Nationals are above .500 again and have a record of 23-22. The Nationals are tied for third in the National League East and are only four games back of the Philadelphia Phillies, who lost to the Boston Red Sox, 8-3.

The Nationals have an off day tomorrow and will play against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. Washington will send Livan Hernandez (4-2, 1.62 ERA) to the mound to go against Todd Wellemeyer (2-4, 5.71 ERA).

The Washington Nationals were able to move their record back to .500 today as they were able to win 7-6. The Washington offense was very productive, as they were able to get 15 hits. Cristian Guzman and Ryan Zimmerman each provided three hits, while Roger Bernadina got two hits. Nyjer Morgan, Adam Dunn, Josh Willingham, Adam Kennedy, Craig Stammen, Alberto Gonzalez and Mike Morse each provided a hit as well. Stammen hit a double and that was his second on the year and Bernadina got a triple, making it his first triple on the season.

The Nationals were able to get on the board in the bottom of the third. Josh Willingham came up to the plate and hit a two run home run to left center that brought in Ryan Zimmerman. That gave Willingham 25 RBI’s on the season and it tied the game up 2-2. Then in the bottom of the fourth, Guzman hit a single to center that brought in Stammen and made Washington down by one run. That was Guzman’s 16 RBI of the year. Then the Nationals were able to get four runs in the bottom of the sixth, that would give them the lead and victory. It started with Bernadina’s triple to right that drove in Kennedy and tied the score up 4-4. That gave Bernadina’s nine RBI’s in the 2010 season. Then, Gonzalez was able to single to center that drove in Bernadina and that gave Washington the 5-4 lead. That was Gonzalez’s first RBI this season. Finally, Dunn hit a single to center that brought in Gonzalez and Guzman and it gave Dunn number 21 for RBI’s this year. Those two runs gave Washington the 7-6 lead and their 22 win on the season.

Craig Stammen was the starter for Washington today and got the no decision. Stammen pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up nine hits and six runs. Only four of those runs were earned. Also, Stammen gave up two home runs, one to Adam Jones and the other to Ty Wigginton. The one to Jones was an inside the park home run but it was on an error from Morgan.

In the top of the fourth, Jones hit a deep fly to center field. Morgan chased down the ball and leaped on the wall to making a great catch. The ball bobbled out of Morgan’s glove and when Morgan looked at his glove, he didn’t see the ball in his glove. Morgan thought the ball had cleared the wall and was a home run but the ball landed in the field of play. Morgan then threw his hat and slammed his glove to the ground but soon realized the ball was still in play when Willingham went on to run and get the ball and try and throw out Jones at the plate. The throw was too late and Jones got the inside the park homer.

After Stammen’s outing, Tyler Walker came into the game and finished out the sixth inning. Walker allowed one hit but didn’t allow a run. Walker would go on to get the win and is 1-0 on the season. Sean Burnett pitched the seventh and didn’t allow a hit and had two strikeouts. Burnett earned his sixth hold of the season. Then in the eighth, Tyler Clippard earned his ninth hold of the year, by pitching a scoreless inning and getting one strikeout.

Matt Capps came in to close the game and was able to do so. Capps didn’t allow a hit and was able to get two strikeouts to help close the game. Capps earned his 16 save of the year and still remains perfect in save opportunities. Capps ERA stands now at an astonishing 2.01.

Some quick hits on some Nationals news. Catcher Ivan Rodriguez left in the third inning due to a lower back injury. Nationals starter Scott Olsen was placed on the 15-Day DL due to shoulder tightness and he will likely not be back until the middle of June. Also, yesterday the Nationals release outfielder Willy Taveras after they designated him for assignment on May 16.

The Nationals now sit at a record of 22-22 and are tied for third in the National League East. The Nationals are now five games back of the Philadelphia Phillies, as the Phillies lost to the Boston Red Sox today, 5-0.

The Nationals play tomorrow in an afternoon game against the Orioles at 1:35 p.m. John Lannan (1-2, 6.02 ERA) will face off against Kevin Millwood (0-4, 3.65 ERA).

The Washington Nationals lost their second game straight yesterday and it was to one of the worst teams in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles. The Nationals lost 5-3. Scott Olsen had a very poor performance, as he only pitched three innings of work. He gave up six hits and four runs, that included a two run home run by Outfielder Adam Jones. Olsen also gave up three walks and was able to get one strikeout. Miguel Batista would pitch the next four innings and didn’t give up a run. Batista allowed two hits and gave up two walks. Batista was also able to provide two strikeouts. Nationals rookie, Drew Storen, entered the eighth inning and allowed a run, as Outfielder Corey Patterson hit a single to center that scored Catcher Craig Tatum. Doug Slaten came into the game and pitched a scoreless and hitless ninth.

The Nationals scored three runs on the day and they came late in the game. The first run came in the bottom of the sixth, in which Catcher Ivan Rodriguez hit into a double play with the bases loaded but it was able to bring in Ryan Zimmerman and make the score 4-1. That was Rodriguez’s 16 RBI of the season. Then in the bottom of the seventh, Willie Harris hit his fourth home run of the year and it was a two run shot, to make the game 4-3. That brought the RBI total to 15 for Harris this year. After that, Washington was unable to find a way to get on the board and would end up losing 5-3.

The Nationals had only five hits on the day. Nyjer Morgan, Cristian Guzman, Batista, Rodriguez and Harris each had a hit for Washington. Morgan hit a double in the game and that was his eighth double on the year. Josh Willingham, Adam Dunn and Zimmerman were each able to reach base twice due to walks and Guzman got on base due to a walk as well.

The night before, The Nationals lost to the New York Mets 10-7. The Nationals were able to get 12 hits on the game. Adam Kennedy, Wil Nieves, Morgan, Guzman, Willingham and Harris each got a hit, while Ian Desmond, Dunn and Rodriguez each provided two. Dunn hit two doubles, giving him 12 on the year, while Nieves and Willingham each hit a double as well. That was Nieves third double of the season and Willingham’s sixth. Rodriguez was able to his first triple of the season.

From the Nationals seven runs, Harris drove in three of them. That gave Harris 13 RBI on the year and the two he had last night makes the total at 15. Roger Bernadina got his eighth RBI in the bottom of the second, as he grounded into a fielder’s choice but he was able to drive in Dunn. Desmond got his RBI in the bottom of the eighth, as he hit a single to right that brought in Nieves, giving Desmond his 19 RBI of the year. Also in the top of the eighth, Guzman hit a single to center and brought in Desmond, giving him his 15 RBI of the year and making the score 10-5. hen, with the bases loaded, Zimmerman was walked and got his 25 RBI of the year. That made the score 10-6. Washington would then go on to get one more run in the bottom of the ninth but it wasn’t enough to make a comeback.

Rookie Pitcher Luis Atilano was only able to last 4 1/3 innings and gave up seven runs in the process of nine hits. Tyler Walker came in and pitched 1 2/3 innings and gave up three runs. Batista and Sean Burnett pitched a combined three scoreless innings. From the two games, Luis Atilano is now 3-1 and Olsen is now 2-2.

The Nationals are now below .500 and stand at a record of 21-22. They are in fourth place in the National League East and are six games back from the Philadelphia Phillies. The Nationals have another home game tonight against the Baltimore Orioles. The game will start at 4:05 p.m. and Craig Stammen (1-2, 5.86 ERA) will face off against Brad Bergesen (3-3, 5.45 ERA).

The Washington Nationals were able to get out of their losing skid yesterday, as they went on to beat the New York Mets 5-3. The Nationals were able to get the victory thanks to a three run inning in the bottom of the seventh. But before those three runs, the Nationals got two on the board in the bottom of the fourth. The first run came from a Josh Willingham single. Willingham drove in Cristian Guzman and gave him his 23 RBI of the year. Then Roger Bernadina hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield and was able to drive in Ryan Zimmerman, giving Bernadina his seventh RBI of the season and giving the Nationals a 2-1 lead. Then in the seventh, after the score was tied up at 2-2, Adam Kennedy hit a sacrifice fly to center that brought in Bernadina and it gave Kennedy his 13 RBI of the season and the Nationals a 3-2 lead. Then, Guzman hit a triple to right center that brought in Nyjer Morgan and that gave Washington a 4-2 lead. That gave Guzman his 14 RBI of the year. Then, Zimmerman singled to right that brought in Guzman, giving the Nationals a 5-2 lead and the 24 RBI for Zimmerman of the season. Washington would allow one run in the top of the ninth but would maintain the lead and win 5-3.

The Nationals had eight hits on the day yesterday. Guzman and Zimmerman led the way with two hits apiece, while Adam Dunn, Livan Hernandez, Willingham and Bernadina each had one. Guzman’s triple in the seventh was his third on the season and Bernadina’s double in the seventh gave him three doubles on the year.

The Nationals had Livan Hernandez started the game and would end up getting the no decision. Hernandez pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and two runs. One of those runs came in the top of the fourth, as Mets outfielder Angel Pagan hit an inside the park home run. Hernandez allowed three walks but had two strikeouts. After getting one out in the seventh, Nationals rookie Drew Storen came into the game and would end up actually getting the win. Storen pitched a scoreless 2/3 innings and maintained the score at a tie of 2-2. That was Storen’s first career major league win. Tyler Clippard came into the top of the eighth and was perfect. Clippard didn’t allow a run and got two strikeouts. Clippard received his eighth hold of the season. Then, Matt Capps came into the top of the ninth to go for his 15 save of the season. Capps got the first batter, Jeff Francoeur, to fly out but then he allowed a home run to Fernando Tatis and that made the score 5-3. But Capps was able to maintain his poise and he got Chris Carter and Rod Barajas to groundout. Capps earned his league leading 15 save and remains perfect in save opportunities.

The previous two games, the Nationals played they lost. On May 17 the Nationals lost to the Cardinals 6-2. Craig Stammen got the loss and moved his record to 1-2. Stammen went six innings and allowed four runs. On May 18 Washington lost to St. Louis again by a score of 3-2. Clippard got the loss after he allowed a home run to Ryan Ludwick, which gave St. Louis a 3-2 lead and the win.

The Nationals are 21-20 and are third in the National League East. Washington is four games back of the Philadelphia Phillies and one game back of the Florida Marlins to be in second place.

Washington face the Mets at home tonight at 7:05 p.m. Rookie Luis Atilano (3-0, 3.90 ERA) will face off against John Maine (1-3, 6.13 ERA).

In what was an impressive pitching game for the Nationals this afternoon, the downfall came from the lack of the offense. Washington was only able to get one run this afternoon and fell short the rest of the time. The Nationals were 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and couldn’t find anyway to get anyone to cross homeplate. The one run came in the top of the first. Cristian Guzman hit a sacrifice fly to center that drove in Nyjer Morgan, giving Guzman his 13 RBI of the year.

Washington had eight hits on the day. Guzman and Mike Morse, who came off the disabled list today, each provided two hits. While Ian Desmond, Ivan Rodriguez, Alberto Gonzalez and Morgan each had a hit of their own. One of the hits was an extra base hit and that was from Desmond. Desmond hit a double against Jeff Francis that gave Desmond his seventh double of the season. Willie Harris, Adam Kennedy and Adam Dunn all came into the game to be pinch hitters but none of them were able to produce a hit.

Scott Olsen started the game for Washington today and would end up getting the no decision. Olsen went 6 2/3 innings and allowed only one run. Olsen allowed five hits and a walk but was able to get three strikeouts in the game. The pitcher who ended up getting the loss was Tyler Clippard. Clippard pitched 1 1/3 innings and only allowed one hit and one walk. But that walk turned out to be the deciding outcome of the game. After walking Seth Smith, Carlos Gonzalez singled to right that moved Smith to second. Then, Dexter Fowler laid down a sacrifice bunt that moved Smith to third and Gonzalez to second. The next batter, Brad Hawpe, hit a sacrifice fly to left that drove in Smith, giving the Rockies the 2-1 lead and the outcome of the game. Clippard got his second loss of the season and his record now stands at 7-2.

The Nationals made a couple of roster moves today as well. The Nationals recalled one of their highly regarded prospects, pitcher Drew Storen, from AAA Syracuse and to make room for Storen on the roster, The Nationals designated pitcher Brian Bruney for assignment. Washington has ten days to trade,

Washington has lost three games in a row and now are tied for second in the National League East. The Nationals and Florida Marlins stand at 20-18 and are four games back of the Philadelphia Phillies, who have a record of 23-13.

The Nationals kick off a new series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Craig Stammen (1-1, 5.84 ERA) will face off against Kyle Lohse (0-3, 5.68 ERA).

The Nationals loss both games today in their doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies. The first game was played in the afternoon at 2:10 p.m. Washington lost by a score of 6-2. Livan Hernandez gave a decent outing, as he went six innings and gave up seven hits and three runs. Two of those runs came from home runs, as Jason Giambi and Miguel Olivo were able to get solo shots off of Hernandez. Hernandez also had three strikeouts on the day. Hernandez received the loss and now his record stands at 4-2.

Doug Slaten came into the game at the bottom of the seventh and pitched scoreless ball. Slaten allowed one hit but was able to provide the three outs. Brian Bruney came into the bottom of the eighth and struggled. Bruney was able to finish the inning but the damage was already done. Bruney allowed two hits, two walks and three runs. Bruney now has an ERA of 7.64 on the season.

The Nationals only had seven hits on the day. Ryan Zimmerman led the day by going 3 for 4 and hitting his 12 double of the year. Nyjer Morgan was able to get two hits on the day, while Adam Dunn and Roger Bernadina each had a hit of their own.

Washington got two runs in the first game of the doubleheader. The first run came in the top of the first. Zimmerman was able to single to center and that was able to bring in Morgan. That was Zimmerman’s 23 RBI of the season. Then in the top of the sixth, Dunn was able to hit a solo home run off of Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez, giving Dunn his eighth homer and his 18 RBI of the year.

In the second game, the Nationals lost 4-3 and giving the Rockies the doubleheader sweep. Rookie Luis Atilano got the no decision and only lasted five innings. In those five innings, Atilano allowed four hits and four walks. Atilano also allowed three runs as well. Like Hernandez, Atilano gave up two home runs. The first came in the top of the third. Carlos Gonzalez hit a two run shot and Sean Smith made it back to back. Atilano did however provide three strikeouts in a very up and down start.

Sean Burnett came into the bottom of the sixth in relief for Atilano after Washington was able to tie the game at 3-3. Burnett got the loss unfairly. Burnett pitched two innings and only allowed one hit. But that one hit turned out to be costly. The run came in the bottom of the seventh. Smith hit a ball to Ian Desmond and Desmond had a throwing error that allowed Paul Phillips to score and put Colorado up 4-3. Tyler Walker would come into the bottom of the eighth and pitched a scoreless inning.

Just like in the first game, Washington was only able to provide seven hits. Zimmerman and Bernadina each had two hits on the night and one of those hits was a double by Bernadina. That double was Bernadina’s second on the season. Willie Harris, Cristian Guzman and Dunn each provided a hit of their own.

Washington got three runs on the night. Their first two runs came in the top of the fourth. Bernadina doubled to center that drove in Zimmerman and Guzman. Those two RBI’s gave Bernadina six on the season. Then in the top of the sixth, Dunn was able to hit a solo home run to tie up the game. That was Dunn’s ninth homer of the season and his 19 RBI of the year.

The Nationals did make a couple of roster moves today. Washington removed Outfielder Mike Morse from the disabled list and to make room for Morse on the roster, the Nationals designated Outfielder Willy Taveras for assignment. Washington has 10 days to outright, trade or release Taveras

The Nationals two losses put them three game back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. Their record stands at 20-17.

The Nationals have an afternoon game tomorrow at 3:10 p.m. against the Rockies. Scott Olsen (2-1, 3.51 ERA) will face off against Jeff Francis, as Francis is scheduled to make his first start of the season.

The Nationals have been on a roll the past three games and it is catch up time. On May 13, Washington was able to pound the Colorado Rockies 14-6. A large part of the win belonged to Ryan Zimmerman. Zimmerman had a career day, as he went 3 for 5 with two home runs and six RBI’s. Zimmerman hit both of his home runs off of Jhoulys Chacin. Zimmerman hit a two run shot in the top of the first and a three run shot in the top of the fifth. Those two home runs gave Zimmerman eight on the season and his 22 RBI of the year.

The Nationals got four runs in the top of the fifth. Along with Zimmerman’s three run shot, Nyjer Morgan hit a single that drove in Ian Desmond and that gave Morgan his eighth RBI of the year. Washington drove in one run in the top of the sixth, from a Desmond sacrifice fly that brought in Ivan Rodriguez.

Then the offense exploded for Washington in the top of the eighth. Desmond singled to right that drove in Willy Taveras and gave Desmond his 17 RBI of the season. Then Cristian Guzman hit a double to left that scored Josh Willingham, Roger Bernadina and Desmond. Guzman now has 12 RBI on the season. Ryan Zimmerman then singled to left and was able to bring in Guzman to put Washington up 12-6. The last two runs scored came from Willingham, as he doubled to left and drove in Adam Kennedy and Zimmerman, giving Washington a 14-6 lead and paved the way for the 20 win for the Nationals.

The Nationals had 16 hits on the day. Willingham and Zimmerman led the day with three hits, while Morgan, Kennedy and Desmond each provided two. Dunn, Taveras, Bernadina and Guzman each had a hit as well. Desmond, Guzman, Dunn and Willingham each had a double.

Lannan started the game for Washington and struggled. Lannan only lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing six hits, four runs and four walks. Lannan only had one strikeout but Lannan got the no decision on this day. Miguel Batista came in relief and didn’t do to great as well. Batista went 1 2/3 innings giving up three hits, two runs and a home run to Miguel Olivo. Doug Slaten came in relief for Batista and was able to get the win for the game. Slaten threw only 2/3 of an inning but got the win, his first on the season. Brian Bruney came in the eighth and pitched a scoreless inning.

Now quick recaps from the past two games. On May 11, the Nationals lost 6-8. Tyler Clippard got his first loss of the season. Clippard went 1/3 of an inning but allowed four hits and three runs. Scott Olsen started the game and went 5 1/3 innings, allowing nine hits and only two runs. Adam Dunn was able to get a three run shot in the top of the first to put Washington up 3-0. Then in the top of the fifth, Washington scored three more runs. Rodriguez hit a single that drove in Guzman and Zimmerman. Then Desmond hit a single that drove in Willingham. That put Washington up 6-1 but the bullpen fell apart, as they allowed six runs in 2 2/3 innings of work.

On May 12, Clippard was actually able to get the win as Washington beat the Mets 6-4. Clippard pitched a scoreless eighth and was able to get win number seven thanks to Bernadina. In the top of the ninth, when the score was tied 4-4, Bernadina hit a two run shot to right off of Francisco Rodriguez, that gave Washington a 6-4 lead and paved the way for Washington to win the game. Bernadina also had a homer earlier in the game in the top of the fourth, which was a solo home run. Those were Bernadina’s first two career home runs. Also, Matt Capps came into the ninth to close out the game and was successful. Capps got his 14 save of the season and remains perfect in save opportunities.

The Nationals are sitting at a 20-15 record and are one and a half games back of the Philadelphia Phillies. Washington was suppose to play last night but the game was postponed due to rain.

The Nationals will have a doubleheader against the Rockies today. The first game will be at 2:10 p.m. Livan Hernandez (4-1, 1.04 ERA) will face off against Ubaldo Jimenez (6-1, 0.93 ERA). The second game will be at 8:10 p.m. Rookie Luis Atilano (3-0, 3.57 ERA) will go against Jason Hammel (0-2, 9.16 ERA)

The Nationals were able to win tonight against the New York Mets, 3-2. A large part of the win came in the top of the third. After Nyjer Morgan was the first out in the inning, Adam Kennedy hit a homerun to rightfield, giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead and his second homerun of the season. The next batter, Ryan Zimmerman, made it back to back homeruns, as he went the distance to leftfield and giving the Nationals a 2-0 lead.

The Nationals scored their final run in the top of the eighth and that was enough to lead Washington to the victory. In the top of the eighth, Ivan Rodriguez singled to left field that drove in Willy Taveras and led the Nationals to a 3-2 victory.

The Nationals had 11 hits on the day. Ivan Rodriguez led the day, as he was perfect at the plate, going 4 for 4, that included his ninth double of the season. Morgan went 2 for 5 on the day and was able to swipe two bags, giving him eight on the year. Adam Dunn, Josh Willingham, Luis Atilano, Kennedy and Zimmerman each provided a hit as well. Dunn hit a double off of Pedro Feliciano, giving him his eighth double of the year. Kennedy and Rodriguez each stole a base and that gave Kennedy five on the year and Rodriguez his second steal of the year.

The Nationals have found a gem in the rotation with rookie pitcher Luis Atilano. Atilano got his third win of the season and remains undefeated on the year. Atilano went 5 1/3 innings and gave up five hits. Atilano didn’t allow a run and gave up two walks but was able to strike out five.

Doug Slaten came in for 1 1/3 innings and was be to get his first hold of the season. Slaten, who just had his contract purchased from AAA Syracuse, was able to earn his first hold of the season. Slaten allowed three hits and one run with one strikeout. Slaten gave up a single to Luis Castillo that was able to bring in Rod Barajas, making the score 2-1 Washington.

Tyler Walker pitched 2/3 of an inning and was able to earn his first hold of the season. Walker only allowed one hit and got two strikeouts. Sean Burnett came into the game with one out and with David Wright on first. Burnett came into the game to face Ike Davis and he allowed a single to Davis and then was pulled out of the game.

Brian Bruney came into the eighth to clean up the mess that was left. Bruney was able to strikeout Jeff Francoeur to get the second out of the inning. While facing Barajas, Bruney threw a wild pitch that moved Wright to third and Davis to second. Bruney then was able to get Barajas to pop out to Ian Desmond and end the inning. Bruney earned his third hold of the season.

For a change, Miguel Batista came into the bottom of the ninth to close the game. Batista was able to get his first save of the season but struggled to get it. Batista allowed two hits and one run. That run came from an Angel Pagan solo homerun. Batista also had two strikeouts, including striking out Jason Bay to end the game.

The Nationals are 18-14 and are in second place in the National League East. Washington is one and a half games back of the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies had the day off today.

The Nationals look to extend their three game winning streak tomorrow against the Mets at 7:10 p.m. Scott Olsen (2-1, 3.54 ERA) will face off against Jonathon Niese (1-1, 3.60 ERA).