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).
