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.
