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)
