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).
