The Washington Nationals have now won two of their last four games after taking one of two from the Houston Astros this weekend. They won on Friday in a blowout, 10-0 but lost on Saturday 6-4. The Nationals are now 36-59.
Tim Redding got the start for the Nationals on Friday and led the pitching staff to the shut out. Redding went 6 innings and gave up seven hits while striking out six batters. Redding is now 7-3 this season. Cristian Guzman and Ronnie Belliard each had three hits to lead the Washington offense. Guzman scored three runs while Belliard drove in five runs as he hit two home runs. Willie Harris, Austin Kearns, and Jesus Flores each had two hits for Washington.
On Saturday things didn’t go quite as well for the Nats. Collin Balester started for the Nationals and couldn’t get out of the fifth inning. Balester went 4.2 innings and gave up six runs, four of them earned. He struck out three while allowing eleven hits. The bullpen did add 4.1 innings of shut out baseball to keep things close. Willie Harris led the Nats with two hits, one of which was a home run. Paul Lo Duca and Ronnie Belliard also had two hits each for Washington.
The Nationals will wrap up their series with the Astros on Sunday afternoon. Odalis Perez will start for the Nationals. Game time is 1:35pm.