The Nationals were looking to improve to 4-1 last night in St. Louis. After spotting the Cardinals a 5-1 lead they fell just a bit short. They rallied for three runs in the 7th to cut the lead down to 5-4 but that’s how it would end. The Nationals are now 3-2.
Odalis Perez made his second start of the season and just wasn’t as sharp as he was on Opening Night against the Braves. Perez lasted just four innings and allowed 12 base runners (8 hits and 4 walks) while allowing all five runs and taking the loss. Perez is now 0-1 on the year. The bullpen however remained impressive, shutting down the Cardinals. Chirs Schroder, Joel Hanrahan, and Saul Rivera combined for 4 innings of shut out ball and gave up only one hit.
The offense got off to a sluggish start but got the club back into the ball game with their three run 7th inning. Cristian Guzman got his first home run of the season to help spark the Nationals in the 7th, it was his only hit of the game. Ryan Zimmerman, Austin Kearns, and Ronnie Belliard each had 2 hits, but the line up was plagued by leaving men on base. When it was all said and done they ended innings with 13 men left on base. They had their chances but just couldn’t push another run across the plate.
The same two teams are going at it on Saturday afternoon with Matt Chico getting the start for the Nationals. Chico got a no decision in his first start of the season in an 11-6 win over the Phillies last week.