The Washington Nationals were able to beat the Baltimore Orioles by a score of 4-3 in ten innings. The Nationals were able to get the win by a Josh Willingham walk off solo home run in the bottom tenth off of Cla Meredith. With a 2-1 count with one out, Meredith threw the ball over the heart of the plate and Willingham was able to hit it to left center that gave Washington the lead. That was Willingham’s eighth home run of the season and his 26 RBI.
Washington scored their previous three runs in the bottom of the first. Roger Bernadina was able to hit a triple to deep center that scored Ryan Zimmerman, Nyjer Morgan and Willingham. That gave the total to 12 RBI’s on the season. Also, that was Bernadina’s second double on the year.
The Nationals were able to provide 11 hits this afternoon. Wil Nieves, Cristian Guzman, Morgan and Willingham each had two hits, while Drew Storen, John Lannan and Bernadina each provided one. Guzman’s two hits made his batting average sit at .345.
Washington had Lannan start the game and he would end up getting the no decision. Lannan pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing two hits and one earned run. Lannan also walked three and struck out two. Sean Burnett, Tyler Clippard and Storen pitched the next combined 2 2/3 innings of work and didn’t allow a run. Only one hit was allowed and that came off of Sean Burnett. Burnett and Storen were each able to get a strikeout. Storen earned his first major league hold, while Burnett earned his seventh and Clippard got his tenth.
Matt Capps came into the ninth and got his first blown save of the year. Capps went the ninth inning and allowed three hits and had two runs earned. Capps did get a strikeout but the damage was done. Capps two runs tied the game at three a piece and put the game into extra innings. Baltimore was unable to get anything in the top of the tenth. Doug Slaten came into the game and pitch a perfect inning. Slaten didn’t allow a run or a hit but was able to get a strikeout. Then in the bottom of the tenth, Willingham was able to hit the home run and lead the Nationals to victory.
A quick roster move the Nationals made. The Nationals recalled outfielder Justin Maxwell after placing Scott Olsen on the 15-day disabled list due to a shoulder injury.
The Nationals are above .500 again and have a record of 23-22. The Nationals are tied for third in the National League East and are only four games back of the Philadelphia Phillies, who lost to the Boston Red Sox, 8-3.
The Nationals have an off day tomorrow and will play against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. Washington will send Livan Hernandez (4-2, 1.62 ERA) to the mound to go against Todd Wellemeyer (2-4, 5.71 ERA).
