Reserve players like Willie Harris and Rob Mackowiak really made the difference tonight in the Nats big 8-3 win over the Astros.
Lannan pitched a great game. He’s continues to give us great starts and pitch well out of difficult situations. He worked out of trouble in the 6th to complete his outing giving up only one earned run on 7 hits. Rivera entered the game to pitch a scoreless 7th — thanks in part to a spectacular diving catch by Mackowiak in left. But Ayala certainly made it interesting in the 8th. Maybe since Chief won’t be around for awhile, he wanted us to remember what it was like to sweat with a big lead. He gave up 2 runs on 2 hits with 1 walk and 1 strike out. It took him 6 batters to get 3 outs. Rauch then finished the game with a 1-2-3 inning.
Backe had the line-up really stumped for most of the game, striking out 9 in 6 innings of work. Despite that, the Nats were still able to produce some runs. In the first inning, Cristian Guzman scored on a Nick Johnson double. Then in the third, Willie Harris hit his first home run as a National to put us up 2-0. In the 6th, Backe loaded the bases with no outs. Kearns went up the center to collect a 2 RBI hit and put the Nats up 4-1.
It’s no doubt that Aaron Boone has been doing an excellent job as a pinch hitter. He had a double tonight in the 7th when he hit for Lannan off of Astros reliever Tim Byrdak. Oscar Villarreal pitched the 8th and really handed over the win. A hit to Ryan Zimmerman quickly became a run on an error and a wild pitch. Then with 2 outs, Mackowiak hit a 2 run shot to left center - his first as a Nat - bringing the score to 7-1. The Nats added a run in the 9th when Johnson grounded into a double play and Guzman scored.
In other news: Zimmerman, who has recently come alive at the plate - raising his average throughout this series - has also started blogging at ComcastSportsNet. Not the most interesting first entry, but we’ll give it some time. Be sure to check it out.
Manny is apparantly amused with himself that he was able to hide some minor Belliard injuries for 2 weeks. We’ve been quietly wondering for awhile why Belliard wasn’t coming off the bench more often and this explains it. We were surprised when Bill Ladson wrote a piece on May 1 talking about how pivotal Belliard had been as of late. At the time, Manny said, “He is ready to go out there whatever we call on him for.” Guess that wasn’t the case. We’re less amused than the skipper.
The Nats take the win on getaway night and travel back to DC to rest up for tomorrow night’s game against the Marlins. Tim Redding (4-2, 3.20) will face RHP Ricky Nolasco (1-3, 6.10).
Entries (RSS)