Perez struggles, Nats drop 2nd straight
Odalis Perez didn't look like the same pitcher who gave up only one run on openning night. He struggled, as he's done his entire career, against the Cardinals, and the Nationals lost for the second time in as many days, 5-4.
The Cardinals got to Perez in the first with a 2-run home run by center fielder Rick Ankiel. They added two more in the 4th when Perez walked Yadier Molina to begin the inning. Cesar Izturis followed with a double just inside the bag at first that put runners on second and third. With the infield in and Looper at the plate, Perez got him to ground to Belliard at second but he never got a good handle of it to try and get Molina at the plate. Belliard settled for the out at first. 3-1 Redbirds.
Aaron Miles followed with a single to left to score Izturis to make it 4-1 and it could have been worse. Brian Barton followed with a shot to Zimmerman that looked like an easy out, but it glanced off his glove and ruled a hit. Rick Ankiel grounded out to first to advance the runners and Perez intenionally walked Pujols to load the bases. Troy Glaus struckout to end the inning with no more harm done.
In four plus innings, Perez allowed the lead-off batter to reach base in every inning but one and three of them ended up scoring. He didn't register an out in the 5th before being pulled by manager Manny Acta. Perez threw 103 pitches, only 56 for strikes and had a hard time with his command. He gave up 8 hits, 5 earned runs, walked 4 and struck out two. His ERA jumped from 1.80 to 6.00.
A big 7th inning was within reach for the Nationals, but they just couldn't get hold of it. They scored three times but should've had more. Braden Looper, who got the win, was replaced by Russ Springer to start the inning and Christian Guzman led off with a home run, his first of the season, to right field. Lastings Milledge and Ryan Zimmerman hit back-to-back singles. Ron Villone came in to pitch and Nick Johnson drew a walk. Bases loaded and nobody out.
Tony LaRussa pulled Villone for Kyle McClellan and he struck out Austin Kearns looking for the first out. Paul LoDuca walked to force in a run and Ronnie Belliard hit a ball off of the glove of third baseman Glaus to make it 5-4 Cards. With the bases still loaded, Felipe Lopez struck out and pinch-hitter Willie Harris grounded out to end the inning. Missed opportunity.
Another missed opportunity came in the 9th. With closer Jason Isringhausen pitching, Kearns singled with one out and LoDuca earned a walk after falling behind 1-2, but Isringhausen struck out Belliard on a 2-2 pitch and got Lopez looking on a 3-2 pitch to end the game and earn his second save of the season.
The Nats get on the board in the 4th. A lead-off double to left center by Kearns got things started. LoDuca followed with a infield single off Loopers glove and Kearns advanced to third. Belliard grounded to short to force LoDuca out at second, but the Cards traded a run for an out. 2-1 St.Louis after 3 1/2 innings.
The Nationals had a chance to get on the board in the second, when they loaded the bases with two outs, but Perez grounded out to second to end the threat. Kearns was hit by a pitch with one out. Two batters later, Belliard rolled a weak grounder to third and the throw by Glaus pulled Albert Pujols off the bag and Belliard was safe with the infield single. Lopez walked on four pitches before Looper got Perez to ground out to end the inning.
St.Louis had a chance to add to their 2-0 lead in the third. Perez issued back-to-back 1-out walks to Pujols and Glaus, but Ryan Ludwick grounded into the 4-3 double play to get out of the jam.
Braden Looper had an easy time getting out of the first. Christian Guzman grounded out to second for the first out of the game. Lastings Milledge struck out and Ryan Zimmerman grounded one deep in the hole at short to Cesar Izturis who made a strong throw to get Zimm by a stride. Looper threw 13 pitches, 8 for strikes for an easy first inning.
News & Notes
Debbi Taylor, on Nats Xtra pregame, reported that Dmitri Young will not be available for the weekend series. He was sent back to DC to have his back checked out. They spotted inflammation in the back, but they will wait for results before deciding to put him on the DL or not.
Pitching probables for games 2 & 3 of the series.
Saturday: LHP Matt Chico (0-0, 5.06) vs. RHP Adam Wainwright (NR). 1:10pm on MASN
Sunday: RHP Tim Redding (1-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Kyle Lohse (NR). 2:15pm on MASN 2.
John Lannan is expected to make his season debut on Monday night when the Marlins come to Nationals Park.
High's & Low's
Christian Guzman has hit safely in all 5 games with the 7th inning HR.
Ryan Zimmerman went 2-5 after going 0-6 yesterday.
Austin Kearns went 2-4 to raise his average to .353
Chris Schroder, Joel Hanrahan and Saul Rivera pitched 4 scoreless innings, giving up 1 hit.
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