Nats fall 4-3 on Lee's 9th inning single
Carlos Lee's single in the bottom of the 9th scored Kaz Matsui with the winning run, sending the Nationals to their second straight 1-run loss, 4-3
Joel Hanrahan began the inning by walking lead-off hitter Matsui. With Miguel Tejada batting, Matsui stole second. Hanrahan struckout Tejada and intentionally walked Lance Berkman before being replaced by Jesus Colome. Colome, facing Lee, got ahead of him 0-2, before throwing a wild pitch that allowed Matsui to advance to third. Lee then hit a liner to center that Lastings Milledge couldn't catch and Matsui scored the game winner.
The Nationals walked a season high, 8 batters, two intentionally.
Post Game
Box Score
Nationals 3-7-0
Astros 4-7-0
WP-Valverde (4-1)
LP-Hanrahan (0-2)
Bottom out
The Nationals 4-8 hitters went a combined 1-18 with 8 strikeouts. The top 3 went 6-12, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 Runs. Of course Ryan Zimmerman provided all the RBI's with his 2 home runs.
Road Weary
With Wednesday night's loss, the Nationals fall to 4-12 on the road. They hope to salvage a win in the series finale tomorrow night when John Lannan faces Brandon Backe.
In Game Updates
Nats Bullpen
Mike O'Connor, who will start on Saturday in place of Matt Chico, pitched out of a 6th inning jam. He gave up a walk and single to the first two batters he faced. After Brad Ausmus sacrificed them to second and third, he got Roy Oswalt to line-out and Michael Bourn to ground-out to end the inning.
Joel Hanrahan got out of the trouble he got himself into in the 7th. With runners on first and third and 1-out, he struckout Carlos Lee and got Hunter Pence to fly out to center to keep the game tied at 3-3.
Oswalt's night
Roy Oswalt pitched a solid game, but I know he wishes he could take back 2 pitches. Both of them were home runs by Ryan Zimmerman that accounted for all 3 Nationals runs. He even drove in 2-runs on a single. Here is his line for the night.
7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 9 K. He threw 97 pitches, 67 for strikes. Of the 11 outs that weren't strikeouts, 9 were of the ground ball variety.
Deuce's Wild
Ryan Zimmerman hit his second home run of the night, in the 6th, to tie the game at 3-3. Zimmerman hit Oswalt's 2-2 pitch into the seats in left for his 5th homer of the season. He now leads the Nationals with 18 RBI.
LoDuca injured
Paul LoDuca appeared to injure his right hand swinging the bat in the 7th inning. LoDuca fouled off an 0-1 pitch and looked to hurt the same hand he went on the DL for on April 18. As he was leaving the flied, a fan must have cheered the fact LoDuca was injured and security removed the jerk from the ballpark. Wil Nieves replaced LoDuca, with the count 0-2 and struckout. The out goes in the books to LoDuca.
Perez's night
Odalis Perez was pulled in place of Mike O'Connor to start the 6th inning. Perez wasn't as good as he had been in his previous 4 starts. Here is his pitching line for the night.
5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR, HB. He threw 84 pitches, 53 for strikes.
Helping Myself
Roy Oswalt helped his own cause by hitting a 2-out, 2-run single in the 4th to give the Astros the 3-2 lead. Oswalt, who gave up a 2-run HR to Ryan Zimmerman in the 1st, has settled down and has 8 strikeouts in 4 innings, including 5 in a row.
Lance Berkman led-off the inning with his 11th home run of the year, over the train tracks in left, cutting the Nats lead to 2-1. Berkman, who singled in the 1st, is now 7-7 in this series.
Like taking Candy from a Baby
The Nationals opponents are having their way on the base paths this season when it comes to stolen bases. The Astros stole third and then second on consecutive pitches off Odalis Perez and Paul LoDuca, in the 4th inning and Kaz Matsui stole second in the 7th and 9th. On the season, National catchers have only thrown out 5 of 35 would-be base stealers. That's just 14 percent success rate. Not very good.
Roy, are you KKKKKKKKidding me?
Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt has faced 12 Nationals in the first 3 innings and recorded 9 outs. 8 of the 9 by way of strikeout, including 6 in a row. He's thrown 49 pitches, 35 for strikes.
Perez Dispencer
Odalis Perez hasn't struckout nearly as many Astros as Oswalt has Nationals, but he has only given up 1-hit in the first 3 innings. Perez has thrown 48 pitches, 30 for strikes. The lone hit was by Lance Berkman. Berkman is now 6-6 in the series.
Felipe is not o-K
Felipe Lopez has struckout in 5 of his last 6 at-bats, including 4-times last night. Prior to Tuesday night's game, Lopez hadn't struckout in his previous 25 plate appearances.
Pitching Changes
This just in, LHP Matt Chico was told by Manny Acta on Wednesday afternoon, that he will be removed from the starting rotation and moved to the bullpen. Chico is 0-5, 6.87 this season and has not pitched past the 5th inning in any of his last four starts. Acta said LHP Mike O'Connor will take Chico's spot in the rotation. O'Connor, who was called up from Triple-A Columbus on April 24, has appeared in 3 games. He is 1-0, 7.71 ERA. O'Connor will start Saturday against the Marlins at Nationals Park.
Starting Line-Ups
Nationals
2B Felipe Lopez
SS Cristian Guzman
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Nick Johnson
CF Lastings Milledge
RF Austin Kearns
C Paul LoDuca
LF Wily Mo Pena
P Odalis Perez
Astros
CF Michael Bourn
2B Kaz Matsui
SS Miguel Tejada
1B Lance Berkman
LF Carlos Lee
RF Hunter Pence
3B Ty Wigginton
C Brad Ausmus
P Roy Oswalt
Game Preview
Nationals (14-19) at Astros (17-16)
After the bullpen surrendered late inning leads in Tuesday night's 6-5 loss to the Astros, the Nationals give the ball to Odalis Perez in game 2 of the 3-game series.
Washington relievers, who have been pretty reliable this season, gave up 3 earned runs in 2 2/3 innings last night. Saul Rivera was credited with a blown save and Luis Ayala with the loss.
The Nationals offense, who hit 3 solo home runs last night, face tough right-hander Roy Oswalt.
Pitching Match-Up
Odalis Perez (0-3, 3.18), still looking for his first win of the season, hasn't had any success against the Astros, in Houston, in his career. He has faced the Astros 4 times at Minute Maid Park and is 0-3 with a 14.29 ERA. Perez hasn't faced the Astros since April 26, 2006. In that game, he gave up 7 runs, 6 earned on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings. In fact, Perez has given up at least 5 runs in each start and never pitched more than 5 innings at MMP.
In 7 starts this season, Perez has given up fewer than 2 runs in 6 of them. In his last 3 outings, all no decisions, he has given up just 4 earned runs in 19 innings, good for a 1.89 ERA. The last time Perez pitched, May 1, he gave up 3 hits and 2 earned runs in 7 innings in the Nationals 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.
Roy Oswalt (3-3, 5.57) started off the season losing his first 3 games, but has won 3 of his last 4 starts. In the 3 wins, Oswalt has given up 7 earned runs in 20 innings. In his last outing, on May 2, a 7-4 win over the Brewers, he gave up 3 earned on 6 hits in 6 innings, but walked 4 and gave up 2 home runs.
Oswalt has faced the Nationals 8 times in his career, including 6 starts and is 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA, 2 complete games and a shutout. Oswalt, with a combined 49 wins over the last 3 seasons, has had some trouble pitching at home this season. His ERA at home is an eye-popping 7.41 and left-handed batters are hitting .361 off him, more than 100 points higher than righties.
Houston, the Nats have a problem
The Nationals didn't have an answer for Lance Berkman last night, but then again, nobody has this season. All Berkman did Tuesday night was collect a career high 5 hits, in 5 at-bats, hit 2 doubles, drive in a run, score 4 times and steal 2 bases. On the season, he's batting .353, 3rd in the NL among everyday players and leads the NL in RBI (34), Runs (34) and doubles (13) and is second with 12 home runs and third in slugging percentage (.731).
Yard Work
The Nationals hit a season high 3 home runs Tuesday night. Nick Johnson, Austin Kearns and Aaron Boone hit solo shots for the Nats.
Down on the Farm
Entering today's action, the Nationals own the 4th-best minor-league win-loss record...Columbus, Harrisburg, Potomac and Hagerstown have combined on a 73-53 (.579) mark to date.
RHP Jason Bergmann, RHP Jordan Zimmermann and INF Bill Rhinehart were each named Offensive Player or Pitcher of the Week by MILB.com in their respective leagues for the week of April 28-May 4... Bergmann went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 11 strikeouts
in 2 starts (14.0 innings) to earn International League honors... Zimmermann claimed the citation in the Carolina League after tossing 7.0 shutout innings
of 3-hit ball April 30 vs. Winston-Salem (White Sox)... Rhinehart hit .474 (9-for-19) with 2 home runs and 9 RBI in 6 games to garner South Atlantic League honors.
Triple-A Columbus Clippers
International League West Division 18-15, T-2nd Place, 3.5 Games Back
INF Pete Orr leads minor league baseball with 7 triples, and ranks among International League leaders in games played (t-1st, 33) and runs scored (t-6th, 21)...Orr, who signed as a minor-league free agent in the off-season, is hitting .288 with a homer, 18 RBI and 7 steals.
RHP Jason Bergmann has allowed just an unearned run in his last 2 starts (14.0 innings) after giving up 9 earned runs over 8.0 innings (10.12 ERA) in his first 2 Triple-A starts...Bergmann, who began the season as a member of Washington's starting rotation, was
optioned to Columbus April 12...he is 2-2 with a 3.68 ERA in 4 starts.
RHP Garrett Mock allowed one run in 6.0 innings to earn the win last night vs. Rochester (Twins)...Mock, 25, has allowed 2 earned runs or less in each of his last 4 starts, lowering his ERA from 7.00 to 3.77...he is 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA (6 ER/22.0 IP) in those 4
starting assignments...overall, he is 2-1 with a 3.77 ERA in 6 starts.
Organizational Player and Pitcher of the Month - April
INF Pete Orr - batted .305 (25-for-81) with 6 doubles and 7 triples in 27 games.
RHP Brian Sanches - posted a 1.17 ERA (2 ER/15.1 IP) with 23 strikeouts in 11 appearances.
Double-A Harrisburg Senators
Eastern League Southern Division 20-11, First Place, 3.5 Games Ahead
C Luke Montz leads the Eastern League in slugging percentage (.701) and RBI (31)...he ranks among the league leaders in hitting (2nd, .371), OPS (2nd, 1.127), home runs (t-2nd, 7) and on-base percentage (7th, .425)...Montz, 24, also ranks among the minor league leaders in slugging (5th) and RBI (t-6th)...he is hitting .438 (14-for-32) with 5 home runs and 28 RBI with RISP.
LHP Cory VanAllen was promoted to Harrisburg on Saturday, and earned the win in his Double-A debut after allowing one run and 4 hits in 5.2 innings Monday vs. Connecticut (Giants)...his combined 0.82 ERA is 4th best in minor league baseball...the Baylor University product is a combined 4-0 in 6 games (5 starts) with Harrisburg and Potomac...VanAllen was selected in the 5th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft.
RHP Zech Zinicola has yet to allow a run in 14.1 innings, and ranks 2nd in minor league baseball with a .070 (3-for-43) batting average against in 10 combined appearances with Harrisburg and Potomac...he has recorded a save in each of his last 5 appearances (3 with Potomac and 2 with Harrisburg)...Washington's 2006 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, is a combined 2-0 with 4 saves and 16 strikeouts.
RHP Jordan Zimmermann, who entered the season rated as the No .7 prospect in the Washington system according to Baseball America, was promoted to Harrisburg on Sunday...last night in his Double-A debut, he allowed 3 runs (one earned) and 4 hits in 5.2 innings vs. Connecticut...the 21-year-old is a combined 3-2 with a 1.64 ERA in 6 games (5 starts) with Harrisburg and Potomac...he went 3-1 with a 1.65 ERA (5 ER/27.1 IP) in 5 appearances (4 starts) with the P-Nats before making the jump to Double-A.
Organizational Player and Pitcher of the Month - April
C Luke Montz - hit .371 (23-for-62) with 5 home runs, 24 RBI in 18 games.
RHP Bobby Brownlie - went 3-0 with a 2.79 ERA (9 ER/29.0 IP) in 5 starts.
Single-A Potomac Nationals
Carolina League Northern Division 20-11, First Place, 2.5 Games Ahead
Including a 2-run homer this afternoon at Myrtle Beach (Braves), OF Chris Marrero has hit 3 home runs in his last 5 games after going homerless in 17 straight contests...he is 9-for-21 (.428) with 3 homers and 8 RBI in those 5 contests...Marrero, Washington's
2006 first round pick (15th overall), is hitting .245 with 5 home runs, 16 RBI and a team-leading 15 walks in 29 games.
LHP Yunior Novoa is 2-0 with a save and a 1.50 ERA in 8 appearances...Novoa, who signed as a minor-league free agent in 2006, is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA (1 ER/10.0 IP), 9 strikeouts and one walk in his last 5 appaearances
.
Organizational Player and Pitcher of the Month - April
INF Matt Rogelstad - batted .325 (26-for-80) with 2 homers and 10 RBI in 21 games.
LHP Cory VanAllen - went 3-0 with a 0.66 ERA (2 ER/27.1 IP) and a .186 BAA (18-for-97) in 5 games (4 starts).
Single-A Hagerstown Suns
South Atlantic League Northern Division 15-17, 5th Place, 4.5 Games Back
INF Bill Rhinehart paces the South Atlantic League and is tied for 6th in minor league baseball with 31 RBI...Rhinehart, a 2007 NY-Penn League mid-season All-Star, is 20-for-46 (.434) with 3 home runs and 21 RBI in his last 12 games...he has recorded at least one RBI in 10 of those 12 games...the 23-year-old is batting .345 with 10 doubles, 5 home runs and 31 RBI in 31 games.
INF Jake Smolinski is hitting .389 (14-for-36) with 5 doubles in his last 10 games and has reached base safely in each of those contests...the 19-year-old was selected in the 2nd round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.
RHP Kyle Gunderson has allowed just 2 earned runs in 17.1 innings (1.04 ERA) in 10 appearances this season...the 23-year-old has struck out 13 and allowed 2 walks (6.5 K/BB ratio)...Gunderson was selected in the 48th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.
Organizational Player and Pitcher of the Month - April
OF Michael Burgess - blasted 8 home runs with 18 RBI in 25 games.
RHP Terrence Engles - went 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA (4 ER/19.0 IP) in 6 games (3 starts).
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