Espinosa and Harper homer in 2-1 win over Cardinals
By Byron Kerr
Shortstop Danny Espinosa delivered the game-changing play on offense for the Nationals in a 2-1 victory over the Cardinals on Thursday.
With the game even at 1-1 in the seventh, Espinosa launched a Mike Leake fastball over the right field fence giving the Nationals their first lead of the game.
Espinosa arrived into the game hitting .199. It was Espinosa's second homer this season and third of his career against Leake. He now has eight homers against St. Louis in his career.
Those 45 hours of rest seem to have paid off for Bryce Harper.
Harper delivered a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth. It was the first time the Nationals were able to get to the Cardinals' Leake. The homer tied the game at 1-1.
Harper was given a day of mostly rest Wednesday. He grounded out to second in a pinch-hit at-bat late in a 2-0 loss to the Mets.
Leake had allowed only three hits before Harper's blast. It was Harper's first homer since May 13.
Right-hander Joe Ross allowed only an Aledmys Diaz solo shot in the fourth.
Ross' signature moment came in the seventh, where he wiggled out of a two men on, no-out jam with the game knotted at 1-1.
Following singles from Stephen Piscotty and Brandon Moss, Ross struck out Yadier Molina.
Then on pitch No. 110, and a full count to Kolten Wong, induces a game-saving 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Ross finished seven innings, scattering six hits, allowing only a solo homer, one walk and four strikeouts.
Jonathan Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 13th save.
The Nationals have won five straight games against the Cardinals and are 4-0 this season.
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