Nats swiftly dispose of D-backs in 2-1 win

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

May 03, 2012, 5:33pm

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With Ross Detwiler and Ian Kennedy both dealing tonight, this game moved along at a crisp pace. And thanks to their red-hot fifth starter (yeah, it's still tough to believe Detwiler is really a fifth starter), the Nationals earned a second straight win over the Diamondbacks, this one by a 2-1 count. Detwiler went 6 1/3 innings, giving up just one run on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts. He didn't allow a runner to reach scoring position until the sixth inning, and now has a 1.59 ERA on the season. The Nats' controversial decision to keep Detwiler in the rotation over John Lannan looks better with each passing day. Bryce Harper knocked in the game-winning run with his double down the left field line in the sixth inning, just a half-inning after Arizona had knotted the score at 1-1. Ryan Mattheus, Tyler Clippard and Henry Rodriguez combined to go 2 2/3 scoreless innings, with Rodriguez working a perfect ninth to convert his first save opportunity since his meltdown in Los Angeles on Saturday. The Nats have now won seven of the eight series they've played this season, and welcome the rival Phillies to town tomorrow night.