Michael Morse walk-off homer stuns Padres

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

May 27, 2011, 5:56pm

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Michael Morse slammed the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth from reliever Mike Adams into the left field bullpen to lift the Nationals to a 2-1 win over the San Diego Padres before 21,024 at Nationals Park. Morse has now hit a home run in four consecutive games, and the solo shot was the first walk-off winner of his career. Danny Espinosa hit his first solo homer of the season, and seventh overall (a career-high) to give Washington a 1-0 advantage through five innings.

Michael Morse gets a pie in the face and gatorade shower after his walk-off homerun for the Nats' 2-1 win

Jason Bartlett's first homer of the season, off the first pitch from Nationals closer Drew Storen in the top of the ninth, tied the game at 1-1, preventing John Lannan from snapping a six-game winless streak. It had been 247 at-bats since Bartlett's last home run. Despite blowing the save, Storen gets the win (4-1). Lannan pitched a season-high seven and 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, no runs, walking two and striking out five. He previously went six and 2/3 innings against San Francisco. Padres lefty Clayton Richard (2-6) was also outstanding, going seven innings, allowing three hits, one run, three walks and one strikeout in a losing cause.