Nationals take lead in Atlanta thanks to Detwiler, Desmond (Nats win)

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

June 29, 2012, 4:32pm

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The Nationals were able to get a few hits early on against Braves right-hander Randall Delgado. Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler got off to a good start and contributed offensively for one of the few times in his career. Detwiler's RBI single plated Michael Morse in the second, giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead. In the third inning with two outs, Ian Desmond smacked a single to left field that scored Adam Laroche and Morse. Desmond was tagged out at third. Nationals lead 3-0. Desmond now has 43 RBIs on the season. Update: Jesus Flores added a solo homer in the fourth to extend the Nationals' lead to 4-0. Delgado lasted only four innings. Update II: Detwiler allowed no runs in his first six innings, but the Braves rallied to tie the game with four runs in the seventh. Andrelton Simmons highlighted the comeback with a two-run shot off of Detwiler. Morse quickly gave the Nationals the lead again with a solo homer, his third of the season, in the top of the eighth. The Nats are leading, 5-4. Nats win: Tyler Clippard came on for the ninth. Despite giving up a leadoff double to Freddie Freeman and walking Martin Prado, he got Andrelton Simmons to fly out to Bryce Harper to end the game. Clippard earned his 13th save of the season. Nats win, 5-4.