Wang suffers loss in rehab start for Senators, but throws strikes

Nationals right-hander Chien-Ming Wang settled down after a rocky start, but took the loss as Richmond defeated Double-A Harrisburg 4-0 in the opening game of a doubleheader Friday night. Wang, on the disabled list due to a hip injury, allowed a Gary Brown double to lead off the game and committed a throwing error which gave the Flying Squirrels a 1-0 advantage. Another single and then a double play made it 2-0. Wang had a 1-2-3 second frame and a scoreless third. But in the fourth, Wang surrendered another leadoff double. A groundout and sac fly made it 3-0. Following a single to begin the Richmond fifth, Wang was lifted, finishing with 54 pitches, 42 for strikes. Wang's line was four innings, seven hits, three runs (two earned), no walks and three strikeouts. That is still too many hits allowed in just four-plus innings, but he did throw strikes and did not walk a batter. In facing 19 batters, it was a good test for Wang to see how the hip feels and get ready for his next start, which will likely be Wednesday. In the nightcap, Ryan Perry went five innings, allowing five hits, one run, one walk and struck out six. He did not factor in the decision as Harrisburg edged Richmond 3-2. Erik Davis (7-2) notched the win and Hector Nelo recorded his 13th save. Perry's ERA now a stunning 1.66.