Nats 4, Astros 3
Make it two in a row for the Nationals, who received a two-run homer from rookie Danny Espinosa in the seventh inning to re-take the lead for good after falling behind in the top of that frame. It was a nice night for Espinosa, who had been in a 5-for-51 slump before he tripled to start the third inning. Read about how he shook off that poor stretch like a seasoned veteran in our game story.
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In other news, Adam Dunn was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning and immediately felt his right arm tingle. The pitch from Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez drilled him right in a nerve. Dunn told manager Jim Riggleman he was fine. But then his hand began to go numb. That became an issue while playing first base in the seventh inning when Dunn caught a sacrifice bunt attempt by Rodriguez with runners at first and second. He grabbed the ball in front of the mound for the out. But when Dunn went to catch Jason Michaels racing back to second base he gunned the ball into the outfield – and nowhere near shortstop Ian Desmond. He admitted later maybe it wasn’t the best idea to stay in the game. But this is a former football player, after all. Officially diagnosis is a right elbow contusion. After the game Dunn was sporting a nasty welt on the back of that elbow.
“It’s like getting hit in the funny bone – sort of,” Dunn said. “I mean, that was the most pain I’ve ever had in baseball.”
Yikes. When asked how much time he might miss Dunn didn’t miss a beat: “Two innings?” That’s the time he sat out tonight after Kevin Mench pinch hit for him in the seventh. We’ll see if the Nats are cautious with him tomorrow considering it is an afternoon game. Might be a good day for the big man to sit one out.
And then we have the incredible saga of Washington reliever Tyler Clippard. He gave up a two-run single in the seventh inning to put his club down 3-2. But because he struck out the next two batters, Clippard kept the Nats within a run. When Espinosa homered – shocker! – Clippard had himself another win. That’s two in as many nights and 11 overall. That’s one better than Washington starter Livan Hernandez, which is a bit absurd. Livo gets a chance to tie Clippard when he pitches against the Braves on Sunday.
The last National League reliever to notch 11 wins? Todd Jones, who had a combined 11 wins for the Reds and Phillies in 2004.
One more note on relievers. Let’s give some credit to Joel Peralta, who continues to put together good outings. The 34-year-old, who began the year in Triple-A, pitched a perfect 1 1/3 innings, striking out three batters. His ERA is now an even 2.00. He’s walked five batters in 45 innings with 44 strikeouts. That ratio works. His batting average on balls in play is an absurd .198. The league average is closer to .300 so we can expect that to go up – well, next year anyway. Peralta’s unlikely to see action in more than five or six games the rest of the way so his final numbers will be pretty stellar. In his last 10 appearances – 15 2/3 innings total – Peralta hasn’t allowed an earned run. He’s also allowed 27 percent of his inherited runners to score.
Nats Notes
» Nats manager Jim Riggleman said he and pitching coach Steve McCatty decided to give closer Drew Storen the night off – even if his team had a save situation. Sean Burnett took the honors, recording the last two outs in the ninth inning.
» It was Washington’s 26th come-from-behind victory of 2010.
» The Nats crept closer towards that elusive 70-win mark. They are 64-88 now with 10 games left – seven of those at home, where they actually have a .500 record.
» Since July 27, Nats shortstop Ian Desmond is 62-for-185 with 12 doubles, a triple, four homers and 22 RBI. He was 2-for-4 with an RBI ground out on Wednesday.
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