The Nationals beat the Padres 2-0 and take three of four against the Padres in San Diego. The Nationals also ended up going six and five in their eleven game road trip and head home now nine in a row at Nationals Park.
The last three games the Nationals have had terrific pitching and today was no different. Jordan Zimmermann was phenomenal going seven innings, striking out ten, walking one and giving up zero runs. The Nationals offense though couldn’t come through with runners in scoring position all game before the ninth inning so Zimmermann got a no decision. In the ninth the Nationals got the bases loaded against the Padres All-Star closer Heath Bell and a Danny Espinosa long sac fly broke the scoreless game when Brian Bixler tagged and scored. Then Laynce Nix, who had a great game going 3 for 4, hit in Alex Cora and that is all the Nationals needed.
Drew Storen came in for his 15th save of the season and Todd Coffey got the win and is now 2-0 on the year. Tim Stauffer wasn’t bad for the Padres either going seven innings, giving up five hits, striking out five, walking three and not giving up a run. Jim Riggleman also had the same type of line up as last game with Jayson Werth leading off, he went 0-4 and striking out twice, and the pitcher hitting in the eighth spot. Alex Cora went 3 for 4 on the day in the ninth spot.
The Nationals also broke the franchise record for consecutive innings without an error at 96 and 2/3rd innings which was accomplished by the Expos in 1977. The Nationals have now gone 105 and 2/3rd innings without an error. The Nats will have tomorrow off and then start a three game series against the Cardinals on Tuesday at Nationals park with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM and you can hear it on 106.7 The FAN. Ryan Zimmerman is expected to be back in the line up for the Nats on Tuesday for the first time since April 9th after having surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle.
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