Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Bourn might be the fastest man in Major League Baseball and during last night’s game against the Washington Nationals, Bourn showed off his trademark speed.

It happened in the ninth inning with the Braves up by the score of 5-2, Bourn was on second with Chipper Jones at the plate. Jones hit a chopper back to the mound and the Nationals caught Bourn in a rundown.

After attempting to get Bourn out and not succeeding, the Nationals noticed that Chipper was out of position on the base paths and got him out but forgot about Bourn who dashed for home plate with nobody covering it:

***

Bourn scores on wild play [MLB Video]

Read More: Stephen Strasburg (P – WAS), Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves

The Washington Nationals were defeated by the Atlanta Braves 7-4 on Friday night. The Nationals tried to rally back after a rough start from Stephen Strasburg, but the the offense’s gas just ran out. Friday’s loss ended the Nationals current win streak at five games.

Strasburg didn’t have early control of his pitches, often going to the rosin bag, and the Braves were able to tag him for three runs, two earned in the first inning. However, Strasburg settled after that and put zeros across the board for the next three innings. The young pitcher went four innings total, walked none and struck out three. He has not offered up a walk to the 114 Major League batters he has faced going back to August 2010. He threw 75 pitches on Friday, 46 going for strikes.

It is the first loss of 2011 for Strasburg who is now 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA.

Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth and catcher Wilson Ramos both went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs which was the Nationals scoring for the night.

Read More: Ryan Zimmerman (3B – WAS), Livan Hernandez (P – WAS), Michael Morse (1B – WAS), Laynce Nix (LF – WAS), Danny Espinosa (2B – WAS), Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves

Matthew Kaminski, the Atlanta Braves organist, tweeted before Tuesday night’s game against the Washington Nationals that he would bust out in the Super Mario Bros. theme song when certain Nationals players came to bat. It must have powered them up because the Nationals rolled over the Braves 9-2 in front of a Turner Field crowd.

The offensive potential of the 2011 Nationals showed itself once again after a six-game absence. The Nationals outhit the Braves 12 to five and four different Nationals were able to take the Braves pitching staff for a ride and hit home runs. Ryan Zimmerman hit a three-run home run in the top of the fifth which completely put the game away. MIchael Morse, Danny Espinosa and Laynce Nix connected for solo home runs of their own. Both Zimmerman and Morse finished the night 3-for-5 with three RBIs. 

Nationals starter Livan Hernandez put together a wonderful performance. The Cuban pitcher went seven innings, giving up two runs on five hits, walking three and striking out one.

Thank you, Mr. Kaminski.

The Nationals move to 63-70 on the season.

The miscues and the losses are starting to pile up for Derek Lowe.

The Atlanta right-hander gave up eight runs, including a grand slam to Rick Ankiel, in a 9-3 loss to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.

Lowe (6-10) lost his third straight decision. He had not allowed so many runs since June 7, 2010.

“If you make a lot of mistakes, you’re going to pay for it,” Lowe said. “I’ve been paying for it seems like every time out.”

Lowe ran into trouble in the fourth inning as Ankiel’s grand slam capped a five-run burst that gave Washington a 6-3 lead. Ian Desmond hit a two-run homer in the fifth that finished Lowe.

“It’s been a tough stretch — long year,” Lowe said. “You’ve got to keep fighting, hopefully things will turn around. But it’s definitely one of my longer years in my career.”

The Braves’ offense struggled to drive in runs once again, even as Dan Uggla (24 games) and Freddie Freeman (17) extended their hitting streaks. Those are the two longest current streaks in the majors.

“All that stuff is bittersweet because bottom line, we need a win,” Uggla said. “It’s the last thing I’m worried about when you’re trying to fight back and get back in it.”

Atlanta scored twice in the third on Michael Bourn’s RBI double and Martin Prado’s infield out. Jorge Constanza’s RBI single gave the Braves a 3-1 lead, but they weren’t able to add more runs despite loading the bases against Nationals starter John Lannan (8-7). Bourn lined out to left field to end the inning.

“You wish you could get a broken bat or an error or even a hit batter so we could get some runs in there,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

The Nationals did take advantage of their opportunities in the bottom half of the inning. A leadoff walk by Lowe and two singles loaded the bases with no outs. Lannan grounded to first and Freeman’s throw home was high, pulling catcher David Ross off the plate as Jonny Gomes scored. Ankiel followed with his second career slam.

“The throw got up in the air a little bit. … The umpire made the right call,” Gonzalez said. “You were a ground ball away from getting out of it, and we didn’t get it done.”

Overall, Lowe allowed seven earned runs.

“When we get up and score runs, we haven’t done a good job of going out and putting up a zero,” Ross said.

Lannan struck out a season-high eight and improved to 3-0 against Atlanta this year. He gave up three runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings.

“We got to him early, put up that three-spot. It was 3-1 and I thought we were going to roll,” Ross said. “They had some good at-bats and hit some tough pitches.”

The Nationals have won four straight games, their longest winning streak since Davey Johnson became manager on June 27. Atlanta has lost three straight.

Desmond drove in three runs, including a home run in the sixth inning, and Michael Morse hit his 18th homer for the Nationals.

NOTES: Atlanta 3B Chipper Jones worked out before the game and said he wasn’t ready to start. Jones, who strained his right quad on July 25, has been restricted to pinch-hitting since then. “I need to see what I can and can’t do just to give them feedback and see where I still have pain,” Jones said. He said he hasn’t noticed any improvement nor regression since Monday. … Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg, recovering from Tommy John surgery, threw 51 pitches — 32 strikes — in a simulated start in Viera, Fla. … The Nationals recalled RHP Collin Balester from Triple-A Syracuse. … Washington C Ivan Rodriguez (oblique), who’s been on the 15-day disabled list since July 7, is close to being ready for a rehab assignment, Johnson said. … Atlanta RHP Brandon Beachy is scheduled to start on Wednesday afternoon against Washington’s Chien-Ming Wang. Beachy is 4-2 this season and is looking for his second straight victory after not winning his previous four starts. Wang started for the first time in more than two years on July 29 against the New York Mets and allowed six runs — four earned — in four innings. … Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman extended his hitting streak to 11 games. … Lannan drove in his fifth run in his last five starts — doubling his career total to 10.

Lowe (6-10) lost his third straight decision. He had not allowed so many runs since June 7, 2010.

“If you make a lot of mistakes, you’re going to pay for it,” Lowe said. “I’ve been paying for it seems like every time out.”

Lowe ran into trouble in the fourth inning as Ankiel’s grand slam capped a five-run burst that gave Washington a 6-3 lead. Ian Desmond hit a two-run homer in the fifth that finished Lowe.

“It’s been a tough stretch — long year,” Lowe said. “You’ve got to keep fighting, hopefully things will turn around. But it’s definitely one of my longer years in my career.”

The Braves’ offense struggled to drive in runs once again, even as Dan Uggla (24 games) and Freddie Freeman (17) extended their hitting streaks. Those are the two longest current streaks in the majors.

“All that stuff is bittersweet because bottom line, we need a win,” Uggla said. “It’s the last thing I’m worried about when you’re trying to fight back and get back in it.”

Atlanta scored twice in the third on Michael Bourn’s RBI double and Martin Prado’s infield out. Jorge Constanza’s RBI single gave the Braves a 3-1 lead, but they weren’t able to add more runs despite loading the bases against Nationals starter John Lannan (8-7). Bourn lined out to left field to end the inning.

“You wish you could get a broken bat or an error or even a hit batter so we could get some runs in there,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

The Nationals did take advantage of their opportunities in the bottom half of the inning. A leadoff walk by Lowe and two singles loaded the bases with no outs. Lannan grounded to first and Freeman’s throw home was high, pulling catcher David Ross off the plate as Jonny Gomes scored. Ankiel followed with his second career slam.

“The throw got up in the air a little bit. … The umpire made the right call,” Gonzalez said. “You were a ground ball away from getting out of it, and we didn’t get it done.”

Overall, Lowe allowed seven earned runs.

“When we get up and score runs, we haven’t done a good job of going out and putting up a zero,” Ross said.

Lannan struck out a season-high eight and improved to 3-0 against Atlanta this year. He gave up three runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings.

“We got to him early, put up that three-spot. It was 3-1 and I thought we were going to roll,” Ross said. “They had some good at-bats and hit some tough pitches.”

The Nationals have won four straight games, their longest winning streak since Davey Johnson became manager on June 27. Atlanta has lost three straight.

Desmond drove in three runs, including a home run in the sixth inning, and Michael Morse hit his 18th homer for the Nationals.

NOTES: Atlanta 3B Chipper Jones worked out before the game and said he wasn’t ready to start. Jones, who strained his right quad on July 25, has been restricted to pinch-hitting since then. “I need to see what I can and can’t do just to give them feedback and see where I still have pain,” Jones said. He said he hasn’t noticed any improvement nor regression since Monday. … Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg, recovering from Tommy John surgery, threw 51 pitches — 32 strikes — in a simulated start in Viera, Fla. … The Nationals recalled RHP Collin Balester from Triple-A Syracuse. … Washington C Ivan Rodriguez (oblique), who’s been on the 15-day disabled list since July 7, is close to being ready for a rehab assignment, Johnson said. … Atlanta RHP Brandon Beachy is scheduled to start on Wednesday afternoon against Washington’s Chien-Ming Wang. Beachy is 4-2 this season and is looking for his second straight victory after not winning his previous four starts. Wang started for the first time in more than two years on July 29 against the New York Mets and allowed six runs — four earned — in four innings. … Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman extended his hitting streak to 11 games. … Lannan drove in his fifth run in his last five starts — doubling his career total to 10.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

WASHINGTON — Rick Ankiel kept up his sudden power surge, hitting a grand slam off Derek Lowe that sent the Washington Nationals over the Atlanta Braves 9-3 Tuesday night for their fourth straight win.

The Nationals have their longest winning streak since Davey Johnson became manager on June 27. Atlanta has lost three straight.

Ankiel connected for his sixth home run of the season. He homered twice Monday night against the Braves.

Ankiel’s shot highlighted a five-run burst in the fourth inning against Lowe (6-10) that put Washington ahead 6-3.

Ian Desmond hit a two-run homer in the fifth that finished Lowe. The Braves righty lost his third straight and gave up eight runs – seven earned – the most he had allowed since June 7, 2010.

Desmond drove in three runs and Michael Morse hit his 18th homer for the Nationals.

Dan Uggla (24 games) and Freddie Freeman (17) extended their hitting streaks for the Braves. Those are the two longest current streaks in the majors.

John Lannan (8-7) struck out a season-high eight and improved to 3-0 against Atlanta this year. He gave up three runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings.

Desmond’s sacrifice fly put the Nationals ahead in the second.

Atlanta scored twice in the third on Michael Bourn’s RBI double and Martin Prado’s infield out, and took a 3-1 lead in the fourth on Jorge Constanza’s RBI single.

Ankiel’s second career slam and an RBI grounder by Lannan gave Washington the lead in the fourth.

Desmond’s fourth home run made it 8-3.

– NOTES: Atlanta 3B Chipper Jones worked out before the game and said he wasn’t ready to start. Jones, who strained his right quad on July 25, has been restricted to pinch-hitting since then. “I need to see what I can and can’t do just to give them feedback and see where I still have pain,” Jones said. He said he hasn’t noticed any improvement nor regression since Monday. … Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg, recovering from Tommy John surgery, threw 51 pitches – 32 strikes – in a simulated start in Viera, Fla. … The Nationals recalled RHP Collin Balester from Triple-A Syracuse. … Washington C Ivan Rodriguez (oblique), who’s been on the 15-day disabled list since July 7, is close to being ready for a rehab assignment, Johnson said. … Atlanta RHP Brandon Beachy is scheduled to start on Wednesday afternoon against Washington’s Chien-Ming Wang. Beachy is 4-2 this season and is looking for his second straight victory after not winning his previous four starts. Wang started for the first time in more than two years on July 29 against the New York Mets and allowed six runs – four earned – in four innings. … Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman extended his hitting streak to 11 games. … Lannan drove in his fifth run in his last five starts – doubling his career total to 10.

WASHINGTON — Rick Ankiel kept up his sudden power surge, hitting a grand slam off Derek Lowe that sent the Washington Nationals over the Atlanta Braves 9-3 Tuesday night for their fourth straight win.

The Nationals have their longest winning streak since Davey Johnson became manager on June 27. Atlanta has lost three straight.

Ankiel connected for his sixth home run of the season. He homered twice Monday night against the Braves.

Ankiel’s shot highlighted a five-run burst in the fourth inning against Lowe (6-10) that put Washington ahead 6-3.

Ian Desmond hit a two-run homer in the fifth that finished Lowe. The Braves righty lost his third straight and gave up eight runs — seven earned — the most he had allowed since June 7, 2010.

Desmond drove in three runs and Michael Morse hit his 18th homer for the Nationals.

Dan Uggla (24 games) and Freddie Freeman (17) extended their hitting streaks for the Braves. Those are the two longest current streaks in the majors.

John Lannan (8-7) struck out a season-high eight and improved to 3-0 against Atlanta this year. He gave up three runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings.

Desmond’s sacrifice fly put the Nationals ahead in the second.

Atlanta scored twice in the third on Michael Bourn’s RBI double and Martin Prado’s infield out, and took a 3-1 lead in the fourth on Jorge Constanza’s RBI single.

Ankiel’s second career slam and an RBI grounder by Lannan gave Washington the lead in the fourth.

Desmond’s fourth home run made it 8-3.

NOTES: Atlanta 3B Chipper Jones worked out before the game and said he wasn’t ready to start. Jones, who strained his right quad on July 25, has been restricted to pinch-hitting since then. “I need to see what I can and can’t do just to give them feedback and see where I still have pain,” Jones said. He said he hasn’t noticed any improvement nor regression since Monday. … Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg, recovering from Tommy John surgery, threw 51 pitches — 32 strikes — in a simulated start in Viera, Fla. … The Nationals recalled RHP Collin Balester from Triple-A Syracuse. … Washington C Ivan Rodriguez (oblique), who’s been on the 15-day disabled list since July 7, is close to being ready for a rehab assignment, Johnson said. … Atlanta RHP Brandon Beachy is scheduled to start on Wednesday afternoon against Washington’s Chien-Ming Wang. Beachy is 4-2 this season and is looking for his second straight victory after not winning his previous four starts. Wang started for the first time in more than two years on July 29 against the New York Mets and allowed six runs — four earned — in four innings. … Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman extended his hitting streak to 11 games. … Lannan drove in his fifth run in his last five starts — doubling his career total to 10.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Washington, DC —

Rick Ankiel smacked two home runs as the
Washington Nationals took down the Atlanta Braves, 5-3, in the opener of a
three-game series.

Livan Hernandez (6-10) threw six strong innings, allowing one run on six hits
and no walks while striking out three in his first win since June 26.

Drew Storen worked his way out of trouble in the ninth to earn his 27th save
of the year and give the Nationals their third straight victory.

Michael Bourn, traded from the Astros to the Braves on Sunday, led off the
first game with his new club with a single. But the center fielder did not
record another hit and ended 1-for-4 at the plate.

Dan Uggla also went deep twice as the Braves lost for the third time in five
games.

Jair Jurrjens (12-4) allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks through
five-plus innings to take his first loss since June 14.

“On any given night we can go out and beat any given pitch. It just happened
to be [Jurrjens] tonight,” Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth said.

Storen got the first out in the ninth on one pitch, but then hung a 2-2 slider
to Uggla, who belted it over the left-field fence. Jason Heyward followed with
a single to bring the tying run to the plate, but Storen fanned David Ross on
a 96 m.p.h. fastball and induced a groundout to third by Alex Gonzalez to end
the game.

Washington took an early lead when Ankiel led off the bottom of the first with
a homer to center field.

Atlanta answered in turn with an Uggla leadoff home run in the second.

“I’m just going up there and grinding,” Uggla said. “I’m just trying to take
good swings on pitches in the zone.”

Werth started the home half of the second with a double into the left-field
corner, moved to third on a groundout by Laynce Nix and came home on a
Hernandez single through the right side of the infield. Wilson Ramos was
intentionally walked with two outs prior to Hernandez’s base hit.

A wild pitch by Jurrjens moved the runners to second and third, but Ankiel
grounded out to first to end the inning and keep it a 2-1 game.

Heyward was hit by a pitch after back-to-back one-out singles by Freddie
Freeman and Uggla in the fourth, loading the bases. Ross came up next and
grounded into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play.

Ankiel then extended the Nationals’ lead in the fifth when he hammered his
second solo shot of the night, this one a bomb into the upper deck in right
field.

Michael Morse started the sixth with a single and Werth followed with a walk
before Nix lined a base hit up the middle, scoring Morse and knocking Jurrjens
off the mound.

Anthony Varvaro came in and got Ian Desmond to hit a grounder to short.
Gonzalez moved to his right to field the ball and, while turning, threw to
Uggla for the force at second. Uggla had to avoid a slide by Nix at the bag,
and jumped while making a throw to first. It sailed way over Freeman’s head
and landed a few rows deep in the stands, allowing Werth to cross the plate
and give the Nats a 5-1 lead.

The Braves added a run in the seventh on Ross’ solo home run into the left-
field bleachers off Todd Coffey.

Game Notes

Atlanta placed pitcher Scott Linebrink on the 15-day disabled list prior to
the game…Jurrjens hit eighth in the lineup. It was the first time in the
Atlanta era that a pitcher batted anywhere but ninth. The last time in the
Braves’ franchise history it occurred was when Jim Tobin batted eighth for the
Boston Braves on August 12, 1941…Uggla’s home run in the second inning
extended his hit streak to 23 games…Freeman extended his career-best hit
streak to 16 games…Ryan Zimmerman extended his hit streak to 10 games,
giving him 11 double-digit hit streaks in his career.

Two home runs by Dan Uggla and the debut of recently acquired Michael Bourn weren’t enough to give the Atlanta Braves a victory Monday night.

Uggla had a single along with his two solo homers to extend his hitting streak to 23 games, but the rest of the Braves’ offense had a tough time in a 5-3 loss to the Washington Nationals.

“He’s swinging a hot bat,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “It seems like we just can’t get the big three-run homer or even two-run homer, a crooked number up there to get us back on the board.”

Uggla’s effort was bested by Washington’s Rick Ankiel, who had two home runs off Atlanta starter Jair Jurrjens (12-4). Jurrjens allowed five runs and seven hits in five-plus innings, his first loss in eight starts.

“I was trying to be too perfect,” Jurrjens said. “It was a horrible performance today.”

Bourn, acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros on Sunday, batted leadoff in his first appearance for the Braves. He picked up his first hit for his new team with a single on the second pitch of the game and finished 1 for 4.

“I know it’s going to be a bit different for a little while, but as time goes on, I’ll get more used to it,” Bourn said.

Uggla, for one, was already pleased with his new teammate.

“After just spending last night and today with him, he’s a great fit for this clubhouse,” Uggla said. “I think he’s going to be huge for this team.”

David Ross had a solo homer in the seventh inning for Atlanta, which has lost straight.

Nationals starter Livan Hernandez (6-10) allowed one run and six hits, struck out three, and did not walk a batter in six innings. He also drove in a run as the Nationals won their third straight.

Jayson Werth led off the bottom of the second with a double and advanced to third on a groundout. With two outs, Atlanta intentionally walked No. 8 hitter Wilson Ramos to face Hernandez, who slapped an opposite-field single to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead.

Atlanta loaded the bases with one out in the fourth inning, but Hernandez got out of the jam when Ross grounded into a double play.

“If I get a hit there, we score some more runs, we win the game. A momentum changer. I ground into a double play and it kind of sets the tone back to their side,” Ross said. “That home run was meaningless. I’d rather have a big hit than a meaningless home run.”

Another double play ended a Braves chance in the fifth. After Alex Gonzalez led off with a single, Hernandez fielded Jurrjen’s sacrifice bunt attempt and threw to second to start the double play.

“The whole ‘getting them in’ part has been kind of tough lately, but that’s baseball and it happens,” Uggla said. “You’ve got to grind through it and keep working and keep staying positive and keep getting those runners in scoring position. It’s not going to be like that forever. We’ve got too good a team.”

The Nationals scored twice in the sixth inning. Laynce Nix drove in the first run with a single, and Werth scored from third on a fielder’s choice groundout by Ian Desmond.

Drew Storen pitched the ninth for his 27th save.

Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a fourth-inning single.

Notes: Atlanta placed RHP Scott Linebrink on the 15-day DL (lower back strain). … Jurrjens was the No. 8 batter in Atlanta’s lineup, the first time the Braves’ starting pitcher was in the lineup outside of the No. 9 spot since Aug. 12, 1941, according to STATS LLC. … Washington manager Davey Johnson said RHP Stephen Strasburg, recovering from Tommy John surgery, will likely have a minor league rehab start next week. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has said Strasburg may be able to return to the Nationals in September, and Johnson suggested Strasburg may replace RHP Jordan Zimmermann in the rotation. Zimmermann had the same surgery in 2009 and the Nationals have said his innings will be limited this season.

“He’s swinging a hot bat,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “It seems like we just can’t get the big three-run homer or even two-run homer, a crooked number up there to get us back on the board.”

Uggla’s effort was bested by Washington’s Rick Ankiel, who had two home runs off Atlanta starter Jair Jurrjens (12-4). Jurrjens allowed five runs and seven hits in five-plus innings, his first loss in eight starts.

“I was trying to be too perfect,” Jurrjens said. “It was a horrible performance today.”

Bourn, acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros on Sunday, batted leadoff in his first appearance for the Braves. He picked up his first hit for his new team with a single on the second pitch of the game and finished 1 for 4.

“I know it’s going to be a bit different for a little while, but as time goes on, I’ll get more used to it,” Bourn said.

Uggla, for one, was already pleased with his new teammate.

“After just spending last night and today with him, he’s a great fit for this clubhouse,” Uggla said. “I think he’s going to be huge for this team.”

David Ross had a solo homer in the seventh inning for Atlanta, which has lost straight.

Nationals starter Livan Hernandez (6-10) allowed one run and six hits, struck out three, and did not walk a batter in six innings. He also drove in a run as the Nationals won their third straight.

Jayson Werth led off the bottom of the second with a double and advanced to third on a groundout. With two outs, Atlanta intentionally walked No. 8 hitter Wilson Ramos to face Hernandez, who slapped an opposite-field single to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead.

Atlanta loaded the bases with one out in the fourth inning, but Hernandez got out of the jam when Ross grounded into a double play.

“If I get a hit there, we score some more runs, we win the game. A momentum changer. I ground into a double play and it kind of sets the tone back to their side,” Ross said. “That home run was meaningless. I’d rather have a big hit than a meaningless home run.”

Another double play ended a Braves chance in the fifth. After Alex Gonzalez led off with a single, Hernandez fielded Jurrjen’s sacrifice bunt attempt and threw to second to start the double play.

“The whole ‘getting them in’ part has been kind of tough lately, but that’s baseball and it happens,” Uggla said. “You’ve got to grind through it and keep working and keep staying positive and keep getting those runners in scoring position. It’s not going to be like that forever. We’ve got too good a team.”

The Nationals scored twice in the sixth inning. Laynce Nix drove in the first run with a single, and Werth scored from third on a fielder’s choice groundout by Ian Desmond.

Drew Storen pitched the ninth for his 27th save.

Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a fourth-inning single.

Notes: Atlanta placed RHP Scott Linebrink on the 15-day DL (lower back strain). … Jurrjens was the No. 8 batter in Atlanta’s lineup, the first time the Braves’ starting pitcher was in the lineup outside of the No. 9 spot since Aug. 12, 1941, according to STATS LLC. … Washington manager Davey Johnson said RHP Stephen Strasburg, recovering from Tommy John surgery, will likely have a minor league rehab start next week. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has said Strasburg may be able to return to the Nationals in September, and Johnson suggested Strasburg may replace RHP Jordan Zimmermann in the rotation. Zimmermann had the same surgery in 2009 and the Nationals have said his innings will be limited this season.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Rick Ankiel has been on a tear since coming off the disabled list a month ago. Against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night he gave his best performance yet with two home runs in a 5-3 win.

Ankiel led off the bottom of the first with a homer to center field, and his homer in the fifth inning landed deep in the second deck in left. It was the fifth multihomer game of his career, and the solo shots gave Ankiel five home runs this season.

“Sometimes you say, ‘It’s not how far, it’s how many,’ but both of those were pretty far,” teammate Jayson Werth said.

Werth is the only other National with a first-inning leadoff homer this season, doing it on June 16 against St. Louis.

Ankiel was hitting .204 with one home run and nine RBIs when he came off the disabled list on July 1 after recovering from a strained rib cage muscle. Since then, he’s batting .351 with four homers and 10 RBI.

“One thing, he’s getting to play,” Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. “It’s awfully hard to sit, especially if you’re capable of being a power hitter like he is.”

Atlanta second baseman Dan Uggla homered twice, in the second and ninth innings, giving him 22 this season. Uggla went 3 for 4, extending his career-long hitting streak to 23 games.

The Nationals have been one of the few teams to figure out Atlanta starter Jair Jurrjens (12-4), who allowed five runs and seven hits in five-plus innings and lost for the first time in eight starts. The last time Jurrjens faced the Nationals on July 17, he gave up six runs in five innings.

The two home runs he gave up to Ankiel marked only the second time this season Jurrjens has allowed more than one in a game.

“It seems like we hit him pretty well. I’m not really sure why, but hey, good for us,” Ankiel said. “You go up there looking for a pitch to drive, and tonight it worked out.”

Washington starter Livan Hernandez (6-10) allowed one run and six hits over six innings and drove in a run as the Nationals won their third straight. Drew Storen pitched the ninth for his 27th save.

In the second inning Atlanta intentionally walked No. 8 hitter Wilson Ramos with two outs and a runner on third to face Hernandez, who slapped an opposite-field single to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead.

Hernandez, who is 7 for 34 with five RBIs this season, laughed when asked what he thought of the other team issuing a walk to put him at the plate.

“I get mad,” Hernandez said. “They leave me the hole there, then I go over there and get lucky.”

Center fielder Michael Bourn hit leadoff in his first appearance for the Braves after being acquired from Houston on Sunday. He got his first hit with his new team, a single, on the second pitch of the game and finished 1 for 4.

“I’m not trying to do anything out of the normal,” Bourn said. “I know it’s going to be a bit different for a little while, but as time goes on, I’ll get more used to it.”

David Ross homered in the seventh for Atlanta, and Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a fourth-inning single.

Notes: Johnson said RHP Stephen Strasburg, recovering from Tommy John surgery, will likely have a minor league rehab start next week. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has said Strasburg may be able to return to the Nationals in September, and Johnson suggested Strasburg may replace RHP Jordan Zimmermann in the rotation. Zimmermann had the same surgery in 2009 and the Nationals have said his innings will be limited this season. … Washington unconditionally released 1B Matt Stairs before the game. After the game, Washington optioned LHP Atahualpa Severino to Triple-A Syracuse. He was with the Nationals for two games and didn’t pitch. Washington is expected to call up RHP Collin Balester from Syracuse on Tuesday. … Atlanta placed RHP Scott Linebrink on the 15-day DL (lower back strain). … Jurrjens was the No. 8 batter in Atlanta’s lineup, the first time the Braves’ starting pitcher was in the lineup outside of the No. 9 spot since Aug. 12, 1941, according to STATS LLC.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rick Ankiel hit two home runs, and Livan Hernandez allowed one run over six innings and drove in a run to lead the Washington Nationals to a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.

Ankiel led off the bottom of the first with a homer to center field. It was the second time this season the Nationals’ opening hitter homered — Jayson Werth did so on June 16 against St. Louis.

His homer in the fifth inning landed deep in the second deck in left. It was the fifth multihomer game of his career, and the solo shots gave Ankiel five home runs this season.

Atlanta second baseman Dan Uggla homered twice, in the second and ninth innings, giving him 22 this season. Uggla went 3 for 4, extending his career-long hitting streak to 23 games.

Hernandez (6-10) allowed six hits, struck out three, and did not walk a batter as the Nationals won their third straight. Drew Storen pitched the ninth for his 27th save.

Jair Jurrjens (12-4) allowed five runs and seven hits in five-plus innings, his first loss in eight starts.

Center fielder Michael Bourn made his first appearance for the Braves after being acquired from Houston on Sunday.

“I think he’s going to fit in right away with our group of guys,” Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said before the game.

Bourn, batting leadoff, got his first hit as a Brave with a single on the second pitch of the game. Bourn finished 1 for 4.

Werth led off the bottom of the second with a double and advanced to third on a groundout. With two outs, Atlanta intentionally walked No. 8 hitter Wilson Ramos to face Hernandez, who slapped an opposite-field single to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead.

The Nationals scored twice in the sixth inning. Laynce Nix drove in the first run with a single, and Werth scored from third on a fielder’s choice groundout by Ian Desmond.

David Ross homered in the seventh for Atlanta, and Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a fourth-inning single.

Notes: Washington manager Davey Johnson said RHP Stephen Strasburg, recovering from Tommy John surgery, will likely have a minor league rehab start next week. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has said Strasburg may be able to return to the Nationals in September, and Johnson suggested Strasburg may replace RHP Jordan Zimmermann in the rotation. Zimmermann had the same surgery in 2009 and the Nationals have said his innings will be limited this season. … Washington unconditionally released 1B Matt Stairs. … Atlanta placed RHP Scott Linebrink on the 15-day DL (lower back strain). … Jurrjens was the No. 8 batter in Atlanta’s lineup, the first time the Braves’ starting pitcher was in the lineup outside of the No. 9 spot since Aug. 12, 1941, according to STATS LLC.
 

CBSSports.com wire reports
Aug. 1, 2011

WASHINGTON — Rick Ankiel has been on a tear since coming off the disabled list a month ago. Against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night he gave his best performance yet with two home runs in a 5-3 win.

Ankiel led off the bottom of the first with a homer to center field, and his homer in the fifth inning landed deep in the second deck in left. It was the fifth multihomer game of his career, and the solo shots gave Ankiel five home runs this season.

“Sometimes you say, ‘It’s not how far, it’s how many,’ but both of those were pretty far,” teammate Jayson Werth said.

Werth is the only other National with a first-inning leadoff homer this season, doing it on June 16 against St. Louis.

Ankiel was hitting .204 with one home run and nine RBI when he came off the disabled list on July 1 after recovering from a strained rib cage muscle. Since then, he’s batting .351 with four homers and 10 RBI.

“One thing, he’s getting to play,” Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. “It’s awfully hard to sit, especially if you’re capable of being a power hitter like he is.”

Atlanta second baseman Dan Uggla homered twice, in the second and ninth innings, giving him 22 this season. Uggla went 3 for 4, extending his career-long hitting streak to 23 games.

The Nationals have been one of the few teams to figure out Atlanta starter Jair Jurrjens (12-4), who allowed five runs and seven hits in five-plus innings and lost for the first time in eight starts. The last time Jurrjens faced the Nationals on July 17, he gave up six runs in five innings.

The two home runs he gave up to Ankiel marked only the second time this season Jurrjens has allowed more than one in a game.

“It seems like we hit him pretty well. I’m not really sure why, but hey, good for us,” Ankiel said. “You go up there looking for a pitch to drive, and tonight it worked out.”

Washington starter Livan Hernandez (6-10) allowed one run and six hits over six innings and drove in a run as the Nationals won their third straight. Drew Storen pitched the ninth for his 27th save.

In the second inning Atlanta intentionally walked No. 8 hitter Wilson Ramos with two outs and a runner on third to face Hernandez, who slapped an opposite-field single to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead.

Hernandez, who is 7 for 34 with five RBI this season, laughed when asked what he thought of the other team issuing a walk to put him at the plate.

“I get mad,” Hernandez said. “They leave me the hole there, then I go over there and get lucky.”

Center fielder Michael Bourn hit leadoff in his first appearance for the Braves after being acquired from Houston on Sunday. He got his first hit with his new team, a single, on the second pitch of the game and finished 1 for 4.

“I’m not trying to do anything out of the normal,” Bourn said. “I know it’s going to be a bit different for a little while, but as time goes on, I’ll get more used to it.”

David Ross homered in the seventh for Atlanta, and Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a fourth-inning single.

Notes

• Johnson said RHP Stephen Strasburg, recovering from Tommy John surgery, will likely have a minor league rehab start next week. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has said Strasburg may be able to return to the Nationals in September, and Johnson suggested Strasburg may replace RHP Jordan Zimmermann in the rotation. Zimmermann had the same surgery in 2009 and the Nationals have said his innings will be limited this season.
• Washington unconditionally released 1B Matt Stairs before the game. After the game, Washington optioned LHP Atahualpa Severino to Triple-A Syracuse. He was with the Nationals for two games and didn’t pitch. Washington is expected to call up RHP Collin Balester from Syracuse on Tuesday.
• Atlanta placed RHP Scott Linebrink on the 15-day DL (lower back strain).
• Jurrjens was the No. 8 batter in Atlanta’s lineup, the first time the Braves’ starting pitcher was in the lineup outside of the No. 9 spot since Aug. 12, 1941, according to STATS LLC.

Read More: Tom Gorzelanny (P – WAS), Brian McCann (C – ATL), Martin Prado (3B – ATL), Jair Jurrjens (P – ATL), Sean Burnett (P – WAS), Ryan Mattheus (P – WAS), Freddie Freeman (1B – ATL), Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves

The Washington Nationals put a hurting on Atlanta Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens, a rare occurrence for any team in the National League this season, but Washington’s own pitching problems ultimately spoiled a potential Nationals series victory as the Braves beat the Nats 9-8 on a ninth inning walk off single.

The Nationals had a commanding 6-2 lead in the fifth inning, but a combination of poor pitches from Henry Rodriguez and Sean Burnett led to the Braves scoring five runs in the inning to take a 7-6 lead. The Nationals would get two back in the sixth, but the Braves continued to fight and tied the game in the eighth which brought in reliever Ryan Mattheus who allowed Freddie Freeman to single to right, scoring Martin Prado and giving the Braves the game and the series victory.

Nationals starter Tom Gorzelanny left the game in the third inning after suffering a collision at the plate with Braves catcher Brian McCann. Gorzo finished the day with two innings pitched giving up two runs on one hit, walking three and striking out two to push his ERA over four to 4.07.

The devastating loss puts the Nationals at 47-48 on the season.

Read More: Ryan Zimmerman (3B – WAS), Tim Hudson (P – ATL), Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves

The problems that plagued the Washington Nationals in the first half of the season came back to haunt them during the first game of the second half of the 2011 season. The Atlanta Braves completely blew out the Nationals 11-1 in their first game back from the All-Star Break.

Nothing went right for the Nationals and nothing seemed to work against a potent Braves line-up. Starter Livan Hernandez lasted only four innings giving up six runs (three earned) on eight hits. Washington committed five errors. The Nationals offense couldn’t do much against Braves starter Tim Hudson except swing and miss and score just one run when Ryan Zimmerman hit into a fielder’s choice in the first inning. Three relievers came in for the Nats and only one, Henry Rodriguez was able to prevent the Braves from scoring a run.

It was an absolutely atrocious game and not one Washington wanted to start its second half with. The Braves used the Nationals to propel themselves to their 10,000th franchise win and to further put them further ahead in the NL East standings.

The Nationals now have a 46-47 record and are 6-9 under new manager Davey Johnson.

Martin Prado had two hits, including a homer, in his return from five weeks on the disabled list and the Braves beat the error-prone Washington Nationals 11-1 on Friday night for the 10,000th win in franchise history.
The Braves reached the milestone, having played in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta.
Tim Hudson (9-6) gave up one run on seven hits in seven innings and had two hits. He has won four straight decisions.
Freddie Freeman drove in three runs with two hits, including a two-run double in the seventh.
First baseman Michael Morse had only one error for the season before committing two — one fielding, one throwing — on leadoff hitter Jordan Schafer’s grounder in the first to set the pace for the Nationals’ fielding woes. Morse had three of the team’s five errors.
Prado, who had been out since June 8 with a staph infection in his right calf, hit only .192 (5 of 26) in eight minor league rehab games. Even so, he said before the game he was confident in his hitting.
“My hitting is not there yet, but I’ve been working way too hard not to see results someday,” Prado said.
After hitting flyballs in his first two at-bats, Prado led off the fourth with his ninth homer and added a run-scoring single in the sixth.
Livan Hernandez (5-9) gave up six runs, three earned, on eight hits and a walk in four innings.
Hernandez was hurt by poor defense in Atlanta’s four-run first inning. Morse bobbled Schafer’s grounder and then made a wild throw, allowing Schafer to move to second.
After Jason Heyward walked, Freeman drove in Schafer with a single. Heyward scored on Dan Uggla’s double past third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Shortstop Ian Desmond bobbled a grounder by David Ross, allowing Freeman to score, before Nate McLouth added a run-scoring single.
Ross hit a ground-rule double and scored on Hudson’s two-out single in the third. Prado’s homer in the fourth pushed the lead to 6-1.
The Braves sent nine batters to the plate in the first and sixth innings. They scored three in the sixth, including RBI singles by Prado and Heyward. Ryan Zimmerman couldn’t handle Uggla’s grounder off Ross Detwiler for Washington’s fifth error, allowing Prado to score.
Braves right-hander Scott Linebrink struck out Wilson Ramos with the bases loaded to end the eighth.
NOTES: Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said RHP Stephen Strasburg, recovering from elbow surgery, “could get a major league start in September.” Strasburg had his surgery on Sept. 3, 2010. … The Braves signed LHP Sean Gilmartin, the team’s first-round pick from Florida State, for a bonus of $1,134,000. … The Braves optioned INF Brandon Hicks to Triple-A Gwinnett. … The Nationals also committed five errors on June 28 at the Angels. … The Braves trail only the Giants (10,489) and Cubs (10,277) in wins in the major leagues, according to information provided to the team by the Elias Sports Bureau. The Braves franchise began in Boston in 1876.

The Colorado Rockies have dominated the Washington Nationals over much of
the previous three seasons.

Continuing that trend, however, could prove difficult given their slew of
injuries and recent poor play.

Visiting Colorado tries to snap its longest losing streak of the season
while Washington looks to bounce back from a disappointing defeat as the teams
open a three-game set Friday night.

The Rockies (41-47) have lost 11 of 13, including five straight to drop a
season-worst six games under .500.

Colorado surrendered its highest run total since 2009 during Sunday’s 16-8
loss to Kansas City and suffered a four-game sweep at Atlanta, falling 6-3 on
Thursday.

Manager Jim Tracy’s club was outscored 24-8 by the Braves as Troy Tulowitzki(notes)
(right quadriceps tightness) and Carlos Gonzalez(notes) (right wrist contusion), who
have combined for 30 homers and 108 RBIs, each sat out the last three games of
the series. While Gonzalez is expected back following a four-day absence,
Tulowitzki is likely to miss his fourth straight contest.

“Basically what it gets down to is you win and you lose,” Ty Wigginton(notes) said.
“And (Thursday) we lost. And that’s not a good thing. The injury thing,
personally, I’ve always looked at that as an excuse.

“Every single team in baseball throughout the season is going to have an
injury. It’s our job to go out there and get the job done.”

The injury-riddled Rockies, who also lost rookie outfielder Charlie Blackmon(notes)
to a broken left foot Thursday, have taken three straight and 14 of 17 from
Washington, including eight of 10 in the Nation’s capital.

After winning three one-run games over the Chicago Cubs, the Nationals
(45-44) blew an eight-run lead – the largest during a loss in franchise history
- and dropped Thursday’s series finale 10-9.

“A loss is a loss – however you want to throw it up there,” outfielder
Jayson Werth(notes) said. “I don’t think this loss is that big a deal. We can get over
this – no problem.”

Washington has won 15 of 19 at home while averaging 5.0 runs and seems to
have a good shot at regrouping against the struggling Jason Hammel(notes) (4-8, 4.31
ERA).

Hammel yielded six runs – five earned – and seven hits in a season-low 3 2-3
innings Sunday at Kansas City, dropping to 1-7 with a 5.27 ERA over his last 11
starts.

“I missed location all day. It was pathetic,” said Hammel. “I’ll do my best
to forget about it and get back to work.”

Hammel, 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA in four career starts against the Nationals,
will be opposed by fellow right-hander Jason Marquis(notes) (7-3, 4.11), who is also
coming off perhaps his worst effort of the season.

Marquis allowed seven runs – six earned – and recorded just four outs before
he was removed from Sunday’s 10-2 loss to Pittsburgh. He had gone 4-0 with a
2.13 ERA over six home games prior to his shortest outing of the year.

“It was one of those days,” Marquis told the Nationals’ official website.
“I’m obviously not happy about it. It’s one start in a long season. Turn the
page and be ready next time out.”

Marquis won 15 games with Colorado two years ago but hasn’t faced his former
team since signing with the Nationals in 2010. He is 5-3 with a 3.89 ERA in 11
career starts against the Rockies.

Marquis has had trouble with Wigginton, who is 9 for 21 (.429) lifetime
against him.

(Sports Network) – A pair of National League East inhabitants meet again
tonight for the start of a three-game series, as the Washington Nationals
welcome the Florida Marlins to the nation’s capital.

So far the 2011 series between the Nats and Marlins is tied at three games
apiece, with all six games played at Sun Life Stadium. The Marlins are still
13-4 in the previous 17 meetings between the two division foes.

Florida, however, has lost five of its last seven games overall and dropped
two of three to NL East-rival Philadelphia earlier this week. In a 5-3 loss to
the Phillies on Wednesday in the rubber match of their series, Ricky Nolasco
pitched well in the no-decision, yielding two runs — one earned — and five
hits in 6 1/3 innings of work. The bullpen blew it for Nolasco and gave up
three runs to lose the lead and the game. Leo Nunez was dealt the loss for
permitting two runs in the top of the ninth.

“They ended up winning the game and tomorrow is another day,” said slugging
shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who homered and scored twice “That’s the good thing
about this sport, you don’t get much time to dwell on a loss.”

John Buck and Mike Stanton also knocked in runs for the Marlins. Logan
Morrison could be in action tonight for Florida and has been on the disabled
list since late April because of a strained left arch. Morrison owns four
homers and 11 RBI this season. He hasn’t played since April 19 and is riding a
10-game hitting streak.

“If he is ready to go on Friday, he will be in the lineup, and we’ll see what
happens after that,” Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez said of Morrison on the
team’s site.

Taking the mound for Florida tonight will be Chris Volstad, who will aiming to
bounce back from his recent loss versus the Nationals on Saturday. Volstad was
reached for three runs in six innings of a 5-2 loss, falling to 2-2 in six
starts to go along with a 5.73 ERA.

Volstad, a right-hander, still owns a decent record in his career against the
Nationals as evidenced by his 5-2 mark in 11 starts.

Washington went 4-5 on its nine-game road trip against division foes and
concluded the trek by taking two of three matchups in Atlanta. It was aiming
for a three-game sweep of the Braves, but dropped a 6-5 decision in 11 innings
on Thursday at Turner Field.

Braves catcher Brian McCann stroked an RBI in the bottom of the 10th inning to
send the Nationals back to DC on a losing note. Doug Slaten was the culprit
and suffered his first loss of the season for the Nationals, who entered the
series finale with four wins in five tries.

Jordan Zimmermann got the start and did not record a decision for allowing
three runs in 6 1/3 frames with a career-high 11 strikeouts and two walks.

“I felt great all night. Everything was working,” Zimmerman said on the team’s
website. “I just left one pitch up to Chipper. Other than that, everything was
working. If I could take one pitch back, it would probably be the 3-1 slider
to Freddie Freeman.”

Danny Espinosa hit a two-run homer and Ivan Rodriguez added a solo shot for
the Nationals, who got an RBI and two runs scored from Adam LaRoche.

Washington hopes Tom Gorzelanny can get a five-game homestand off to a good
start when he takes the mound Friday night. Gorzelanny has won back-to-back
starts thanks to eight shutout innings against San Francisco on May 2 and
seven innings of two-run ball in Saturday’s 5-2 triumph over Florida.

Gorzelanny struck out six batters and walked four to improve to 2-2 on the
season with a 2.87 ERA in six starts. In three career starts versus the
Marlins, the lefty is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA.

The Nationals will also host Pittsburgh for two games on the residency.

The Sports Network

(Sports Network) – A pair of National League East inhabitants meet again
tonight for the start of a three-game series, as the Washington Nationals
welcome the Florida Marlins to the nation’s capital.

So far the 2011 series between the Nats and Marlins is tied at three games
apiece, with all six games played at Sun Life Stadium. The Marlins are still
13-4 in the previous 17 meetings between the two division foes.

Florida, however, has lost five of its last seven games overall and dropped
two of three to NL East-rival Philadelphia earlier this week. In a 5-3 loss to
the Phillies on Wednesday in the rubber match of their series, Ricky Nolasco
pitched well in the no-decision, yielding two runs — one earned — and five
hits in 6 1/3 innings of work. The bullpen blew it for Nolasco and gave up
three runs to lose the lead and the game. Leo Nunez was dealt the loss for
permitting two runs in the top of the ninth.

“They ended up winning the game and tomorrow is another day,” said slugging
shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who homered and scored twice “That’s the good thing
about this sport, you don’t get much time to dwell on a loss.”

John Buck and Mike Stanton also knocked in runs for the Marlins. Logan
Morrison could be in action tonight for Florida and has been on the disabled
list since late April because of a strained left arch. Morrison owns four
homers and 11 RBI this season. He hasn’t played since April 19 and is riding a
10-game hitting streak.

“If he is ready to go on Friday, he will be in the lineup, and we’ll see what
happens after that,” Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez said of Morrison on the
team’s site.

Taking the mound for Florida tonight will be Chris Volstad, who will aiming to
bounce back from his recent loss versus the Nationals on Saturday. Volstad was
reached for three runs in six innings of a 5-2 loss, falling to 2-2 in six
starts to go along with a 5.73 ERA.

Volstad, a right-hander, still owns a decent record in his career against the
Nationals as evidenced by his 5-2 mark in 11 starts.

Washington went 4-5 on its nine-game road trip against division foes and
concluded the trek by taking two of three matchups in Atlanta. It was aiming
for a three-game sweep of the Braves, but dropped a 6-5 decision in 11 innings
on Thursday at Turner Field.

Braves catcher Brian McCann stroked an RBI in the bottom of the 10th inning to
send the Nationals back to DC on a losing note. Doug Slaten was the culprit
and suffered his first loss of the season for the Nationals, who entered the
series finale with four wins in five tries.

Jordan Zimmermann got the start and did not record a decision for allowing
three runs in 6 1/3 frames with a career-high 11 strikeouts and two walks.

“I felt great all night. Everything was working,” Zimmerman said on the team’s
website. “I just left one pitch up to Chipper. Other than that, everything was
working. If I could take one pitch back, it would probably be the 3-1 slider
to Freddie Freeman.”

Danny Espinosa hit a two-run homer and Ivan Rodriguez added a solo shot for
the Nationals, who got an RBI and two runs scored from Adam LaRoche.

Washington hopes Tom Gorzelanny can get a five-game homestand off to a good
start when he takes the mound Friday night. Gorzelanny has won back-to-back
starts thanks to eight shutout innings against San Francisco on May 2 and
seven innings of two-run ball in Saturday’s 5-2 triumph over Florida.

Gorzelanny struck out six batters and walked four to improve to 2-2 on the
season with a 2.87 ERA in six starts. In three career starts versus the
Marlins, the lefty is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA.

The Nationals will also host Pittsburgh for two games on the residency.

The Sports Network