By Andrew Kinback

– Nationals editor

Follow , and

Like SB Nation DC on Facebook.

Sep 21, 2011 – The Washington Nationals are riding high after a Tuesday doubleheader sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies. The two teams are definitely on different paths with the Phillies moving on to the playoffs and the Nationals back to their families and numerous golf courses, but that doesn’t mean these two teams will be slacking against each other, especially to the Nationals who look to continue to garner respect.

A third straight victory against the NL East champs would be gravy for Washington and for their starting pitcher, John Lannan (9-13, 3.68 ERA). Lannan currently has a 5.06 ERA in five starts against Philadelphia this season and has lost four times against the Phillies. The Nats lefty has also lost six of his last seven starts, but some of that can be chalked up to the lack of Nationals offense. It is a David and Goliath sort of battle for Lannan anytime he faces the Phillies. He will be opposing Vance Worley (11-2, 2.85 ERA), a NL Rookie of the Year candidate.

 

Nationals

1. Ian Desmond, SS

2. Roger Bernadina, RF

3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B

4. Michael Morse, LF

5. Danny Espinosa, 2B

6. Chris Marrero, 1B

7. Rick Ankiel, CF

8. Wilson Ramos, C

9. John Lannan, SP

Read More: Ryan Zimmerman (3B – WAS), John Lannan (P – WAS), Rick Ankiel (CF – WAS), Michael Morse (1B – WAS), Roger Bernadina (RF – WAS), Ian Desmond (SS – WAS), Chris Marrero (1B – WAS), Wilson Ramos (C – WAS), Danny Espinosa (2B – WAS), Vance Worley (P – PHI), Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals

Follow , and

Like SB Nation DC on Facebook.

Do you like this story?

In the 11th inning on Friday night, Werth hit a bouncer to third base that looked perfect for an inning-ending double play. Instead Houston’s Jimmy Paredes, inserted in the game in the top of the inning, threw wildly to second base, enabling Ryan Zimmerman to score and give the Nationals a 4-3 win over the Astros.

Washington had lost 12 of 15. Werth said that the recent stretch hadn’t been all that troubling.

“No more difficult than the rest of the year. For whatever reason, I mentioned in Milwaukee that things need to change. I kind of got into trouble for saying that,” Werth said. “Here we are — many months later — and we still have to drive in runs. Essentially, things still need to change.”

“You can’t say that without saying what you mean — I guess. I guess I mean we still have to get the big hit and win the ballgames — however you can win them,” Werth said.

With one out in the 11th, Lucas Harrell (0-1) walked Zimmerman and Michael Morse. Wilton Lopez replaced Harrell. Werth hit a bouncer to Paredes, who pinch-ran in the top of the 11th and remained in the game at third base. Paredes overthrew second baseman Jose Altuve and Zimmerman scored. Werth was credited with a single.

“I knew it was a potential double play,” Werth said. “I was running hard out of the box. I kind of looked at second and didn’t see the ball there. I kept looking, saw it going in the outfield — and that was that.”

Tyler Clippard (3-0), Washington’s fifth pitcher, worked two scoreless innings for the win.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson would like a lot more offense from his team than he’s been seeing. In its four most recent wins, Washington scored 28 runs. In its 12 losses, they scored just 29.

“It’s been tough. I ain’t kidding you,” Johnson said. “I have trouble sleeping at night. It makes it tough on the pitching staff — tough on the defense.”

The Astros have dropped six of seven and are now just four losses away from their first 100-loss season. Houston is one of three teams — Colorado and the Los Angeles Angels are the others — never to lose 100, according to STATS LLC.

Houston manager Brad Mills defended putting Paredes in the game.

“It’s really tough to teach these situations without putting them through it,” Mills said. The Astros have 15 rookies on their roster.

Zimmerman’s two-run home run in the bottom of the first off Bud Norris gave Washington a 2-0 lead. It was Zimmerman’s 11th.

The Astros scored off Tommy Milone in the top of the third on Clint Barmes’ double, an infield out and a sacrifice fly by Norris.

Houston tied the game when Chris Johnson’s sacrifice fly scored Altuve in the fourth.

The Astros took a 3-2 lead in the sixth on Carlos Lee’s leadoff double and a two-out RBI single by Barmes. Milone left after the single. He pitched 5 2-3 innings, allowing three runs and eight hits. In his second start, Milone struck out three and hit a batter. In his 10 major league innings, he’s yet to walk a batter.

In the Nationals’ seventh, Danny Espinosa walked with one out. He took third on a wild pickoff throw by Norris and scored the tying run on Chris Marrero’s single.

Norris pitched seven innings, allowing three runs — two earned. He struck out four and walked two. Norris has won just once in his last 11 starts.

NOTES: Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg will start on Sunday on four days’ rest. His next two starts will be on five days rest, Johnson said. If he makes a fifth start, it would be on four days’ rest on Sep. 28 in Florida. Johnson says this schedule will maximize the number of innings Strasburg can throw next season. … Nationals OF Roger Bernadina is unable to hit and throw due to a cut on his left hand. He pinch-ran in the 10th. … Washington OF Laynce Nix is limited to pinch-hitting duties with a strained right groin sustained on Sep. 1. He fouled out in the seventh inning. … Houston LHP Sergio Escalona sprained his left ankle when he tripped on a glove in left field during batting practice. He will be reevaluated in Houston on Monday, but the ankle was swollen after the game and Escalona said he didn’t think he’d pitch again this season. … The Astros claimed RHP Lance Pendleton on waivers from the New York Yankees. Pendleton will join the club on Saturday and be used out of the bullpen, Mills said. … LHP Wandy Rodriguez (10-10) will start for Houston on Saturday against LHP John Lannan (9-11). Rodriguez is 4-1 with a 4.98 ERA in eight starts against the Nationals.

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

Houston Astros manager Brad Mills pinch ran Jimmy Paredes in the 11th inning hoping he would win the game with his feet. Instead, Paredes made a costly error in the bottom of the inning with his arm.

Paredes, playing third base, made a wild throw to second that allowed Ryan Zimmerman to score the winning run in the Washington Nationals’ 4-3 victory over the Astros on Friday night.

Mills inserted Paredes for Chris Johnson after Johnson singled with two outs in the top of the inning. Paredes didn’t advance, as the next batter lined out to second base.

“I put him in a situation that was kind of tough for him right there, but at the same time, he’s a guy that will score from first base on a double,” Mills said. “We wanted to win the game.”

In the bottom of the inning, Lucas Harrell (0-1) walked Zimmerman and Michael Morse with one out. Wilton Lopez replaced Harrell, and got Jayson Werth to hit a bouncer to Paredes. The rookie made a nice play to spear the grounder, but then overthrew second baseman Jose Altuve and Zimmerman scored. Werth was credited with a single.

“When I saw him at second base, I said we have to try and make an out at second,” Paredes said. “Bad throw. That happens.”

Houston has dropped six of seven and is four losses from its first 100-loss season. The Astros are one of three teams — Colorado and the Los Angeles Angels are the others — never to lose 100, according to STATS, LLC.

Instead of sounding frustrated after the tough loss, Mills said his young players would be able to chalk it up as a learning experience. The Astros have 15 rookies.

“You try to simulate game situations all the time,” Mills said. “You can simulate as much as you can, but it’s tough to simulate bottom of the 11th and the winning run at second base. They are growing pains, but at the same time you need to go through it. We can talk him through it and go from there.”

The extra-inning loss wiped out a strong performance by starter Bud Norris, who allowed three runs — two earned — on five hits in seven innings. Norris has won just once in his last 11 starts.

Norris fell behind early after Zimmerman hit a two-run homer with one out in the bottom of the first.

“The first inning I definitely wasn’t in my groove yet,” Norris said. “Zimmerman made me pay.”

The Astros scored off Tom Milone in the top of the third on Clint Barmes’ double, an infield out and a sacrifice fly by Norris.

Houston tied the game when Johnson’s sacrifice fly scored Altuve in the fourth.

The Astros took a 3-2 lead in the sixth on Carlos Lee’s leadoff double and a two-out RBI single by Barmes. Milone left after the single. He pitched 5 2-3 innings, allowing three runs and eight hits.

Norris didn’t allow another run until the seventh. Danny Espinosa walked with one out, and took third on a wild pickoff throw by Norris. Espinosa then tied the game at 3-all Chris Marrero’s single.

“It got away a little bit, hit him right on the back,” Norris said. “Not much you can do there. But it changed the scenario, and unfortunately the run scored.”

Tyler Clippard (3-0), Washington’s fifth pitcher, worked two scoreless innings for the win. The Nationals had lost 12 of 15.

NOTES: Houston LHP Sergio Escalona sprained his left ankle when he tripped on a glove in left field during batting practice. “I felt a little pop inside. Thank God, it just was a sprained ankle,” Escalona said. He will be re-evaluated in Houston on Monday, but the ankle was swollen after the game and Escalona said he didn’t think he’d pitch again this season. … The Astros claimed RHP Lance Pendleton on waivers from the New York Yankees. Pendleton will join the club on Saturday and be used out of the bullpen, Mills said. … LHP Wandy Rodriguez (10-10) will start for Houston on Saturday against LHP John Lannan (9-11). Rodriguez is 4-1 with a 4.98 ERA in eight starts against the Nationals.

WASHINGTON —  

More than three months ago in Milwaukee, Jayson Werth caused a stir when he said things had to change.

He still thinks many of the issues remain.

In the 11th inning on Friday night, Werth hit a bouncer to third base that looked perfect for an inning-ending double play. Instead Houston’s Jimmy Paredes, inserted in the game in the top of the inning, threw wildly to second base, enabling Ryan Zimmerman to score and give the Nationals a 4-3 win over the Astros.

Washington had lost 12 of 15. Werth said that the recent stretch hadn’t been all that troubling.

“No more difficult than the rest of the year. For whatever reason, I mentioned in Milwaukee that things need to change. I kind of got into trouble for saying that,” Werth said. “Here we are _ many months later _ and we still have to drive in runs. Essentially, things still need to change.”

“You can’t say that without saying what you mean _ I guess. I guess I mean we still have to get the big hit and win the ballgames _ however you can win them,” Werth said.

With one out in the 11th, Lucas Harrell (0-1) walked Zimmerman and Michael Morse. Wilton Lopez replaced Harrell. Werth hit a bouncer to Paredes, who pinch-ran in the top of the 11th and remained in the game at third base. Paredes overthrew second baseman Jose Altuve and Zimmerman scored. Werth was credited with a single.

“I knew it was a potential double play,” Werth said. “I was running hard out of the box. I kind of looked at second and didn’t see the ball there. I kept looking, saw it going in the outfield _ and that was that.”

Tyler Clippard (3-0), Washington’s fifth pitcher, worked two scoreless innings for the win.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson would like a lot more offense from his team than he’s been seeing. In its four most recent wins, Washington scored 28 runs. In its 12 losses, they scored just 29.

“It’s been tough. I ain’t kidding you,” Johnson said. “I have trouble sleeping at night. It makes it tough on the pitching staff _ tough on the defense.”

The Astros have dropped six of seven and are now just four losses away from their first 100-loss season. Houston is one of three teams _ Colorado and the Los Angeles Angels are the others _ never to lose 100, according to STATS LLC.

Houston manager Brad Mills defended putting Paredes in the game.

“It’s really tough to teach these situations without putting them through it,” Mills said. The Astros have 15 rookies on their roster.

Zimmerman’s two-run home run in the bottom of the first off Bud Norris gave Washington a 2-0 lead. It was Zimmerman’s 11th.

The Astros scored off Tommy Milone in the top of the third on Clint Barmes’ double, an infield out and a sacrifice fly by Norris.

Houston tied the game when Chris Johnson’s sacrifice fly scored Altuve in the fourth.

The Astros took a 3-2 lead in the sixth on Carlos Lee’s leadoff double and a two-out RBI single by Barmes. Milone left after the single. He pitched 5 2-3 innings, allowing three runs and eight hits. In his second start, Milone struck out three and hit a batter. In his 10 major league innings, he’s yet to walk a batter.

In the Nationals’ seventh, Danny Espinosa walked with one out. He took third on a wild pickoff throw by Norris and scored the tying run on Chris Marrero’s single.

Norris pitched seven innings, allowing three runs _ two earned. He struck out four and walked two. Norris has won just once in his last 11 starts.

NOTES: Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg will start on Sunday on four days’ rest. His next two starts will be on five days rest, Johnson said. If he makes a fifth start, it would be on four days’ rest on Sep. 28 in Florida. Johnson says this schedule will maximize the number of innings Strasburg can throw next season. … Nationals OF Roger Bernadina is unable to hit and throw due to a cut on his left hand. He pinch-ran in the 10th. … Washington OF Laynce Nix is limited to pinch-hitting duties with a strained right groin sustained on Sep. 1. He fouled out in the seventh inning. … Houston LHP Sergio Escalona sprained his left ankle when he tripped on a glove in left field during batting practice. He will be reevaluated in Houston on Monday, but the ankle was swollen after the game and Escalona said he didn’t think he’d pitch again this season. … The Astros claimed RHP Lance Pendleton on waivers from the New York Yankees. Pendleton will join the club on Saturday and be used out of the bullpen, Mills said. … LHP Wandy Rodriguez (10-10) will start for Houston on Saturday against LHP John Lannan (9-11). Rodriguez is 4-1 with a 4.98 ERA in eight starts against the Nationals.

Read More: Jayson Werth (RF – WAS), Ryan Zimmerman (3B – WAS), Mike MacDougal (P – LOS), Michael Morse (1B – WAS), Dee Gordon (SS – LOS), Drew Storen (P – WAS), Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers

The Washington Nationals’ bats were alive at one point in their game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday, but it was for just one inning. The Nationals scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning, but couldn’t get anything going the rest of the game and fell, 7-4.

The Nationals had five hits in the entire game. All five of those hits came in the bottom of the third inning, when they got doubles from Michael Morse and Ryan Zimmerman and a home run from Jayson Werth to tie the score at four. Otherwise, though, they didn’t get a base hit the entire game.

The game remained tied going into the ninth inning before Los Angeles erupted for three runs off Drew Storen. Tony Gwynn doubled in two runs, and Dee Gordon singled home another.

Mike MacDougal picked up the win for the Dodgers, while Drew Storen was tagged with the loss.

Read More: Ryan Zimmerman (3B – WAS), Roger Bernadina (RF – WAS), Tom Milone (P – WAS), Dillon Gee (P – NYM), Washington Nationals, New York Mets

With the score 7-6, two men on and one out, New York Mets closer Bobby Parnell intentionally walked Washington Nationals right fielder Roger Bernadina to load the bases. The next batter he would face would be third baseman Ryan Zimmerman or as Natstown likes to call him: Mr. Walk-Off.

What was Parnell thinking?

Ryan Zimmerman blooped a broken bat two-run walk-off single down the right field line to give the Nationals a 8-7 win over the NL East rival Mets. Zimmerman finished the night 2-for-5 with two RBI and two strikeouts. The Nationals defended home turf and battled back for the win after the Mets roared back to take a 7-6 lead after the Nats lead the game early 5-0.

Starter Tom Milone made his MLB debut and it will be one to remember. Milone held the Mets hitless for the first two innings of his Major League career and in the second inning, on the first pitch he saw of his Major League career from Mets pitcher Dillon Gee, Milone clocked a 90 mph fastball over the right field wall into the jumping and cheering Nationals bullpen for a three-run home run. Milone finished the night pitching 4.1 innings, giving up four runs on six hits. He gave up no walks and struck out two. He threw 74 pitches, 51 for strikes.

The Nationals move to 64-73 on the season.

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.

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Gerardo Parra, bottom, is out at second as Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (6) throws the ball to first to get out Miguel Montero for the double-play during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, in Washington.

The Washington Nationals were one out away from getting shut out yet again when Livan Hernandez is on the mound.
Instead, they merely lost the game.
Home runs by Laynce Nix and Jonny Gomes on back-to-back pitches with two outs in the ninth took the zero off the board Wednesday night in a 4-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“Second night in a row we didn’t really come out offensively,” shortstop Ian Desmond said. “Too little, too late.”
Hernandez (7-12) allowed four runs and seven hits with one walk and five strikeouts over 7 1-3 innings. The Nationals had just been shut out for the 13th time Tuesday in a 2-0 loss to the Diamondbacks; five of those shutouts have come when Hernandez is pitching.
“I don’t think about something like that. Never,” Hernandez said. “I go out and try to do my job, try to do my best, and the reason I go to the mound is to try to give us a chance to win, that’s what I do.”
Daniel Hudson (13-9) allowed nine hits, struck out six, walked none and threw 102 pitches for the Diamondbacks before he hit the wall at 8 2-3 innings, just missing his first career shutout.
“Just two stupid pitches at the end,” he said.
J.J. Putz came and got his 32nd save, retiring Wilson Ramos on a foul out to first.
“That’s what that team is known for,” said Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who streak of 29 consecutive games reaching base came to an end. “They don’t score that many runs, they get big hits when they need them, and then their pitching staff kind of carries them. The last two games, that’s what they’ve done to us.”
The Nationals nearly scored in the eighth after Ramos’ single and Desmond’s double put runners on second and third with one out. But Rick Ankiel lined out to first, and Diamondbacks new acquisition John McDonald followed with a highlight play to preserve the shutout. The shortstop fielded Zimmerman’s chopper up the middle, did a 360 and threw a one-hopper to first baseman Lyle Overbay, who made a nice, clean snag that beat Zimmerman by a hair.
Arizona got on the board in the fourth when Gomes dropped the ball while taking it out of his glove on Chris Young’s double to the left field corner, an error that allowed Justin Upton to score from first. Overbay followed with an RBI single to right.
In the eighth, Ryan Roberts and Gerardo Parra singled back to back to chase Hernandez, and Montero drove both runners home with a single off reliever Henry Rodriguez.
NOTES: Another milestone for Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg in his return from Tommy John surgery: He took batting practice Wednesday. Strasburg will pitch Saturday for Triple-A Syracuse in his fifth minor league rehab start, and it’ll be the first one in which he’ll have to hit. “He’s wanted to hit, but nobody’s been letting him,” manager Davey Johnson said. Strasburg likely has two starts left before making his much anticipated return to the majors sometime around Sept. 6. He threw a side session Wednesday before his BP. … Nationals OF Jayson Werth sat out after leaving Tuesday’s game early with a strained groin. “He would play if we were in a pennant race or something,” Johnson said.
___
Joseph White can be reached at http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP

Home runs by Laynce Nix and Jonny Gomes on back-to-back pitches with two outs in the ninth took the zero off the board Wednesday night in a 4-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“Second night in a row we didn’t really come out offensively,” shortstop Ian Desmond said. “Too little, too late.”

Hernandez (7-12) allowed four runs and seven hits with one walk and five strikeouts over 7 1-3 innings. The Nationals had just been shut out for the 13th time Tuesday in a 2-0 loss to the Diamondbacks; five of those shutouts have come when Hernandez is pitching.

“I don’t think about something like that. Never,” Hernandez said. “I go out and try to do my job, try to do my best, and the reason I go to the mound is to try to give us a chance to win, that’s what I do.”

Daniel Hudson (13-9) allowed nine hits, struck out six, walked none and threw 102 pitches for the Diamondbacks before he hit the wall at 8 2-3 innings, just missing his first career shutout.

“Just two stupid pitches at the end,” he said.

J.J. Putz came and got his 32nd save, retiring Wilson Ramos on a foul out to first.

“That’s what that team is known for,” said Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who streak of 29 consecutive games reaching base came to an end. “They don’t score that many runs, they get big hits when they need them, and then their pitching staff kind of carries them. The last two games, that’s what they’ve done to us.”

The Nationals nearly scored in the eighth after Ramos’ single and Desmond’s double put runners on second and third with one out. But Rick Ankiel lined out to first, and Diamondbacks new acquisition John McDonald followed with a highlight play to preserve the shutout. The shortstop fielded Zimmerman’s chopper up the middle, did a 360 and threw a one-hopper to first baseman Lyle Overbay, who made a nice, clean snag that beat Zimmerman by a hair.

Arizona got on the board in the fourth when Gomes dropped the ball while taking it out of his glove on Chris Young’s double to the left field corner, an error that allowed Justin Upton to score from first. Overbay followed with an RBI single to right.

In the eighth, Ryan Roberts and Gerardo Parra singled back to back to chase Hernandez, and Montero drove both runners home with a single off reliever Henry Rodriguez.

NOTES: Another milestone for Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg in his return from Tommy John surgery: He took batting practice Wednesday. Strasburg will pitch Saturday for Triple-A Syracuse in his fifth minor league rehab start, and it’ll be the first one in which he’ll have to hit. “He’s wanted to hit, but nobody’s been letting him,” manager Davey Johnson said. Strasburg likely has two starts left before making his much anticipated return to the majors sometime around Sept. 6. He threw a side session Wednesday before his BP. … Nationals OF Jayson Werth sat out after leaving Tuesday’s game early with a strained groin. “He would play if we were in a pennant race or something,” Johnson said.

___

Joseph White can be reached at http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP

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

By Andrew Kinback

– Nationals editor

Follow , and

Like SB Nation DC on Facebook.

Aug 24, 2011 – The Washington Nationals suffered their 13th shutout of the season on Tuesday night at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks and as it always seems to be, the culprit was an offense unable to drive in runs when it really needs to. The Nats were only able to scrape together six hits against Ian Kennedy and they stranded 21 runners on base. On top of that, the offense left pitcher Jordan Zimmermann hanging (around too long) after a spectacular pitching performance, one of his last of 2011.

The Nationals will look to get their heads back on straight and pump up the energy against the Snakes as Livan Hernandez (7-11, 4.34 ERA) takes the mound against Daniel Hudson (12-9, 3.83 ERA). The Nationals offense is more than capable of hitting pitchers hard, but lack consistency. Perhaps the most consistent player in the line-up right now is third baseman Ryan Zimmerman who reached base safely for the 29th consecutive game on Tuesday.

Right fielder Jayson Werth has been looking much more comfortable at the plate recently, but unfortunately the Nats will be without his heated up bat as he suffered a mild groin strain on Tuesday during play and will be out of the line-up Wednesday. Taking his place will be outfielder Laynce Nix in right field while Jonny Gomes mans left.

First pitch is at 7:05 P.M.

 

Nationals Line-Up

Ian Desmond – SS

Rick Ankiel – CF

Ryan Zimmerman – 3B

Michael Morse – 1B

Danny Espinosa – 2B

Laynce Nix – RF

Jonny Gomes – LF

Wilson Ramos – C

Livan Hernandez – SP

Read More: Jayson Werth (RF – WAS), Ryan Zimmerman (3B – WAS), Jonny Gomes (LF – WAS), Livan Hernandez (P – WAS), Rick Ankiel (CF – WAS), Ian Kennedy (P – ARI), Michael Morse (1B – WAS), Laynce Nix (LF – WAS), Ian Desmond (SS – WAS), Wilson Ramos (C – WAS), Jordan Zimmermann (P – WAS), Danny Espinosa (2B – WAS), Daniel Hudson (P – ARI), Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks

Follow , and

Like SB Nation DC on Facebook.

Do you like this story?

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ryan Zimmerman hit a grand slam on a full
count with two outs in the bottom of the ninth Friday night,
capping a six-run inning and lifting the Washington Nationals to an
improbable 8-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Nationals were trailing 4-2 and were facing Ryan Madson
(3-2), but they sent eight men to the plate against the formidable
closer. It was only fitting that Zimmerman had the last word,
hitting the eighth game-ending home run of his career, as well as
his third grand slam.

Jayson Werth opened the inning by hanging on with foul ball after foul ball until he singled to left on the 11th pitch from Madson. Danny Espinosa hit a flare to center for a single, and Jonny Gomes singled to left to drive home Werth. Wilson Ramos bunted to put runners on second and third, and pinch-hitter Jesus Flores was walked to load the bases.
That brought up Ian Desmond, who singled to right to score Espinosa. With the bases still loaded, Rick Ankiel struck out swinging, leaving Zimmerman to finish things off.

Todd Coffey (4-1) pitched the top of the ninth to get the win for the Nationals, who handed the Phillies only their second loss in the last 13 road games. Until the last few minutes, the Phillies were in firm control.
Kyle Kendrick, getting an unexpected start after a long rain delay,
pitched six strong innings and appeared set to get the win.

The teams started by playing all of 5 minutes of baseball with a background of thunder and lightning before a massive storm hit — it
had been a surprise that officials tried to start the game when they did.

After a delay of 2 hours, 22 minutes, scheduled starter Roy Oswalt was scratched in favor of Kendrick, who had been slated to pitch Saturday. In the fluky world of baseball, Kendrick was credited with a game starting as a pitcher but not as a batter, while Oswalt started as a batter but not as a pitcher — even though he didn’t perform either task. It was Kendrick’s first start since Aug. 2, and he allowed two runs and five hits with four strikeouts and one walk, much to the appreciation of the always-strong visiting Phillies contingent that waited out the delay.

Brad Lidge and Antonio Bastardo each pitched a scoreless inning in relief, but Madson blew the save for only the second time this season.
Washington starter Livan Hernandez was pitching to his fourth batter when everyone but the grounds crew headed for cover, and he stayed in the game when play resumed. The Phillies hit him hard in a four-run third, sending nine men to the plate and getting a season-high seven hits in an inning.

Jimmy Rollins doubled down the right field line off the glove of diving first baseman Laynce Nix. John Mayberry followed with his first career triple, which got past diving left fielder Jonny Gomes. Chase Utley doubled off the right field wall, and Ryan Howard, Hunter Pence, Carlos Ruiz and Wilson Valdez all singled in the inning — although Valdez’s hit brought things to a close when Werth threw out Raul Ibanez trying to score from second.

Hernandez lasted four innings, allowing four runs and seven hits. Ramos scored the two early Nationals runs. He singled ahead of
Desmond’s double in the third and hit his 10th home run of the
season in the fifth.

NOTES: Zimmerman reached base for his 25th straight game. …
Phillies CF Shane Victorino served the second game of his two-game
suspension for his part in a benches-clearing brawl at San
Francisco on Aug. 5. … Howard returned after missing one game
with a strained hand muscle. Ruiz was back after sitting out two
games with a groin injury. … Washington’s Michael Morse didn’t
start because of swelling in his left elbow, but he flew out to
left as a pinch hitter in the eighth and stayed in the game at
first base. … Nationals teen sensation Bryce Harper was placed on
the seven-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. He was
hurt in Double-A Harrisburg’s win at Akron on Thursday. Johnson
said Harper will probably miss the rest of the minor league season.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

By Jason Brewer

– Managing Editor

Follow , and

Like SB Nation Philly on Facebook.

Aug 20, 2011 – (Sports Network) – The Phillies are in the midst of a 30-game span (21-9 record) without consecutive losses on the road that began on June 5 at Pittsburgh.

Snake bitten by a ninth-inning grand slam from Ryan Zimmerman last night, the Phillies could be wondering if that streak will end this evening when they continue a three-game series with the Washington Nationals.

Philadelphia’s 30-game streak is its longest since 2002 when the club set a franchise record for a single season with 30 games in a row without back-to-back defeats (May 28-August 8, 21-9 record).

The Phillies will try to bounce back in the middle contest of this set with Roy Oswalt scheduled to take the mound again. He was slated to start Friday night, but didn’t take the mound after a two-hour, 22-minute rain delay. Instead, he and Kyle Kendrick flip-flopped spots in the rotation for this weekend.

Oswalt recently returned from a disabled list stint caused by a back issue and in his second game since the DL on Saturday, he halted a three-start losing streak by yielding three runs over seven innings of an 11-3 victory over the Nationals. It was the right-hander’s first win since June 12 and manager Charlie Manuel said Oswalt started off throwing almost exclusively fastballs before working in his changeup, breaking ball and slider.

The 33-year-old improved to 5-7 with a 3.84 earned run average in 15 starts this season and will try to win consecutive outings for the first time since he began the season 2-0 on April 3-9. He has split two meetings with the Nationals this year and is 6-4 with a 3.17 ERA against the franchise lifetime. He is 3-1 in his last five starts vs. the Nats after going winless in his previous eight starts against them (0-2). He’s also 0-2 in five career starts at Nationals Park.

John Lannan heads to the mound for the Nationals as he’ll try to get a rare win over the Phillies. Lannan is 1-11 with a 5.84 ERA in 15 games vs. Philadelphia. That includes a loss one week ago against Oswalt. In that game, Lannan gave up four hits and seven runs, but just one earned, in three innings.

Zimmerman’s slam on a 3-2 pitch off Ryan Madson capped a wild comeback last night. The Nationals scored six times in the ninth inning to record the 8-4 win.

“It’s the ultimate when you’re coming around third and your teammates are waiting [at home],” Zimmerman said of the game-winner. “Just for me to get an at-bat that inning…was pretty special.”

John Mayberry, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz did the damage in a four-run third frame for the Phillies, who lost for the second time in four games but still maintained a healthy lead atop the NL East.

“It’s very disappointing,” a sullen Madson said. “To let the team down doesn’t feel good.”

The Phillies, who are 7 1/2 games ahead of second-place Atlanta, are 7-5 vs. the Nationals this year. Washington, though, has won four of the last five meetings.

Read More: Chase Utley (2B – PHI), Ryan Howard (1B – PHI), Carlos Ruiz (C – PHI), Kyle Kendrick (P – PHI), Ryan Madson (P – PHI), Roy Oswalt (P – PHI), Ryan Zimmerman (3B – WAS), John Lannan (P – WAS), John Mayberry (CF – PHI), Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals

Follow , and

Like SB Nation Philly on Facebook.

Do you like this story?

Read More: Jayson Werth (RF – WAS), Ryan Madson (P – PHI), Ryan Zimmerman (3B – WAS), Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals

Neither mother nature nor the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen could keep the Washington Nationals down Friday night at Nationals Park. Thanks to the ninth inning heroics of star third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, the Nationals beat the Phillies in a game initially started (for all of five minutes), then delayed for the next two hours and 22 minutes. It was just the second loss in the last 13 road games for the NL East-leading Phillies.

Trailing 4-2, Washington sent eight batters to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, with Jayson Werth singling to start the rally after a 11 pitch at bat against Philadelphia closer Ryan Madson. With two outs, and a 3-2 count, Zimmerman sealed the deal with the eighth walk-off home run of his career, and his third grand slam. This is the second time Zimmerman has ended a game with a four bagger. It was only the second blown save of the season for Madson.

Livan Hernandez started the game and also came out to pitch after the rain delay, allowing four runs in four innings on seven hits and two walks. Washington’s Tom Gorzelanny, Sean Burnett and Todd Coffey held the Phillis scoreless the rest of the game, allowing for Zimmerma’s heroics in the ninth.

The Nationals and Phillies again face off Saturday at Nationals Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 P.M.

WASHINGTON—Ryan Zimmerman hit a grand slam on a full count with two outs in the bottom of the ninth Friday night, capping a six-run inning and lifting the Washington Nationals to an improbable 8-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Nationals were trailing 4-2 and were facing Ryan Madson (3-2), but they sent eight men to the plate against the formidable closer. It was only fitting that Zimmerman had the last word, hitting the eighth game-ending home run of his career, as well as his third grand slam.

Jayson Werth opened the inning by hanging on with foul ball after foul ball until he singled to left on the 11th pitch from Madson. Danny Espinosa hit a flare to center for a single, and Jonny Gomes singled to left to drive home Werth. Wilson Ramos bunted to put runners on second and third, and pinch-hitter Jesus Flores was walked to load the bases.

That brought up Ian Desmond, who singled to right to score Espinosa. With the bases still loaded, Rick Ankiel struck out swinging, leaving Zimmerman to finish things off.

Todd Coffey (4-1) pitched the top of the ninth to get the win for the Nationals, who handed the Phillies only their second loss in the last 13 road games.

Until the last few minutes, the Phillies were in firm control. Kyle Kendrick, getting an unexpected start after a long rain delay, pitched six strong innings and appeared set to get the win.

The teams started by playing all of 5 minutes of baseball with a background of thunder and lightning before a massive storm hit—it had been a surprise that officials tried to start the game when they did.

After a delay of 2 hours, 22 minutes, scheduled starter Roy Oswalt was scratched in favor of Kendrick, who had been slated to pitch Saturday. In the fluky world of baseball, Kendrick was credited with a game starting as a pitcher but not as a batter, while Oswalt started as a batter but not as a pitcher—even though he didn’t perform either task.

It was Kendrick’s first start since Aug. 2, and he allowed two runs and five hits with four strikeouts and one walk, much to the appreciation of the always-strong visiting Phillies contingent that waited out the delay.

Brad Lidge and Antonio Bastardo each pitched a scoreless inning in relief, but Madson blew the save for only the second time this season.

Washington starter Livan Hernandez was pitching to his fourth batter when everyone but the grounds crew headed for cover, and he stayed in the game when play resumed. The Phillies hit him hard in a four-run third, sending nine men to the plate and getting a season-high seven hits in an inning.

Jimmy Rollins doubled down the right field line off the glove of

diving first baseman Laynce Nix. John Mayberry followed with his first career triple, which got past diving left fielder Jonny Gomes. Chase Utley doubled off the right field wall, and Ryan Howard, Hunter Pence, Carlos Ruiz and Wilson Valdez all singled in the inning—although Valdez’s hit brought things to a close when Werth threw out Raul Ibanez trying to score from second.

Hernandez lasted four innings, allowing four runs and seven hits.

Ramos scored the two early Nationals runs. He singled ahead of Desmond’s double in the third and hit his 10th home run of the season in the fifth.

NOTES: Zimmerman reached base for his 25th straight game. … Phillies CF Shane Victorino served the second game of his two-game suspension for his part in a benches-clearing brawl at San Francisco on Aug. 5. … Howard returned after missing one game with a strained hand muscle. Ruiz was back after sitting out two games with a groin injury. … Washington’s Michael Morse didn’t start because of swelling in his left elbow, but he flew out to left as a pinch hitter in the eighth and stayed in the game at first base. … Nationals teen sensation Bryce Harper was placed on the seven-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. He was hurt in Double-A Harrisburg’s win at Akron on Thursday. Johnson said Harper will probably miss the rest of the minor league season.

———

Joseph White can be reached at http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP

Manager Charlie Manuel said: “Those things happen.”

Starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick said: “Games like this happen.”

But, immediately after the Philadelphia Phillies’ 8-4 loss Friday to the Washington Nationals, don’t try telling that to Ryan Madson. The closer allowed six runs in a ninth inning that ended with Ryan Zimmerman’s grand slam.

“I don’t really care about myself,” said Madson (3-2), who blew his second save in 25 opportunities. “It’s more about the guys that spend all the time out there all day and all night to get that win. To let them down, it doesn’t feel good.”

By the time he showered, though, Madson had put the outing behind him, saying, “It’s just one game. That’s all it is.”

“It’s already over. Everybody already left,” Madson said, motioning to a mostly empty Phillies locker room at Nationals Park.

The Phillies were leading 4-2 entering the ninth, but the Nationals sent eight men to the plate against Madson, who hadn’t allowed six runs in a game since becoming exclusively a relief pitcher in 2007. Zimmerman was 8 for 22 in his career with no homers and four RBIs against the Phillies’ formidable closer, including 0 for 3 this year.

That RBI total doubled in a hurry. The slam was Zimmerman’s third in his career, as well as his eighth game-ending home run.

“Just trying to get it out of the infield,” Zimmerman said. “I guess you could say he’s dominated me throughout the whole time. It’s one of those at-bats where I don’t know really how it happened, but I guess it happened.”

Jayson Werth opened the inning by hanging on with foul ball after foul ball until he singled to left on Madson’s 11th pitch. Danny Espinosa hit a flare to center for a single, and Jonny Gomes singled to left to drive home Werth. Wilson Ramos bunted to put runners on second and third, and pinch-hitter Jesus Flores was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Ian Desmond singled to right to score Espinosa. With the bases still loaded, Rick Ankiel struck out swinging, leaving Zimmerman to finish things off. With no room on the bases, Madson had little choice but to throw his fastball with the full count.

“Here it is, and if you hit it, you hit it,” Madson said. “Most times when you challenge a guy like that, he’s going to get a hit, and he did that time. So, I tip my cap to him. He’s a great hitter.”

Todd Coffey (4-1) pitched the top of the ninth to get the win for the Nationals, who handed the Phillies only their second loss in the last 13 road games.

Until the last few minutes, the Phillies were in firm control. Kendrick, getting an unexpected start after a long rain delay, allowed two runs over six innings.

The teams started by playing all of 5 minutes of baseball with a background of thunder and lightning before a massive storm hit — it was an interesting choice for the officials to start the game when they did.

“I was surprised they started the game,” Manuel said. “You could tell it was going to rain, I guess. I could. I’m not a weatherman.”

After a delay of 2 hours, 22 minutes, scheduled starter Roy Oswalt was scratched in favor of Kendrick, who had been slated to pitch Saturday. In the fluky world of baseball, Kendrick was credited with a game starting as a pitcher but not as a batter, while Oswalt started as a batter but not as a pitcher — even though he didn’t perform either task.

Oswalt will now start Saturday.

Washington starter Livan Hernandez was pitching to his fourth batter when everyone but the grounds crew headed for cover, and he stayed in the game when play resumed. The Phillies hit him hard in a four-run third, sending nine men to the plate and getting a season-high seven hits in an inning.

NOTES: Phillies CF Shane Victorino served the second game of his two-game suspension for his part in a benches-clearing brawl at San Francisco on Aug. 5. … Howard returned after missing one game with a strained hand muscle. Ruiz was back after sitting out two games with a groin injury.

Updated Aug 20, 2011 2:41 AM ET

WASHINGTON (AP)

Manager Charlie Manuel said: ”Those things happen.”

Starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick said: ”Games like this happen.”

But, immediately after the Philadelphia Phillies’ 8-4 loss Friday to the Washington Nationals, don’t try telling that to Ryan Madson. The closer allowed six runs in a ninth inning that ended with Ryan Zimmerman’s grand slam.

”I don’t really care about myself,” said Madson (3-2), who blew his second save in 25 opportunities. ”It’s more about the guys that spend all the time out there all day and all night to get that win. To let them down, it doesn’t feel good.”

By the time he showered, though, Madson had put the outing behind him, saying, ”It’s just one game. That’s all it is.”

”It’s already over. Everybody already left,” Madson said, motioning to a mostly empty Phillies locker room at Nationals Park.

The Phillies were leading 4-2 entering the ninth, but the Nationals sent eight men to the plate against Madson, who hadn’t allowed six runs in a game since becoming exclusively a relief pitcher in 2007. Zimmerman was 8 for 22 in his career with no homers and four RBIs against the Phillies’ formidable closer, including 0 for 3 this year.

That RBI total doubled in a hurry. The slam was Zimmerman’s third in his career, as well as his eighth game-ending home run.

”Just trying to get it out of the infield,” Zimmerman said. ”I guess you could say he’s dominated me throughout the whole time. It’s one of those at-bats where I don’t know really how it happened, but I guess it happened.”

Jayson Werth opened the inning by hanging on with foul ball after foul ball until he singled to left on Madson’s 11th pitch. Danny Espinosa hit a flare to center for a single, and Jonny Gomes singled to left to drive home Werth. Wilson Ramos bunted to put runners on second and third, and pinch-hitter Jesus Flores was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Ian Desmond singled to right to score Espinosa. With the bases still loaded, Rick Ankiel struck out swinging, leaving Zimmerman to finish things off. With no room on the bases, Madson had little choice but to throw his fastball with the full count.

”Here it is, and if you hit it, you hit it,” Madson said. ”Most times when you challenge a guy like that, he’s going to get a hit, and he did that time. So, I tip my cap to him. He’s a great hitter.”

Todd Coffey (4-1) pitched the top of the ninth to get the win for the Nationals, who handed the Phillies only their second loss in the last 13 road games.

Until the last few minutes, the Phillies were in firm control. Kendrick, getting an unexpected start after a long rain delay, allowed two runs over six innings.

The teams started by playing all of 5 minutes of baseball with a background of thunder and lightning before a massive storm hit — it was an interesting choice for the officials to start the game when they did.

”I was surprised they started the game,” Manuel said. ”You could tell it was going to rain, I guess. I could. I’m not a weatherman.”

After a delay of 2 hours, 22 minutes, scheduled starter Roy Oswalt was scratched in favor of Kendrick, who had been slated to pitch Saturday. In the fluky world of baseball, Kendrick was credited with a game starting as a pitcher but not as a batter, while Oswalt started as a batter but not as a pitcher — even though he didn’t perform either task.

Oswalt will now start Saturday.

Washington starter Livan Hernandez was pitching to his fourth batter when everyone but the grounds crew headed for cover, and he stayed in the game when play resumed. The Phillies hit him hard in a four-run third, sending nine men to the plate and getting a season-high seven hits in an inning.

NOTES: Phillies CF Shane Victorino served the second game of his two-game suspension for his part in a benches-clearing brawl at San Francisco on Aug. 5. … Howard returned after missing one game with a strained hand muscle. Ruiz was back after sitting out two games with a groin injury.

But, immediately after the Philadelphia Phillies’ 8-4 loss Friday to the Washington Nationals, don’t try telling that to Ryan Madson. The closer allowed six runs in a ninth inning that ended with Ryan Zimmerman’s grand slam.

“I don’t really care about myself,” said Madson (3-2), who blew his second save in 25 opportunities. “It’s more about the guys that spend all the time out there all day and all night to get that win. To let them down, it doesn’t feel good.”

By the time he showered, though, Madson had put the outing behind him, saying, “It’s just one game. That’s all it is.”

“It’s already over. Everybody already left,” Madson said, motioning to a mostly empty Phillies locker room at Nationals Park.

The Phillies were leading 4-2 entering the ninth, but the Nationals sent eight men to the plate against Madson, who hadn’t allowed six runs in a game since becoming exclusively a relief pitcher in 2007. Zimmerman was 8 for 22 in his career with no homers and four RBIs against the Phillies’ formidable closer, including 0 for 3 this year.

That RBI total doubled in a hurry. The slam was Zimmerman’s third in his career, as well as his eighth game-ending home run.

“Just trying to get it out of the infield,” Zimmerman said. “I guess you could say he’s dominated me throughout the whole time. It’s one of those at-bats where I don’t know really how it happened, but I guess it happened.”

Jayson Werth opened the inning by hanging on with foul ball after foul ball until he singled to left on Madson’s 11th pitch. Danny Espinosa hit a flare to center for a single, and Jonny Gomes singled to left to drive home Werth. Wilson Ramos bunted to put runners on second and third, and pinch-hitter Jesus Flores was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Ian Desmond singled to right to score Espinosa. With the bases still loaded, Rick Ankiel struck out swinging, leaving Zimmerman to finish things off. With no room on the bases, Madson had little choice but to throw his fastball with the full count.

“Here it is, and if you hit it, you hit it,” Madson said. “Most times when you challenge a guy like that, he’s going to get a hit, and he did that time. So, I tip my cap to him. He’s a great hitter.”

Todd Coffey (4-1) pitched the top of the ninth to get the win for the Nationals, who handed the Phillies only their second loss in the last 13 road games.

Until the last few minutes, the Phillies were in firm control. Kendrick, getting an unexpected start after a long rain delay, allowed two runs over six innings.

The teams started by playing all of 5 minutes of baseball with a background of thunder and lightning before a massive storm hit — it was an interesting choice for the officials to start the game when they did.

“I was surprised they started the game,” Manuel said. “You could tell it was going to rain, I guess. I could. I’m not a weatherman.”

After a delay of 2 hours, 22 minutes, scheduled starter Roy Oswalt was scratched in favor of Kendrick, who had been slated to pitch Saturday. In the fluky world of baseball, Kendrick was credited with a game starting as a pitcher but not as a batter, while Oswalt started as a batter but not as a pitcher — even though he didn’t perform either task.

Oswalt will now start Saturday.

Washington starter Livan Hernandez was pitching to his fourth batter when everyone but the grounds crew headed for cover, and he stayed in the game when play resumed. The Phillies hit him hard in a four-run third, sending nine men to the plate and getting a season-high seven hits in an inning.

NOTES: Phillies CF Shane Victorino served the second game of his two-game suspension for his part in a benches-clearing brawl at San Francisco on Aug. 5. … Howard returned after missing one game with a strained hand muscle. Ruiz was back after sitting out two games with a groin injury.

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

WASHINGTON (AP)—Ryan Zimmerman(notes) has now done it eight times, and it never
gets old.

Watch the ball sail out of the park. Slap hands with the first base coach.
Slap hands with the third base coach. Toss the helmet and jump into the pile of
teammates waiting at home plate.

For the eighth time in his seven-year big league career, the Washington
Nationals third baseman ended the game with a home run. This time, it was a
grand slam, hit with a full count and two outs in the bottom of the ninth
against one of the best closers in the league.

Zimmerman’s line drive over the left field wall against Ryan Madson(notes) capped a
six-run ninth Friday night, giving the Nationals an 8-4 win over the
Philadelphia Phillies.

“It’s the ultimate thing,” said Zimmerman, who also got a Gatorade shower
and whipped cream in the face, “because when you come around third, your
teammates are waiting there.”

The Nationals were trailing 4-2 entering the ninth, but they sent eight men
to the plate against Madson (3-2), who had previously blown only one save this
season and hadn’t allowed six runs in a game since becoming exclusively a relief
pitcher in 2007. Zimmerman was 8 for 22 in his career with no homers and four
RBIs against the Phillies’ formidable closer, including 0 for 3 this year.

That RBI total doubled in a hurry. The slam was Zimmerman’s third in his
career, and the second one to end a game.

“Just trying to get it out of the infield,” Zimmerman said. “I guess you
could say he’s dominated me throughout the whole time. It’s one of those at bats
where I don’t know really how it happened, but I guess it happened.

“The pressure’s on him, man. It’s not on me. I’m, like, 0-for-whateaver
against him—I’m supposed to get out,” he added. “The way I’ve always been
taught is the pressure’s on the pitcher. It keeps you calm, and the key thing is
not trying to do too much.”

Jayson Werth(notes), whose locker is next to Zimmerman’s had an even simpler
explanation for his teammate’s knack for big hits.

“He’s good. He wakes up every morning, and he’s good,” Werth said.
“That’s all you need to know.”

Werth played a key role in the rally, opening the inning by hanging on with
foul ball after foul ball until he singled to left on Madson’s 11th pitch. Danny
Espinosa(notes) hit a flare to center for a single, and Jonny Gomes(notes) singled to left to
drive home Werth. Wilson Ramos(notes) bunted to put runners on second and third, and
pinch-hitter Jesus Flores(notes) was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Ian Desmond(notes) singled to right to score Espinosa. With the bases still loaded,
Rick Ankiel(notes) struck out swinging, leaving Zimmerman to finish things off. With no
room on the bases, Madson had little choice but to throw his fastball with the
full count.

“Here it is, and if you hit it, you hit it,” Madson said. “Most times
when you challenge a guy like that, he’s going to get a hit, and he did that
time. So, I tip my cap to him. He’s a great hitter.”

Todd Coffey(notes) (4-1) pitched the top of the ninth to get the win for the
Nationals, who handed the Phillies only their second loss in the last 13 road
games.

Until the last few minutes, the Phillies were in firm control. Kyle
Kendrick(notes), getting an unexpected start after a long rain delay, allowed two runs
over six innings.

The teams started by playing all of 5 minutes of baseball with a background
of thunder and lightning before a massive storm hit—it was an interesting
choice for the officials to start the game when they did.

“I was surprised they started the game,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel
said. “You could tell it was going to rain, I guess. I could. I’m not a
weatherman.”

After a delay of 2 hours, 22 minutes, scheduled starter Roy Oswalt(notes) was
scratched in favor of Kendrick, who had been slated to pitch Saturday. In the
fluky world of baseball, Kendrick was credited with a game starting as a pitcher
but not as a batter, while Oswalt started as a batter but not as a pitcher—
even though he didn’t perform either task.

Oswalt will now start Saturday.

Washington starter Livan Hernandez(notes) was pitching to his fourth batter when
everyone but the grounds crew headed for cover, and he stayed in the game when
play resumed. The Phillies hit him hard in a four-run third, sending nine men to
the plate and getting a season-high seven hits in an inning.

NOTES: Zimmerman reached base for his 25th straight game. … Phillies CF
Shane Victorino(notes) served the second game of his two-game suspension for his part
in a benches-clearing brawl at San Francisco on Aug. 5. … Howard returned
after missing one game with a strained hand muscle. Ruiz was back after sitting
out two games with a groin injury. … Washington’s Michael Morse(notes) didn’t start
because of swelling in his left elbow, but he flew out to left as a pinch hitter
in the eighth and stayed in the game at first base. … Nationals’ prospect
Bryce Harper(notes) was placed on the seven-day disabled list with a strained right
hamstring. He was hurt in Double-A Harrisburg’s win at Akron on Thursday.
Johnson said Harper will probably miss the rest of the minor league season.

Joseph White can be reached at http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP

WASHINGTON — Ryan Zimmerman hit a grand slam on a full count with two outs in the bottom of the ninth Friday night, capping a six-run inning and lifting the Washington Nationals to an improbable 8-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Nationals were trailing 4-2 and were facing Ryan Madson (3-2), but they sent eight men to the plate against the formidable closer. It was only fitting that Zimmerman had the last word, hitting the eighth game-ending home run of his career, as well as his third grand slam.

Jayson Werth opened the inning by hanging on with foul ball after foul ball until he singled to left on the 11th pitch from Madson. Danny Espinosa hit a flare to center for a single, and Jonny Gomes singled to left to drive home Werth. Wilson Ramos bunted to put runners on second and third, and pinch-hitter Jesus Flores was walked to load the bases.

That brought up Ian Desmond, who singled to right to score Espinosa. With the bases still loaded, Rick Ankiel struck out swinging, leaving Zimmerman to finish things off.

Todd Coffey (4-1) pitched the top of the ninth to get the win for the Nationals, who handed the Phillies only their second loss in the last 13 road games.

Until the last few minutes, the Phillies were in firm control. Kyle Kendrick, getting an unexpected start after a long rain delay, pitched six strong innings and appeared set to get the win.

The teams started by playing all of 5 minutes of baseball with a background of thunder and lightning before a massive storm hit — it had been a surprise that officials tried to start the game when they did.

After a delay of 2 hours, 22 minutes, scheduled starter Roy Oswalt was scratched in favor of Kendrick, who had been slated to pitch Saturday. In the fluky world of baseball, Kendrick was credited with a game starting as a pitcher but not as a batter, while Oswalt started as a batter but not as a pitcher — even though he didn’t perform either task.

It was Kendrick’s first start since Aug. 2, and he allowed two runs and five hits with four strikeouts and one walk, much to the appreciation of the always-strong visiting Phillies contingent that waited out the delay.

Brad Lidge and Antonio Bastardo each pitched a scoreless inning in relief, but Madson blew the save for only the second time this season.

Washington starter Livan Hernandez was pitching to his fourth batter when everyone but the grounds crew headed for cover, and he stayed in the game when play resumed. The Phillies hit him hard in a four-run third, sending nine men to the plate and getting a season-high seven hits in an inning.

Jimmy Rollins doubled down the right field line off the glove of diving first baseman Laynce Nix. John Mayberry followed with his first career triple, which got past diving left fielder Jonny Gomes. Chase Utley doubled off the right field wall, and Ryan Howard, Hunter Pence, Carlos Ruiz and Wilson Valdez all singled in the inning — although Valdez’s hit brought things to a close when Werth threw out Raul Ibanez trying to score from second.

Hernandez lasted four innings, allowing four runs and seven hits.

Ramos scored the two early Nationals runs. He singled ahead of Desmond’s double in the third and hit his 10th home run of the season in the fifth.

NOTES: Zimmerman reached base for his 25th straight game. … Phillies CF Shane Victorino served the second game of his two-game suspension for his part in a benches-clearing brawl at San Francisco on Aug. 5. … Howard returned after missing one game with a strained hand muscle. Ruiz was back after sitting out two games with a groin injury. … Washington’s Michael Morse didn’t start because of swelling in his left elbow, but he flew out to left as a pinch hitter in the eighth and stayed in the game at first base. … Nationals teen sensation Bryce Harper was placed on the seven-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. He was hurt in Double-A Harrisburg’s win at Akron on Thursday. Johnson said Harper will probably miss the rest of the minor league season.