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Nationals snap Atlanta’s winning streak, take series
The Atlanta Braves started out the series well with a 9-8 victory over the Washington Nationals in Nationals Park. Braves starter Kenshin Kawakami did not fair well, lasting just 4.1 innings and allowing 4 earned runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. Fortunately for Atlanta Ross Detwiler did not fair any better, going just 3.1 innings and allowing 5 earned runs on 10 hits. The story of the game was Brooks Conrad who was called up by the Braves the day before. Conrad cranked a pinch-hit 3-run home run in the 7th inning. Conrad’s shot would prove to be necessary as Rafael Soriano had trouble in the 9th inning and allowed 2 runs, cutting the lead to just 1 run.
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The story of game 2 was Atlanta starter Tommy Hanson. Hanson pitched 7 stellar innings, allowing just 1 run while striking out 5. The run allowed snapped his streak of 26 scoreless innings. That 1 run also marked Adam Dunn’s 300th career home run. Washington starter John Lannan also pitched well. He lasted 8 innings allowing 3 runs and scattering 9 hits. Hanson was in line for the victory before Mike Gonzalez allowed 3 runs in the 8th inning to give Washington a 4-3 lead. Peter Moylan also allowed a run in the 8th to increase Washington’s lead to 2 runs. Mike MacDougal pitched a scoreless 9th for the Nationals, earning his 4th save and preserving a 5-3 Washington victory.
Game 3 saw Derek Lowe continue his recent struggles. Lowe lasted just 5.1 innings and allowed 4 runs on 10 hits to earn his 7th loss of the season. Washington starter Scott Olson pitched very well, lasting 8.2 innings and allowing 3 earned runs on 8 hits and 5 walks. Mike MacDougal recorded 1 out in the 9th to earn his 5th save and again preserve a 5-3 Washington victory.
Up next for Atlanta is a 3 game set in Chicago against the Cubs. Jair Jurrjens (6-6, 2.73) is set to face Randy Wells (3-3, 2.43) in game 1. Game 2 is scheduled to see Javier Vazquez (5-7, 3.05) take on Ryan Dempster (5-5, 4.09). The final game will put Kenshin Kawakami (4-6, 4.46) against Carlos Zambrano (4-3, 3.50).
By: Ben Burrows
MLBcenter.com Atlanta Braves Correspondent
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