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Astros take down Nationals

Sep 11, 2011 - 4:22 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Carlos Corporan drove in three runs as the Houston Astros downed the Washington Nationals, 9-3, in the second of a three- game series.

Jason Bourgeois went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored while Chris Johnson and Angel Sanchez each scored twice for the Astros, who had lost six of seven coming into Saturday's action. Wandy Rodriguez (11-10) gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings to get the win.

"You could see his mound presence. He had a lot of confidence," said Astros manager Brad Mills.

Chris Marrero drove in a pair of runs for the Nationals, who have lost three of four. John Lannan (9-12) was tagged for six runs -- four earned -- on eight hits in just 2 1/3 innings.

"He just didn't have any location. I didn't like the pitch selection, I didn't like his location" said Nationals manager Davey Johnson. "It was just one of those days."

A six-run third inning helped Houston take control of the game. With Jordan Schafer on third, Bourgeois singled and the Astros followed with three consecutive base hits to score two more runs.

Later, with the bases loaded, Jose Altuve hit a chopper to the left of the mound that Lannan fielded cleanly, but his throw to the plate went wide and two runners scored. Corporan then laid down a bunt single to plate another run for a 6-0 lead.

Marrero hit a two-run single in the fourth to get Washington back into the contest, but Corporan answered with a sac fly in the fifth and Rodriguez helped his cause with a double for an 8-2 advantage.

Michael Morse hit a solo home run in the sixth for the Nationals, and the Astros added a run in the ninth, when Corporan singled to plate Chris Johnson.

David Carpenter worked a scoreless ninth to close out the win.

Game Notes

Houston has won three of the five games this season against Washington...Lannan is 1-5 over his past six starts. He fell to 3-3 in seven games against the Astros...Rodriguez improved to 5-1 in nine career starts against the Nationals...Washington batted just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight.