Nationals 0 - 2 Diamondbacks
Final
  for this game

Saunders, D-Backs shut down Nats

Jun 5, 2011 - 3:38 AM Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Xavier Nady and Stephen Drew both knocked in a run and Joe Saunders pitched seven scoreless innings, as the Arizona Diamondbacks handled the Washington Nationals, 2-0, in the third test of a four-game set.

Saunders (3-5) gave up two hits to go along with five strikeouts and two walks for the Diamondbacks, who won 4-0 on Friday after dropping the series opener by a 6-1 margin. After opening the year by losing his first five decisions, Saunders has rattled off three straight wins.

Livan Hernandez (3-7) allowed two runs on four hits over seven full frames to suffer the loss for the Nationals, who have lost two in a row since a three- game winning streak. He also walked four and struck out three.

The Nationals loaded the bases with two outs in the first inning. Saunders, though, was able to keep Washington off the board by getting Wilson Ramos to fly out.

"I felt good," Saunders said. "The command was good. It was a little shaky there in the first inning."

Arizona capitalized in the home first. Kelly Johnson walked and scored on Drew's two-out triple to center.

The Nats wasted a leadoff double from Jerry Hairston Jr. in the third. With runners on first and third and out, Michael Morse struck out swinging and Danny Espinosa grounded out to end the threat.

Saunders retired the final 14 batters he faced, and Arizona added a run in the seventh. Chris Young singled and scored on Nady's double to left for a 2-0 lead.

David Hernandez and J.J. Putz both tossed a scoreless inning of relief for Arizona. Putz recorded his 17th save of the season.

"We had our chances," Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said. "We've been swinging the bat pretty well the last 10 days. We've had a lot of good offensive days, yesterday and today their pitchers just didn't let it happen."

Game Notes

Washington won four of its seven meetings with the Diamondbacks a year ago... Livan Hernandez fell to 11-8 lifetime against Arizona...The D-Backs are 18-4 over their last 22 games...The Nats went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base.






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