Nationals 0 - 2 Orioles
Final
  for this game

Garcia, Orioles shut down Nationals

May 31, 2013 - 3:41 AM Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Freddy Garcia dazzled Washington hitters over eight scoreless innings as the Baltimore Orioles blanked the Nationals, 2-0, to complete a two-game sweep at Camden Yards.

Garcia (2-2) scattered three hits and struck out six without issuing a walk to pick up his second straight win. It was the first time Garcia has lasted eight innings since Sept. 20, 2009.

Manny Machado and Nick Markakis both collected two hits and drove in a run and Nate McLouth went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored for the Orioles, who took three of four from Washington in the home-and-home set.

"Taking three out of four from anybody is fun, no matter who it is. They have a great ball club over there and we know that. We just played better this series," said Markakis.

Jim Johnson worked a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 17th save of the season.

Dan Haren (4-6) was touched for two runs on eight hits while fanning five over 7 1/3 innings to absorb the loss.

Garcia gave up a pair of singles in the second inning and went on to retire the next 14 hitters before Roger Bernadina singled with two outs in the sixth. The 36-year-old righty retired the next seven batters before he was replaced by Johnson at the start of the ninth.

Markakis got the O's on the board in the third inning with an RBI double. Ryan Flaherty opened the frame with a single and moved to third three batters later when Machado laced a base hit to left field. Markakis followed with a double to right field to plate Flaherty.

Baltimore added another run in the eighth inning. McLouth dropped a blooper into shallow right field and was able to use his speed to stretch it into a double. Machado followed with a double down the left-field line to score McLouth and extended the hosts' lead to 2-0.

"We have a good team, maybe some of our approach has to change. We just have to play better. We are capable of playing better, it is time to go," said Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond.

Game Notes

Machado has 25 doubles this season ... The game lasted just two hours, 21 minutes ... McLouth extended his hitting streak to eight games ... Haren has dropped three straight decisions and has not won since May 9 .. Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper missed his fourth straight game because of bursitis in his left knee. He is considered day-to-day.






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