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Lannan, Flores power Nationals past Diamondbacks

Jul 10, 2008 - 2:54 AM By Todd Jacobson PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- John Lannan did what he's done for most of the last two months, but for a change, the Washington Nationals' offense actually gave him some help.

Lannan worked six strong innings and pinch hitter Jesus Flores delivered a three-run homer Wednesday as the Nationals posted a 5-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Rookie Kory Casto had two RBI to help Washington end a six-game losing streak and give Lannan (5-9) his first win since May 18. The

lefthander limited the Diamondbacks to two hits and three walks in six innings, ending an eight-game winless drought - a streak which saw him compile a 3.83 ERA but receive little help from his teammates.

Lannan entered Wednesday with the worst support in the major leagues, getting just 1.6 runs per game over his first 17 starts. In nine of his outings this season, he left the game with his teammates having scored one run or less.

With his changeup and curveball betraying him, Lannan succeeded Wednesday relying mostly on a two-seam fastball.

"I didn't have anything, really," said Lannan, who threw only 43 of his 85 pitches for strikes. "I was making some good pitches at times that could've went either way. I was throwing balls. I just had to make pitches in the right situations and I got a couple of double plays. I just went out there and battled today without my best stuff."

The Nationals again struggled to support Lannan, providing just one run for the rookie through five innings. However, Washington finally found some offense as Dmitri Young and Paul Lo Duca each drew a walk, ending an excessively wild night for Micah Owings (6-8), who yielded just one hit in 5 2/3 innings but walked five and hit three batters.

Connor Robertson replaced Owings, and Casto greeted him with an RBI double to increase Washington's lead to 2-0.

Not taking any chances with his struggling offense, Washington's Manny Acta lifted Lannan for pinch hitter Flores, who made his manager look smart by driving a 1-2 fastball from Robertson into the Diamondbacks' bullpen beyond the left field wall for a 5-0 bulge.

"It means a lot for me," said Flores, who had not had an extra-base hit in 64 at-bats prior to the home run. "What else can you ask when the manager is giving you the opportunity to play every day and even those chances to pinch hit? That's big for me. Being that I'm still young, I feel really sure of myself."

Joel Hanrahan and Luis Ayala worked the seventh and eighth, respectively, before turning the ninth over to closer Jon Rauch, who tossed a flawless inning to preserve the win.

Arizona managed just three hits and did not advance a runner past first base, in large part due to four double plays turned by Washington.

"All our guys were frustrated," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said of his offense, which is batting just .245 this season - the second-lowest mark in the National League. "You obviously have to give credit to Lannan. He's pitched well all year, and his record would not indicate how well he has pitched. We couldn't seem to get decent swings, let alone decent at-bats tonight."