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Four-run seventh keys Nationals win over Reds

Aug 3, 2008 - 3:07 AM By Rich Dubroff PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Pete Orr doesn't drive in runs often, but on Saturday, he drove in two important ones.

Orr's two-run, pinch-hit single keyed a four-run seventh inning that led the Washington Nationals to a 10-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

The Nationals, who won for the second straight time at home for the first time since June 25-27, trailed, 6-2, heading into the sixth inning. Ronnie Belliard's pinch-hit, two-run home run cut the Reds' lead to 6-4.

In the seventh against Mike Lincoln (1-3), who had a 19-inning scoreless streak, Washington scored four runs. Lastings Milledge led off with a walk and Austin Kearns singled before Kory Casto's RBI single cut the deficit to 6-5.

After Alberto Gonzalez singled to load the bases, Gary Majewski replaced Lincoln and Elijah Dukes grounded to second baseman Brandon Phillips, who booted the ball for an error, allowing Kearns to score the tying run.

"He hit the ball hard. It just ate me up," Phillips said. "It hit the grass and just skipped on me and hit me on the wrist. I can't catch everything."

Orr, who had 18 RBI in his previous 288 major league games, then laced a single to score Casto and Gonzalez to make it 8-6.

"I knew I had to get that run in," Orr said. "If you don't think you can do it, you shouldn't be here. It was a fun game to be a part of and I'm very happy I got the opportunity."

Charlie Manning (1-2), who pitched a scoreless seventh in relief of Jason Bergmann, got the win. Luis Ayala pitched a perfect eighth and Saul Rivera tossed a scoreless ninth.

Washington manager Manny Acta lauded the work of the bullpen.

"That basically won the game," Acta said. "Once you get that close, you feel like you can make a comeback."

The Reds had taken a 5-2 lead in the second on a three-run double by Joey Votto and a two-run home run by Jay Bruce. Paul Bako's suicide squeeze gave Cincinnati a 6-2 lead.

Cincinnati has lost seven of its last eight.

"That was a terrible game - an ugly game," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "It was very disheartening to see that."

Josh Fogg started and pitched 5 1/3 innings, yielding three runs and six hits. He walked three and struck out five, leaving after allowing a one-out double to Gonzalez in the sixth.

Bergmann has won once in 17 starts. He pitched six innings, allowing six runs -- five earned - and six hits.

Washington scored two runs off Fogg in the first inning on RBI singles by Kearns and Jesus Flores.

The Nationals added two runs in the eighth on Milledge's eighth home run and a wild pitch by Majewski, which scored Kearns.