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Clippard strong as Nationals top Mariners

Jun 15, 2008 - 6:16 AM By Christopher Hester PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Tyler Clippard's return was a success for the Washington Nationals, who posted a 5-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night at Safeco Field.

Recalled from Class AAA Columbus to replace injured lefthander Odalis Perez in the starting rotation, Clippard worked into the seventh inning and allowed two runs and seven hits for his first victory with Washington.

The righthander - who allowed fourth-inning blasts to Jose Vidro and Adrian Beltre - walked three and struck out two in just his second start for the Nationals, whose offense started quickly for the second night in a row with a run in the top of the first inning.

"I was able to get ahead of guys, (I had) better command of the fastball tonight (and I) kept my pitch count down," Clippard said of his performance. "It was a good night."

The prize for his solid outing will be a return trip to Columbus the beginning of the week.

"He did a very good job for us. He was very aggressive with his fastball and was able to throw some good curveballs," Washington manager Manny Acta said. "He'll get another chance (to start in the big leagues), but he's going to be optioned down so we can bring up Paul Lo Duca is his spot."

Clippard didn't appear to upset after hearing the news that he would return to the minor leagues.

"I want to be here and I feel that I should be here, but that's out of my hands," the righthander said. "I just want to pitch well every time out, whether it's here, or Triple-A, or softball, it doesn't matter."

Elijah Dukes singled and advanced to third on Dmitri Young's double.?? Jesus Flores followed with a run-scoring base hit to right field.?? Young didn't even bother to slide as he was thrown out at home plate by Seattle right fielder Wladimir Balentien, preventing the Nationals from doing more first-inning damage.

Washington added another run off Seattle starter Erik Bedard in the fourth inning, when Ronnie Belliard and Felipe Lopez opened the frame with back-to-back doubles off the Seattle lefthander. But Bedard escaped further damage by striking out Wily Mo Pena and Kory Castry before inducing Christian Guzman's pop out to

catcher Jamie Burke to end the rally.

Bedard worked six innings, allowing two runs and nine hits while walking a pair and striking out eight before turning a 2-2 game over to Miguel Batista and Seattle's bullpen.

"It was just one of those days you can't put it all together," the lefthander said following the outing. "It was a hard six innings. Sometimes, you just do what you can and you??just try to throw strikes and you can't pinpoint exactly what's going on."

The game didn't stay tied for long as Batista, banished to the bullpen after posting a 3-7 record with a 6.16 ERA in 13 starts, walked Dukes to lead off the seventh before Flores connected on a two-run home run into the Nationals' left-field bullpen to give Washington a 4-2 lead.

"I didn't know that the ball was out of the park," Flores said of the shot that just cleared the glove of left fielder Raul Ibanez. "I though he caught it."

"I just have to keep working hard and keep doing what I've been doing," Flores added.

Flores has a hit in 13 of his last 14 starts, hitting .340 (17-for-50) with six doubles, three home runs and 14 RBI after his three RBI-night Saturday.

"He's playing very well, driving in runs" Acta said of his young catcher. "We've won three of the last four games, and the kid has been part of it."

Jon Rauch worked the ninth inning, striking out the side on 10 pitches, for his 15th save of the season.