Cubs 4 - 5 Nationals
Final
  for this game

Nationals go for series win over Cubs in DC

Jul 6, 2011 - 2:55 PM (Sports Network) - Skidding lefty Tom Gorzelanny again aims to right the ship tonight, when the suddenly streaking Washington Nationals go for win No. 3 in the third test of a four-game set with the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park.

The hosts made it two straight on Tuesday night, taking advantage of a throwing error and scoring three times in the opening inning on the way to a 3-2 win.

Each of Washington's last nine victories has come by either one run or in extra innings.

Ross Detwiler pitched into the sixth inning to get the win in his first appearance of the season. Detwiler (1-0) allowed four hits and a pair of runs over 5 1/3 frames. Drew Storen worked around a one-out single to Marlon Byrd in the ninth and recorded his 21st save.

The Nationals have gone 12-3 in games decided by the minimum dating to June 1. That includes Monday's 5-4 win in 10 innings. This was their eighth consecutive one-run victory at Nationals Park.

Ramon Ortiz, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa to make his season debut, allowed three runs -- two earned -- on seven hits and fanned seven over six innings. Ortiz (0-1) made two starts with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

Aramis Ramirez belted a two-run homer in the sixth inning for the Cubs, losers in four of their last five contests.

A second-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2003, Gorzelanny has lost four decisions and is winless overall in his last six starts, dating back to a 5-2 defeat of Florida on May 7.

He's pitched well enough to win in the last two outings in particular, allowing just an earned run and 13 hits over 14 innings against the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh.

The Nationals are 4-8 in games he's pitched this season.

Gorzelanny was 11-11 in 42 appearances -- 30 starts -- with the Cubs in 2009-10 and is 3-4 against them in eight career meetings.

He will be opposed by Illinois-born righty Randy Wells, who hasn't won since a season-opening defeat of Arizona on April 4.

The 28-year-old has made just seven starts since in an early season marked by injury and effectiveness, losing three decisions in those games and two in his last two starts.

He was touched for six runs on eight hits against the White Sox on July 1 and allowed six runs on 10 hits at Kansas City an outing earlier on June 26.

Wells has split two starts against Washington in his career while giving up nine runs on 12 hits in 11 1/3 innings.

The Cubs took four of six from the Nats last season and have won 11 of the previous 17 overall matchups.






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