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Werth powers Nationals past Diamondbacks

Aug 23, 2011 - 4:14 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Jayson Werth belted a three-run homer to back 6 2/3 strong innings from Ross Detwiler, as the Washington Nationals downed the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-1, in the opener of a four-game series.

Detwiler (2-3) allowed one run on six hits to earn the win. He walked one and struck out three.

Werth had a pair of hits and scored twice while Jonny Gomes knocked in a run for the Nationals, who have won five of seven.

Drew Storen worked a 1-2-3 ninth to record his 34th save of the season.

Joe Saunders (8-11) surrendered four runs on six hits and three walks over six innings to suffer the loss.

Henry Blanco hit a home run for the Diamondbacks, who saw their losing streak reach a season-high six games. The Diamondbacks now lead idle San Francisco by a single game atop the NL West.

The Nationals recorded two walkoff wins in a recently completed series against the Phillies. They proved equally vexing against the D-Backs.

Werth ripped a one-out double in the second and crossed the plate on Gomes' single to right.

In the fourth, Ryan Zimmerman led off with a single and Michael Morse followed with a walk before Werth gave the Nats a 4-0 lead with his 15th home run of the season.

"I've settled in and am getting comfortable and really finding my zone," said Werth. "I'm feeling good. Unfortunately it's taken this long, but that's the game."

The Diamondbacks, who are 1-6 on their current 10-game road trip, threatened in the sixth. Singles by Saunders and Justin Upton and a Chris Young walk loaded the bases with two down, but Detwiler induced Paul Goldschmidt into a inning-ending groundout.

Blanco got the Diamondbacks on the board with a two-out homer in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Sean Burroughs followed with a single to chase Detwiler. Henry Rodriguez walked Ryan Roberts, but induced a groundout from Kelly Johnson to prevent further damage.

Ryan Mattheus worked a perfect eighth before handing the ball to Storen.

"I think we're just trying to do too much right now," said Blanco. "I don't think we can panic right now. We've just got to go out there and play our game."

Game Notes

Zimmerman has reached base safely in 28 straight games...Detwiler was the Nationals' top selection in the 2007 first-year player draft...Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg threw 60 pitches in his fourth rehab start with Single-A Hagerstown on Monday.