Nationals 4 - 3 Red Sox
Final
  for this game

Nats edge Red Sox to complete sweep

Jun 11, 2012 - 4:10 AM Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Roger Bernadina knocked in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning, as the Washington Nationals snuck past the Boston Red Sox, 4-3, to complete a three-game sweep.

The Red Sox sent Alfredo Aceves (0-4) to the mound in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Bryce Harper walked and raced home on Bernadina's two-out double down the right-field line.

Tyler Clippard worked around a one-out walk in the bottom half of the frame to pick up his eighth save of the year.

Danny Espinosa had two RBI for Washington, which swept the Red Sox for the first time since 1999 when the organization still resided north of the border and was known as the Montreal Expos. Ryan Zimmerman added an RBI.

Washington starter Jordan Zimmermann gave up three runs on seven hits over seven innings. Tom Gorzelanny (2-1) tossed a scoreless eighth to get the win.

"(Zimmermann) pitched a heck of a ball game and I feel bad that we didn't win it for him," said Nationals manager Davey Johnson.

David Ortiz hit a solo homer for the Red Sox, who have lost six of seven. Scott Podsednik and Dustin Pedroia had an RBI apiece.

Jon Lester allowed three runs on six hits over seven full frames.

"Good umpires had a real bad series this series. A real bad series," said Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine. "It went one way."

The Nationals got on the board in the first. Espinosa led off with a double to left-center field, moved to third when Xavier Nady flied out and scored on Zimmerman's groundout.

The Red Sox tied the game in the third. Nick Punto walked and Scott Podsednik singled to put men on the corners with one out. Pedroia plated a run when he grounded into a fielder's choice.

Ortiz's solo homer in the fourth gave Boston a 2-1 lead.

Washington scored two runs in the seventh to go back in front. Ian Desmond and Tyler Moore hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. With two outs, Espinosa hit a two-run double to left for a 3-2 margin.

But the Red Sox tied the game in the bottom of the frame. Ryan Sweeney and Nick Punto hit consecutive singles. Darnell McDonald's sacrifice bunt moved the runners up a base. Podsednik plated the tying run when he grounded out.

Game Notes

Washington (35-23) is 12 games over .500 for the first time this season. The last time the Nationals reached 12-over was in July 2005 (55-43 after 98 games)...Nationals catcher Jesus Flores took a foul ball off his right hand in the bottom of the eighth...The Red Sox placed pitcher Rich Hill on the 15-day disabled list Sunday and recalled right-handed pitcher Mark Melancon from Triple-A Pawtucket...Harper was not in Sunday's starting lineup because of lower back tightness.






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