Final
Harper, Espinosa HRs carry Nationals over Orioles 7-4
Jul 12, 2015 - 3:51 AM BALTIMORE (AP) The Washington Nationals appeared to be mired in another offensive funk as the sixth inning began at Camden Yards.Having made 10 straight outs against Baltimore Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, the Nationals desperately needed a spark to turn things around.
Bryce Harper got Washington started with his 26th home run, and Danny Espinoza subsequently added a three-run shot to propel the Nationals to a 7-4 victory Saturday night.
After Harper's leadoff homer, Clint Robinson and Wilson Ramos singled before Espinosa sent an 0-1 pitch over the 25-foot scoreboard in right field for a 6-4 lead.
Though Espinoza's blow was the difference-maker, Harper provided the impetus for the comeback with a no-doubt drive to right field.
''That ball was crushed. Pretty impressive,'' Espinosa said. ''He seems to do that a lot.''
Espinosa wasn't sure what he was going to be asked to do when he came to the plate later in the inning.
''Thought maybe we would do a sac bunt,'' he said. ''Definitely a fun situation to be in right there with Bryce having hit the home run and having a couple of guys on base.''
It was his 10th home run, second-most on the team behind Harper.
Harper's home run was his first against the Orioles in 12 career games. He's 8 for 44 (.182) with three RBIs against Baltimore, including 5 for 26 at Camden Yards.
''I can't see (the ball) here very well,'' Harper said. ''I feel it's a little dark.''
Jordan Zimmermann (8-5) won his third straight start despite allowing four runs and nine hits in five innings. He was pitching one day after his wife gave birth to the couple's second child.
''Not a lack of focus,'' he insisted. ''Just didn't have it tonight.''
Caleb Joseph and Steve Pearce homered for the Orioles, who have lost nine of 12. Baltimore went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and is 0 for 15 in that situation over the first two games of the series.
''We're just going through it right now, a tough period,'' Pearce said. ''We've got to try to battle through it, and we'll do it.''
Gonzalez gave up two runs and five hits over the first two innings, then appeared to regain his command before things unraveled in the sixth.
''I didn't think he was very sharp tonight early on,'' Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. ''Miguel, like a lot of good pitchers, kind of found his step in the third, fourth and fifth. But it wasn't there for him in the sixth.''
Michael Taylor added an RBI single in the ninth for the Nationals, who snapped a three-game skid. It was only the second time in nine games they scored more than three runs.
Drew Storen, the fourth Washington reliever, got three outs for his 26th save.
The interleague matchup between neighboring rivals drew 44,495 fans, the second straight sellout at Camden Yards. The deciding game will be played Sunday before both teams head into the All-Star break.
Washington's first inning ended when Yunel Escobar was thrown out trying to score on a double by Robinson. Jimmy Paredes hit a run-scoring grounder in the bottom half.
After the Nationals used a run-scoring grounder and an RBI single by Taylor to go up 2-1 in the second, Joseph answered with a two-run drive in the Baltimore half.
Pearce made it 4-2 in the fourth with his seventh home run, the first since May 27.
Before this game, Zimmermann allowed only one run over 22 2-3 innings.
''For sure, it wasn't one of my better outings,'' he said. ''I guess I'm happy about four runs - it could have been worse.''
HELLO, FAREWELL
Washington activated Zimmermann from the paternity list and optioned LHP Sammy Solis to Double-A Harrisburg.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: INF Ryan Zimmerman, sidelined since June 10 with plantar fasciitis, is moving closer to beginning a rehabilitation assignment. ''He's walking, jogging, batting, fielding,'' manager Matt Williams said.
Orioles: RF Chris Davis was a late scratch with gastroenteritis (stomach flu).
ON DECK
Nationals: Max Scherzer (9-7, 2.12 ERA) will start in Sunday's series finale and therefore will not appear in the All-Star Game. ''It's a great honor to be able to pitch in an All-Star Game,'' Williams said, ''but his view is that the most important thing is to help us win games.''
Orioles: Wei-Yin Chen (4-4, 2.82 ERA) takes the Orioles into the break looking to lower his 6.60 ERA career vs. Washington.
- WASHINGTON: 7
BALTIMORE: 4
Final
Jul 11 10:21 PM - Michael Taylor singles to right field. Ian Desmond scores.
Nationals 7, Orioles 4 Top 9, 1 OutJul 11 10:04 PM - Espinosa homered to right on a 0-1 count, C.Robinson scored, W.Ramos scored.
Nationals 6, Orioles 4 Top 6, 0 OutsJul 11 9:01 PM - Danny Espinosa homers to right field. Wilson Ramos scores. Clint Robinson scores.
Nationals 6, Orioles 4 Top 6, 0 OutsJul 11 9:01 PM - Joseph homered to center on a 2-1 count, J.Hardy scored.
Nationals 2, Orioles 3 Bot 2, 2 OutsJul 11 8:01 PM - Caleb Joseph homers to center field. J.J. Hardy scores.
Nationals 2, Orioles 3 Bot 2, 2 OutsJul 11 8:01 PM - M.Taylor singled to center, Espinosa scored, den Dekker to second.
Nationals 2, Orioles 1 Top 2, 2 OutsJul 11 7:50 PM - Michael Taylor singles to shallow center field. Matt den Dekker to second. Danny Espinosa scores.
Nationals 2, Orioles 1 Top 2, 2 OutsJul 11 7:50 PM - Desmond grounded into a double play, shortstop J.Hardy to second baseman Flaherty to first baseman Parmelee, W.Ramos scored, Espinosa to third, T.Moore out.
Nationals 1, Orioles 1 Top 2, 2 OutsJul 11 7:46 PM - Ian Desmond grounds out to shortstop. Tyler Moore out at second. Danny Espinosa to third. Wilson Ramos scores.
Nationals 1, Orioles 1 Top 2, 2 OutsJul 11 7:45 PM - Paredes grounded out, second baseman Espinosa to first baseman T.Moore, M.Machado scored, Parmelee to third.
Nationals 0, Orioles 1 Bot 1, 2 OutsJul 11 7:35 PM - Jimmy Paredes grounds out to second base, Danny Espinosa to Tyler Moore. Chris Parmelee to third. Manny Machado scores.
Nationals 0, Orioles 1 Bot 1, 1 OutJul 11 7:35 PM
Jul 11 7:17 PM- WASHINGTON: 0
BALTIMORE: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jul 11 7:16 PM
Related News
- Tuesday Bird Droppings: The slow march to Opening Day Dec 26
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Getting more pitching in 2024 + more... Dec 26
- Christmas Bird Droppings: Enjoy the holiday season, Birdland Dec 25
- Christmas Eve Bird Droppings Dec 24
- Saturday Bird Droppings: Ryan Minor has passed away Dec 23
- The 2023 ALDS, Game 1 (Camden Chat’s version) Dec 22
- Friday Bird Droppings: The Dodgers won the Yamamoto sweepstakes Dec 22
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Keibert Ruiz, CS% and more… Dec 22
- The 2014 ALCS, Game 1 (Camden Chat’s version) Dec 21
- Thursday Bird Droppings: Lease done, it’s back to thinking about the Orioles rotation Dec 21
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Stephen Strasburg retirement?; 40-man spot + more... Dec 21
- How much can Oriole Park at Camden Yards change without losing its classic feel? Dec 20