Nats Do It Again, and Again.. and Again!
Dunn hit a bases-loaded single to help win game
Updated 11:45 AM EST, Sat, Jun 20, 2009
Washington -- Adam Dunn hit a bases-loaded single in the 11th inning to give the Washington Nationals a 2-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.
With one out in the 11th, Cristian Guzman knocked off the glove of Jason Frasor (5-1) with a line-drive infield single, then Nick Johnson and Ryan Zimmerman walked before Dunn lined the winning single down the right-field line.
The victory was the Nationals' third straight, matching a season high. Their previous three-game winning streak came from May 7-9.
Jesus Colome (1-0), the Nationals' seventh pitcher, pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Washington prevailed for the first time in nine extra-inning games this season.
Toronto had a three-game winning streak snapped.
The Nationals loaded the bases in the fourth before taking a 1-0 lead. Josh Bard drew a one-out walk and moved to third on Willie Harris' double down the right-field line. Anderson Hernandez was intentionally walked, but Washington starter Jordan Zimmermann beat out a relay on a potential double-play grounder to second for his first career RBI.
Rod Barajas' RBI single tied the game in the sixth. Scott Rolen hit a leadoff single, Lyle Overbay walked with two down and Barajas chased Zimmermann with a run-scoring single to right.
Zimmermann gave up one run on five hits, walked three and struck out three. He is winless in nine starts since April 26. Blue Jays starter Brian Tallet worked five innings, giving up a run on five hits and walking three.
Washington wasted a go-ahead opportunity in the seventh, when Dunn was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs. Shawn Camp relieved Dirk Hayhurst and got Elijah Dukes and Bard looking at third strikes.
The Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out in the eighth, but Joel Hanrahan got a fielder's choice grounder, erasing a runner at the plate, and pinch hitter Kevin Millar hit an inning-ending flyout.
The Nationals will try to extend their winning streak Saturday night, when they resume a three- game interleague series against the Blue Jays at Nationals Park.
NOTES: Nationals manager Manny Acta said OF Josh Willingham will return to the club Saturday after spending the maximum seven days on the bereavement list following the death of his brother. ... Tallet has gone five or fewer innings in consecutive starts after eight straight outings in which he pitched six or more innings. ... Dunn drew his team-high eighth intentional pass.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC Washington
First Published: Jun 20, 2009 10:34 AM EST
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