Kearns Makes it 4 in a Row

Last night it was Felipe Lopez’s single in the 12th that lifted the Nationals to the win.  Tonight, it was Austin Kearn’s single in the bottom of the 8th that sent the Nationals to their 4th straight win.  The Nats have now won 7 of their last 9 and have gone 6-2 on the current  homestand.
Again, in a familiar scenario, the Nationals got a strong quality start, this time for Odalis Perez.  Perez have up only 3 hits in 7 strong innings allowing 2 runs, a solid performance.  It was the 4th straight game a Nationals starter has gone 6 or more innings.  Unfortunately for Perez, it wasn’t enough to gain a decision as he gave up the game tying home run in the 7th inning to Pirate clean up hitter Ryan Doumit.  Luis Ayala (1-1) fashionably came into to pitch the 8th and gain his first win of the season.  Jon Rauch closed the pirates down in the top of the 9th inning for save number 6.
The Nationals 8th inning started off with a single by Christian Guzman.  Nick Johnson followed up with a walk that nearly beamed him in the top shoulder.  The Austin Kearns deliver the game winning single to right field, RBI number 11 for Kearns.  he was 2 for 4 on the night.
W:  Luis Ayala (1-1
S:  Jon Rauch, 6
HR:  None
Next Up:  Pittsburgh, tomorrow night, 7PM in DC!