Nationals back to winning ways
June 21, 2012 18:44:20 UK
The Washington Nationals jumped on debutant Chris Archer (0-1) for three runs in the first inning to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.
Washington's first three batters, Stephen Lombardozzi, Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman, all scored to give the Nationals the advantage and Stephen Strasburg (9-1) made that stand up striking out 10 over seven innings to win his sixth consecutive start.
Tyler Clippard nailed down the save in the ninth for his 10th of the year and Washington send Gio Gonzalez to the mound in the finale as the National League East Division leaders look to hold off the charging New York Mets who finished off a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field.
Dillon Gee (5-5) was staked to a four-run lead by his offense and picked up the win with 7 1-3 innings of work allowing two runs on three hits and a couple of walks while striking out nine. Frank Francisco made it interesting in the ninth conceding a run on two hits and two walks before recording his 17th save of the year.
The Mets take the day off on Thursday before resuming their Subway Series with the Yankees on Friday.
The Philadelphia Phillies remain rooted to the foot of the Division, but beat the Colorado Rockies for a second straight day. Todd Helton's error in the bottom of the ninth allowed Hunter Pence to score the winning run as Philadelphia rallied for two in the 7-6 victory at Citizens Bank Park.
Texas Rangers are 301.00 to win the World Series while New York Yankees can be backed at 301.00, Washington Nationals at 301.00 and Tampa Bay Rays at 301.00.
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