|
 Ross (3-3), making his seventh career start, gave up five hits and
no walks with seven strikeouts. The right-hander has 47 strikeouts
and allowed just four walks in his first 45 innings after he was
called up from Double-A Harrisburg on June 6.
The Nationals (56-51) gained a split of the four-game series and won
for just the second time in the last seven games. Arizona (52-55)
ended its three-city road trip with a 6-4 record after winning the
first four.
Washington is now 1 1/2 games back of the National League
East-leading New York Mets, who were off Thursday.
Nationals pinch-hitter Ryan Zimmerman had an RBI double for some
breathing room to make it 5-3 in the seventh inning. First baseman
Clint Robinson, starting in place of Zimmerman, crushed a three-run
homer in the eighth off Brad Ziegler to pad the cushion to 8-3.
Washington right fielder Bryce Harper reached base all five times,
with three walks and two singles. Arizona right fielder Yasmany
Tomas and center fielder Ender Inciarte had two hits each.
The Diamondbacks had trimmed their deficit to 4-3 in the seventh
with a two-run double by Inciarte off reliever Casey Janssen. But
left-hander Matt Thornton came on to get the last two outs in the
inning. Drew Storen pitched a scoreless eighth and Blake Treinen
worked the ninth for the Nationals.
The Nationals scored two runs in the fifth and benefited from a wild
pitch by Jeremy Hellickson (7-8) that allowed left fielder Jayson
Werth to reach first after he swung at strike three for what would
have been the third out of the inning.
Washington shortstop Ian Desmond, who had two hits and two runs,
followed with a walk and Ramos lined a two-run single to left to
make it 4-1.
Desmond homered in the second to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead. It
was the 12th home run of the year for Desmond, who entered the game
hitting .148 in his last seven games.
[to top of second column] |
The Nationals grabbed a 2-0 lead on an RBI fielder's choice in the
fourth by center fielder Michael A. Taylor. Arizona's Jarrod
Saltalamacchia, starting at first base for the first time since
2007, hit a solo homer in the fifth to cut the margin to 2-1.
Hellickson struggled with his control, giving up four walks, a wild
pitch and a hit by pitch in addition to yielding five hits and four
runs.
NOTES: The Nationals called up RHP Blake Treinen from Triple-A
Syracuse and sent RHP Aaron Barrett to Triple-A. Barrett was the
losing pitcher on Wednesday when he threw away a bunt single that
led to two runs in the sixth inning. ... Arizona RHP Chase Anderson
(4-4, 4.37 ERA) will face Reds RHP Raisel Iglesias (2-3, 5.13) on
Friday as the Diamondbacks return home after a trip to Seattle,
Houston and Washington. The Nationals begin a series at home on
Friday against the Colorado Rockies. RHP Jordan Zimmermann (8-7,
3.54) will face RHP Jorge De La Rosa (7-4, 4.87). ... Nationals
manager Matt Williams met with his team before the game after losing
five of the last six. "We're best when we're aggressive," he said.
... Washington OF Bryce Harper entered Thursday having reached base
in 31 of his last 32 games.
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
