Nationals
2, Cardinals 1 (10 innings)
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[April 22, 2015]
WASHINGTON -- Third baseman Yunel
Escobar had a two-out solo homer in the last of the 10th off reliever
Carlos Villanueva as the Washington Nationals beat the St. Louis
Cardinals 2-1 on Tuesday for a rare win against the defending National
League Central division champions.
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There were 23 runners left on base through nine innings as the teams
combined for 20 hits and just two runs in the first nine innings. It
was the third career walk-off homer for Escobar, who hit the first
pitch into the St. Louis bullpen in left.
The Nationals had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the
ninth but center fielder Jon Jay made a diving catch on a liner off
the bat of left fielder Jayson Werth with the bases loaded for the
third out of the frame.
St. Louis left fielder Matt Holliday had his fourth hit of the game,
a single to left, to tie the game at 1-1 with out in the top of the
ninth against closer Drew Storen. His hit scored third baseman Matt
Carpenter, who led off the inning with a single.
The Nationals (7-7), the reigning East division champs, reached .500
for the first time since the start of the season while the Cardinals
(8-4) lost for just third time in their last 14 games to Washington.
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Aaron Barrett (2-0) got the win with a scoreless 10th while
Villanueva (1-1) was tagged with the loss.
Washington starter Gio Gonzalez gave up eight hits and four walks
but somehow managed to keep the Cardinals off the board in six
scoreless innings.
St. Louis starter Lance Lynn was taken out with one out and one on
in the seventh and replaced by Kevin Siegrist. Lynn gave up five
hits and one run with seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings, while
reliever Seth Maness fanned shortstop Ian Desmond for the last out
of the seventh with two runners on base to keep the Cardinals within
one.
Washington first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and center fielder Denard
Span each had two hits. Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong also
had three hits and catcher Yadier Molina had two.
The Cardinals entered the game with a record of 14-6 against the
Nationals since the start of the 2012 season. Washington was 2-5
against St. Louis last year and did not score more than three runs
in any of those games.
The Nationals took a 1-0 lead in third against starter Lance Lynn
but ran themselves out of a possible big inning.
Right fielder Bryce Harper singled to left with one out to drive in
Desmond, who had doubled to right for his ninth hit in four games.
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Zimmerman then lined out to deep center for the second out. Harper
was then ruled out on an appeal play as he did not re-touch second
base on his return to first after the line out by Zimmerman.
Washington starter Gio Gonzalez allowed six hits and no runs in the
first five innings. But he also gave up four walks (one intentional)
and threw 97 pitches. The lefty got out of a bases loaded jam in the
fifth as he retired Jay on a grounder to end the threat.
Lynn, in his 100th career start, yielded four hits and the one run
in his first five innings. He was 2-0 last year against the
Nationals and allowed just one run.
NOTES: The Cardinals put OF Peter Bourjos on paternity leave and
purchased the contract of Triple-A pitcher Mitch Harris from
Memphis. The Cardinals also announced that Memphis OF Gary Brown was
designated for assignment in order to make room for Harris on the
40-man roster. ... Nationals 3B Yunel Escobar returned to the
starting lineup after injuring a groin while running out on a
groundout in Thursday's game with the Philadelphia Phillies. He did
not play Saturday or Sunday and the Nationals were off Monday.
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