Four-run ninth inning helps Washington Nationals defeat Los Angeles Angels 7-2 – MLB Update
The Washington Nationals scored four runs in the ninth inning to annihilate the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-2 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, July 22.
The Nationals had a one-run lead till the eighth inning before the Dodgers lost it completely and allowed four-expensive runs in the last innings to throw the game out of their hands.
As it has been prominent this season, whenever the Dodgers’ pitchers concede more than two runs their batters succumb to the pressure and they lose the game. This game was similar in nature. Los Angeles’ starter Hiroki Kuroda leaked three runs in the first
two innings to put an early pressure on his side.
Kuroda has not been impressive this season and this game was no different. In 6.1 innings of ordinary pitching, Kuroda gave away seven hits and three vital runs. Although his last 4.1 innings did not concede a single run, the damage done at the start of
the game was enough to hand Kuroda his 12th loss of the season with just six wins to accompany thus far in the season.
Ryan Zimmerman’s run at the top of first inning started things for the Nationals before John Lannan duplicated his brilliancy at the mound on the plate with a two-run homer in the second inning. Lannan smashed the ball 376 feet into the stands allowing Ian
Desmond to complete his run and place a three-run lead for the Dodgers to chase.
Lannan was a star at the mound as well. He pitched 6.1 intensive innings for just three hits and two runs. He outperformed his counterpart Kuroda to register a win in the game and improve his win-loss tally to 7-6 for the current season.
The Dodgers came back strong in the fourth inning to add two runs but this effort was short-lived as their batters’ failed to add another run in the entire game. Matt Kemp and Juan Rivera added a run each in the fourth inning to reduce the deficit to just
one run and bring the game back on track.
The relief pitchers took charge from either side in the seventh inning and held things together to take the encounter into the decisive ninth inning. The Dodgers, needing just one run to equalise, lost control of the game when the Nationals’ batters took
charge at the top of the ninth inning and ended up scoring four runs helped by Jerry Hairston Jr.’s three-run homer.
Jerry’s fourth home-run of the season allowed Rick Ankiel, Ian Desmond and Jesus Flores to complete their runs and inflict a five-run lead on the Dodgers. The side from Los Angeles, however, could not score a single run in their final attempt.
The Nationals lead the three-game series 1-0 with the second game scheduled for Saturday, July 23. Both teams are at the bottom of their division standings and it will be interesting to see how the winner of this series gains pace for the rest of the season.
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