Houston Astros defeat Washington Nationals 7-6 – MLB Update
Clint Barmes homered and Michael Bourn went for three RBIs on Tuesday, 19 July, to guide the Houston Astros 7-6 over the Washington Nationals at Minute Maid Park.
A night after losing by 5-2, the Astros displayed magnificent performance to prevail at Minute Maid Park.
J. A Happ who had not won a game for over two months now was assisted by the Astros’ hitters to snatch a victory. "It seems likes it's been a while," he said. "I don't know the specifics, but too long, so hopefully we can build off this one and try to get
some momentum."
Although it was not a particularly impressive performance once again as Happ gave up seven hits and allowed five runs in the 5.2 innings that he pitched, the timely assistance by the Astros’ offence adequately compensated for a potentially devastating outcome
of the game.
"I was just trying to get some positive energy going and that's nice to hear, especially when things are going tough for us and for me," he said. "So I think that helped tonight."
The Astros kicked off a fantastically aggressive game with Clint Barmes’ two-run homer in the second inning against Jordan Zimmermann. As Happ threw the first inning scoreless, Zimmerman could not hold back Barmes from scoring the valuable runs.
However, Houston could strengthen their grip on the game, the Nationals’ offence recharged. Michael Morse homered to left to level the score, throwing a new exciting flavour in the game.
The Astros recharged and came back harder in the fourth inning of Zimmermann who now did not seem to have things completely right. Clint Barmes drove in the RBI in the game for himself and Humberto Quintero scored another single to take the lead to 4-2.
Michael Bourn did not let Zimmermann settle as the former doubled to left to score another two-run homer, giving a secure 6-2 lead to the Astros, keeping the whole ground on the edge with a thrilling performance.
The three-game series second encounter became rather exciting when the Washington Nationals’ offence sparked in the sixth inning. Happ, who was good until the fifth, faltered and allowed runs that he was supposed to save.
Jerry Hairston Jr. snapped a two-run homer to bring the score down to 6-4 and Ian Desmond scored another single to make it 6-5 for the Nationals. Michael Bourn scored a single in the sixth against Todd Coffey to give Houston a 7-6 edge.
Wilson Ramos scored a single in the seventh to make it 7-6. However, David Carpenter pitched a scoreless eighth and Mark Melancon went for a shut-out ninth to give the Astros a difficult 7-6 victory, levelling the three game series 1-1.
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