Washington Nationals defeat Cincinnati Reds 6-4 – MLB Update
Chien-Ming Wang had over six innings spell on Tuesday, August 16 to help the Washington Nationals beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 at Nationals Park.
Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse homered to provide solid offence support in the team’s victory.
However, the most valuable contribution, beyond any shadow of doubt, was that of Wang’s strong innings, allowing only four runs to score the victory. His impressive performance evoked happiness in the team camp.
"I think he's just going to get stronger," Nationals’ manager Davey Johnson said of Wang, who threw more breaking balls. "From what I've seen, he wasn't tired, and he was still throwing the ball hard."
Wang who was unable to go for a winning streak since June 2008 has made significant improvement this season, something that does not go unnoticed and unacknowledged by the experts, especially his team manager.
"Ever since I've been here, he hasn't had really a bad day," said Johnson, who took over as manager on June 26. "He missed one day and came back hitting ropes the next day. I don't know where we'd be without him. He's been awfully good."
Although the first inning that he pitched was a bit expensive, Wang maintained his poise to confine the Reds’ hitters. Ramon Hernandez and Jay Bruce scored a single each in the very first inning to give a supposedly safe 2-0 lead to the Reds.
Nonetheless, the Washington Nationals’ offence appeared belligerent since the start of the game. Mike Leake was taken to task by the hitters once he came on the mound. Michael Morse was the first one to score.
Ian Desmond then had a two-run RBI that reversed the Reds lead, and gave the Nationals 3-2 edge by the end of the first inning. Wang then tossed strong enough innings to maintain the lead for the team.
Michael Morse homered to right in the third to take the lead to 4-2 for the Washington Nationals. If that was not enough, Rick Ankiel had another run scored in the fourth inning against Mike Leake that gave the Nationals a comfortable 5-2 lead by the end
of the fourth inning.
Ryan Zimmerman homered in the fifth to make it 6-2. Wang, who had pitched other innings strong, gave a single to Jay Bruce in the sixth and another run to Edgar Renteria in the 7th that brought the Nationals lead down to 6-4.
However, Tyler Clippard pitched a strong eighth and then closer Drew Storen had a brilliant inning to unleash in the ninth that safely concluded the game with 6-4 victory for the Washington Nationals.
Tags: