Washington Nationals defeat Los Angeles Dodgers 7-2 in series starter – MLB Update
Washington Nationals rained home-runs to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 7-2 blow in the first outing of the four-game series at Nationals Park in Washington on Monday, September 5.
Nationals’ batting started in the bottom of the first inning. Ian Desmond started the home-run derby with his huge 447-feet long one run homer off the Dodgers’ starter Hiroki Kuroda. Michael Morse followed launching a 379-feet two-run homer while Jayson
Werth made his mark with a brilliant 429-feet long one-run homer. Nationals took a 3-1 lead until the end of the first inning.
Nationals’ starter John Lannan made an excellent comeback after allowing an RBI single in the first inning to Matt Kemp. Lannan held the opposition to just one run until the end of his five innings spell, in which he struck-out four and walked two batters.
He snatched his ninth win of the season and improved his ERA to 3.48 with a 9-11 record after 29 starts in this season.
"I felt pretty good. A little hiccup there in the first, but I settled down after they scored," said Lannan. "It's always a little bit of a comfort when you can go out there and just try and get ahead knowing that you have a lead."
After the first inning, Kuroda made a strong comeback in the middle of the inning and held the Nationals scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning. Michael Morse ruined his outing with another home-run in this inning.
After this inning, Kuroda’s game ended with his 15th loss in the 2011 regular season. He allowed five runs on eight hits over six innings. He struck-out nine batters but allowed four home-runs which cost him a serious blow.
"Usually, when you don't pitch good, it's that first inning," Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly said. "(Kuroda) got himself into a groove and pitched well after that. He gave us some chances to kind of creep back in."
Kuroda’s reliever Josh Lindblom also allowed two hits and one run. Ramon Troncoso followed the same path and went for two hits and one run.
Nationals’ Collin Balester and Tom Gorzelanny each earned their first hold of the season. Tyler Clippard worked just over one hitless inning.
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