Washington Nationals edge San Francisco Giants 6-5 as Tyler Clippard throws scoreless ninth - MLB
Relief pitcher Tyler Clippard throws a perfect ninth inning as he restricts the San Francisco Giants from substantiating their lead and helps the Washington Nationals win 6-5 at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C. on July 5, in the third game of the three match
series.
Last inning saw the game turned into the Nationals’ favour. From the start, Giants maintained the lead and were heading to an easy win. Just when they reached the brink of victory and needed to keep the momentum going for one more inning, they faltered.
Getting their relievers to succumb to pressure and fielders not making plays, Giants missed the opportunity to record a consolation victory.
Santiago Casilla pitched the last inning for them. It was a situation which had the Nationals trailing by one run. Therefore, a scoreless inning would have ensured the victory.
Instead, he gave up two runs and allowed the Nationals to complete a three-match sweep.
Meanwhile, Ross Detwiler returns to the rotation as Chien-Ming Wang is put on the disabled list. While starting for Washington on Thursday, he threw five innings. He struck-out five and allowed three runs.
Relief pitcher, Craig Stammen replaced him. Unable to put a plug on the run-leakage, he also conceded two runs in two innings.
Offensively, the Nationals relied on centre-fielder Bryce Harper and short-stop Ian Desmond.
Desmond initiated the recovery in the seventh. Trailing by four runs before the start of the inning, Desmond struck a home-run, which was followed by another one by second baseman Danny Espinosa.
However, the most breathtaking moments came in the bottom of the ninth. A deficit of just one run was left as Harper came to the fore, levelling the score with a single to right and leading a base-runner.
After him, Adam LaRoche grounded to second and Harper reached home plate in turn. This took the Nationals past the Giants as they registered the sweep.
The Division Leaders have strengthened their position now. Teams in line to succeed them will need something spectacular to happen if they want to take over.
Only way the Nationals can keep them at bay throughout the season is by keeping the momentum up and not getting carried away.
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