Washington Nationals edge out Houston Astros 5-4 as Kurt Suzuki bunts single in eleventh-MLB Update
Catcher Kurt Suzuki bunts single in the eleventh and leads Roger Bernadina aboard as the Washington Nationals beat the Houston Astros 5-4 at Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas on August 6, 2012 in the first game of the four match series.
The Nationals were well in control half way through the game. They posted three runs in the fifth. From there onward it was believable that they will go on to record an easy victory, considering their recent performances.
Additionally, the fact Astros has been poor as a team so far in the season gave one a reason to claim that after the fifth inning the Nationals were headed to victory.
However, in the sixth and the ninth inning, Astros bounced back strongly. The one run that they posted in the ninth tied the score. Thus, additional innings were played.
In the top of the eleventh, Washington managed one run at the back of fielding errors by Astros.
Meanwhile, Craig Stammen was impeccable on the mound at a time when such a performance was needed the most by Washington. Two innings that he pitched were scoreless. Thus, whatever attempt Astros made in the additional innings was defeated by him.
Edwin Jackson started for Nationals. In little more than five innings, he gave up two runs. Despite striking-out eight, he did not earn win at the end of the game.
Meanwhile, Jackson talks of the fact that Nationals remained in contention throughout the game, despite being challenged by Astros time-and-again. He has also discussed how he had to be out of the ordinary on the mound to keep batters from making big connections.
"The game was good enough to keep us close," Jackson said. "I have to do a better job of coming out and getting ahead in the count and putting guys away earlier. I have to do a better job of going out there and attacking the strike zone to go later in the
game."
Washington’s manager Davey Johnson will be aware of the fact that they were not at their best in the game despite winning. He will be looking to work out issues and get the players come out improved in the upcoming games.
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