Washington Nationals record 3-2 win against Cincinnati Reds in tenth inning tie-breaker - MLB
Starter Gio Gonzalez throws seven scoreless innings to help the Washington Nationals in their 3-2 win over Cincinnati Reds at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on April 12, 2012.
It was a tenth inning decider occurring before the Nationals nearly squandered the win in the ninth.
Until the eighth, the Nationals' two run lead gave an impression that they will be winning easily. However closer Brad Lidge's giving up two runs in the ninth and tied the game forcing a tenth inning.
Thanks to the Nationals’ third baseman Ryan Zimmerman who intelligently sensed the wild pitch from Reds’ relief pitcher, Alfredo Simon and reached home plate for the win.
Gonzalez keeps the notion of the Nationals being one of the strongest sides in the pitching department alive. He spent a length of time on the mound and never walked and only gave two hits while striking-out seven.
"We're showing signs of great life here," said Gonzalez.
Apart from a little fall in momentum in the ninth, the Nationals were near perfect. Their offence drew hits and RBIs as the basemen made fine plays.
Their shortstop Ian Desmond is living up to his talent and so far in the regular season he has managed to post an impressive batting average of .406.
If Desmond keeps connecting the hits the way he is doing currently, he will end up bagging many distinctions at the end of the season. In five at-bats he hit thrice.
Part of the reason why closer Lidge gave up two runs was Zimmerman's inability to make plays in the third that let the ball pass him allowing the Reds to tie the score.
Zimmerman immediately compensated for his mistake by scoring the winning run for the Nationals in the tenth.
"If we had lost that game," Zimmerman said, "It would have been hard for me to sleep tonight."
Stage is set for the Nationals to script history this year. They have what it takes to be a World Championship contender.
One will argue that the Nationals will never have as great a chance as they have this year to experience the glory. All depends on how consistent they prove and how they fight against a possible complacency making their way into the ranks.
Tags: