Washington Nationals slip to Miami Marlins 7-9 as Tyler Clippard gives up three runs – MLB Update
Starter Stephen Strasburg and relief pitcher Tyler Clippard leak runs as the Washington Nationals are edged out by the Miami Marlins 7-9 at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C. on September 7, 2012 in the first match of the three game series.
The two pitchers that have been a success story this year were sent for plenty of runs in the game. Strasburg is arguably the best pitcher in the National League but on Friday he was scratched after just three innings owing to the runs he allowed.
Similarly Clippard is the most consistent pitcher for the Nationals when it comes to recording saves.
However on Friday he turned out to be the scapegoat in the loss. He gave up three runs at a time when the Nationals had little time to bounce back.
The game progressed with some interesting twists and turns.
From the start the Marlins were leading and heading to embrace an easy win. However Washington replied strongly in the seventh. With one more run in the eighth, they tied the score.
With the match entering into extra innings, the pressure on both the sides mounted.
For the Marlins the shortstop Jose Reyes played in heroic fashion in the tenth. By striking for a triple, he sent two base runners aboard. As a result he restored the Marlins’ lead.
As far as the Nationals’ offence was concerned, incredible hits came off and at one stage of the game as their hitters had put them in an ideal position to win.
Their left fielder Michael Morse hammered a home-run in the game. Apart from him, the third baseman Ryan Zimmerman smacked a two-run homer.
For the Marlins, Giancarlo Stanton led the offensive charge from the beginning. By hitting a home-run and the double, he roughed up Washington’s starter Strasburg. He was 2-for-5.
Miami had a rare game which saw their batters stepping up during the crucial stages of the match. Watching their hitters connecting extremely well under pressure was fascinating for the fans.
The Marlins cannot afford to be complacent against the Nationals for the upcoming games in light of the fact that the latter are capable of bouncing back strongly. It will be interesting to see how they perform in their next match.
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