Despite Being Booed, Jayson Werth Still Trying To 'Slay That Dragon'

Cubs Vs. Nationals: Washington Walks Off In Wild Fashion, Celebrates 4th Of July With 5-4 Win Over Chicago

The 32,000-plus fans who bought tickets to the Independence Day showdown between the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs were treated to their money's "werth"**, and then some, as the hometown Nats defeated the Cubs 5-4 in extra innings courtesy of a Carlos Marmol wild pitch.

Much maligned free agent signing Jayson Werth drew a walk to start the tenth inning, and new skipper Davey Johnson elected to pinch hit Livan Hernandez. Hernandez calmly walked off the bench, into the batters box, and laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance Werth to second. Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney fell asleep, allowing Werth to easily steal third, and Carlos Marmol then gift-wrapped the game, uncorking a wild pitch to the wall that allowed Werth to score the wining run.

Jordan Zimmerman started for Washington and had his worst outing in months, going six innings but allowing four runs on eights hits, walking one and striking out five. His four earned are a bit deceiving though, as Roger Bernadina and Werth decided to reenact a Little League "You got it? No you got? Nobody got it" play in the top of the third inning, allowing two Chicago runners to score.

Laynce Nix was the star at the plate for Washington, going two for four with a triple and two runs batted in. Werth, in what must be his most enjoyable game played in weeks, also drove in two.

Spot starter Casey Coleman gave the Cubs probably more than they expected, lasting 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, striking out five and walking one. Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena did the damage for the Chicago at the plate, going a combined five for eight and scoring three runs.

Washington is once again .500 on the season, at 43-43. The Nats also return to 10 games above .500 at home, sporting a stellar 25-15 record at Nationals Park. Tuesday evening, former Nat Ramon Ortiz will face Ross Detwiler, recalled from Triple-A Syracuse for the 7:05 P.M. first pitch.

**I just couldn't help myself

Cubs Vs. Nationals: Washington Looks To Bounce Back In Independence Day Game

The Washington Nationals' last game didn't go as planned. Given the chance to win a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Nationals instead were blown out early in a 10-2 loss on Sunday. The Nationals will look to bounce back against the Chicago Cubs in an Independence Day afternoon game at Nationals Park at 1 p.m.

The Nationals will be banged-up for the affair. Michael Morse remains out of the lineup after hurting his forearm in Saturday's game, while Ryan Zimmerman will not play after experiencing some pain in his abdominal area, the same area that caused him to miss most of the season with injury. Jayson Werth will be back in the lineup after a one-game absence due to injury.

Jordan Zimmermann will take the hill for the Nationals looking to continue his pitching run. Now, the hope is the Nationals will give him enough run support so he can get some victories for his efforts. Here is the lineup:

1. Roger Bernadina (CF)
2. Alex Cora (3B)
3. Danny Espinosa (2B)
4. Laynce Nix (LF)
5. Jayson Werth (RF)
6. Matt Stairs (1B)
7. Ivan Rodriguez (C)
8. Ian Desmond (SS)
9. Jordan Zimmermann (P)

Visit Federal Baseball to discuss the game with fellow Nationals fans.