+2
Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Morse, Danny Espinosa and Laynce Nix put balls over the walls at Turner Field and Livan Hernandez kept the Braves line-up guessing.
Over a week ago the Washington Nationals took care of business and beat up on the NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies. This week the Nats look to pound on the Atlanta Braves who are second in the NL East and so far on Tuesday they have been relentless by taking a 9-2 lead.
Four different Nationals have hit home runs in the game. Left fielder Michael Morse, second baseman Danny Espinosa and outfielder Laynce Nix have all gone deep for solo home runs while third baseman Ryan Zimmerman destroyed a pitch from Jair Jurrjens for a three-run shot. Morse also has a RBI single and RBI double during the game and is 3-for-4. Zimmerman is also 3-for-4 and Nix is 2-for-4.
Nats starter Livan Hernandez is putting together a good performance. He has pitched six innings giving up two runs on five hits, walking three and striking out one.
The game is currently head into the top of the eighth inning.
The Washington Nationals are set to face the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field Tuesday night, but they will have to go against a strong Braves team and try to snap a six game losing streak without popular right fielder Jayson Werth.
The Nationals are coming off an off-day on Monday, but it apparently wasn't enough to appropriately heal up Werth who is dealing with a sore left foot and sore right hand. There is no word on how long this might hinder Werth's playing time, but for now outfielder Laynce Nix will be taking over right field responsibilities. First baseman Chris Marrero will be getting his second Major League start at the first base bag Tuesday night. After a shaky debut on Saturday night he looked a lot more solid and confident during playing time in the Nationals extra innings loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.
Catcher Wilson Ramos was scheduled to catch Livan Hernandez, but has fallen under the weather. In his place will be catcher Jesus Flores.
Tuesday night's pitching battle will be between Washington's Livan Hernandez (7-12, 4.36 ERA) and Atlanta's Jair Jurrjens (13-5, 2.71 ERA).
Nationals Line-Up
Ian Desmond - SS
Rick Ankiel - CF
Ryan Zimmerman - 3B
Michael Morse - LF
Laynce Nix - RF
Danny Espinosa - 2B
Chris Marrero - 1B
Jesus Flores - C
Livan Hernandez - SP
Nationals Vs. Braves Final: Nationals Power Up Against Braves In 9-2 Victory
Matthew Kaminski, the Atlanta Braves organist, tweeted before Tuesday night's game against the Washington Nationals that he would bust out in the Super Mario Bros. theme song when certain Nationals players came to bat. It must have powered them up because the Nationals rolled over the Braves 9-2 in front of a Turner Field crowd.
The offensive potential of the 2011 Nationals showed itself once again after a six-game absence. The Nationals outhit the Braves 12 to five and four different Nationals were able to take the Braves pitching staff for a ride and hit home runs. Ryan Zimmerman hit a three-run home run in the top of the fifth which completely put the game away. MIchael Morse, Danny Espinosa and Laynce Nix connected for solo home runs of their own. Both Zimmerman and Morse finished the night 3-for-5 with three RBIs.
Nationals starter Livan Hernandez put together a wonderful performance. The Cuban pitcher went seven innings, giving up two runs on five hits, walking three and striking out one.
Thank you, Mr. Kaminski.
The Nationals move to 63-70 on the season.
Aug 30 10:29p by Andrew Kinback