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Wang collected his first Major League hit on a day that it was announced the Taiwanese righty is in possible talks with Washington for an extension.
Anybody watching the carnage from College Park can surely use something to smile about. How about Jayson Werth wrestling giant-headed President mascots during the fourth inning of Saturday's Nationals game. Werth, along with help from Rick Ankiel and the entire Nationals bullpen, tries to help President Teddy get his first ever win. Alas, Teddy remains winless and Werth himself got the victory.
The Washington Nationals have a 4-1 lead over the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning. Strong pitching from Nationals starter Chien-Ming Wang, aggressive offense and strong defense have put the Nationals ahead with Wang even adding a little with the bat.
In the bottom of the fourth inning Wang took a second pitch, 92 mph fastball from Brandon Beachy and hit a sharp cheddar line drive past the diving Braves first baseman for his first Major League hit in 33 career at-bats. The hit scored Danny Espinosa to give the Nationals a 4-1 lead.
Pitching wise Wang has gone five innings giving up one run on four hits. He has walked none and struck out three. His only mistake thus far has been giving up a solo home run to Freddie Freeman in the top of the fifth.
In the second inning Nationals first baseman Chris Marrero hit a RBI single and in the fourth Danny Espinosa hit a two-RBI single.
The Washington Nationals will not be finishing the 2011 campaign in the NL East cellar and their playoff hopes were long ago dashed, but that doesn't mean they will be taking Saturday afternoon's game against the Atlanta Braves lightly. The Braves snapped the Nats five-game winning streak on Friday night and have themselves moved closer to claiming the Wild Card. Washington will look for a measure of revenge and to prevent Atlanta from building on their lead for the Wild Card.
On the mound for the Nationals will be pitcher Chien-Ming Wang (3-3, 4.31 ERA) who will go up against Atlanta's Brandon Beachy (7-2, 3.58 ERA). Wang is coming off his longest start of 2011, a victory over the Florida Marlins, a 6 2/3-inning performance where he allowed three runs on six hits with a season-high five strikeouts.
Wang will have the Nationals "A-Line Up" working for him, including having veteran catcher Ivan Rodriguez as his battery mate. It is Rodriguez's first start since before the All-Star break. Wang and Rodriguez look to get the job done at Nationals Park at 1:05 P.M.
Nationals Line Up:
Ian Desmond – SS
Rick Ankiel – CF
Ryan Zimmerman – 3B
Michael Morse – LF
Jayson Werth – RF
Danny Espinosa – 2B
Chris Marrero – 1B
Ivan Rodriguez – C
Chien-Ming Wang – SP
Braves Vs. Nationals Final: Nationals Do Some Damage To Braves Playoff Hopes With 4-1 Win
The Washington Nationals defeated the Atlanta Braves 4-1 and it was a big game for a couple reasons. First, the Nationals have cut the Braves Wild Card lead down to two which is going to put pressure on Atlanta to make the playoffs as the Nationals play the old , "If we aren't going, you aren't either" card. Second, Nationals pitcher Chien-Ming Wang completed his 2011 campaign with his fourth win of the season and he also collected his first Major League hit.
Pitching wise, Wang went six innings, giving up four hits, one run, walking none and striking out four. It was another solid performance from the big Taiwanese right hander who is in supposed talks with the Nationals currently for an extension. In the fourth inning Wang was able to collect his first Major League hit off Atlanta's Brandon Beachy which also was a RBI single to score second baseman Danny Espinosa.
Wang's only mistake was giving up a solo home run to Freddie Freeman in the fifth inning.
Chris Marrero scored a RBI in the second and Espinosa added a two-RBI single in the fourth to complete the Nationals scoring. Closer Drew Storen collected his 41st save of the season.
Sep 24 4:18p by Andrew Kinback