The Washington Nationals controlled most of Friday night's game, but the Cincinnati Reds slowly chipped away at the Nats lead, eventually tied the game and then pulled off a bottom of the ninth victory. The Reds beat the Nationals 4-3.
The Nats took control of the game 3-1 in the fourth after catcher Wilson Ramos jacked a three-run home run off Reds starter Dontrelle Willis. But the Reds battled back getting a RBI in the sixth and seventh innings to tie the game. Then in the bottom of the ninth, Nats reliever Collin Balester gave up a walk-off RBI single to Miguel Cairo to complete the Cincinnati comeback and get the 4-3 win.
Nationals starter Chien-Ming Wang put on another strong performance going six innings giving up two runs on six hits while walking four and striking out two. The game was delayed for a time thanks to some field lighting panels going dark. During the game, it was found that the Nationals are intending to call up first baseman Chris Marrero from Syracuse on Saturday.
The Nationals are now 62-68 and are tied for third place in the NL East with the New York Mets.