Guzman falls homer shy of cyle, Dunn homers for third straight game in Nats’ win over Florida
By APThursday, August 6, 2009
Extra-base hits help Nats win fourth straight
WASHINGTON — Cristian Guzman fell a home run shy of the cycle, Adam Dunn homered in his third straight game and the Washington Nationals tied a season high with their fourth straight win, 5-4 over the Florida Marlins on Wednesday night.
Ryan Zimmerman and Ronnie Belliard also connected for the Nationals, who improved to 10-6 under interim manager Jim Riggleman. Washington has won the first two games of this series after dropping the first nine meetings this year.
Nyjer Morgan continued to give the Nationals a spark from the leadoff spot. He went 1 for 2, walked twice, stole two bases and scored two runs. Five of the Nationals’ eight hits went for extra-bases.
Dan Uggla hit a solo homer for the Marlins in the second inning and added a two-run single in the seventh. But the Marlins missed on a number of scoring chances, stranding eight.
The Nationals took a 2-0 lead in he first when Zimmerman and Dunn homered on consecutive pitches off Florida starter Rick VandenHurk (1-1), who gave up all three homers. Zimmerman sliced a homer just inside the right-field foul pole, and Dunn followed with a long shot to right-center.
Belliard homered leading off the fourth.
Washington starter John Lannan (8-8) escaped several jams to get through six innings. He gave up two runs and eight hits.
Mike MacDougal came on in the ninth to earn his 10th save.
NOTES: Guzman extended his hitting streak to 12 games. … Jorge Padilla made his major league debut after playing 12 years in the minors, flying out while pinch-hitting for Lannan in the sixth. … Uggla has reached base in seven of his first eight plate appearances in this series, getting four walks and two hits. … Despite these two losses, the Marlins are 23-5 verus Washington since the start of 2008.
