Washington Eecks Out a Win Over the Reds

Davey Johnson told anyone that would listen that the Washington Nationals had the best starting pitching in the league.  He told reporters Friday when the series opened that the Nationals don't score much.

A pair of solo home runs from the bottom of the batting order stood up for a 2-1 win as Jordan Zimmerman's performance backed up his skipper's boasts.

The Reds got good pitching too.

Mat Latos went five innings and allowed just one run but he walked five.  The Nationals loaded the bases in both the fourth and fifth innings.  Latos fanned Rick Ankiel to escape the fourth.  Brandon Phillips slick behind the back flip on Bryce Harper's bid for a single ended the fifth inning threat.

"He didn't have command of his breaking ball," Dusty Baker said.  "We matched them pitch for pitch but you hate to lose on two solo home runs from the bottom of their batting order.  We have to find a way to score.  Zimmerman spotted his fastball and didn't make any mistakes."

Latos is trying hard to impress his new teammates and didn't have a horrible outing in spite of throwing 82 fastballs in 109 pitches.

"I had rhythm early and somehow I lost it," Latos said.  "I couldn't make an adjustment with my off speed pitches."

The Reds scored in the first against Jordan Zimmerman.  Zack Cozart singled to right, leading off.  Drew Stubbs hit a ground ball to short with Cozart running.  Ian Desmond tried get Cozart but was late.  Danny Espinosa threw to first but Stubbs beat the relay.  Joey Votto grounded out, moving the runners up a base.  Brandon Phillips ground out got Cozart home.

After that Zimmerman scattered five singles in his seven innings..

Wilson Ramos homered off Latos in the fifth after Latos held Washington hitless through three innings.

Latos left after the fifth and 109 pitches.  Danny Espinosa greeted Jose Arredondo with a line drive to the right field seats on the first pitch to give Washington the 2-1 lead.

Ramos twisted his knee on a passed ball.  Todd Frazier opened the seventh with a single and moved up on ball that eluded Ramos, who had to leave the game.  Zimmerman struck out Ryan Ludwick and retired Ryan Hanigan and Miguel Cairo on ground balls.

Tyler Clippard pitched a scoreless eighth.

Logan Ondrusek extended his season long scoreless streak to 14 2/3 innings.  Aroldis Chapman struck out four batters in two scoreless innings to tie Johnny Cueto for the team lead with 31 strike outs.  Cueto has pitched 48 1/3 innings.   Chapman remains scoreless in 17 2/3 innings.

Henry Rodriguez came on to try for his eighth save in 10 tries.  He struck out Jay Bruce, Frazier and Ludwick to earn it.