Olsen, Nats defeat Braves, win 5th series

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Scott Olsen has been the start starting pitcher for the Nationals over the last three weeks.  Tonight was no different.  Olsen tossed 7.1 solid innings, allowing 2 runs on just 2 hits.  Olsen actually took a no hitter into the 8th before allowing a single to Atlanta catcher David Ross.  Despite the outstanding performance by Olsen, he did not get a decision, leaving the game with runners in scoring position.   Tyler Clippard allowed a 2 run single by Jason Heyward to tie the game and record his first blown save.

Clippard got out of a 9th inning jam with a double play ground ball, after walking two batters.  It then went to the Nats bottom of the ninth and it started out with a walk by 2B Adam Kennedy.  Ryan Zimmerman followed that up with a double off the far right field wall that would put runners on second and third.  Christian Guzman was then intentionally walked to load the bases with zero outs.  Willie Harris came off the bench and singled in the winning run to lift the Nats to the 3-2 win and their fifth series win this season.  Clippard took the win out of the bullpen and improved to 4-0, and despite his struggles, did not give up an earned run, lowering his ERA to 0.42.

Washington’s original 2 runs came from home runs, one by Ivan Rodriguez, his 1st, and the other by Adam Dunn, his 6th of the season.  Both Dunn and Zimmerman each had 2 hits on the night.

Nats Status:  15-13, 2.5 games back

Next Up:  Florida Marlins, tomorrow, 7PM

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Olsen, Nats defeat Braves, win 5th series