Bernadina powers Nats, win their 7th series
The Washington Nationals continue to be the surprise of Major League baseball. Led by rookie Roger Bernadina, the National defeated the NY Mets 6-4 and won the three game series, 3-2, marking their seventh series win of this young MLB season. Bernadina's two home runs were the first two of his major league career.
P Craig Stammen went 5 innings allowing 4 runs on 6 hits. But, Stammen also provided a lift at the plate, going 2 for 2 and driving in 3 runs. Stammen started the scoring off in the 2nd inning, driving in tow runs and giving the Nationals an early 2-0 lead. But, the Mets battled back to tie in the bottom of the same inning. The Nationals then took a 2 run lead again in the 4th inning with a solo home run by Bernadina and another RBI single by Stammen. Again, the Nats could not keep the lead as the Mets tied it up in the bottom of the 5th inning at 4-4.
Bernadina's second home run of the game was also the game winner, a two run shot in the top of the 9th inning to give the Nats the 6-4 lead they would not relinquish. Bernadina finished the game 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and three runs driven in. Adam Dunn and Christian Guzman each had two hits as well.
A day after the Nats bullpen got rocked by the Mets, the bullpen finished off the game throwing 4 scoreless innings. Tyler Clippard (78-1) earned his 7th win of the season, throwing a scoreless 8th inning. Matt Capps ended the game with a scoreless 9th inning and remained perfect out of the bullpen, converting his 14th save in 14 attempts. he also lowered his ERA to just 0.93.
