WASHINGTON, 2 June 2005 — Nick Johnson’s two-run double in the seventh inning drove in the winning runs as the Nationals edged the Atlanta Braves 5-4 in Washington on Tuesday.
The Nationals won their third straight game after losing a season-high five in a row.
Atlanta remained in a tie at the top of the division with the Florida Marlins, who were 5-4 losers in Pittsburgh.
The Braves led 3-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Nationals slumping offense came alive with two runs and added three more in the seventh to seal victory.
Jose Guillen had three hits and drove in a run for Washington, while Gary Bennett had two hits and an RBI. Ryan Chruch and Vinny Castilla also had two hits for the Nationals, who had 13 in the game.
In other games, Daryle Ward homered and drove in two runs as the Pirates edged the Marlins 5-4. Brian Meadows (1-0) pitched one inning, allowing one hit for the win. Jose Mesa pitched one inning for his 14th save. Nate Bump (0-2) pitched one inning, allowing two earned runs on two hits, striking out two and walking one to take the loss.
In Philadelphia, Randy Wolf pitched 6 2/3 strong innings as the Phillies beat the San Francisco Giants 5-2. Wolf (5-4) allowed six hits, walked three and struck out five. Chase Utley drove in two runs for the Phillies. Brett Tomko (4-7) pitched five innings, allowing three runs on five hits, walking six and striking out three to take the loss.
In New York, Brad Halsey pitched seven strong innings as the Arizona Diamondbacks blanked the Mets 7-0. Halsey (4-2) allowed, six hits, walking one and striking out six. Jose Cruz Jr homered for Arizona. Kris Benson (3-2) pitched six innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out six.
In Houston, Adam Everett homered as the Astros beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3. Brandon Backe (5-3) pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out one for the win. Brad Lidge pitched one inning for his 11th save. Matt Belisle (2-5) pitched five innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking two and striking out two.
In Denver, Jason Jennings pitched seven strong innings as the Colorado Rockies beat the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1. Jennings (3-6) allowing one run on seven hits, walking three and striking out four. Brian Fuentes pitched one inning for his third save.
In San Diego, Geoff Blum hit a three-run homer as the Padres beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4. Phil Nevin and Khalil Greene both had two hits and drove in two runs for the Padres, while Dennys Reyes (3-0) pitched two shutout innings for the win.
In Los Angeles, Neifi Perez singled in the winning run in the top of the 10th inning as the Chicago Cubs edged the Dodgers 2-1. Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez both had three hits for the Cubs. Michael Wuertz (4-2) pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the win and Ryan Dempster got the last three outs for his sixth save.
