WASHINGTON: Adam Dunncan easily summarize the Washington Nationals’ surprising turnaround.
“It’s everyone finally just saying: ‘What do we have to lose? We can’t play any worse than we’re playing,”’ Dunn said.
Lately, the Nationals are playing better than anyone in baseball.
The Nationals have won eight straight games-their second-longest winning streak in their five seasons in the nation’s capital-after a 9-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. They won 10 straight from June 2-12, 2005. “I knew we were capable of playing like this,” Dunn said.
“I wish we would have played this loose and had fun early in the year, and we wouldn’t be how many games back.”
When Jim Riggleman replaced Manny Acta four weeks ago, the Nationals were 26-61. They’re 14-11 since.
Dunn hit a two-run home run, giving him at least 30 in six straight seasons, Ryan Zimmermanhad three hits and scored three times, and Elijah Dukesdrove in three runs.
But the happiest man in the locker room was J.D. Martin (1-2), a 26-year-old who finally reached the big leagues last month and got his first win and first hit. He allowed one run and five hits in five innings with one walk and one strikeout.
Marlins 12 Phillies 3: At Philadelphia, Josh Johnsonpitched six impressive innings, helping the Marlins complete a three-game sweep.
The Marlins moved within four games of the NL East-leading Phillies with their first sweep in Philadelphia since April 2004. The Phillies fell to 3-8 since acquiring reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Leein a blockbuster deal with Cleveland on July 29.
Astros 2 Brewers 0: At Houston, Wandy Rodriguezpitched seven shutout innings and Geoff Blumhit a two-run homer for the Astros. Rodriguez (11-6) allowed five hits and struck out three in his first start since leaving his outing eight days ago with a strained right hamstring.
The left-hander won his sixth straight decision and gave up one earned run or fewer for the seventh consecutive appearance.
Cardinals 7 Pirates 3: At Pittsburgh, Skip Schumaker’sfirst career pinch-hit home run started a five-run eighth-inning rally for St. Louis that included Pirates pitcher Matt Capps’ejection for hitting Albert Pujols, and the Cardinals finished off a three-game sweep.
Reds 5 Giants 2: At San Francisco, Aaron Harang ended the worst winless stretch of his career with his first victory since late May, and Brandon Phillipsand Adam Rosales each homered for the Reds.
The lowly Reds-led by former San Francisco skipper Dusty Baker-took the series by winning both games started by Giants All-Stars Matt Cainand Tim Lincecum.
Rockies 11 Cubs 5: At Denver, Todd Heltonhad three hits to extended his hitting streak to 14 games, and Dexter Fowler scored three times for the Rockies.
Carlos Gonzalezalso had three hits for Colorado, which had 14 hits.
Mets 5 Padres 1: At San Diego, Johan Santanathrew eight strong innings and tied his career high with two hits and an RBI as the Mets avoided a four-game sweep.
