BALTIMORE — Maybe all the Nationals need is to switch leagues.
That’s as good a theory as any for why a team that could not score a single run in three of its last five games, a group that was left seething after back-to-back shutouts and 20 consecutive scoreless innings, somehow managed to explode for 12 in the first five innings on Friday night and plenty more after that.
Of course, it could just be that Baltimore’s pitching staff is in shambles right now. Either way, Washington was more than happy to leave Oriole Park at Camden Yards with an eventual 17-5 victory.
Rookie second baseman Danny Espinosa singled, tripled and homered, driving in five runs. Jayson Werth homered twice on his 32nd birthday as the Nats set season highs in runs scored (17), hits (19), triples (two), homers (six) and extra-base hits (eight). Their six-run fifth inning tied for most in one frame this season. Rookie catcher Wilson Ramos batted 3-for-4 with a triple, a homer, two RBI and a career-best five runs scored. Afterwards, the clubhouse burst with happy chatter and loud music, a far cry from Thursday’s loss at the New York Mets, when a controversial call by first-base umpire Phil Cuzzi cost them a chance to tie a 1-0 game and left players, coaches and front-office personnel furious. They needed to put that gut-wrenching loss behind them fast.
| Nats notes |
| » The franchise record for runs scored — including its days as the Montreal Expos — is 21. That was set on April 28, 1996 at Colorado, a 21-9 victory. |
| » |
| Jayson Werth recorded his ninth multi-homer game, but first since April 24, 2010 at Arizona. |
| » Washington’s six home runs established a club record since the team moved to the District in 2005 from Montreal. The previous mark was five. That was last set April 27, 2009 at Philadelphia. |
| » Attendance at Camden Yards on Friday night was 24,442. |
“We talked about it [Thursday]. We needed to hit,” Espinosa said. “I think we showed today what we’re capable of.”
Washington’s 17 runs Friday equaled its total from the previous six games combined and allowed the players to finally vent some of that built-up frustration. The Nats (21-23) didn’t even need any production from their designated hitter in the American League ballpark. Veteran Matt Stairs – in the midst of an epic slump – went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts before being pulled for pinch hitter Michal Morse, who struck out, too, before singling in the eighth inning.
The 17 runs were also the most scored in one game since the franchise moved to the District from Montreal in 2005. Washington’s previous best was 15 runs, accomplished twice – Aug. 25. 2009 vs. the Chicago Cubs and July 20, 2008 against the Atlanta Braves. All three of those offensive outbursts came on the road.
The game looked headed for shootout territory early. Neither starting pitcher was particularly sharp. Jake Arrieta gave up six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings with three walks. Reliever Jason Berken was then torched for six runs in just a single inning of work. Meanwhile, Nats starter Jason Marquis allowed five earned runs in four innings with three walks and eight hits. Washington led just 6-5 after four innings. But even after that six-run fifth, manager Jim Riggleman didn’t allow Marquis to return to qualify for what appeared an easy win and the two had a heated discussion in the dugout. It was, Riggleman admitted, the most upset he’d ever seen one of his own players – though both men claimed their differences were quashed.
“I don’t see why anything would linger. It’s just the heat of the moment,” Marquis said. “I want to be out on the field battling with my teammates. It’s a one-game thing. I’m going to go out there and do my work like I always do and prepare for the fifth day and when I take that ball be ready to get a “W”.
While the Nats were building their lead, they also saw some encouraging signs from reliever Henry Rodriguez. The fireballer tossed three scoreless innings of relief, giving up two hits and no walks. While he took care of business Washington tacked on one insurance run each in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. The bullpen retired 14 of the final 18 Baltimore batters it faced.
“We’re a lot better team than our record shows and that’s why you play 162 games. Hopefully all that stuff will even out and we’ll end up showing the world what we’re made of,” Werth said. “Baby steps first. Play the game clean, play the game right and you’ll win some ball games … . We’ve got a long way to go. Obviously, this is a nice win, a feel-good win and all that. But the score will be 0-0 in the top of the first tomorrow.”
