NATIONAL LEAGUE
REUTERS AND AP, WASHINGTON AND LOS ANGELES
PHOTO: REUTERS
John Lannan pitched his first career complete game as the lowly Washington Nationals pounded the New York Mets 7-1 on Saturday.
Lannan allowed just four hits and an unearned run and was aided by a franchise-record-tying five double-plays as Washington belied their lowly position to snap a three-game losing streak with a second win in 11 games.
“John was just outstanding out there for us and the offense exploded,” Washington manager Manny Acta told reporters. “We had everything working for us tonight, offense and defense, and we were due.”
PHOTO: REUTERS
Adam Dunn, Elijah Dukes and Nick Johnson all homered for the Nationals, as Lannan needed just 96 pitches to close out the two hour game.
“I haven’t felt that good in a while,” Lannan said. “And to get five double-plays in one game, well that sure helps too.”
It was just the third complete game of the season by a Washington pitcher as Lannan (3-5) struck out two and walked three while staying in command all night before a crowd of 31,456, one of the biggest of the season in Nationals Park.
PHOTO: AP
Lannan threw 61 of his pitches for strikes in picking up just his 14th career victory in his three-season career, all of them with Washington.
The Nationals (15-39) entered the game with a team ERA of 5.61, the worst in the majors, and the win was just their sixth in 32 games against NL East opponents.
The Mets (29-25) had won six of the previous seven meetings between the two teams, including a 3-1 win in the series opener on Friday.
DODGERS 3, PHILLIES 2
Andre Ethier hit his second homer of the game with two outs in the 12th inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League on Saturday.
In a meeting between two NL divisional leaders, Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge gave up a tying home run to pinch-hitter Rafael Furcal in the ninth inning for his second blown save in less than 24 hours.
BREWERS 3, BRAVES 0
In Atlanta, Prince Fielder’s third two-homer game of the season gave Milwaukee all the runs it needed for a win over punchless Atlanta.
The Brewers took their second straight shutout win over Atlanta and extended the Braves’ streak of scoreless innings to 22. Atlanta has lost three straight.
Milwaukee bolstered its NL Central lead to two games.
REDS 4, CUBS 3
In Cincinnatti, Jay Bruce scored from third base in the 11th inning when Mike Fontenot’s throw home was high, giving Cincinnatti a win over Chicago.
Bruce walked to lead off the 11th, then went to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a sacrifice fly. After an intentional walk, pinch-hitter Adam Rosales hit a chopper to Fontenot, the third baseman. His throw to home was high, allowing Bruce to score the winning run on the fielder’s choice.
MARLINS 5, GIANTS 4
In Miami, Hanley Ramirez hit two of Florida’s five doubles, leading Florida over San Francisco.
Down 5-2, the Giants loaded the bases in the ninth. Reliever Leo Nunez gave up Aaron Rowand’s two-run single before striking out Edgar Renteria to end it.
Marlins pitcher Andrew Miller allowed just one earned run in 5 2-3 innings. He won for the first time in four starts.
In other NL action, it was:
• Rockies 10, Cardinals 1
• Pirates 6, Astros 4
• Padres 6, Diamondbacks 4
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, BOSTON
Boston pitcher Jon Lester retired the first 19 batters he faced and finished with a two-hitter, setting up the Red Sox 8-1 win over the Texas Rangers in a clash of American League divisional leaders on Saturday.
Lester was on course for a perfect game until a double with one out in the seventh inning.
He struck out 11 in his third career complete game.
David Oritz, mired in a season-long slump, homered for just the second time this season as Boston stayed half a game ahead of New York in the AL East.
RAYS 9, YANKEES 7
In New York, Joe Dillon hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning as Tampa Bay snatched a tight win over New York.
The AL champion Rays overcame four errors, which doubled their previous season high. Three were throwing errors by All-Star catcher Dioner Navarro.
The Rays have won four straight. They are 3-0 at the new Yankee Stadium, having now twice come from behind against the Yankees’ ace closer Mariano Rivera.
In other AL action, it was:
• Tigers 2, Angels 1
• Mariners 2, Twins 1
• Royals 6, Blue Jays 2
• White Sox 4, Indians 2
• Athletics 9, Orioles 4
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