Jayson Werth homered but the Nats offense was non-existent once again and a blown save by Tyler Clippard gave the Padres the win in the series finale. Edwin Jackson pitched 105 pitches and 6 2/3 innings of shutout 6 hit ball, but his offense couldn't give him the run support he needed.
There was no scoring on either side until the top of the 7th when Jayson Werth went yard to take a 1-0 lead. That was all the Nats could muster and they headed to the bottom of the 7th.
I'm not exactly sure why Edwin Jackson started the 7th inning as his pitch count was nearing 100. I think either him or the manager wanted to reward him with a win as he was taken out in a tie game. But 1 run rarely wins a game. Jackson put two runners on and with 2 outs Clippard came in and pitched out of a bases loaded jam with a huge strikeout.
In the 8th, Clippard walked 2 guys and gave up 2 hits, one of those a drive to right center over the head of Ankiel where two runs scored. Clippard was removed after his 1st blown save and Burnett finished the inning. But the damage was done, 2-1 Dre's.
The Nats couldn't get another run across and lost the game 2-0. Clippard is now 1-2 with a 6.0 ERA.
I kind of feel like Jackson should have been done after 6, bring in Stammen in the 7th, Clip 8th, H-Rod 9th. However it didn't pan out that way either because those guys needed rest or because E-Jax got that extra inning. The end result was a Nats loss.
Next up is the Dodgers who are another hot team in the NL with 13 wins. Nats 11 home runs, Matt Kemp 10 home runs. Should be their first challenge of the season and the way the bats are swinging, it isn't looking good.
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