Turner Goes 4 For 4 To Help Nationals Beat Orioles 9-7
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trea Turner went 4 for 4 with a homer, Anthony Rendon drove in three runs and the Washington Nationals extended their recent domination of the Baltimore Orioles with a 9-7 victory Tuesday night.
Adam Eaton had two hits and two RBIs for the Nationals, who trailed 5-1 in the fifth inning before rallying to make it six straight wins over Baltimore. Washington is 4-0 against its neighboring interleague rival this season, outscoring the Orioles by a combined 20-8.
The Nationals trailed 6-5 before getting six hits in a four-run seventh. Rendon delivered a two-run double off Tanner Scott (0-1) that put Washington ahead, and Turner capped his four-hit night with a double.
Pitching in his second big league game, Nationals starter Jefry Rodriguez gave up five runs, four hits and four walks in five innings.
Justin Miller (5-0) pitched two innings of relief, newcomer Kelvin Herrera worked a perfect eighth and Sean Doolittle gave up a solo home run to Joey Rickard while earning his 19th save.
Jace Peterson and Trey Mancini each hit two-run homers for the Orioles, who have lost 16 of 19.
After Turner hit a solo shot in the second inning, Peterson and Mancini teamed to give Baltimore a 4-1 lead.
The game changed in the fifth inning.
In the top half, Baltimore loaded the bases with no outs and scored only one run — when Manny Machado hit into a 4-6-3 double play.
Washington loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom half and took full advantage, batting around and scoring four runs. Eaton contributed a two-run single, Rendon hit a sacrifice fly and Bryce Harper chased starter David Hess with an RBI double.
STAY CLASSY
It's been a tough year for Harper, whose batting average dipped to .212 following a 1-for-24 stretch though Monday.
"He's handled it with class and dignity," general manager Mike Rizzo said. "He's more worried about the wins than the hits, and that's an important aspect that he has learned throughout his career. You know he's become a team leader for us. When you're going your worst, you have to be at your best and I think that's what Harp's showed so far this season."
MANY MOVES
Nationals: Placed 1B Matt Adams on the 10-day disabled list (retroactive to June 16) with a fractured left index finger. Additionally, Washington optioned RHP Wander Suero (1-0, 3.63 ERA) to Triple-A Syracuse, recalled Rodriguez from Double-A Harrisburg and added reliever Kelvin Herrera, obtained in a trade with Kansas City on Monday.
Orioles: DH Pedro Alvarez was designated for assignment in the wake of a 1-for-18 skid that dropped his batting average to .181. Baltimore also selected the contract of INF Steve Wilkerson from Triple-A Norfolk and recalled C Caleb Joseph, who now has his brother, Corban, as a teammate.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (hamstring) threw a simulated game in the bullpen, throwing 50 pitches without facing batters.
Orioles: RHP Andrew Cashner (back) is expected to come off the DL on Wednesday; OF Colby Rasmus (hip) could be activated Thursday and 3B Tim Beckham (core surgery) was slated to play nine innings for Norfolk on Tuesday. If all goes well, he could come off the DL this weekend.
UP NEXT
Nationals: Gio Gonzalez (6-3, 3.01 ERA) starts the second game of the series Wednesday night. The lefty threw 6 2/3 innings in a 6-0 win over Baltimore on May 28.
Orioles: Cashner (2-8, 4.98) returns from a stint on the DL in which he missed just one start.
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