Friday, July 22, 2005

MLB: Houston Astros 3, Nationals 2 (July 21)

WP: Roy Oswalt (13-8)
LP: Esteban Loaiza (6-6)
S: Brad Lidge (22)

WAS: 54-42 (1st in NL East, tied with Atlanta, 4.5 ahead of New York)
HOU: 49-46 (2nd in NL Central, 12 behind St. Louis)

With their 11th loss in 15 games, and their sixth straight loss in one-run games, the Nationals have fallen into a tie with the Atlanta Braves for first place in the National League East.

Roy Oswalt did it all for the Astros last night, throwing eight scoreless innings, hitting an RBI single and pushing home another run when reaching on a fielding error.

The Nationals were down 3-0 in the ninth when Oswalt was replaced by closer Brad Lidge. With one out, Preston Wilson smacked a two-run homer over the left field fence, but Lidge managed to retire Brad Wilkerson and Brian Schneider to end the comeback and the game.

The Nats look to keep their run at the top of the NL East from ending when they play the second game of this four game series at 7:05 p.m. at RFK. They have a tough challenge in facing the Rocket, Roger Clemens (7-4, 1.47 ERA, throws right). For the Nationals, Ryan Drese (3-2, 3.44 ERA, throws right) will pitch with the hope that the Astros will continue their complete lack of run support for Clemens.

The Braves had last night off and open a series tonight at Arizona.

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