A story in the June 9 Sports section incorrectly indicated the Washington Nationals hit three home runs at RFK Stadium on June 8 for the first time. The Nationals also hit three home runs in a home game on April 29.
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Nats' Three Homers Lighten Loaiza's Load
Ryan Church continues his recent hot streak with a four-hit night that raises his average to .336. Church also drives in three runs on the night.
(Toni L. Sandys - The Washington Post)
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"I think it flew a little better tonight," Wilkerson said. "Schneider killed his ball, and it barely made it. Same with Vinny's."
Thus, the foundation for a summer-long discussion. Will the ball continue to fly better?
"I don't know," Church said. "I have no idea."
Loaiza, for one, hopes it doesn't. And last night, he made sure it didn't continue. After Crosby's homer, his first of the year, Loaiza allowed two singles in the fourth, but got out of the mess with a double play. Other than that, no more hits.
"He got better as he went along," Robinson said. "He got stronger."
And finally, he pitched in a game with very little suspense. There were only two tenuous moments after the Nationals built their lead. In the fifth, A's reliever Keiichi Yabu hit right fielder Jose Guillen in the left hand with a pitch, and Guillen stepped toward the mound. Robinson rushed out, as did several Nationals, ready to throw down.
Guillen, who has now been hit by a pitch eight times this year, said he eventually calmed down. He understands pitchers are going to try to get him out inside.
"There's nothing I can do about it," he said, though he was clearly frustrated. He said he would decide whether he could play in today's series finale prior to game time.
The other bit of suspense? Church's at-bat in the eighth, when he came up to the plate needing a double for the cycle. "I was totally aware of it," he said, and how couldn't he be? The crowd rose to its feet, and he heard some yell, "Come on! Let's get the cycle."
Alas, all Church could manage was a single up the middle. And the way things are going for the Nationals now, that's about the only disappointment to be found.
