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Sparkling Debut For Nats' Drese
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"Lots of motivation for me," Guillen said.
Behind Schneider's homer in the sixth -- a leadoff blast to right field on a first-pitch fastball from Colon -- gave Drese the lead, albeit by that tiny margin. And when Cordero arrived in the ninth, having converted 17 straight opportunities and leading the majors with 20 saves, there was reason for confidence.
But Cordero allowed a leadoff single to Darin Erstad, then fell down while delivering a pitch to Vladimir Guerrero, who he eventually walked.
"It was embarrassing," Cordero said.
He picked himself up, but Garret Anderson followed with a single to right, loading the bases with no outs. This had to be it, the time when Cordero's streak ended, and the Nationals went down with him.
"I was so scared," Guillen said, "because I don't really want to lose this game."
The Nationals didn't, because Cordero responded with composure beyond his 23 years. He struck out Steve Finley and got Bengie Molina to pop up to shallow center, not deep enough to score Erstad from third. That brought up Dallas McPherson, and Cordero threw a 1-2 fastball by him. He celebrating immediately, thumping his chest, his job done.
"That's about as gutsy as it gets," Robinson said.
So the Nationals departed for Texas, with a day off ahead of them before a three-game series with the Rangers. They left behind them, though, a wake. The Scioscia-Robinson incident. Guillen's involvement, and ensuing comments. And another series win.
"We win -- that's the great thing about it," Guillen said. "We showed them that we can play. We showed them we [aren't] scared."
