Nats Are Done In By Old Friend
Hernández Earns 1st Win in a Month: Twins 2, Nationals 1
Nats pitcher John Lannan made one mistake, allowing a two-run homer to Justin Morneau in the sixth.
(By Jim Mone -- Associated Press)
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Wednesday, June 18, 2008
MINNEAPOLIS, June 17 -- Liván Hernández finally found a way to keep opposing hitters off base, earning his first victory in over a month in the Minnesota Twins' 2-1 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.
Hernández (7-4), who is on pace to become the first pitcher since Atlanta's Phil Niekro in 1979 to allow more than 300 hits in a season, allowed one run on just five hits in seven efficient innings. He needed just 77 pitches for his first win since May 12.
Justin Morneau hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning, Joe Mauer went 2 for 3 with a double and Joe Nathan picked up his 18th save in 20 chances for the Twins.
John Lannan (4-8) posted his fourth straight quality start for Washington, allowing five hits and striking out three in seven innings. But his punchless offense couldn't make up for the one mistake he made to Morneau in the sixth.
Lannan is 0-3 in his last four starts despite allowing just eight total runs in that span.
Hernández, who won 15 games for the Nationals in 2005, started this season a surprising 6-1, but spent the last 15 days getting hammered all over the ballpark. He was 0-3 with a 9.38 ERA in his previous six starts -- giving up a staggering 64 hits in 31 2/3 innings -- and has allowed 143 hits in 16 starts this season (8.9 hits per start).
The Cuban right-hander was much sharper on Tuesday night, locating like he did early in the season and taking advantage of an aggressive Nationals lineup. He allowed the lone run in the third on an infield single by former Twin Cristian Guzmán that scored Paul Lo Duca, the only Nationals hitter to reach second base.
