Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, left, confers withcatcher Josh Bard after loading the bases against the Colorado Rockies in the
fourth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Tuesday, July 7, 2009.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
- Rockies 5, Nationals 4: One day after being but the eighth team to ever be shutout at Coors Field, at least the Nationals scored last night in Denver — Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Willingham both went deep. But poor pitching and fundamentals were back again: starter Jordan Zimmermann lasted but four innings, laboring and forcing bad breaking balls over 96 pitches. It was always going to be tough for this Nats bullpen to get through five full innings. Jason Bergmann and Sean Burnett got through three innings unscathed; but Julian Tavarez (3-7) walked two in the bottom of the eighth, and then Joe Biemel turned a sure double-play dribbler to the mound into an awful overthrow, loading the bases — a sacrifice fly later and it was yet another late-game disappointment. Huston Street overwhelmed the top of the Nats’ order in the ninth for his 21st save and Colorado reliever Alan Embree (2-2) recorded the victory without throwing a single pitch.
- United 2, Harrisburg City Islanders 1: D.C. United sure likes to make these Open Cup games against teams from lower divisions interesting, now don’t they? The Black-and-Red grabbed a two-goal lead after eighteen minutes through strikes from Boyzzz Khumalo and Andrew Jacobsen, and it appeared as if the rout was on. But even though Harrisburg had midfielder Mo Odour sent off shortly after the restart and United was dominant in possession throughout, the Islanders pulled one back — a poor clearance by Greg Janicki gave Islanders rookie Nicki Paterson a one-on-one with keeper Milos Kocic, which he calmly converted to cut the lead in half. Harrisburg desperately pushed for an equalizer — even hitting the bar late on — but United held on for the win. They’ll take on yet another lower-division side, the Rochester Rhinos, in the semifinals of the Cup on July 21, again at the Soccerplex.
- Lynx 96, Mystics 94: The Mystics blew a nine-point fourth quarter lead and lost an absolute heartbreaker to Minnesota. With eight seconds left in overtime, Marissa Coleman was fouled attempting a three-pointer, but missed her final shot which would have tied the game. Amazingly, the Lynx again fouled a three-point shooter seven seconds later — and again, former Lynx guard Lindsey Harding missed the third free throw which would have forced a second OT, maligning what was an otherwise fantastic 27 point effort. Nicky Anosike led Minnesota with 21 points.
