Cristian Guzman reacts to a called strike in the eighth inning — Guzman later flied out to end the top of the inning, stranding two men on base. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
- Astros 5, Nationals 0: Less than twenty-four hours after cranking out 13 runs on 21 hits, the Nationals couldn’t muster up a single run in defeat yesterday afternoon. Jordan Zimmermann (3-4) took the loss despite an acceptable effort (five hits in 6.1 IP); the young starter’s downfall came in the seventh inning, when normally power-deprived Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui smashed his 26th career home run into the right field stands, pushing the deficit to 4-0. Of course, it wouldn’t be the Nats without something insane happening: the Astros scored their fifth run on a balk by reliever Tyler Clippard, after Clippard got his spikes caught while delivering a throw on an intentional walk attempt. On the other end, Brian Moehler (6-5) was rock solid for Houston, scattering seven hits over six and a third and never once forgetting to throw the ball to the plate.
Those searching for clutch hitting would be best served by skipping the replay of this one — the two teams went a combined 3-22 when batting with runners in scoring position and the Nats stranded 13 men altogether. Wil Nieves was the afternoon’s lone bright spot as the catcher had his first career four-hit game. Houston’s victory levels their record at .500 as the teams head into the three-day All-Star break — Washington heads into the midsummer classic at a moribund 26-61.
- Kastles 19, Buzz 15: Break up the Kastles! After beginning the season with four consecutive losses, the Kastles have come back with three straight wins, including last night’s low-scoring affair against the New York Buzz at home. The Buzz — one of the few WTT teams not to feature a big-time star — won both women’s matches, but Washington battled back behind Scott “Boom Boom” Oudsema’s big serve to win their first match of the season inside the District. Tomorrow, the Kastles are at Philadelphia.
