John Lannan deserved this hug after throwing a seven-hitter last night. Soak it in, Nats fans — this is probably as good as it gets this year. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)- Nationals 4, Mets 0: It was Adam Dunn t-shirt night at the ballpark, and the brawny slugger tried his best to come up big: two hits, scoring and driving in a run. But surely, Dunn has to be happy sharing the spotlight with a pitching performance like the one John Lannan delivered against the Mets last night. In his first career complete game shutout, Lannan (7-7) quickly worked up and down the lineup, allowing seven hits in a 4-0 victory — Jim Riggleman’s first as manager (although, it should be noted that one should win most of the games in which your starter goes nine scoreless, regardless of managerial acumen.) Nyjer Morgan also chipped in a great leaping catch with two runners on in the third. Oliver Perez (2-3) took the loss for the reeling Mets, whose manager and GM both got the dreaded “vote of confidence” before last night’s game. After being shutout for the fifth time in 13 games (against this team, no less), perhaps the front office might want to vote again.
- United 2, Rhinos 1: D.C. United kept rolling through the U.S. Open Cup with a 2-1 semifinal win over USL-1 Rochester at the SoccerPlex — the Black-and-Red will defend their Open Cup title in the final on September 2 at RFK against either Seattle or Houston. The match was a fairly dull affair until the second half, when goals and severe injuries created some intrigue. A penalty kick from Jaime Moreno put D.C. in front after the break — but the Rhinos, who won the Cup in 1999, equalized through Taiwo Atieno and things got a little murkier for D.C. But Boyzzz Khumalo delivered United to the final with a industrious tally, slamming in a rebound in the 82nd minute — sadly, the man of many Zs broke his wrist minutes later. Speaking of injuries, the game was marred after a challenge — dubbed “absolutely disgraceful” by Rochester coach Darren Tilley — left Rhinos defender Darren Kenton with a gruesomely dangling ankle. (For those who follow English football: Kenton’s injury was Eduardo-esque. For others: Google those images at your own risk.)
- Kastles 23, Buzz 12: Washington kept its chances at a playoff spot alive, thanks to a romp over the New York Buzz at Kastles Stadium. With a win in their final match, the Kastles will earn a spot in the four-team playoff — of course, they’ll have to beat undefeated Springfield to do it, but anything’s possible.
