Despite the effort, Nyjer Morgan couldn’t handle this Ryan Braun triplein the third — or save the Nationals’ winning streak. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
- Brewers 7, Nationals 5: While the Nationals might not have much to play for standings-wise, at least there’s always the intriguing potential for any one game to come down to that most dramatic of individual showdowns. For instance, last night’s game: top of the ninth, tying run on base, Washington trailing by two. Up to bat, slugger Adam Dunn — who certainly had the potential to level matters with one flick of his massive arms. On the mound, Trevor Hoffman, one of the greatest closers of all time and a master of deception. Instant drama, eh? Unfortunately for Washington, Hoffman won this battle by striking out Dunn, earning his 577th career save and halting the Nationals win streak at four. It was back to the usual for the boys from D.C. — the Nats stranded 11 runners on base, squandered an early 4-0 lead, and reliever Tyler Clippard (1-1) allowed a two-run pinch-hit homer to Casey McGehee which was eventually the difference. Mike Cameron’s three-hit effort helped Manny Parra (5-8) to the cheap win for Milwaukee.
- Freedom 1, Breakers 0: It would appear as if the Freedom are getting hot at precisely the right time: a win last night against Boston, whom they leapfrogged in the standings, makes it three on the bounce. Washington now sits third in the table. The Freedom benefited from tired opposition legs after Boston was forced to play most of the game a woman down after Breakers defender Alex Scott was sent off in the fifth minute for a rash challenge on midfielder Sonia Bompastor. But the game was hardly settled at that point — it took until the 73rd minute for Abby Wambach to score the game’s lone goal, her team-leading sixth of the season.
