Adam Dunn is congratulated by Cristian Guzman, right, and a batboy after putting the Nats into the lead last night. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)- Nationals 6, Marlins 4: Remember what we said about big innings? Well, the Nationals sure got one last night — a six-run explosion in the bottom of the eighth which led them to their first win of the season against the Marlins. Adam Dunn put the exclamation point on the late rally with a two-run homer which had nearly 20,000 at Nationals Park up and rocking. While we’re obviously big homers for the Nationals, Florida starter Josh Johnson’s performance should not be overlooked. Johnson retired 20 straight Nationals between the first and the eighth inning, but was still charged with four runs after Washington got five hits in the eighth to reverse the lead. Again, a starter failed to impress, as J.D. Martin couldn’t get past the fifth inning (and with 16.1 IP in four games this year, he’s barely averaging more than four innings per start) — but reliever Ron Villone (4-5) was the lucky recipient of the late outburst, and Mike MacDougal retired Florida in the ninth for his third save in three days. Recently traded ex-Nat Nick Johnson did go 2-for-4 in his return to D.C.
- United 1, Firpo 1 (5:4 pens): Despite giving up a goal in the first half on a penalty kick, the Black-and-Red got the away goal that they desperately needed from an expertly-struck Christian Gomez free kick in the 43rd. The second-half found both teams keeping it tight and unsuccessfully diving (Firpo, especially) in hopes of penalties. Extra time loomed large, but thirty minutes of tired football wasn’t going to settle anything — so it was on to penalties to decide the tie. The first six spot kicks were elementary, but defender Manuel Salazar missed Firpo’s fourth, and destiny was in United’s hands. Christian Gomez grasped the chance and put in the final penalty past Firpo keeper Juan Jose Gomez. It wasn’t the easiest time in hostile San Salvador, but with that, United punch their ticket for the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League — and get a positive boost before their friendly against Real Madrid on Sunday.
