Ryan Zimmerman’s leadoff homer in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Washington fans hope for a comeback win Wednesday night that never materialized as the Nationals fell to the Cincinnati Reds 2-1. After stymying the Nats for eight innings, Reds starter Johnny Cueto lost the shutout on the first pitch in the bottom of the ninth as Zimmerman deposited the ball into the left-center field seats and ended Cueto’s night.
With Washington now trailing by a single run, Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker sent closer Francisco Cordero to shut the door on what had been an otherwise fantastic outing by Cueto (9-5).
Instead, Cordero (24 saves) nearly found himself with the loss before getting out of a bases-loaded jam with one out when Nats catcher Wilson Ramos grounded into a game-ending double play.
| UP NEXT |
| Nats vs. Reds |
| Jordan Zimmermann (7-10, 3.23 ERA) |
| vs. Bronson Arroyo (7-9, 5.31) |
| When » 7:05 pm |
| Where » Nationals Park |
| TV/Radio » MASN HD/106.7 FM |
The Nats managed just five hits before the ninth inning while also stranding two runners at third base and wasting a career outing for starting pitcher Ross Detwiler (1-3). The southpaw threw six innings, allowing just one run on seven hits and striking out a career-high seven against two walks.
Detwiler allowed a solo home run to Reds first baseman, and 2010 NL MVP, Joey Votto in the bottom of the first.
Despite the loss, Detwiler threw perhaps is best game in his short major league career, showing good command of his sinker.
“I thought I threw a lot of sinkers, I kept it down. I think that was the biggest thing,” Detwiler said. “The one to Votto was obviously a four-seamer and it was not down.”
On the other side of the diamond, Cueto kept the Nats off balance all night until the very end. Still reaching the mid-90s at the end of the eighth, Cueto lowered his ERA to 1.89, which would lead MLB except he hasn’t made enough starts to qualify.
The Reds scored the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth after Nats reliever Sean Burnett loaded the bases. Ryan Mattheus came on in relief of Burnett with one out and the Nats nearly escaped the jam. Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez hit a ball up the middle that second baseman Danny Espinosa fielded on the shortstop side of the base, but slipped a little as he approached second base, missing the play at the bag but easily retiring Hernandez at first as Jay Bruce scored Cincinnati’s second run.
