Morse, Bernadina, Espinosa hit HRs, Detwiler wins 1st this year as Nationals beat Astros 7-2

WASHINGTON – Michael Morse homered, doubled and drove in three runs, Roger Bernadina and Danny Espinosa hit two-run homers and Ross Detwiler earned his first win in nearly a year as the Washington Nationals beat the Houston Astros 7-2 Thursday.

It was the third consecutive win for Washington, and the first time they'd won three straight at home since July 29-31.

Jeff Keppinger had three hits for Houston, losers of three in a row for the first time since early August.

Earlier in the day, Nationals president Stan Kasten announced his resignation after 4½ seasons with the club. He said he'd told team ownership about a year ago that he'd be leaving.

Detwiler (1-2) pitched six innings, allowing two runs and seven hits. He walked two, did not strike out a batter and hit one.

It was his first win since Sept. 28, 2009. He missed much of the season after right hip surgery in February.

Craig Stammen, Drew Storen and Collin Balester each worked scoreless innings for the Nationals.

Morse led off the second with his 13th home run.

Washington scored four times in the sixth off Nelson Figueroa (5-4) when Morse hit a two-run double and Bernadina hit his 11th homer of the year. Morse has five hits in six at-bats against Figueroa.

Espinosa hit his sixth homer, a two-run shot, his second in as many days, in the seventh.

The Astros scored in the first when Jason Bourgeois led off with a single, stole second and Keppinger doubled.

A single by Keppinger set up Hunter Pence's infield hit for Houston's other run in the fifth.

Notes: Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman missed the game with a strained intercostal muscle and 1B Adam Dunn sat out with hamstring and elbow injuries. It was the first time the duo had missed the same game in two seasons as teammates. ... Pence returned to the lineup after missing two games with a right hip flexor. ... Houston OF Michael Bourn missed his fifth game with a strained right oblique. ... Keppinger played his 40th consecutive errorless game at 2B.