Published November 20, 2014
WASHINGTON (AP) — Adam Dunn's two-run single capped a sixth-inning rally Saturday that carried the Washington Nationals to a 7-6 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, who wasted a bizarre inside-the-park homer by Adam Jones.
Washington trailed 6-3 before scoring four runs in the sixth against starter Brad Bergesen and reliever Mark Hendrickson (1-2). After Roger Bernadina tripled in a run and pinch-hitter Alberto Gonzalez added an RBI single, Dunn lined a single up the middle to give the Nationals their first lead in the three-game series that concludes Sunday.
On an afternoon filled with offensive highlights, the most memorable was the second inside-the-park homer in the three-year history of Nationals Park — and the second in four days.
With a runner on in the fourth inning, Jones hit a drive to deep center that sent Nyjer Morgan to the base of the wall. The ball hit Morgan's glove and bounced out, and Morgan immediately went into a tirade. While the ball lay behind him, Morgan removed his mitt, slammed it on the ground and stomped angrily on the outfield grass.
Left fielder Josh Willingham retrieved the ball, but too late to prevent Jones from circling the bases for Baltimore's first inside-the-park home run since David Newhan at Boston on July 21, 2004.
On Wednesday, Angel Pagan of the New York Mets hit an inside-the-park homer when Morgan botched an attempted leaping catch in center.
Jones' home run gave Baltimore a 4-2 lead, but the Orioles couldn't hold on despite getting a homer and four RBIs from Ty Wigginton.
Willingham homered for the Nationals, who won for the second time in nine games to get back to .500 (22-22).
Tyler Walker (1-0) got the final two outs in the top of the sixth, and Matt Capps worked the ninth for his major league-leading 16th save in 16 tries.
Wigginton put the Orioles ahead in the first inning with a two-out, two-run single following hits by Nick Markakis and Miguel Tejada.
It was a typical start for Washington's Craig Stammen, who has held the opposition scoreless through two innings only twice in nine starts this season. Nineteen of the 36 runs he's allowed have come in the opening two innings.
Washington loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom half before Ivan Rodriguez flied out. Rodriguez left the game two innings later with a lower back strain.
Willingham tied it in the third with his seventh homer, the first in 13 games.
After Jones' home run, Cristian Guzman singled in a run in the bottom of the fourth to make it 4-3. Wigginton hit a two-run shot in the sixth.
NOTES: Wearing a Nationals jersey, actor Zach Galifianakis shouted "Play Ball!" over the PA system before the first pitch. ... Washington first base coach Dan Radison was ejected after the fourth inning. ... The Orioles need a win Sunday to earn their first road series win in 11 tries since Sept. 11-13, 2009, against the New York Yankees.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/dunn-nationals-rally-to-beat-orioles-7-6