ATLANTA (AP) - The Washington Nationals took a lead during a game -- and won.
Ronnie Belliard hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning off John Smoltz, and Washington blanked the Atlanta Braves 2-to-0 to snap a six-game losing streak. Ryan Zimmerman also hit an RBI single.
The 2-and-8 Nationals had never before led a game this year at the time a pitch was thrown. Their only previous win was April fourth when Dmitri Young hit a game-ending single that capped a three-run ninth inning in a 7-to-6 victory over visiting Florida.
Washington has been outscored 61-to-23 this season and hasn't scored during the first three innings of any game.
Jason Bergmann, Jesus Colome, Jon Rauch and Chad Cordero combined on a two-hitter. Colome gets the win. Smoltz is 1-and-1 despite giving up just four hits and four walks in eight innings.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
| Get the ingredients you need to cook with Rach all week long. | |
| Full length exclusive concerts from hot artists. | |
| Take a break! Classic Pacman, Frogger, Asteroids and more. |
|
| FREE Listings Sell almost anything locally. |
|