clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Washington Nationals' Livan Hernandez Dominates The Cincinnati Reds, Nats win 7-1.

CINCINNATI - JULY 22:  Livan Hernandez #61 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 22 2010 in Cincinnati Ohio.  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI - JULY 22: Livan Hernandez #61 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 22 2010 in Cincinnati Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Today's Top 5: 

5. Walks And Walks: Reds' starter Edinson Volquez walks four in the first two innings. Nyjer Morgan walks to lead off the first, steals second, takes third on a sac fly and scores on an RBI groundout to put the Nationals up 1-0 early. In the second, Volquez gives up three-straight one-out walks and an RBI single by Livan Hernandez to make it 2-0, and it's 3-0 when Morgan grounds into a run-scoring force at second. Volquez doesn't get out of the third...

4. SHAKE N BAKE!!: After a Gold Glove play at third to get Miguel Cairo for the final out of the second, the Nats' Silver Slugger Ryan Zimmerman picks up his bat and singles on a line drive to left to start the Nats' third. Edinson Volquez tries to throw a 94mph fastball outside by the Nats' big middle-of-the-order bat and gives up Adam Dunn's 23rd HR of the year. Adam Du---SHAKE N BAKE!! SHAKE N BAKE!!! Dunn goes the other way to left for a two-run blast, 5-0 Nats. 

3. 3 Stolen Bases?: Nyjer Morgan walks and steals second in the first before scoring the Nats' first run. The Nats' leadoff man beats out the back end of a DP grounder to drive the Nats' third run in in the second, then steals his second bag of the game with Roger Bernadina at the plate. In the top of the fourth, the Nats' center fielder's mythical second-half powers begin to show signs of finally surfacing as he hits a one-out single, and steals second with Roger Bernadina at bat. 3 steals for Morgan? According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson (via twitter @washingnats)

"Before Nyjer Morgan, the last member of the #Expos/Nats to steal three bases in a game was Vladimir Guerrero on 9/20/02."

2. Roger Bernadina Is Your New Favorite National? What Were You Waiting For?: Orlando Cabrera singles off Nats' right-hander Livan Hernandez with one down in the sixth, and Jay Bruce follows with a drive to left, Roger Bernadina makes a diving catch to flat-out rob Bruce and then Bernie throws in to first to double up Cabrera and end the sixth. One out later, Roger "The Flying" Bernadina hits the 6th HR he's sent out this season to right off Reds' left-hander (and former Nat) Bill Bray. The second HR of Bernadina's career off a left-handed pitcher gives the Nats a 7-1 lead and gets the DC Faithful talking about their new favorite right fielder...

1. Mr. National Himself: The 35-year-old right-hander Livan Hernandez hadn't won a game for Washington since he beat the Kansas City Royals on June 21st. The veteran starter helps the Nats earn a split of the four-game series with the Reds, holding Cincinnati to 1 run on 7 hits over 9.0 innings pitched, throwing his second complete game of the year (which is also the Nats' second complete game of the year.) Livan's Line: 9.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K's, 102 pitches, 72 strikes, high speed: 87mph, low speed 63mph (final pitch!!), 5 1-2-3 innings...oh, and 1 for 4 with an RBI...

• Miss The Game? The DC Faithful LOVE LIVAN!!!

Num Name - Comments
1 plebescite - 113
2 Doncosmic - 53
3 Princess Jazzy - 51
4 MissB - 45
5 Jorgath - 44
6 Berndaddy - 41
7 cat daddy3000 - 34
8 Doghouse - 25
9 rachel216 - 20
10 lynxtheone- 19

• Final Score: Nats 7, Reds 1.Nationals @ Reds - Thursday, July 22, 2010

(via Fangraphs.com)

Nationals now 42-54.