Johnson drives in 4 runs, Redding strikes out 10 in Nationals win
Associated Press | Apr 18, 08 9:23 PM CDT in
Sports
Nick Johnson hit a three-run double and drove in four runs, leading the Washington Nationals to a 6-4 win over the Florida Marlins on Friday night.
Johnson's two-out double in the seventh inning off reliever Taylor Tankersley helped the Nationals end a three-game skid. Washington, which had lost 12 of 13, scored only five runs in being swept by the Mets.
Tim Redding (3-1) pitched six innings, allowing four runs on three hits, while striking out a career-high 10.
Redding was cruising with a one-hitter until the sixth. With one out, he hit Hanley Ramirez with a pitch. Ramirez stole second and scored on a two-out single by Jeremy Hermida. Josh Willingham homered off the top of the left-field scoreboard to give the Marlins a 4-3 lead.
Johnson's timely hit came on a full count and put Redding back in line for the win. The runs were all charged to reliever Justin Miller (1-1), who loaded the bases before leaving in favor of Tankersley.
Jon Rauch pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his third save in five opportunities.
Marlins starter Andrew Miller pitched five-plus innings, allowing three runs on six hits. Miller left the game after giving up a double to Johnson leading off the sixth. He was relieved by Justin Miller.
Redding didn't allow a baserunner until he walked Ramirez to open the fourth. Ramirez scored on Hermida's double to close the gap to 3-1. Ramirez has reached base in 41 straight home games.
The Nationals took a 3-0 lead in the first inning as Andrew Miller struggled, allowing the first three batters to reach base. They each eventually scored as Johnson, Lastings Milledge and Austin Kearns each drove in a run.
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