WASHINGTON | Josh Willingham and Adam Dunn homered, Luis Atilano pitched into the sixth inning and the Washington Nationals beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Tuesday night. Matt Capps held on for his major league-leading 22nd save in 26 chances despite a rocky ninth inning. Scott Podsednik hit a two-run single to get Kansas City within one before Jason Kendall fouled out with two runners on to end the game. Anthony Lerew (0-1) allowed four runs and 10 hits in 5 1-3 innings for the Royals, who have lost five straight. The right-hander, who had Tommy John surgery in 2007, is still searching for his first major league win after seven career starts. Willingham led off the fourth inning with his 13th homer and No. 100 for his career. He also doubled twice for his third three-hit game of the season. After Willingham’s homer, Washington loaded the bases with no outs on consecutive singles by Ivan Rodriguez, Roger Bernadina and Adam Kennedy, but only managed one run on Nyjer Morgan’s sacrifice fly. Dunn extended the lead to 4-1 in the fifth with a drive to center for his 17th homer. Ryan Zimmerman also had an RBI double in the third for Washington. Atilano (6-4) allowed one run and six hits in 5 1-3 innings, ending a three-start losing streak. The rookie right-hander struck out five and walked none in his first win since May 31. Podsednik also had a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning and Jose Guillen singled twice for Kansas City, extending his career-long hitting streak to 17 games. NOTES: Washington RHP Jordan Zimmermann (elbow surgery) threw a simulated game. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said he was still “several weeks” away from a minor league rehab assignment. … Royals manager Ned Yost and several players visited injured troops at Walter Reed Medical Center before the game. … The game was delayed 49 minutes by rain in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.