Denard Span and the Washington Nationals ran off with another victory.
Span scored from second on third baseman Jordan Pacheco’s throwing error in the ninth inning, and the Nationals stretched their winning streak to 10 games with a 1-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.
“We just feel confident that somehow, some way we’re going to find a way to inch off a victory,” Span said.
Five of Washington’s last six wins have come in its final at-bat of the game, and the win streak is tied for the franchise record. Kansas City is the only other team to win 10 consecutive games this year.
“It’s not how you plan it,” Nationals manager Matt Williams said.
Rafael Soriano (4-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the Nationals, who swept three-game series against the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates before winning all four games of this series.
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Washington’s ninth hit was a one-out single for Span against Oliver Perez (2-3). Evan Marshall then came in and Span swiped second. But Anthony Rendon followed with a chopper to third.
Pacheco’s throw bounced off the dirt and into the first-base camera well, and Span was awarded home.
“That what’s guys like me, speed guys, dream of,” said Span, who set a career high with his 27th stolen base. “That’s way more important than stealing two or three bags in the first five innings.”
The Diamondbacks have lost six straight for the second time this season and dropped to 5-14 in August. Eight of Arizona’s last 10 games have been decided by one run.
“I guess some losses are a little more difficult,” first baseman Mark Trumbo said. “I think we battled as well as we could. Just didn’t have too much offense to show for it.”
The Nationals also struggled at the plate, going went 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position.
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Gio Gonzalez pitched seven innings for Washington in his longest outing since July 26, and his first without an earned run since July 5. He allowed four hits and walked three while lowering his career ERA against Arizona to 1.33 in three starts.
“I just wanted to try and blend in with the rest of the rotation,” said Gonzalez, who is 0-5 in his last eight starts. “You try not to stick out like a sore thumb.”
Somehow, Wade Miley matched Gonzalez for 6 2/3 innings despite allowing eight hits and walking a season-high six batters.
Miley retired Adam LaRoche three times to end an inning — twice on double plays — before walking him to load the bases with two out in the seventh. Matt Stites got Wilson Ramos to fly out to right to end the threat.
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