The original Washington Senators returned to their old stomping grounds on Tuesday and put it all together.
They got a balanced attack from the lineup, starting pitcher Taj Bradley made another quality start and the Big Bopper, Byron Buxton, slammed a three-run homer to run away from the Washington Nationals 11-3.
The Senators cranked out 10 hits, getting hits from all but two players. However, Kody Clemens walked twice and scored three runs, and Royce Lewis chipped in with a run scored and an RBI.
In addition to Buck, the real damage was done by Trevor Larnach and Brooks Lee. Oregon State man Larnach had two hits and two RBI and Lee went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI.
Bradley, who at this point has to be viewed as a steal of a trade, fanned eight batters over six innings with two runs allowed on four hits. He improves to 4-1 with a 2.87 ERA.
The Senators go for the series win on Wednesday. Bailey Ober gets the ball.
Extra innings…
–Buck’s 11th homer comes after being named one of the AL Players of the Week, MLB.com reports.
“In seven games last week, Buxton went 10-for-29 (.345) with a double, five homers, two steals, six runs scored and seven knocked in. He went deep in five of the seven games, including three straight for the sixth time in his career,” the report reads.
–It’s a good thing that ex-Twin and current Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran entered Tuesday’s game in a non-save situation because he was not sharp in the Phil’s 9-1 win over the West Sacramento A’s, or whatever you want to call them.
Duran needed 27 pitches to close out the 9th inning. In the process, he served up a hit, a run, walked three batters and fanned two. Only 12 of his 27 pitches landed for strikes.
–What’s this Washington Senators business? The original Senators left Washington, D.C., at the end of the 1960 season and began life anew as the Minnesota Twins in 1961. The second version of the Senators later became the Texas Rangers and the former Montreal Expos are now known as the Washington Nationals. Major League Baseball was last played in Montreal in 2004. Ramener le baseball majeur à Montréal!