Cristian Guzman made three errors, including the ultimate game-changer in the bottom of the ninth, and the Washington Nationals lost for the third straight game, falling to the Houston Astros 6-4.
The Nationals lost seven out of 10 games on the road trip.
Down one with one out and a man on second, the Astros' Lance Berkman hit a sinking line drive to right field, and Guzman botched the easily makeable play, allowing Michael Bourn to scamper home from second to tie the game.
The next batter, Carlos Lee, took the second pitch he saw from Matt Capps--a hanging breaking ball--into the Crawford boxes in left field for the game-winner.
It was the second game of the series the Nats lost after taking the lead in the top of the ninth.
Guzman was in right field due to a convoluted string of substiutions. He started at shortstop and made two errors there as well. Of the Astros six runs, only two were earned.
Capps (0-3, 2.81) took the loss, allowing three runs--all unearned--on two hits and the Guzman error. It was his thrid blown save of the season, and second of the series.
The Nats trailed in this one all day until the top of the ninth inning. Mike Morse lined a two out single, scored on a Willie Harris hit down the left field line that Lee misplayed into a triple, and Guzman singled, droving in Harris from third.
But as Guzman giveth, he also taketh away.
J.D. Martin started the game by giving up single runs in the first, second and third innings, but managed to keep the bleeding to a minimum. He ended up going 5 2/3 innings, giving up eight hits andone walk, striking out four. He surrendered home runs to Berkman (6) and light-hitting backup catcher Kevin Cash, his first of the year.
NATS NOTES: The Nats are now 26-29 as they start a six-game hoemstand against the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Adam Dunn went 0-for-4 and left four runners on.
Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard pitched a combined 2 1/3 innings shutout relief.
Washington batters struck out five times, walked just once, and left seven menon base. They went 3-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
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