Associated Press Sports
updated 11:05 p.m. ET June 21, 2012
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Washington Nationals got the last word against Joel Peralta in the pine tar flap.
The suspended Tampa Bay reliever served up a tiebreaking, two-run double to Danny Espinosa in the sixth inning Thursday night, sending the Nationals over the Rays 5-2.
Earlier in the day, Peralta learned that he had been penalized by Major League Baseball for eight games after being caught with pine tar in his glove Tuesday night. Peralta is appealing the decision and can keep playing until a final decision is reached.
"I'm glad we're past all this other stuff. That wears me out more than anything," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said.
Johnson talked endlessly on Wednesday about the matter and traded jabs with his Tampa Bay counterpart, Joe Maddon. After this win, Johnson was glad to talk about Espinosa.
The switch-hitting Espinosa, who was batting a paltry .133 with runners in scoring position and just .188 left-handed, delivered.
"He's a very dangerous hitter. He seems to shine in RBI situations," Johnson said.
Maddon was disappointed that the Rays, who are in third place in the AL East, lost two of three in Washington.
"We didn't get swept. We won one of the three, and that's a good thing. When you play a three-game series you obviously want to win the series, but the last thing you want is to get swept, and we did not get swept," Maddon said.
As a rookie, Espinosa hit 21 home runs and had 66 RBIs. This season hasn't gone as well. He has just six home runs and 21 RBIs.
He has a huge defender in his manager.
"Sometimes, it just takes a little time - patience. You know he has the talent, the ability. You just try and not put too pressure on him," Johnson said.
Espinosa appreciates Johnson's support.
"It's been huge to have the manager have my back," Espinosa said.
Peralta (0-3) entered a game that was tied at 2 in the sixth. He got the first two outs of the inning before Jesus Flores doubled, pinch hitter Adam LaRoche was walked intentionally and Espinosa doubled.
Gio Gonzalez (9-3) pitched six innings on a steamy night when the gametime temperature was 97 degrees. He allowed two runs and seven hits, walking two and striking out four.
Gonzalez was displeased that he was hooked with the score tied.
"I was going to hook Gio after the sixth and he was working a big anger on me," Johnson said.
Tampa Bay loaded the bases in the seventh on three walks issued by Craig Stammen and Michael Gonzalez. Ryan Mattheus struck out pinch-hitter Will Rhymes to end the inning.
Sean Burnett worked the eighth and Tyler Clippard pitched the ninth for his 11th save.
Roger Bernadina's RBI double in the seventh increased Washington's lead to 5-2.
Tampa Bay scored in the second when Hideki Matsui walked and Jose Lobaton, Drew Sutton and Desmond Jennings singled.
The Nationals scored twice in the third off Matt Moore. Espinosa and Bryce Harper led off with walks, then pulled off a double steal. Michael Morse had a sacrifice fly and Desmond had an RBI single.
The Rays made it 2-all in the sixth on Ben Zobrist's leadoff double and a one-out single by Sean Rodriguez.
Moore worked five innings. He allowed two runs and three hits, walking four and striking out six.
NOTES: Rays OF Matt Joyce missed his second straight game with a stiff back. ... Tampa Bay INF Jeff Keppinger (broken toe) will rejoin the team in Philadelphia on Friday. He's been on the disabled list since May 21. ... Nationals LHP Ross Detwiler will return to the starting rotation on Sunday against Baltimore. Detwiler and Chien-Ming Wang swapped roles. Wang will go to the bullpen. Detwiler had been starting earlier this season and said he should have sufficient endurance to start. ... Washington RHP Drew Storen said he'll throw live batting practice on Friday for the first time since elbow surgery in April. ... The Nationals have scheduled RHP Jordan Zimmermann (3-5, 2.92) to face the Orioles' RHP Jason Hammel (7-2, 2.87) on Friday night. ... The Rays play in Philadelphia on Friday. RHP James Shields (7-4, 3.72) faces LHP Cliff Lee (0-3, 3.48).
? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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