Over the weekend, the Nationals were wondering whether Joel Hanrahan had the ability to continue as a big-league closer. The right-hander had blown back-to-back saves against the Marlins, and the team suffered consecutive demoralizing losses.
But manager Manny Acta stuck with Hanrahan, and his faith is paying off because Hanrahan has now closed out a pair of one-run games in a row. After hanging on for a 3-2 win Monday night against the Braves, Hanrahan did it again Tuesday, this time preserving a 4-3 lead in the ninth. It wasn't easy. Hanrahan walked the leadoff man and then surrendered a double, leaving the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on second with nobody out.
But he battled back and got Gregg Norton to hit a comebacker and Kelly Johnson to hit a shallow flyball to center field. They he got Yunel Escobar to hit a grounder to second to end the game and secure his second save in as many nights.
"We need him," catcher Jesus Flores said after Tuesday's win. "He's supposed to do what he did last night and today, and I think he was putting a little bit of pressure on himself. But we can see that he's trusting himself again."
NATIONALS 4, BRAVES 3: With a revamped and more confident bullpen, Washington is back on track. For the second straight night, the Nationals preserved a one-run lead in the ninth, with embattled closer Joel Hanrahan hanging on to record the save. Rookie right-hander Shairon Martis set the tone with six strong innings to earn his second win in three starts. A patient lineup finally took out Braves starter Kenshin Kawakami during a three-run sixth, thanks to a homer by Adam Dunn, a triple by Austin Kearns and an RBI single by PH Josh Willingham.
