DC Sports Recap, 7/9

Nationals vs. Rockies, L 1-2
W: Jimenez, (4-8), L: Marquis, (7-4)
The Nationals let another game slip through their fingers, making it this the sixth game in a row that was decided by only one run, and the third in a row that they have lost. Nats pitcher Jason Marquis seemed to struggle a bit with his rhythm, perhaps because it was his first start with Jesus Flores behind the plate; Marquis lasted 6 innings (a vast improvement over his last outing, which only lasted 1 1/3 innings), gave up 5 hits and 2 runs, and struck out 1. The Nationals demonstrated an excellent handle on defense, but struggled with scoring; they got seven hits off Ubaldo Jimenez, but managed to score only one run.


Orioles @ Red Sox, L 0-4
W: Lackey, (6-8), L: Simon (1-2)
The Orioles lost their sixth straight game, as Red Sox pitcher John Lackey got his groove back. The win lowered Lackey's ERA from 7.47 to 6.84, and gave the Red Sox their fifth straight win. Following the previous night's bench-clearing brawl, tensions were expected to be high, and both sides were warned after Lackey hit Derrek Lee in the seventh (Nick Markakis was also hit in the sixth). Former closer Alfredo Simon, making his first start since April 14, 2009, gave up 8 hits and 3 runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Orioles got 4 hits but did not manage to score any runs.

DC United @ NY Red Bulls, W 1-0
Talk about payback!
DC United's Dwayne De Rosario made his first trip back to New York's Red Bull Arena since being traded on June 27th, and he brought the pain. De Rosario scored United's only goal of the game in the 61st minute, his first in two games since being traded (he has four goals overall on the season). Following the game, the midfielder admitted, "'Scoring against them felt great... You just want to do what you can to show what they gave up"' (courtesy of ESPN.com). DC United improved to a record of 5-7-5 with the win against the rival Red Bulls.