Washington, DC (My Sportsbook) - Junior Spivey belted a two-run homer and the
Washington Nationals extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 3-2 win over the
Seattle Mariners in the finale of a three-game interleague series at RFK Stadium.
Washington earned its franchise record-tying 10th consecutive win by posting three sweeps during the stretch. The Nationals, who have won 13 of their last 14 games, broke out the brooms on Florida, Oakland and the Mariners. The Washington/Montreal franchise had a 10-game win streak from June 6-16, 1997.
"Nobody could see this coming, everybody contributed to the win today," said Washington manager Frank Robinson.
Jamey Carroll knocked in a run for the red-hot Nationals, who finished with a brilliant 12-1 mark on their 13-game homestand and remain 1 1/2 games ahead of the surging Phillies for first place in the competitive NL East. Philadelphia completed a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday afternoon.
Greg Dobbs and Raul Ibanez both provided RBI doubles for the Mariners, losers of three straight and four of their last five games.
Spivey's first homer as a National -- a two-run shot in the second inning -- opened the scoring. Nick Johnson led off with a double and took third after Vinny Castilla flied out to deep center. Spivey, who was dealt from Milwaukee on Friday, followed with a two-run blast over the wall in left for a 2-0 lead.
The Nationals extended their lead to 3-0 in the fourth inning courtesy of Carroll's RBI single. Castilla singled leading off but Ryan Franklin settled down and got the next two batters out. Carroll, though, stroked a base hit to left-center and Castilla scored.
Dobbs' RBI double in the sixth inning got Seattle on the scoreboard. Gary Majewski was on the hill and Willie Bloomquist stroked a leadoff single to center. One out later, Dobbs hit for Franklin and doubled home Bloomquist.
Franklin (2-8) continued to struggle this season and was saddled with the loss. Franklin, who has lost his last four decisions, allowed three runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
Ibanez had an RBI double in the seventh to pull Seattle within 3-2. Jeremy Reed started the inning with a base hit to center and scored two outs later when Ibanez doubled to left field.
Washington starter Tony Armas Jr. has won his last two starts. Armas (3-3) evened his record with five shutout innings of five-hit ball. He also struck out six batters and walked three.
Chad Cordero pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 19th save of the season.