declined because hes got four pitches and command. But hes also

WASHINGTON -- Danny Espinosa drove in eight runs in April and tallied seven RBI in Washingtons latest victory.So, after the Nationals shortstop hit a grand slam and a three-run homer in a 13-4 rout of Cincinnati on Thursday night, manager Dusty Baker offered some perspective on the performance.Thats quite a night, Baker said. Thats a week and month for some guys.Espinosas second career slam put Washington up 8-1 in the third inning, and his next drive made it 13-1 in the fourth. Espinosa ranks second on the team with 15 homers despite usually batting eighth.The switch-hitter connected off Brandon Finnegan (3-7) batting right-handed, then went deep from the left side against Josh Smith. He is the first Nationals player ever to homer from both sides of the plate, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.As his second home run cleared the fence in center field, Espinosa recalled, I was just happy. I had never done that in the big leagues, hitting a home run from both sides.Espinosas previous career high for RBI was six, and his only other grand slam came in his fifth major league game on Sept. 6, 2010.It was a rocky April for Espinosa -- as evidenced by those eight RBI -- and May was only slightly better. June, however, was a different story.Hes persevered, Baker said. Im happy for him. Now, he just needs to keep it going.Gio Gonzalez (4-7) gave up four runs and struck out nine over six innings for the NL East-leading Nationals, whose current winning streak comes on the heels of a seven-game skid. Gonzalez was 0-6 with an 8.44 ERA in his previous seven starts.Ryan Zimmerman got the rout started with a three-run homer in the first inning against the lowly Reds, who have lost eight of nine.Joey Votto homered for Cincinnati, which has yielded 40 runs in its last four games -- all of them defeats.Espinosas slam chased Finnegan, who surrendered eight runs, five hits and five walks in 2 1/3 innings.You all saw the game. Not much to say about it, Finnegan said. It was definitely my worst outing of the year -- of my life, honestly. Just have to get ready for my next start.He had never given up more runs, or gotten fewer outs as a starter.The lesson learned? It wasnt as much about the home runs as the five walks.Throw strikes, Finnegan said. Thats about it.Smith provided little relief, giving up five runs and four hits in 1 2/3 innings.Washington tied a season high for runs in a game without receiving a contribution from reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper, who was given the night off by Baker.His legs are a little tired, Baker said, noting that Harper twisted his ankle earlier in the week. Hes been playing through things the last couple days.HIT PARADEReds: It was the second time in seven games that Cincinnati lost by nine runs. The Reds have allowed at least 13 runs eight times this season.Nationals: During its five-game winning streak, Washington has outscored the opposition 36-12.TRAINERS ROOMReds: RHP Caleb Cotham (right shoulder inflammation) was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Thursday night at Class-AA Pensacola against Chattanooga. Manager Bryan Price said the plan is to have Cotham pitch around five times in the minors, and then well reassess. Cotham has been on the DL since May 31. ... OF Billy Hamilton passed concussion protocol and was in the starting lineup after being struck in the face by a deflected line drive Wednesday.Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg (back, ribs) is eligible to return from the DL on Friday, but that almost certainly will not happen. Im more inclined not to rush him, Baker said.UP NEXTReds: RHP Anthony DeSclafani (2-0, 1.52 ERA) makes his fifth start of the season, bringing a 13-inning scoreless streak into Friday nights game against Washington.Nationals: RHP Tanner Roark (7-5, 2.96) is 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA over his last four starts. Cheap Air Max 98 . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Wholesale Air Max 98 Cheap .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. http://www.wholesaleairmax98.com/ . On June 12, just as the sun sets on the magnificent historical city of Sao Paulo the inventors, innovators and purveyors of “joga bonitowill” open their campaign. The opponent, Croatia and all its football might and will. As opposites do attract we are set for a corker of an opener. Air Max 98 Outlet .5 seconds to play in the game, Kevin Love never stopped believing that they would come out of there with a win. Air Max 98 Buy Online .5 seconds to play in the game, Kevin Love never stopped believing that they would come out of there with a win. ATLANTA -- The overpowering version of Justin Verlander pitched a lot of big games for Detroit. The revamped version of the former American League MVP and Cy Young winner starts the biggest game of 2016 for the Tigers on Sunday.Verlander, who is reborn at age 33, faces the Atlanta Braves in the final game at Turner Field with the Tigers flickering wild-card hopes on the line.The Tigers (86-74) trail Baltimore and Toronto by 1 1/2 games and cant lose either to the Braves or in a makeup game at home against Cleveland on Monday. They also need Baltimore or Toronto to lose Sunday.Detroit has just the pitcher on the mound it would want in such a difficult situation. After a down season and then an injury-plagued one, Verlander is making another Cy Young bid.You can make the argument that he might even be better in some ways, Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said in comparing to the two versions. Hes certainly had a renaissance. Hes doing some things better than even when he was in his Cy Young prime. Hes made some adjustments that have born fruit. Hes been one of the best in the league, quite frankly.Although Verlander no longer throws quite as hard, the right-hander leads the AL in strikeouts (246) and WHIP (1.00) while going 16-8 with a 3.10 ERA. He has held opponents to a .176 average in the second half and had a 1.93 ERA in five September starts with 48 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings.Verlander is 33-16 in regular-season games in September and October during his career and Atlanta starter Julio Teheran knows he will have to be on the top of his game if the Braves are to play spoilers and bid farewell to their ballpark of 20 years with a victory.Hes one of the best and Im sure hell be lights out for a game like this,, Teheran said.ddddddddddddIll have to be good to give us a chance. Itll be exciting.Verlander is 8-2 with a 2.00 ERA since the All-Star break, and had a pair of 11-strikeout games in September as well as one with 12 in his most recent start.Verlanders not just blowing fastballs by hitters now, though.Hes a different pitcher than a few years ago, Ausmus said. I think everyone in the organization thought hed be able to pitch even when his velocity declined because hes got four pitches and command. But hes also made some adjustments with the slider and his arm slot and preparation. Plus, hes healthy.How impressive has Verlander been?His strikeout rate of 28.1 percent is the best for someone 33 or more since Hall of Famer Randy Johnson fanned 30.1 percent in 2004, and his WHIP is the best in the American League since Gaylord Perry, also in the Hall of Fame, finished at 0.98 in 1972.Teheran has never faced the Tigers, but Verlander has pitched against the Braves twice -- both times at Turner Field. He is 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA, the last start coming in 2010.Teheran, the Braves representative in the All-Star Game, tries to close the season with a rare home victory. He is 1-6 with a 3.84 ERA at home this year compared to 5-4 with a 2.69 ERA on the road.Teheran tied his season high of six runs allowed Tuesday against Philadelphia, giving up 10 hits in four innings. He has a 4.86 ERA since coming off the disabled list on Aug. 19 after a lat strain.After splitting the first two games of the series, the Braves (67-93) have won 11 of their past 13 games and are 36-35 since the All-Star break. ' ' '