WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Danny Espinosa put Washington in front with a two-run homer in the seventh Wednesday and the Nationals went on to edge Houston 4-3.
Houston rallied to take a 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh on a two-run single by Ian Desmond but Washington quickly regained the advantage on Espinosa's fifth home run of the season.
Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez walked Justin Maxwell to open the seventh and Alberto Gonzalez sacrificed Maxwell to second. Jeff Fulchino was brought on in relief and Espinosa hit his second pitch over the wall in right.
Fulchino (2-1) eventually retired just one batter and threw only five pitches in taking the loss.
Tyler Clippard (11-6) got the win with one inning of relief. He replaced Jason Marquis, who gave up two runs in six-plus innings.
Sean Burnett came on with nobody on and one out in the ninth and promptly gave up a single to Geoff Blum. Burnett, however, got Jason Bourgeois to ground into a game-ending double play and claimed his third save.
