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Span’s sacrifice fly in 9th lifts Nats over Cards

Sports

April 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON (AP) — Denard Span hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning and the Washington Nationals, with Bryce Harper back in the lineup, rallied past the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 Sunday. The Nationals loaded the bases in the ninth against Seth Maness (0-1) when Danny Espinosa singled with one out for his third hit, Jose Lobaton singled through the right side of the infield and pinch hitter Nate McLouth walked.

In his second game since being activated from the seven-day disabled list following a concussion, Span lofted a fly to left field. Espinosa easily beat the throw from John Jay, who shifted over from right field as St. Louis used a five-man infield.

Harper started in left field and went 1 for 4 with his first stolen base of the season. The two-time All-Star was pulled from the game a day earlier for what manager Matt Williams called a “lack of hustle.”