Adam LaRoche hit his career-high 33rd home run Tuesday night, helping the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-2, at Nationals Park. The Nats earned their 97th win, making them owners of the best record in Major League Baseball (at least for the time being -- a win by the Reds and the two would once again be tied).
Adam LaRoche sparks Nationals over Phillies, 4-2
The Nationals first baseman hit his 33rd home run of the year, collecting 100 RBI
Rob Carr - Getty Images
LaRoche led off in the sixth inning, with the score tied, 1-1, and blasted the ball into right field off reliever Josh Lindblom. LaRoche has now joined Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn as the only Nats players to reach 100 RBI, tying his career-best total, previously achieved in 2010, while playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Five batters later in that same inning, Steve Lombardozzi hit a single with the bases loaded, scoring Mark DeRosa. Lombardozzi drove in the fourth Nationals run in the eighth via a sacrifice fly, off reliever Antonio Bastardo.
Darin Ruf hit a couple of solo homers, responsible for both Phillies runs, in the fourth and eighth innings.
Zach Duke took his first win of the year, after tossing an inning of relief work, allowing two hits, walking one and fanning one. Drew Storen saved his fourth game of the season after pitching in the ninth. Lindblom carried his fifth loss of 2012 after granting three hits, two runs and a walk in one frame.
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