BALTIMORE (AP) — Erick Fedde allowed two hits over six innings, and the Washington Nationals beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-0 on Tuesday night for their second straight victory following an eight-game skid.
César Hernández doubled on the game’s first pitch from Jordan Lyles (4-6) and scored on a double by Nelson Cruz to put Washington in front. Hernández added an RBI grounder in the second inning.
That was enough of a cushion for Fedde (5-5), who struck out four, walked one and did not allow a runner past first base. Two his Fedde’s 20 career wins have come against the Orioles, against whom he has 0.52 ERA in three career appearances.
Fedde lamented using 97 pitches to get through six innings, but he had no complaints about the result.
“It’s awesome,” Fedde said. “Anytime you take six scoreless, I’ll sign up for that.”
Manager Dave Martinez liked it, too,
“He did well. He got ahead of a lot of hitters, and when he needed to throw a strike, he threw a strike,” Martinez said.
Kyle Finnegan worked the seventh, striking out the side around a double by Adley Rutschman. Carl Edwards Jr. pitched the eighth and Tanner Rainey completed the four-hitter for his eighth save.
“Our bullpen came in and did a great job,” Martinez said. “It’s pretty impressive that after everything we’ve been through, we come out here and our pitchers throw a shutout.”
Washington’s eight-game losing streak, which included seven defeats at home against division foes Atlanta and Philadelphia, ended with a 9-3 rout of the Phillies on Sunday. Now the Nationals are riding their first winning streak since June 10-11.
Lane Thomas smacked a solo shot for Washington in the ninth.
After being scratched Sunday with a stomach virus, Lyles struggled through the…