Pacheco’s error sends Diamondbacks to 1-0 loss

HARVEY VALENTINE
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wade Miley gave Arizona a chance by repeatedly working out of trouble. Third baseman Jordan Pacheco threw it all away in the ninth.

Pacheco’s throwing error allowed Denard Span to score the winning run in Washington’s 1-0 victory over the Diamondbacks on Thursday.

“I guess some losses are a little more difficult,” first baseman Mark Trumbo said. “I think we battled as well as we could. Just didn’t have too much offense to show for it. But our pitching staff did a great job.”

Arizona dropped the last six games of a 1-7 road trip. Eight of the Diamondbacks’ last 10 games have been decided by one run.

Rafael Soriano (4-1) pitched a scoreless ninth as Washington stretched its winning streak to 10, matching the franchise record. Five of Washington’s last six wins have come in its final at-bat of the game.

“It’s not how you plan it,” Nationals manager Matt Williams said.

Washington’s ninth hit was a one-out single for Span against Oliver Perez (2-3). Evan Marshall then came in and Span swiped second.

Anthony Rendon followed with a chopper to third. Pacheco’s throw bounced off the dirt and into the first-base camera well, and Span was awarded home.

“To end it like that, that’s definitely my fault,” Pacheco said. “That’s a horrible way to lose.”

Miley pitched 6 2-3 scoreless innings despite allowing eight hits and walking a season-high six batters.

“It was a battle,” Miley said. “I mean, those guys did a great job. They were laying off some pretty good pitches.

“I feel like it was bases loaded, one out every inning. Just trying to make pitches, and I was fortunate enough to get a couple ground balls.”

Miley retired Adam LaRoche three times to end an inning — twice on double plays — before walking him to load the bases with two out in the seventh. Matt Stites got Wilson Ramos to fly out to right to end the threat.

The Nationals went 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

Arizona’s best chance came in the third, when Miley’s sacrifice put runners on second and third with one out, but Ender Inciarte lined to shortstop and Cliff Pennington flied out.

Pennington also popped out with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth.

Gio Gonzalez pitched seven innings for Washington. He allowed four hits and walked three while lowering his career ERA against Arizona to 1.33 in three starts.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: INF/OF Ryan Zimmerman (right hamstring strain) threw on the field for the first time since going on the disabled list July 23. There is no specific timetable for his return. “You have to use that muscle to throw,” Williams said. “It’s part of the strengthening process.” … OF Nate McLouth was scheduled to have season-ending shoulder surgery Thursday, Williams said.

Diamondbacks: INF Chris Owings (left shoulder strain) will continue his rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno on Friday after going 4 for 7 in three games with Arizona’s rookie league club. … OF A.J. Pollock (fractured right hand) took light batting practice Thursday.

UP NEXT:

Nationals: RHP Doug Fister (12-3, 2.20 ERA) looks for his third win in August in the first of a three-game set at home against San Francisco.

Diamondbacks: RHP Josh Collmenter (8-7, 4.31 ERA) will make his fifth career start against S an Diego on Friday as Arizona begins an eight-game, 10-day homestand.

FINALLY CAUGHT

Trumbo became just the second Diamondbacks runner in 12 attempts to be caught stealing when Ramos threw him out at second to end the sixth.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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