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We're at the seventh-inning stretch at Nationals Park, and the Nationals are still holding a 2-1 lead over the Phillies, largely because of the catch Laynce Nix made in the sixth that's helped his third-inning homer stand up as the go-ahead run.
When Doug Slaten, who came in to relieve John Lannan, gave up a sinking liner to left against Domonic Brown, Nix sprinted to his left and made a sensational headfirst diving catch, grabbing the ball just before it fell in for what would have been a go-ahead base hit with the bases full. The catch was reminiscent of the one Willie Harris made to save a 1-0 win over the Mets in 2008. And it's still got Lannan in line for his first-ever win against the Phillies.
Tyler Clippard pitched a scoreless seventh inning, and it'll be interesting to see how the Nationals use their bullpen from here. Clippard got through the seventh inning in 12 pitches, so he could start the eighth for the Nationals. But manager Jim Riggleman might use Henry Rodriguez, the hard-throwing but erratic right-hander whom Riggleman has said is his setup man at the moment.
I'll be filling in for Ray Knight on "Nats Xtra" as soon as this one's over; you can tune on MASN to catch that. Talk to you a little later today.
