Recap: Washington vs. Houston

Sports Network | July 9, 2009

Houston, TX (Sports Network) - It took over two months to finish, but the Washington Nationals finally beat the Houston Astros.

Nyjer Morgan scored the winning run on Miguel Tejada's high throw to first base in the bottom of the 11th inning, giving the Nationals an 11-10 victory.

Morgan actually wasn't on Washington's roster when the game started May 5 before the contest was suspended due to rain with one out in the bottom of the 11th. He came to Washington in a trade from Pittsburgh on July 1.

Joel Hanrahan (1-3), who was traded to the Pirates in that deal, was the winner as he threw the top of the 11th on May 5.

Elijah Dukes, who walked with one out in the bottom of the 11th, was replaced on the bases by Morgan. That's because Dukes is currently playing in the minors. When the game resumed, Josh Willingham singled to left field off LaTroy Hawkins (1-3). Pinch-Hitter Josh Bard then hit a grounder to second baseman Kaz Matsui, who flipped to Tejada for the force at second. But the return throw went over the head of first baseman Lance Berkman, allowing Morgan to score.

This was the first time since April 28, 2008 that a suspended game ended in a different city in which it began. The Orioles' game at Chicago, against the White Sox, ended in Baltimore on August 25, 2008.

The suspended game was played prior to the teams starting a regularly- scheduled four-game set at Minute Maid Park.