Washington 8 Oakland 2

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The Washington Nats in search of their seventh pennant in Charlie Finley League history have begun the 1950 season by going 9-2 after a pair of wins on the road against Oakland. The Nats won game one of the series 3-2 in eleven innings. It was their first extra inning game of the season and the 8-2 win in game two boosted their road record to 4-1.

Thirty one year old right hander Eric Mura got the start for Washington. Mura went nine innings for his third win without a loss this season and was charged with two runs on just three hits walked five and struck out five.

The complete game was the first of the season for Mura and lowered his ERA to 1.11.

Jake Gedman, the first of four pitchers used by Oakland, took the loss to dropped to 0-2 for the season. Gedman went seven and a third innings, allowed seen hits and four runs, three of them earned, walked one and struck out four.

Washington took a 1-0 lead in the second inning.

Ed Cutler tripled and scored on an error by Oakland second baseman Ed Barnes.

After giving up a two out double to Jason Daniel, Mura retired nine batters in a row, before walking Pearce Coleman, to start the fifth inning. Mura retired the next two batters to end that inning.

Dave Rabbitt put Washington ahead 2-0 with his second homerun of the season, the fifth allowed by Gedmon in 21.2 innings. The sixth inning started the same way, with Ron Lavalliere drawing the base on balls then being left on first base as Mura got the next three batters in oder.

Oakland was not deterred. They rallied for two runs in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game 2-2.

Daniel and Don Byerly opened the inning with singles and Pearce Coleman walked to load the bases. Mura issued a bases loaded walk to Don Presley to force home Oakland's frst run. A second run came in on a 6-4-3 double play stated by shortstop Doug Bowning after a spectacular fielding play to his right and a strong throw to second baseman Dave Rabbitt, who relayed to a stretching first baseman Joe Webb in time to double up Pete Campbell.

Mura then intentionally walked catcher Ron Lavalliere to fill the bases again to face pitcher Gedman, or a pinch hitter. Gedman batted for himself and grounded out to Rabbitt at second base to end the threat.

The game did not stay tied for long. The eighth inning began with Mura striking out. Doug Browning followed with a single and he scored on a triple by Joe Webb.

Dan Lovett replaced Gedman for Oakland.

Lovett walked Bill Cubillan and gave up Dave Rabbitt's second homerun of the game, this one for three runs of the game putting Oakland in front 7-2

Doyt Lankford started the top of the ninth with a single to centerfield. Lankford then stole second base, and advanced to third base on the play when LaVlliere's throw sailed into centerfield. Joe Webb plated the run with a single up the middle to make the final score 8-2.

Mura retired the side in order for his third win.

Washington will send right hander Jerry Brwon (1-0 3.21) against Oakland's Bob Browne (0-1 4.13) in the finale of the series looking for a sweep.