•   News  
• Business
• Entertainment
• Pics
• Blogs
• Sports
• Obits
• Redskins
• Real Estate
• Classifieds
• Jobs
• Search Local
• Shop
• Bride & Groom

By TODD JACOBSON

WASHINGTON--Bill Bray needed just one pitch to earn a win in his major league debut a week ago.

His workload was significantly heavier in the Nationals' 9-8 12-inning win over the Philadelphia Phillies Friday, and Washington's rookie left-hander may have proved much more.

Bray pitched three perfect innings to help Washington avoid a potentially embarrassing defeat Friday, running his scoreless streak to 5 innings since he was promoted from Triple-A New Orleans June 2.

Robert Fick's pinch-hit single in the 12th inning provided the winning run in a wild five-and-a-half hour affair and closer Chad Cordero got the win after pitching two scoreless innings.

But it was Bray's breakout performance that drew plenty of praise from manager Frank Robinson after the game.

"He answered a lot of questions last night and he also answered that he can go three effective innings," Robinson said. "Now am I at ease with him, and [would I] put him in any type of situation? Just about. Yes."

The Nationals had been looking forward to Bray's arrival since he was the team's first-round draft pick in 2004 out of William & Mary, but Robinson had steered away from using the 23-year-old in tight situations during his first week in the majors, though in his debut he threw just one pitch to earn the win over the Milwaukee Brewers June 3.

But he really didn't officially retire a batter in that game. Catcher Brian Schneider threw out Corey Koskie to end the eighth inning.

He didn't need any help Friday.

"I think I proved a little bit to myself that I could go out there and get the job done," Bray said. "So that's a good feeling."

As tough as it was for Jose Guillen to go on the disabled list last month, he's hoping the two-week rest can rejuvenate his season.

Guillen, who has battled a sore right hamstring since early May, was activated from the disabled list before yesterday's game and popped up in his only at-bat after entering the game as an eighth-inning replacement for Marlon Anderson.

Guillen is expected to start today's series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies. Right fielder Mike Vento (.278 in nine games) was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans to make room for Guillen.