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WASHINGTON -- Danny Espinosa drove in eight runs in April and tallied seven RBI in Washingtons latest victory.So, after the Nationals shortstop hit a grand slam and a three-run homer in a 13-4 rout of Cincinnati on Thursday night, manager Dusty Baker offered some perspective on the performance.Thats quite a night, Baker said. Thats a week and month for some guys.Espinosas second career slam put Washington up 8-1 in the third inning, and his next drive made it 13-1 in the fourth. Espinosa ranks second on the team with 15 homers despite usually batting eighth.The switch-hitter connected off Brandon Finnegan (3-7) batting right-handed, then went deep from the left side against Josh Smith. He is the first Nationals player ever to homer from both sides of the plate, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.As his second home run cleared the fence in center field, Espinosa recalled, I was just happy. I had never done that in the big leagues, hitting a home run from both sides.Espinosas previous career high for RBI was six, and his only other grand slam came in his fifth major league game on Sept. 6, 2010.It was a rocky April for Espinosa -- as evidenced by those eight RBI -- and May was only slightly better. June, however, was a different story.Hes persevered, Baker said. Im happy for him. Now, he just needs to keep it going.Gio Gonzalez (4-7) gave up four runs and struck out nine over six innings for the NL East-leading Nationals, whose current winning streak comes on the heels of a seven-game skid. Gonzalez was 0-6 with an 8.44 ERA in his previous seven starts.Ryan Zimmerman got the rout started with a three-run homer in the first inning against the lowly Reds, who have lost eight of nine.Joey Votto homered for Cincinnati, which has yielded 40 runs in its last four games -- all of them defeats.Espinosas slam chased Finnegan, who surrendered eight runs, five hits and five walks in 2 1/3 innings.You all saw the game. Not much to say about it, Finnegan said. It was definitely my worst outing of the year -- of my life, honestly. Just have to get ready for my next start.He had never given up more runs, or gotten fewer outs as a starter.The lesson learned? It wasnt as much about the home runs as the five walks.Throw strikes, Finnegan said. Thats about it.Smith provided little relief, giving up five runs and four hits in 1 2/3 innings.Washington tied a season high for runs in a game without receiving a contribution from reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper, who was given the night off by Baker.His legs are a little tired, Baker said, noting that Harper twisted his ankle earlier in the week. Hes been playing through things the last couple days.HIT PARADEReds: It was the second time in seven games that Cincinnati lost by nine runs. The Reds have allowed at least 13 runs eight times this season.Nationals: During its five-game winning streak, Washington has outscored the opposition 36-12.TRAINERS ROOMReds: RHP Caleb Cotham (right shoulder inflammation) was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Thursday night at Class-AA Pensacola against Chattanooga. Manager Bryan Price said the plan is to have Cotham pitch around five times in the minors, and then well reassess. Cotham has been on the DL since May 31. ... OF Billy Hamilton passed concussion protocol and was in the starting lineup after being struck in the face by a deflected line drive Wednesday.Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg (back, ribs) is eligible to return from the DL on Friday, but that almost certainly will not happen. Im more inclined not to rush him, Baker said.UP NEXTReds: RHP Anthony DeSclafani (2-0, 1.52 ERA) makes his fifth start of the season, bringing a 13-inning scoreless streak into Friday nights game against Washington.Nationals: RHP Tanner Roark (7-5, 2.96) is 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA over his last four starts.China Jerseys 2020 . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Cheap Jerseys 2020 . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. https://www.cheapjerseysfromchinareview.com/ . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Wholesale Authentic Jerseys . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Wholesale Jerseys China . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto.Richard Johnson finally achieved a lifetime ambition when he was officially crowned champion jockey at Sandown on Saturday.It is almost 22 years since the popular rider secured his first winner aboard Rusty Bridge in a Hereford hunter chase and in the subsequent two decades he has firmly established himself as one of the most successful National Hunt jockeys in history.Johnson has ridden over 3,000 career winners, including a Cheltenham Gold Cup success aboard Looks Like Trouble (2000), a Queen Mother Champion Chase triumph aboard Flagship Uberalles (2002), Champion Hurdle glory aboard Rooster Booster (2003) and the World Hurdle on Anzum (1999), the biggest four races at the Cheltenham Festival. It is fair to say Johnson has come a long way since growing up on a Herefordshire farm and getting the leg-up on his first pony, Twinkle, and yet he has had to spend most of his career in the giant shadow of the greatest of them all, the recently knighted Sir Anthony McCoy.Johnsons statistics are nothing short of staggering, but they pale into insignificance when put up against 20-times champion McCoys mind-boggling figures.Having finished runner-up to the Ulsterman on no less than 15 occasions in the jockeys title race, Johnson could be forgiven for having felt like his day at the top might never come, but it is a measure of the man that rather than becoming bitter and jealous, he saw his close friend and rival - who retired last year having ridden 4,358 winners - as an example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.I had years of great racing with AP (McCoy) and it was frustrating not to beat him, but I had a fantastic time. Apart from the fact that I didnt beat him, I wouldnt have changed a thing, said Johnson.You always want to be competitive and you want to win every day. Racing is very unique in that we do all get on very well, were friends and we get changed in the same room, but we are very competitive. Menorah, ridden by Johnson (left), clears the last fence on his way to beating Valseur Lido If youre not competitive, you wouldnt be doing it. I was always chasing AP which spurred me on and hopefully I pushed him.When I was growing up it was Peter Scudamore, followed by Richard Dunwoody. To ride against Richard Dunwoody was an honour for me and to this day I still think hes one of the best jockeys Ive ever seen. He was what I wanted to be.AP has been the role model for the last 20 years and he conducted himself so well. Its actually made me realise in the last two or three months the extras he did for the last 20 years.With his mother Susan still holding a training licence today and both his father Keith and grandfather Ivor successful amateur riders, Johnson was bred to be a jockey.After graduating from riding ponies, he started riding out for the brilliant trainer David Nicholson in the school holidays before becoming pupil after leaving school at 16. After initially riding as an amateur, Johnson turned professional in 1995 and the following year was crowned champion conditional for the one and only time.Married to Fiona Chance, daughter of dual Cheltenham Gold-Cup winning trainer Noel, he was at Sandown, wwhere he had a final day win aboard Menorah, with his family, where he was presented with his champion jockey trophy by McCoy.ddddddddddddIts hard to put into words, he said.This season has gone so well and Ive had so much support off the world and their wife. Every owner and trainer in England and Ireland have supported me, which has been amazing.A massive thanks go to Philip Hobbs and Henry Daly, who have been my two longest-serving trainers and have been with me through thick and thin.The Whateleys have been fantastic owners, but all the owners have been very supportive. There are owners that when I started out were at David Nicholsons and are now at Philips.Dave Roberts, my agent, has done a fantastic job for 22 years and particularly for the last 12 months. On a daily basis he makes my life so easy.My family have been very supportive, from mum and dad to my wife and three children. They are very understanding and they dont see me much, but they are the ones who let me do what I love doing and they are always there when it doesnt quite work out.Ive many fond memories. Rusty Bridge and Derring Bridge are two horses that helped me get going and it sounds soft, but its always special to ride a winner for mum, whether it was back then or now.The three stand-out horses though are Rooster Booster, Looks Like Trouble and Anzum, who was my first winner at the Cheltenham Festival and David Nicholsons last. Johnson with the champion jump jockey trophy at Sandown Park Again it sounds so corny but Ive been very spoilt with so many good horses.Winning the title is something that Ive always wanted and its going to be a very special day and bit surreal I think.It was a strange day at Sandown last year with AP finishing (retiring) and its probably going to be a bit strange this year.Its all Ive ever dreamed of.While there was a sense of relief for Johnson after finally being crowned champion, he has no intention of resting on his laurels, with the defence of his crown set to begin almost immediately.He told Racing UK: You cant sit back and think its going to happen, because its not. Youve got to go out there and ride the winners.Theres lots of young lads in the weighing room now - the likes of Aidan Coleman, Sam Twiston-Davies and Brian Hughes - and then the older ones like Noel Fehily, who has had a fantastic season.I want to be champion (again). I think the Thursday after Sandown is the first day back and if Im not in Punchestown, Ill be keen to go wherever and get stuck in again.The important thing for me is to get set off on the right foot again. Every day is important, every week is important.The big meetings are obviously very important, but for me I think the racing in July is just as important as the racing in March.Just like Johnson did for all those years, Coleman, Twiston-Davies and the rest might just have to wait their turn as the new champion, who turns 39 this July, is seemingly in no mood to give up the title he has craved for so long without an almighty fight.Also See:Live results serviceFull racecardsGet Sky Sports ' ' '