Washington done in by slide rule in 5-4 loss to Detroit

The slide interference rule played another role in a baseball controversy, this time not being called in a three-run sixth that lifted Detroit to a 5-4 win at Washington Tuesday night.

With the Nats and Tigers tied at 3-3, Anthony Gose was forced out at second on a bases-loaded, one-out grounder by Andrew Romine. Gose slid hard into shortstop Danny Espinosa, and Washington challenged the no-call on the slide that could have been ruled an inning-ending double play.

Instead, Romine was safe at first, a run scored, and Miguel Cabrera followed with an RBI single that put the Tigers (15-19) ahead 5-3.

Ryan Zimmerman homered twice, his fourth and fifth of the season, but Zimmerman and Daniel Murphy each failed in the ninth with runners on first and second, after Detroit intentionally walked Bryce Harper following a one-out double by Anthony Rendon.

Joe Ross (3-2, 2.29 ERA) took the loss for the Nats (20-13), who have now lost five of their last six.