MASNsports.com is your online home for the latest Orioles and Nationals news, features, and commentary. And now, you can connect with MASN on every digital level. From web and social media to our new mobile alert service, MASN has got all the bases covered.
Get the latest breaking news direct to your phone with our mobile texting service.
In two innings today, the Nationals already have more hits than they had in nine innings yesterday. They've collected three off Matt Cain, including an Alex Cora double that scored Laynce Nix in the second inning. But they left two runners on base, and trail the Giants 2-1.
Jordan Zimmermann couldn't stop the Giants before they scored in the top of the second, with Nate Schierholtz dropping a blooper between Ian Desmond and Laynce Nix for a two-run double. Those are the kinds of breaks you get when you're hitting well, and the Nationals aren't getting them right now.
They might also be trying to force the action a little bit; Jayson Werth turned hard around first in the first inning, trying to stretch his long single into a double, but got thrown out at second to end the first on a dart from Aaron Rowand. Laying down at second base, Werth threw his helmet halfway to first in exasperation. I've talked in glowing terms this season about Werth's aggressiveness on the basepaths, but there, it seemed like he was trying to do too much.
The Nationals also only got one run on Cora's double, when Adam LaRoche couldn't score from first and was held up at third. The Giants played it well, but a faster runner might have been sent there with two outs.
At any rate, it's 2-1 Giants in the top of the third inning.
