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.
The Nationals have yet to bat, but they're already squarely behind the eight-ball, trailing 2-0 after the first half-inning. A bad call by first base umpire Alan Porter and Roger Bernadina's inability to make a diving catch conspired against the home team.
Alex Presley led off the game with a single to center and Chase d'Arnaud hit what appeared to be a nicely turned around-the-horn double play, with third baseman Ryan Zimmerman charging the ball and making a difficult throw to second base. But second baseman Danny Espinosa's relay to first was ruled late, though it sure looked on the replay like it beat d'Arnaud by a hair. Regardless, Davey Johnson didn't come from the dugout to debate the call.
Garrett Jones followed with a single to right (after just missing a two-run homer on a ball just to the right of the foul pole) for a 1-0 lead. Andrew McCutchen then lofted a long drive to right center and Bernadina dove on the warning track only to come up empty, leaving runners at second and third. Neil Walker's sacrifice fly to right plated Jones instead of being the third out.
The Nats went down 1-2-3 in their half of the inning, so it's still 2-0 Pittsburgh after one inning.
