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.
Before today's game, Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda had never given up three homers in a single game. One inning into his start against the Nationals today, he has.
Ian Desmond led off the game with his second leadoff homer in three days, and after Rick Ankiel singled (and Ryan Zimmerman missed another homer by a couple feet), Michael Morse blasted a two-run shot to left. Then, Jayson Werth followed him with another long homer to left. The Nationals are up 4-1 in the second inning, after their three-homer first.
A couple of superlatives about the homers: It's the first time since July 11, 2009, that the Nationals have hit three homers in an inning (they did it that night in a win over the Astros - Manny Acta's last win as Nationals manager). It's also the first time since 2005 that a Dodgers starter has given up three homers in an inning, and it ties a Nationals record (2005-present) for homers in an inning.
Of the three homers, Desmond's has to be the most encouraging. He continues to look more and more comfortable at the top of the lineup. If he can stick there, it would remove a big need heading into the offseason; the Nationals still need a center fielder, but it wouldn't be imperative that that person is also a leadoff hitter, and they might be able to put Jayson Werth there if Bryce Harper mans right field in the majors.
For now, though, the Nationals have a 4-1 lead over the Dodgers in the second inning. They'll try to keep it and lift John Lannan to his ninth win of the season.
