masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgJake Arrieta certainly does not look sharp early in this game and the Nationals have taken advantage of their scoring chances to take a 3-0 lead after two and a half innings at the Yard.

The O’s spotted Florida an early 3-0 lead last night so maybe this is a new strategy.

The top of the Nats order, which has been struggling we hear, has gotten on base in the first and third to set up their runs. Nyjer Morgan has already scored twice and Arrieta needed 28 pitches to get through the first…Jake Arrieta certainly does not look sharp early in this game and the Nationals have taken advantage of their scoring chances to take a 3-0 lead after two and a half innings at the Yard.

The O’s spotted Florida an early 3-0 lead last night so maybe this is a new strategy.

The top of the Nats order, which has been struggling we hear, has gotten on base in the first and third to set up their runs. Nyjer Morgan has already scored twice and Arrieta needed 28 pitches to get through the first inning and is at 57 pitches through three.

Meanwhile, Morgan just made a stunning, leaping catch at the wall in center to rob Corey Patterson of a homer. He was about three or four feet above the wall as he made the grab. He is taking charge of this game so far tonight.

Garrett Atkins, making his first start tonight since June 14, grounded into a third to home to first double play to douse a bases-loaded rally in the last of the second.

Meanwhile, Nats pitcher J.D Martin, who had walked just one batter over 25 1/3 innings in his four starts this year, walked Patterson to leadoff the last of the first.