Another quality start, another deficit

In this series, the Nationals have thrice gotten six strong innings from their starter. Gio Gonzalez allowed three runs over six-plus frames on Friday, Jordan Zimmermann also allowed three runs in six innings yesterday, and today, Edwin Jackson gave up just two runs in six. All three times, the starter has left the game in line for the loss. Today, Jackson gives way to Tom Gorzelanny in the seventh with the Nats trailing 2-1. Washington has managed six hits off Yankees starter Ivan Nova, but Nova has held the home team at bay and has kept his pitch count incredibly low, needing just 62 pitches to get through six. Jackson, meanwhile, had to throw 110 pitches. Lot more one-pitch at-bats for the Nats than for the Yanks, who have done a great job of making Nats starters work in this series. Adam LaRoche's team-leading 12th home run of the year is the only run on the board for the Nationals. He just missed a second homer in the fourth inning, smoking a double high off the scoreboard in right-center. Bryce Harper did the same in the third inning, but both doubles were wasted when the Nats failed to get the job done with a runner in scoring position. Ryan Zimmerman is 0-for-3 today. His average is now at .230. Ian Desmond has made his third error in as many games. He now has 11 on the season. Not a ton of positives have come out of this series so far for the Nationals.