Roark taxed early with two-out hits (Nats win 4-3)

HOUSTON - Tanner Roark has been taxed a bit in the first two innings. The Astros started the game with a George Springer single and then a steal of second. With two outs, he came home on a two-out RBI single by Josh Reddick.

In the second inning, veteran Carlos Beltrán sent a double into left field that Howie Kendrick attempted to catch up against the wall but could not hold on to. Beltrán came home on a two-out RBI single courtesy of Derek Fisher.

Roark has now thrown 46 pitches in two innings.

Charlie Morton has retired the Nationals in order in his first two innings of work.

After two frames, the Astros lead the Nats 2-0.

Update: The Nats got to Morton in the third. Matt Wieters worked a tremendous at-bat into a full count and a walk. Wilmer Difo singled for the first hit of the game against Morton. Michael A. Taylor grounded into a 5-4 forceout to place runners on the corners. After an Alejandro De Aza strikeout, Howie Kendrick unleashed a high-arcing triple off the wall in left-center that scored two runs.

The Astros got the lead back in their half of the third. With one out, Alex Bregman singled. Jose Altuve hit a sharp grounder to shortstop. Difo's throw to Daniel Murphy at second was off line and rolled into right field. The Difo throwing error allowed Bregman to move to third. He came home on Reddick's second RBI single of the game. The Astros lead 3-2.

Houston has scored a run and had two base hits in each of the first three frames.

Update II: With two outs in the fourth, Houston native Anthony Rendon doubled to deep right-center field. Wieters followed with a two-run shot over the center field fence, his ninth homer of the season. The Nats have their first lead at 4-3.

Update III: Roark was tremendous after a potential first three frames that could have been much worse. Ater allowing three runs on six hits in three innings, he allowed no runs with no hits in the final 3 2/3 frames. He threw 115 pitches, 75 for strikes. Roark walked one and struck out seven.

After six innings, the Nats lead the Astros 4-3.

Update IV: Facing Brandon Kintzler, the Astros loaded the bases with back-to-back singles and an intentional walk in the bottom of the eighth. WIth one out, Kintzler induced a well-hit grounder by Max Stassi to Rendon, who started a 5-4-3 double play. Murphy bobbled relay at second and threw high to first base, but Ryan Zimmerman found a way to stretch and still make the catch for the inning-ending double play.

After eight innings, the Nats lead 4-3.

Update V: Sean Doolittle struck out Davis to begin ninth. Springer popped out to Murphy at second. Bregman lined out to left field to end the game.

Doolittle has 15 saves.

Final score: Nats 4, Astros 3.