PHOTO: Ross Detwiler's First Inning Makes The Case For Robot Umpires

Nationals Vs. Reds Final Score: Joey Votto Double In 11th Gives Cincinnati 8-5 Victory

Although the Nationals were able to overcome a 5-0 deficit, the Cincinnati Reds got the last laugh, as Joe Votto's 11th inning double gave the Red Legs a 8-5 victory at Nationals Park Sunday afternoon. After trailing 5-3 after five innings, the Nationals continued to chip away at the lead, thanks to the hitting of Ian Desmond.

Desmond knocked a double in the fifth inning to make the score 5-4, then tied it up with an RBI single in the 7th. He finished the day 3-for-5.

The two teams then headed to extra innings, but the deadlock was broken by Reds first baseman Joey Votto. His laser-shot double scored two runs to make the score 7-5. Scott Rolen added an RBI single for insurance before the Reds shut the Nats down in the bottom of the 11th.

Nationals starter allowed five runs (one earned) in his five innings of work. Tyler Clippard picked up the loss after allowing three runs on four hits in the 11th.

The Nationals return to action on Monday when they take on the Houston Astros at Nationals Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

For more on this game and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please head over toFederal Baseball. For a view from the other dugout you can check out Red Reporter, SB Nation's Cincinnati Reds blog. For more on this and every Major League Baseball game you can head over to the SB nation MLB hub page.

Reds Vs. Nationals Score Update: Ryan Ludwick Hits Grand Slam, Cincinnati Leads 5-3

The Cincinnati Reds struggles on offense appear to be coming to an end thanks to a first-inning grand slam off of Washington National starter Ross Detwiler and has propelled the Reds to a 5-3 lead through four innings at Nationals Park.

The Reds saw their lead grow to 5-0 in the top of the fourth when Ryan Hanigan singled home Ludwick.

The Nationals answered with three runs in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a two-run single by the red-hot Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche and then a Mark DeRosa groundout.

Detwiler has only allowed one earned run to score, as the Nationals defense has been shaky on the afternoon. He has allowed five hits and two walks to go with two strikeouts. LaRoche, Danny Espinosa and Ian Desmond have accounted for the three Nationals hits through four innings.

For more on this game and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please head over to Federal Baseball. For a view from the other dugout you can check out Red Reporter, SB Nation's Cincinnati Reds blog. For more on this and every Major League Baseball game you can head over to the SB nation MLB hub page.

Reds Vs. Nationals: Sunday's Starting Lineups And TV Schedule

The Washington Nationals seek their sixth straight win Sunday afternoon when they host the Cincinnati Reds at Nationals Park. Washington is looking for their first four-game series sweep of Cincinnati since 1989. The Nationals pitching staff currently leads the majors with a 1.82 ERA, 0.952 WHIP and 88 strikeouts.

Here are the full Washington and Cincinnati starting lineups:

NATIONALS (7-2)
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Jayson Werth
LF Mark DeRosa
CF Rick Ankiel
C Wilson Ramos
LHP Ross Detwiler

REDS (3-6)
2B Brandon Phillips
SS Zack Cozart
1B Joey Votto
3B Scott Rolen
RF Jay Bruce
LF Ryan Ludwick
CF Chris Heisey
C Ryan Hanigan
LHP Mike Leake

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on MASN2 and DC50 and heard locally on 106.7 FM.

For more on this game and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please head over to Federal Baseball. For a view from the other dugout you can check out Red Reporter, SB Nation's Cincinnati Reds blog. For more on this and every Major League Baseball game you can head over to the SB nation MLB hub page.

Reds Vs. Nationals: Washington Aims For Series Sweep Of Cincinnati

The Washington Nationals (7-2) have begun their 2012 MLB campaign on fire, thanks to stellar starting pitching and some late game heroics. On Sunday at Nationals Park, Washington looks to win their sixth straight game and score their first four-game series sweep of the Cincinnati Reds (3-6) in 23 years.

Lefty Ross Detwiler will take the mound for the Nationals on Sunday, hoping to duplicate the tremendous Saturday effort of teammate Edwin Jackson. In Detwiler's first start of the year on Tuesday the youngster held the New York Mets to two hits over five scoreless innings in a 6-2 win.

Cincinnati, looking to prevent their worst 10-game start to a season since 1995, will counter with Mike Leake. In four career starts against Washington, Leake is 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA.

For more on this game and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please head over to Federal Baseball. For a view from the other dugout you can check out Red Reporter, SB Nation's Cincinnati Reds blog. For more on this and every Major League Baseball game you can head over to the SB nation MLB hub page.

Reds Vs. Nationals Final Score: Washington Wins 5th Straight Game Behind Edwin Jackson

The Washington Nationals picked up their fifth win in a row taking down the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 on Saturday afternoon. The Nats were helped out by a dominant performance on the mound by Edwin Jackson, who pitched a complete game two-hitter. Jackson fanned nine batters through the game and at one point recorded 16 straight outs.

The Reds just couldn't get anything going against Jackson, but the Nationals bats were able to plate four runs. First baseman Adam LaRoche continues to stay hot, picking up two more RBI in the game to bring his team leading season total to 10 RBI. Jayson Werth also had nice day going two for three and picking up an RBI.

For more on this game and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please head over to Federal Baseball. For a view from the other dugout you can check out Red Reporter, SB Nation's Cincinnati Reds blog. For more on this and every Major League Baseball game you can head over to the SB nation MLB hub page.

Reds Vs. Nationals Scoring Update: Washington Up 3-1 After 3 Innings

The Washington Nationals are looking to pick up their fifth win in a row, and they're on their way with a 3-1 lead after three innings of play against the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds took the early lead in the second inning when Drew Stubbs singled to left field, scoring catcher Miguel Cairo to put the Reds up early.

The Nats were able to tie the game right away in the bottom of the second however, with a Jesus Flores single that scored Jayson Werth. The Nats took the lead in the bottom of the third inning as Adam LaRoche's bat continues to player runs. LaRoche doubled to right field scoring Danny Espinosa and Ryan ZImmerman to give Washington the 3-1 lead.

Through three innings of work, Edwin Jackson has picked up two strikeouts and allowed just two hits.

For more on this game and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please head over to Federal Baseball. For a view from the other dugout you can check out Red Reporter, SB Nation's Cincinnati Reds blog. For more on this and every Major League Baseball game you can head over to the SB nation MLB hub page.

Reds Vs. Nationals: Rick Ankiel In Washington Starting Lineup For Saturday's Contest

The red-hot Washington Nationals host the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park, with Washington looking to win their fifth game in a row. A 7-2 start by the Nationals would tie for the best start in franchise history with the 1981 Montreal Expos.

Davey Johnson gets outfielder Rick Ankiel back from the disabled list Saturday, and has immediately inserted Ankiel in the starting lineup, where he will bat seventh and man center field.

Here are the full Washington and Cincinnati starting lineups, via Mark Zuckerman of Nats Insider:

NATIONALS (6-2)
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Jayson Werth
LF Xavier Nady
CF Rick Ankiel
C Jesus Flores
RHP Edwin Jackson

REDS (3-5)
2B Willie Harris
SS Zack Cozart
1B Joey Votto
RF Jay Bruce
3B Miguel Cairo
LF Chris Heisey
CF Drew Stubbs
C Devin Mesoraco
RHP Homer Bailey

First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on MASN2 and heard locally on 106.7 FM.

For more on this game and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please head over to Federal Baseball. For a view from the other dugout you can check out Red Reporter, SB Nation's Cincinnati Reds blog. For more on this and every Major League Baseball game you can head over to the SB nation MLB hub page.

PHOTO: Saturday At Nats Park Is Stephen Strasburg Bobble Head Day

Reds Vs. Nationals: Washington Aims For Fifth Straight Win Saturday

The Washington Nationals enter Saturday's contest with the Cincinnati Reds winners of four games in a row and are seeking the best franchise start in 31 years.

Rick Ankiel Injury Update: Washington Outfielder To Return From DL On Saturday

The Washington Nationals are off to a hot start this season despite some key injuries, and the good news is the hometown nine will get at least one of those roughed up bodies back for Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Via the Washington Post:

Center fielder Rick Ankiel is set to come off the disabled list and join the Washington Nationals for Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds.

Manager Davey Johnson said the Nationals would open up a roster spot by designating outfielder Brett Carroll for assignment.

The plan is for Ankiel to immediately take over as the starting center fielder for Davey Johnson, pushing Roger Bernadina back to the bench.

For more on this game and all things Washington Nationals baseball, please head over toFederal Baseball. For a view from the other dugout you can check out Red Reporter, SB Nation's Cincinnati Reds blog. For more on this and every Major League Baseball game you can head over to the SB nation MLB hub page.