The first game of a day/night doubleheader has been good for the Washington Nationals, as they lead the St. Louis Cardinals 7-1 after five innings. Six of the seven runs happened in the third inning, when the Nationals sent 10 men to the plate and rocked Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook. Leadoff hitter Danny Espinosa has three hits to lead the charge.
The Nationals reached base seven consecutive times in the second inning. Espinosa led off with a single, Rick Ankiel walked and Jayson Werth singled home Espinosa. After Adam LaRoche walked to load the bases, Ian Desmond slammed a two-run single to score Ankiel and Werth. Laynce Nix then singled to drive in LaRoche, and Desmond stole home on a successful double-steal attempt. Ivan Rodriguez knocked in the final run of the inning with a double to score Nix.
The Cardinals have their runs on solo home runs by Albert Pujols and Colby Rasmus. Otherwise, John Lannan has pitched well, and the Nationals have played good defense, turning several double plays to get out of jams.