In front of what appears to be hundreds and hundreds of fans at PNC Park today, the Nationals lead the Pirates 5-3, as Michael Morse has homered and driven in three runs already. Adam LaRoche stung his old team with a homer in the top of the fifth inning, finally answering the boo birds who apparently missed his good-field/no-hit routine in Pittsburgh and were sad to see him go.
Jason Marquis has been effective if not stellar, allowing eight hits but only three runs through five innings of play. Marquis also decided to chip in at the plate, going two for two, joining three other Nats with multi-hit games so far (the aforementioned Mr. Morse, as well as Danny Espinosa and Jerry Hairston, Jr.). A tired Nationals bullpen could really use two or three more innings from Marquis this afternoon to recharge their batteries, er, arms.
Washington chased Pittsburgh starter Kevin Correia in the top of the fifth, after the early-season Pirates ace allowed five runs on 11 hits on 84 pitches.