The Washington Nationals took the field today, determined not to be swept in this three game series with the Florida Marlins. The Nationals scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning off of Marlin's starter Javier Vazquez. Vazquez lasted just four innings, allowing those six runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out four Nats batters.
Nationals starter Jason Marquis has allowed just two unearned runs in five innings of work. The Washington righthander has allowed three hits and one walk, striking out two so far. Marquis even joined in the offensive fun in the bottom of the first, driving in two runs with a double (getting thrown out at third to end the inning, but let's not nitpick). He added a single in the fourth and it now just a homer and triple shy of the cycle (I kid, I kid).
Florida has won eight straight games against Washington at Nationals Park, and 21 of 28 games overall played at Washington's home ballpark since it opened. So far today it looks like Jim Riggleman's club would make Under Armour marketing executives happy, as the Nats seem bound and determined to protect their house.