The Washington Nationals are hanging on to a slim 3-2 lead going into the sixth inning much in part to their starting pitcher. John Lannan has pitched five innings giving up two runs on two hits while walking four and striking out three.
Lannan also has been getting the job done with the bat. In the second inning Lannan hit a two run single to score center fielder Rick Ankiel and catcher Wilson Ramos for his first hit of the 2011 season. The southpaw also broke a 0-for-32 streak. Earlier in the inning Ramos hit a ground rule double to score first baseman Michael Morse.
The only dark spot to Lannan's performance Saturday night so far has been a two-run home run from the Atlanta Braves Alex Gonzalez. Atlanta is a strong team that can wreck plenty of havoc fast so the Nationals need to keep on their NL East rivals and not take their cleats off their necks.