Jason Marquis's worst outing of the year has put the Nationals in a serious hole entering the sixth inning. Marquis lasted only 1 1/3 innings Sunday, allowing eight hits and seven runs (six earned) in his brief outing. Collin Balester has been solid in relief, allowing just one run in 3 2/3 innings of long relief.
Pittsburgh starter Kevin Correia has stymied the Nats bats, allowing only two earned runs on six hits through five innings of work, striking out five. Four Pirates batters already have two hits and two runs batted in, as the Pittsburgh lineup has hammered out 11 hits through five.
The lone offensive bright spot for Washington has been catcher Wilson Ramos, two for two on the day with a home run and two runs batted in. Not to beat a dead horse, but Jayson Werth continues to struggle, as he is hitless in two Sunday at bats, dropping his slash line to .223/.324/.382.