The Nationals wasted little time getting out ahead early, scoring three runs off Adam Wainwright before the Cardinals could even record their first out in Game 5 of the NLDS.
In the top of the first, Carlos Beltran hit a bloop single with one out, but Gio Gonzalez handled each of the next two batters easily to get out of the inning without allowing a run. In the bottom of the frame, though, the Nationals made an impact right away.
Leading off for the Nationals, Jayson Werth hit a stand up double off the wall in left field. He scored a few pitches later when Bryce Harper recorded just his second hit of the series by belting a ball deep into center field. The ball came just short of clearing the wall, but bounced away from Jon Jay far enough to allow Harper to reach third base.
With Harper on third and still no outs, Ryan Zimmerman cleaned up with a home run over the wall in right-center field. Wainwright recovered and struck out each of the next three batters, but the early damage was done, and after one inning, the home team has a 3-0 lead.