Nats Sweep the Doubleheader

The Nats took both ends of the day/night twinbill in Pittsburgh to lift their win total to 64, which is just seven fewer than last season. Mark (From PNC Park & Al begin with DJ Herz, who tossed five no hit innings during Game 1 on Saturday afternoon. Mark explains the thinking behind removing Herz after only 87 pitches.

(09:00) Dylan Crews filled the box score with a homer, double, walk, two runs scored, two RBIs, and a pair of stolen bases. Crews already has three homers in under two weeks of play. These were Crews' first games in Pittsburgh since the Pirates passed over him in last summer's draft.

(11:45) Kyle Finnegan's first save of the afternoon was an adventure that ended with a 6-4-3 double play to preserve the 5-3 win.

(15:00) CJ Abrams inexplicably didn't complete the tag in a rundown in the bottom of the 8th of Game 2. This led to the Pirates briefly taking a two run lead before Washington's 9th inning rally.

(19:30) The Nats scored four runs in the top of the 9th and batted around on their way to an 8-6 victory. The big hit belonged to Ildemaro Vargas, who's 2-run go ahead single put his team ahead for good. The rally began with Juan Yepez and many young hitters contributed to the late comeback.

(27:10) Mitchell Parker struggled right away and was removed in the bottom of the 4th. Parker has not pitched well recently and has admitted that he has been "out of sync".

(32:00) Kyle Finnegan is now up to 36 saves and the 40 plateau is very well within reach. Chad Cordero owns the franchise record with 47 saves from the 2005 season.