Eaton helps Nats get going (Nats win 14-6)

So far this trade for Adam Eaton is paying big dividends for the Nationals.

Desperate to solidify the leadoff spot, the Nats went after Eaton in a huge December trade, giving up three top pitching prospects, including Lucas Giolito.

Now with the news that his top-of-the-order counterpart Trea Turner is on the shelf for at least seven more games with a right hamstring strain, the need for Eaton's offense sparking services becomes even more critical.

In the bottom of the first, Eaton led off with a double. One batter later, Bryce Harper sliced a grounder through the whole at shortstop and the Nationals led 1-0.

In the top of the second, the Cardinals notched back-to-back singles by Yadier Molina and Jhonny Peralta. With one away and runners at first and second, Randal Grichuk grounded to third baseman Anthony Rendon, who elected to go to first instead of second base for a possible force out.

Kolten Wong then smacked a double off the wall in right field and the Cardinals scored two runs to lead 2-1.

Eaton added to his good start with another big hit in the second. Stephen Drew led off with a single and moved to second courtesy a Tanner Roark sacrifice bunt. Eaton then delivered a single and the Nationals tied the game 2-2.

After two innings, the game is even 2-2.

Update: The Cardinals counterpunch again in the third. Following a fielding error by Ryan Zimmerman, Dexter Fowler stole second base. With two outs, Stephen Piscotty drilled a single to give the Cardinals a 3-2 lead.

In the bottom of the third, Harper slapped a single to left field and is now 2-for-2.

Update II: Byron is writing another update, and yes, you guessed it, it involves the man named Eaton. In the bottom of the fourth, Matt Wieters singled and moved to third on a botched double play throw by Wong. Eaton followed with a RBI single and the game is tied again at 3-3.

Eaton is now 3-for-3 with a double, a run scored and two RBIs. After four frames, the Nats and the Cardinals are tied at 3-3.

Update III: Roark was hittable tonight as the Cardinals put together three more hits and get aided by a Daniel Murphy throwing error to score two runs in the fifth. Piscotty added his second RBI single and Molina his second single, this one scoring Matt Carpenter. Cardinals led 5-3 heading to the bottom of the fifth.

Update IV: The Nationals rallied again, tallying three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Drew had an RBI double, Wieters had a run-scoring single and (wait for it) Mr. Eaton smacked an RBI sacrifice fly to deep center field to score Drew. The Nats lead 6-5 after five innings.

Roark finished five innings, scattering seven hits and allowing five runs (three earned) with no walks and three strikeouts. He tossed 104 pitches, 70 for strikes. Wainwright lasted four innings plus three batters, giving up six runs (five earned) on 11 hits with two walks and three strikeouts. He threw 96 pitches, 59 for strikes.

Matt Albers is in to pitch the sixth for the Nats. He struck out two and kept the Cardinals off the board. But the Nationals did commit their fourth error of the game. All four infielders have recorded an error. After six innings, the Nationals lead 6-5 over the Cardinals.

Update V: Three more singles in the sixth for the Nationals and a sac fly by Drew gave the Nats a 7-5 led over the Cardinals after six innings. Harper started the inning with a bunt single, making him 3-for-3. Werth has two hits.

Nationals have seven runs and 15 hits with 10 men left on base through six innings.

Update VI: The Nationals blow the game open with seven runs in the eighth, highlighted by a two-run single by Drew, a two-run pinch-hit double by Adam Lind and a two-run single by Harper. The four hits by Harper match a career high. Drew's four RBIs are the most he has had in a game as a National.

Shawn Kelley allowed a solo homer in the ninth to Jedd Gyorko.

Eaton, Zimmerman and Drew each had three hits. Werth and Wieters each had two hits. The Nationals pounded out 19 hits.

The Nationals defeat the Cardinals 14-6.