Nats explode for nine in the first, sweep Pirates

Inspired by Max Scherzer's stunning no-hit performance yesterday, the Nationals offense exploded by tying a club record with nine runs scored in the first inning.

Pirates starter Charlie Morton came into today's start riding a five-game winning streak and boasting a sterling 1.62 ERA. He was able to get Denard Span to line out to begin the game, but then the wheels fell off.

Yunel Escobar started the onsluaght with a base knock to left bringing Bryce Harper to the plate. The Nats slugger wasted no time, pummeling Morton's first-pitch fastball into the the second deck at Nationals Park, well beyond the right field wall. The two-run blast was Harper's 24th homer of the season, pulling him within one of Miami's Giancarlo Stanton for the major league lead.

Clint Robinson followed by drilling a double to the gap in right-center field. After Morton got Danny Espinosa swinging, the Nats proceeded to pour the next seven runs on with two outs.

Jose Lobaton started the rally with an RBI line drive to center. Then Ian Desmond singled to right giving the Nats runners at the corners. Michael A. Taylor reached safely on a swinging bunt and Lobaton crossed the plate safely.

It continued to spiral out of control for Morton, whose errant pickoff attempt brought Desmond home.

Gio Gonzalez then joined the hit parade, placing a double down the right field line scoring Taylor. An excited Gonzalez looked for approval from the Nationals dugout as he made his way up the first base line.

After Morton walked Span, his nightmare continued when Escobar crushed a three-run homer deep to left.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle finally went to the mound to put Morton out of his misery. His ERA had skyrocketed from 1.62 to 3.97 in just 2/3 of an inning. Morton allowed nine runs on eight hits with one walk and one strikeout.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez has cruised through three scoreless innings, yielding one hit and one walk with a pair of strikeouts.

Update: Gonzalez shutout the Pirates through seven innings, allowing just four hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

50 of his 85 pitches were strikes.

Update II: Lefty Matt Thornton pitched a perfect eighth. The Pirates broke up the shutout with on a two-run homer from Corey Hart off left-hander Felipe Rivero in the ninth.

The Nats beat the Pirates 9-2 to complete the sweep.