Nats grab early 1-0 lead against Cards, Miller (Nats fall 4-1)

Well, the Nationals won't be blanked for a second consecutive game. Not only that, the run they scored gives them a lead before Stephen Strasburg throws his first pitch of the evening.

With one out in the first, Anthony Rendon laced an opposite-field single to right, then scored from first standing up on Jayson Werth's double to right.

It's 1-0 Nats as we head to the bottom of the first.

Update: After three innings, we're tied at 1-1. Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller hit a two-out double to right and scored on Matt Carpenter's liner to center, with Carpenter erased trying to take second after the throw home.

Update II: Nationals manager Matt Williams gambled, having Strasburg bat with two on and two out in the seventh, and Strasburg drew a walk to load the bases and chase Miller. But Randy Choate came in to get Denard Span on a fielder's choice grounder for the third out.

In the bottom of the inning, Matt Adams lined a 95 mph Strasburg fastball over the fence in right for a 2-1 lead. It's the second straight game with a homer for Adams, who was activated off the disabled list last night.

Strasburg exited after giving up a two-out infield single to pinch-hitter Jon Jay. The right-hander allowed three runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings, with a walk and five strikeouts. Lefty Jerry Blevins relieved, but after a Jose Lobaton passed ball and a walk to Carpenter, right-hander Drew Storen was summoned from the bullpen.

Storen hit Mark Ellis to load the bases, then walked Matt Holliday to force in a run and make it 3-1. The next batter, Allen Craig, connected on a swinging bunt for an RBI infield single.

Update III: Trevor Rosenthal worked around a leadoff walk to Ryan Zimmerman in the ninth to close out the Cardinals' 4-1 victory.