Before using brooms, Nats need their bats (Nats lose 2-1)

If the Nationals scored seven runs yesterday, does that mean they've used up their offensive allotment for the next three days? The Nats have managed just two hits tonight off Padres starter Edinson Volquez, and have yet to touch home plate as we go to the seventh inning. Wilson Ramos and Adam LaRoche are the only two Nationals hitters to have registered a tally in the hit column. Both guys reached scoring position with two outs (Ramos in the third inning, LaRoche in the fourth), but Ian Desmond popped out to end the third and Jayson Werth grounded out to strand LaRoche the next inning. The seven runs the Nats pushed across last night were lovely, but yet again, a Washington starter finds himself putting up zeros and getting no offensive support from his teammate. Tonight, that guy is Edwin Jackson. The righty has thrown six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and three walks. He's struck out six and showed off a devastating slider, which has baffled Padres hitters all night. If the Nats are going to secure a sweep of the Padres and break out the brooms, they'll need a little offensive help. Update: Well, that was quick. About 15 seconds after I hit the publish button on this entry, Werth crushed a Volquez fastball over the left-center field wall, giving the Nats a 1-0 lead. Werth hasn't notched many hard-hit, extra-base hits this season, but that ball was crushed. Finally, Jackson has a run to work with. Now, it's up to him to make it stand up. Update II: Turns out, the one run wasn't enough. After getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning, Tyler Clippard worked his way into trouble in the eighth and then allowed a two-run double to Mark Kotsay, giving the Padres a 2-1 lead. Clippard's ERA sits at 6.00, as he's now allowed six runs in his nine innings of work this season. San Diego closer Huston Street closed in the ninth, and yet again, Washington has failed to record a series-ending win and lock up a sweep.