Have yourself a ballgame, Steve Lombardozzi (Nats win 6-3)

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

April 16, 2012, 5:23pm

Comments

Entering tonight's game, Steve Lombardozzi had eight career major league hits. The Nationals second baseman is already 4-for-4 tonight, and his two-out, two-run single in the sixth gave Washington the lead just a half-inning after the Astros scored twice on Stephen Strasburg to tie the game. Ryan Zimmerman followed Lombardozzi's hit with a two-run base-knock of his own, and the Nationals now have a 6-2 lead as we go to the seventh. Making just his second start of the season in place of Danny Espinosa, Lombardozzi has played a major factor tonight. The 23-year-old is now 6-for-11 this season. Thanks to the offensive outburst in the bottom of the sixth, Strasburg is now in line for his second win of the season. He's been pulled after his six innings of work, having allowed two runs on six hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Update: The Nats moved to 8-3 on the season with a 6-3 win over the Astros tonight. That four-run sixth inning proved to be the difference. Four Nats relievers combined to work the final three innings, with Henry Rodriguez throwing a clean ninth to close it out. Back with more from the clubhouse in a bit.