Nats take early lead in first inning (Nats win 6-5)

Well, that didn't take long. After scoring a combined four runs over the last four games, the Nationals scored two runs in the first inning against Astros starter Dallas Keuchel. Anthony Rendon doubled home Denard Span to give the Nats a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Ryan Zimmerman doubled home Rendon. Tanner Roark will certainly enjoy an early cushion. Update: Back-to-back RBI doubles from Zimmerman and Ian Desmond extended the Nats' lead to 4-0 in the third inning. Meanwhile, Roark has pitched three innings, allowed two hits, walked one and struck out two on 49 pitches. Update II: The Astros got on the board in the fourth after starting the inning with three consecutive singles. After a strikeout, Matt Dominguez singled on a ground ball to Danny Espinosa that was deflected off of Roark's foot. Roark stayed in the game and was able to eliminate more damage by Houston. It's 4-1 Nats as the game shift to the bottom of the fourth. Update III: Craig Stammen replaced Roark in the top of the sixth. Roark pitched five innings, allowed seven hits, one run, walked two and struck out four on 94 pitches. Roark is in line for his sixth win of the season. Update IV: The Nats added two more runs on Rendon's two-run double in the sixth inning. It was Rendon's second double of the night. Update V: Tyler Clippard surrendered four runs in the eighth to bring the Astros to within one run. Aaron Barrett came in and relieved Clippard with two outs in the eighth to secure the final out of the inning. Update VI: Rafael Soriano earned his save No. 14 of the season as the Nats snapped a four-game losing streak. The Nats are currently in first place in the National League East.