Pirates take 3-0 lead in third (Nats walk off in ninth)

The Nationals and Pirates starters were cruising though the first few innings before the Bucs opened things up in the third. Gio Gonzalez allowed two hits in the first two frames, but struggled in the third. After retiring pitcher Jeff Locke on strikes, Gonzalez allowed a single to Josh Harrison, and after retiring Gregory Polanco, a walk to Russell Martin. Starling Marte then doubled to plate the first run, and Gaby Sanchez followed with a two-run single. Pirates 3, Nats 0 Through three, Gonzalez has thrown 65 pitches. Locke has held the Nats to just one hit, a single off the bat of Kevin Frandsen. Update: Gonzalez's struggles continued tonight. He went just five innings, throwing 102 pitches, 65 for strikes. Although he struck out seven batters, he also gave up three runs in the third inning and threw too many pitches. He left in line for the loss after Scott Hairston came in to pinch-hit in the bottom of the fifth. His final line: 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R/ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 102 pitches, 65 strikes Craig Stammen has entered the game to pitch the sixth. Update II: We have a tie ballgame in D.C. The Nats were able to plate three runs in the eighth inning. After pinch-hitter Michael A. Taylor drew a leadoff walk and Denard Span singled, Kevin Frandsen singled to drive in the Nats' first run of the night. Two batters later, Adam LaRoche smacked his 18th home run of the year to knot this game up at 3-3. Update III: The Nats earned both a victory tonight and a series win thanks to Wilson Ramos. The catcher hit a ground-rule double after Bryce Harper drew a leadoff walk, plating Harper and giving the Nats a 4-3 victory. Reliever Matt Thornton earned his first win with the club, improving to 1-3 with a 2.22 ERA. The first-place Nats are now 68-53 on the season, and they tied a season-high tonight with their fifth straight victory. The Nats will go for the sweep tomorrow with Doug Fister on the mound.