Scoreless draw heads to fourth inning (Nats fall 1-0)

Lots of zeroes on the scoreboard so far, as the Reds' gloves have done a nice job of blunting a couple of potential scoring opportunities for the Nationals.

In the first, the Nats had runners on first and second with one out when Adam LaRoche struck a ball that appeared destined to sail over the head of center fielder Billy Hamilton. But Hamilton caught up to the drive and hauled it in for an out.

An inning later, after Bryce Harper drew a leadoff walk, Wilson Ramos crushed a ball to right-center. Harper took off, thinking the ball would fall in the gap, only to see Jay Bruce make the grab. Harper was already around second and didn't make it back to first before being doubled up.

The good news for the Nats is that lefty Gio Gonzalez has allowed no hits through three innings, with a walk and five strikeouts. We head to the fourth in a scoreless tie.

Update: The Reds took a 1-0 lead in the fifth, when Chris Heisey doubled, stole third and scored on Brayan Pena's single.

Update II: Gonzalez has allowed one run on four hits through seven innings, with two walks and seven strikeouts. But he'll likely be removed for a pinch-hitter as the game moves to the eighth inning.

Reds starter Johnny Cueto is also done after seven innings, with Jonathan Broxton on in relief. Cueto allowed four hits, walked three and fanned nine.

Update III: The Nats fall to the Reds 1-0, as three Cincy hurles limit them to four hits. Several baserunning gaffes hurt the Nationals, including a ninth-inning situation where Ian Desmond - representing the tying run - was thrown out stealing when Harper couldn't get down a sac bunt.