Ball carrying early in Game 2 (Nats win 6-3)

The National League Division Series Game 2 scoring began with Anthony Rendon crushing a 1-1 offering from Jon Lester just inside the right field foul pole in the bottom of the first to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead.

It was the first run and first lead in the series for the Nats.

Willson Contreras countered with a solo homer off of Gio Gonzalez over the left field wall to begin the second inning.

We're tied 1-1 heading to the bottom of the second.

Update: In the fourth, Kris Bryant doubled and Anthony Rizzo slammed a two-run homer that withstood a crew chief's review to determine whether a fan in right field interfered with the ball. After a walk to Contreras, Gonzalez struck out Addison Russell. He then induced a 6-4-3 double play off of Ben Zobrist to end the threat. The crowd at Nats Park went crazy.

Mid-fourth, the Cubs has increased their lead to 3-1.

Update II: The Nats loaded the bases in the fifth on a base hit by Ryan Zimmerman and walks to Michael A. Taylor and pinch-hitter Howie Kendrick. But Trea Turner struck out to end the inning.

Gonzalez finished five innings, allowing three runs on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts. He fired 83 pitches, 51 for strikes.

After five innings, the Cubs lead the Nats 3-1.

Matt Albers is in to pitch the sixth inning, his first postseason appearance after 515 career major league games over 13 seasons.

Update III: The Nats managed only a hit batsmen in innings six and seven and did not score. They have six outs left to tie or win this game. Ryan Madson is in to pitch the eighth. Sammy Solís allowed a single but nothing else in a scoreless two-thirds to end the seventh.

After seven frames, the Cubs lead 3-1.

Update IV: The eighth inning changed everything for the Nats. Facing Carl Edwards Jr., pinch-hitter Adam Lind singled. Victor Robles pinch-ran. After a Turner strikeout, Bryce Harper hit a second deck two-run shot right field to tie the game. Following a walk to Rendon and a single by Daniel Murphy, Ryan Zimmerman hit a three-run shot over the left field wall. In all, five runs for the Nats in the inning.

After eight innings, the Nats lead 6-3 over the Cubs.

Update V: Sean Doolittle allowed a single in the ninth but induced a 5-4-3 double play to end the game and earn the save.

The Nats defeat the Cubs 6-3.

The series is even a game apiece. Game 3 is Monday in Chicago.