Nats grab early lead, but lose Eaton to injury (Nats win 8-4)

The Nationals got off to the quick start manager Davey Martinez was hoping for tonight against the Orioles, grabbing a 5-0 lead in the first inning.

With one out in the bottom of the first, Adam Eaton was hit by a pitch. Anthony Rendon doubled on a sharp line drive to center field. Eaton pulled up lame as he gingerly jogged into third base. He had to leave the game with what appeared to be an injury to his right leg. Gerardo Parra replaced him as a pinch-runner and took over in right field.

Juan Soto unleashed a two-run triple to center off Orioles starter Asher Wojciechowski. Asdrúbal Cabrera then laced a single to score Soto. Kurt Suzuki followed with a two-run shot deep over the left field wall.

The Nats collected five straight base hits in the inning, scoring five times.

Max Scherzer started the game with two strikeouts, allowed a single, then recorded an infield popup to end the inning.

After one inning, the Nationals lead the Orioles 5-0.

Update: The Orioles rallied with two outs in the top of the third against Scherzer. Jonathan Villar singled to right field. Anthony Santander then doubled to deep left-center field to score Villar. Trey Mancini walked. Scherzer got out of the jam by striking out DJ Stewart on a cutter.

Mid-third, the Nats lead the Orioles 5-1.

Update II: Scherzer has recorded eight strikeouts in four innings. He now has 200 strikeouts in eight consecutive seasons which, according to Elias Sports Bureau, is the second-longest streak in major league history. Mets legend Tom Seaver holds the record with nine straight seasons from 1968-1976.

After four innings, the Nats lead the Orioles 5-1.

Update III: Scherzer fired 89 pitches with 58 strikes over 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits with one walk and eight strikeouts. Chance Sisco hit a solo homer in the fifth.

The Nats erupted for three more runs in the bottom of the fifth thannks to a run-scoring doubles from Cabrera and Suzuki. Suzuki's hit scored two. He has four RBIs on the night.

The Nats lead 8-2 over the Orioles after five innings.

Update IV: Tanner Rainey walked DJ Stewart to lead off the sixth and that mistake came back to bite him. After a pair of strikeouts, Chris Davis got a hold of a 99.8 mph fastball and deposited into the right field stands for a two-run shot. Rainey got out of the inning with a grounder to second base off the bat of Sisco.

Mid-sixth, the Nats lead the Orioles 8-4.

Update V: Daniel Hudson retired the Orioles in order in the ninth.

Final score: Nats 8, Orioles 4.