One-run wins are good, but can offense help out some more?

The Nationals hung on for a pair of thrilling 1-0 wins over the Mets over the weekend to win the four-game series in New York. The pitching was incredible, allowing the Mets only 11 hits over the last two games. But the Nationals left 21 men on base and scored only two runs in those final two wins at Citi Field.

In Sunday's series finale, the Nationals had several chances to score more than one run. They left the bases loaded in the sixth inning. Two men were left on in the first, fourth, fifth and eighth innings. Twelve men were stranded for the game.

In the fifth, the Nationals had two men on and nobody out. Denard Span had doubled and Yunel Escobar singled to put men on first and third. But Jayson Werth was called out on a third strike on just three pitches, Bryce Harper popped out to shortstop on 3-0 count and Ryan Zimmerman struck out.

In the sixth, Washington loaded the bases with no one out on two walks and a double by Danny Espinosa. But the Nats then struck out three consecutive times to end the threat. Doug Fister striking out is not that big a deal. But Span struck out swinging at the top of the order and Escobar struck out on a called third strike.

So five of the outs in those two innings were recorded without putting the ball in play.

Because the pitching was so crisp, it worked these last two games, but you can't expect the pitching staff to be able to hold the opponent to one run every game.

Manager Matt Williams said it was the pitching and defense that really jumped out at him when the offense failed to add critical insurance runs as Sunday's game wore on.

"Yesterday, there was a whole bunch of opportunity and it didn't happen for us," Williams said. "The good thing is we pitched well. Secondarily, we played good defense. If we can do those two things, then we have opportunity. One swing of the bat can mean the game for us.

"I don't know how many it's been, a bunch of quality starts by our guys and better defense and keeping ourselves in a game. That's what we want. That's the way we want to play it because if you do that than you have a chance every day. With our staff, if we can keep them on the hill and keep them in game than it gives us opportunity."

Nats starting pitching has been on a roll during this recent clip of five wins in six games.

But the bullpen has also come in and done its job, as well. Williams has relied a lot on right-hander Aaron Barrett, who came in and did not allow a run or a hit in three of the four games against the Mets, pitching a total of 1 2/3 innings during the series.

"We don't ideally want him to pitch that much, but the game dictates what you have to do sometimes," Williams said. "Yesterday was kind of the situation that he's been in a lot where we've got some big hairy guy at the plate and we need a punch out. He provided it again. He had that opportunity a lot last year.

"He's resilient. He's strong. He's eager to have the baseball. But in an ideal world, it wouldn't be that volume."

Williams said one key for Barrett this season has been his use of his sinker more often to get guys out.

"This year, he is throwing his sinker a lot more than he did last year which is kind of an added pitch for him this previous spring," Williams said. "It's just a variation of his four-seam fastball. Yesterday was a good example against (Michael) Cuddyer. He threw slider for strike, sinker for a strike and it opened up the outside of the plate for him.

"The ability to throw both of those (pitches) is key for him any time he gets into a ball game."