Wednesday's game was delayed a grand total of 12 minutes thanks to a late afternoon rain shower. The Nationals and Diamondbacks got under way with right-hander Tanner Roark facing fellow righty Trevor Cahill.
The Nationals are seeking their ninth straight win which would be the first nine-game winning streak for the team since 2005.
The Nationals got some work done in the second inning against Cahill. After a one out walk to Ian Desmond, Bryce Harper singled. Desmond moved to second base after Aaron Hill's relay sailed over the head of shortstop Didi Gregorius. No error was recorded on the play.
Desmond stole third and scored on a fielder's choice grounder to Gregorius, who threw out Harper at second, Nationals led 1-0.
Update: Roark continues to show impressive ability to pitch out of trouble. In the sixth with two men on thanks to single base hits, Roark got the D-backs most consistent hitter, Miguel Montero, to ground into an inning ending 1-6-3 double play.
After 5 1/2 innings at Nats Park, the Nationals lead 1-0.
Update II: Asdrubal Cabrera and Jayson Werth hit back-to-back doubles and the Nationals extended their advantage to 2-0 in the sixth.
Update III: Roark was replaced in the bottom of the seventh by pinch-hitter Danny Esponosa. Roark went seven innings, shutting out the Diamondbacks. He allowed seven hits, no runs, one walk and struck out two. He twirled 99 pitches, 63 for strikes.
Update IV: Tyler Clippard allowed a walk and then a two-run shot to Ender Inciarte in the eighth and the Diamondbacks suddenly tied the game, 2-2.
Update V: In the ninth against Evan Marshall, Harper led off with a single to center. One out later, Kevin Frandsen singled.
With men on first and third, pinch-hitter Anthony Rendon singled down the left field line for the game winning hit, and the Nationals' walked off for the fourth time in their last five games. They won win a final score of 3-2.
By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://www.masnsports.com/