Rodriguez allows early two-run shot (Nats win 9-7)

Tonight the Nationals open a three-game set against their beltway rivals to the North, the Baltimore Orioles. The Nats swept the Orioles in three games at Camden Yards to close out May and have won five in a row dating back to 2017.

Trea Turner got the scoring going with a solo homer in the second inning. The homer to left-center was off of Orioles starter David Hess, and was Turner's eighth of the season. It was Turner's first homer since June 3 against the Dodgers.

The Orioles answered back quickly against Nats right-hander Jefry Rodriguez, making his first major league start. Caleb Joseph doubled to lead off the third. A fielder's choice by Hess erased Joseph. But Jace Peterson launched his second homer of the season, a two-run shot to right-center to give the Birds the lead.

After three innings, the Orioles lead the Nats, 2-1.

Update: Rodriguez allowed a two-run shot to Trey Mancini in the fourth to extend the Birds' lead.

Mid-fourth in D.C., the Orioles lead the Nats 4-1.

Update II: The Orioles added a run in the fifth thanks to a pair of walks and a hit by pitch. Manny Machado's double play grounder to second base scored Hess.

Mid-fifth, the Orioles lead 5-1.

Update III: The Nats got right back in this thing with a four-run fifth inning, highlighted by an Adam Eaton two-run single. Anthony Rendon added an RBI sacrifice fly to center field and Bryce Harper a bloop run-scoring double into shallow left field.

After five innings, the Nats and the Orioles are tied, 5-5.

Update IV: Justin Miller allowed a Jonathan Schoop triple to lead off the sixth. After a pair of walks, pinch-hitter Corban Joseph's fielder's choice plated Danny Valencia.

Mid-sixth, the Orioles retake the lead, 6-5.

Update V: The Nats scored four runs on six hits in the seventh. Rendon had a two-run double, Michael A. Taylor an RBI single and Wilmer Difo a run-scoring single. Taylor now has a career-high 10-game hitting streak.

Kelvin Herrera made his Nats debut by recording three outs in six pitches in the eighth frame.

The Nats lead 9-6. They have outscored the Orioles 8-1 since top of the fifth.

Update VI: In the ninth, Sean Doolittle allowed a solo shot to Joey Rickard, but records his 19th save.

Final score: the Nats 9, the Orioles 7.