Severino homers to start offense (Nats win 5-3)

The Diamondbacks forced Joe Ross to have to make 32 pitches in a top of the first that spanned 16 minutes. But Ross worked around a 12-pitch leadoff walk to Jean Segura to keep Arizona off the board.

The D-backs scored a run in the top of the third thanks to three singles. Jake Lamb delivered the run-scoring single to lift Arizona to the 1-0 lead.

The Nationals came right back in the bottom of the third thanks to a Pedro Severino solo shot down the left field line. The home run, his second of the season, tied the game at 1-1.

In the top of the fourth, the Nationals and the D-backs are tied 1-1.

Update: The Nationals opened it up on D-backs starter Robbie Ray in the fourth. Two walks to Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman, sandwiched around a single from Anthony Rendon, got it going for the home team. A Danny Espinosa groundout gave the Nats their first lead 2-1. But the biggest hit came from Michael A. Taylor, a two-run single and the Nationals lead extended to 4-1.

Ross finished four innings, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and five strikeouts. He threw 90 pitches, 57 for strikes. A perfect stretch out from 60 to 90 pitches for Ross as he prepares for the post season.

Update II: The Nats chased Ray in the fifth. Wilmer Difo his his first homer of the season, a solo shot. Rendon walked and Zimmerman singled to end Ray's day. After five innings, the Nationals lead the D-backs 5-1.

Update III: In the ninth, Reynaldo Lopez allowed a two-run shot to Socrates Brito, but Mark Melancon recorded the final two outs for his 45th save.

The Nationals even the series with the D-backs with a 5-3 victory. Their magic number to clinch home field advantage against the Dodgers is now two.