Nationals Rally Late, Beat Astros 4-3

Apr 29, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman

(25) drives in a run with a hit during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

After a tough weekend in which the Nationals split a four game series with the Padres and lost Bryce Harper for the foreseeable future, the team rallied past the Astros late and won the first game of the series, 4-3.

The Nationals offense got things started in the first inning thanks to a massive home run to deep left center field off the bat of Jayson Werth, making it a 1-0 game. It became a two-run game in the top of the third inning when a double by Jose Lobaton allowed Kevin Frandsen to score all the way from first base.

Gio Gonzalez got the start for the Nationals and despite a rough third inning, the left-hander still turned in a solid start against the Astros. Gonzalez pitched six innings and allowed three runs on five hits while striking out nine batters.

All of the damage against the Nationals starter came in the bottom of the third inning when the Astros scored three runs on RBI singles by Dexter Fowler and George Springer, giving Houston a 3-2 lead.

After scoring in the third, the Nationals weren’t able to do much against Astros starter Jarred Cosart, who gave up two runs over six innings of work. But the Nationals offense broke through against the Astros bullpen in the eighth inning when an RBI double by Adam LaRoche scored Jayson Werth from first base. Washington took the lead an inning later thanks to an RBI single by LaRoche, making it a 4-3 game.

Despite walking two batters, Rafael Soriano recorded his fifth save of the season in the ninth inning and the Nationals took game one of this two-game series, 4-3. The Nationals now sit three games behind the Braves in the National League East with a record of 15-12.