This game was nearly over before it began. After making the third out of the first inning, Bryce Harper was controversially ejected (look for a post on that one soon) for complaining about a check swing call, and Gio Gonzalez did not begin the home half of the inning well. Starling Marte hit a home run on Gonzalez’s first pitch, and a double, error, and walk later, the bases were loaded with no outs. At that point, the Nationals’ win probability was only 20.2%. However, Gonzalez rebounded to escape the inning with only a one-run deficit, and the offense came alive again to pick up the slack. The team combined for eleven hits, two home runs, and six runs scored as they battled adversity to beat the Pirates, 6-2.

Most Important Nationals Hit: Danny Espinosa‘s two-run home run (+25.1%)

May 4, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa (8) at the batting cage before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

With the score tied at one after an Espinosa sacrifice fly in the second, Ryan Zimmerman singled to start the third inning. Adam LaRoche and Tyler Moore made outs, but Espinosa made sure Zimmerman would not be stranded. He dumped Wandy Rodriguez‘s pitch in the left field bleachers for his third home run of the year, which gave the Nats a 3-1 lead. With two extra-base hits in his last two games, Espinosa has started playing better on offense of late, although his season average is still only .185. Nevertheless, his home run was important for his offensive confidence and the team’s confidence in him. Similarly, Tyler Moore’s three-run homer (+16.5%) was important for his confidence after he struck out twice with the bases loaded yesterday.

Most Important Nationals Pitch: Russell Martin‘s RBI double (-20.1%)

Trailing 3-1, the Pirates made a comeback attempt in the bottom of the sixth. First baseman Gaby Sanchez singled to start the frame against Gonzalez, and Martin scored him with a double in the next at-bat. Trailing by one with a runner in scoring position with no outs, the Pirates looked to be in prime position to tie the game, but Gonzalez induced a flyout and two groundouts to preserve the score and strand Martin.

Champ of the Game: Espinosa (+24.9%) takes this title, mainly by virtue of his home run. In total, he was 1-3 with a sacrifice and three RBI. For Pittsburgh, Martin (+15.8%) was 1-3 with an RBI and a walk.

Chump of the Game: Ian Desmond (-4.5%) did not have a particularly bad game, going 1-5 in the first game after losing his hitting streak yesterday, but stranded a few runners and was unfortunate enough to be the worst guy on a day where every Nat with at least three at-bats got a hit. The Pirates’ Bryan Morris (-19.3%) allowed Moore’s three-run home run, quadrupling the Nationals’ lead and making a Pirates comeback quite a bit harder.

Finally, a bit of offense. Stephen Strasburg received the most runs in support he has all season today, but he needed every one as he allowed the second most runs he has all season. The attack was led by Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche, two players who were on the DL and mired in a monstrous slump, respectively, just a few days ago. Despite Strasburg’s sub-optimal outing and the offense’s squandering of many offensive situations by going 1-10 with runners in scoring position, the Nationals did just enough to win, taking the lead in the ninth and beating the Pirates 5-4.

Most Important Nationals Hit: Wilson Ramos‘ two-run single (+21.5%)

May 4, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Rafael Soriano (29) and Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (40) celebrate after defeating Pittsburgh Pirates after the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Washington Nationals won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

As I said earlier, the Nationals had only one hit with runners in scoring position. This was that hit. After a single and two walks loaded the bases, Tyler Moore struck out before Ramos punched a single up the middle to score Bryce Harper and Zimmerman. This hit ended a mini-slump for Ramos, who had been 0-16 since returning from the DL. His hit was one of only six for the Nats, who actually had 17 total baserunners, with six walks, three HBPs, and two runners who reached on errors.

Most Important Nationals Pitch: Starling Marte‘s two-run home run (-22.9%)

For the second straight game, a Pirate hit a pivotal two-run homer. The Nats took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third with a sacrifice fly from Ian Desmond, but Marte’s home run erased that deficit and gave Pittsburgh a lead of their own. His bomb scored Clint Barmes, who would later hit a two-run home run of his own. Curiously enough, Barmes’ home run would score Jordy Mercer, who hit the eventual game-winning two-run home run last night. Who did Mercer’s homer score, you ask? Why, Marte, of course.

Champ of the Game: Zimmerman (+43.1%) announced to everyone that he had not lost his touch while on the DL, despite his golden sombrero last night. He went 1-2 with a triple, two walks, and three runs scored. For the Pirates, Marte (+29.1%) was 1-3 with his two-run homer and a first-inning HBP that saw him eventually get to third thanks to a steal and a Wilson Ramos error on the throw attempting to get him at second.

Chump of the Game: Strasburg (-19.6%) had another mediocre start: 7 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 2 HBP. His stats have been fine, but he has not seemed dominant on the mound like he once did. The Pirates’ Tony Watson (-26.2%) took the loss by allowing the winning run to score in the top of the ninth.

Stephen Strasburg allowed four runs in seven innings, but the offense stepped up to the challenge and a Zimmerman-LaRoche double steal in the top of the ninth allowed a game-winning sacrifice fly by Tyler Moore to give the Nats the 5-4 win.

May 4, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. The Washington Nationals won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Strasburg again did not dazzle, allowing four runs in seven innings. He now has a 3.45 ERA on the season, nothing to scoff at, but has been the Nationals’ third best starter this season, leaving many to wonder why he seems different than last season. His stats are good this year, but he does not inspire confidence on the mound and has looked worse to the naked eye than his numbers indicate. In the first inning, where he has struggled the most this season, he got off to an inauspicious start by hitting Starling Marte with a pitch. Marte then stole second and reached third when Wilson Ramos‘ throw went into centerfield, but Strasburg stranded him by retiring the other three batters he faced. He threw a perfect second and was looking good when Ian Desmond‘s sacrifice fly gave the Nats a 1-0 lead in the top of the second.

Strasburg encountered trouble in the third, however, as Clint Barmes singled and Marte scored him with a two-run homer, putting the Pirates up by one. However, the offense came to Strasburg’s aid when it had not in the past. Another sacrifice fly tied the game in the top of the fourth after Ryan Zimmerman led the inning off with a triple, his first hit since returning from the DL. The hit would likely not have been a triple if it were not for the left fielder Marte’s decision to take his glove off his left hand and hold it in his right after the ball caromed off of the wall in left field. Unsurprisingly, the ball got by him, and Zimmerman reached third. After a scoreless fourth, the Pirates struck again in the fifth with a two-run homer by Barmes, who is hitting .192 on the season with a .256 slugging percentage. But once again, the offense bailed Strasburg out.

Pirates starter Jeff Locke came out for the sixth, but immediately allowed a single to Bryce Harper and walked Zimmerman and was pulled. His replacement, Justin Wilson, walked Adam LaRoche, who was 1-1 with three walks and a sacrifice fly, to load the bases. FOX announcer Howard Davis informed us that “the sacks are soaked”, and Tyler Moore struck out for out number one. Next up, Ramos made Wilson pay by delivering a two-run single that tied the game, 4-4. The threat would end there, unfortunately, as Roger Bernadinaand Strasburg would strike out to end the frame. In the seventh, the Nats would load the bases with two outs again, but Moore would strike out again, squandering the opportunity. The Nationals had many opportunities, with six walks, three HBPs, and two reached-on-errors in addition to their six hits, but were only 1-10 with runners in scoring position, scoring three runs on sac flies and stranding ten runners.

May 4, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) slides past Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Russell Martin (55) with the game winning run during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Washington Nationals won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Clippard (W, 2-1) pitched a scoreless eighth thanks to a nice double play on a liner straight to him after Andrew McCutchen singled with one out. In the ninth, Zimmerman and LaRoche reached thanks to a HBP on Zimmerman’s leg and a walk to bring up the 0-3 Moore. It was here that Davey Johnson took a chance. Pitcher Tony Watson was not paying close attention, perhaps believing the gimpy Zimmmerman would not run, and the manager took advantage, sending both runners. The ploy worked spectacularly, with both runners getting massive jumps and reaching without a throw. It also paid immediate dividends, with Moore delivering a sacrifice fly to give the Nats the 5-4 lead. In the bottom of the ninth, Rafael Soriano locked it down to earn his tenth save. The Nationals are now 16-15, cutting the now-struggling Braves’ (5-11 in their last 16) lead to two games.

Next Game: Sunday in Pittsburgh, 1:35  PM. Gonzalez (2-2, 5.34) v. Rodriguez (2-1, 3.91)