If the Nationals go on to lose, a lot of the blame will get put on the pitching. Specifically, the bullpen. And rightfully so. A team that scores six runs should win its game.

But the Nationals have been squandering chances all night, refusing to add on to their ever-shrinking lead. If they ended up losing 7-6 or something, there probably should have been some attention paid to the lack of insurance runs.

Not anymore. The Nats singled twice to lead off the bottom of the eight, and an Ian Desmond force put runners at first and third with one out. Danny Espinosa popped up, though, ending the Nationals' chance of scoring without a hit.

Kurt Suzuki, though, gave the Nats the two-out hit they needed to pull further ahead. The Nats are up 7-5, and they'll give the ball to Drew Storen, who's pitched in three straight games -- his first time since coming back from surgery.