Capital Punishment Washington Take Reds in Series Opener

Davey Johnson looked at the line on the game in the newspaper.

"It said it was seven," Johnson said referring to the over/under for runs scored.  "Does that mean they (Reds) will get five because we haven't scored more than two in a game in weeks?"

The joke was on the Washington Nationals manager as the first three batters in his lineup scored in the very first inning against Cincinnati starter, Mike Leake.

The Nationals beat the Reds for the fourth time in five games, 7-3.

The biggest fear of Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker was a short outing by the starting pitcher and that's exactly what happened. Leake pitched just the first three innings, giving up six runs on seven hits, including a pair of home runs.

"We really don't want our first starter to have a short outing," Baker said.  The Reds schedule calls for 20 games in 20 days.  "We don't want to get into our bullpen to start this part of the schedule.

Leake was ineffective from the beginning. Ian Desmond singled to start the game.  Roger Bernadina battled Leake for 10 pitches before hitting a home run to right center field.  Ryan Zimmerman walked and scored on a double by Adam LaRoche.  Leake struck out 19-year old Bryce Harper and stranded LaRoche.

The Nationals weren't finished. Wilson Ramos singled and scored on Bernadina's two out hit in the second.  Danny Espinosa hit a home run with LaRoche on in the third and last inning for Leake.  Alfredo Simon gave up a run scoring hit to LaRoche before the Reds bullpen got into sync.

The Reds bats had Gio holes in them.  Washington starter, Gio Gonzalez, came into the game with a paltry 1.72 ERA and a 3-1 record.  Jay Bruce managed a double to stay hot but Gonzalez struck out the next six.

The Reds scored one in the fourth Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips singled to start the frame.  Bruce drove home Votto with a sacrifice fly.  Pinch hitter Miguel Cairo doubled to open the fifth and scored on Zack Cozart's single.  The Reds loaded the bases with one out but Bruce struck out and Scott Rolen popped to third.

The Reds had another chance to get all the way back into the game in the eighth Phillips and Bruce opened against Craig Stammen with singles to put runners on first and third.  Rolen hit a slow roller that Zimmerman bobbled at third but Phillips strayed too far and was tagged out.  Ryan Ludwick singled Bruce home after Ryan Mattheus replaced Stammen.  Devin Mesoraco walked to fill the bases again with one out but pinch hitter Chris Heisey popped to third and Cozart struck out.

Mike Leake, who led the staff in wins last season is now 0-5 with a 7.11 ERA.

"We're concerned," Baker said.  "He's pitching from behind.  He's either missing the plate or right down the middle.  We missed chances to get back into the game.  We had the bases loaded twice and got nothing.  We had a base running mistake in there and didn't play a good game."

Baker didn't think anything is physically wrong with Leake.

"I'm sure he's at wits end too," Baker said.

Leake said," I feel fine. I'm making it too easy on the hitters.  I'm just not getting the job done.  I'm sure it's in my head somewhere.  We just have to find it."