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GAME 1 - Nationals Park
Jimenez vs Zimmermann
Rox 8, Nats 1

Ubaldo Jimenz (2-0, 0.31) kept the Nats in check all day by allowing just 2 hits and 1 run in 7 1/3 innings of work.  The normally shaky Rox pen kept the good work going as the Nats dropped to 2-7 in their last 9 games.  Todd Helton (3-5 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI) had a bit day at the plate.  Tulo and Gonzo each had 2 hits with the former also knocking in 2.

GAME 2
Hammel vs Gonzalez
Nats 5, Rox 4

Gio (2 runs on 9 hits) was solid for 6 innings, but almost saw it all go by the wayside as Jerry Blevins came on in relief and surrendered 2 runs without getting an out in the 7th.  Thankfully the rest of the Nats pen was able to rise to the occasion and keep the potent Rox lineup for scoring another run.  It all came down to Soriano vs Barmes with one on and two out.  With a 1-1 count the latter hit a bomb to deep left that Bryce Harper made a leaping catch on to save the day.  Colorado outhit Washington 13-6, but the Nats maximized their output.  Seldom used light hitting utility man Kevin Frandsen went 2 for 3 with 3 RBI's including a huge two out hit.  The rest of the Nats bats stayed dormant.  Between Rendon-Werth-LaRoche the heart of the Nats lineup is hitting less than .230.

GAME 3 - Coors Field
Roark vs Marquis
Nats 2, Rox 0

With the Nats lineup mired in a deep funk the team needed a stellar performance from starter Tanner Roark (1-0, 2.20).  What they got in return was a near shutout.  Roark, who threw 110 pitches got to within the final out of the game before being lifted in favor of Ross Detwiler to get the coveted lefty/lefty matchup.  Detwiler gave up a single to Atkins (the only batter he faced) and was replaced by closer Soriano who doesn't enjoy coming in mid inning.  Soriano, who typically works with a tightrope walked Torrealba to load the bases.  For the second day in a row Barmes came to the plate with a chance to at least tie the game.  Instead of hitting a dramatic shot like the day before he grounded out weakly to Rendon at third to end it.  Soriano threw 9 pitches to two batters to record his 8th save.    Washington scored two solo runs in back to back innings (2nd and 3rd) and held tightly to that slim lead.  In the second Danny Espinosa doubled home Ryan Zimmerman with 2 outs.  In the third Adam LaRoche did the same thing to score Denard Span.  After going 2-7 in their past 9 games the Nats won 2 in a row to get back on track and boost their record to 12-5.  Colorado dropped to 6-11, but still is in the thick of it since there are no dominant teams in the NL West.