Game 3: Nats at Cubs, April 8, 2012

Series E-ZPass winner Reed Johnson.
US Presswire/Dennis Wierzbicki

The Nats suffered their first loss of the season to drop to 2-1 when the Chicago Cubs outscored them 4-3.  Jordan Zimmermann took the loss despite giving up only one earned run, while Jeff Samardzija got the win and Carlos Marmol recorded the save.  The Nats’ staff only sent five Cubs hitters down K Street.

Fourth Inning: Zimmermann got Ian Stewart swinging to record his first strikeout of the day.

Fifth Inning: Zimmermann rung up Samardzija for his second K of the day.

Sixth Inning: Zimmermann sat down Stewart for the second time.

Seventh Inning: Steve Clevenger struck out swinging against Zimmermann.

Eighth Inning: Sean Burnett struck out Bryan LaHair for the final out of the eighth.

Series E-ZPass: Reed Johnson, with four strikeouts against the Nats staff.

Notables:

• Strikeouts in the game: 5.
• Strikeouts in the 2012 season: 25.