Game 6: Nats at Mets, April 11, 2012

Series E-ZPass winner Jason Bay.
US Presswire/Debby Wong

The Nats won their second series of the young 2012 season, and the pitching staff threw their first shutout of the year when they blanked the New York Mets 4-0.  The Nats improved their record to 4-2 when Stephen Strasburg and three relievers combined for an otherworldly fifteen strikeouts and six HOV-2s.

First Inning: Ike Davis was the first Met to visit K Street when Strasburg rung him up looking.

Second Inning: Strasburg followed up that backwards K with an HOV-2 after he struck out both Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Ronny Cedeno looking.

Game 5: Nats at Mets, April 10, 2012

"Fifth starter" Ross Detwiler recorded 3 HOV-2s.
AP/Kathy Willens

The Nats regained a winning record when they beat the New York Mets 6-2 at Citi Field.  “Fifth starter” Ross Detwiler was outstanding as he struck out six Mets over five innings and prevailed over Dillon Gee.  In his first outing, Detwiler took the early season HOV-2 lead by recording three of them.

First Inning: After allowing two leadoff hits, Detwiler struck out Daniel Murphy and Lucas Duda to earn his first HOV-2.

Third Inning: Detwiler followed up his first HOV-2 with his second by striking out Ruben Tejada and Murphy.

Game 4: Nats at Mets, April 9, 2012

Edwin Jackson starts his season with two HOV-2s.
Getty Images/Jim McIsaac

After winning their series against the Chicago Cubs, the Nats moved on to New York to face off with the Mets.  Alas, the Mets struck first and won the series opener 4-3, dropping the Nats to 2-2.  Edwin Jackson got the start, but Henry Rodriguez took the loss when the Mets’ Daniel Murphy hit a walk-off single.  Ex-Nat and tattoo enthusiast Jon Rauch picked up the win.

First Inning: Jackson started strongly by earning an HOV-2 in the first inning of his Nats’ debut when he struck out Ike Davis and Jason Bay.

Second Inning: Jackson sent Kirk Nieuwenhuis down K Street.