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.

Game 2: Nats at Cubs, April 7, 2012

Henry Rodriguez congratulated after his HOV-3.
AP

A second game, and a second win for the Nats as they downed the Chicago Cubs 7-4 and claimed their first series win of the 2012 season.  Gio Gonzalez grinned through his Nats debut, but Ryan Mattheus got the win over Kerry Wood.  Hot Rod Henry Rodriguez got the save, and the pitching staff sent thirteen Cubs down K Street.

First Inning: Gonzalez wasted no time by striking out Reed Johnson to record his first out as a Nat.

Second Inning: Gonzalez introduced his Cubs counterpart, Matt Garza, to K Street, and sent Johnson packing again to earn his first HOV-2.

Third Inning: Gonzalez added to his tally after he struck out Jeff Baker.