Tommy Hanson is dealing with command issues in his first start of 2011, allowing four runs in three innings. The Braves are now in a rain delay, which appeared more like a hail delay, down 4-1 to the Nationals in the fourth.
Hanson's first hit allowed came in the first inning on a double by Jayson Werth, but he was left on second. The Nationals scored one in the second on miscues by Hanson, walking Michael Morse to lead off the inning, allowing him to reach second a pickoff error and reaching home on a groundout and sac fly. That was followed by a single from Wilson Ramos and walk by John Lannan, but Hanson escaped further trouble.
Hanson's struggles continued in the third, allowing three runs. Werth doubled to lead off the inning and Ryan Zimmerman was hit by a pitch to get things going. Back-to-back fly balls scored Werth. Rick Ankiel followed with a two-run home run to put the Nationals ahead by three.
Hanson has allowed five hits and two walks in 3.2 innings, striking out just one. Perhaps it is in the Braves' best interests to have the game delayed and get Hanson out of it. He was constantly falling behind batters, and his stuff was flat and up.
The Braves scored in the third when Nate McLouth was hit by a pitch, reached second on a wild pitch and scored on a RBI single by Chipper Jones.
The Braves have reached base in every inning. Jones singled in the first and was left. A walk and single put two in scoring position in the second, but Hanson left them on with a groundout. In the fourth, the Braves again put two in scoring position with two outs, but Martin Prado flew out to end the threat.
Chipper is 2-2 with a RBI. Alex Gonzalez is 2-2 with two singles and has been left in scoring position twice. Freddie Freeman has a single, as well.
For more on the series, Braves fans check out Talking Chop and Nationals fans check out Federal Baseball.