) Andres Chaparro pinch-hit for DH Josh Tena with the bases loaded and delivered. Chaparro's 2-run double in the 6th made it 5-2 Nationals and he later added a RBI single in the bottom of the 8th. Blake Butera got the better of Reds Manager Terry Francona when he inserted Chaparro right after the call to the bullpen.

) Andrew Alvarez out-pitched Burns and took a shutout into the top of the 6th. Alvarez ran into trouble and was replaced by Max Kranik, who immediately saw Cincy tie the affair at two. Why didn't they leave Alvarez in the game to handle the jam himself?

) Yovanny Cruz impressed again as he tossed a scoreless top of the 7th. Cruz was part of the package that came from the Yankees for Luis Garcia Jr.

) The Nationals are 4.5 games behind the Philles for the final wildcard spot.