WASHINGTON 3 Pittsburgh 2 Boxscore (CBS Sports)

Nats Keep Moving In Right Direction – The Post
Kearns delivers clutch hit – The Wash. Times
Kearns starts May off right – The Free Lance-Star
Grabow finally gives up run in Pirates’ 3-2 loss – Post-Gazette
Nationals edge Bucs, 3-2 – Tribune-Review
RF Austin Kearns drove in two runs, including the game-winner in the eighth, as the Nats defeated Pittsburgh 3-2. Odalis Perez continued a stretch of strong starting pitching for Washington, giving up only two solo home runs over 7 innings. He did not earn a decision though, another trend of late. Perez has yet to earn a victory despite a 3.18 ERA. Ice Cream (okay, Will Nieves) drove in the other two runs.

Zach Dukes of the Pirates matched Perez with two runs over seven innings. John Grabow, who had not given up an earned run over his first 15 appearances took the loss, while Luis Ayala earned his first victory of the season.

The win also puts me up 1 in my annual series wager with the Maryland Bureau Chief. Yay.

After Massage, Young Is as Good as New – The Post
Young returns to batting cage after massage – The Wash. Times
Hold the Mayo; Young improving – The Free Lance-Star
It was a bobblehead night miracle! Team massage therapist Tatiana Tchamouroff gave Dmitri Young instant relief from back pain with a massage. Perhaps Young will not need the Mayo Clinic’s help after all.

The best MSM headline of the day goes to the Free-Lance Star. Capital Punishment’s was pretty good too, but it is *gasp* a…blog.

THOM LOVERRO – Not such a tall order – The Wash. Times
Loverro thinks Jon Rauch will be fine as the closer.

THOMAS BOSWELL – Very Much Sold On New Home – The Post
A month in, Bos reviews the ballpark and is pleased overall.

By the way, Bos is chatting at 3 p.m. today.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Pittsburgh Pirates, Austin Kearns