Beltway Breakout?

The Washington Nationals lost their third straight game tonight losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Baltimore Orioles lost two games in a row before being rained out tonight against the Texas Rangers.  It isn't the end of the world for either team which continues to play very well overall early this season.  The Nationals remain tied for first place in the National League East.  Meanwhile, the Orioles are a mere half game out of first to Tampa Bay.  Had the O's not been rained out, and won tonight, they too would be tied for first in their AL East division.

Nevertheless, it's the first time since June 23, 2005 that these two franchises based near our nation's capital have both been leading their respective divisions outside of the first half of April.  Seeing that prior to 2004, the Nationals were located in Montreal, and the previous franchises in Washington played in the American League East with the Baltimore Orioles, it is likely only the second time in history that clubs from these two cities have led at the same time.  Of course, both franchises have struggled in recent years, so it would be nice to see them both develop and break out at the same time.