Reliever Roark collects first MLB hit, RBI

ATLANTA -- Besides pitching four shutout innings against the Braves on Saturday night, Tanner Roark collected his first big league hit in the fifth against right-hander Anthony Varvaro. With two outs, Roark slugged an RBI double to left-center field, scoring Tyler Moore.

"I knew I hit it well. Some of the guys were asking me, 'Did you think it was going to go out?' I thought it had a chance." Roark said. "I got a pitch up and I put a good swing on it."

Roark received the ball after the game and he plans to give it to his parents when he sees them in Chicago this week. Roark is expected to see a lot of family members when the Nationals play the Cubs at Wrigley Field starting Monday night.

"The whole series, there is going to be people from Wilmington, [Ill.], my hometown. It's going to be awesome to see everybody," he said.