SB Nation - Alberto Gonzalez

Washington Nationals Win Season Finale In 15 Innings, Sweep Atlanta Braves To Finish 2009 59-103.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:23:55 -0000

2 months ago: Washington Nationals' Elijah Dukes takes his base with a smile after being walked by Atlanta Braves' Boone Logan during the 15th inning of their baseball game Sunday Oct. 4, 2009, in Atlanta. Dukes later scored on a hit by Alberto Gonzalez to win 2-1. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPP!!!!!!!

Game 162 of 2009 took 4 hours, 18 minutes and 15 innings to finish and when it was over the Washington Nationals had completed a four-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves for their seventh-straight win (and second-straight sweep) to end a 2009 season they started 0-7 before recording their first win...And, yes, that is the first time that's ever happened...DC starter J.D. Martin allows just one-run on 6 hits in 6.0 IP, giving up Nate McLouth's solo HR to leadoff the sixth and put Atlanta ahead 1-0. Braves' righty Tim Hudson gives up just 4 hits through 6.0 IP, but three-straight singles from Alberto Gonzalez, Jorge Padilla and pinch hitter Adam Dunn bring in the tying run in the seventh and it remains tied through fourteen before Elijah Dukes takes a one-out walk and Wil Nieves and Alberto Gonzalez hit back to back two-out singles to score Dukes for the winning run...

Nationals win, 2-1 final.

Miss The Game?

• The DC Faithful Were Watching!!! (634 comments) vs The Talking Chop Open Thread (718 comments)

• "Game 162: Finally, some history we can call our own!" - Doghouse.

• BACKPAGE: Dunn Doesn't Reach 40 - J.D. Martin Finishes Strong - Strasburg To Pitch Tomorrow.

• For The Completist, Full (and I mean FULL) Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals finish 2009 59-103.

BACKPAGE:

• Dunn Doesn't Reach 40...Adam Dunn hit his 38th HR of 2009 on September 22nd against Los Angeles, leaving the Nationals' big left-handed hitting slugger with 10 games to hit the 39th and 40th HR's of 2009. Had he reached 40 HR's for the sixth-straight season, Dunn would've been one of only four players in MLB history (along with Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa and Babe Ruth) to hit 40+ HR's in six-straight seasons, leaving him just one behind Ruth's industry standard of seven-straight 40 HR seasons. Dunn, however, managed just 3 hits in his next 36 at bats (2 of them doubles, but no HR's) heading into today's game, and when he wasn't in the starting lineup, the DC Faithful knew it was over. Having failed to reach 40 HR's for the first time in six seasons didn't seem to upset Dunn too much. The Big Walky, Big Opposite Field, The Big First Baseman, singled in one of Washington's two runs in a pinch hit appearance this afternoon to finish the season with a .267 AVG, 29 doubles, 38 HR's and 105 RBI's.

• J.D. Martin Finishes Strong...With no-decisions in his last 4 starts, J.D. Martin finishes the 2009 campaign (5-4) with a 4.44 ERA, one of only two Nationals' pitchers to finish the season with a record above .500. (Shairon Martis finished (5-3), though he was sent down in mid-June and didn't return). In his final start of 2009, Martin throws 73 pitches, 50 for strikes in 6.0 IP, allowing just 6 hits and 1 ER. The Nationals' 26-year-old right-hander, who was (8-3) with a 2.66 ERA in 15 starts, 1 relief appearance and 88.0 IP with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs before making his MLB debut on July 20th, 2009, might just have pitched his way onto the 20-10 roster.

• Strasburg To Pitch Tomorrow...I know it's a cliche to say that the 2010 season starts the second the final out of 2009 is recorded, but with MLB.com's Bill Ladson writing this afternoon that '09 #1 overall pick, Stephen Strasburg would be making his first appearance as a National tomorrow afternoon in an instructional league game against Detroit, it is actually accurate. Instructional League, The Arizona Fall League, the Dominican Winter League, baseball never really stops, and neither do we...see you...tomorrow.

GAME REPORT:

Washington Nationals At Atlanta Braves. Game 162 Of 162.

Justin Maxwell vs Tim Hudson to start the last game of the season, and a brutal two-strike bender gets J-Max swinging for the first out of the day. Ian Desmond takes a 2-2 fastball on the low outside corner for a called strike three. Pete Orr smokes a single through second for a two-out hit in front of Elijah Dukes. Dukes rolls the third out to first to end the opening frame...Jorge Padilla bounces off the wall as he closes the glove on a fly ball out from Nate McLouth. Pete Orr dives toward the third base line but can’t get to Omar Infante’s line drive double. Martin Prado pops out to second. Garrett Anderson grounds out to first, inning over.

Mike Morse grounds weakly to third to start the second. Josh Bard likes the first pitch he sees and he grounds out to second. Alberto Gonzalez flies to right to end the Nationals’ half...Adam LaRoche flies out to right field. Yunel Escobar gives Dukes more work. Kelly Johnson grounds to Morse at first to end the second.

Jorge Padilla swings wildly over a full-count sinker. J.D. Martin stares strike three all the way in. Justin Maxwell walks with two down. Ian Desmond hits a high chopper that dies in the grass halfway to third, refusing to go foul. Pete Orr grounds to LaRoche at first and it’s 0-0 in the third...Clint Sammons skies one to right for Elijah Dukes to get under. Tim Hudson lines a one-out single to center and the oh-oh-oh-ing starts in Atlanta. Nate McLouth takes a 2-2 slider on the outside edge. Omar Infante flies out to left.

Elijah Dukes takes a low full-count slider but Tim Hudson gets the call. Mike Morse flies out to right. Josh Bard slips a hard-hit grounder by first and hustles his way to second. Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to end the Nationals’ fourth...Martin Prado flies out to Elijah Dukes in right. Garrett Anderson pops out over short, and J.D. Martin gets a fly ball from Adam LaRoche to end the fourth scoreless.

Jorge Padilla hits a fly ball out to Nate McLouth in center field for Atlanta. J.D. Martin can’t handle what Hudson’s throwing, but Justin Maxwell just takes and takes and walks, then tries to take more but gets caught trying to steal second, no score after four and a half...Yunel Escobar takes strike three and has few choice bi-lingual words for the Ump. Kelly Johnson singles through second with one down. Clint Sammons flies out to Justin Maxwell in center.

Ian Desmond grounds out to third. Pete Orr pops out to third. Elijah Dukes hits a two-out single to left field, but Mike Morse’s infield pop ends the top of the sixth...J.D. Martin gives up a long fly ball to right on an 0-1 change to Nate McLouth, who puts it over the wall for a 1-0 lead. Jorge Padilla sprints to the corner to catch the first out off of Omar Infante’s bat. Martin Prado drives a single by a lunging Ian Desmond at second. Garrett Anderson lines out to Jorge Padilla in left for out No. 2. Adam LaRoche lines to left field, Jorge Padilla comes up throwing and nails Prado trying for third.

Josh Bard leads off the seventh against Tim Hudson. Bard grounds out to second. Alberto Gonzalez singles to center and Jorge Padilla follows with a second-straight single and Adam Dunn gets a PH chance. Dunn lines a hanging bender to right to score Gonzalez from second for a 1-1 tie!!! Justin Maxwell K’s/fails swinging through an 0-2 fastball upstairs and inside. Ian Desmond grounds out to first to strand two. 1-1 in the seventh...Yunel Escobar sends the first pitch from Tyler Clippard soaring into center field for Justin Maxwell. Kelly Johnson K’s swinging through a two-strike change. Clint Sammons K’s looking at a fastball inside.

Pete Orr grounds out to second to start the Nationals’ eighth. Braves’ reliever Peter Moylan walks Elijah Dukes with one down. Mike Morse grounds to Yunel Escobar to Kelly Johnson to Adam LaRoche at first, double play...Chipper Jones guides a high outside heater through short for a single. Nate McLouth gets a sac bunt down and gets tagged out by Clippard as Chipper moves up. Pete Orr looks Chipper back to second and throws out Omar Infante on a weak grounder. Martin Prado flies to deep center, but Justin Maxwell gets there, no problem.

Josh Bard pops up a 2-1 pitch from Rafael Soriano. Alberto Gonzalez takes a one-out walk in front of pinch hitter Josh Willingham. The Hammer K’s swinging through a high heater. Cristian Guzman grounds out to end the Nationals’ ninth...Ron Villone gets a groundout to third from Garrett Anderson. Adam LaRoche K’s swinging through a 2-2 bender upstairs. Yunel Escobar keeps hope alive for Atlanta with a two-out single through second. Kelly Johnson hits a broken bat blooper to second and the last game will take more than nine innings to decide.

Kris Medlen gets Justin Maxwell swinging to start the tenth. Ian Desmond rrrrips a grounder by third base and into the corner for a one-out double to left. Pete Orr pops out to short center. Elijah Dukes grounds out to second to end the top of the tenth...Ron Villone’s back in the tenth against Clint Sammons, who flies out to left. Pinch hitter Greg Norton takes a one-out walk. Nate McLouth K’s swinging through a looping bender over the middle. Jason Bergmann on for Villone against Omar Infante. Infante battles, but K’s swinging through a full-count slider!!

Kenshin Kawakami vs Mike Morse in the eleventh. Morse sends a dribbler by Adam LaRoche at first and Omar Infante misplays it to give Morse second. Wil Nieves tries the sac bunt and hits it too hard, Morse cut down at third. Alberto Gonzalez grounds to Yunel Escobar to Kelly Johnson to Adam LaRoche, double play...Saul "Sa-ool" Rivera pops up Martin Prado. Reid Garecki K’s swinging through a high fastball. Adam LaRoche grounds to first to end the eleventh.

Josh Willingham singles to left and takes second on a sac bunt from Saul Rivera. Justin Maxwell vs Kenshin Kawakami. Maxwell can’t hold up and he K’s swinging at a low fastball for the second out. Ian Desmond up when a wild pitch from Kawakami gets by Clint Sammons. Hammer to third. Ian Desmond lines to left and it’s...caught, Omar Infante makes a shoestring catch to rob Desmond...Saul Rivera gets a weak grounder from Yunel Escobar for the first out. Kelly Johnson rips one to first, Mike Morse knocks it down and tosses to Rivera covering. Clint Sammons shatters his bat but singles with two down. Pinch hitter Brian McCann grounds back to the mound and it’s on to the thirteenth.

Eric O’Flaherty takes over on the mound for Atlanta in the thirteenth. Pete Orr grounds out to second. Elijah Dukes flies out to center. Mike Morse K’s swinging...Nate McLouth flies out to the track in center field for Justin Maxwell. Omar Infante lines a double on one hop and over the wall in center with one down. Saul Rivera walks Martin Prado in front of Brooks Conrad, who flies out harmlessly to center. Adam LaRoche grounds out to first, and it’s on to the fourteenth...

Manny Acosta takes over against Wil Nieves, who walks to start the frame. Alberto Gonzalez flies out unproductively to center field. Josh Willingham can’t hold up on a low two-strike heater. Pinch hitter Ryan Zimmerman drives a double to center, McLouth cuts it off and Nieves stops at second. Justin Maxwell walks to load the bases for Ian Desmond...Logan Kensing’s on for DC. Yunel Escobar starts the Braves’ half with a line drive single to left. Kelly Johnson grounds to second, Alberto Gonzalez to Ian Desmond to Mike Morse, double play. Clint Sammons grounds back to the mound.

Pete Orr K’s looking to start the fifteenth. Boone Logan, the Braves’ right-hander, walks Elijah Dukes with one down. Mike Morse flies out unproductively to left. Wil Nieves singles to short right to move Dukes up. Alberto Gonzalez lines an RBI single to the left-center gap!! Dukes scores, 2-1 Nationals!!! Josh Willingham K’s looking to end the top of the frame...Logan Kensing vs Javier Vazquez. Vazquez grounds one off Logan Kensing’s pitching hand, Ian Desmond picks it up and throws out the pinch hitting pitcher. Nate McLouth K’s swinging over a sinker. Omar Infante singles up the middle with two down. Martin Prado drills an 0-2 pitch to left center, second and third with two down. Brooks Conrad K’s trying to check his swing and it’s over. Nationals win, 2-1 final.

Nationals finish season 59-103.

Justin Maxwell Hits A Walk-Off Grand Slam!!! Washington Nationals Win 7-4, Sweep New York Mets.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:15:20 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

2 months ago: Washington Nationals' Justin Maxwell cleans the shaving creamfromn his face after hitting a grand slam in the ninth inning against the New York Mets in a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, in Washington. The Nationals won 7-4. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!

• Justin Maxwell works the count full with the bases loaded and two down in the ninth with NY ahead 4-3, and J-Max takes the Mets' high-priced closer Francisco Rodriguez deeeeeep to left and GONE for a walk-off Grand Slam in the last home game of the season in Nationals Park...DO YOU BELIEVE!!!!

Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching...

See How The Mets Fans Took It At: Amazin' Avenue.

Check Out the Post Game And The Full Game Report (You Know, For The Completists), AFTER THE JUMP!!!

• Shadows from the stadium lights and the upper deck of Nationals Park are stretched in a large swath across the field of play from the left field grass, over third, the mound and wrapping around first as DC lefty John Lannan starts the final home game of the season against the New York Mets with a scoreless frame that Mets’ starter Tim Redding matches.

• Jeff Francoeur thinks for a moment that he’s hit a two-run HR to left off John Lannan in the top of the second, but it’s ruled a double upon further review, though the two runners who would have scored if it had been called correctly as a HR cross anyway when Fernando Tatis follows with a sac fly to right and Omir Santos hits an RBI single. 2-0 NY after two.

• Mets’ right-hander Tim Redding retires the first ten batters he faces before Elijah Dukes singles up the middle with one down in the fourth. Redding strands Dukes, but the Nationals finally get on the board in the fifth. Josh Willingham hits a leadoff single to center, moves to second when Josh Bard walks, third when Ian Desmond grounds out, and the Hammer comes home on a sac fly by Alberto Gonzalez to make it 2-1 NY after five.

• E: 140, 141...Angel Pagan hits a weak grounder to short with one down in the sixth, and Ian Desmond misplays what should have been the second out. E: 140. One out later, David Wright rrrrips a grounder to third, and Ryan Zimmerman sidesteps it and tries to snatch it with his glove and misses, E: 141. OUTCOME: Two on, two out. Carlos Beltran singles to center to score Pagan, 3-1 Mets’ lead after five and a half.

• THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! Ryan Zimmerman gives the DC Faithful reason to believe with a solo shot to center off Mets’ reliever Bobby Parnell in the eighth inning. Zimmerma---THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! hits his 33rd of ‘09 to make it 3-2 NY.

• E: 142. Ryan Zimmerman’s always had a habit of side-stepping hard hit grounders and trying to snap it up with his glove, but he’s missed two tonight and it might be time to start getting in front of them, cause his 17th error costs DC another run. OUTCOME: Jeff Francoeur reaches on the Zimmerman error and takes second. Fernando Tatis singles Frenchy over to third, and Omir Santos puts a perfect hit and run single behind the runner at second to score Francoeur for 4-2 NY lead...

• And Now The Epic Bottom Of The Ninth...

The New York Mets gave Francisco Rodriguez to a 3-year/$37 M dollar deal to close games for them, and the hard-throwing right-hander, who set the Major League record for saves last season, was called upon in the ninth tonight with the Mets desperate for a win against the pesky Washington Nationals who were threatening to sweep and seriously embarrass New York. Rodriguez, who'd converted 34 of 40 save opportunities this season, started Alberto Gonzalez with a 91 mph heater for a called strike and followed with a change that Gonzalez ripped to short and beat to first, sliding in headfirst ahead of Wilson Valdez's throw. Pinch hitter Mike Morse worked the count full in the next at bat and lined a K-Rod change back up the middle. Willie Harris fouled off one bunt attempt before getting a successful sac down to move Gonzalez and pinch runner Jorge Padilla into scoring position for Elijah Dukes, who worked the count full and took a gutsy ball four to load the bases for Ryan Zimmerman. Zim K'd swinging on the third pitch he saw, (curve for a called strike, fastball fouled off and an 0-2 change), to bring up Adam Dunn. The Big Walky battled K-Rod to a full count and took three straight out of the zone for a bases loaded walk and a one-run game which NY still led 4-3. Enter Justin Maxwell:

• Justin Maxwell...(1) Took a curve for ball one from Francisco Rodriguez then watched as a (2) second curve dropped in and the veteran hit the low outside corner with a (3) fastball for a called strike two. A four-seam fastball followed (4) that Maxwell took for ball two, 2-2, and then fouled off a fastball (5) and took a change outside (6) and looow to work the count full against K-Rod. 4-seam fastball up high (7), fouled off, four-seam fastball down low, (8) fouled off, and then a third straight fastball (9) that gets LAUNCHED TO LEFT AND GONE!!! GRAND SLAM!!! GRAND SLAM!!! Justin Maxwell wins it with a walk-off Grand SLAM!!! Nationals win, 7-4!!!

FULL GAME REPORT:

New York Mets At Washington Nationals. Game 158 Of 162.

Josh Willingham takes a knee to catch a low line drive from Angel Pagan. Anderson Hernandez makes Willingham spring to his left and leap up for a second hard-hit line out. David Wright flies to right and Elijah Dukes stares into the sun and makes the catch...Jeff Francoeur catches the first out for Tim Redding off Willie Harris’ bat. Elijah Dukes goes the other way with a high fly to right. Ryan Zimmerman swings through a high fastball to end the first inning.

Carlos Beltran walks to start the second and Jeff Francoeur lines one off the very top of the wall for what might be a HR? They’re taking a look. It’s ruled a double. Fernando Tatis flies out to right, Elijah Dukes tries for a throw home, but has no chance, 1-0 NY. Francoeur takes third on the bad throw. Omir Santos scores Francoeur with a single to center. 2-0 Mets. Lannan gets the DP grounder from Wilson Valdez, Alberto Gonzalez to Ian Desmond to Adam Dunn, double play...Adam Dunn flies out to left field for the first out of DC’s second. Josh Willingham grounds weakly to short. Josh Bard pushes Angel Pagan back to the track to end the bottom of the frame.

Tim Redding starts the third against Lannan with a ground ball to third for the first out. Angel Pagan lines out to Ian Desmond. Anderson Hernandez sends Elijah Dukes breaking back but he makes catch to end the Mets’ third...Ian Desmond’s grounder to short is cut off by David Wright, who fires to first. Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to short. John Lannan is the ninth-straight Nationals’ batter retired.

David Wright skies one to Dukes in right. Carlos Beltran’s way out in front of a two-strike change. Jeff Francoeur grounds to third, Zimmerman snaps it up and throws to first to end NY’s fourth...Willie Harris hits a high fly ball to center, Carlos Beltran makes the catch. Elijah Dukes singles up the middle to break up Redding’s streak of ten-straight set down. Jeff Francoeur avoids the stands that stick out into right and catches a foul ball from Zimmerman. Adam Dunn just pulls a long fly foul and ends up lining out to first to end the fourth.

John Lannan throws a high two-strike fastball by Fernando Tatis. Omir Santos grounds out Ian Desmond at short. WIlson Valdez rolls the first pitch out to third and Ryan Zimmerman’s throw ends the Mets’ fifth...Josh Willingham starts DC’s fifth with a sharp single to center. Josh Bard works a walk. Ian Desmond hits a swinging sac bunt toward first to advance both runners. Alberto Gonzalez flies out to center to score Willingham from third, 2-1 NY. John Lannan slaps a two-out single through short. Willie Harris K’s swinging through a fastball outside to end the fifth.

Tim Redding K’s in the first AB of the sixth. Angel Pagan grounds to short, and Ian Desmond gets a bad hop and misplays it. E: 140. Anderson Hernandez pops out to Dukes in right after a long AB. David Wright rips a grounder through Zimmerman at third. E:141. Carlos Beltran singles up the middle to score Pagan from second, 3-1 New York. Jeff Francoeur flies out to right...Elijah Dukes drops a surprise bunt down the third base line and David Wright can’t make a play. Ryan Zimmerman pops out unproductively. Adam Dunn's up when a wild pitch moves Dukes to second. Dunn flies out unproductively to center. Josh Willingham swings at the first pitch and grounds out to end the frame.

Fernando Tatis lines to left and beats the throw to second for a leadoff double. Omir Santos flies out to right field. WIlson Valdez takes a two-out walk and Gary Sheffield gets pinch hit intentionals to bring up Angel Pagan. Pagan grounds to Ian Desmond, who takes the force at second...Bobby Parnell vs Bard. Bard battles for 10 pitches and eventually walks. Ian Desmond grounds into a force at second in the next AB. Desmond avoids a ground ball from Alberto Gonzalez and Anderson Hernandez tries to get the force at second, but his toss is late. Two runners safe. Pinch hitter Cristian Guzman pops out unproductively to third. Willie Harris works the count full. Willie Harris grounds out to second to end the seventh.

Zach Segovia’s on to pitch the top of the eighth. Anderson Hernandez K’s swinging to start the inning. David Wright grounds out to third. Carlos Beltran pops out to the infield and Ian Desmond’s catch ends NY’s eighth...Elijah Dukes gets jammed and grounds out to the mound. Parnell vs Zimmerman. Ryan Zimmerma--THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! HR to straight center, 3-2 NY. Pedro Feliciano comes on to face Dunn. Adam Dunn pops out. Sean Green vs Willingham. Josh Willingham grounds to third, David Wright fields and throws...by first, Hammer is safe, and he takes second. Justin Maxwell runs for the Hammer. Josh Bard works another walk to put two on for Ian Desmond. Desmond grounds up the middle, Anderson Hernandez gets there and tosses to second for the inning-ending force.

Jeff Francoeur vs Segovia in the ninth. Francoeur grounds sharply to third that Zimmerman can’t come up with, Zimmerman drops it and throws way over first, E: 142. Frenchy takes second. Fernando Tatis lines a single over short. Omir Santos smacks a hit and run single through second to bring Francoeur home, 4-2 NY. Wilson Valdez grounds back to the mound. Segovia gets one out at first. Ron Villone replaces Segovia and gets a weak grounder toward first from pinch hitter Daniel Murphy grounds out to first. Ryan Zimmerman throws out Angel Pagan to end the Mets’ half of the ninth...Alberto Gonzalez singles to short, deep in the hole and Gonalez beats Wilson Valdez's throw to first. Mike Morse makes a pinch hit appearance, and he singles to center!!! Jorge Padilla comes on to run. Two on for Willie Harris. Harris gets a sac bunt down. Second and third for Dukes!! Dukes works the count full and walks. Ryan Zimmerman K’s swinging through an 0-2 slider. Adam Dunn works the count full, and walks in a run!! 4-3 ballgame. Justin Maxwell works the count full, fouls off two fastballs, and then OH LORD!! IT’S GONE!! J-MAX takes K-ROD Deeeeeeeeeeep to left and GONE!! GRAND SLAM!!! GRAND SLAM!! GRAND SLAM!!! THE NATIONALS WIN!! THE NATIONALS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7-4 final. Francisco Rodriguez is on to end it. Alberto Gonzalez reaches safely on a grounder deep in the hole at short.

Nationals now 55-103!!!

Elijah Dukes Will Run Through Walls. Washington Nationals 4, New York Mets 3.

Ed Chigliak — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:20:27 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

2 months ago: Washington Nationals' starter J.D. Martin, pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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We've learned two things about Elijah Dukes this year:

1) You don't run on Dukes.

2) Elijah Dukes will run through walls.

If David Wright didn't know that second one already he found out as he came around first and watched Elijah Dukes run full speed into the out-of-town scoreboard in right to rob Wright of a potentially game-tying extra base hit with two out in the top of the ninth tonight in DC's 4-3 win over New York. Dukes' catch gave Mike MacDougal his 18th save in 19 opportunities a half-inning after Washington took the lead with the help of two errors from NY's middle infielders. The Nationals take their second straight over the Mets and set themselves up for the sweep in the last home game of 2009 tomorrow afternoon. (ed. note - "And I'm telling you right now...Teddy Roosevelt will win tomorrow, buy your tickets so you can say you were there...") (ed. note - "The previous opinion is in no way based on facts, just gut feelings, like Riggleman!!")

BACKPAGE:

• Martin v Pelfrey.
• Elijah SSSSSUPER DUKESSSSS!!!! F.O.D.&D. Rejoice! Desmond Does It Too!!!
• Adam Dunn Gets The Beyond The Box Score Treatment.

• Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching...

• Check Out the SB Nation's NY Mets Blog: Amazin' Avenue OpenThread.

• LINK: Game 157: Enjoy 2B Next Year, Guz..." - Doghouse.

• For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals now 54-103. (Countdown To 100 Losses, Over For Days Now).

BACKPAGE:

• Martin v Pelfrey. J.D. Martin gets himself in trouble early, giving up a leadoff double to Angel Pagan and letting Luis Castillo reach base on a sac bunt attempt. David Wright walks to loaded the bases and Carlos Beltran walks too to force in the first run. 1-0 NY. Martin gets a line drive to short, a fly ball to short center and an out at second to escape further damage, but he gets right back in trouble in the second. Wilson Valdez doubles to start the frame, moves to second on a sac bunt by the Mets' starter and scores on an Angel Pagan single for a 2-0 lead. David Wright doubles Pagan in, 3-0 Mets.

• Mike Pelfrey retires the first eight batters he faces before allowing a bloop single to the opposing pitcher in the bottom of the third. The Mets' right-hander throws four scoreless for NY, holding DC to just a walk and a single, but the fifth starts with "Pinch Hittin'" Pete Orr singling on an 0-2 fastball up and out over the plate. Ian Desmond's up next and the Nationals' rookie shortstop gets a 1-2 fastball from Pelfrey that doesn't quite make it inside, Desmond explodes on it, launches it to left and GONE!! Two-run HR, 3-2 NY. Two outs later, still in the fifth, Willie Harris and Elijah Dukes hit back-to-back singles and Mr. Gold Glove Himself, the one and only Ryan Zimmerman gets two straight and I mean "straight" fastballs inside, the second of which is lined to left for Zim's 103rd RBI and the 3-3 tie.

• J.D. Martin ends up throwing four scoreless after the rough start, and leaves after 6.0 IP, having given up 7 hits, 3 ER and 2 walks, but the win ends up going to DC reliever Tyler Clippard who throws 2.0 scoreless, the second of which I still can't believe he escaped. Clippard gave up back to back singles to Carlos Beltran and Daniel Murphy, then walked Jeff Francoeur to load the bases with no outs and the score tied at 3-3 tie in the eighth. Former Nationals' catcher Brian Schneider (Call us, Brian?) does Washington a solid by popping out unproductively and pinch hitter Jeremy Reed lines to second, Alberto Gonzalez catches it, throws to first, Francoeur's out, (where was he going?) DOUBLE PLAY!! Clippard's one lucky reliever...

• Mike "Danger" Morse walks with one down in the Nationals' eighth, Justin Maxwell takes over on the basepaths, and pinch hitter Cristian Guzman follows with what should be a double play, but Anderson Hernandez fields at short and tosses one low to Luis Castillo, and right by second, both runners safe. Ian Desmond follows with another DP grounder, Anderson Hernandez gets to it behind second, tosses to Castillo, Castillo fires wide of first and out of Daniel Murphy's reach, Desmond's safe. Maxwell scores from second, 4-3 DC!!

• Top Of Ninth...Mike MacDougal comes on to close it. Cory Sullivan K's swinging. Angel Pagan...singles, (3 for 5), but MacDougal paints the outside corner to get Luis Castillo looking with Pagan still at first. David Wright, works the count full and destroys a 96 mph MacDougal heater. Wright drives it to right, Elijah Dukes sprints toward the wall, and runs into the out-of-town scoreboard as he makes the grab, Dukes bounces of the wall, falls back and rolls to his feet, then jumps up pounding his chest!!! SSSSSUPER DUKESSSS Runs through walls! Nationals win, 4-3 final.

LINK:

• Adam Dunn Gets The Beyond The Box Score Treatment.

Walter Fulbright has an article up at Beyond The Boxscore, the SB Nation's "Saber-Slanted" blog, entitled, "The Two Sides Of Adam Dunn: Graph Of The Day", in which Mr. Fullbright determines that Adam Dunn is, "...still a superstar, just playing out of position because he no longer has one," and recommends that fans, "...start a letter writing campaign to see if we can find the Nationals an American League trading partner." Dunn ranks dead last on Mr. Fulbright's league-wide UZR chart and the BtB writer's description of the nation's capital's favorite first baseman is at odds with most of what I've heard from the DC Faithful:

"Adam Dunn can't hide his failings at the cold corner. Whatever advantage he has for reaching to balls above his head (a pretty low percentage play anyway) are absolutely obliterated by his inability to scoop balls in the dirt, either from throws or from ground balls. He's so completely top heavy that he has an inherent disadvantage to those born with the virtue of just being closer to the ground. This is a pretty definite trend, he has roughly the same power off the bat as when he was 23, only with 60-70 more pounds packed on, his defense has gone from pretty bad to awful to absolutely unacceptable."

Check out Mr. Fulbright's article HERE or in the title link above to see how he reached his conclusions. Let him know what you've seen from Dunn...

GAME REPORT:

New York Mets At Washington Nationals. Game 157 Of 162.

DC right-hander J.D. Martin takes a deep breath, stretching his jaw as he does, then he exhales and fires the first pitch home to Angel Pagan. Pagan ends up doubling to right off the out-of-town scoreboard to start the game with a runner on second. Luis Castillo bunts to third and J.D. Martin cuts Ryan Zimmerman off to field and not throw to first. First and third for David Wright. J.D. Martin walks the bases loaded and goes 3-0 to Carlos Beltran, hitting the outside corner for 3-1 and getting a foul for another full count. Then Martin walks Beltran and walks in a run, 1-0 New York. Daniel Murphy lines toward short, Ian Desmond catches and holds it. Jeff Francoeur flies out to short center, and Willie Harris catches it coming in to hold Castillo at third. Brian Schneider lines to Pete Orr to end the threat with just the walked in run scoring...Willie Harris pops out to left to start the bottom of the first. Mets’ righty Mike Pelfrey gets a weak grounder to third from Elijah Dukes. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to short.

Wilson Valdez doubles over short to start the second. Mike Pelfrey bunts to Adam Dunn, who can only throw to first. Angel Pagan singles to score Valdez and it’s 2-0 New York with one out in the second. Luis Castillo pops out to left. David Wright doubles off the base of the wall in left, Pagan scores from first, 3-0 Mets. Carlos Beltran grounds out to first, Adam Dunn fields it and hustles to first...Dunn leads off DC’s second with a swinging K on a bender off the plate. Mike Morse grounds out to Wilson Valdez at short. Pete Orr grounds to Castillo at second and it’s 3-0 NY after three.

Willie Harris has to run way into left to catch a line drive off Daniel Murphy’s bat. Francoeur flies out to Elijah Dukes in right. Brian Schneider grounds out to first and Dunn tosses to Martin to end the Mets’ third...Ian Desmond flies out to right field. Mike Pelfrey gets off the mound quickly to field a dribbler toward third and throws a strike to Daniel Murphy at first to get WIl Nieves. J.D. Martin sends a bloop single to center for the Nationals’ first hit. Willie Harris walks. Elijah Dukes rolls the third out to short.

Wilson Valdez grounds out to Pete Orr. Mike Pelfrey’s groundout rolls over the first base bag to Dunn. Angel Pagan sends Mike Morse sprinting back to make an overhead catch for the final out of the Mets’ fourth...Ryan Zimmerman grounds to short, Wilson Valdez double-pumps and throws to first. Adam Dunn flies out to deep center. Mike Morse grounds out to short, Pelfrey’s got four scoreless.

Willie Harris takes two steps back and catches a line drive off Luis Castillo’s bat. David Wright pulls a bender over third and into left for a one-out double. Carlos Beltran grounds weakly to second. Daniel Murphy flies out to Mike Morse and it’s 3-0 NY after four and a half...Pete Orr smacks a single through short. Ian Desmond goes deeeep to left on a high inside fastball and it’s GONE!!! Two-run HR, 3-2 NY. Wil Nieves grounds out to WIlson Valdez at short. J.D. Martin K’s swinging over a two-strike sinker. Willie Harris sneaks a grounder under a diving Luis Castillo at second. Elijah Dukes singles to center, but Willie Harris holds up at second. Ryan Zimmerman gets a fastball before it gets inside and singles to center to score Harris. 3-3. Adam Dunn grounds out to first, tied after five.

Jeff Francoeur lines to left, Morse misjudges it but hustles back to make a leaping catch. Brian Schneider throws his bat at a fastball and singles to center. Wilson Valdez sends a fluttering line drive out to Willie Harris. MIke Pelfrey flies out to right...Mike Morse grounds out to third. Pete Orr grounds to Daniel Murphy at first. Ian Desmond slides in safe at second on a one-hopper to third that gets by David Wright and rolls out to left. Wil Nieves lines out to right.

Tyler Clippard starts Angel Pagan with three balls and then blows Pagan away. Ian Desmond throws out Luis Castillo. Clippard gets Wright on a called strike three, 3-3 in the seventh...Alberto Gonzalez grounds to Murphy at first. Willie Harris flies out to center. Elijah Dukes grounds one through Pelfrey’s legs for a two-out single. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to right, 3-3 after seven.

Carlos Beltran singles to center to start NY's eighth. Daniel Murphy rips a grounder by Dunn at first, Beltran takes third. Jeff Francouer walks to load the bases for Schneider. Brian Schneider pops out foul of third. Pinch hitter Jeremy Reed hits a broken bat liner to second, Frenchy gets doubled up!!...Adam Dunn K’s and Pedro Feliciano’s out after one batter. Mike Morse vs Sean Green. Morse walks, Justin Maxwell on to run. Cristian Guzman will hit. Guzman grounds to second, Anderson Hernandez tosses it but Castillo at second, both runners safe. Ian Desmond grounds to second, Anderson Hernandez knocks it down, tosses to second, Castillo....throws it wide of first, Maxell scores, Desmond's safe. 4-3 NY. Francisco Rodriguez comes on. Desmond takes third without a throw. Angel Pagan makes an underhand catch on a line out by Alberto Gonzalez.

Mike MacDougal vs Cory Sullivan. Angel Pagan lines off Zimmerman’s glove and into left. Luis Castillo takes a called strike three for out No. 2!!! David Wright flies to deeeep right, Elijah Dukes tracks it and catches it as he hits the wall at full speeeeed. SSSSSUPER DUKESSSSSS!!!!!!!! Sets up the sweeeep!!!!

Nationals now 53-104.

Ross Detwiler Claims First MLB Win, 2-1 Over The Lowly New York Mets.

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:55:33 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

2 months ago: Washington Nationals' starter Ross Detwiler pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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• Ross Detwiler's First MLB Win...The Mets' SNY announce team of Gary Cohen, former Nationals' announcer and Mets' pitcher Ron Darling and Seinfeld star Keith Hernandez criticized Ross Detwiler at one point, claiming that he should still be pitching in the minors as raw as he was, and on any team other than the Mets or Nationals he probably would be, but Ross Detwiler, (the 6th overall pick and the 3rd pitcher taken in the '07 Draft behind #1 overall David Price and left-hander Daniel Moskos, who went 4th overall to the Pirates), was able to beat the Mets tonight, so...Enjoy the rebuild Citi Field season ticket holders!!!

Detwiler goes 6.0 IP and allows just 7 hits, 1 walk and 1 ER as he earns his first MLB W...Here's How It Happened...

• Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Are Still Watching...

• Check Out The SB Nation's New York Mets Blog: Amazin' Avenue GameThread.

• "Revenge of the softball girls" - by Doghouse.

FULL GAME REPORT AFTER THE JUMP...

• A productive groundout by Ian Desmond moves Justin Maxwell from second to third after a leadoff hit off NY Mets' right-hander Nelson Figueroa in the first inning tonight, and Ryan Zimmerman follows with an RBI flyout to short right that scores Maxwell on a close play at home, and that’s all the Nationals need for Washington’s first run...oh, that and an error on a backhand attempt by David "Gold Glove" Wright who turns an infield hit into a runner on second to start the game and Ryan Zimmerman’s 102nd RBI.

• After two quick frames, Ross Detwiler gives up a two-out walk to Angel Pagan. A hard-hit grounder by Luis Castilla gets by third when Ryan Zimmerman tries a Zimmermanesque sidestep stab. David Wright steps in with two and two out...Ross Detwiler gets D. Wright looking to end the Mets’ first threat...Still 0-0 after four, Detwiler gives up a leadoff single to Anderson Hernandez in the Mets' fifth, and Nelson Figueroa reaches first safely on a sac attempt when Josh Bard throws late to second, so Angel Pagan’s bunt, which follows Figueroa's, moves two runners into scoring postition with one down. Detwiler gets a line drive out to Ian Desmond at short from Luis Castillo and gets a groundout to short from David Wright. 5.0 scoreless for Detwiler in what is probably his last start of ‘09.

• The Mets get on the board in the sixth. Detwiler gives up a single to center by Carlos Beltran, who takes second on a wild pitch and scores one out later when Fernando Tatis singles to right. 1-1 ballgame. Another wild pitch puts two runners in scoring position with Nelson Figueroa at bat, but Detwiler gets the opposing pitcher swinging to end the top of the frame.

• Mike Morse gives DC back their lead!! Solo shot to right to start the Nationals’ sixth, 2-1 DC. 3 HR’s in 3-straight games for Morse who’s now matched his career total coming into the season...Justin Maxwell singles to start the Nationals’ seventh, and moves to second on a sac bunt by Desmond, but then Zimmerman grounds to short, and J-Max runs anyway and gets thrown out at third...Dunn flies out, DC will have to settle for a one-run lead.

• Jason Bergmann walks the first batter he faces in the seventh but gets out of the frame with the lead when he K’s Jeff Francoeur, throwing a high heater outside by Frenchy with two on and two out. Bergmann comes back in the eighth and retires the side in order, to put the Nationals three outs away from their 53rd win and Ross Detwiler’s first.

• MacDougal Will Do It...After allowing 4 hits and 5 runs in his last two outings, Mike MacDougal...for the first time in 6 trips to the hill...was able to pitch a scoreless frame as he converted the 16th of 17 save opportunities this season and closed out Ross Detwiler's first Major League win...

Nationals win, 2-1 final.

For The Completists, Full Game Report Starts....NOW!!!

New York Mets At Washington Nationals. Game 156 Of 162.

GAME REPORT:

Angel Pagan lines a little too hard to right where Mike Morse takes an awkard leap to catch the first out. Luis Castillo flies weakly to Morse. David Wright lines over first for a two-out double off DC lefty Ross Detwiler. Ian Desmond fields and fires to first to get Carlos Beltran and end the top of the first...Nelson Figueroa gives up a leadoff hit to Justin Maxwell on a high chopper to third that David Wright can’t backhand. Ian Desmond’s groundout to second moves J-Max to third. Ryan Zimmerman flies to short right, Maxwell tags up and breaks for home as Jeff Francoeur throws in and up the line, 1-0 as Maxwell avoids the tag. Adam Dunn K’s swinging to end the first.

Mike Morse hustles back and catches the first out of the second at the wall off Jeff Francoeur’s bat. Ian Desmond throws out Fernado Tatis. Omir Santos flies out just left of center to Justin Maxwell...Josh Willingham hangs one up in the air for Carlos Beltran to catch. Mike Morse rips one to the hole at short, and Anderson Hernandez just knocks it down. Josh Bard pops up the first pitch he sees. Alberto Gonzalez grounds into a force to end the DC second.

Anderson Hernandez grounds out to Ian Desmond. Nelson Figueroa grounds out to third. Ross Detwiler walks Angel Pagan with two down. Luis Castillo gets knocked down but not hit by a fastball inside and ends up singling by Ryan Zimmerman at third when he tries to snatch it instead of getting in front of it. First and third for Wright. Detwiler hits the inside corner with a two-strike fastball for a backwards K...Detwiler gets called out on strikes. Justin Maxwell flies out to the wall in right center. Ian Desmond rrrips a two-out triple off the out-of-town scoreboard. Ryan Zimmerman walks with two down. Adam Dunn grounds to Luis Castillo at second to end the third.

Ian Desmond throws out Carlos Beltran. Jeff Francoeur grounds out to Dunn at first. Fernando Tatis’ double falls in fair down the line in right. Omir Santos flies to center to end the Mets’ fourth...Josh Willingham chases a slider into the left-hand batter’s box. Mike Morse grounds sharply to short, Anderson Hernandez gets there but throws it by first. Morse to second. Josh Bard grounds out to first to advance Morse to third. Alberto Gonzalez gets the intentionals to set Detwiler up with two on and two out. Detwiler K’s to end the fourth.

Anderson "Elvis" Hernandez singles to center, Justin Maxwell charges in to field it on the curly-W in the grass. Figueroa drops a bunt in front of home, Bard throws to second too late, and Desmond holds it at second while Figueroa slowly runs to first. Angel Pagan bunts both runners into scoring position. Luis Castillo lines out to short. David Wright grounds out to short to end the fifth...Justin Maxwell pops out to right. Ian Desmond drops a bunt toward third, Wright barehands and throws behind the runner and past Tatis behind first. Desmond takes second. Ryan Zimmerman gets a two-strike slider inside that’s called strike three. Adam Dunn gets the intentionals. Josh WIllingham grounds into a force at second to end the fifth.

Carlos Beltran singles to center to start the sixth. Jeff Francoeur’s up, Detwiler throws a fastball by home, Beltran to second. Francoeur K’s chasing a high two-strike fastball outside. Fernando Tatis lines to center, Beltran scores and it’s tied at 1-1. Omir Santos flies out to center. Anderson Hernandez grounds to second and reaches safely when Alberto Gonzalez’s throw is late. Another wild pitch moves both runners up. Nelson Figueroa K’s swinging to end the frame...Mike Morse goes the other way with a high fly ball to right and GONE!!!! HR for Morse, 2-1 DC!! Josh Bard pops out. Alberto Gonzalez flies out to left. Jorge Padilla lines out to end the sixth.

Jason Bergmann tries to hold the lead for Detwiler. Leadoff walk to Angel Pagan is not a good start. Luis Castilla’s sac bunt moves Pagan to second. David Wright grounds out to Desmond at short for the second out. Carlos Beltran gets two balls and then gets the intentionals. Jeff Francoeur K’s chasing a curve in the dirt!!! Called strike three!!!!...Justin Maxwell vs Sean Green. J-Max shoots a low-liner to right. Ian Desmond bunts J-Max over. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to short, Maxwell breaks for third and gets thrown out. Figueroa out for Pedro Feliciano. Adam Dunn flies out to left to end the seventh.

Fernando Tatis flies to right and Mike Morse has to make a basket catch to avoid Justin Maxwell as he cuts in front of the right fielder. Jason Bergmann gets a line-drive out to center from Omir Santos. Daniel Murphy pops out to third to end the Mets’ eighth...Bobby Parnell vs Willingham to start the Nationals’ eighth. Elijah Dukes in on to run. Mike Morse K’s swinging. Josh Bard grounds into an inning ending DP...Wait for it...

Mike MacDougal vs Cory Sullivan. Sullivan grounds to first, ONE!! Angel Pagan grounds to Desmond, TWO! Luis Castillo grounds to short, Desmond to first, Ballgame!!! Nationals win, 2-1 final. Ross Detwiler gets his first career W. Congrats, Mr. Detwiler!!!!

Nationals now 53-103.

Atlanta Braves Sweep Washington Nationals, DC Bullpen Gives It Away In Extras, 6-3.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:54:22 -0000

More photos » by Pablo Martinez Monsivais - AP

2 months ago: Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, left, circles the bases after hitting a solo home run against Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Derek Lowe, right, in the first inning of a baseball game in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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• Ryan Zimmerman and Josh WIllingham go back to back off ATL right-hander Derek Lowe with two down in the first. Zimmerman’s 32nd of 2009, gives him 8 more than his previous season high of 24 which he hit in 162 games in 2007, and there are eight innings left today and seven more games on the 2009 schedule to be played this week. The Hammer hits his second HR and collects just the second RBI in his last 62 at bats. So far in September, Willingham's hit in just 12 of 71 at bats, for a .169 AVG, a .272 OBP and a .324 SLG. Derek Lowe gives up two HR's in the same game for the first time all season.

• A fan interferes with a leadoff line drive by Martin Prado, who gets second, and Chipper Jones reaches on an infield single off Livan Hernandez in the fourth. Livan gets a harmless fly out of Brian McCann, but Josh Willingham catches it while backpedaling and throws it in weakly off his back heel allowing Prado to take third, and then score easily on Garrett Anderson’s groundout. 2-1 DC. Yunel Escobar hits a two-out triple to score Chipper and it’s tied at 2-2 after four.

• Mike Morse hits the third HR of the game off Lowe to give DC a 3-2 lead in the fourth. Morse hits his second HR in two days, for the 4th and 5th HR’s of his 132-game MLB career. Before yesterday's HR, Morse hadn't gone deep in a major league game since August 15th 2005 when he hit a two-run HR as a Seattle Mariner for the 3rd HR of his rookie campaign.

TRIVIA: The last time Derek Lowe gave up 3 HR’s in a game? August 27, 2007, against the Washington Nationals...Q: Who hit the HR's off Lowe? There were three different players...? A: Dmitri Young, Wily Mo Pena and Ryan Zimmerman in a 5-4 loss to Los Angeles.

• After grounding out with two on and two out in the sixth, Livan Hernandez walks Yunel Escobar to start the seventh and then gives up an RBI double off the base of the out-of-town scoreboard to Adam LaRoche, which scores Escobar from first ahead of the cut throw home. 3-3 ballgame. Hernandez out after 6.1 IP, 6 hits, 3 ER, 1 BB and 2 K's. Tyler Clippard replaces Livan, and strands Adam LaRoche at third in a tie game. Then the Nationals do the same...

Continued after the JUMP...

• Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching...

• Check Out The SB Nation's Atlanta Braves Blog: Talking Chop.

• "Game 155: Our team is terrible." - Doghouse.

Full Game Report After The JUMP...

• The Worst Kind Of FAIL...How To Strand A Leadoff Triple: Willie Harris starts the Nationals’ seventh with leadoff triple off Braves’ reliever Peter Moylan. Ian Desmond grounds to first, Adam LaRoche fields and looks Harris back to third. The Braves walk Ryan Zimmerman. First and third, one out. Josh Willingham K's taking a 1-2 slider inside for a called strike three. Elijah Dukes takes an 0-2 slider low and outside and that's a strike too, Willie Harris is left standing on third...

• Extra Innings...For the second-straight day, Mike MacDougal comes on in a non-save situation. Yesterday, MacDougal allowed a single, a sac bunt and an RBI double before he was lifted for Ron Villone who gave up a two-run HR, with one run belonging to the DC closer. Today, MacDougal starts the tenth with the game still tied at 3-3, and gets the first out on a groundout by pinch hitter Brooks Conrad, then it all falls apart. One-out walk to Nate McLouth. MacDougal hits Martin Prado. Chipper Jones hits a dribbler toward first, McDougal can't make the play, everyone is safe. Brian McCann grounds out to score the go-ahead run. 4-3 Braves. Pinch hitter Omar Infante hits a bloop single to center, two more score. 6-3 Atlanta. Ballgame.

Nationals now 52-103.

Atlanta Braves At Washington Nationals. Game 155 Of 162.

Livan Hernandez gets a two-seam fastball to break back inside for a called strike three on Nate McLouth. Martin Prado grounds weakly to short, and Chipper Jones flies out to left center where Willie Harris’ catch ends a quick top of the first...Willie Harris flies out to Garrett Anderson in left field. Chipper Jones makes a quick toss to first on a groundout by Ian Desmond. Two down for Braves’ righty Derek Lowe. Ryan Zimmerman goes over the out-of-town scoreboard with a two-out solo HR to right. Josh Willingham gets a first-pitch fastball and he destroys it, line drive to left and GONE!! HR for the Hammer, 2-0 DC. Elijah Dukes K’s swinging over a sinker, 2-0 Nationals after one.

Brian McCann gets a 1-2 fastball up high that he drives to center for a single. Brian McCann takes second when Garrett Anderson grounds out to Mike Morse at first. Yunel Escobar skies a 2-0 pitch to right. Livan Hernandez likes working with the lead, and he strikes Adam LaRoche out to preserve it...Mike Morse grounds weakly to short after Lowe jams him with a fastball inside. Jamie Burke’s not expecting a curve, and he’s fooled so bad he throws his bat five feet in front of home. Alberto Gonzalez rolls one to Chipper Jones who barehands it and throws to first, in time.

Matt Diaz grounds back to the mound. Derek Lowe’s slow chopper’s handled by Ryan Zimmerman. Willie Harris covers his eyes and catches the third out of the Braves’ third off Nate McLouth's bat...Lowe gets an equally weak grounder out of Livan. Willie Harris’ single to center puts one on for Ian Desmond. Desmond walks, Zimm’s up for the second time with two runners on. Zimmerman flies out to center. Harris takes third. Willingham walks to load the bases, but Elijah Dukes’ pop-up ends the third.

Martin Prado doubles by third and a fan inteferes to hold Prado at second. (And get him/herself ejected.) Chipper Jones grounds to Desmond deep in the hole at short. Desmond backhands but holds it. Two on for McCann. Josh Willingham’s backing up when he catches Brian McCann’s fly ball, but he throws off his back heel and it comes in late at third. Garrett Anderson grounds to short to score Prado. 2-1 Nationals. Livan Hernandez gives up a two-out, RBI triple to Yunel Escobar, who splits the gap in left center to tie it at 2-2. Adam LaRoche flies out to the track to end the top of the fourth...Derek Lowe hangs a curve to Mike Morse that ends up in the first row in the left field stands, 3-2 DC. Jamie Burke rolls the first out to third. Matt Diaz slides in to catch a short fly off Alberto Gonzalez’s bat. Livan Hernandez grounds out to Yunel Escobar to end the fourth.

Ian Desmond charges and fires to first to get Matt Diaz to start the sixth. Derek Lowe’s dribbler’s so slow Zimmerman can’t throw out the pitcher. Alberto Gonzalez can’t stab a sharp grounder from Nate McLouth and there are two on again. Martin Prado singl--Alberto Gonzalez gets there makes a slick underarm toss to second, Desmond spins around the bag and throws to first, double play...Willie Harris singles to start the fifth. Ian Desmond grounds out to first to move Willie Harris into scoring position. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to deep center. Harris stays put. Josh Willingham grounds out to short to end the fifth.

Chipper Jones flies out to Josh Willingham in straight left. Brian McCann grounds out to Alberto Gonzalez at second. Willie Harris catches the third out off Garrett Anderson’s bat on the curly-W in the outfield grass...Elijah Dukes pops a first-pitch fastball up over first for LaRoche to catch. Mike Morse K’s swinging through a 1-2 fastball. Jamie Burke rips a single over second with two down. Alberto Gonzalez hits the second straight two-out single. Livan Hernandez grounds to short to end the threat.

Livan Hernandez vs Yunel Escobar. Livan misses with a high inside full-count fastball. Adam LaRoche doubles off the base of the out-of-town scoreboard, and Escobar beats the relayed throw home, 3-3 ballgame. Tyler Clippard takes over for Livan Hernandez. Mike Morse fields a grounder from pinch hitter from Greg Norton and steps on first, holding LaRoche at third. Tyler Clippard walks McLouth with two down. Martin Prado K’s swinging through a high-heater from Clippard...WIllie Harris triples to off the right field wall to start the eighth off the Braves’ sidewinder, Peter Moylan. Ian Desmond grounds unproductively to first. Ryan Zimmerman gets the intentionals to set up the DP. Willingham takes a two-strike fastball "inside" for a called strike three. Elijah Dukes takes a low slider outside for another backwards K.

Tyler Clippard vs Chipper Jones. Larrrr-eee grounds out to first. Ryan Zimmerman catches a foul pop off Brian McCann’s bat. Elijah Dukes sprints to catch up to a sharp liner to right by Garrett Anderson. Clippard with a scoreless frame...Mike Morse grounds weakly to short for the first out of DC’s eighth. Jamie Burke chases a slider outside for a swinging strike three. Alberto Gonzalez is completely fooled as he K’s.

Yunel Escobar singles through Ryan Zimmerman’s glove for a leadoff single. Adam LaRoche pops out to center unproductively. Matt Diaz grounds to short, Desmond to Gonzalez to Morse, double play!!!!...The Guzzz, Cristian Guzman sends a blooper to right for a leadoff single. Justin Maxwell runs for Guzman. Willie Harris lines a bunt back to Mike Gonzalez on the mound. Ian Desmond pops out to the infield. Ryan Zimmerman K’s swinging over a nasty two-strike slider.

Mike MacDougal gets a groundout to second from Brooks Conrad. MacDougal walks Nate McLouth with one down and then hits Martin Prado with Chipper Jones due up. C. Jones grounds weakly to first and MacDougal misses it. Bases loaded. Brian McCann’s weak grounder to the mound scores the walk, McLouth. 4-3 Braves. Pinch hitter Omar Infante places a single in the short center grass to score two, 6-3 Atlanta. Yunel Escobar grounds to first to end the inning...Rafael Soriano’s going to close this out. Willingham pops out on the first pitch. Elijah Dukes grounds out to first. Mike Morse K’s on a check swing to end it. Braves win, 6-3 final.

Nationals now 52-103.

Washington Nationals Drop Their 100th Game Of 2009, 7-6 To The Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ed Chigliak — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:57:16 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

2 months ago: Los Angeles Dodgers' shortstop Rafael Furcal (15) is greeted at the home plate by teammate Andre Ethier (16), after furcal hit a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, in Washington. Nationals catcher Jaime Burke stands at left. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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• Before the 102-loss 2008 Washington Nationals, and ignoring for a moment the Montreal Expos' past of the current DC-based baseball franchise since the Nationals' ownership group has no love for this team's Francophone roots, you have to go back to 1964 to find the last 100-loss season in DC baseball history. It was also the last time, (before this year) that a team from the nation's capital had back to back hundred-loss campaigns. The 1964 Senators dropped the 162nd game of that season to Johnny Pesky and the Boston Red Sox to finish the year 62-100. The previous year, the '63 Senators dropped their one-hundredth in game 153 against the Baltimore Orioles, and they ended the season 56-106. In 1962, the Senators dropped number 100 to Elston Howard, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and the NY Yankees in game 159 of 161, and in '61 the Senators hit the century mark in Game 161 against the Kansas City Athletics in the first year after the Original Senators left and became the Twins...

• The Original Senators dropped 100 games or more four times...The 1955 Senators dropped No. 100 in the next-to-last game of their 154 game schedule, which they completed 53-101 after three straight losses to the Baltimore Orioles. Before that, the 1949 Senators finished 50-104, losing their 100th to Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto and the Yankees in the 147th of 154...One-hundred years ago this season, loss 100 for the 1909 Senators came against the St. Louis Browns in game 136 of 142, with Washington eventually finishing 42-110...And, finally, there's the 1904 Senators, who reached one-hundred losses in game 132 of 157 to Willie Keeler, Wid Conroy and the 1904 New York Yankees...

Last year, Washington lost 100 of 159, hitting triple digits against Phillies, and then dropping two more to finish 59-102. This year...??? AFTER THE JUMP...

• The DC Faithful Were Watching...

• Check Out The SB Nation's LA Dodgers Blog: True Blue LA.

• Follow The 100-Loss Story At The Hub: SB Nation.com StoryStream.

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Trying To Avoid Triple Digits, The 52-99 '09 Nationals take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third of a three-game series in DC...

• The first three Dodgers to come up in the first, Rafael Furcal, Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez, hit back to back to back singles to start the game and Ramirez’s scores the Dodgers’ first run of the night off DC’s J.D. Martin. Matt Kemp drives in the next three with a 3-run HR on the first pitch he sees after a visit to the mound from DC Pitching Coach Steve McCatty. Fastball down the pipe and out to left, into the Red Porch. 4-0 LA...

• Ryan Zimmerman walks and Josh Willingham rips a fastball from Vicente Padilla back up the middle to put two on for Elijah Dukes, who doubles off the right field wall to drive Zimmerman in and cut the lead to three. 4-1 LA. Alberto Gonzalez goes the other way with a fastball outside for a line drive single that scores Josh Willingham. Jamie Burke’s first RBI for Washington makes it a one-run game, but that’s as close as DC can get. 4-3 Dodgers.

• J.D. Martin gives a run right back, with a HBP, a single and a walk to start the Dodgers’ third. Martin gets Ronnie Belliard swinging, but gives up a sac fly to Blake DeWitt to put the Nationals two runs behind L.A. at 5-3 after three. The Nationals climb back within one when Willie Harris scores Alberto Gonzalez from second on a two-out single, 5-4 LA, but the Dodgers are quickly up by two again after Matt Kemp reaches first on a line drive to left that Josh Willingham drops after losing it in the lights... E: 133...takes on second on the Willingham error, and moves to third on a wild pitch/ball four from DC reliever Marco Estrada to James Loney, before scoring on hard hit Blake DeWitt grounder to third that makes it 6-4 LA.

• Cristian Guzman and Willie Harris hit back to back two-out RBI singles off LA righty Ramon Troncoso in the sixth to score Elijah Dukes, who'd wallked with one down and Alberto Gonzalez, who hit a one-out single. 6-6 ballgame after six, and it looks like LA's going to take the lead right back in the seventh after Matt Kemp flies to left, to the wall, and has it bounce of Josh Willingham's glove and fall in for a stand-up triple, but three outs later, Tyler Clippard's retired the side with a strike out, an infield pop out and a fly ball to center to strand Kemp...

Top of the eighth...DC lefty Ron Villone gets pinch-hitter Jim Thome to ground out to first, but in the next AB, Villone throws a 1-0 sinker to Rafael Furcal that hangs up in the zone and ends up going out to right, right over the out-of-town scoreboard and into the first row of seats. Ballgame. 7-6 Dodgers win.

Nationals now 52-100.

GAME REPORT:

Los Angeles Dodgers At Washington Nationals. Game 152 Of 162.

Rafael Furcal, Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez hit back to back to back singles to start the game and Ramirez’s hit scores the Dodgers’ first run off DC’s J.D. Martin. 1-0 LA. Matt Kemp drives in the next three with a 3-run HR on the first pitch he sees. Fastball down the pipe and out to left, into the Red Porch. 4-0 LA. J.D. Martin throws a sharp slider inside to get James Loney swinging. Martin throws a fastball by Ronnie Belliard for his second K. Blake DeWitt sends a line drive to short on one hop, but Ian Desmond dives to stab it, jumps up and throws DeWitt out (ESPN Webgem #5)...Willie Harris pops out to the infield. Ian Desmond K’s swinging over a two-strike curve outside. Adam Dunn K’s swinging over a full-count slider from Vicente Padilla.

Russell Martin backs Josh Willingham up to the track in left, flying out for the first out of the second. J.D. Martin gets the opposing pitcher swinging. Rafael Furcal keeps the inning alive, wrapping a grounder around first base and fair, and sliding in ahead of Elijah Dukes’ throw to second. Andre Ethier grounds out to second and Alberto Gonzalez’s throw ends LA’s second...Ryan Zimmerman walks to start DC’s second. Josh Willingham gets his first solid hit in recent memory, lining a 2-0 pitch to center. Padilla leaves a fastball up in the zone and Elijah Dukes destroys it, doubling off the right-center wall. Alberto Gonzalez goes the other way with a line drive to right that scores Willingham. 4-2 Dodgers. Jamie Burke scores Dukes from third with a sac fly to the track in left field. 4-3 LA. J.D. Martin bunts Alberto Gonzalez over. Willie Harris pops out to short to end the second.

Manny Ramirez takes a fastball on the elbow. Matt Kemp lines by J.D. Martin’s glove and under a diving Ian Desmond at short for a single. Russell Martin walks. Ronnie Belliard’s got the bases-loaded chance. J.D. Martin makes Belliard look silly with a looping 1-2 curve. Blake DeWitt flies out to right, Josh Willingham overthrows the cutoff man to give up the run and two extra bases. 5-3 Dodgers. Russell Martin gets the intentionals. VIcente Padilla flies out to end LA’s third...Ian Desmond K’s swinging to start DC’s third. Adam Dunn grounds to Loney at first, Padilla covers. Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Willingham both walk with two down and Dukes has another chance. Vicente Padilla hits the outside corner with a full-count fastball for a called strike three.

Marco Estrada takes over for J.D. Martin and strikes out Rafael Furcal to start the fourth. Estrada hits the outside corner with fastball for strike three on Andre Ethier. Manny Ramirez swings through a fastball upstairs, just tipping it into DC backstop Jamie Burke’s mitt...Alberto Gonzalez reaches on a swinging bunt toward third that Blake DeWitt just watches. Padilla hits the outside corner to get Jamie Burke staring at strike three. Marco Estrada gets down the second successful sac of the night to move Gonzalez to second. Willie Harris knocks Alberto in with a line drive single to make it 5-4 then gets thrown out running with Desmond at bat.

Matt Kemp ends up on second when Josh Willingham drops his line drive to left and throws in late to second. James Loney walks and ball four gets by Jamie Burke. Kemp takes third. Ronnie Belliard swings through a straight-up fastball. Ryan Zimmerman fields a high hopper from Blake DeWitt on his backhand, spins and leaps to fire to second for the force as Kemp scores. 6-4 Dodgers. Russell Martin pops out to short right to end the Dodgers’ fifth...Vicente Padilla hits the outside corner with a two-seam fastball to get Desmond looking again. Adam Dunn pops up behind home but it plays tricks on Russell Martin and he misses it. Dunn pops out to Kemp in center. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to second to end the fifth.

Pinch hitter Juan Pierre lines out to the Hammer in left. Rafael Furcal hits a one-out double over Willie Harris’ head in center. Andre Ethier pops out behind second. Jason Bergmann’s on for Estrada with two down and Furcal still at second. Bergmann vs Manny Ramirez. Bergmann gets a harmless fly to center from LA’s slugger to strand Furcal on second...Ronnie Belliard leaps to pull a line drive from Willingham down. Ronald Belisario vs Elijah Dukes. Dukes uses his Discering Eye to draw a one-out walk. Alberto Gonzalez sneaks a single through short. Jamie Burke K’s swinging. Pinch hitter Cristian Guzman grounds sharply to second where Belliard awaits on the grass. Belliard fields and rushes a throw that sails by first, Loney and Guzman collide, Dukes scores, 6-5 LA. Willie Harris lines a single over short to score Alberto Gonzalez, and it’s tied at 6-6. Ian Desmond K’s swinging and has to run it out.

Matt Kemp flies deeep to right off Tyler Clippard....Josh Willingham tracks it and leaps at the wall...but misses, trapping it up with his glove, but letting it drop...and Hammer thinks it’s out...Kemp keeps running, and it’s a triple before Willingham finds it in his feet. James Loney K’s swinging at a fastball outside. Ronnie Belliard takes a full-count fastball for ball four. Clippard pops up Blake DeWitt, Zimmerman catches it in foul territory off third. Clippard gets a fly ball to center from Russell Martin and the leadoff triple is stranded!!! Still 6-6...Adam Dunn walks on four straight from Ramon Tronocoso to start DC’s seventh. Ryan Zimmerman gets jammed and flies out to left. Dunn’s running as Josh Willngham grounds out to DeWitt at third. Dukes gets the intentionals to bring up Alberto Gonzalez. The General grounds weakly to third to end the seventh.

Ron Villone starts the eighth against Jim Thome who grounds out to first. Rafael Furcal gets a 90 mph sinker for ball one. Villone comes back with another sinker that hangs up high in the zone and Furcal launches it to right, and, GONE! Solo HR, 7-6 Dodgers. NO!!! Andre Ethier grounds out and Villone’s done. Logan Kensing comes on and walks Manny Ramirez before popping up Kemp to end the LA eighth...George Sherrill gets a fly ball to left from Jamie Burke and a line drive to center from Justin Maxwell. Willie Harris walks to give Ian Desmond a two-out shot. Desmond lines to right, Harris rounds third, Ethier comes up throwing, and it’s perfect, Harris is dead, he tries to ram Russell Martin, but it’s no use, Martin holds on, 7-6 LA after eight.

James Loney lines out to to left. Logan Kensing pops Ronnie Belliard up. Blake DeWitt’s thinking double when he lines to right, but Dukes’ arm holds him at first. Russell Martin flies out to right to end the Dodgers’ ninth...Dunn, Zimmerman and Orr vs Jonathan Broxton. Adam Dunn grounds to DeWitt at second in the dramatic shift. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to DeWitt at third. Pete Orr grounds back to the mound. The Nationals lose their 100th game of 2009. 7-6 final.

Nationals now 52-100.

Not TONIGHT!! Washington Nationals Avoid 100th Loss, Beat L.A. Dodgers 5-4.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:50:02 -0000

More photos » by Nick Wass - AP

2 months ago: Washington Nationals catcher Josh Bard, top, holds up the ball after he tagged out Los Angeles Dodgers' Andre Ethier (16) at home during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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The Washington Nationals enter play tonight 51-99...on the verge of their second-straight 100-loss season...

• Rosswiler - After he gave up a leadoff single to Rafael Furcal, Ross Detwiler had the Dodgers’ shortstop picked off first, but Furcal took off and beat the throw to second from Adam Dunn when DC’s SS Cristian Guzman was late to the bag. Furcal moved to third on a groundout by Ronnie Belliard and scored on an RBI groundout by Andre Ethier when he should’ve been out picked off first...1-0 LA.

• SSSSUPER DUKESSSS - The Dodgers almost blew the game wide open in the fourth when Ronnie Belliard reached on a sharp grounder to short and Ross Detwiler issued a one-out to Andre Ethier and a two-out walk to James Loney to load the bases for Russell Martin. Martin lined to right to score Belliard and Ethier took the turn around third, (Don’t do it, Andre! Don’t!!)...Elijah SSSSSUPER DUKESSSS fields coming in and fires home, Josh Bard catches it, reaches across the plate forces Ethier outside and makes the tag, "You’rrrrrrre OUT!!!" yells the Ump!!! 2-0 LA.

• Blinded By The Lights...Top of the sixth, Ross Detwiler gives up a leadoff line drive double to Ronnie Belliard, but Detwiler gets the next two before intentionally walking Matt Kemp. Two on, two out for James Loney, Loney lines out to lef--Willie Harris charges in but loses it in the lights, Harris shields his eyes and has the ball drop between his legs into the grass. Belliard scores, 3-0 LA.

• THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! Ryan Zimmerman gives DC a chance to avoid 100-losses for one more night. LA righty Chad Billingsley’s walk-filled no-hitter is broken up with two down in the bottom of the sixth when Zimmerman steps in after a two-out walk to Adam Dunn with Mike Morse already on having walked to start the frame. Billingsley starts Zim with a curve high in the zone and Zimm---THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! Ryan Zimmerman hits a line drive to left and GONE!!! 3-run HR, 3-3 game after six...

• THE SHOCKING ERROR-FILLED CONCLUSION...And THE FULL GAME REPORT AFTER THE JUMP!!!!

• The DC Faithful Were Watching...

• Check Out The SB Nation's LA Dodgers Blog: True Blue LA.

• "HOLY @#$& we WON!" - Doghouse.

Nationals now...Can Washington Avoid Loss #100?

For Some Reason, Jim Riggleman? - Mike MacDougal, Nationals' closer, was called upon in the eighth and out of his element, the "occasionally" wild Scotsman does his best to blow it up....Leadoff walk to the Dodgers' Left-Fielder. MacDougal rears back and hurls a 97 mph 1-2 heater by Matt Kemp, but James Loney singles to right moving the LA LF to third. 1-2 fastball to Russell Martin, Martin lines to--ADAM DUNN! Dunn catches it, steps on second, double play the hard way and it's 3-3 after seven and a half.

The Guzzz Hates You! - Cristian Guzman started the eighth with a single, and took second when Manny Ramirez and Matt Kemp both pulled up and let a pop fly from Adam Dunn fall between them...First and second for Elijah Dukes...Cristian Guzman had heroic thoughts as he rounded third on the one-out groundout Elijah Dukes which had double play written all over it with Dunn running from first, but Elijah Dukes busted *** and so did the Guz, and when much-maligned LA infielder Orlando Hudson's throw pulled James Loney off first, Dukes was safe, and the Guzzzzz took advantage of the error at first and slid in safe just ahead of Loney's throw home!!! 4-3 DC after eight.

And Now Move Over To Second, Guz!!! or E: 131, E: 132 - Mike MacDougal's back out in the ninth to close out his own win, and he gives up a hotshot to short off Hudson's bat, Guzman fields deep in the hole and throws to first, but it hops on Dunn, (whereas Nick John...sorry!) and Dunn bobbles it and trips Hudson in the process, though the runner's safe. (E: 131). Hudson's replaced on the basepaths by Jason Repko, and Repko's soon standing on third after Jim Thome's-for-hire-single. MacDougal walks Rafael Furcal, to load the bases with no outs. Ronnie Belliard, the former National, grounds to his pal Guzman at short, Guzman throws home...but wiiiiide...Repko scores, 4-4 ballgame. (E: 132). Sean Burnett gets Ethier swinging. Saul Rivera takes care (somehow) of LA's left fielder and Matt Kemp...(somehow = a groundout to Guzman from the LA LF and a good throw home this time and a liner from Kemp to the same frustrated shortstop.) and it's on to DC's ninth...

Maxwell, Justin Maxwell!!!

DC outfielder Justin Maxwell singles off Dodgers' reliever James McDonald, and takes second on a successful sac bunt from Alberto Gonzalez. What?? Maxwell steals third with Jorge Padilla at bat. Jorge Padilla walks. Pinch Hittin' Pete Orr...lines to right, Ethier...allows it to fall, Maxwell trots home. Ballgame. The Washington Nationals will not lose 100 games tonight!! The Nationals win, 5-4 final.

GAME REPORT:

Los Angeles Dodgers At Washington Nationals. Game 151 Of 162.

Rafael Furcal singles up the middle to start the Washington Nationals' 151st game of 2009. With Ronnie Belliard up, Furcal gets picked off first by Ross Detwiler, but Furcal beats the throw to second from Adam Dunn. Belliard grounds out to second, Furcal takes third. Andre Ethier’s groundout to second scores Furcal, 1-0 LA. Manny Ramirez’s groundout to third ends the Dodgers’ first...Willie Harris takes a fastball on the outside edge for a called strike three. Cristian Guzman grounds out to Orlando Hudson at second. Adam Dunn K’s swinging over a sinking fastball inside.

Matt Kemp flies out to Elijah Dukes in right. Ross Detwiler gets a sliced liner to left out of James Loney. Ryan Zimmerman throws out Russell Martin to end LA’s second...Ryan Zimmerman K’s swinging over a looping curve outside from Bilingsley. Elijah Dukes can’t beat the throw from Furcal to first on the groundout. Josh Bard pops out to the infield in a quick second.

Orlando Hudson flies out to Justin Maxwell in center. Detwiler pops up the opposing pitcher. Rafael Furcal chops at a 77mph bender and grounds out to second to end the top of the third...Justin Maxwell takes a two-strike curve and gets called out by the over-enthusiastic home plate Ump. Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to second. Billingsley gets Detwiler looking as well. 1-0 LA after three.

Cristian Guzman stabs a one-hopper off Belliard’s bat but throws wide of first rushing to get a "speedy" Belliard. Detwiler walks Andre Ethier to bring up Manny Ramirez with two on. Ramirez flies out to Dukes in right, and Dukes’ throw in holds everyone where they are. Ronnie Belliard takes third on a fly out to right from Matt Kemp. Detwiler walks James Loney, and it’s bases loaded for Russell Martin. Martin lines to right to score Belliard, and Ethier (No don’t!!) Ethier runs on Dukes and gets nailed on a perfect throw home. 2-0 after three and a half...Willie Harris K’s watching a two-strike curve all the way in. Cristian Guzman flies out to center. Adam Dunn takes a two-out walk for the Nationals’ first baserunner. Ryan Zimmerman walks to bring up Dukes with two on and two out. Billingsley keeps throwing curves til Dukes K’s chasing one out of the zone.

Orlando Hudson flies to Dukes in right. Chad Billingsley grounds weakly to short and trots toward first as Guzman fields and throws. Elijah Dukes charges and slides in on a low liner from Furcal, but the second base Ump says he trapped it. What will Belliard do with the extra out? Nothing! Detwiler picks Furcal off and this time they get him!!...Josh Bard grounds back to the mound. Justin Maxwell bounces one toward third Rafael Furcal gets it and fires to first, in time. Alberto Gonzalez takes strike three for another backwards K.

Ronnie Belliard rrrrips a line drive to left field for a leadoff double that has him thinking triple out of the box. Andre Ethier pops out behind short. Manny Ramirez moves Belliard up with a groundout to short. Detwiler issues the intentionals to Matt Kemp. James Loney lines to left, Willlie Harris tries to shade his eyes, but he loses it and it drops in front of him, Belliard scores, 3-0 LA and Detwiler’s out. Jason Bergmann pops up Russell Martin to end the top of the frame...Mike Morse walks to start the Nationals’ sixth. Willie Harris swings over an 0-2 bender low in the zone. Cristian Guzman grounds into a force at second. Adam Dunn takes a two-out walk in front of Ryan Zimmerman. Zimmerman gets a first pitch curve up high and he destroys it, THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! HR #31 to right, 3-run blast, tie ballgame in the sixth, on ZIM's 100th RBI OF '09!!!! and Billingsley’s walk-filled no-hitter is over. Elijah Dukes grounds out to end the inning.

Tyler Clippard takes over on the mound against Orlando Hudson and issues a leadoff walk. Juan Pierre sends a dribbler toward third that Zimmerman handles. One down. Hudson to second. Justin Maxell gets to a fly ball off Furcal’s bat. Ronnie Belliard takes a two-out walk in front of Andre Ethier. Ethier pops out to end the top of the seventh...Hong-Chih Kuo on for LA. Josh Bard K’s chasing. Justin Maxwell walks with one down. Alberto Gonzalez pushes a single out to right off Kuo. Two on for pinch hitter Josh Willingham. The Hammer flies out to the wall in left, where Manny makes the catch. Maxwell takes third. Ian Desmond grounds out to Ronnie Belliard to end the seventh. Still 3-3.

Mike MacDougal’s on in the eighth and he walks Manny Ramirez to start the inning. Matt Kemps K’s swinging through a fastball. Manny Ramirez goes first to third on a one-out single to right by James Loney. Russell Martin lines to ri--Adam Dunn!! Dunn makes the catch, steps on first, double play!!!...George Sherrill takes over against Cristian Guzman in the Nationals’ eighth. The Guzzz singles to right to start the inning. Adam Dunn pops out to left cen--Kemp up, Manny pulls up, and it drops in for a single. First and second with one down. Ryan Zimmerman gets his bat shattered by Sherrill and he pops out foul of first. Elijah Dukes grounds to second, Hudson steps on the bag and throws...WIDE OF FIRST!! Loney comes off the bag!! Dukes is safe!!! Guzman comes around third and beats Loney’s throw HOME!!! 4-3 DC!!! 4-3 DC!!! Josh Bard pops out to the infield to end the eighth.

MacDougal’s back against Orlando Hudson. Hudson grounds to short, Guzman fires from deep in the hole, but the throw bounces and Dunn misses it, tripping Hudson in the process. Jim Thome singles back up the middle to move Hudson’s pinch runner, Jason Repko, to third. Rafael Furcal works the count full and walks to load the bases. Ronnie Belliard grounds weakly to third, Guzman throws home, but wide!! NO! 4-4 ballgame. MacDougal’s done. Sean Burnett gets Andre Ethier swinging for the first out. Burnett out, Saul Rivera on to get the DP. Manny Ramirez grounds to short, and this time Guzman’s throw home is true. Matt Kemp rips a line drive, right into Guzman’s glove!!! 4-4 in the ninth...Justin Maxwell vs James McDonald. Maxwell smokes a groundball by Ronnie Belliard at third. Alberto "The General" Gonzalez gets a sac bunt down to move Maxwell to second. MAXWELL STEALS THIRD!! JUST PLAIN SWIPES IT!! Jorge Padilla walks with one down. Pinch Hittin’ Pete Orr flies to right, Ethier lets it drop, Maxwell scores to win it!! Nationals win!! Nationals win. 5-4 final.

Nationals now 52-99.

Cliff Lee Throws Complete Game Shutout, Philadelphia Phillies 5, Washington Nationals 0.

Ed Chigliak — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:12:18 -0000

More photos » by Matt Slocum - AP

"ZIM Turns The DP!!!" -- Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, top, jumps over Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley after throwing to first to complete a double play in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, in Philadelphia. Utley was out at second and Ryan Howard was out at first. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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A Tale Of Two Pitchers...

Garrett Mock needed 48 pitches to get through the first two innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, over which the Washington Nationals' starter allowed 6 hits (3 doubles, 3 singles), 1 walk and 5 ER, on an RBI single by Chase Utley in the first, a bases-clearing double by Carlos Ruiz in the second, and a two-out single by Jimmy Rollins, (who scored on Utley's first-inning single), to make it 5-0 Philly after two. With the pressure off, the Nationals’ 26-year-old right-hander let just three runners on over the next four innings, ending the night after having thrown 107 pitches in 6.0 innings in which he surrendered 7 hits, 2 walks and 5 ER....

Cliff Lee, on the other hand, dominated the Nationals, throwing a complete game 6-hit shutout in which he walked 3 and K'd 9, collecting his fourteenth win, (14-11), and lowering his ERA to an even 3.00 with a 124-pitch performance in Citizens Bank Park. Lee gave up a leadoff double to Josh Bard in the third, but Alberto Gonzalez followed with a grounder to Utley at second with Bard running on contact and the slow-footed catcher was tagged out at third. The Nationals moved Gonzalez up with a sac bunt, but a Justin Maxwell grounder hit Gonzalez's leg to end any thought of a threat. The only other push the Nationals made came in the fourth when Lee allowed walks #40-41-42 in 216.0 IP on the season to load the bases before with two down before striking out Josh Bard with two sliders and a two-strike curve. The Nationals manage 4 more singles over the next five innings, but fail to score on Lee, who notches the 13th complete game and the 4th shutout of his 8-year MLB career...since being selected by the Montreal Expos in the 2000 Draft...

Phillies win, 5-0 final.

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"Game 144: The Nats run away from it..." - by Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

E: 122.

Strasburg Florida Bound.

Flores? Out 3-6 Months? (Separate Post: HERE)

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP....

Nationals now 50-94. (Countdown To 100 Losses Stands At...6)

BACKPAGE: (under construction)...

E: 123. - Philly shortstop Jimmy Rollins grounds sharply to first for what should be the third out of the fourth, but the ball eats up Adam Dunn and his oversized glove. Rollins takes second while Dunn sprints after the ball. Dunn's 14th error of 2009 is the MLB-Leading Nationals' 123rd in 144 games...Just think, with a few bounces, they could have made one error a game...uh...

Strasburg Florida Bound.

Pitchers: Stephen Strasburg, Drew Storen, Josh Smoker, A.J. Morris, Graham Hicks, Cleto Brazoban, OF: J.P. Ramirez, Destin Hood, Michael Burgess, IF: Jeff Kobernus, C: Adrian Nieto, those are the names that jumped out for me in the list that Washington Post writer Chico Harlan included in a Nationals Journal post today entitled, "Roster For Florida Instructional League", which announced the roster that will play a, "15-game schedule (which) begins on Sept. 24." Check the link above or click HERE for the full list.

GAME REPORT:

Washington Nationals At Philadelphia Phillies. Game 144 Of 162.

Justin Maxwell gets a diving 1-2 curve from Cliff Lee and K’s swinging a good foot above it. Cristian Guzman swings waaay ahead of a two-strike change. Ryan Zimmerman fouls strike three into the catcher’s mitt...Jimmy Rollins doubles off the base of the right field wall off Garrett Mock. Shane Victorino drops a bunt in front of the plate for Josh Bard to handle. Rollins to third. Chase Utley sneaks a blooper over the shift for an RBI single to right. 1-0 Phillies. The Nationals are in the shift again with Ryan Howard up, and they get the rare Alberto Gonzalez to Ryan Zimmerman to Adam Dunn double play.

Adam Dunn flies out to the right field warning track. Shane Victorino slowly steps back toward the wall to catch Josh Willingham’s fly ball to center. Elijah Dukes takes the first pitch to deep center, for Victorino again...Raul Ibanez rips a liner by Zimmerman at third for a leadoff double in front of Werth. Jayson Werth drops a bloop single over second to move Ibanez to third. Pedro Feliz walks to load the bases and Carlos Ruiz knocks in three with a hard-hit grounder into the left field corner for a 4-0 lead. Justin Maxwell slides in over the grass to catch a fly ball from Cliff Lee. Jimmy Rollins singles back up the middle to score Ruiz, 5-0 Phillies. Shane Victorino grounds into a force at second. Chase Utley flies out to left to end the second.

Josh Bard lines a double to center that gets by Victorino and reaches the wall. Alberto Gonzalez grounds to second, Utley throws to third to catch Bard, who was running on contact. Garrett Mock bunts Gonzalez over to second. Justin Maxwell grounds to short and it hits Alberto Gonzalez, who’s out...Ryan Howard grounds out to Dunn at first. Raul Ibanez grounds out to Gonzalez at second. Jayson Werth lines a 3-1 fastball to left field for a two-out single. Pedro Feliz takes a fastball inside for a called strike three.

Cristian Guzman leads off the fourth with a walk from Lee which is so improbable it hurts. Ryan Zimmerman flies out unproductively to right. Adam Dunn takes a one-out walk. Josh Willingham K’s trying to hold up on a two-strike curve that drops out of the air. Elijah Dukes uses his Discerning Eye to draw a two-out walk in front of Bard. Josh Bard K’s swinging over an 0-2 bender. 5-0 Phillies...Carlos Ruiz sends a long fly ball to left, Willingham leaps at the wall to make the grab. Cliff Lee grounds out to second. Adam Dunn misplays a grounder from Jimmy Rollins, who’s standing on second when Dunn collects it. Victorino grounds to second.

Alberto Gonzalez lines out to right field. Garrett Mock hits a grounder up the middle and he’s safe at first when Utley throws it away, but Carlos Ruiz is backing up first and he throws Mock out by three steps at second. Justin Maxwell flies out to end DC’s fifth...Chase Utley flies out to left center. Ryan Howard rips a one-hopper to first for Adam Dunn to handle. Jayson Werth flies out to Maxwell in center to end the fifth.

Cristian Guzman starts the sixth with a line drive right at Jimmy Rollins. Ryan Zimmerman’s bat breaks in half when he grounds out to second. Adam Dunn lifts a single over the shift with two down to bring up Josh Willingham. Willingham grounds out to short on a 1-0 pitch from Cliff Lee...5-0 Philly in the sixth...Pedro Feliz barely connects with a change that ends up rolling out to first. Carlos Ruiz lines to center, Justin Maxwell sprints in and dives forward to rob Ruiz of a single. Mock gets the opposing pitcher looking at an 0-2 bender.

Elijah Dukes vs Cliff Lee in the seventh. Dukes grounds out to Jimmy Rollins. Josh Bard takes a two-strike fastball. Alberto Gonzalez reaches down for a curve but just grounds out to third...Saul Rivera starts the bottom of the seventh against Jimmy Rollins. Ground ball out to first from Rollins. Shane Victorino grounds softly to short and reaches ahead of Guzman’s throw. Ron Villone replaces Rivera. Chase Utley grounds out to first to move Victorino up. Villone walks Ryan Howard with two down. Raul Ibanez grounds weakly to short, and claims it was off his foot.

Mike Morse K’s swinging over a two-strike curve. Justin Maxwell hits a one-out single to center for just the 5th hit off Cliff Lee. Cristian Guzman flies out to center. Ryan Zimmerman flies out again...Logan Kensing’s on in the eight for DC against Jayson Werth. Werth lines a fastball to center to start Philly’s eighth. Pedro Feliz grounds to short, Zimmerman to Alberto Gonzalez to Dunn, double play. Carlos Ruiz doubles off the base of the left field wall and just beats Willingham’s throw back in. Cliff Lee takes strike three.

Cliff Lee gets a fly ball out to left from Adam Dunn to start the ninth. Josh Willingham keeps hope alive with a line drive single to left. Elijah Dukes takes a 1-2 fastball inside for a called strike three. Cliff Lee dials it up to get Josh Bard swinging to end the complete game 5-0 shutout.

Nationals now 50-94.

First It Rains, Then It Pours, Washington Nationals Whipped, 11-3 By Florida Marlins.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:52:48 -0000

More photos » by Wilfredo Lee - AP

3 months ago: Washington Nationals' Marco Estrada delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Florida Marlins on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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A three hour and ten minute game after a two hour and thirty-minute rain delay is enough to test any fan's patience, and an 11-3 loss that featured the end-of-'09 Syracuse Chiefs' bullpen marching out to the mound to get pounded one after another got old real quick. The difference early was that the Marlins were cashing in on the runners Marco Estrada let on, or at least Jorge Cantu was. Hanley Ramirez K’d looking and hit into a force in his first two RBI chances tonight and Cantu followed Ramirez with a 3-run HR in the first after a leadoff single by Chris Coghlan and a walk to Nick Johnson, and a two-run double in the third for a 5-1 lead that chased Estrada after the right-hander gave up back to back walks to Coghlan and Johnson to start the frame. Estrada's out with one down in the third, having thrown 61 pitches, 35 for strikes and allowed 3 hits and 5 ER.

The Nationals, however, when it was still a game, came up short in several opportunities. Ian Desmond walked his way on in the first and Ryan Zimmerman singled, but Adam Dunn followed with his 159th K of '09, and Josh Willingham struck out to let Marlins' starter Anibal Sanchez off the hook on a first and second, no-out chance. Ian Desmond doubled to start the third, but only got within 90ft of home before he was stranded. In the fifth, after Ryan Zimmerman hit into a double play with Willie Harris on second and Ian Desmond at first, Adam Dunn finally cashed one in, scoring Harris from third with an RBI double to make it 5-2. By the end of the sixth though, once Logan Kensing had given up 3 runs on a solo home run, a single and a two-run blast before he recorded an out, the game was completely out of reach, then Victor Garate, who allowed a solo HR and a two-out double in his DC debut gave up an RBI double and a sac fly to score two in the seventh and Zack Segovia, who gave up a grand slam in his first appearance with Washington, surrendered a leadoff triple, a walk and a sac fly to start the eighth before retiring the next two Marlins in order.

Marlins win, 11-3 final.

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Check Out The SB Nation's Florida Marlins Blog: FishStripes - Open Thread And Ichthyomancy.

"Game 142: Another Fun Collapse" - by Doghouse

BACKPAGE:

• Maxwell And Desmond Get It Done.

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals now 49-93. (Countdown To 100 Losses Stands At...7.)

• Maxwell And Desmond Get It Done.

The Nationals’ one early run comes on a big opposite field blast by Justin Maxwell, his first of the season, and it goes out to deeeep right to leadoff the second, and Maxwell comes back with his second of the year on a second-deck job to left in the the eighth when the Nationals are already down 10-2. Ian Desmond was 4 for 4 with a walk tonight, and two games into his MLB career, the 23-year-old rookie shortstop is 6 for 8 with 3 doubles, 1 HR and 4 RBI's, and he also made slick play on a grounder from Hanley Ramirez with runners on first and second in the third, sliding to his right side to field a sharp grounder and throwing from his back to get a force at third. Ryan Zimmerman goes 1 for 5 with 2 K's and the Nationals' third baseman strands 6, grounding into two double plays for 22 GIDP in '09, good for 4th in the NL behind Kevin Kouzmanoff (25), Yadier Molina (26) and Miguel Tejada (28).

GAME REPORT:

Florida Marlins At Washington Nationals. Game 142 Of 162.

Anibal Sanchez gets Willie Harris looking to start the first, then issues a one-out walk to Ian Desmond, who’s starting at short tonight in Florida. Ryan Zimmerman moves Desmond up with a single to right. Adam Dunn K’s chasing a 2-2 fastball outside for out number two. Two on, two out for Josh Willingham. The Hammer gets a two-strike change and K’s way out in front...Marco Estrada, the DC right-hander making his debut as a starter, gives up a leadoff single to Chris Coghlan who snaps a grounder through second. Nick Johnson doesn’t see anything he likes, and the ump agrees. Single and a walk to put two on for Hanley Ramirez. Estrada gets squeezed on the inside corner when he "misses" with a 2-2 heater, but he hits the outside edge to get Hanley Ramirez looking with two on and no one out, uh, before the K, that is. Jorge Cantu battles and finally gets a fastball up that goes out in a hurry for a 3-0 Marlins’ lead early. The Mustachioed John Baker takes a two-strike fastball. Dan Uggla doesn’t see the 1-2 curve coming and it’s 3-0 Fish after one.

Justin Maxwell starts the second with a fly, ball, to, right and GONE!!! J-Max hits one all the way the other way into the second deck in right. 3-1 ballgame. Josh Bard grounds out to second, but Alberto Gonzalez gets one through the middle of the infield for a one-out single. Marco Estrada gets down a good enough bunt for Gonzalez to move up. Willie Harris pops out to third to end the Nationals’ second...Cody Ross rips a low liner to third, but that’s where Zimmerman plays. Brett Carroll pops out to second. Marco Estrada gets the opposing pitcher swinging.

Ian Desmond doubles off the old-timey scoreboard in left, sliding in headfirst ahead of Coghlan’s throw. Ryan Zimmerman K’s chasing an 0-2 heater outside. Adam Dunn hits a weak grounder toward third to at least move Desmond up. Josh Willingham walks in front of Justin Maxwell. J-Max flies out to Brett Carroll in short right...Chris Coghlan walks to start the Marlins’ third. Nick Johnson takes the second straight walk. Hanley Ramirez grounds to short, Ian Desmond makes a sliding play and throw to third for the force from his back. Jorge Cantu knocks Estrada out with a two-run double to the left-center gap for a 5-1 Florida lead. John Baker grounds back to the mound as DC righty Saul Rivera settles things down. Ian Desmond can’t barehand a weak grounder up the middle by Dan Uggla, but Cantu almost gets nailed going to far around third. Cody Ross up with runners on first and third. Ross swings through a two-strike change.

Josh Bard grounds out to start the fourth. Alberto Gonzalez hits a low liner to Uggla at second. Pinch hitter Jesus Flores flies deeep to right, but Cody Ross robs him with a catch as he hits the wall...Ross Detwiler gets back into the action for the first time since his September call-up. Detwiler vs Brett Carroll. Carroll grounds out to Desmond at short to start the bottom of the fourth. Detwiler walks Anibal Sanchez. Chris Coghlan pops out over the mound. Nick Johnson grounds out to Dunn to end the fourth.

Willie Harris walks to start the fifth and moves up a base when Ian Desmond smacks a single through second. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to short, Hanley Ramirez to Dan Uggla to Nick Johnson double play. Adam Dunn lines a single up the middle to score Harris from third, 5-2 Marlins. Josh Willingham vs Anibal Sanchez. Hammer walks and Sanchez is out. Tim Wood gets Justin Maxwell to chase strike three to end the DC fifth...Hanley Ramirez takes a leadoff walk in front of Cantu. Cantu flies out to Willie Harris in straight center. John Baker goes the other way with a line drive out to left. Dan Uggla shatters his bat lining out to first.

Josh Bard starts the sixth at the plate. Fly ball to left for the first out. Tim Wood gets a ground ball to second for Dan Uggla to handle. Jorge Padilla K’s in a pinch hit appearance...Logan Kensing takes over for DC and gives up a HR to left to Cody Ross for a 6-2 lead in the sixth. Brett Carroll hits a single to center. Gaby Sanchez gets hold of a hanging slider over the middle and he hits it real far, two-run HR, 8-2 Marlins. Chris Coghlan grounds out to first. Willie Harris hits the wall hard while catching Nick Johnson’s deep fly. Logan Kensing gets a line drive to short from Hanley Ramirez to end the sixth.

Brendan Donnelly gets Willie Harris to drill one straight down for the catcher to handle. Ian Desmond rips a one-out double to left on a line drive. Zimmerman swings through a two-strike fastball inside. Adam Dunn will not swing at the fastball outside, even with two strikes...Victor Garate takes over for the Nationals against Jorge Cantu. Leadoff walk. John Baker gets hit by a pitch. Dan Uggla flies out to left. Cody Ross doubles off the wall in left center to score one. 9-2. Brett Carroll flies out to center to score Baker. 10-2. Pinch hitter Wes Helms flies to left to end the seventh.

Josh Willingham K’s to start the eighth. J-Max hits a flat-out bomb off Matt Lindstrom!!! Deeeeep to left and into the upper deck!! One to each side tonight. 10-3 Florida. Josh Bard flies out to left. Alberto Gonzalez lines to center to end the Nationals’ eighth...Zack Segovia takes over for DC. Chris Coghlan triples to the wall in center, and probably could’ve scored on an error on a throw in. Nick Johnson walks and is replaced by Andy Gonzalez. Hanley Ramirez hits a sac fly to center. 11-3 Marlins. Jorge Cantu takes strike three. John Baker grounds out to first to end the eighth.

Renyel Pinto’s on to end it. Pinch Hittin’ Pete Orr singles through short to start the ninth. Willie Harris flies out to left. Ian Desmond singles on a short fly to right that drops in front of Brett Carroll. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to second, Dan Uggla tags Desmond and throws to first, double play to end it. 11-3 Marlins win.

Nationals now 49-93.

Expos' Pick Ian Desmond Debuts In DC!! Washington Nationals 8-7 Over Philadelphia Phillies.

Ed Chigliak — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:16:03 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

3 months ago: Washington Nationals' Ian Desmond flies out to deep left, while Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, left, looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, in Washington. Desmond homered and drove in four runs in his major league debut and the Nationals won 8-7. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Browse more photos »

Ian Desmond is a product of the last Expos' Draft class, selected by Montreal with the 84th pick in the 3rd Round of the 2004 Draft. (ed .note- "Two spots before teammate Garrett Mock went to the current-DC GM Mike Rizzo and the D-Backs in The RZO's old gig as Arizona's Scouting Director..."). Desmond played 639 games over six seasons in the Nationals' system before DC Skipper Jim Riggleman penciled the 23-year-old in at short tonight for his MLB debut against the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies, and Desmond did not disappoint...Batting seventh behind Elijah Dukes, Desmond was 2 for 4 with 4 RBI's, his first MLB double and his first Major League HR, a three-run blast off Philly righty Joe Blanton, that ends up being the game-winner when the Phillies rally for 5 runs in the ninth but fall short in the 8-7 loss to DC. Did I mention that Desmond almost cleared the center field stands with the HR? The kid hit Blanton's hanging curve so far it almost hit the Red Porch Restaurant!! Nationals win, Livan Hernandez gets the W!!! What more could you ask for out of Desmond's debut? Who said something about his error? Huh? Who was it?

Nationals win, 8-7 final.

Miss The GAME? The DC Faithful Were Watching.

Check Out The SB Nation's Philadelphia Phillies Blog: The Good Phight!

• "Game 140: Interesting In The Corderoan Sense" by Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

• Spotlight On Ian Desmond!

• E: 121.

• #36: Ask And You Shall Receive.

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP!!!!

Nationals now 48-92.

BACKPAGE:

• Spotlight On Ian Desmond. DOES HE LOOK NERVOUS AT ALL???

Ian Desmond

#6 / Short Stop / Washington Nationals

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Sep 20, 1985

'09 Stats:

• Double-AA Harrisburg - 42 G, 170 AB's, 52 H, 12 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR's, 18 RBI's, 13 SB, .372 OBP, .494 SLG, .866 OPS.

• Triple-AAA Syracuse - 55 G, 178 AB's, 63 H, 12 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 14 RBI's, 8 SB, .428 OBP, .461 SLG, .889 OPS.

Origin Story - Montreal Expos' 3rd Round pick 84th overall in 2004.

• MLB Debut - 9/10/09: 2 for 4, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI's!!!

• Ian Desmond's first MLB AB came in the Nationals' second. The 23-year-old, right-handed hitting shortstop fouled off a first-pitch slider from Joe Blanton and then connected with a 90 mph fastball, sending it soaring out to center where Shane Victorino made the grab. Desmond's second AB comes in the fourth, and his first MLB hit is an RBI double off the out-of-town scoreboard in right center to score Elijah Dukes from first after Dukes had singled in front of the rookie. Desmond's on second when Wil Nieves walks and starter Livan Hernandez steps up. Livan tries to bunt, and the catcher and pitcher both go for it, so Desmond tries for home, sprinting around third as Chase Utley throws back to the pitcher from first, Desmond slides in headfirst as the pitcher applies the tag, "You'rrre OUT!" yells the Ump. The next time Desmond and Blanton meet in the fifth, there are two men on when Josh Willingham and Dukes take back-to-back walks, and Desmond gets hold of a first-pitch curve that ends up twenty rows back in center field and almost into the Red Porch Restaurant. 3-run HR for Desmond. In the fourth and final AB of Desmond's debut, the Nationals...next...shortstop?...flies out on a 1-1 fastball from Chad Durbin. How was Desmond in the field...

• E: 121.

So what if Ian Desmond's 1st MLB Error came after his first double and his first home run, and so what if it came with Washington up 8-2 in the ninth, and sorta started a chain of events that eventually led to the Philadelphia Philllies having runners on 1st and 3rd with one out in a one-run game...So what if it's the 121st error of the League-Leading-Nationals' '09 season...E: 121 - Ian Desmond fields a grounder from Jayson Werth to short and sails the throw over first...OUTCOME: After Werth reaches on the E, Pedro Feliz singles, Carlos Ruiz walks and pinch hitter extraordinaire Matt Stairs hits a GRAND SLAM that makes an 8-2 game 8-6. DC right-hander Zack Segovia, who should've had two outs, ends up getting pulled, and his replacement Mike MacDougal gives up another run, forcing DC Skipper Jim Riggleman to bring in Ron Villone, who gives up a single to Chase Utley but gets a DP from Ryan Howard to finally end it at 8-7.

• #36: Ask And You Shall Receive.

From today's GameThread "?'s For The DC Faithful...", written two hours before the game started:

• #36 Donkey? No Rush, Whenever You're Ready....

Yes, I asked for it, and yes, I got it!! Adam Dunn, The Big Opposite Field!! Dunn Did It Again! For the 36th time this season, Adam Du--SHAKE N BAKE!! SHAKE N BAKE!! Adam Dunn left the yard, taking Joe Blanton and his weak 3-1 change deep to left and into the visitor's bullpen to put Washington up 5-2 two batters before Desmond's 3-run HR gave DC 8...

GAME REPORT:

Philadelphia Phillies At Washington Nationals. Game 140 Of 162.

Nationals’ right-hander Livan Hernandez, aka Mr. National Himself, gets a fly ball to center from Jimmy Rollins that Willie Harris gets under and grabs. Shane Victorino lines right by Pete Orr and into right for a single. Chase Utley lines an RBI triple off the out-of-town scoreboard to score Victorino for a 1-0 lead. Ryan Howard flies out to left center to score Utley. 2-0 Philly. Raul Ibanez grounds weakly to second to end the top of the first...Willie Harris’ groundout starts the Nationals’ half. Pete Orr K’s swinging over a bender in the dirt. Philly righty Joe Blanton gets Ryan Zimmerman, who misses a two-strike curve and K’s.

Jayson Werth drops a leadoff single into short left. Pedro Feliz flies out to left. Philly catcher Carlos Ruiz walks with one down. Joe Blanton bunts both runners over. Jimmy Rollins flies out to center to end the top of the second...Adam Dunn flies out to right. Josh Willingham’s safe on a weak grounder to short when Jimmy Rollins rushes and pulls Howard off the bag with his throw. Josh Willingham’s running when Dukes K’s looking and the Hammer slides in safe at second. Ian Desmond lines one to center in his first MLB AB, but not far enough, 2-0 Phillies after two.

Shane Victorino sends a one-hopper to Adam Dunn at first. Chase Utley slices a fly ball out to left. Ryan Howard battles Livan but grounds out on a full-count curve to end the Phils’ third...Wil Nieves makes Blanton dance with a grounder back over the mound in front of Livan Hernandez. Livan’s sac bunt advances Nieves. Willie Harris works the count full and walks. Pete Orr lines a fastball from Blanton to right and into the gap, Nieves and Harris score, 2-2 ballgame. Ryan Zimmerman gets jammed and flies out to center, but Orr stays put at third. Adam Dunn grounds into the shift to end the third.

Ian Desmond fields and throws to first in time to get Raul Ibanez. Livan Hernandez throws a fastball by Jayson Werth. Ryan Zimmerman cuts in front of Desmond to throw out Pedro Feliz...Josh Willingham grounds out to third to start DC’s fourth. Elijah Dukes surprises everyone with a bunt toward third that’s good for a single. Ian Desmond steps in and lines a double to the right center gap, Dukes scores from first just ahead of the throw home, 3-2 DC on Desmond’s first MLB hit!!!! Wil Nieves takes a one-out walk. Livan Hernandez drops a bunt toward third, and is thrown out at first, Desmond tries to score, and gets tagged out by the pitcher. Double play.

Ian Desmond backs up into short center to catch a pop-up off Carlos Ruiz’s bat. Joe Blanton singles to center on a weak liner. Elijah Dukes charges in and ducks down to catch a line drive from Jimmy Rollins. Shane Victorino rolls one to Zimmerman who takes the force at second...Willie Harris flies to right, Jayson Werth gets there but misses it, Harris safe at second. Pete Orr K’s swinging through a change. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to center. Adam Dunn goes the other way annnnnd GONE!! SHAKE N BAKE!! SHAKE N BAKE!! Adam Dunn’s 36th HR is a two-run blast to the left field bullpen for a 5-2 DC lead. Josh Willingham walks with two down. Elijah Dukes uses his Discerning Eye to draw a two-out walk out of Blanton. Ian Desmond goes DEEEEP TO CENTER FIELD AND GONE!! 3-run blast, 8-2 Nationals. Tyler Walker takes over for Philly. Wil Nieves grounds to short, Jimmy Rollins backhands and throws it away. Nieves safe. Livan Hernandez pops out to the infield to end the fifth. 8-2 DC.

Livan gets a weak grounder to second from Chase Utley. Ryan Howard K’s looking, though he disagrees. Hernandez gets a line drive to second from Raul Ibanez to end Philly’s sixth...Willie Harris flies out to Ibanez. Pete Orr K’s swinging through a 2-2 fastball from Tyler Walker. Ryan Zimmerman pops out to end the sixth.

Wil Nieves catches a pop fly off Jayson Werth’s bat. Ian Desmond fields and fires to get Pedro Feliz at first. Carlos Ruiz waits on a curve and singles to right. Elijah Dukes goes back to the track to catch a fly ball off Andy Tracy’s bat for out number three...Chad Durbin vs Dunn in DC’s seventh. Dunn K’s looking at a fastball outside. Josh Willingham lifts a line drive to center and over Shane Victorino’s head. Elijah Dukes up, Justin Maxwell on to run for the Hammer. Elijah Dukes uses his Discerning Eye to draw a one-out walk. Ian Desmond flies out to the warning track in left. Wil Nieves grounds to second to end the seventh.

Jimmy Rollins starts the eighth with a single. Shane Victorino pops out harmlessly to right. Livan Hernandez is done. Sean Burnett gets a weak grounder to third from Utley, Zimmerman charges, barehands and throws to first. Burnett vs Ryan Howard. Ryan Howard grounds back to the mound, Burnett throws him out...Brad "Shaky" Lidge vs Jesus Flores. Flores pops out to the infield. Willie Harris triples to right and off the out-of-town!!! Pete Orr K’s on a ball in the dirt and has to run it out. Ryan Zimmerman’s making Brad Lidge work for the final out. Zimmerman K’s to end the eighth.

Zack Segovia’s making his DC debut. Raul Ibanez pops out to Desmond behind short. Ian Desmond fields a grounder from Jayson Werth and throws it over first for his first MLB E. Pedro Feliz grounds back to the mound and off Segovia for an infield single. Carlos Ruiz walks to load the bases. Segovia vs Matt Stairs. OH NOES!! HR to right and over the out-of-town for a Grand Slam HR! 8-6 Nationals. Mike MacDougal has to come out for some work. Jimmy Rollins singles to center. Shane Victorino rips a grounder by Zimmerman at third, Rollins scores, 8-7. Riggleman yanks MacDougal for Ron Villone against Utley. Utley sends a dribbler up the middle and Zimmerman gets to it but pockets it. Victorino to third with one down. Ryan Howard grounds weakly to second, Alberto Gonzalez tosses to Desmond at second to Morse at first, double play!!! Double Play!! DOUBLE PLAY! Nationals win.

Nationals now 48-92.