SB Nation - Sean Burnett

Washington Nationals: Tenders/Non-Tenders...Targets?

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 07:54:03 -0000

The Nationals tendered contracts to five players, but not Mike MacDougal, who was non-tendered Saturday night and might not return. (AP Photo/Al Behrman, File)

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• Scott Olsen and Mike MacDougal...non-tendered. Jason Bergmann, Wil Nieves, Jesus Flores, Sean Burnett, Brian Bruney and Josh Willingham...tendered. The Washington Nationals decided to let Olsen and MacDougal test free agency, but already Olsen tells MLB.com's Bill Ladson in an article entitled, "Nats cut ties with MacDougal, Olsen", "I don't have any plans to go anywhere else," though MacDougal says he's disappointed, and (not to read anything into it....but)...he's already talking about Washington in the past tense when he tells Mr. Ladson, "I enjoyed playing there. I thought I did a good job, so yeah, it's a little disappointing. What can you do? I'm a free agent and go from there."

• Bill Shanks at The Braves Show.com mentioned that the Atlanta Braves' non-tendered infielder Kelly Johnson might be a target for the Nationals, so I guess I wasn't the only one who had the thought cross their mind, (though mine was more in a "no thanks" sort of way)...Does the Nationals' newly-hired vice president of player personnel Roy Clark, who served as Atlanta's scouting director for 20-odd years, still like Johnson...who followed up on a .287 AVG, .349 OBP, 39 doubles, 12 HR's and 69 RBI's in 2008 by hitting .229 in 2009 with a .303 OBP, 20 doubles, 8 HR's and 29 RBI's, and saw his WAR value drop from (+2.1) to (+0.7) while his UZR/150 actually improved from (-10.6) to (-0.2), though he played less games (106) than he had in the two previous seasons, (147 in '07, 150 in 108)...on the plus side, Johnson's the youngest free agent infielder out there...

• Just because Chien-Ming Wang is a sinker-baller doesn't mean he's a good fit for the Nationals, and stop trying to impress Mike Rizzo by finding him fast/sinkerballers, he's got a new front office for that...Wang was non-tendered by the Yankees today, after he had surgery on his shoulder last season, (acc. to New York Daily News' writer Mark Feinsand's article entitled, "Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang set for surgery...", it was, "...arthroscopic surgery to repair the capsule (the fibrous membrane that surrounds the joint) in his right shoulder."), though the Yankees say they're interested in bringing the soon-to-be 30-year-old right-hander back after an '09 season which saw Wang go (1-6) with an ERA in the 9.00's, a 2.02 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9 and a 1.53 K/BB. If Rizzo's going to sign a pitcher coming off shoulder surgery, i'd bet it will be Olsen...

• ?'s For The DC Faithful:

Did anyone go on the market last night the Nationals should think about?

Do you like Kelly Johnson or Chien-Ming Wang for Washington?

Will MacDougal be back? What about Olsen?

Will Josh Willingham defy the rumors to remain on the roster?

What's Rizzo's next move...?

Washington Nationals Non-Tender Mike MacDougal.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 01:00:41 -0000

by John Amis - AP

The Washington Nationals non-tendered '09 closer Mike MacDougal, though they say they wouldn't mind bringing him back for 2010. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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It's not that the Washington Nationals don't want Mike MacDougal, at least according to what they've said in the press, it's just that they don't want to pay him what he'd be due to earn should it go to arbitration. Whether or not they're serious when they say that they'd like MacDougal back, or when they said they'd consider bringing back Scott Olsen, who was also non-tendered earlier today, who knows...? DC GM Mike Rizzo told Washington Post writer Chico Harlan, in a Nationals Journal post entitled, "Nats tender Olsen, MacDougal", that, "...you never know. They'll be free to discuss with all 29 other clubs, but suffice to say I'd be very comfortable if they're wearing the Washington Nationals uniform next season."

(cont.)...

No word yet on whether or not the rest of the arbitration-eligible players, (Jason Bergmann, Wil Nieves, Jesus Flores, Josh Willingham, Sean Burnett and Brian Bruney) have been tendered contracts, though the Nationals have until midnight tonight to make decisions on each...Jason Bergmann played for $439,000 last year, on his fifth-straight one-year deal. Nieves signed for $400,000 as a free agent in '08, and resigned in '09 for $445,000, his fifth one-year deal...Jesus Flores earned $411,500 in his third year in the majors...Sean Burnett, in his 5th-year with the Pirates last season, earned $485,000....Bruney avoided arbitration by signing a 1-year/$1.25M dollar deal with the Yankees in January of '09....Mike MacDougal was in the last of a three-year deal with the White Sox when they bought him out for $3M, ($2.65M salary + $350,000 buyout), making him available for the Nationals, who signed the soon-to-be 33-year-old right-hander to a minor league contract...Olsen, avoided arbitration after being dealt to DC and signed for one year and $2.8 million...

While Olsen's labrum surgery is well-documented, less has been said about the hip surgery Mike MacDougal had in mid-October. Washington Times' writer Ben Goessling wrote in a Chatter post entitled, "MacDougal has hip surgery" that the 32-year-old right hander underwent, "...arthroscopic surgery on his right hip in Vail, Colo., on Tuesday, repairing an injury that hampered the right-hander during the last week of the Nationals’ season." Mr. Goessling wrote at the time that MacDougal should be ready for Spring Training...will he be brought back to DC? They obviously brought Bruney in in case he's not...and there is that Storen kid...?

Washington Nationals Non-Tender Scott Olsen.

Ed Chigliak — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:52:34 -0000

More photos » by Julie Jacobson - AP

The Washington Nationals have decided to part ways with left-handed starter Scott Olsen, who is recovering from surgery to repair a labrum tear in his left shoulder, rather than go to arbitration. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

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The Washington Nationals acquired Scott Olsen from Florida along with Josh Willingham in a November 11, 2008 trade that sent infielders Emilio Bonifacio and Jake Smolinski and pitcher P.J. Dean to the Marlins. The then-24-year-old left- hander was coming off a 2008 season which saw the the 4th-year starter post an (8-11) record with a 4.20 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 5.0 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. Olsen signed a 1-year/$2.8M dollar deal with the Nationals, avoiding arbitration, but made just 11 starts in 2009 before he was shut down for the season with a tear in his left labrum which required surgery. Faced with the possibility of having to give the rehabbing arbitration eligible pitcher a raise for the 2010 season, Washington Post writer Chico Harlan is reporting in a Nationals Journal post entitled, "Nats will non-tender Olsen", that the Nationals have decided to part ways with the soon-to-be 26-year-old lefty, though Washington hasn't ruled out the possibility of bringing him back for (probably) far less than he would have been due...

Before midnight, The Post's Mr. Harlan reports, the Nationals must make decisions on what to do with their other arbitration eligible players: pitchers, Jason Bergmann, Sean Burnett and Mike MacDougal, catchers Wil Nieves and Jesus Flores, and outfielder Josh Willingham...

More news when it's available...

No word on how Olsen's rehab was progressing...Did the Nationals make the correct decision here? Is there any chance Olsen will return to DC?

The Bill James Handbook 2010 - Projections For The Washington Nationals' Pitchers In 2010 + Fall Notes.

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:00:30 -0000

More photos » by John Amis - AP

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With the help of The Bill James Handbook 2010 (available 11/1/09) and Acta Sports.com, who made Mr. James' Hitter and Pitcher projections available before the book's publication, we're able to take a look at what the future might hold for the pitchers expected to throw for the Nationals next season. Will Garrett Mock start or work out of the pen? Will some of the older pitchers like Craig Stammen and J.D. Martin make the rotation this time around? What will John Lannan's role be as more and more prospects rise through the system? What should fans expect from the Nationals' bullpen arms like Sean Burnett, Mike MacDougal or Saul Rivera? After that, what one Chicago writer says about the Nationals' managerial search, and another night in the DWL with Ian Desmond...

After The JUMP...

The Bill James Handbook 2010 Hitter Projections For The Washington Nationals' Pitchers:

Collin Balester:

Balester, Collin	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	----	--	-	---	---
'09 Stats	7	7	30.1	20	10	1	4	6.82	0
2010 Projections	11	11	47.0	32	6	2	3	5.38	0

Jason Bergmann:

Bergmann, Jason	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	33	21	139.0	113	20	7	9	4.25	0
'09 Stats	56	0	48.0	40	7	2	4	4.50	0
2010 Projections	73	0	60.0	48	8	3	4	4.35	0

Sean Burnett:

Burnett, Sean	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	67	0	60.0	29	7	2	5	6.27	0
'09 Stats	71	0	57.2	43	6	2	3	3.12	1
2010 Projections	65	0	49.0	27	5	2	3	5.14	0

Tyler Clippard:

Clipper, Tyler	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	41	0	60.1	67	9	4	2	2.69	0
2010 Projections	62	0	91.0	84	13	4	6	4.55	0

Livan Herandez?

Hernandez, Livan	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	27	27	150.0	84	19	8	9	4.90	0
'09 Stats	31	31	183.2	102	19	9	12	5.44	0
2010 Projections	31	31	188.0	103	23	8	13	4.98	0

Logan Kensing:

Kensing, Logan	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	43	0	46.0	45	6	2	3	4.33	0
'09 Stats	32	0	35.1	19	8	1	2	8.92	1
2010 Projections	36	0	41.0	38	8	2	3	4.81	0

John Lannan:

	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	29	29	177.0	103	18	9	11	4.08	0
'09 Stats	33	33	206.1	89	22	9	13	3.88	0
2010 Projections	32	32	199.0	101	21	11	11	4.03	0

Mike MacDougal:

MacDougal, Mike	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	----	---
'09 Stats	52	0	50.0	31	3	1	1	3.60	20
2010 Projections	67	0	67.0	59	4	3	4	4.43	4

J.D. Martin:

J.D. Martin	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	15	15	77.0	37	14	5	4	4.44	0
2010 Projections	29	29	177.0	125	19	10	10	4.07	0

Shairon Martis:

Martis, Shairon	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	15	15	85.2	34	11	5	3	5.25	0
2010 Projections	7	7	43.0	26	26	2	3	5.23	0

Garrett Mock:

Mock, Garrett	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	28	15	91.1	72	9	3	10	5.62	0
2010 Projections	31	25	143.0	122	14	8	10	4.91	o

Scott Olsen:

Olsen, Scott	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	32	32	199.0	153	29	10	12	4.58	0
'09 Stats	11	11	62.2	42	11	2	4	6.03	0
2010 Projections	22	22	121.0	91	18	5	8	4.98	0

Saul Rivera:

Rivera, Saul	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	74	0	80	60	3	4	4	3.80	0
'09 Stats	30	0	38.1	21	7	1	3	6.10	0
2010 Projections	43.0	0	59.0	42	3	3	4	4.42	0

Craig Stammen:

Stammen, Craig	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	19	19	105.2	48	14	4	7	5.11	0
2010 Projections	20	20	120.0	64	13	6	8	4.50	0

Ron Villone:

Villone, Ron	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	76	0	42.0	36	4	2	2	4.22	0
'09 Stats	63	0	48.2	33	6	5	6	4.25	1
2010 Projections	71	0	54.0	44	5	3	3	4.33	0

?'s Raised By The #'s:

• Is there any room on the pitching staff for Logan Kensing in 2010? What bullpen arms from last year are you bringing back? Which would you part with?

• Which pitchers will make the twenty-ten rotation? Craig Stammen? Collin Balester? J.D. Martin? Shairon Martis? Do you expect anything from Scott Olsen?

• Mike MacDougal's projections are cleary skewed by the fact that he hadn't saved a game since 2006 before '09's 20 saves? Will MacDougal hold the closer's role throughout the twenty-ten campaign?

• A .500 season from John Lannan? Does that mean he'll finally receive some support this season? Is anyone guaranteed an 2010 rotation spot right now, outside of Lannan?

• Is Livan Hernandez coming back to DC next season?

2010 Skipper Search UPDATE:

If you haven't already read this when it was linked to in the comments of a previous post or elsewhere around the internet, since it was basically the only "news" to come out of DC this weekend, check out Chicago Tribune writer Phil Rogers "On Baseball" column entitled, "Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman in great demand", wherein, Mr. uh, Rogers writes (without citing a source, anonymous or otherwise) that the time for Bobby Valentine to claim a major league managing job may have passed:

"Bobby Valentine may be shut out on the job market. He was a finalist for the Indians job that went to Manny Acta, and it appears the Nationals are close to giving former Cubs manager Jim Riggleman the job he had on an interim basis last season."

Is the Washington Nationals' search for a full-time manager going to end with a promotion?

Saturday Night In The DWL:

The Tigres del Licey and Gigantes del Cibao squared off on Saturday with Nationals' infielder Ian Desmond starting at second for Licey and going 1 for 2 with a walk and a sac fly RBI, but it was Desmond's throwing error in the ninth that allowed the Gigantes to rally to tie the game at 3-3 and eventually steal a walk-off win when Tigres' pitcher Oneli Perez gave up a sac fly to left that ended it. Desmond's first DWL error proves costly. The 24-year-old, who impressed after his September call-up to DC, is now hitting .214 (6 for 28) with 7 RBI's in 8 games. Notes: Atahualpa Severino got a backwards K from the first batter he faced in the eighth after replacing Yhancy Brazoban, but Severino was out after allowing a run-scoring single in the next AB, though the run was Brazoban's.

Final Score: Gigantes 4, Tigres 3. MLB.com Box Score.

Pirates Can't Learn Much From Phillies

Charlie — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:05:52 -0000

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

Philadelphia Phillies' Cole Hamels throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 28, 2009, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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John Mehno has the right idea in this Beaver County Times column about the differences between the Pirates and Phillies--it's not primarily about spending, it's about building by acquiring amateur talent. But while the technique of comparing some great Phillies draft picks (Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and so on) to picks the Pirates botched at similar points in their drafts is effective for an article written with a word count for a general audience, it doesn't quite tell the whole story.

The Phillies' case is really weird. If you look at their drafts under previous GM Ed Wade (that's basically the time frame described in the Beaver County article), it's very surprising they've been so successful. Working backwards, the best player they got in 2005 was current Athletics reliever Josh Outman; they also got current Reds reliever Matt Maloney. That was it. In 2004 they got J.A. Happ in the third round, Jason Jaramillo in the second, and Lou Marson in the fourth, but they also took Greg Golson as a dubious tools pick in the first round and got nothing in the later rounds. In 2003 they had no first- or second-round pick; they got Michael Bourn and Kyle Kendrick, and that was it.

In 2002 the Phils took Cole Hamels in the first round, which was obviously a great pick, but they got absolutely nothing else. In 2001, it was Gavin Floyd in the first round and Howard in the fifth, and absolutely nothing else. In 2000, they got Utley, Taylor Buchholz and nothing else. In 1999, it was Brett Myers, Marlon Byrd and nothing else. (They also drafted Joe Saunders, but didn't sign him.)

Now, maybe this doesn't sound too noteworthy to some of you. Maybe you think that if you get one good player out of a draft, that's great, and to a certain extent that's true. In this case, the results speak for themselves. But what's odd to me about the Phillies' drafts under Wade is how incredibly thin they were. Wade seemed to get a star player and almost nothing else every year for several seasons in a row. That's strange.

To see what I mean, let's take a look at Wade's first draft for the Phillies in 1998. He took Pat Burrell with the first overall pick (a bit of a no-brainer), but he also got several moderately useful players later on, such as Jason Michaels, Geoff Geary and Nick Punto.

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter that much if you fail to identify the next Nick Punto in your draft, but it does raise the question of why, if the Phillies are supposed to be a good example of intelligent drafting, they were able to identify so many star players but so few other future productive major leaguers.

Here's an example. In 2000 the Phillies got Utley, who single-handedly made the draft a very successful one for Philadelphia. The same year, the Pirates got Chris Young, Nate McLouth, Ian Snell, Jose Bautista and Sean Burnett. I'd say the Pirates actually did a much better job in that draft, even though it turned out worse--Dave Littlefield stupidly traded away Young a couple years later, and first-rounder Burnett's career was derailed with a ton of injuries. Drafting players who will stay healthy and helping them stay healthy involve skills, of course, and it certainly helps to not take a pitcher in the first round every year like the Pirates did. But there's luck involved too. For example, the Phillies were notably lucky that, for example, high school draftee Hamels basically made it to the majors with his elbow and shoulder intact, particularly after he missed huge chunks of his minor league career with injuries.

In 2001 the Phillies got Floyd, later sent to the White Sox in the Jim Thome trade, and Howard. That was all. Again, the Pirates had a much more robust draft, grabbing a number of moderately useful players in Zach Duke, Chris Shelton, Jeff Keppinger, Chris Duffy, Jonathan Albaladejo and Rajai Davis. (They also might have had some shot of signing 11th-rounder Stephen Drew if Littlefield, who was hired shortly after the draft, hadn't dropped the ball.) The Pirates royally messed up their first-round pick, John Van Benschoten, and that was their fault, but again, I'm not really convinced that Wade and the Phillies had a better idea of what they were doing.

Of course, Littlefield and his team started drafting in 2002, and after that all bets are off. There's no defending much of anything Littlefield did. My point, though, is that I'm not sure the Wade-era Phillies are a particularly good model here. In fact, it looks to me that they repeatedly got very lucky with about one pick each year and totally bombed the rest of their drafts under Wade, with the exceptions of 1998 and 2004. I don't mean to take anything away from the Phillies, who have generally been pretty well run since Wade left. But If there are things the Pirates can learn from this, they are the very basic points that, first, it's generally very important not to screw up first-round picks, and second, that it's important to build a core of homegrown stars. Beyond that, the Phillies' example doesn't tell us a whole lot.

Danny Moskos Hit Hard in AFL Appearance

Charlie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:30:41 -0000

-P- Daniel Moskos got rocked for two runs in an AFL inning Saturday. To his credit, he's stayed in control in the offense-friendly AFL with bunches of strikeouts and grounders. Still, I've read some vague compliments of Moskos from people like Kevin Goldstein recently (subscription required), and while Goldstein's comment was hardly over the top, I have to admit I don't really see anything here yet. Moskos struck out barely more than four and a half batters per nine this year in a league in which he wasn't particularly young. Even accounting for the grounders and for improvement throughout the year, that just isn't enough. (And the solid ERA doesn't predict much without other good stats to back it up.)

To say that he has the requisite hint of upside you get when you take a failed starter and put him in the bullpen is basically true, but still gives him too much credit. Most successful relievers who fit that profile are guys that throw hard but have control issues, or even guys who have success as minor league starters but whose organizations believe are best suited to relief anyway. (I'm thinking here of someone like Jonathan Broxton, who posted excellent numbers as a minor league starter but burst onto the scene as a member of the Dodgers' bullpen, and stayed there.) Moskos doesn't have much of anything--he doesn't have great stuff, or great strikeout rates, or even great control. There aren't even injuries that might explain some of his poor performances, the way there was for Sean Burnett, another former top pick who became an uninspiring lefty reliever. All Moskos has are grounders, and the fact that he's a lefty.

Credit where credit is due, though--he's been very good since August or so. And at least I was able to get through two paragraphs about Moskos without mentioning a certain Orioles catcher.

-P- The Padres have hired Red Sox assistant Jed Hoyer as their new GM. Hoyer interviewed for the Pirates GM job when it was open two years ago, and he inherits a desperate situation in San Diego, so it'll be interesting to see how his GM career parallels that of Neal Huntington.

Washington Nationals: 2009 Post-Season Player Achievement Awards.

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:40:09 -0000

More photos » by Alan Diaz - AP

8 months ago: Washington Nationals' Adam Dunn (44) is congratulated by teammates Cristian Guzman (15) and Ryan Zimmerman (11) after hitting a three-run home run against the Florida Marlins' in the sixth inning of a baseball game in Miami, Monday, April 6, 2009. Guzman and Zimmerman scored on the home run. The Marlins won 12-6. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

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Under the auspices of The Washington, DC Internet Baseball Writers Association (DC-IBWA), a selection of Washington Nationals blogs and bloggers voted recently for the first Washington Nationals Post Season Player Achievement Awards with 20 ballots submitted from "online media outlets" covering the Nationals including: Nationals News Network, Nationals Pride, We've Got Heart, Centerfield Gate, FJB, Federal Baseball, The Nationals Enquirer, DC Sports Box, Nationals Inquisition, Nats Fanboy Looser, Planetary Nats, Bang! Zoom!, Nats Nation, Let Teddy Win!, Nationals Review, DC Sports Plus and Passing Time Between Wil Nieves Bombs, all choosing which Nationals would win the following awards:

• Goose Goslin Most Valuable Player*

-- Player most valuable to the success of the Washington Nationals:

• Walter Johnson Starting Pitcher of the Year*

-- Excellent performance as a starting pitcher

• Frederick "Firpo" Marberry Relief Pitcher of the Year*

-- Excellent performance as a relief pitcher

• Sam Rice Hitter of the Year*

-- Excellence in all-around hitting, situational hitting and baserunning

• Frank Howard Slugger of the Year*

-- Excellence in power hitting

• Joe Judge Defensive Player of the Year*

-- Excellence in fielding

• Mickey Vernon Comeback Player of the Year*

-- Player who overcame biggest obstacle in the preceding season to contribute on the field

• Josh Gibson Humanitarian Player of the Year*

-- Player who meritoriously gave of himself to the community

• Minor League Player of the Year*

-- Minor league player most destined for big league success

(ed. note - " * = Detailed biographies included in PDF Press Release Included After The JUMP.")

• THE RESULTS...AFTER THE JUMP!!!

• DC-IBWA Awards Official Press Release.

(ed. note - "Voters chose 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finalists for each award with (1st = 5 points), (2nd = 3 points), (3rd = 1 point)...")

• Goose Goslin Most Valuable Player*

-- Player most valuable to the success of the Washington Nationals:

Ryan Zimmerman (92 points, 16 1st Place votes)
Adam Dunn (41 points, 1 1st Place vote)
Nyjer Morgan (25 points, 3 1st Place votes)
(Others: John Lannan (19 points), Josh Willingham (3 points))

• Walter Johnson Starting Pitcher of the Year*

-- Excellent performance as a starting pitcher

John Lannan (96 points, 18 1st Place votes)
Jordan Zimmermann (42 points, 2 1st Place votes)
Craig Stammen (22 points)
(Others: J.D. Martin (6 points), Garrett Mock (4 points), Livan Hernandez (3 points), Ross Detwiler (2 points))

• Frederick "Firpo" Marberry Relief Pitcher of the Year*

-- Excellent performance as a relief pitcher

Tyler Clippard (80 points, 13 1st Place votes)
Mike MacDougal (55 points, 6 1st Place votes)
Sean Burnett (29 points, 1 1st Place vote)
(Others: Jason Bergmann (6 points), Joe Beimel (5 points), Ron Villone (3 points), Saul Rivera (1 point))

• Sam Rice Hitter of the Year*

-- Excellence in all-around hitting, situational hitting and baserunning

Ryan Zimmerman (81 points, 14 1st Place votes)
Adam Dunn - (39 points, 2 1st Place votes)
Nyjer Morgan - (26 points, 3 1st Place votes)
(Others: Josh Willingham (14 points), Nick Johnson (9 points, 1 1st Place vote), Cristian Guzman (6 points))

• Frank Howard Slugger of the Year*

-- Excellence in power hitting

Adam Dunn (100 points, 20 1st Place votes)
Ryan Zimmerman (46 points)
Josh Willingham (27 points)

• Joe Judge Defensive Player of the Year*

-- Excellence in fielding

Ryan Zimmerman (88 points, 14 1st Place votes)
Nyjer Morgan (69 points, 6 1st Place votes)
Willie Harris (12 points)

• Mickey Vernon Comeback Player of the Year*

-- Player who overcame biggest obstacle in the preceding season to contribute on the field

Nick Johnson (50 points, 10 1st Place votes)
Mike MacDougal (20 points, 1 1st Place vote)
Ryan Zimmerman (18 points, 3 1st Place voes)

• Josh Gibson Humanitarian Player of the Year

-- Player who meritoriously gave of himself to the community

John Lannan (72 points, 12 1st Place votes)
Ryan Zimmerman (44 points, 4 1st Place votes)
Wil Nieves (21 points, 3 1st Place votes)
(Others: Josh Willingham (9 points), Nyjer Morgan, Willie Harris, Elijah Dukes (3), Tyler Clippard (1))

• Minor League Player of the Year

-- Minor league player most destined for big league success

Derek Norris (54 points, nine first place votes)
Ian Desmond (53 points, nine first place votes)
Drew Storen (41 points, two first place votes)
(Others: Bradley Meyers (16 points), Chris Marrero (7 points), Mike Morse (4 points), Daniel Espinosa (2 points), Ross Detwiler (1), Jorge Padilla (1)).

(ed. note - "Thanks to Dave from NNN, who's behind all of this...")

Cast Your Own Votes In The Comments Section.

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!!!!

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• "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.

Washington Nationals Hand New York Mets Sixth-Straight Loss, 6-5 In Citi Field.

Ed Chigliak — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:00:16 -0000

More photos » by Henny Ray Abrams - AP

3 months ago: Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, center, is congratulated by teammate Josh Willingham, right, after driving-in Cristian Guzman, left, with a two-run home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)

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• Ryan Zimmerman’s 2-run home run off Mike Pelfrey in the first is Zimmerman’s 30th of the season. The Nationals’ 1st 1st Round pick is now 6 over his previous season high of 24 set over 162 games back in 2007. Zimmerman now has 30 in 142 games played in '09, and he put Washington up 2-0 over Pelfrey and the New York Mets after one...

• J.D. Martin got through two scoreless, but gave up a leadoff double to Wilson Valdez in the third. After a sac fly by Pelfrey, the Mets hit back to back singles with Angel Pagan knocking Valdez in and taking third on a low liner to center by Luis Castillo. One out later, after Josh Willingham leaps at the wall to rob David Wright, Carlos Beltran singles in the second run with the fourth hit of the inning and it's a 2-2 tie.

• Josh Bard, who came into the game with a .167 AVG with 4 hits in 24 September at bats, so of course, Bard gets a hold of a sinkless sinker from Mike Pelfrey and launches it to right center, and just into the bullpen for a two-run HR that scores Ian Desmond, who’d doubled to the corner in left to start the fifth. 4-2 DC...

(The SHOCKING Conclusion After The JUMP)...

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• "Game 147: Yeah, it's the Mets, but a win is a win" - Doghouse.

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

Nationals now 51-96.

• J.D. Martin walks Carlos Beltran to start NY’s sixth, and gives up a one-out single to Jeff Francoeur before he’s lifted from the game after (5.1 IP, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 ER, 3 K's)....Ron Villone takes over, and walks the first batter he faces, Fernando Tatis, to load the bases, and Villone gives up a line drive to left to Wilson Valdez, Josh Willingham charges in to catch Valdez’s liner and the Hammer throws home as Beltran tags from third, Bard catches the throw on one hop, reaches across the plate and makes the tag as Beltran slides around and reaches for the dish..., "You’rrrre OUT!!!" yells the Ump as he punches the air.

• Elijah Dukes scores the Nationals’ 5th run of the game after a throwing error on an excuse-me single in the seventh...Dukes takes second after Mets’ catcher Josh Thole throws by first on Dukes' dribbler. Ian Desmond’s grounder to second moves Dukes up to third and Josh Bard drives in another run with a sac fly to center for a 5-2 DC lead.

• Best and Worst Of Bergmann And MacDougal...

Jason Bergmann started the eighth by striking out both David Wright and Carlos Beltran, Wright with a heater, Beltran with the curve (he still can't hit those!), but then Rutgers' Finest gives up a two-out single to Daniel Murphy and another single to Jeff Francoeur, and DC closer Mike MacDougal has to come out in the eighth for the 4-out save. MacDougal strikes out backup backstop Josh Thole to strand Murphy and Frenchy and preserve the 5-2 DC lead.

• STOP: Hammertime - Top of the ninth...Josh Willingham leads off against Brian Stokes. Stokes throws a first-pitch fastball and instantly regrets it, 94 mph coming in, and gone just as quick, Josh Willingham hits his 23rd HR of 2009 and knocks in his first run since September 4th...

• Back To MacDougal... It's at this point that Mike MacDougal decides he'll continue the "DC Closer Tradition of 'Making It Interesting'", walking the first batter of the ninth, before popping up pinch hitter Jeremy Reed...and walking Angel Pagan...Luis Castillo singles, bases loaded, David Wright singles, 6-3 DC. Carlos Beltran grounds into a force but scores a run. 6-4. Daniel Murphy rips a hotshot to short, Ian Desmond stabs it and throws high to first and off Adam Dunn's glove. Castillo scores, 6-5. Jeff Francoeur rips one to the mound that takes MacDougal's glove off his hand, the pitcher recovers, throws to first, ballgame.

• E: 125, 126.

E: 125 - 2nd Inning, Jeff Francoeur pops up foul of first, Adam Dunn tries to stay with, tries to make the catch...and...drops it. Dunn's 15th Nick-Johnson-esque error is the Nationals' 125th as a team. OUTCOME: Francoeur flies out given another pitch, and Brian Schneider flies out to end the inning. No harm. E: 126 - 6-4 Nationals, bottom of the ninth, Mike MacDougal's reeling, and Daniel Murphy rips a two-out one-hopper to short, Ian Desmond stabs it with his backhand but throws high to first, Dunn leaps, but it's off his glove. Desmond's 3rd is DC's league-leading 126th. OUTCOME: A run scores on the error to make it 6-5, but MacDougal recovers to end it one batter later.

GAME REPORT:

Washington Nationals At New York Mets. Game 147 Of 162.

Mike Pelfrey’s on the mound for the Mets, Willie Harris leads off for DC with a fly ball to Carlos Beltran in center for the first out of the game. Daniel Murphy tries to toss a weak grounder to first with his glove, but it doesn’t quite work, Guzman’s safe. Ryan Zimmerman goes the other way with a low fastball outside and just gets it over the fence for a 2-run blast and a 2-0 DC lead. Adam Dunn fouls off a few full-count pitches and flies out to Angel Pagan in left. Josh Willingham swings over a two-strike sinker inside...Josh Willingham pulls up just short of the wall in foul territory in the left field corner to catch Angel Pagan’s fly ball out. Luis Castillo throws his bat at a two-strike fastball outside for a swinging K. David Wright rolls the second fastball he sees out to third for Zimmerman to handle.

Elijah Dukes rrrrips one back off the pitcher’s feet, and David Wright can’t make a barehand play. Dukes safe. Ian Desmond grounds to second, Luis Castillo tosses to second for the force but Dukes’ slide into Wilson Valdez ends any chance of a DP. Josh Bard gives them another chance, grounding to Luis Castillo to Valdez to Daniel Murphy at first, double play...Ian Desmond dives over a grounder from Carlos Beltran who’s on first to start the Mets’ second. Daniel Murphy K’s swinging over a two-seam slider that breaks outside at the last second. Adam Dunn drops a foul pop off Jeff Francoeur’s bat, but Frenchy just flies out to left unproductively given the second chance. Brian Schneider flies to Willingham to end the second.

J.D. Martin grounds out to Wilson Valdez at short. Willie Harris flies out to Carlos Beltran. Cristian Guzman flies out to Pagan in left for a quick 1-2-3 by Pelfrey...Wilson Valdez rips a double by Josh Willingham and to the wall in left. Mike Pelfrey’s sac bunt moves Valdez to third. Angel Pagan drives a sinking fastball outside through second and into center. Valdez scores, 2-1 Nationals. Luis Castillo hits a low liner back up the middle for the third hit of the inning. David Wright flies to deeep left, WIllingham leaps at the wall, and makes the grab!! Hammer!!!! Carlos Beltran sneaks another single under a diving Desmond at second for an RBI single and a 2-2 tie. Daniel Murphy flies out to center to end the frame.

Ryan Zimmerman starts the fourth with a single back over the mound and up the middle. Adam Dunn flies out to Angel Pagan in left field. Josh Willingham lines on one hop to Beltran in center. Elijah Dukes grounds to Valdez at short, to Castillo to Murpy, double play...J.D. Martin gives up the second straight leadoff double, this one to Jeff Francoeur. Brian Schneider takes a free pass. Wilson Valdez grounds to second, Desmond, to Guzman to Dunn, double play. Francoeur to third. Pelfrey grounds back to the mound, 2-2 ballgame.

Ian Desmond pulls a hanging bender to left for a leadoff double. Josh Bard gets a sinkless fastball over the heart and takes it deeeep to right and gone, two-run blast, 4-2 Nationals. J.D. Martin takes a fastball for a called strike three. Willie Harris swings through a fastball for the second out. Guzman chops one slowly to Pelfrey to end the inning...Angel Pagan grounds out to second to start the Mets’ fifth. Josh Willingham charges in to catch the second out off Luis Castillo’s bat. J.D. Martin throws a high two-strike fastball by David Wright for a swinging K to end the frame.

Ryan Zimmerman rips a line drive right at Angel Pagan in left. Adam Dunn flies out to left for David Wright. Josh Willingham swings through a high fastball for the second-straight K to end the sixth...J.D. Martin walks Carlos Beltran to start the home half of the frame. Daniel Murphy sends a high fastball out to Willlie Harris in center. Carlos Beltran’s running as Jeff Francoeur lifts a low slider to center for a one-out single. J.D. Martin’s lifted. Ron Villone vs Fernando Tatis. Tatis walks to load the bases for Wilson Valdez. Valdez lines to left, Willingham catches it coming in and fires home as Beltran tags from third, Josh Bard catches it on one hop and tags Beltran before his hand slides over the plate. "You'rrre OUT!" yells the UMP.

Elijah Dukes surprises the new catcher with a swinging bunt on a fastball inside, and Dukes is safe when Josh Thole throws it by first. Dukes takes second. Ian Desmond does his job, grounding Dukes over to third. Josh Bard flies out to center, Dukes tags and scores. 5-2 DC. Mike Morse grounds a few feet in front of home for the last out of the inning...Sean Burnett takes over on the mound. Gary Sheffield sends a screamer right into Ian Desmond’s glove. Sean Burnett gets a swinging K out of Angel Pagan. Luis Castillo pops out to second.

Sean Green vs Willie Harris in the eighth. Harris grounds back to the mound. Cristian Guzman grounds out to Castillo at second. Ryan Zimmerman beats David Wright with a high hopper to third. Green out, Pedro Feliciano gets a fly ball to right center from Dunn to end the inning...David Wright vs Jason Bergmann. 92 mph fastball gets Wright swinging for the first out. Beltran swings over a two-strike bender from Bergmann. Daniel Murphy sneaks a single through second. First pitch fastball to Francoeur, who singles, and it’s first and third with two down after a double. Bergmann out, Mike MacDougal’s going to try for four outs. Francoeur takes second without a throw. Josh Thole swings through a fastball for strike three to end the eighth.

Josh Willingham gets a hold of a hanger from Brian Stokes and sends it out to left and GONE! HAMMER!!! 6-2 DC. Elijah Dukes flies out to left. Ian Desmond grounds out to short. Josh Bard pops up over short, Wilson Valdez makes the grab...Mike MacDougal looks to end it. Cory Sullivan walks to start the frame. Jeremy Reed flies out to Willie Harris in left. Angel Pagan takes the second walk. Luis Castillo singles by a diving Zimmerman at third to load the bases with one out. David Wright rips a single to right to score Sullivan. 6-3 DC. Carlos Beltran grounds to second, Desmond to Alberto Gonzalez to Dunn...not in time, 6-4 and two down. Daniel Murphy rips a hotshot to short, Ian Desmond stabs it, spins and throws high to first and it hits off Dunn’s glove, run scores, 6-5, second and third. Jeff Francoeur lines up the midd--MacDougal knocks it down and it knocks off his glove, MacDougal recovers and throws to first to end it.

Nationals win, 6-5 final.

Nationals now 51-96.

Now Joe Blanton's Unhittable...Philadelphia Phillies 6, Washington Nationals 1.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:11:57 -0000

More photos » by Matt Slocum - AP

3 months ago: Washington Nationals' Livan Hernandez pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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• I've Accepted That It Happened, I Never Want To See It Again...The Philadelphia Phillies scored the first run of the game on a double steal with runners on first and third when Ryan Howard broke for second from first and Chase Utley from third to home, and DC backstop Wil Nieves’ throw didn’t beat the Phil’s big slow first baseman to second, and either Guzman thought he had the out or didn’t see Utley go from third cause he spins to look at the ump, and never even throws home, only pumping and pulling back when he sees he has no chance...That kind of year...

• Slumping Together In the Middle...Adam Dunn’s running low on chances to reach 40 HR’s, (he's got 17 games to get 3)...but he’s piling up K’s, swinging through a fastball from Joe Blanton in the third for #163. Ryan Zimmerman was 0 for 3 with a walk, a K and 3 stranded, Zimmerman's now 10 for 48 in 11 games in August, with just 2 HR's, 1 double and 4 RBI's and a .255 OBP...Josh Willingham? No questions about the Hammer...Someone’s got to step up...Make that #164 after Dunn K’s in the fifth...Dunn ends up 0 for 3 with a walk and 2 K's, the Hammer goes 0 for 4 with 3...K's that is...

• Seriously, Livan?...(cont., after the JUMP...)...

Phillies win, 6-1.

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• "Game 145: Nats run away from their second straight..." - by Doghouse.

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

Nationals now 50-95. (Countdown To 100 Losses Stands At...5)

• Seriously, Livan? And Where Are You All Going?...1) For the second time in a few weeks, Livan Hernandez makes a strange decision at the plate, bunting with runners on first and third, and catching everyone off guard...DC skipper Jim Riggleman said in an interview during the game that he didn’t call for a bunt, Livan did it himself and got Ian Desmond thrown out at third when the rookie went a few steps too far toward home...Flashback: 8/31/09 vs San Diego: Livan Hernandez bunts with the bases loaded, safety squeeze, Elijah Dukes is running home, Padres' pitcher Tim Stauffer gets to it and tosses to home, Dukes is out, Livan's doubled up at first, double play the hard way... 2) Ian Desmond and Justin Maxwell get on with one out in the fifth, but Maxwell gets caught too far off first on a line drive to right and Jayson Werth throws him out...8 LOB through five, and they’ve run themselves out of two scoring chances, still 1-0 Philly...3) Ryan Zimmerman’s up with two on, Willie Harris at second, Guzman at first, and one out in the seventh, and Zim’s hits a broken bat liner to first, Ryan Howard makes the catch and dives to tag Guzman for the double play. DC runs its way out of another chance.

• Cy Blanton...The Washington Nationals knocked Joe Blanton out in the fifth when they faced him last week, but the Phillies’ right-hander threw 6.0 scoreless tonight, holding the Nationals to 5 hits, gave up 4 walks, striking out 7 along the way...106 pitches, 63 for strikes, and the Nationals strand 10 total, going 2 for 13 with RISP....Blanton improves to (10-7) on the season.

• E: 123 - Desmond throws away a DP toss to first, bouncing it by Dunn...Livan Hernandez walks Raul Ibanez with one down in the 6th, Jayson Werth singles. Pedro Feliz grounds to short, Cristian Guzman tosses to Ian Desmond, who sails the throw to first...OUTCOME: Instead of a DP, Ibanez, who had walked, scores what's eventually the winning run.

• Two outs in the seventh...2-0 Phillies...Tyler Clippard on in relief of Livan, and he hits Chase Utley in the foot with a breaking ball. Nationals' lefty Sean Burnett takes over for Clippard and walks Ryan Howard...and Raul Ibanez, one intentionally, one not so much...Jayson Werth will face Jason Bergmann, Bergmann throws a 1-2 slider that hangs up waiting to be hit, Werth launches it to left center, and out, Grand Slam, 6-0. The Nationals score, 1 lousy run, read about it below...

GAME REPORT:

Washington Nationals At Philadelphia Phillies. Game 145 Of 162.

Willie Harris wants to walk. And he’s on second a second later having stolen the bag off the Phillies' pitcher, Joe Blanton. Cristian Guzman pops out to second. Ryan Zimmerman works the count full and walks. Adam Dunn flies out to Raul Ibanez in left center. Josh Willingham lines out to short...Jimmy Rollins rolls the first out of the Phillies’ first to second where Ian Desmond makes the play. Shane Victorino pops up to Guzman. Chase Utley has Philly’s first hit, singling to left with two down. Ryan Howard slices a single into short right. Utley takes third. Raul Ibanez up when Ryan Howard breaks for second, DC backstop Wil Nieves throws to second, Utley scores and Howard’s safe. 1-0 Phillies. Ibanez takes ball four. Jayson Werth lines to right, and Josh Willingham catches it after being momentarily blinded by the Park’s lights.

Ian Desmond doubles off the wall out of Raul Ibanez’s reach. Justin Maxwell grounds out unproductively. Wil Nieves hits a high chopper and there’s no play for Rollins by the time it comes down. First and third for Livan Hernandez. Livan bunts, and Desmond strays too far off third and gets nailed trying to dive back. Willie Harris walks to load the bases for Guzman. The Guzz grounds out to second...Pedro Feliz grounds to short to start Philly’s second. Carlos Ruiz flies out to Justin Maxwell in center. Joe Blanton K’s swinging to end the inning.

Ryan Zimmerman fouls strike three into Carlos Ruiz’s glove. Adam Dunn swings through some fastballs and heads back to the bench. Josh Willingham takes an arching curve inside for a called strike three...Justin Maxwell backs up a few steps and closes his glove on a fly ball from Jimmy Rollins. Ian Desmond throws out Shane Victorino on a slow grounder to second. Chase Utley flies to Maxwell as well.

Ian Desmond starts the fourth with a swinging K on a sinking bender inside. Justin Maxwell grounds back to the mound. Wil Nieves singles to right and just beats a throw in from Jayson Werth. Livan Hernandez doubles to the wall in left, Nieves takes third. Willie Harris grounds to first, Ryan Howard drops it, but recovers and throws to Blanton covering...Ryan Howard flies out to Willie Harris in left, high above left, it eventually comes down. Raul Ibanez singles to left with one down. Jayson Werth grounds weakly into a force at second but it’s too slow for the DP. Pedro Feliz flies out to center to end the fourth, still 1-0 Philly.

Cristian Guzman strikes out swinging. Ryan Zimmerman flies to straight center but the wind knocks it down. Adam Dunn K’s chasing a pitch in the dirt...Still 1-0 Philly...Livan Hernandez gets the first out with one pitch, popping up Carlos Ruiz. Livan Hernandez gets a ground ball up the middle, Guzman slides behind second to pick it, but he bounces the throw by Dunn. Jimmy Rollins lines a single out to left. Victorino works the count full and K’s staring at a fastball. Livan drops a two-strike bender inside and Chase Utley K’s...uh...chasing...

Josh Willingham swings through a high fastball for the first out of the fifth. Ian Desmond reaches down for a low fastball that drops in fair in right. Wil Nieves lines to right, Werth charges catches it and throws to first to catch J-Max way too far off the bag...Livan Hernandez gets Ryan Howard swinging to start Philly’s sixth. Raul Ibanez walks with one down. Jayson Werth gets a hold of a low fastball and lines it to left center. Pedro Feliz grounds to short, Guzman tosses to second and Ian Desmond throws away the DP throw to allow Ibanez to score from third, 2-0 Phillies. Carlos Ruiz rips a single by Guzman at short to put two on. Pinch hitter Greg Dobbs. Dobbs grounds to Guzman to end the sixth.

Chan Ho Park’s on the mound in the seventh. Pete Orr singles to left to start the Nationals’ half. Willie Harris grounds to first and Ryan Howard throws it by second to put two on for Cristian Guzman with no outs. Guzman bunts toward the mound and Park cuts down Orr at third. Ryan Zimmerman hits a broken bat line drive to first, Howard makes the catch and dives to tag and double up Guzman...Jimmy Rollins grounds out to Dunn at first, Tyler Clippard covers. Clippard gets another groundout from Victorino. Tyler Clippard hits Utley in the foot. Sean Burnett takes over for Clippard. Utley takes second on a ball in the dirt, Nieves has no chance. Ryan Howard gets the intentionals. Raul Ibanez walks on a full-count pitch, and Jayson Werth will see a right-hander, Jason Bergmann. Werth gets a hanging 1-2 slider and he ends this game with a grand slam to left center and waaaaaaay out to left center, for a 6-0 lead.

Ryan Madson walks the first batter he faces, putting Dunn on to start the eighth. Josh Willingham K’s swinging over a two-strike change. Ian Desmond grounds to short, Rollins to Utley to Howard, double play...Zack Segovia’s throwing in the bottom of the eighth against Carlos Ruiz. Segovia gets a swinging K with a 3-2 bender that would’ve been ball four. Matt Stairs grounds out to first. Jimmy Rollins lines out to right to end the eighth.

Justin Maxwell singles under Rollins’ glove to start the ninth. Wil Nieves pops out to short right. Mike Morse rips a line drive into Raul Ibanez’s glove. Maxwell takes second without a throw. Tyler Walker gives up an RBI single to Willie Harris, 6-1 on the line drive to right. Willie Harris pops out to end it...Phillies win, 6-1 final.

Nationals now 50-95.