SB Nation - Craig Stammen

Washington Nationals: Winter Meetings Wrap.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:28:33 -0000

More photos » by Haraz N. Ghanbari - AP

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo found the catcher he wanted at the Winter Meetings, now the Nationals need to add some pitching. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

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Before the Winter Meetings, the Washington Nationals made clear that they did not think it was absolutely essential that they add the pitching help they need from the top of the free agent class or within the three-day span of the Indianapolis Winter Meetings, as DC GM Mike Rizzo explained to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, who wrote in a 12/2/09 article entitled, "Pitching the focus for Nats at Meetings", that fans shouldn't, "...look for the the Nationals to attempt to break the bank," in pursuit of free agent help, as they did last Winter in their pursuit of Mark Teixeira, who we've been told, time and again, was seen as a once-in-a-generation talent, but instead should accept the fact that it's more, "...likely that Rizzo will make trades."

(cont.)...

BACKPAGE:

• The LIST.

• Oh...AND LIVAN HERNANDEZ!

• Guzman To Second, Desmond At Short?

• Bally To The Bullpen? WT...

BACKPAGE:

• The LIST as the DC Faithful are calling it, (ed. note - "No one is calling it that."), that Rizzo gave to Washington Post writer Chico Harlan for an article entitled, "Reading Material, Shopping Lists", of pitchers that the Nationals were interested in this winter, started with 14 names, but as the Winter Meetings officially end following tomorrow's Rule 5 Draft, the list has been shortened some, from, "Jason Marquis, Randy Wolf, John Lackey, Cliff Lee, Jon Garland, Kevin Millwood, Tim Hudson, Brad Penny, Joel Piñeiro, Braden Looper, Jarrod Washburn, Brandon Webb, Brett Myers, John Smoltz and more..." to, as the Post's Chico Harlan wrote in two Nationals Journal posts entitled, "The starting pitching shopping list", and "The starting pitching, Pt. II":

"(Jon Garland and)...almost every established free agent starting pitcher except the A-lister, John Lackey. So, the Nats would entertain the possibility of Jarrod Washburn, Joel Pineiro, Vicente Padilla, Jason Marquis, and John Smoltz."

• Oh...AND LIVAN HERNANDEZ!

After Washington Post writer Dave Sheinin wrote about Elijah Dukes' winter, he added a note to the end of an article entitled, "Nationals notes: Dukes, L. Hernandez", about the Washington Nationals making contract with the agent for Mr. National Himself, Livan Hernandez, the original Nationals' Ace, who has openly expressed his desire to return to the nation's capital since the end of the '09 season. Mr. Sheinin writes that Hernandez's agent, "(Barry) Praver would not characterize the talks", but in the Washington Post writer's opinion it would take, "...a one-year contract with a low base and ample performance incentives."

-- (ed. note - "Do you want to see Livan Hernandez return to the Nationals? From what I've read in the comments, it's pretty much split amongst the DC Faithful...Should the Nationals let Livan teach Strasburg the eephus?")

• Guzman To Second, Desmond At Short?

MLB.com's Bill Ladson was Twittering throughout the Winter Meetings, letting Nationals' fans know what was going on long before it went into print (as were the Washington Times' writers), and the biggest revelation out of the final day in Indianapolis was that the Nationals had made up their minds about what to do with their twenty-ten middle infield:

"It appears the Nats will take a chance with Cristian Guzman at second base. That means Orlando Hudson is not coming to DC."

Does that mean that Ian Desmond is officially a "Go!" at short? Are the Nationals still going to try to find another option at short?

• Bally To The Bullpen? WT...

The other interesting thing that MLB.com's Bill Ladson Twittered was the idea that:

"The Nats may rely on some of their youngsters in the bullpen. Luis Atilano, Collin Balester and Craig Stammen are candidates."

As the Nationals' system produces more pitching, some of the older starters who haven't established themselves are going to have to make the move to the pen to make room for the next wave of pitchers. Is Balester on that list in your mind? (ed. note - "Not mine.")...What about J.D. Martin? Shairon Martis? Atilano? Stammen? Ross Detwiler? Is this Washington's way of saying why sign relievers when we have all these arms under contract?

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.

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.

Wednesday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:05:23 -0000

by Morry Gash - AP

Despite his struggles last night, Trevor Hoffman has still been great as a Brewer this season.

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Some things to read while searching for respect.

Sorry this morning's Mug is a little late: I was at last night's game and got home shortly after 1:30, so my normal 6:15 alarm was out of the question. The Mug will be back at its regular time tomorrow.

It's possible I just have terrible luck. Including yesterday's game, I've attended three this season, and now I've seen Corey Patterson start in center field and lead off twice. Joe Posnanski wonders if batting Patterson leadoff on back-to-back days is a felony. Walkoff Walk has a shirt we may all need to own. Patterson went 0-for-3 with three swinging strikeouts, and still has yet to hit the ball out of the infield as a Brewer. By the way, the Brewers are now 0-3 in games I've attended this season.

Last night's game wasn't big on results but it was high in excitement. Manny Parra left the game after just one inning with neck spasms, and the Brewers ended up tying a franchise record by using eight pitchers in a nine-inning game. Carlos Villanueva pitched three brilliant innings in relief, prompting Casa de Machado to wonder if the Brewers were better off without Manny. It was also the first time I'd seen Trevor Hoffman pitch in person, and no matter what Joe Posnanski says, that's cooler than seeing REO Speedwagon at the State Fair.

With that said, it ended up being just another loss for the Brewers, who now need to win their last 24 games to match last season's 90-72 mark.

Corey Hart was activated from the DL yesterday (and added to the roster along with Mat Gamel), but was unable to start due to "heavy legs" after playing the full game in New Orleans the night before. Hart will likely start today, freeing up Jody Gerut to take over in center. I'm not sure what I'll do if Corey Patterson gets a third consecutive start.

As I mentioned above, Mat Gamel was recalled yesterday, but don't expect to see much of him in the remaining weeks. Casey McGehee will see most of the time at third down the stretch, and while he's probably earned that right, it'd be nice for the Brewers to get Gamel some ABs in an effort to evaluate his ability to contribute next season.

It appears the Brewers won't call up a third catcher after all. Adam McCalvy says the Brewers never had plans to call up Angel Salome, and doesn't feel like he's part of the plans for 2010, either. Every day I feel like we get a little closer to another 120+ starts and sub-.300 slugging percentage for Jason Kendall.

Michael Hunt talked to Doug Melvin, who says he's going to be more aggressive in his pursuit of pitching this offseason. Normally that's the type of information Melvin would keep close to the vest, so I wonder if he's starting to feel internal or external pressure.

Did the Brewers make a mistake by releasing Jesus Colome earlier this week? Zach Sanders of Baseball Digest Daily thinks someone will be happy they gave him a shot in 2010.

Mike Cameron still isn't expected back until Friday at the earliest, but he'll have some work to do when he gets back: Baseball Reference's leaderboards have him 20 behind Jim Thome for most strikeouts this decade. Jason Kendall has a 17 plunk lead on Jason Giambi for most '00 HBPs.

In the minors:

Brevard County finished the season with the fifth best record in all of minor league baseball, but also canceled 13 games this season due to rainouts or wet grounds. With that said, they're down 1-0 in the first round of the FSL playoffs and face an elimination game tonight. Wisconsin finished 58-81, winning just one of their last ten games to finish tied for the ninth worst minor league record.
Josh Butler is the prospect of the week over at Between the Green Pillars.

Around baseball:

Nationals: Designated reliever Jorge Sosa for assignment.
Tigers: Closer Fernando Rodney has been suspended for three games for firing a baseball into the press box over the weekend.

Dusty Baker gets a lot of blame for destroying the careers of young pitchers, but does Nationals interim manager Jim Riggleman deserve it too? Fire Jim Bowden has a look at Riggleman's history with Geremi Gonzalez and Kerry Wood, and more recent statements and actions with Jordan Zimmermann and Craig Stammen.

This is the kind of buy-low opportunity the Brewers should be all over, if it becomes available: DRaysBay thinks the Rays might non-tender catcher Dioner Navarro this offseason. Navarro is having a terrible year at the plate in 2009, but was an All Star in 2008 and is still young enough to bounce back.

As if the Blue Jays didn't have enough problems with baseball's toughest division, financial issues and inept management, new aviation rules have left them seeking alternatives to their charter plane service, and forced them to find alternative transportation to a recent series in Detroit.

On this date in 1992, Robin Yount went 1-for-5 with a single, the 3000th hit of his major league career. On this date in 2007, Rickie Weeks, J.J. Hardy and Ryan Braun went back-to-back-to-back to start the game against the Reds, and the Brewers won 10-5.

Happy birthday today to Todd Coffey, who turns 29, and happy belated birthday to Logan Schafer, who won the Florida State League batting title this season and turned 23 yesterday.

Drink up.

Washington Nationals Swept By San Diego Padres. Another Pitcher Injured?

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:54:32 -0000

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

3 months ago: Washington Nationals left fielder Willie Harris comes chases down a double hit by San Diego Padres' Adrian Gonzelez that drove in two runs in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

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• What do you even say at this point? Really? "Hey, don't sweat it, the Nationals got swept in their second series with San Diego last season too." September 19-21st. Losses 96-98 of the 102-loss '08 campaign. And once again it's September, and the nation's capital's favorite baseball team is getting swept out of PETCO Park, having dropped seven of nine on the late season road trip, and six in a row over two-straight series against the Cardinals and Padres.

• When I read Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's Nationals Journal post's headline, I have to admit I assumed he was talking about John Lannan when he wrote, "Losing Streak, Elbow Soreness For Stammen", well at least until I got to the "For Stammen" part, (I think Mr. Harlan changed the title, actually), but for a moment I thought this might explain John Lannan's recent struggles on the mound, which include today's five-run fifth, in which Lannan allowed six-straight San Diego batters on with two outs. Two singles, a double, an intentional walk, a double and a single before the final out of the frame is recorded when Padres' catcher Nick Hundley pops out. A scoreless game is quickly a 5-0 blowout and Lannan's out after 5.0 innings, 90 pitches, 6 hits, 4 walks and 5 ER allowed.

Stammen? According to Mr. Harlan's article:

"Rookie starter Craig Stammen, a member of Washington's pitching rotation since May, has been scratched from his start on Friday because of elbow soreness. An MRI, scheduled for Thursday in Washington, D.C., will determine the severity of the injury."

PTBNLON? After The JUMP...+ Plus: Who Is Heath Bell Talking About?

Padres win, 7-0 final.

Nationals now 46-88. (Countdown To 100 Losses Stands At...12)

PTBNLON? Player To Be Named Later Or Not? [Rizzo Points To Head]

There was a note in Wednesday's GameThread about the Nationals acquiring the Los Angeles Dodgers' left-hander Victor Garate as the Player To Be Named Later in the Ronnie Belliard trade which also brought RHP Luis Garcia to DC. There was apparently some confusion as to whether Garate had simply been claimed off waivers separately or if he was the PTBNL, but late in the day, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger cleared up any confusion with an article entiteld, "Garate completes Belliard deal", in which Mr. Bollinger confirmed that Garate, who, "...entered the season as one of the Dodgers' top 25 prospects," was in fact, the PTBNL. Back in Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's Nationals Journal post entitled, "Losing Streak, Elbow Soreness For Stammen", Mr. Harlan writes that Garate, "...will be pitching out of the bullpen for...the rest of the season," and Mr. Harlan quotes the DC GM Mike Rizzo's quick scouting report on Garate:

"We see a guy who's a versatile pitcher. He can be a set-up type of guy. He gets right-handers and left-handers out the same. He's got good stuff with good command and a funky delivery that fools some hitters. He's kind of between a three-quarters and a low three-quarters (arm) slot, so he's really tough on left-handers. The league is hitting .191 against him, and he's shown a propensity to throw all his pitches for strikes at any given time. He's not a soft-tosser. He throws up to 91-91, and he's got a good sweeping breaking ball and change-up."

Garate is 24-years-old, the other arm included in the deal, Luis Garcia, a 22-year-old right-hander was described by Mr. Rizzo in Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's Nationals Journal post on Sunday entitled, "Nats Trade Belliard to Dodgers", as having a 94 mph fastball, slider and "really good command". Ronnie Belliard, who went to the Dodgers after parts of three seasons in DC, hit a HR in his first at bat with LA.

Who Is Heath Bell Talking About?

When asked about how important "team camraderie" was to the relative recent success of the Padres, San Diego closer Heath Bell talked to XM hosts Jeff Joyce and Jim Duquette on "Power Alley" this afternoon about how the attitude the team played with, where they just thought about playing each game in spite of their record, and went about their jobs as if they weren't a last place team, helps them compete late in a long losing season in contrast to another team Mr. Bell neglects to name, which he describes as having "great talent and great players," but no team chemistry. The kind of team that, in Mr. Bell's words, makes you ask, "How are these guys not winning," :

"...they're not putting it together and then you just hear about other things that are going on, and you're like, Damn it's just like it's 9 or 25 professional great athletes, but it's not one team. You know, you got 25 guys out there, but it's not one team, and here in San Diego we got the Padres in there, yeah you got 25 guys on the Padres but we're all going out there trying to win it for San Diego, where, you know other clubs, there just going out there and just playing, trying to put their numbers up and some are, some aren't, but I really think for a team to do real well, you gotta have that team chemistry..."

Who is Heath Bell talking about? Which team? All he'll say in the interview is that it's not the Mets, his former employer. Is it just the fact that the Padres are playing the Nationals now that makes me think he's talking about Washington? He might as well be if he's not. Outside of the fact that some of the players throw DY Waves to the dugout when they double is there any real sign on a day-to-day basis that the Nationals are tight as a team? Do they have any definable identity? Outside of the Face of The Franchise, Ryan Zimmerman and the quiet HR hitting Adam Dunn, how has the team been marketed to the DC fanbase? Is Stephen Strasburg the one who'll shift the focus from "NatsTown" to the actual players on the field?

St. Louis Cardinals Get Two Three-Run HR's, Beat Washington Nationals 9-4.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 06:09:49 -0000

More photos » by Tom Gannam - AP

3 months ago: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Craig Stammen reacts as St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Holliday circles the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009 in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

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E: 17, 115:

To be fair to Cristian Guzman, Albert Pujols, who was running from second, did momentarily block his view, stopping, before running to third, so that Guzman didn't see the ball hit toward short off Ryan Ludwick's bat until it passed the big Cardinals' slugger, but the Nationals' shortstop was still given a two-out error when it bounced off his knee and into center. Pujols scored from first on Guzman's 17th E of '09, which also ended Stammen's night, and Matt Holliday went first to third to put two on for Colby Rasmus, who launched a two-out, three-run HR to right of Washington's lefty reliever Ron Villone to put St. Louis up 7-2 after five innings of play tonight in Busch Stadium.

DC starter Craig Stammen didn't make it out of the fifth. Nationals' Manager Jim Riggleman lifted Stammen after he allowed 4 hits, 4 walks and 6 runs, the three scored after Guzman's E unearned of course, but still on the board, and the other three earned with one swing when Matt Holliday took umbrage with the intentional walk of Albert Pujols that preceded his AB and hit a 3-run HR of his own on a first-pitch fastball from Stammen that didn't quite make it all the way inside. It was 3-1 Cardinals at that point, 5-2 after Rasmus' blast and 9-3 after back to back RBI hits by Brendan Ryan and Albert Pujols in the sixth, and a 9-4 final after Ryan Zimmerman's RBI single in the seventh ended the scoring. Cardinals right-hander Mitchell Boggs (2-2, 4.57) got his second win of the season for 6.0 innings of work over which he allowed 8 hits, 1 BB, 3 ER and 1 HR. St. Louis' skipper Tony LaRussa uses four separate pitchers with a 9-3 lead, but who can blame the Cardinals for making sure they get the win with the post season at stake...

Cardinals win, 9-4 final.

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BACKPAGE:

• #35

• "Perfect" Pete Orr Goes 4 for 4.

For the Completists, Full Game Reports After The JUMP...

Nationals now 46-84. (Countdown To 100 Losses Stands At...16)

BACKPAGE:

• #35

Mitchell Boggs, the Cards' hard-throwing right-hander will probably think twice before he throws Adam Dunn a first-pitch fastball waist high over the outside edge of the plate again, since it was hit so far the St. Louis fans had time to, "Ahhhh!" as it soared out to right. Dunn's no-doubter is the Nationals' big boppers' 35th of the season, five off his trademark total with 32 games to go. In 21 games and 92 plate appearances in April, Dunn hits 6 HR's, in 29 games and 126 plate appearances in May, Dunn connected for 10, 4 in 26 games and 108 PA's in June, and 6 in 26 games and 101 plate appearances in July, with 9 HR's (so far) in August and thirty-two games to go...Does anyone doubt Dunn does it? NEW POLL!!!

• "Perfect" Pete Orr Goes 4 for 4.

I made the mistake of calling "Pinch Hittin'" Pete Orr a gritty hustler who was "wholly unspectacular" but nonetheless a favorite everywhere he plays because of the effort he puts out each and every game and Orr went out and collected 4 hits in 4 at bats tonight, all singles, to prove his worth and my point.

GAME REPORT:

Washington Nationals At St. Louis Cardinals. Game 130 Of 162.

Cards’ right-hander Mitchell Boggs gets a groundout to first from Willie Harris to start the second of three in St. Louis. Cristian Guzman legs out a triple on a sharp grounder that gets by Pujols at first and rolls into the corner. Ryan Zimmerman flies to the track in right allowing Guzman to tag and score. 1-0 Nationals. Adam Dunn archs a line drive over Mark DeRosa at short for a two-out single. Mitchell Boggs gets Josh Willingham to chase a two-strike slider out of the zone...Skip Schumaker doubles into the left field gap off DC right-hander Craig Stammen to start the Cards’ first. Brendan Ryan grounds to short and Schumaker breaks for third and gets cut down, Zimmerman with the tag. Alberto Pujols pops out to Adam Dunn foul of first. Ryan Zimmerman catches a pop fly from Matt Holliday in front of the third base dugout. 1-0 DC after one.

Elijah Dukes grounds out to short to start the second. Pete Orr lines a single to center with one down. Wil Nieves grounds back to the mound, Boggs to Schumaker to Pujols, double play...Ryan Ludwick starts the St. Louis' second with a base on balls. Colby Rasmus grounds into a force at second. Rasmus steals second without a throw when Wil Nieves rushes and loses it. Stammen issues a two-out walk to Mark DeRosa. Jason LaRue pops out to third, and Stammen gets Boggs looking at a two-strike curve.

Craig Stammen grounds out to short. Willie Harris hits a one-out single over second that drops into the grass. Cristian Guzman grounds to first, Albert Pujols throws to second to get Harris, but Guzman’s safe at first. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to short and DeRosa takes the force at second...Skip Schumaker gets robbed by a sprinting Willie Harris, who gets to left center on a hard hit liner. Brendan Ryan singles up the middle with one down. Stammen throws a high full-count fastball to walk Pujols. Stammen doesn’t keep his fastball low enough and Holliday lifts it off the inside corner for a three-run blast. 3-1 Cardinals. Stammen gets Ryan Ludwick swinging. Colby Rasmus flies to left to end the third. 3-1 Cards.

Adam Dunn pops out to the catcher. Josh Willingham takes a full count fastball down low for a one-out walk. Elijah Dukes rips a single through short. Pete Orr goes the other way to load the bases on a line drive to left. Wil Nieves grounds out to score Hammer from third, 3-2. Craig Stammen pops out to end the inning...Cristian Guzman throws out Mark DeRosa. Jason LaRue can’t swing at a two-strike slider that breaks across the zone for strike three. Mitchell Boggs K’s looking too.

Willie Harris flies out to left field to start the fifth. Cristian Guzman grounds to first, Boggs gets over to cover. Ryan Ludwick goes back to the wall to catch Ryan Zimmerman’s fly ball...Stammen vs Schumaker in the fifth. Schumaker grounds out to second. Brendan Ryan flies out to Willie Harris in the right-center gap. Albert Pujols torches a double to left, one hop and off the wall with two down. Holliday gets a free pass. Ryan Ludwick grounds to short, and Pujols blocks Guzman’s view, the ball bounces off Guzman and flies into center, one run scores, 4-2 Cards. Ron Villone comes on to face the lefty Colby Rasmus. Rasmus destroys a fastball over the middle of the plate, GONE!! 3-run HR to right. DeRosa lines out to end the frame. 7-2 Cardinals.

Adam Dun---SHAKE N BAKE!! SHAKE N BAKE!!! Adam Dunn goes real deep to right for his 35th HR of the year. 7-3 Cardinals. Elijah Dukes pops out to first. Pete Orr hits a two-out double to right. Wil Nieves is robbed by a diving Skip Schumaker at second, 7-3 Cardinals, middle of six...Jorge Sosa takes over for DC. Jason LaRue pops out to Pete Orr at second. Pinch hitter Joe Thurston pops out. Skip Schumaker doubles to the left field corner. Brendan Ryan gets a single through second to score Schumaker, 8-3 Cardinals. Albert Pujols doubles in a run off the center field wall, 9-3 Cardinals. Holliday grounds out to second to mercifully end the sixth.

Mike Morse grounds out to start the seventh. Kyle McClellan on to pitch for St. Louis. Willie Harris works a one-out walk. Cristian Guzman splits the right-center gap with a low line drive single. Zimmerman singles through short, Harris scores from second, 9-4 St. Louis. Lefty Trever Miller on to face Dunn. Adam Dunn lines out to Ludwick in right. Josh Willingham will see a new pitcher. Jason Motte vs The Hammer. Motte walks Willingham to load the bases for Dukes. Dukes K’s looking at two pitches out of the zone...Saul Rivera gets a groundout from Ryan Ludwick to start the Cards’ seventh. Colby Rasmus goes opposite field with a line drive single to left. Mark DeRosa follows with a single to right. LaRue grounds to short, Guzman to Orr to Dunn at first, double play.

Motte’s back in the eighth. Pete Orr hits a broken bat single to center. Wil Nieves K’s swinging over a two-strike curve. Ronnie Belliard grounds into the inning-ender, DP by the Cards to end DC’s eighth...Jason Bergmann comes on for the Nationals. Rick Ankiel takes a leadoff walk. Skip Schumaker lines to right for a single. Brendan Ryan grounds out but moves both runners over, opening up first for Pujols, who gets the intentionals. Matt Holliday goes down swinging. Ryan Ludwick goes down chasing, 9-4 Cardinals after eight.

Willie Harris vs Brad Thompson. Harris takes strike three on a fastball up high. Cristian Guzman pops out to second. Ryan Zimmerman’s bat explodes as he grounds out to first, game over. Cards win, 9-4 final.

Nationals now 46-84.

Poll

Will Adam Dunn Reach 40 HR's?

Without A Doubt! Shake N Bake!!! Dunn Will Hit 40!!!!

60 votes

Not This Year! Dunn Finally Falls Short Of 40!!!

6 votes

Dunn Will Not Only Hit 40 HR's, He's Going To Top His Career High Of 46!!!

9 votes

75 votes | Poll has closed

Potomac Nationals Weekly Update: Tim Pahuta Interview.

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:00:16 -0000

Somerset, New Jersey born, Seton Hall University educated, Potomac Nationals' first baseman Tim Pahuta, the Washington Nationals' 18th Round draft pick, taken 534th overall in 2005, (behind a few names you might recognize like Ryan Zimmerman, Justin Maxwell, Marco Estrada, John Lannan and Craig Stammen, among others), was two seasons into his professional career when he suffered a torn ACL which cost him his entire 2007 season when he was 24-years-old. Pahuta has been tasked, as the P-Nats fight for a pennant in the Class-A Advanced Carolina League's Northern Division, with replacing the top first base prospect in the Nationals' system, Chris Marrero, who was called up to Double-A Harrisburg last week after hitting .287 with 21 doubles, 16 HR's and 65 RBI's in 112 games with Potomac.

Pahuta, who hit 24 doubles, 17 HR's and 73 RBI's in 116 games with the Hagerstown Suns last season, and so far this year has collected 13 doubles, 7 HR's and 35 RBI's in 77 games, reluctantly admits in the interview included below, that at 26, he's an "elder statesmen" on the Class-A team, with the ACL tear having significantly slowed his development, and as such, Pahuta has responded to the increased importance of his role with the team by hitting .294 with 8 doubles, 4 HR's and 19 RBI's in 37 games since the All-Star break. "With just two weeks left in the year and the team in the thick of a pennant race, (Pahuta's) responded very well to the pressures of the position as well as picking up the slack lefty by Marrero," Anthony Masterson, (Broadcast/Media Assistant with the Class-A Carolina League's Potomac Nationals), wrote in a note he sent along with this week's interview.

After Monday night's 5-3 loss to the to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the P-Nats find themselves 2.5 games behind the Carolina League's Northern Division leading Wilmington Blue Rocks, but third baseman Stephen King recently returned from the disabled list and there's a possibility of help arriving soon...From Hagerstown? Mark Scialabba, the Nationals' Assistant Director Of Player Development, said that might be a possibilty when asked if anyone would be joining the pennant race during a Washinton Nationals Bloggers Day interview this weekend. In Mr. Scialabba's own words, someone might be brought up, "If there's a guy who we feel like can help," and only if it's in the best interest of the prospect's development, Mr. Scialabba qualified, like, "last year," when, "...Michael Burgess and Stephen King were promoted, early August and it was great, they added a lot, Michael Burgess ended up hitting 6 HR's and Stephen King played steady third base." Help is on the way in the form of Mr. King, be interesting to see if anyone else joins the P-Nats' race...

AUDIO: Potomac Nationals Weekly Update - Tim Pahuta Interview - Anthony Masterson (Length: 5:53)

Potomac Nationals Weekly Update Archive: (After The JUMP)...

Potomac Nationals Weekly Update Archive:

• 8/20 - Tom Milone Interview - Anthony Masterson.

• 8/7 - Will Atwood Interview - Anthony Masterson.

• 7/26 - Drew Storen Interview - Anthony Masterson.

• 7/23 - Danny Espinosa Interview - Anthony Masterson.

• 7/14 - Boomer Whiting Interview - Anthony Masterson.

• 7/8 - Sean Rooney Interview by Anthony Masterson.

• 6/29 - Chris Marrero Interview by Anthony Masterson.

• 6/15 - Stephen King, Will Atwood.

• 6/5 - Cole Kimball, Sean Rooney.

• 5/25 - Chris Marrero, Jeff Mandel, Sean Rooney.

• 5/17 - Tom Milone, Michael Burgess, Chris Marrero.

• 5/12 - Sean Rooney, Francisco Plasencia, Erik Arnesen, Brad Meyers and Jeff Mandel.

• 5/5 - Dan Nelson, Erik Arnesen.

Washington Nationals Snap 5-Game Losing Streak, Beat The Milwaukee Brewers 8-3.

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:36:41 -0000

More photos » by Pablo Martinez Monsivais - AP

3 months ago: The Washington Nationals celebrate on the field following their win against the Milwaukee Brewers in a baseball game in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009. Washington won 8-3. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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Quick Game Recap: Nationals 8 Brewers 3

DC right-hander Craig Stammen came through with a solid performance on the mound this afternoon, throwing 93 pitches over 6.1 IP and allowing just 5 hits and 3 earned runs to a Milwaukee Brewers team that pounded Nationals pitchers in the first two games of this four-game long-weekend-series in Nationals Park. Today it was the Nationals who got out to an early lead putting up 5 runs in the first two innings on RBI singles by Ryan Zimmerman and Ronnie Belliard in the first, and a suicide squeeze (Nyjer Morgan bunting with Mike Morse charging from third), and a solo shot by Cristian Guzman in the second. The Brewers got on the board in the top of third with a double by their pitcher, Manny Para, a productive groundout by shortstop Alcides Escobar and an RBI single by our old friend Felipe Lopez, but the Nationals responded in the bottom of the frame when Adam Dunn launched his 33rd HR to right to give DC back its 5-run lead. The Nationals add two in the fourth, with Ryan Zimmerman's 26th HR of '09, a two-run blast, making it 8-1 Washington, so the two runs the Brewers tack on later are inconsequential. Craig Stammen earns his fourth win, (4-6, 5.08), and Sean Burnett (0.2 IP) and Tyler Clippard (2.0 IP) help snap the Nationals' five-game losing streak.

Nationals win, 8-3 final.

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

Check Out The SB Nation's Milwaukee Brewers Blog: Brew Crew ball GameThread.

"Game 124: Happy Nationals' Blogger Day (2)" - by Doghouse.

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

Nationals now 44-80.

GAME REPORT:

Milwaukee Brewers At Washington Nationals. Game 124 Of 162.

While I’m finishing off my veggie burger, after a Stan Kasten and Mike Rizzzo interview, DC right-hander Craig Stammen puts the Brewers down in order in the top of the first...Nyjer Morgan leads off the Nationals' first with a single off Alcides Escobar at short. Cristian Guzman grounds back to the mound, Manny Parra turns to throw to first, but Escobar drops the ball on a hard slide by Morgan. Error on Escobar is the call. Ryan Zimmerman gets down 0-2 and ends up ripping a line drive to left center that scores Morgan from second, and Zimmerman takes second on the throw in. 1-0 DC. Adam Dunn lifts a soft liner up over second, but Felipe Lopez gets there. Josh Willingham lines out to short on the first pitch from Parra. The Brewers’ left-hander gives up a sliced single to Ronnie Belliard that lands in the right field grass and scores two. 3-0 Nationals. Josh Bard flies out to left to end the first.

Big Prince Fielder grounds back to the mound to start the second, Stammen handles it. Mike Cameron goes down swinging through a high fastball. Frank Catalanotto flies out to Nyjer Morgan on the curly-W in the center field grass...Mike Morse, who’s starting in right, leads off the Nationals’ second. Morse rips a double by Craig Counsell at third. Craig Stammen squares to bunt and gets a perfect sac down to move Morse to third. Nyjer Morgan, drops a bunt!!!! Morse is running, suicide!!! Morse safe, Morgan out at first!! 4-0 Nationals. THE GUZZZZZZZ goes DEEEEP!! Cristian Guzman takes Parra deeeeep to left and GONE!! HR!! 5-0 Nationals. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to end the Nationals’ second.

Brewers’ backstop Mike Rivera leads off the bottom of the frame with a groundout to short. Mike Morse misplays a line drive off Manny Parra into a double. Belliard charges on a weak grounder from Alcides Escobar and makes the play as Parra takes third. Felipe Lopez lines to right for an RBI single. 5-1 Nationals. Craig Counsell grounds out to second to end the top of the third...Adam Dunn leads off the second with a monster shot to left to make it 6-1 Nationals. Second deck over the bullpen. 7 to go to 40. Josh Willingham grounds out to first. Ronnie Belliard walks with one down. Mike Morse grounds to third and Counsell can’t come up with it. Belliard takes second. Craig Stammen pops out foul of first to end the frame.

Ryan Braun rips a foul ball down the left field line, then straightens it out a bit for a single to center. Prince Fielder flies out to left, WIllingham has it. Braun takes second with Cameron at bat. Mike Cameron walks. Frank Catalanotto pops out to third. Mike Rivera rips a grounder to short, Zimmerman cuts it off and takes the force at second...Nyjer Morgan grounds out to first. Cristian Guzman rips a one-out single over short. Ryan Zimmerman works the count full, and rips a line drive to right center and GONE!! Over the out-of-town scoreboard for a two-run blast and an 8-1 Nationals’ lead. Parra’s done, Carlos Villanueva on to face Dunn. Dunn bounces a line drive off the right field wall. Ryan Braun makes a sprinting catch to rob WIllingham of extra bases. Ronnie Belliard rolls a hard grounder at Counsell, who throws to second for the inning-ending force.

Pinch hitter Jody Gerut pops up to Bard. Alcides Escobar hits a liner to left that clears the fence for his 1st HR. 8-2 Nationals. Felipe Lopez flies out to left center. Craig Counsell grounds back to the mound off Stammen’s glove to Belliard, who makes the play...Josh Bard lines a single to left to start the fifth. Mike Morse flies out to short center. Craig Stammen K’s swinging. Mike Cameron sprints out to the left center track to take a hit away from Nyjer Morgan and end the Nationals’ fifth.

Ryan Braun leads off the sixth for Milwaukee. Guzman backhands a grounder from Braun and throws him out at first. Prince Fielder flies to Mike Morse in right. Stammen knocks down a line drive from Mike Cameron and throws to first to end the Brewers’ sixth...Cristian Guzman lines out to Cameron in left center. Ryan Zimmerman pops out to the catcher. Adam Dunn takes a two-out walk. Josh Willingham gets hit to put two on for Belliard. Belliard flies out to center to end the sixth.

Hernan Iribarren gets one over Nyjer Morgan’s head in center for a leadoff double. Mike Rivera pops out to Adam Dunn behind first. Sean Burnett takes over for Stammen, and gives up an RBI single to Jody Gerut. Alcides Escobar flies out to right. Felipe Lopez hits Burnett with a liner, Burnett makes the play...Mike DiFelice takes over for Milwaukee. Josh Bard pops out to short. Mike Morse K’s swinging. Willie Harris flies out to Cameron in center to end the seventh.

Tyler Clippard takes over in the eighth against Craig Counsell flies out to center. Jason Bourgeois takes a one-out walk. Prince Fielder pops out to third. Mike Cameron goes down swinging...Nyjer Morgan grounds by the mound and out to short where Alcides Escobar makes the play. Cristian Guzman flies out to center. Ryan Zimmerman up with two down and he gets a free pass. Adam Dunn hits a broken bat grounder into the shift to end the eighth.

Clippard’s back out for the ninth. Casey McGehee leads off the ninth. McGehee pops out to second. Mike Rivera K’s chashing. Jody Gerut flies out to right to end it. Nationals win. Nationals win.

Nationals now 44-80.

Nationals 8, Brewers 3

KLSnow — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:28:28 -0000

More photos » by Pablo Martinez Monsivais - AP

Alcides Escobar points skyward after hitting his first career home run Sunday.

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W: Craig Stammen (4-6)
L: Manny Parra (8-10)

HR: Alcides Escobar (1), Cristian Guzman (6), Adam Dunn (33), Ryan Zimmerman (26)

MVP: Hernan Iribarren (+.013)
LVP: Manny Parra (-.370 pitching, +.022 hitting for -.348 overall)

Win Expectancy Graph
SBNation Coverage

Yes, you're reading that right - Hernan Iribarren, who went 1-for-1 with a pinch hit double, was today's most valuable Brewer with slightly more than a hundredth of WPA.

The Brewer defense buried Manny Parra in a hole early in this game, allowing three unearned runs in the first on two errors. After that, though, Parra allowed earned runs in the second, third and fourth innings, allowing eight total (five earned) on eight hits and a walk in just 3.1 innings. Carlos Villanueva came in and saved the bullpen from a very long day, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings in mop up duty, but the damage had been done.

Alcides Escobar hit his first career home run in the fifth inning, and shortly afterwards Ryan Braun picked up his first career ejection, getting the quick hook after slamming his helmet to the ground in frustration after being called out on a close play at first.

The Brewers managed just six hits in the game, one each from Escobar, Iribarren, Parra, Braun, Jody Gerut and Felipe Lopez, and just two walks.

Washington Nationals Drop 4-3 Decision To Colorado Rockies, About To FIRE MIKE RIZZO?

Ed Chigliak — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:15:18 -0000

More photos » by Haraz N. Ghanbari - AP

4 months ago: Colorado Rockies' Brad Hawpe rounds second base after hitting a solo home run to center field during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

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Craig Stammen allowed just two hits through five innings pitched tonight, one of the hits a HR, the other a meaningless single, and as the sixth innings began, the Washington Nationals led the visiting Colorado Rockies by a 2-1 score. The Nationals had answered Rockies' right fielder Brad Hawpe's second-inning HR off Stammen with a two-run second of their own off Colorado right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, the result of a two-out HBP, a run-scoring double and an RBI single, with Wil Nieves hit, Craig Stammen doubling and Nyjer Morgan singling in the go-ahead run in the form Alberto Gonzalez, who'd ground into a force at second with one down. Stammen took the mound in the sixth, facing the Rockies' order from the top for the third time, and he proceeded to surrender two-straight one-out singles, before throwing a wild pitch, and walking the bases loaded, forcing DC Manager Jim Riggleman to replace him with lefty Ron Villone, who got a groundout but gave up the tying run. 2-2.

Washington's right-handed reliever Jason Bergmann got the Nationals out of the sixth and threw a scoreless seventh before being lifted for pinch hitter Willie Harris, who singled to start the DC's seventh but was stranded on third three outs later. Sean Burnett started the eighth on the hill for DC against the Rockies' leadoff hitter, Carlos Gonzalez, and Burnett threw a first-pitch slider up and out over the plate that was lined into the right field bullpen so quick all Nationals' right fielder Elijah Dukes could do was turn to watch. 3-2 Rockies. After issuing a one-out walk, Burnett was replaced by Tyler Clippard, who K'd the first three Colorado batters he faced and then gave up a HR to center to Clint Barmes, 4-2 Rockies, which ended up being the winning run after Washington rallied for one in the ninth but fell short.

Rockies win, 4-3 final.

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

• Check Out The SB Nation's Colorado Rockies Blog: Purple Row GameThread.

• "Game 119: No walk-off for Pete this time..."

BACKPAGE: Today In Two Parts...

• Washington Nationals' "Acting" GM Mike Rizzo? Full-Time Or Fired? (Coming Soon)...

Read This For Now:

• Walking papers for Nats GM? - MLB - Yahoo! Sports - Gordon Edes

"So, what does Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo do for an encore after playing a key role in the signing of designated franchise savior Stephen Strasburg? "Would you believe lose his job?"

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

Colorado Rockies At Washington Nationals. Game 119 Of 162.

(ed. note - "Syracuse, NY's Finest, And the #1 Syracuse Chiefs' Fan ryzim22 Covered The First Two Innings. Thanks.")

Carlos Gonzalez grounds out to Alberto Gonzalez at second. Dexter Fowler strikes out on a breaking ball. Todd Helton lines out to shortstop Christian Guzman, (DC righty Craig Stammen through one)…. Nyger Morgan singles on a ground ball in between first and second. Nyger Morgan steals second on the first pitch to Cristian Guzman from Rockies' righty Ubaldo Jimenez. Guzman strikes out looking. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to shallow center where Dexter Fowler makes the grab. Adam Dunn strikes out swinging on a high fastball to end the inning.

Troy Tulowitzki lines a rocket to Ryan Zimmerman for the first out. Brad Hawpe hits his 17th home run of the season to left center that just gets over the fence. 1-0 Rockies. Garret Atkins grounds out to shortstop. Clint Barmes flies out to very shallow center to end the inning…. Josh Willingham breaks his bat on a soft liner to shortstop. Elijah Dukes beats out a broken bat infield single to shortstop. Elijah Dukes is forced out at second on a slow roller to short by Alberto Gonzalez who reaches first. Wil Nieves is drilled in the arm by a Jimenez fastball to put runners on first and second. Craig Stammen lines a double past Helton down the first base line. Alberto Gonzalez scores. Wil Nieves to third. 1-1. Nyger Morgan slaps a single past the third baseman. Nieves scores. Stammen to third. 2-1 DC. Christian Guzman hits a hard ground ball to short for the third out.

Chris Iannetta K’s swinging to start the third. Ubaldo Jimenez goes back up the middle with a one-out single. Carlos Gonzalez grounds into a force at second but is too quick to get doubled up. Dexter Fowler takes a two-out walk, but Stammen gets a fly ball out from Todd Helton to end the top of the third...Ubaldo Jimenez walks Ryan Zimmerman with one down. Adam Dunn K’s looking. Josh Willingham doubles to left, moving Zimmerman around to third. Jimenez pops up Elijah Dukes and catches a line drive from Alberto Gonzalez to end the third.

Tulowitzki, Hawpe and Atkins. Groundout, groundout, groundout. Craig Stammen throws a quick 1-2-3 fourth...Wil Nieves rolls a weak grounder to second for Clint Barmes. Craig Stammen can throw them, but can’t recognize a two-strike curve. Nyjer Morgan grounds out to first to end the fourth.

Craig Stammen cruises through the fifth as well. Clint Barmes flies to right. Rockies’ catcher Chris Iannetta grounds to Zimmerman at third, and Stammen gets Jimenez swinging...Cristian Guzman lines out to third. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to third. Adam Dunn strikes out to third...strikes out.

Carlos Gonzalez skies the first out of the sixth to right for Elijah Dukes. Dexter Fowler drops a bloop single in front of Nyjer Morgan in center. Todd Helton lines to right field, Dukes grabs it on one hop and fires in to second. Stammen bounces a sinker off WIl Nieves’ knee to move both runner up. Stammen walks Troy Tulowitzki and DC Manager Jim Riggleman has seen enough. Ron Villone comes on for Brad Hawpe, who grounds out to second, but a run scores to tie it. 2-2. Jason Bergmann comes on and pops up Garrett Atkins with one pitch...Josh Willingham pops out. Garrett Atkins throws out Elijah Dukes on a grounder that starts the Nationals’ sixth. Alberto Gonzalez shoots a two-out single over center. Wil Nieves grounds into a force at second to end the sixth.

Jason Bergmann’s back out for the seventh. Clint Barmes K’s swinging through a two-strike heater. Chris Iannetta walks with one down. Ubaldon Jimenez will be bunting. Jimenez misses two attempts and has to swing and he grounds back to Bergmann to Guzman at second to Dunn, double play...Willie Harris strokes a leadoff single to right. Nyjer Morgan gets a sac bunt down to give Guzman a RISP. Guzman grounds out to second to move Morgan to third. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to second, but Barmes makes a diving stop and throw to end the seventh.

Sean Burnett comes on to face Carlos Gonzalez, and surrenders a leadoff HR to right and GONE!! 3-2 Rockies. Dexter Fowler pops out to short right. Burnett issues a one-out walk to Todd Helton, and that’s all for him. Tyler Clippard gets Troy Tulowitzki looking at a low fastball on the inside corner. Brad Hawpe gets the high heat and he K’s to end the Rockies’ eighth...Adam Dunn pops up to short to start the Nationals’ half. Josh Willingham flies out to right. Elijah Dukes sends the third out to left.

Tyler Clippard strikes out Ian Stewart for the first out of the ninth. Clint Barmes takes Clippard deeeep to right, and, GONE!! 4-2 Rockies. Seth Smith hits for the pitcher, or more accurately walks. Carlos Gonzalez grounds to short to end the inning...Huston Street vs Alberto Gonzalez in the bottom of the inning. Gonzalez singles to left to start the rally. Ronnie Belliard grounds to short, and into a force at second. Josh Bard pops out to right. Nyjer Morgan slices a liner just over short to put two on for Cristian Guzman lines to right and inside the line!! Belliard scores, Morgan to third, 4-3 Rockies. Ryan Zimmerman? Zimmerman flies out to left to end it. Rockies win, 4-3 final.

Nationals now 43-76.