SB Nation - Jorge Sosa

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.

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' Possible Candidates for September Roster Expansion

Dave at Nats News Network — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:54:55 -0000

More photos » by Morry Gash - AP

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Collin Balester could rejoin the team as early as Sept. 1 when the major league rosters expand. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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With September 1 literally just hours away, major league teams can expand their active roster to include anyone occupying a spot on their 40-man roster. Traditionally, teams have utilized the "September call-up" in one of several ways:

1) For contenders, it's a chance to give their regulars a night off here and there in preparation for the gruel of the playoffs

2) For middle of the pack teams, it's often a reward to long-time minor leaguers or AAAA-types toiling in obsurity

3) For bottomfeeders, it's an opportunity for a chance to see that prospect that everyone is excited about, even for just a quick appearance

The Nats seem to fall into all three categories this year.

The Nats have already indicated that they will wait until Syracuse's season is over before calling anyone up, though. So any help will still be at least a week away from arriving in D.C.

Because of the rash of injuries, trades and bullpen struggles, general manager Mike Rizzo has already made the bulk of his September call-ups before the roster expansion happened. Jorge Padilla, Pete Orr, Justin Maxwell, Mike Morse...even pitchers like J.D. Martin, Tyler Clippard and Jorge Sosa would have been prime candidates, were it not for the need earlier in the season.

So who is left? Let's take a look!

ON THE 40-MAN ROSTER

By my count, with Justin Maxwell's impending promotion there are currently 14 players on the 40-man roster NOT on the active 25-man roster:

C: Jesus Flores (15-day DL), Luke Montz (AA-Harrisburg)

SS: Ian Desmond (AAA-Syracuse)

OF Austin Kearns (15-day DL), Nyjer Morgan (15-day DL)

LHP: Scott Olsen (15-day DL), Ross Detwiler (AAA-Syracuse), Matt Chico (AA-Harrisburg)

RHP: Collin Balester (AAA-Syracuse), Shairon Martis (AAA-Syracuse), Marco Estrada (AAA-Syracuse), Luis Atilano (AAA-Syracuse), Ryan Mattheus (minor league DL), Stephen Strasburg

60-day DL: OF Roger Bernadina, RHP Terrell Young, 1B Dmitri Young, RHP Jordan Zimmermann

Players on the 60-day DL do not count toward the 40-man roster, so there may still be some wiggle room to place a player or two on the 60-day to open 40-man space.

Of the 14 players on the 40-man, Flores, Morgan, Olsen and Mattheus are out for the season with injury. And from the sounds of this, Kearns is probably joining them. So we can rule all of those players out.

Rizzo has already been on record that Chico is not likely a candidate, and Strasburg's plans have been laid out in excrutiating detail. Additionally, Rizzo has all but ruled out a cameo for Drew Storen, blazing his way up the minor league chain after being selected No. 10 overall in this year's amateur draft.

That leaves Desmond, Detwiler, Balester, Martis, Estrada and Atilano off the 40-man roster eligible. It's been assumed that the Nats will recall a couple starters to relieve some of the burden from young arms accumulation of innings. But with the signing of Livan Hernandez, who eats innings as well as any pitcher in the majors, maybe that goal has already been achieved.

Still, I can envision seeing Balester, Detwiler, Martis and Estrada all being recalled and utilized as starters or swing-men in September.

And I'll also pencil in Desmond. He's had a terrific season, and the Nats have to be wondering if the best arm and range in their minor league system can handle the bat enough at the big league level to replace the very quickly aging Cristian Guzman and his bunions.

Atilano is 2-0, 2.45 in two starts since his promotion to Syracuse, and the one-time first round draft pick of the Altanta Braves has enjoyed a fine season overall, but the Nats are probably happy to let him finish the season and head into spring training.

As for players currently not on the 40-man roster? There are certainly some candidates, and most of them are bullpen guys that could again help manage the workload of some of the young starters.

OTHER PITCHERS

There are six relievers in Syracuse that could certainly get "The Call" : RHPs Zech Zinicola, Zack Segovia, Josh Wilkie, Clint Everts and LHPs Jack Spradlin and Yunior Novoa.

Segovia has some major league experince, a 2.70 ERA and five saves for Syracuse. Everts was the Expos 2002 first round pick. In 2009, in over 57.1 IP at three levels (Potomac, Harrisburg & Syracuse), Everts has been outstanding (8-1, 1.41 ERA, 1.116 WHIP, 10.4 K/9). Spradlin is 4-3 with four saves and has a 3.19 ERA and 1.212 WHIP across AAA-AA in 44 games. He has struck out an even 7.0 per nine.

Wilkie was an unheralded pitcher from George Washington University (sound familiar?) and has been promoted twice this season. Novoa has a great change but has only been "just decent" this season, despite being promoted three times this season. Zinicola (6.04 ERA) has struggled this year.

OTHER HITTERS

Most of them are already with the big club. Rizzo said the other day he doesn't envision calling up a third catcher just for the heck of it. Montz is the only other catcher on the 40-man, and he's really regressed this season (.184/.295/.314 in 347 plate appearances) after hitting 16 homers last season.

Could Seth Bynum (.263/.306./453, 18 HR, 62 RBI in 433 ABs), Kory Casto (.268/.332/.373, 7-55), Norris Hopper (.291/.342/.344, 23 SBs), Brad Eldred (.267/.338/.478, 16-56) or Daryle Ward (.235/.320/.389, 12-45) get promoted? Possible, but not likely. The only compelling possibility is Hopper, who is a plus defender in center. But you have to figure whatever at bats Wee Willie Harris doesn't get are going to go to Justin Maxwell, in what could make or break his tenure in the organization.

SURE TO BE INCORRECT PREDICTIONS

The Nats add a bunch of arms, but just one more hitter, injury notwithstanding.

From the 40-man: RHPs Balester, Detwiler, Martis, Estrada and SS Desmond

Need to be added to 40-man: RHP Everts and Segovia and LHP Spradlin

Your guess is as good as mine, though. Let's hear 'em in the comments.

Chicago Cubs Pound Washington Nationals' Bullpen, Ruin Livan Hernandez's Return. 9-4 Final.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:45:49 -0000

More photos » by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP

3 months ago: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Livan Hernandez, right, reacts after giving up a two-run home run to Chicago Cubs' Milton Bradley, left, during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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The Cubs Have Their Revenge...

• In his last start as a Washington National before last night's game against the Chicago Cubs, on August 6, 2006, a then-31-year-old Livan Hernandez threw 120 pitches over 7.0 innings pitched in 3-2 loss on the road against the San Diego Padres in which he allowed just 2 ER on a two-out HR by Brian Giles in the bottom of the eighth inning of what was then a 2-2 ballgame. One hundred and twenty-eight starts later, and now 34, Livan Hernandez once again pitched under the curly-W, this time in Wrigley Field one night after the Nationals had lit the Cubs up for 15 runs, but it was the Chicago batters who took over tonight, putting together a 6-run eighth to break up a 2-2 tie in which Livan Hernandez had gone 6.0 innings, throwing 117 pitches and allowing 5 hits and 2 ER on a two-run HR by Milton Bradley...

• The Nationals' beleaguered bullpen showed it's fatigue tonight, and those September call-ups can't come soon enough. After Livan Hernandez it was Jason Bergmann, who entered a game that was tied at 2-2 after six and left one inning later having allowed 2 hits and the go-ahead run. Bergmann's followed by DC left-hander Ron Villone in the eighth, who gives up a leadoff single to the lefty he was brought on to face and is replaced by Jorge Sosa who throws 35 pitches and records just one out, surrendering 4 hits, 2 BB and 5 ER. Saul Rivera's forced to pitch again, recording two outs to end the eighth after having thrown 2.0 innings last night.

Cubs win, 9-4.

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BACKPAGE:

• E: 113.

• Early Returns On The Return...

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

Nationals now 45-82.

BACKPAGE: (Under Construction)...

• E: 113.

One out in the third, one batter after Milton Bradley hits a two-out two-run HR off Livan Hernandez to break a 2-2 tie, the Cubs' slugger Derrek Lee flies to right and Elijah Dukes gets there...and drops it...Dukes drops it. The Nationals' right fielder and his manager argue that Dukes dropped it on the transfer from glove to hand, but with two outs that didn't make much sense even if true. OUTCOME: Aramis Ramirez flies to right in the next AB, Dukes catches it charging in and almost knocks Alberto Gonzalez down as the second baseman runs back into right calling for it, because Dukes wants to let the Ump know that he'd made the previous catch as he heads to the dugout.

• Early Returns On The Return...

• Nationals let game get away late | nationals.com: News - MLB.com's Bill Ladson

"Right-hander Livan Hernandez, making his second go-round with the Nationals, did what he was supposed to do. He went deep into the game, pitching six innings and giving up two runs."

• Washington Times - Chatter - "Thoughts from Livo" - Mark Zuckerman

"On returning to Washington: 'I love the city. I loved playing there. Always I'm asking every year to bring me back over there. Inside it's very emotional. Everyone is my family.'"

• Washington Post - Nationals Journal - "Vintage Livan. Vintage Bullpen." - Chico Harlan

"If the baseball Gods were sentimentalists, the Nationals would have won Wednesday night, and the storyline would have been simple: See Livo, swinging through the old saloon doors. See Livo, gutting out six innings, throwing 116 pitches, K'ing Derek Lee with absurd 65 mph curveballs. See Livo, winning his first game back with the Nats."

GAME REPORT:

Washington Nationals At Chicago Cubs. Game 127 Of 162.

Cubs’ right-hander Rich Harden gives up a line drive single to right to Willie Harris in the game’s first at bat. Cristian Guzman gets hit in the leg, and there are two on with Ryan Zimmerman coming up. Zimmerman works the count full and fouls off a few before walking to load the bases. Adam Dunn’s at a full count too, but he K’s swinging with the bases juic...loaded. Josh Willingham brings Willie Harris home with a sac fly to center. 1-0 DC. Elijah Dukes hits a hard grounder to short that Ryan Theriot handles...2-2 curve to Ryan Theriot and Livan Hernandez has his first K of the game. 2-2 fastball up and out and it’s two K’s for Mr. National Himself. Derrek Lee flies to center and it’s 1-0 Nationals after the first.

Alberto Gonzalez pops out to second. Wil Nieves grounds to second and Livan K’s swinging as Harden settles in...Livan Hernandez gets Aramis Ramirez to ground back to the mound, and then walks Kosuke Fukudome in front of Alfonso Soriano. Soriano flies out to Harris in center. Jeff Baker takes strike three on a curve inside and doesn’t believe the Ump called it.

WIllie Harris grounds out to short. Cristian Guzman slaps the second out to first for D. Lee. Ryan Zimmerman hits a two-out single over second to bring Dunn up. Adam Dunn K’s looking at fastball high and outside...Koyie Hill splits the right-center gap with a leadoff single to start the Cubs’ third. Rich Harden bunts back to the mound and Livan Hernandez fields and throws to second to take out the lead runner. Ryan Theriot flies out to Elijah Dukes. Milton Bradley sends a high fly ball to right and...GONE! Two-run HR, 2-1 Chicago. Derrek Lee takes a two-out fastball to right into Dukes’ glove, but he drops it after the catch and it’s called an error. Aramis Ramirez flies to right and Dukes charges in to make the inning-ending grab, and show the ump how he'd dropped that fly on the transfer...

Josh Willingham sends a soft liner to short for the first out of the fourth. Elijah Dukes reaches out and lines to center for a single. Alberto Gonzalez grounds to Aramis Ramirez, Ramirez to Baker at second and D. Lee at first, double play...Kosuke Fukudome drives a double to right and off the ivy. Alfonso Soriano flies out to Josh WIlingham in left center. A 1-2 curve from Livan gets Jeff Baker swinging. Koyie Hill gets the intentionals, and Harden gets popped up, 2-1 Cubs after four.

Wil Nieves goes back up the middle with a leadoff single in the fifth. Livan Hernandez gets the sac bunt down, even with two strikes. Willie Harris can’t hold up on a sinking two-strike pitch from Harden. Two down. Cristian Guzman waves Wil Nieves over to second on a ball in the dirt that Koyie Hill misses. Guzman lines to center, Nieves scores to tie it at 2-2. Ryan Zimmerman gets fooled by a two-strike slider, and he K’s to end the Nationals’ half...Livan Hernandez gets weak fly to center from Ryan Theriot. Milton Bradley gets a two-strike fastball inside that breaks in for strike three. Big D. Lee gets the two-strike bender and K’s swinging way ahead of strike three.

Adam Dunn skies the first out of the sixth to Fukudome in center. Josh Willingham takes a one-out walk in front of Dukes. Dukes grounds to short, Theriot to Baker to D. Lee, double play...Aramis Ramirez singles up the middle to leadoff the Cubs’ sixth. Fukudome gets as far as the track with a fly ball to Josh Willingham. Alfonso Soriano takes an 0-2 curve to left for a single. Jeff Baker grounds to short, Guzman to Alberto Gonzalez to Dunn, double play, Livan’s through the sixth with a tie.

Angel Guzman takes over for Rich Harden to start the seventh. Alberto Gonzalez K’s chasing a full-count fastball upstairs. Wil Nieves grounds out to short. Pinch hitter Mike Morse takes strike three to end the top of the frame...Koyie Hill drills a single through second off Jason Bergmann. Aaron Miles bunts to first, Dunn makes the play. Hill moves up. Ryan Theriot lifts a low fastball to center, Hill takes third. Milton Bradley grounds weakly to third, Zimmerman charges and throws home, but offline and wide, 3-2 Cubs as Hill slides in safe. Still first and third. Jason Bergmann throws a high two-strike fastball by D. Lee. Aramis Ramirez flies to center, Willie Harris has it.

Willie Harris vs John Grabow. Harris skies one to right for the first out of the eighth. Cristian Guzman flies out to Fukudome in center. Ryan Zimmerman pushes a single to right, but Adam Dunn flies out to left to end the DC eighth...Ron Villone gives up a broken bat single to center to Fukudome. Alfonso Soriano’s up against Jorge Sosa. Soriano K’s swinging through a 2-2 pitch. Jeff Baker grounds to first, Dunn makes the play, but Sosa’s not covering. Koyie Hill’s up. Jorge Sosa throws a wild pitch by Nieves at home. Hill doubles to right, and two runs score, 5-2 Cubs. Mike Fontenot lines to right and over Elijah Dukes’ head. 6-2 Cubs. Ryan Theriot walks to put two more runners on. Sosa walks Milton Bradley. Sosa hangs an 0-2 bender to D. Lee, who doubles off the ivy in left, 8-2 Cubbies. Saul Rivera’s on to face Aramis Ramirez. Single through short, 9-2 Cubbies. Dunn starts the double play on a grounder by Fukudome.

Carlos Marmol walks Josh Willingham to start the ninth. Elijah Dukes walks. Marmol walks Alberto Gonzalez to load the bases. Wil Nieves grounds into a force at third. Willingham scores. 9-3 Cubs. Ronnie Belliard goes down swinging. Willie Harris doubles off the ivy, one run scores, 9-4. Cristian Guzman K’s swinging to end the game. 9-4 final.

Nationals now 45-82.

Milwaukee Brewers Beat Up Washington Nationals In Front Of Stephen Strasburg. 7-3 Final.

Ed Chigliak — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 04:53:17 -0000

More photos » by Charles Dharapak - AP

4 months ago: Pitcher Stephen Strasburg, the No. 1 overall draft pick in the baseball, is shown during an interview after a news conference with the Washington Nationals baseball team at Nationals Park in Washington, Friday, Aug. 21, 2009. Strasburg signed a record-breaking contract for a draft pick on Monday, Aug. 17, a guaranteed $15.1 million over four years. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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• Stephen Strasburg was in Nationals Park tonight watching the Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals launch the kind of long fly balls that get hit off every pitcher in Major League Baseball. To paraphrase an old baseball axiom (since I can't find the source), a major league hitter could time a jet if he had three swings, (or something similarly witty). Prince Fielder must have timed J.D. Martin's fastball from the on-deck circle when Martin threw two to Ryan Braun, (who singled in front of the Brewers' first baseman) because the big lefty stepped in and sent a first pitch fastball screaming out to center for a two-out, two-run, HR in the first, and though the Nationals responded with two of their own off Milwaukee's Met-reject Braden Looper in the bottom of the frame (on an RBI groundout by Ryan Zimmerman and HR #32 by DC's Big Bopper Adam Dunn), the Nationals were held scoreless until Zimmerman's bottom of the ninth home run scored DC's third run and made it 7-3, before three straight outs end it.

• Trevor Hoffman gives up the solo shot in the ninth to Ryan Zimmerm--THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!, who hits his 25th HR of '09, for the highest season total he's collected in his four years and change in the majors. Adam Dunn hit his 32nd HR of the year tonight, but last year he had his 32nd by the end of July and 2 and then 6 in each of the last two months to reach "his" official HR total. In 2007, Dunn had hit 27 before August 1st and he hit 13 in August and September to arrive at that magic number. In 2006 Dunn had 38 at the end of August, so it took just 2 in 28 September games to hit the mark, and it took 5 HR's in 30 September games for him to reach it in '05...(In '04 he was done by the end of August, so he decided to add to his then-and-still career total by adding another six), and now Dunn has exactly 40 games to hit 8 or he'll fail to reach his trademark 40 home run total for the first time in 6 seasons.

• J.D. Martin, the Nationals' 26-year-old right-hander allows two in the first on Fielder's HR, one in the fourth when Casey McGehee gets a hold of another first-pitch fastball (that's so right down the middle and laser-straight it warrants a quick viewing on MLB.com's Gameday), and one more run in the seventh when he gives up back to back one-out singles to Catalonotto and Kendall, and a two-out single to Felipe Lopez which ends Martin's night two-thirds of the way through the frame. Jorge Sosa gives up 4 hits and 3 runs in the top of the ninth after Ron Villone finishes the seventh and Tyler Clippard pitches a scoreless eighth.

The Brewers win, 7-3 final.

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"Welcome to DC, Stras" - Doghouse

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

Nationals now 43-79. (Countdown To 100 Losses Now Stands At...21).

GAME REPORT:

Milwaukee Brewers At Washington Nationals. Game 122 Of 162.

DC right-hander J.D. Martin starts the game against Felipe Lopez, who hears some scattered boos from the DC Faithful. Felipe Lopez grounds back to the mound. Craig Counsell stares a two-strike fastball all the way in for a called strike three. Ryan Braun reaches on a swinging bunt that stays fair as J.D. Martin tries to will it into foul territory. Prince Fielder takes a first-pitch fastball to dead center and GONE!! Screaming liner, 2-0 lead. Casey McGehee grounds back to the mound to end the first...Nyjer Morgan slices a leadoff double to left to start the Nationals' first. Cristian Guzman pulls a bunt toward first moving Morgan to third. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to second to score Morgan and make it 2-1, and Adam Dunn takes a fastball to the second deck for a solo shot that ties it. Josh Willingham K's swinging over a sinker and it's tied at 2-2 after one.

Mike Cameron singles to center start the second. Frank Catalanotto flies out to Nyjer Morgan. Willie Harris gets to the left center gap in time to catch Jason Kendall’s line drive. Braden Looper grounds to third, Ryan Zimmerman to Ronnie Belliard at second for the inning-ending force...Casey McGehee charges in on a bunt by Willie Harris and makes a barehand play and throw to first. Ronnie Belliard rolls a 1-0 pitch to short for out No. 2. Two-strike slider outside and Wil Nieves K’s throwing his bat at it.

J.D. Martin drops a 2-2 curve on Felipe Lopez to get a swinging K. Craig Counsell pops out to Adam Dunn in foul territory off first. Ryan Braun golfs a low liner right into Ryan Zimmerman’s glove...Braden Looper gets J.D. Martin swinging over a sinking fastball for a swinging K. Nyjer Morgan grounds to second. Cristian Guzman grounds out on a 1-0 pitch to end the third.

Prince Fielder rips into a 1-0 pitch from Martin and grounds out to first. Casey McGehee likes what he sees on the first pitch from Martin and he sends it soaring out to left and ten rows deep, 3-2 Brewers. Mike Cameron grounds to short and Cristian Guzman backhands and throws in one motion. Willie Harris backs up to the track to catch the final out of the Brewers’ fourth of Catalanotto's bat...Ryan Zimmerman flies out to Mike Cameron on the track in center. Adam Dunn walks with one down. Josh Willingham swings so hard K’ing he takes a knee. Willie Harris lines to center and it drops out of the air on Cameron, who makes the play.

Jason Kendall singles to center to start the fifth. Braden Looper tries to bunt and goes 0 for 3. Felipe Lopez grounds to short, Guzman to Belliard to Dunn, too late. Lopez safe at first. Craig Counsell pops up to center to end Milwaukee’s fifth...Ronnie Belliard pushes a leadoff single through second into right, and then gets picked off first by Looper. Wil Nieves singles back up the middle with one down. J.D. Martin bunts Nieves over, but Nyjer Morgan ends the fifth with a fly ball to center where Cameron catches it.

Ryan Braun grounds out to Cristian Guzman at short. Prince Fielder swings over a two-strike change. Casey McGehee grounds out to finish a quick sixth...Cristian Guzman rolls one out to second and reaches safely when Felipe Lopez bounces the throw from second. Ryan Zimmerman takes a HR swing but it dies in left. Adam Dunn takes a one-out walk. Josh Willingham grounds to third, Casey McGehee to Felipe Lopez to Prince Fielder, double play.

Adam Dunn catches a pop fly off Cameron’s bat. Frank Catalanotto singles though second off Adam Dunn’s glove. Jason Kendall rips a grounder to third that Ryan Zimmerman snags with a diving play, no throw. Hernan Iribarren flies out to center. Felipe Lopez grounds through second to score Catalanotto ahead of Hammer’s throw for a 4-2 lead. J.D. Martin’s out, Ron Villone gets Craig Counsell with a slider outside to end the seventh...Todd Coffey gets Willie Harris swinging through an 0-2 fastball upstairs. Ronnie Belliard pops up to the shortstop Craig Counsell foul of third. Wil Nieves K’s swinging and the seventh inning is history.

Tyler Clippard gives up a leadoff walk to Ryan Braun. Prince Fielder K’s swinging with Braun running and it’s a strike’em out throw’em out double play. Tyler Clippard blows Casey McGehee away with a two-strike heater...Mike Morse rips a line drive to first, but Fielder dives and catches it. Nyjer Morgan sends a screamer to third that McGehee handles, throw to first, two down. Cristian Guzman flies out to left to end the eighth.

Jorge Sosa gives up a leadoff single to Mike Cameron. Cameron goes first to third on Frank Catalanotto’s single to right. Jason Kendall hits the third straight single off Sosa, 5-2 Brew-has. Jody Gerut takes a walk from Sosa. Felipe Lopez drives in another run with a single to center, 6-2 Brewers. Craig Counsell flies to center, sac fly scores Kendall. 7-2 Milwaukee. Ryan Braun flies to center, Nyjer Morgan catches the second out. Fielder lines to center to end the top of the ninth...Ryan Zimmer--THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! Ryan Zimmerman's 26th makes it 7-3 Brewers. Adam Dunn grounds back to the mound. Josh Willingham watches a two-strike change all the way in. Willie Harris pops out to Braun in left and it’s over. Brewers win 7-3.

Nationals now 43-78.

Mike Rizzo "Confirmed" As Washington Nationals' Next GM. Nats Lose To Colorado Rockies, 5-4. (Updated at 12:25 am)

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:39:28 -0000

More photos » by Haraz N. Ghanbari - AP

4 months ago: Washington Nationals' manager Jim Riggleman, center, takes the mound with Nationals' catcher Josh Bard, left, and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman to make a pitching change during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

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The Washington Nationals may have lost tonight's battle with the Colorado Rockies, but behind the scenes they have apparently finally made the right decision. MLB.com's Bill Ladson is reporting that the Nationals will hold a press conference Thursday to take the "Acting" out of "Acting" DC GM Mike Rizzo's title when they officially introduce Mr. Rizzo as the second GM in team history. After several weeks of conjecture and endless leaks and rumors, the Nationals do the right thing and promote the man who rebuilt the bullpen, hired Jim Riggleman, traded Nick Johnson, signed Stephen Strasburg, and oversaw the most expensive draft in the league...more news to follow...

Game 120 Quick Review: Rockies' right-hander Jason Marquis dominated DC for the second time this season. On July 6th in Colorado, Marquis threw 8.0 scoreless, allowing 7 hits and 2 walks while inducing 14 groundouts before handing the ball to closer Huston Street, who collected his 20th save with a perfect ninth. The Nationals scored three runs on Marquis tonight, with Nyjer Morgan singling, stealing second and scoring on an RBI triple by Ryan Zimmerman in the first after DC right-hander Collin Balester gave up two in the top of the frame, but the Nationals were down two again after Balester gave up a double and an RBI triple in the second and was chased from the game.

Marquis gave up two more runs in the fifth after a Clint Barmes HR in the top of the frame made it 4-1 Rockies. The Nationals trailed by three for about ten minutes, then Nyjer Morgan singled and scored from first on a Cristian Guzman line drive base hit, and Ryan Zimmerman knocked in Guzman with his 27th double of the year. It was 4-3 Rockies until the eighth, when DC reliever Jorge Sosa surrendered a solo shot to Carlos Gonzalez. The eighth inning HR ends up being the winning run when the Nationals score one off Huston Street. Josh Bard's 9th inning HR makes it 5-4 Colorado and that's as close as Washington gets. Three groundouts later it's over. Huston Street earns his 31st save. Marquis' line: (W, 14-8), 6.0 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 14 groundouts.

Rockies win, 5-4 final.

Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching.

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

"Game 120: Aw, man...so close..."- Doghouse

Backpage:

• Balester Blow Up. Dunn Fail.

• Rizzo Is Bona Fide.

• Strasburg Friday.

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP.

Nationals now 43-77.

• Balester Blow Up. Dunn Fail.

Collin Balester threw 51 pitches in just 1.1 IP tonight, allowing 3 hits, 3 runs and 5 walks before DC Manager Jim Riggleman lifted Bally from the ballgame...Adam Dunn ended the game 2 for 3 with two infield singles and a walk, but when he came up with runners on first and third and two down in the seventh, with Washington trailing by one at 4-3, and took a called third strike to end the inning, even though it was 9 pitches into the AB it was a bit of FAIL.

• Rizzo Is Bona Fide.

If you didn't believe the opening paragraph:

• Nats to name Rizzo GM on Thursday | nationals.com: News - Bill Ladson

"The Nationals will officially promote Mike Rizzo to general manager at a news conference on Thursday at Nationals Park, according to a baseball source, who said the Nationals made the decision that Rizzo was their man a couple of days ago."

• Washington Times - Chatter - "Rizzo gets the permanent GM job" - Mark Zuckerman.

"Mike Rizzo's remodeling of the Nationals' roster and his deft handling of the Stephen Strasburg negotiations has earned him the permanent general manager's title."

• Washington Post - Nationals Journal - "Rizzo Will Be Named As Permanent GM On Thursday" - Chico Harlan

"After six months of acquisitions and signings, almost all of them well-received, Mike Rizzo has finally obtained the one thing he's been trying all along to get -- job security..."

• Strasburg Friday.

Recently signed '09 1st Round pick, pitcher Stephen Strasburg will throw out the first pitch and appear in an introductory news conference at Nationals Park Friday, according to a report by MLB.com's Bill Ladson entitled, "Fans invited to welcome Strasburg to DC". Since it's "highly unlikely" that Strasburg will pitch for the Nationals this season according to DC GM MIKE RIZZO!!!!!!!!, this will be your only chance to see the 21-year-old right-hander flame thrower fire from the mound this season...

DON'T MISS OUT ON THE $1 STRASBURG SPECIAL. 1,000 More will go on sale after the Nationals sold out the first round of the dollar specials today.

GAME REPORT:

Colorado Rockies At Washington Nationals. Game 120 Of 162.

1st Inning: QUICK RECAP:

Collin Balester starts the game with three straight walks and then gives up two-run double to Troy Tulowitzki before issuing another walk and then finally recording three straight outs. 2-0 Rockies after a half. The Nationals score when in the first when Nyjer Morgan singles, moves to second on a sac bunt by Cristian Guzman and scores on a Ryan Zimmerman triple. Colorado right-hander Jason Marquis recovers to retire the side after another walk and a DP grounder from Josh Willingham...2-1 Rockies...

...Jason Marquis hits a leadoff double off the center field wall to start the second. Collin Balester gets a foul pop from Carlos Gonzalez down the line in left that Josh Willingham snags with a sliding catch. Dexter Fowler flies over Elijah Dukes’ head in right and off the wall to score Marquis for a 3-1 lead. Todd Helton takes a one-out walk and DC Skipper Jim Riggleman has seen enough. Saul "Sa-ool" Rivera's on for Balester and he gets Troy Tulowitzki looking for the second out. Brad Hawpe takes a two-out walk, but Rivera gets a bases-loaded groundout from Ian Stewart to end a long top of the second...Elijah Dukes grounds out to third on the first pitch of the Nationals’ second. Ronnie Belliard grounds a 1-0 pitch to first for the second out. Josh Bard pulls a two-out single to right. Saul Rivera grounds back to the mound to end the inning.

Rivera puts down the bat and gets back on the mound. Clint Barmes doubles to left to start the third. Chris Iannetta grounds out to third, and Jason Marquis flies out unproductively to left. Rivera gives up a two-out single to Carlos Gonzalez. First and third for Dexter Fowler, Carlos Gonzalez gets picked off first and Barmes breaks for home from third and gets nailed at the plate. What?...Nyjer Morgan tries to bunt his way on, but gets thrown out by Marquis who’s quick off the mound. Cristian Guzman flies to deep center but Dexter Fowler gets there. Ryan Zimmerman K's chasing.

Ryan Zimmerman charges in, barehands and throws out Dexter Fowler on a bunt attempt. Saul Rivera walks Todd Helton. Troy Tulowitzki grounds to Guzman at short, to Belliard to Dunn, double play to end the Rockies’ fourth...Adam Dunn leads off the bottom of the frame. Adam Dunn grounds sharply into the shift and Troy Tulowitzki spins after fielding and sends a lob to first that almost causes a collision, Dunn’s safe. Josh Willingham and Dukes both ground out with Dunn taking second on Dukes’. Ronnie Belliard flies to center to end the fourth.

Saul Rivera gets Brad Hawpe swinging to start the fifth. Ronnie Belliard’s out on the grass where he fields a grounder from Ian Stewart. Clint Barmes hits a high fly that hugs the line and stays fair as it sails out. 4-1 Rockies. Chris Iannetta K’s looking...Josh Bard swings at the first pitch and grounds weakly to first. Jorge Padilla grounds out to short. Nyjer Morgan hits a two-out triple off the out-of-town scoreboard and barely beats Hawpe’s throw to third. Cristian Guzman rips a low fastball that falls into the center field grass for an RBI single. 4-2 Rockies. Marquis gives up a gapper to Zimmerman who hits it to right and to the wall, Guzman scores from first, 4-3 Rockies. Adam Dunn spins a single toward short where third baseman Ian Stewart dives and throws from his pants a second too late, Dunn’s safe. Willingham grounds back to the mound, 4-3 Colorado after five.

Jason Marquis leads off the sixth with a swinging K. Ron Villone hits Carlos Gonzalez in the hand. Dexter Fowler flies out to Nyjer Morgan in center. Todd Helton grounds off Villone’s glove and through second for a two-out single. Villone walks Troy Tulowitzki, testing Riggleman’s patience, but Villone gets Brad Hawpe swinging over an 0-2 curve to end the threat...Elijah Dukes sends a high fly to Carlos Gonzalez in left. Ronnie Belliard sends a roller out to third. Josh Bard grounds to second to end the Nationals’ sixth.

Ron Villone stays on for Ian Stewart, and walks him to start the seventh. Villone’s done. Jorge Sosa’s on against Clint Barmes. Sosa pops him up over home. Chris Iannetta pops out behind home. Jason Marquis flies to left and it’s still 4-3 in the middle of the seventh...Alberto Gonzalez reaches safely on an excuse-me-single toward third. Jason Marquis is done. Rockies’ lefty Franklin Morales comes on to face Nyjer Morgan. Sac bunt moves Gonzalez up. Cristian Guzman flies to right, Morgan takes third. Ryan Zimmerman gets the intentionals to bring up Adam Dunn. Dunn’s called out on strikes on a pitch that might have been low...

Carlos Gonzalez rips a fastball off the outside edge and into the right field stands for a 5-3 Rockies’ lead. Sosa throws a two-strike change by Dexter Fowler. Sosa walks Todd Helton, but gets a double play grounder out of Troy Tulowitzki to bring an end to the Rockies’ eighth...Rafael Betancourt on for Colorado. Josh Willingham flies out to right on an 0-2 pitch. Elijah Dukes pops out over second. Willie Harris K’s swinging through a two-strike fastball from Betancourt.

Brad Hawpe goes opposite field, pushing a double off the outside edge into the corner. Ian Stewart grounds to first. Hawpe takes third. Clint Barmes grounds to third, and Hawpe’s caught and tagged in a rundown between third and home. Two down. Chris Iannetta grounds out to end the top of the ninth...Josh Bard is first pitch swinging against Huston Street, and he takes it deeeeeeep to right over the out-of-town for a solo shot and a 5-4 game. Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to second. Nyjer Morgan grounds an 0-2 pitch out to second. Cristian Guzman grounds a 1-1 pitch to second to end the game. Rockies win, 5-4 final.

Nationals now 43-77.

Washington Nationals Win 5-4 On Lazy Toss By Cincinnati Reds.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:59:46 -0000

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

4 months ago: Washington Nationals pitcher John Lannan throws against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning during a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

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Willingham's Hustle Wins The Series For DC!!!

• Ryan Zimmerman spent the majority of this afternoon's series finale with Cincinnati Reds on the bench, but the Washington Nationals' "Interim" Manager Jim Riggleman called on the Face of the Franchise with two on and two out in the eighth and the tying run standing at second in the form of Adam Dunn, who'd been hit by a pitch and moved into scoring position by Josh Willingham's one-out single. Two innings earlier, an RBI double by Willingham followed Dunn's leadoff double and scored Dunn from second to make it 4-3 Cincinnati, and now both were on again, with Zimmerman facing veteran left-hander Arthur Rhodes, against whom, Zimmerman was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and an RBI so far in his career. Make it 3 for 5, Zimmerman hit a bloop single to right where defensive replacement Chris Dickerson missed on a diving play allowing Dunn to score and tie it, and when the Reds made a lazy throw back to the infield, Josh Willingham broke from the third, the throw came home quickly, but Hammer lowered the boom on Reds' catcher Ryan Hanigan and knocked the ball loose as he fell over home, 5-4 Nationals on pure hustle by Willingham and pure laziness by the Reds.

• DC lefty John Lannan was two-thirds of the way through his fifth scoreless frame with a 2-0 lead when he issued a two-out walk to Drew Sutton and an RBI single to Joey Votto, bringing up the unstoppable Jonny Gomes, who got a two-strike two-seamer inside from Lannan and lifted it to left and out of the park for his 4th HR in 4 games in this series and a 4-3 Cincy lead after five innings. DC right-hander Jason Bergmann finished off the sixth and Jorge Sosa (W, 2-1) and Mike MacDougal (S, 13) held and closed the Nationals' 43rd win of '09. Lannan lasts 5.2 IP and surrenders 7 hits, 4 ER, 1 HR and 3 walks, collecting 2 K's and throwing 109 pitches, 70 for strikes.

Other Highlights:

• Wil Nieves - 3 for 4, with 3 singles to right field.

• Jonny Gomes - Game 1 - 3 for 4, 3 HR's, 5 RBI's.

- Game 2 - 1 for 3, 1 2B

- Game 3 - DNP

- Game 4 - 2 for 4, 1 HR, 3 RBI's.

--------------------------------------------

Weekend Total = 6 for 11, .545, 4 HR's, 1 2B, 8 RBI's.

• Washington takes 3 of 4 from Cincinnati, and the Nationals break even, going 3-3 on the 6-game trip through Atlanta, Georgia and Ohio. Nationals now 11-3 in their last 14, 15-7 in their last 22.

Nationals win, 5-4 final.

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

Check Out The SB Nation's Cincinnati Reds Blog: Red Reporter GameThread.

"Game 118: Here comes The Judge!" - Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

• E: 105.

• Taking The Suicide Out Of The Squeeze.

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

Nationals now 43-75.

BACKPAGE:

• E: 105

Ryan Zimmerman got a rest today, as mentioned above, and his fill-in at third, Ronnie Belliard, of course committed the Washington Nationals' 105th Error of 2009 on a routine grounder to short off Reds' shortstop Paul Janish's bat. Belliard charged in on the two-out roller and had it go right under his glove and into left field. Outcome: DC starter John Lannan gets Reds' catcher Ryan Hanigan swinging at the first pitch, and popping out to left. No damage done...this time.

• Taking The Suicide Out Of The Squeeze.

Josh Willingham and Adam Dunn led off the sixth with doubles, the second one a run-scoring hit for Willingham that brought the Nationals within one at 4-3 and left the tying run at second. Willingham took third on a wild pitch from Reds' righthander Justin Lehr, and all Elijah Dukes had to do was hit one in the air to tie it. Dukes K'd. Alberto Gonzalez was up next and he squared to bunt on the first pitch, Willingham was headed home, SUICIDE SQUEE-, but Lehr came inside and upstairs with a first-pitch curve, and Gonzalez...well...he ducked...he held the bat up, but he ducked, and instead of a suicide squeeze, Willingham was just dead. It's ruled caught stealing, but no one watching was letting Alberto Gonzalez off the hook, though, if you watch the play, the best he could have done with that pitch was to let himself get hit...

GAME REPORT:

Washington Nationals At Cincinnati Reds. Game 118 Of 162.

Justin Lehr gets a fly ball to center from Nyjer Morgan to Willy Taveras for the first out of the afternoon. Cristian Guzman throws his bat at an 0-2 curve that he has no excuse for swinging at. Ronnie Belliard pops up over home, and the pitcher gets in third baseman Adam Rosales’ way and causes him to drop it. Adam Dunn takes a curve that bounces off his shin. Justin Lehr gets out of the inning when Josh Willingham grounds out to short...Reds’ leadoff hitter Willy Taveras pops out to right to start the bottom of the first. Drew Sutton grounds out to Guzman at short. Joey Votto gets called out on strikes after watching a two-strike fastball all the way in...

Elijah Dukes hits a sharp grounder to short that Paul Janish handles. Janish throws out Alberto Gonzalez after a backhand stab and throw. Wil Nieves pushes a two-out single through second, but John Lannan pops out to end the DC second...The dangerous Jonny Gomes goes back up the middle with a leadoff single. Wladimir Balentien works the count full, fouls off a few, but eventually flies out to left. Adam Rosales lines into Elijah Dukes’ glove. Paul Janish grounds to third and right under Ronnie Belliard’s glove. E: 105. Ryan Hanigan lines to left to end the second.

Nyjer Morgan grounds out to Drew Sutton at second. Cristian Guzman chips a 3-1 pitch out to second. Ronnie Belliard’s grounder jumps up at Adam Rosales, who makes the play and throws a laser to first...Lannan gets Justin Lehr swinging through a two-strike heater upstairs. Willy Taveras almost beats out a routine grounder to short. Drew Sutton pops out to the catcher to end the third.

Adam Dunn lines to right field through the shift for a leadoff double. Josh Willingham takes one for a ride, deeeeeep to left and into the upper deck!!! Two-run HR, 2-0 Nationals. Elijah Dukes flies out to right. Alberto Gonzalez pops out to Willy Taveras. Wil Nieves lines a two-out single to center to turn the lineup over, when John Lannan flies out to Taveras...Joey Votto lifts an 0-2 pitch to left for a leadoff single. Jonny Gomes lines out to center on a 2-2 pitch. Elijah Dukes catches the second out off Wladimir Balentien’s bat. Adam Rosales takes a two-out walk. Paul Janish grounds out to Gonzalez who takes the force at second.

Nyjer Morgan grounds out to Janish at short. Cristian Guzman lines out to left. Ronnie Belliard ends a quick frame with a routine grounder to third...Reds’ catcher Ryan Hanigan singles to center and takes second on Lehr’s sac bunt. A groundout from Willy Taveras moves Hanigan to third. Drew Sutton takes a two-out walk in front of Joey Votto, who gets jammed and pops to left, and has it drop in. 2-1 DC. Jonny Gomes gets a fastball on the inside corner and he destroys it, deeep to left and over the wall for a 3-run blast. 4-3 Reds. Lannan walks Wladimir Balentien with two down. Adam Rosales flies out to right to end the fifth.

Adam Dunn powers a double to right off the wall to start the Nationals’ sixth. Josh Willingham bounces one off the out-of-town scoreboard in left. Dunn scores, 4-3 Reds. Elijah Dukes up, and Willingham takes third on a wild pitch. Dukes K’s chasing. Alberto Gonzalez squares to bunt, but ducks on when the first pitch comes in high and tight, hanging Willingham out to dry on what was apparently a suicide squeeze attempt. Ugh. Gonzalez grounds out to end the top of the sixth...Lannan gets a weak fly to left from Paul Janish. Ryan Hanigan flies to Morgan in center. Justin Lehr lines a double to the right field corner with two down. Dukes fights with it and is able to hold Lehr at second. Cristian Guzman gets to a chopper up the middle from Taveras, but his throw is off and Dunn makes a great play to save a run. Lannan’s out. Jason Bergmann on to face Drew Sutton. Taveras takes second without being challenged. Sutton gets a full-count slider from Bergmann and K’s chasing it.

Jared Burton takes over for the Reds in the seventh and gives up a leadoff single to Wil Nieves who rolls a single past first. Willie Harris flies out unproductively to left. Nyjer Morgan will face Daniel Ray Herrera. Morgan goes down chasing junk. Cristian Guzman flies out to Jonny Gomes in right to end the top of the inning...Joey Votto vs Jorge Sosa. Votto flies out to Willingham in right, Hammer shields his eyes and catches it. Jonny Gomes pops out behind the plate. Wladimir Balentien strikes out to end the seventh.

Ronnie Belliard grounds out on a 1-1 fastball from Nick Masset, who’s replaced by lefty Arthur Rhodes when Adam Dunn steps up. Dunn takes one off the jersey and takes a base. Josh WIllingham lines to right for a one-out single, Dunn to second. Elijah Dukes flies out to center on an 0-2 bender in on the fists. Ryan Zimmerman pinch hits, and lobs a liner over second, Chris Dickerson slides in and misses, Dunn scores, 4-4, and the Reds take their time throwing it in, and Hammer takes off for home, running the catcher and scoring, 5-4 Nationals. 5-4 Nationals!!! Wil Nieves grounds out to short...Adam Rosales flies out to Willingham in left. Paul Janish hits a one-out single to center. Ryan Hanigan flies out to center. Mike MacDougal’s on early. Chris Dickerson grounds out to Dunn at first.

Josh Bard flies out to center to start the ninth. Reds’ right-hander Carlos Fisher gets a grounder back to the mound from Nyjer Morgan. Cristian Guzman can’t hold up on a two-strike curve in the dirt...Willy Taveras vs MacDougal. Taveras pops out to second. Drew Sutton grounds to third, Ryan Zimmerman fields, spins and throws to first to get the second out. Joey Votto K’s swinging over a 1-2 fastball outside. Nationals win, 5-4 final.

Nationals now 43-75.

Who loses to the losers? Reds fall, 5-4.

Brendanukkah — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:10:44 -0000

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

Though he didn't get his third win, Justin Lehr did still have a quality start. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

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Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Josh Willingham. Ryan Zimmerman hit the two run base hit to win the game, but Willingham went 3-4 at the plate with a double and a home run, scoring twice and driving in three runs.

Key Plays

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning, when Adam Dunn led off with a double, and Willingham followed with his 19th home run of the year. The Reds would have trouble getting those two out all game.
Often a lead of any size seems too daunting to overcome for the Reds, but in the fifth inning they battled back. Ryan Hanigan led off with a single and Lehr sacrificed him to second. Hanigan went to third on a groundout by Willy Taveras. Drew Sutton then walked, and Joey Votto continued to actually play baseball by hitting a single to the outfield to drive in Hanigan. Up stepped Jonny Gomes, who's been enjoying Washington pitching. BAM! Over the fence went the baseball, and a 2-0 deficit had turned into a 4-2 lead.
In the sixth inning, the Dunn-Willingham combination bit Lehr again, as they both hit doubles to lead off the inning. Dunn's run made the score 4-3, and a wild pitch by Lehr put Willingham on third base with no outs. Fortunately, he was caught stealing home, and the inning passed without further damage.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Lehr hit a double, and Willy Taveras singled, then stole second. Runners on second and third with a chance to add some Great American Insurance runs, but Drew Sutton struck out.
Dusty turned to his bullpen in the seventh inning, using Jared Burton and Danny Ray Herrera. Then in the eighth, Nick Masset came in to retire Ronnie Belliard before giving way to Arthur Rhodes. Rhodes then hit Adam Dunn with a pitch, gave up a single to Josh Willingham, and then pinch hitter Ryan Zimmerman hit a dying quail out to right field. Chris Dickerson, who replaced Gomes as part of a double switch (even though Balentien had just batted, and Gomes - our only power threat - was due to come up 4th in the ninth inning), couldn't make the shoestring catch and instead deflected the ball back in towards the infield. Drew Sutton came out half-heartedly to retrieve it and lob the ball back in, but Willingham alertly flew around the bases to take advantage and scored from first. Two runs, and the Reds had squandered the lead.

FanGraphs

Other Notes

Arthur Rhodes got the loss, his first decision of the year.
Adam Dunn was hit by a pitch twice in this game. For the series, he went 4-8 with two doubles, a home run, six walks, five runs scored, and those two HBPs.
Reds pitchers allowed no walks in this game.
The Reds only have seven more wins than the Nationals. Washington won the season series, 4-3.
Josh Willingham's 19th homer gave the Nats three players with more home runs than Reds leader Jay Bruce's 18. Dunn has 31 and Ryan Zimmerman has 24. Votto and Phillips both have 17 and Gomes's blast today gives him 15 - in 196 plate appearances. He has four in his last three games.

Final - 8.16.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Washington Nationals	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	2	0	5	7	1
Cincinnati Reds	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	4	8	1
WP: Jorge Sosa (2 - 1) SV: Mike MacDougal (13) LP: Arthur Rhodes (0 - 1)

Complete Coverage >

Washington Nationals Win Eighth-Straight, 9-2 Over Arizona Diamondbacks. PLUS: Cristian Guzman Claimed Off Waivers By Boston Red Sox.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:04:31 -0000

More photos » by Luis Alvarez - AP

"Last Goodbyes For Guzman???" -- Washington Nationals' Cristian Guzman, front left, Willie Harris, center, Nyjer Morgan, back left, and Elijah Dukes, right, celebrate after the Nationals defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-2 in a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

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With the Washington Nationals' 9-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, the '09 Nationals now have the second-longest winning streak in the DC History of the franchise, behind only the '05 Inaugural Nationals, who were able to win 10-straight from June 2nd through June 12th, 2005. A win in Tueday's game against the Braves, and the Nationals will have won more than eight-straight for only the second time since the '97 Montreal Expos took 10-straight from the Chicago Cubs (4), Philadelphia Phillies (2), Detroit Tigers (3) and Baltimore Orioles (1) from June 6-16th, 1997.

The Nationals get the comeback over with early this afternoon with a two-run HR by Adam Dunn putting DC up 2-1 after Trent Oeljten's leadoff HR in the top of the first gave Arizona an instant one-run lead. Dunn's 30th HR scores Ryan Zimmerman, who'd doubled with two down, over the wall in center off D-Backs' starter Yusmeiro Petit to keep the inning alive for Adam Du---SHAKE N BAKE!!! SHAKE N BAKE!!! Dunn knocks in his 83rd and 84th RBI's, and ends the day 1 for 4. Ryan Zimmerman goes 3 for 5 with 2 doubles (25,26) and Zim's now hitting .306 on the season. Elijah Dukes collects 3 RBI's, and Dukes now has 10 runs batted in over his last three games. AND A BIG SHOUTOUT TO JORGE PADILLA!! WHO GETS HIS FIRST MLB HIT IN THE SIXTH!! Cristian Guzman...? More on the Guz on the BACKPAGE...

D.C. starter J.D. Martin (W, 1-2), records his first MLB "W", pitching 4.0 scoreless after allowing the leadoff blast to Oeltjen in the first. Martin walks 1, K's 1 and allows 5 hits in 5.0 innings, throwing 85 pitches, 52 for strikes, with 2 groundouts and 10 flyouts from twenty batters he faces. The Nationals' 26-year-old right-hander wins for the first time in 4 Major League starts, with the help of Tyler Clippard, Jason Bergmann and Ron Villone, who hold it scoreless through seven, and Jorge Sosa, who allows a run but ends it with 2.1 IP and the S for having allowed one to cross...

Nationals win, 9-2 final.

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

Check Out The SB Nation's Arizona Diamondbacks Blog: AZ Snakepit GameThread.

"Game 112: TWO sweeps?!" - by Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

• Cristian Guzman Claimed Off Waivers By Boston Red Sox? Deal Or No Deal?

• Pitching Matchups In Atlanta...

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

Nationals now 40-72. (Countdown To 100 Losses in Serious Jeopardy!!!!)

BACKPAGE:

GAME REPORT:

• Cristian Guzman Claimed Off Waivers By Boston Red Sox? Deal Or No Deal?

ROSCOEtheNATSfan, my source for all things twittered, sent me a note this afternoon about DC blogger Miss Chatter's tweet which said the Boston Red Sox claiming Cristian Guzman off waivers at 12:37 pm EST this afternoon. Several minutes later, Dave Nichols of the Nats News Network posted a FanShot at Federal Baseball.com entitled, "Guzman claimed off waivers by Red Sox, according to Boston Globe." The source of the rumors is Boston Globe writer Nick Carfado, who wrote this morning, in an article entitled, "Sox eye Nats shortstop Guzman", that:

"Major League sources indicate that the Red Sox have put in a claim on Washington Nationals switch-hitting shortstop Christian Guzman, who is hitting .315 after hitting .316 last season.

"If the Red Sox have been awarded the claim - which has not been confirmed - the Red Sox would have 48 hours to work out a deal with the Nationals. The Nationals could also just award Guzman to the Red Sox or they could pull him back."

MLB.com's Bill Ladson cites Mr. Carfado's claim in an article at the Nationals' official site entitled, "Nationals Put Guzman on Waivers" in which Mr. Ladson writes, "The Nationals have put shortstop Cristian Guzman on waivers, but it's not yet known which team put in a claim for him," before mentioning the Boston Globe's story and noting that "Acting" DC GM Mike Rizzo had no comment on the situation when asked.

• Follow The Story From The Red Sox' Perspective, On The SB Nation's Red Sox Blog: Over The Monster.

For the record, Washington Times' writer Mark Zuckerman, in a Chatter post entitled, "Guzman's Future", reports that from what he's heard, "...From the people I've talked to this morning, the sense I get is that the Nats would prefer to get something in return for Guzman."

• Pitching Matchups In Atlanta...

TUES: John Lannan (8-8, 3.39 ERA) vs Tommy Hanson (6-2, 3.22 ERA)

WED: Craig Stammen (3-6, 5.40 ERA) vs Derek Lowe (11-7, 4.15 ERA)

Arizona Diamondbacks At Washington Nationals. Game 112 Of 162.

Trent Oeltjen starts the game with a HR to right off DC starter J.D. Martin. 1-0 D-Backs. Ryan Roberts flies out to Nyjer Morgan to the left of center and fairly deep. Josh Willingham backs up to catch the second out off Stephen Drew’s bat. Mark Reynolds pops up foul of first and Adam Dunn makes the catch near the dugout...Nyjer Morgan pops up behind short, the left fielder Oeltjen rushes in. Cristian Guzman K’s swinging at a two-strike change in the dirt from Arizona right-hander Yusmeiro Petit. Ryan Zimmerman lines to center over AZ CF'r Chris Young’s head, and out of the park on one-hop for a ground rule double, and Adam Dunn has a two-out chance. Du---SHAKE N BAKE!!! SHAKE N BAKE!!! Dunn goes deep to left over the out-of-town scoreboard for a two-run blast. 2-1 DC. #30 for Dunn!! Josh Willingham pounds a grounder by Mark Reynolds and down the line for a double. Elijah Dukes grounds to third, Hammer’s tagged out.

Adam Dunn makes an underhand toss to J.D. Martin at first to get Chad Tracy on a weak grounder. Chris Snyder flies out to Elijah Dukes in right. Alex Romero lines one right into Nyjer Morgan’s glove...Josh Bard shoots a low liner to third, Mark Reynolds fields and throws. Alberto Gonzalez lines one off the out-of-town scoreboard for a one-out double. J.D. Martin lines a single just over Stephen Drew’s glove at short. Gonzalez to third. Nyjer Morgan gets an 0-2 slider inside and K’s swinging. Cristian Guzman battles Petit, fouling off a few 2-2 pitches, goes full and pops out.

Chris Young starts the third with a pop out over second. Yusmeiro Petit throws his bat at a two-strike bender and K’s. Trent Oeltjen grounds sharply to second, Alberto Gonzalez fields, spins and throws, but not in time. Ryan Roberts up, but Oeltjen gets greedy and gets caught going for second...Ryan Zimmerman slides in headfirst at second with a leadoff double to the wall in left. Adam Dunn pops out behind second and into the shift. Willingham gets the intentionals to bring Elijah Dukes up with two on. Willingham gets picked off first by the catcher, for shame. A bouncing bender from Petit bounces off the D-Backs’ backstop and allows Zimmerman to advance to third. Elijah Dukes rips a sharp grounder off Mark Reynolds wrist, Zimmerman scores, Dukes takes second on a throwing error. 3-1 DC. Josh Bard grounds out to second to end the third.

Ryan Roberts flies out to Nyjer Morgan in center. Stephen Drew sends Morgan sprinting back to the track. Mark Reynolds takes ball four on a fastball outside. Chad Tracy lines a two-out single to center. Nyjer Morgan goes back to catch the final out of the fourth off Chris Snyder’s bat, J.D. Martin is holding it down...Alberto Gonzalez flies out to the track in center where Chris Young makes the grab. J.D. Martin goes down swinging. Nyjer Morgan slices a single to left and in front of Oeltjen. Morgan takes second just for the heck of it. Cristian Guzman grounds to third, Mark Reynolds manages to field it, but throws over first, Morgan scores on the error, 4-1 DC. Ryan Zimmerman shatters his bat flying out to center.

Alberto Gonzalez dives with his glove extended but misses Alex Romero’s grounder. Chris Young doubles by Zimmerman, Romero first to third. Ryan Zimmerman calls for and catches a pop up over the plate by Josh Whitesell. J.D. Martin fields Oeltjen’s grounder, looks both runners back and throws to first. Ryan Roberts grounds out to second, and it’s 4-1 DC in the fifth...Clay Zavada, he of the handle-bar moustache, gets a groundout from Adam Dunn to start the fifth. Josh Willingham pops out over short. Elijah Dukes flies out to left to end the fifth.

Tyler Clippard comes on and issues a leadoff walk to Stephen Drew. Mark Reynolds takes the second straight walk. Jason Bergmann comes on for Clippard. Chad Tracy pops out to left. Chris Snyder grounds toward short, Zimmerman cuts it off, tosses to Alberto Gonzalez at second, on to Dunn, double play!!!...Zavata’s back out for Arizona. Josh Bard starts the Nationals’ sixth with a line drive single through short. Alberto Gonzalez pops out to second. Jorge Padilla lines the first pitch he sees to right for a single. Nyjer Morgan takes a one-out walk to load the bases. Leo Rosales on for Arizona. Miguel Montero in to catch. Cristian Guzman walks to force in a run and makes it 5-1. Ryan Zimmerman grounds back to the mound, Rosales takes the force at home. Adam Dunn K’s chasing a fastball outside.

Ron Villone gives up a single to Alex Romero on the first pitch of the seventh. Chris Young grounds to short, Guzman to Gonzalez to Dunn, double play. Miguel Montero beats Villone’s glove to the ground on the mound and gets a single to center. Trent Oeltjen singles through second and Villone’s done. Jorge Sosa’s turn. Ryan Roberts goes down swinging over two-strike junk...Josh WIllingham lines one right into Stephen Drew’s glove at short. Elijah Dukes sends the second out soaring into center. Josh Bard grounds out to end the seventh.

Jorge Sosa’s back to face Stephen Drew. Drew flies out to right. Mark Reynolds takes a slider from Sosa deeeep to left and GONE!! Halfway up the stands, 5-2 DC. Chad Tracy pops up down the left field line and it drops in in front of the Hammer. Gerardo Parra grounds to second, Gonzalez to Guzman to Ronnie Belliard at first, another double play...Scott Schoeneweis takes over for Arizona. Alberto Gonzalez goes the other way with a line drive single to right. Mark Reynolds takes the out at first on a grounder from Guzman. Nyjer Morgan rips a single through second, Gonzalez scores to make it 6-2. Cristian Guzman pops up to center, and it’s falling fast. Morgan scores when it drops, 7-2 DC. Ryan Zimmerman singles to center, Guzman to second. Jorge Sosa gets down a sac bunt. Schoeneweis is done. Josh Willingham will face Blaine Boyer. The Hammer walks to load’em up for Dukes. Elijah Dukes singles up the middle, two runs score, 9-2 Nationals. 9-2 Nationals. Josh Bard pops out to end the eighth.

Jorge Sosa starts the ninth against Alex Romero. Romero pops out to Zimmerman foul of third. Chris Young goes down swinging!!!! Miguel Montero grounds to first, Ronnie Belliard knocks it down and tosses to first to end it, Nationals win, 9-2 final.

Nationals now 40-72.

Washington Nationals Win Seventh Straight, Beat Arizona Diamondbacks 5-2.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:49:06 -0000

More photos » by Luis Alvarez - AP

"You Just Got MOCK'd!!!" -- Washington Nationals pitcher Garrett Mock delivers to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug., 8, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

Browse more photos »

The Washington Nationals have won seven-straight games three times since moving to Washington, D.C. before the start of the 2005 season, but only once, in that inaugural campaign, have they won eight or more, taking 10 in-a-row from the Braves (1), Marlins (3), A's (3) and Mariners(3) from June 2nd-June 12th, 2005. The Nationals' 5-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight gave the '09 Nationals seven wins in-a-row, and if they can sweep the D-Backs tomorrow afternoon, they'll have tied for the second-longest win streak in D.C. franchise history. (If you want to count Montreal Expos' history, it'll be only the third time they've won more than seven straight since 2002.)

Garrett Mock earned his first "W" of 2009 season by outdueling the D-Backs' ace Dan Haren, surrendering just two runs and five hits tonight, with both runs scored on a two-run blast by Mark Reynolds in the fourth, which blew an early 1-0 DC lead that was recaptured when Josh Willingham hit a two-run HR in the bottom of the frame. The Nationals never trailed after that, adding a run on a sac fly after the Hammer's dinger in the fourth and a run in the sixth on a Josh Bard bomb over the out-of-town scoreboard in right. Mock throws 97 pitches, 55 for strikes in 6.0 innings of work, and he hands the ball to Sean Burnett, who completes 2.0 scoreless and Jorge Sosa, who closes his first and the Nationals' 39th.

Nationals win, 5-2 final.

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"Game 111: SEVEN?!" by Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

• MOCK'd!!!

• HAMMER'd!!!

• SAV'D!!!

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

Nationals now 39-72.

BACKPAGE:

• MOCK'd!!!...

The Washington Nationals have won the last two of their seven-straight in spite of their pitching. Tonight, however, Garrett Mock may have earned himself another chance in a rotation that's likely to see some changes soon. Craig Stammen couldn't get out of the second in the Nationals' 12-8 win over the Marlins on Thursday, and Collin Balester was out in the fifth last night with the Nationals still trailing in the 7-6 comeback win over Arizona. Mock was solid through six against the D-Backs, throwing 97 pitches, 55 for strikes and getting 7 groundouts, 4 flyouts and 7 K's from the 25 batters he faced. Mock goes longer than he has in any of his 4 previous starts, and collects the highest K total of his career, though he continues his unfortunate habit of allowing 1 HR per start.

• HAMMER'd!!!

Josh Willingham's two-run HR in the fourth came a half-inning after the Arizona Diamonbacks erased a 1-0 DC lead with Mark Reynolds' two-run blast off the left field foul pole. Willingham now has 17 HR's, 23 doubles and 44 RBI's in 86 games and 265 AB's, over which he's hit .309 with a .420 OBP, .589 SLG and a 1.012 OPS. Willingham's hit in 15 of his last 16 games, raising his average from .292 on July 25th to .309 after tonight, and in that time he's 21 for 54 with 5 doubles, 5 HR's and 17 RBI's.

• SAV'D!!!

Jorge Sosa's first save of 2009, is his first save since October 1, 2006. The Nationals' 32-year-old right-hander, earned just 4 saves that season, (3 for the Braves and 1 for the Cardinals), and before that he had just one save in his career, on May 22, 2004, when he was 24-years-old and pitching for the D-Rays, when they still had their "D". Sosa's save as a Cardinal in 2006 came in his last appearance of the year, so that's 139.2 IP between saves...and Sosa's the only other Nationals' pitcher not named Mike MacDougal to earn a save since Joe Beimel earned the "S" on June 11th.

GAME REPORT:

Arizona Diamondbacks At Washington Nationals. Game 111 Of 162.

Stephen Drew lifts a low fastball to short center for a single, as DC righty Garrett Mock lets the first D-Back on. Alex Romero grounds to Alberto Gonzalez, to Cristian Guzman at second, to Adam Dunn, double play. Gerardo Parra fights off a high fastball and singles to left. Mark Reynolds gets a two-strike change that comes in around 80 mph and goes through Reynolds’ bat...Nyjer Morgan takes a fastball inside and lines to left center for a leadoff double in front of the Guzzz. Cristian Guzman rips a single through second into right. Ryan Zimmerman pops up behind home for the first out. Adam Dunn hits a Trademark Single™ back up the middle to score Morgan from third, 1-0 DC. Josh Willingham K’s swinging at a two-strike bender. Willie Harris gets more of the same and goes down swinging.

D-Backs’ backstop Miguel Montero pops up foul of third, and Ryan Zimmerman makes the catch at the wall. Josh Whitesell swings at a 2-0 pitch and grounds it out to second. Chris Young goes down looking...Josh Bard’s first-pitch swinging and he lines out to center. Dan Haren kicks his heel at a grounder back to the mound, knocks it down and throws to first to get Alberto Gonzalez. Garrett Mock rolls the third out to first ending the second.

Ryan Zimmerman dives toward third and stabs Augie Ojeda’s one-hopper, throwing to first, in time. Mock gets Dan Haren to chase a sinker for a swinging K. Stephen Drew grounds out to end Arizona’s third...Nyjer Morgan flies out to Alex Romero in left. Cristian Guzman hits a one-hopper to Whitesell at first. Ryan Zimmerman sends a broken bat floater to second for Ojeda to handle.

Gerardo Parra gets a single by Adam Dunn at first and into right to leadoff the fourth. Garrett Mock leaves a fastball up inside and Mark Reynolds pulls it right down the line and off the foul pole for a two-run HR and a 2-1 D-Backs' lead. Willie Harris gets under the second out off Miguel Montero’s bat. Mock issues a walk to Josh Whitsell, but gets Chris Young swinging after a visit to the mound...Adam Dunn gets hit by a pitch and Josh Willingham HAMMERS it, out to left and into the first row!! GONE! Two-run blast, 3-2 DC. Willie Harris lines to the right field corner and he’s thinking triple out of the box, and he slides in safely and somewhat unneccesarily. Josh Bard lines out to first on the first pitch he sees. Alberto Gonzalez lines out to left and it’ll do, sac fly scores Harris, 4-2 DC. Mock gets abused by Haren to end the fourth.

Alberto Gonzalez gets a grounder to his backhand from Ojeda and throws to first as he runs toward second for the first out of the fifth. Garrett Mock gets the opposing pitcher chasing. Stephen Drew takes a two-out walk and moves to second on Alex Romero’s single. Alberto Gonzalez throws to first on a weak grounder, in time to get Gerardo Parra...Nyjer Morgan grounds out to short, Cristian Guzman grounds out to first, and it’s two down with Zimmerman at the plate. Ryan Zimmerman strokes a single through short. Adam Dunn hits a one-hopper to second for the final out of the fifth.

Garrett Mock walks Mark Reynolds to start the sixth. Miguel Montero K’s swinging over an 0-2 bender. Nyjer Morgan speeds back and makes an awkward catch on a sharp liner to center from Josh Whitesell. Chris Young K’s again and Mock’s through six with the lead...Josh Whitesell falls in foul territory but catches Josh Willingham’s pop fly. Willie Harris takes a two-strike fastball for a called strike three. Josh Bard gets a hold of a heater from Haren and rips it to right and GONE!! Over the out-of-town scoreboard for a solo blast. 5-2 DC. Alberto Gonzalez flies out to end the sixth.

Sean Burnett replaces Garrett Mock. and gets a groundout to first from Augie Ojeda to start the seventh. Ryan Roberts grounds to Adam Dunn at first, to Burnett covering. Stephen Drew grounds out too and it’s 5-2 DC at the stretch...Blaine Boyer, the old Braves’ reliever is on in relief. Sean Burnett K’s swinging when forced to bat. Nyjer Morgan grounds to first, and tries to get away from Josh Whitesell’s tag. Cristian Guzman grounds out to second to end the seventh.

Adam Dunn makes an underhand toss to Sean Burnett covering on a weak grounder from Alex Romero. Ryan Zimmerman fields a grounder to short from Gerardo Parra, spins and throws to first. Mark Reynolds flies out to Nyjer Morgan in center, and Burnett’s got two scoreless...Ryan Zimmerman lines a single over second to start the DC eighth. Adam Dunn flies out to center. Josh Willingham flies to right field. Willie Harris K’s swinging to end the eighth.

Jorge Sosa starts the ninth against Miguel Montero. Fly ball to right for Jorge Padilla. Josh Whitesell's fly ball is out No. 2. Chris Young flies out to Nyjer Morgan in center to end the game. Nationals win, 5-2 Final.

Nationals now 39-72.

SWEEEEEP!! Washington Nationals Rally From 6-0 Down To Beat Florida Marlins, 12-8.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:22:03 -0000

You Have To Believe!!!!

Down 6-0 after two innings, the Washington Nationals rallied all the way back with Elijah Dukes' solo HR in the seventh tying it at 8-8, and Ronnie Belliard's RBI single putting DC ahead in a 4-run eighth that ended with DC up by a score of 12-8. Ryan Zimmerman goes 4 for 4 with a triple a HR and 3 RBI's, Elijah Dukes goes 3 for 4 with a HR and 4 RBI's!!! The Nationals bullpen of Ron Villone, Jason Bergmann, Tyler Clippard, Sean Burnett and Jorge Sosa combine to hold Florida off the board after the fifth. The Washington Nationals win their fifth straight, and SWEEEEEP the Marlins out of Nationals Park, after going 0-9 in '09 against the Marlins before this series.

Heroes of the Game? Elijah Dukes for his game-tying HR, and Jason Bergmann, who enters the game with the bases loaded and 1 down in the sixth and pops up Hanley Ramirez and Jorge Cantu to keep DC in the game.

Nationals win, 12-8 final.

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Nationals now 37-72. (Countdown To 100 Losses Stuck At...28!)