Nats Fall One Loss Away From Ignominy

Washington, DC -- It's not the way Tim Redding wanted to end his mostly positive season. On a chill evening in late September, Redding hoped to preserve his personal .500 pitching record for a team that started the contest a collective 39 games below .500. Unfortunately for Redding and the Washington Nationals, he was not as sharp as he had been most nights previously this season, and the Nats fell to the Florida Marlins 9-4, before 23,299 brave souls remaining to see the end of this disappointing season. The loss is Washington's 99th of the season, as the Nats have lost eleven of their last fourteen games.

Redding's very first pitch to the first batter of the game, all-star shortstop Hanley Ramirez, left the park as Ramirez launched his 33rd home run of the season. Rookie Cameron Maybin followed with a double, and would eventually score on a wild pitch. Before they had batted, the Nats trailed 2-0. Redding escaped the second inning unscathed, but would not last the third.

Ramirez started the damage again with a one-out double. Rookie OF Cameron Maybin sacrificed Ramirez to third, who then walked to home on a Jorge Cantu double to deep left field. OH Josh Willingham and 2B Dan Uggla both earned free passes from Redding which would haunt the veteran starter. OF Jeremy Hermida singled to right field on an 0-2 pitch, allowing Cantu and Willingham to both score. The next batter, 1B Gaby Sanchez, in first his major league start, doubled to the out of town scoreboard in right, driving in Uggla, and mercifully ending Redding's evening -- and season.

Marco Estrada entered and promptly allowed an infield hit to catcher Matt Treanor and Hermida snuck home from third, closing the book on Redding. He finished two and two-thirds innings, surrendering seven earned runs on seven hits and two walks. He struck out four and allowed one home run, Ramirez' solo shot to start the game.

Redding was one of the big stories for the Nats early this season, as he started the season 6-3 with a 3.16 ERA, prompting talk of an All-Star appearance. He didn't get a decision in any of his next nine starts, though, and went 0-3 with a 9.17 ERA over his last four. His season ends with a record of 10-11 and and ERA of 4.95.

"First half, real good," Redding said. "Second half ... not good."

The Marlins collected eighteen hits on the evening, and several new faces for Florida had big nights. Ramirez and Hermida both went 3-for-5 and rookies Maybin and Sanchez each collected three hits as well.

The Nationals batters did not fare as well against Marlins starter Josh Johnson (W, 7-1, 3.61). Johnson missed much of the season recovering from last off-season surgery, but he's quickly proving that he belongs in next year's rotation. He went six innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits and three walks.

Emilio Bonifacio and Pete Orr -- subbing for flu-ridden Ryan Zimmerman -- each had two hits for the Nats. Bonifacio's triple in the third inning led to a run, and he, Orr, SS Alberto Gonzalez and C Wil Nieves each had RBIs.

The highlight of the game for the Nats was LF Roger Bernadina's full-out diving catch onto the warning track just in front of the visitor's bullpen in left field, robbing 3B Jorge Cantu of extra-bases. It was, simply, one of the finest defensive plays you'll see from an outfielder, and gives hope that the young players the Nats are running out there to end the season will one day be part of a winning season, not one that needs to win its remaining four games to avoid triple digits.

Collin Balestar (3-6, 4.83) gets the first chance to keep 100 at bay, as he takes on Anibal Sanchez (2-5, 5.57) in the last game in the inaugural season at Nationals Park, weather permitting, at 7:10 pm.

NATS NOTES: The Seattle Mariners lost to the Los Angeles Angels last night, giving them 100 losses, to stay one game behind Washington for the worst record in the major leagues. Should they tie, Washington will still receive the first pick in next year's amateur draft due to finishing with a worse record the previous season.

Martis' Big Night Leads Nationals Over Marlins, 9-4

by Anthony Amobi and Dave Nichols

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the 2008 season comes to a close, teams in the second division such as the Washington Nationals have nothing to play for but pride and the chance to see youngsters and role players compete for jobs next year. Last night, rookie Shairon Martis – who at 21 years old is youngest of the young on the squad – earned his first Major League victory as the Nats officially knocked Florida out of playoff contention, defeating the Marlins 9-4.

Martis (W, 1-3, 5.89) was good, but not particularly spectacular, as he went five and one-third innings and gave up three runs – all earned – on five hits. He struck out five and walked two. Meanwhile, his opponent on the mound, Scott Olsen (L, 8-11, 4.23), took the loss as he went five innings and gave up four runs – three earned – on eight hits, while striking out two and walking one. Martis' teammates came in huge for him, as Ryan Zimmerman belted his team-leading fourteenth home run, SS Alberto Gonzalez had four hits, three runs and two RBIs, and Lastings Milledge went 3-for4 with three runs driven in.

Florida took a 1-0 early lead in the very first inning as Mike Jacobs plated Hanley Ramirez with a two-out single. In the bottom of the frame, the Nats would come right back, as 2B Anderson Hernandez (2-for-5, two runs, two RBIs) reached base with a single before Zimmerman slammed a two run home run to deep left field off of Olsen and Washington took the lead, 2-1.

The Marlins tied the game at two in the top of the second inning as Josh Willingham took Martis deep with his thirteenth home run of the season. Undaunted on this evening, Washington would regain in the lead in the bottom of the third inning as Lastings Milledge hit a sacrifice fly that plated Alberto Gonzales – who had singled to start the frame and advanced to third – for a 3-2 lead.

In the fifth inning, Washington would take a 4-2 lead as Alberto Gonzalez hit a one-out double and advanced to third on Zimmerman's single. Milledge knocked in Gonzalez with a sacrifice; however, the inning would come to end and the Nationals failed to do any more damage as OF Elijah Dukes grounded out and Aaron Boone struck out looking.

Florida added another run to come with one of tying in the sixth inning as Martis walked Jorge Cantu and Mike Jacobs in succession. Manager Manny Acta decided at that point to lift Martis and hand things off to the bullpen. Dan Uggla singled off Stephen Shell to plate Cantu, but Shell induced a ground ball double-play ball from Josh Willingham to quash the rally and finish the frame.

Washington added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Walks to Willie Harris and pinch-hitter Pete Orr were sandwiched around a sacrifice bunt by Wil Nieves, and Hernandez ripped his third hit of the night off Marlins’ reliever Jesus Delgado to center to put the Nationals up, 5-3.

The Marlins became unglued in the eighth inning and Washington took the opportunity to rip them for four more additional runs late in the game. Willie Harris again walked to lead off the inning, and advanced to second off a Nieves sacrifice bunt. Reliever Eulogio De La Cruz walked pinch hitter Roger Bernadina and then he and Harris executed a double-steal without a throw. Hernandez came through again and plated both Harris and Bernadina with a single to center to put the Nationals up, 7-3.

After Hernandez advanced to second off a wild pitch by De La Cruz, Gonzalez drove him in with a single to center. Minutes later, Lastings Milledge capped off the inning by singling up the middle to score Gonzalez – who had advanced to third off a passed ball by catcher Jeff Baker – putting Washington’s ninth and final run on the scoreboard.

Cody Ross homered off Joel Hanrahan in the ninth inning to score Florida’s fourth run, but by then, the game was more than over.

With only five games left in the season – including the final two games in the inaugural season of Washington's Nationals Park– the Nats are eagerly trying to avoid the 100-loss plateau, the ultimate mark of a disastrous season. They need to win four of their last five to do the trick, but at least got started on the quest last night.

A scant crowd of 20,657 came out to Nationals Park on a autumn evening and left home happy, but not fulfilled in any sense of the imagination considering how long the season has truly been for even the most loyal and ardent fan.

Tonight's game is at 7:10 pm, game two of the three-game series with the Marlins. Tim Redding (10-10, 4.67) hosts Josh Johnson (6-1, 3.65).

Stock Photo (c) C. Nichols 2008.

GB&U: Quiet 2-1 Loss

RESULT: Nats lose to Marlins 2-1.

GOOD: Shairon Martis. Five innings, two hits, three walks, one earned run, nine strikeouts.
Wee Willie Harris went 2-for-3 with a walk.

BAD: Cristian Guzman. 0-for-4, two left on base, and a throwing error that resulted in the winning run scoring.

UGLY: Fifteen individual runners left on base. Example A on why the Nats need a to get a slugger in the line-up. They just have trouble stringing base hits together to score runs.

NEXT GAME: Tomorrow. 7:10 pm from Dolphin Stadium. Tim Redding faces Josh Johnson.

GB&U: 18 Is Not Enough

RESULT: Nats lose to Mets 13-10.

GOOD: Cristian Guzman. First career two home run game. 5 RBIs. Elijah Dukes. Home run, did not take Pelfrey's head off after the beaning.

BAD: Opening Day Odalis Perez. Yuck. I won't even type his numbers. Joel Hanrahan. Another home run allowed. Sa-ool Rivera. The season can't end fast enough for him. He's throwing meatballs up there right now.

UGLY: Dukes taunting the Mets fans. I'm going to say this slowly so everyone knows where I stand: This...has...got...to...stop. I am the biggest unabashed Dukes fan around here, I think the kid can hit 40 home runs (sorry if I'm propounding Bill Ladson-like hyperbole here). But he has to know that his actions last night night were wrong and irresponsible.

INJURY UPDATE: Flores tried to do some simple drills pre-game and had to stop. He ain't coming back this year, it would be foolhardy to think and prepare otherwise.

NEXT GAME: Second off-day this week today. Nats start a three-game series with the Marlins Friday. If you play a Major League baseball game, and no one is there to see it, does it still count in the standings?

GB&U: A Win and Solid Debut

RESULT: Nats beat Marlins (finally) 9-6.

GOOD: Colin Balestar! Five innings of one-hit, three walk goodness. One earned run to go along with three strikeouts. Ronnie Belliard!!! Grand slam to back the rookie. Elijah Dukes with another home run and three more hits!

BAD: Steven Shell. One inning, three earned runs, two hits and a walk. He's getting hit every time up.

UGLY: Wily Mo Pena. 0-for-3. .215. One more time, with feeling.

NEXT GAME: Wednesday, get away day in Florida. Odalis Perez (2-5, 3.87) versus Ricky Nolasco (8-4, 4.05). Look at those ERAs and records and tell me again what's wrong with the Nats right now.

Nats Lose 5-4; Swept by Marlins

Washington, DC--On a drizzly Mother's Day Sunday afternoon, it appeared the Washington Nationals had found the recipe to defeat the visiting Florida Marlins. Shawn Hill's seven strong innings pitched and home runs by little-used Aaron Boone and Ronnie Belliard gave the Nats a 4-2 lead entering the eighth inning. But overworked reliever Luis Ayala was unable to hold the Marlins at bay in the frame, as he allowed three earned runs on three hits--including two home runs--to allow the Marlins to complete the sweep and send the Nationals out on the road wondering what they have to do to actually win against the team from south Florida.

The decisive eighth inning was ugly indeed for Ayala (1-3, second blown save), making his league leading 23rd appearance of the season. Slap-hitting Alfredo Amezaga reached on an infield single to start the inning. It was a hard one-hopper to first that Boone was able to knock down, but Ayala couldn't get to the bag quick enough to get the speedy Amezaga. On the next pitch, Jeremy Hermida jumped all over Ayala's fastball and sent it screaming into the right field bleachers to tie the game. Ayala was able to coax Hanley Ramirez and Jorge Cantu into making outs, but couldn't fool Marlins' red-hot second baseman Dan Uggla, who ripped a 2-2 pitch into dead-away center field stands, just barely avoiding becoming the first batter in Nationals Park history to reach the batter's eye. It was Uggla's second homer of the game and third of the series.

The Nationals were able to get their lead-off hitters on base in the bottom of the eighth and ninth innings, but to no avail. Belliard, one-for-three on the day with a homer and two RBIs, walked to start the eighth against Marlins reliever Renyel Pinto (hold--7), but Ryan Zimmerman promptly grounded into a double play to quash the burgeoning rally. In the ninth, Lastings Milledge led off with a walk, but Willie Harris popped out to right, Elijah Dukes popped out to second and catcher Jesus Flores bounced out to Marlins closer Kevin Gregg (save--7) to end the Mother's Day festivities.

Florida reliever Logan Kensing pitched the seventh inning, surrendering just one hit, and earned his second win of the season with no losses. Marlins starter Scott Olson settled down after a rough start to keep the Marlins in the game, and allowed four earned runs on six hits and two walks in six innings pitched.

Nationals' starter Shawn Hill deserved a better fate. He looked really strong all game, and allowed two earned runs on just five hits and no walks in seven innings. He gave up one run in the second as he hit Uggla, allowed a single to Luis Gonzales that moved Uggla to third, and a sacrifice fly to first baseman Wes Helms. Hill also surrendered Uggla's first home of the day, a solo shot in the sixth. Hill still has no decisions in five starts this season, with a 3.56 ERA, with 18 strikeouts in 30.1 innings pitched.

Aaron Boone, starting for Nick Johnson against the lefty, went three-for-four on the day, coming within a double of hitting for the cycle. He homered in the second, tripled in a run in the third and singled in the sixth. His last at bat ended with a fly out to right field.

Washington begins a four-game series with the division rival New York Mets Monday, with Odalis Perez (0-3, 3.43) facing Nelson Figueroa (2-2, 4.81) at 7:10 pm in Shea Stadium.

NATS NOTES: The loss drops the Nationals' record for the season to 15-23, 8.5 games behind division-leading Florida. Washington is 9-16 against division rivals and 1-8 against Florida this season.

Washington will be on the road for the next week, playing four in New York and a three-game weekend series in Baltimore, the traditional "geographic rival" portion of interleague play.

Reliever Chris Schroder was recalled from Triple-A Columbus, replacing left-handed starter Mike O'Connor, who was optioned back to Columbus following the game. O'Connor was 1-1 while with the big club, but was hammered in his only start Saturday evening.

The team has not announced a starter for Thursday's game in New York, which would have been O'Connor's turn to start.

Nats Lose 5-4; Swept by Marlins also posted at DC Sports Box

Photo (c) C. Nichols 2008

Lost Weekend For Nats In Florida

Miami, FL--The Washington Nationals were outplayed by the Florida Marlins on Saturday and Sunday, losing the final two games of the three-game series, by scores of 6-5 on Saturday and 6-1 on Sunday. The Nationals have now lost 14 of their last 16 games and own the worst record in Major League Baseball.

Saturday's game was not only painful, but disheartening as well. The Marlins led 5-3 going into the ninth inning, but the Nats scrambled to tie the score at five against Florida closer Kevin Gregg. Cristian Guzman led off and reached on shortstop Hanley Ramirez's error. After Ryan Zimmerman popped out, Nick Johnson walked. Much-maligned Austin Kearns then drilled a single to right, scoring Guzman and pinch-runner Willie Harris to even the score.

But the lead would be short-lived. In the bottom of the ninth, Saul Rivera walked Dan Uggla to lead off. Uggla took second on a ground out and the Nats walked Josh Willingham to set up the force play. There would be no force, however, as Wes Helms deposited the second pitch he saw from Rivera safely into center to score the game-winner.

Shawn Hill made his first start of the season for the Nats, allowing four earned runs in five innings, giving up eight hits with no walks and six strikeouts.

On Sunday, the Nats batters were shut down completely by Marlins starter Scott Olson, Hanley Ramirez hit two home runs and sloppy play dominated, as the Nats committed two more errors and a wild pitch that allowed two runs to score.

Olson threw seven strong innings, allowing only one earned run on three hits and two walks. He struck out only three, but kept the Nationals off-balance all day. Olson extended his career record over the Nats to 3-0, with a .130 batting average against. Repeating a now-familiar refrain, Manager Manny Acta said, "We're better than we're playing right now. Our starters have been giving us enough chances, but it's not easy to win 1-0." The Nationals could only muster five hits on the day, their lone run coming on Austin Kearns' second home run of the season. Only once in the game did the Nats have more than one base runner in the same inning.

After one-eighth of the season, the puny batting averages of the regulars in the line-up and the gory overall batting numbers tell the story for this struggling team right now. Washington is hitting .219 as a team, last in Major League Baseball. They are 27th in runs scored, 28th in on base percentage, 24th in home runs and 26th in stolen bases.

Individually, only two batters are hitting above .260: Cristian Guzman at .304 and Lastings Milledge at .280. Ryan Zimmerman is hitting .215/.244/.342. Austin Kearns is .212/.350/.333. Wily Mo Pena is 3-for-26 since returning from the disabled list. Paul LoDuca, before going on the DL, was hitting .200/.317/.286. And the list goes on.

As for the pitching, the team's 4.73 ERA places them at 26th in the majors. But a lot of that blame can be placed on the bullpen, the supposed "strength" of this staff. The starters have been pretty decent, led by Tim Redding (3-1, 3.27) and Odalis Perez (0-3, 3.38). But Jon Rauch, Saul Rivera and Joel Hanrahan's ERAs are all above 5.50.

The upcoming schedule provides no relief either. This week features two two-game series against the Braves and Mets, then a three-game weekend series against the Chicago Cubs. The Nats are scheduled to face Tim Hudson, John Smoltz and Johan Santana in their next three match-ups.

Lost Weekend For Nats In Florida also posted at DC Sports Box

Nats Fall to Marlins

Viera, FL--The old adage says that at this time of spring training the bats are behind the arms. One only need to examine the box scores around the league to find evidence of such. Friday afternoon the Washington Nationals pitchers had a nice day, but the Florida Marlins pitchers were just as good, and the Nats fell 3-1 in front of 2,233 fans in Space Coast Stadium.

Tyler Clippard started for the Nats and pitched two solid innings of work, giving up a solo home run along with two hits and a walk. Jason Stanford followed Clippard, and he surrendered just one hit and struck out one in his two innings. Mike Bascik, famous for giving up Barry Bonds record-setting home run last season, was roughed up for three hits and two runs in one inning, and Saul Rivera was unblemished in his one inning.

The hitting stars for the Nats were Ryan Zimmerman, who went two-for-two, and Bret Boone, trying to make a comeback after being out of the game last season, doubled in his first spring training at bat.

Florida's star was center fielder Alejandro DeAza, who homered off of Clippard in the first inning, and added another hit, RBI and stolen base later in the game.

Article also posted at DC Sports Box.
Photo courtesy of Al Santos, DC Sports Box

Nats Tie Marlins in Spring Opener

Jupiter, FL--The Washington Nationals pushed a run across in the top of the ninth to tie the Florida Marlins in both teams spring training opener Wednesday night, 3-3. Camp invitee Pete Orr drove in the tying run on a bases loaded infield hit. Wily Mo Pena and Alex Escobar drove in the other two runs. Other offensive highlights included two hits and two steals for center fielder Lastings Milledge. The biggest news was that Nick Johnson, returning from his broken femur of 2006, played first base and had two at bats, finishing 0-1 with a hit by pitch.

Matt Chico started and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk. However, he threw only 16 of his 32 pitches for strikes. Garrett Mock followed and allowed an unearned run on two hits, striking out two in two innings. Rob Bell was pushed around in his two innings as he surrendered two runs on three hits, giving up Mike Jacobs' home run. Joel Hanrahan, Chris Schroder and Brain Sanches were each unscathed in their one inning, with Schroder striking out the side.

The Nationals continue Grapefruit League play Friday with a match-up in Viera, FL against these same Marlins.

On Thursday, the Nats played an exhibition against Georgetown University. The Nats defeated GU 16-0 on a very windy day at Space Coast Stadium. Very few players from the 40-man roster took part in the exhibition, as the Nats pounded the Hoyas for 16 runs and 17 hits. Jason Bergmann, Josh Smoker, Colin Balestar, Mike Hinckley and Bobbie Brownlie combined on the 4-hit shutout. Balester was the star, striking out five in two inning of work.

Article also posted at DC Sports Box
Photo Courtesy of Al Santos, DC Sports Box