GB&U: Shut Down By Livo

RESULT: Nats lose to Twins 2-1.

GOOD: Paul LoDuca. I know, I know. He doubled and scored on Guzman's infield single. He was the only Nat to reach second base. It was a slow night. John Lannan was solid as usual (7 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BBs, 3 Ks), and the Nats continue to not support him, as he is worst in the league in run support at 2.39 RPG. Brutal

BAD: Elijah Dukes. 0-for4, two strikeouts, two left on base.

UGLY: Allowing Livan Hernandez to dominate you. Livo gave up 12 hits and 7 earned in three innings against Cleveland in his last start. His ERA for the season is 5.51 including last night! He had not given up fewer that 5 earned runs in any of his last five starts, and gave up double-digit hits in four of the five. And the Nats made him look like Cy Young last night.

NEXT GAME: Tonight against the Twins. Jason Bergmann (1-4, 5.48) matches up with Kevin Slowey (3-6, 4.70) in an 8:10 pm EDT contest.

Nats Lose Pitchers Duel 2-1 to Twins

Minneapolis, MN--On a night where neither team could afford a mistake, Washington Nationals starter John Lannan made one, Livan Hernandez of the Minnesota Twins did not, and the Twins reaped the benefits of that mistake, winning 2-1 before 20,920 patrons in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Tuesday night.

In the bottom of the sixth inning ahead 1-0, Lannan (L, 4-8, 3.36) gave up a single to Joe Mauer (2-for-3, .329) right back through the box that luckily left Lannan unscathed. The next pitch did all the damage though, as Lannan hung a curveball to Twins' clean-up hitter Justin Morneau, and Morneau clubbed the pitch an estimated 421 feet into the upper deck in right field for his eleventh home run of the season, giving the Twins the only runs they would need this evening.

"It was a curveball up and he hit it a long way," Lannan said. "It was just a mistake that wound up costing us."

Lannan was in control most of the way, getting first-pitch strikes against most batters. He pitched seven innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks, and he struck out three.

Lannan's counterpart, former Nat Livan Hernandez, was his crafty old self last night, after getting pushed around in his last start. He took advantage of the Nats' young hitters, getting them to chase pitches in favorable counts, and generally keeping them off-balance all night. Hernandez (W, 7-4, 5.51) allowed one earned run on five hits. He walked no one, and struck out just one batter. Joe Nathan recorded the save for the Twins, his 18th of the season.

The Nats scored their only marker in the third inning, when Paul LoDuca, fresh off the disabled list, doubled to right field with one out. Kory Casto moved him over to third with a groundout, and Cristian Guzman (1-for-4, RBI) reached on an infield single, allowing LoDuca to score. LoDuca would be the only National to reach second base all night.

Lastings Milledge, Jesus Flores and Felipe Lopez collected the other hits for the Nats, and Casto reached on a walk.

LoDuca was the designated hitter for the game, hitting in the eighth spot in the line-up. Manager Manny Acta has gone on record saying that LoDuca will DH during interleague play, and get some time in at first base and left field, in addition to backing up Jesus Flores, who has seemingly cemented his spot as starting catcher for the Washington Nationals.

Wednesday's game features Jason Bergmann (1-4, 5.48) against Kevin Slowey (3-6, 4.70) in an 8:10 pm EDT match-up.

NATS NOTES: The loss sends Washington's record to 29-43, last in the NL East and 12.5 games behind division-leading Philadelphia.

Lannan remains last in the NL in run support. The Nats score just 2.39 runs per game when Lannan is on the hill. He has not won since May 18, but in five starts since, has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of those starts.

LoDuca Activated, Clippard Sent Back to Columbus

According to CBS Sportsline.com, Paul LoDuca was activated and P Tyler Clippard was returned to Triple-A Columbus. I mention the source of the report for two reasons: 1) MLB.com transaction page has no mention of it; and B) Neither the WaPO, WaTi or ESPN.com have anything on it.

Various media sources have speculated that was going to be the case, but there has been no official press release or word from the Nats themselves as of this writing. I will post the Press Release when it becomes available.

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ed. (2:41 pm) The move has been posted at MLB.com now, but still no word from The Post.
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LoDuca's activation brings with it much speculation about how he will be utilized and what role he'll play going forward. He was signed in the off-season as a stop-gap, basically to allow Jesus Flores a full season in the minors to work on his defense and to get a full season of at bats. But to this point, LoDuca has been a spectacular mess and Flores the brightest spot on the Nats, a team full of darkness right now, despite the weekend sweep of the Mariners, the worst team in baseball.

Manager Manny Acta went on record over the weekend saying LoDuca will get some at bats at DH during interleague play, and afterwards, will play some first, some left and some catching. In his 1035-game career, LoDuca has played 37 games in the outfield, 76 at first and one at third. And exactly NONE anywhere but catcher since 2004.

Getting Swept By the Nats...

Will do it to you every time.

As Kristen from We've Got Heart wondered, "Wow. Now if the Mariners would have swept the Nats.....Would we have a new GM?" We wish, Kristen. We only wish.

It's amazing with all the dysfunction and lousy roster maintenance in the Emerald City that it took this long for Bavasi to be relieved of his duties. Seriously, you think the Nats have lousy outfield defense? Well, they do. But the Mariners corner OFs are horrendous.

Ibanez should have gone the way of Harold Baines years ago--and they've been playing revolving door in right field all year, starting with Brad Wilkerson and his bloated free agent contract they ended up eating, moving on to rookie Wladamir Balentien, who couldn't hit his weight, and now they're trying failed prospect Jeremy Reed.

And that's just to start. Richie Sexson hasn't been productive in two full seasons now, and he still has time remaining on his contract. Adrian Beltre has put up decent power numbers, but not enough to justify his ridiculously over-inflated contract. That's $29MM tied up in your corners who are hitting .220 combined. And talk about a waste of money. Jose Vidro, the primary DH, is a cool .219/.267/.333. That's not a typo, he's SLUGGING .333--at DH!!!

Even Ichiro has shown signs of being human...he's only hitting .295

And to make things worse, Bavasi thought going into the season the Mariners could contend, so he traded Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman and others for Erik Bedard, who may not even finish out the season in Seattle. Hope the new guy gets a good deal for Bedard, a player EVERYONE knows wants to play in Toronto.

There's an awful lot of work to do at Safco Field. The interim guy, Vice president/associate general manager Lee Pelekoudas is a "Mariner guy"--he's been with the team forever. We wonder if owner Howard Licncoln take sthe safe route, or if he'll move out of his comfort zone and do a legitimate search for the most qualified person for the reclamation project, because it won't be easy.

GB&U: How Sweep It Is

RESULT: Nats complete sweep, beat Mariners 6-2.

GOOD: Kory Casto. Pinch-hit three-run home run in the eighth inning to break open a very close ball game. Honorable mention goes to Tim Redding. Allowed two runs -- one earned -- on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings.

BAD: Meathook. 0-for-4, five left on base.

UGLY: Wily Mo Pena. 0-for-3, five left on base. He grounded to second in the second, ground into double play with two runners on in the fourth, struck out on three pitches with two on in the sixth. Pinch hit for (by Casto) in the eighth. Might Manny be tiring of watching a "power" guy ground out and strike out all the time?

NEXT GAME: Tuesday in Minneapolis against the Twins. John Lannan (4-7, 3.43) versus ex-Nat Livan Hernandez (6-4, 5.84). Too bad this game is in the A.L. park. I love watching Livan hit.

GB&U: Jesus Saves, but Can He Save Himself?

RESULT: Nats beat Mariners 5-2.

GOOD: Jesus Flores. He went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, raising his average to .327. With LoDuca looming (to be activated Monday), how Manny Acta divides the playing time will be very interesting, though it shouldn't be. Flores has been the most productive hitter on the team. Every at bat LoDuca takes is wasting an opportunity for Flores.

Also, Tyler Clippard (W, 1-1, 4.35). Another relatively strong start for a kid who knew he was going to be sent out Monday to activate LoDuca. Clippard's line: 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks.

BAD: Kory Casto. He was the only starter to go hitless, finishing 0-for-4.

UGLY: Richie Sexson for the Mariners. Struck out with the bases loaded against Clippard, and went 0-for-4. The notoriously friendly Seattle crowd booed him mercilessly. How much longer do they allow him to watse at bats?

NEXT GAME: Sunday afternoon in Seattle. Tim Redding (6-3, 4.29) on the hill for the Nats against Jerrod Washburn (2-7, 6.09), who has been terrible this year. Nats go for the sweep!

Doumit Powers Pirates Over Nats 7-5

Pittsburgh, PA -- Ryan Doumit, catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, went 2-for-3 with his fourth home run of the series and drove in three of the Pirates seven runs, leading his team past the visiting Washington Nationals 7-5 in a Thursday matinee in the River City. Doumit was absolutely on fire in the three-game series, going 9-for-11 with four home runs, two doubles and seven RBIs to help the Pirates take two out of three from the Nationals.

The Pirates jumped all over Nats starter Jason Bergmann (L, 1-4, 5.48), scoring two in the first, two in the second and two in the fifth. Bergmann finished the day going four and two-thirds innings, surrendering six runs -- four earned -- on eight hits and one walk. He struck out two. In the first, Pirates third baseman Freddy Sanchez reached on Ronnie Belliard's throwing error and Doumit launched a 2-2 pitch to right field, continuing his dominance of Washington pitching. In the second, Doug Mientkiewicz, Chris Gomez and Jack Wilson all singled consecutively off Bergmann, and Bergmann compounded the trouble by then walking pitcher Tom Gorzelanny, forcing in a run. Nate McLouth then hit a sacrifice fly to score Gomez. It could have been worse, but Sanchez grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

The Nats got one back in the third, as Cristian Guzman (3-for-5, 3 RBIs) singled and scored on Elijah Dukes' triple with one out. But the Nats stranded Dukes there, as Lastings Milledge popped out to second and Aaron Boone flied out to left.

The fifth inning would be Bergmann's final undoing. Gorzelanny helped his case again by singling to center and McLouth hit a ground-rule double to right. Jason Bay then sacrificed to right field, scoring Gorzelanny, and Doumit singled in McLouth. Gorzelanny got the win, his fifth of the season against five losses, going five and two-thirds innings, with three earned runs on six hits, three walks and six strikeouts.

The Nats wouldn't roll over Thursday though. In the sixth inning they started to claw back. Wily Mo Pena doubled with one out, and Wil Nieves walked with two outs. Dmitri Young pinch-hit for reliever Brian Sanches and drew another walk, filling the bases. Guzman delivered for the Nats, singling up the middle, bringing in Pena and Nieves and pushing Young up to second base. Dukes then hit one to right that scored Young from second, but Dukes was gunned out trying to stretch the hit into a double.

The score was 6-4 entering the eighth and the Nats would strike again. Ryan Langerhans singled with one out and went to third on Young's single up the middle. Guzman provided yet another big hit, driving in Langerhans, cutting the lead to 6-5. But that's as close as it would get, as Dukes and Milledge would both strike out against Pittsburgh reliever Franquelis Osoria with two runners aboard. The Bucs would get an insurance run in the bottom of the frame off Jon Rauch (1 IP, 1 ER, 2 hits, 1 BB) with pinch-hitter Jason Michaels driving in Gomez with a double.

The Pirates turned to Damaso Marte to close the ninth inning, having used their closer Matt Capps in four straight ball games. Marte was perfect, retiring Jesus Flores, Belliard and Pena in order, finishing off the Nats and giving the Pirates the series victory.

On Friday, the Nationals return to interleague play, with their very first games against the Seattle Mariners. Shawn Hill (0-3, 4.35) faces Miguel Batista (3-7, 6.00) in the 10:10 pm EDT start at Seattle's Safeco Field.

NATS NOTES: The loss drops the Nationals record to 26-42, thirteen and one-half games behind Philadelphia entering play Thursday night.

Aaron Boone left the game in the sixth inning with a strain on the right side of his neck. After the game, Boone said he'd likely be back in the line-up within "a day or two".

LHP Odalis Perez will miss his next start, and is a candidate for the disabled list now, according to Manager Manny Acta.

Photo courtesy of A. Amobi, DC Sports Box.

Doumit Powers Pirates Over Nats 7-5 also posted at DC Sports Box

GB&U: Doumit Does It Again

RESULT: Nats lose to Pirates 7-5, Ryan Doumit homers four times for the Bucs in three games against the Nats.

GOOD: Cristian Guzman. 3-for-5, 3 RBIs, one run scored. It's a shame he'll be passed over for the all-star game, because he's clearly been the best player for the Nationals so far this season.

BAD: Jason Bergmann. Another rough outing. 4.2 IP. Six runs, four earned. Eight hits and a walk. He gave up two in the first and two in the second. The Nationals are now 1-7 when he starts.

UGLY: Odalis Perez will miss another start with is shoulder tendinitis. There's a good chance he'll go on the DL, but at the very least, the Nats will have to call someone up to take the start. Clippard? Mock? Someone else? Spin the wheel, see where it lands!

NEXT GAME: Friday in Seattle at Safeco Park. Shawn Hill (0-3, 4.35) versus Miguel Batista (3-7, 6.00)

GB&U: No Help For Lannan

RESULT: Nats lose to Pirates 3-1

GOOD: John Lannan. Six strong innings, allowing 2 earned runs. He worked his way out of several jams, and deserved a better fate. He's getting the lowest run support in the league and it's a shame, because he -- along with Tim Redding -- have been the best pitchers on this team.

BAD: Joel Hanrahan. One inning, with three hits and one walk. How did he only allow one run?

UGLY: Acta-Dukes. With the videos, the talking heads, the flaming blogs, etc., this isn't going away. It's a big deal that Acta had Dukes right back in the line-up, though. Most managers would have benched Dukes to prove that they are in control of the team. Manny put him IN the line-up to show who's boss. Kinda surprised Snell didn't put one in his hip pocket though.

NEXT GAME: Tomorrow afternoon in the rubber match, Jason Bergmann (1-3, 5.23) takes on Tom Gorzelanny (4-5, 6.83).

All Quiet Again, Nats Lose to Pirates 3-1

Pittsburgh, PA--On a day when Manager Manny Acta, General Manager Jim Bowden and right fielder Elijah Dukes remained mum on the subject of their closed door meeting after last night's confrontation in the dugout, the Washington Nationals bats observed the code of silence as well, managing only one run and seven hits against four Pittsburgh pitchers, and fell to the Pirates 3-1 before 15,439 at PNC Park.

The incident in the dugout -- where Acta confronted Dukes after Lastings Milledge's home run in the ninth inning giving the Nats the lead and eventual win -- was widely talked about in the media journal pages and had the "Natosphere" on fire throughout the day. It unfortunately overshadowed what should have been a cherished come-from-behind win, as the Nats broke loose for five home runs, two by Ronnie Belliard.

Unable to savor the victory, instead a pall hung over the Nats offense Wednesday night, who never really threatened against starter Ian Snell (W, 3-6, 5.33) and a trio of relievers, finishing with Matt Capps earning his sixteenth save, the pitcher victimized the previous night by Milledge. Snell pitched six innings and allowed one earned run on six hits and three walks. The Nats had their chances against Snell, getting runners on base in each of the first three innings, but never drawing blood in the early going.

But the Nats offense going silent is not an unusual occurrence, particularly when John Lannan is on the hill. Lannan "leads" the majors in lack of run support, receiving less than 2.7 runs per start from his hitters, and they lowered that average in this game. Lannan (L, 4-7, 3.43) turned in another quality start, as he went six full innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits and no walks, striking out three. He surrendered Jason Bay's RBI double in the first inning and Ryan Doumit's eleventh home run -- his third of this series -- in the fifth. He flirted with trouble in other innings, but managed to keep the Pirates to two runs during his tenure.

The Nationals got their run in the seventh, as Felipe Lopez doubled to the gap in right, Willie Harris walked and Dukes singled to center, driving in Lopez. But there would be no home runs, no celebrations and no confrontations in this game -- a game where the Nats seemed devoid of energy from the very beginning.

The rubber match of the series is Thursday afternoon at 12:35 pm EDT. Jason Bergmann (1-3, 5.23) looks to rebound from a sub-par performance last time out against Tom Gorzelanny (4-5, 6.83), who has been a major disappointment for the Bucs this season.

NATS NOTES: The loss puts the Nats record at 26-41, thirteen games behind division leading Philadelphia.

The team announced Ryan Zimmerman will be out another four to six weeks -- at least. After being evaluated by Dr. Tim Kremcheck of Cincinnati, the team said that Zimmerman has about a "70 percent" chance of avoiding surgery. Zimmerman will continue with a strength and conditioning program for his injured left shoulder.

GM Jim Bowden commented on the matter, "We will know at the All-Star break if he will [need surgery]. If in fact he's not better at the All-Star break, then at that time we'll operate so that he's 100 percent for next year. We will not wait until the season's over to risk going into next year."

For All the Apologists

You gotta see this. Manager Manny Acta finally finds something to get his back up about. Milledge and Dukes have quietly been spoken to about their on-field histrionics, and Milledge certainly carried some baggage down from New York with him in that regard.

But the little pose-down by Dukes, including the look back at pitcher Matt Capps, after Milledge's homer in the ninth tonight didn't sit well with Manny.

Here's the video courtesy of ESPN's Baseball Tonight.



Dukes dropping his hand in the post-game high five is great, but Manny's smirk afterwards is classic. It will be very interesting to see how Acta handles this going forward.

GB&U: Wind Blowing Out In Pittsburgh

RESULT: Nats beat Pirates 7-6.

GOOD: Ronnie Belliard. Welcome back!!! His two homers -- and RBI single -- led the Nats to victory. Other homers by Meathook, Flores and of course, the game-winner, from Blastings Thrilledge.

BAD: Luis Ayala. He faced three batters in the bottom of the eighth. All reached, two scored, temporarily allowing Pittsburgh the lead. Look, I love Ayala and Rivera as much as the next guy. Probably more. But with all the over-use, they are spent right now and it's not even the all-star break yet.

UGLY: Wily Mo Pena. I'm not getting off of his back. 0-for-4 lowers his average down to .200. He saw 15 pitches in four at bats, grounding out to the left side three times and weakly flying out to left in his last at bat.

NEXT GAME: Wednesday at Pittsburgh. John Lannan (4-6, 3.47) takes on Ian Snell (2-6, 5.65) in a 7:05 pm game at PNC Park.

Nats Play Long Ball With Pirates, Win 7-6

Pittsburgh, PA--The Washington Nationals were down to their last out, twice. Trailing the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5 in the ninth inning after some back-and-forth home run hitting, Elijah Dukes kept hopes alive with a double to center off of Bucs' closer Matt Capps, who had been perfect in save opportunities all season. Lastings Milledge then came to plate, and drove a shot to the left center field seats against Capps, leaving it up to Jon Rauch to close the door, and he did. Just like that, the Nats had ended their four-game losing streak emphatically.

There were seven home runs in the game -- five by the Nats. The Nats had not hit five home runs in the past week. But Milledge, Dmitri Young, Jesus Flores and Ronnie Belliard -- twice -- all provided big flies to pace the Nationals here on the shores of the Allegheny.

The Nats got started late in this one, as Pittsburgh took an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first against Nats starter Tim Redding. Freddy Sanchez grounded to short, scoring Nate McLouth, who had doubled and taken third on Redding's throwing error on a pick-off play. Two batters later, Ryan Doumit hit his first of two homers on the evening, driving in Jason Bay, on base via an infield single. Redding allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings, walking one and striking out three.

Belliard, in his first game back off the 15-day disabled list with a strained calf, started the comeback in the fifth, homering to left center off Pirates starter Paul Maholm. Doumit would answer for the Bucs in the sixth with his second shot of the night, his tenth of the season. But in the seventh inning -- the bane of the team all season long -- the Nats would find a power boost that has been absent all season long.

Dmitri Young led off -- on the first pitch of the frame -- with his second home run of the season. With one out, Jesus Flores popped his third. The next batter, Ronnie Belliard, hit a 3-2 pitch to deep left center, and in the span of four batters the Nats had three runs, drawing the score into a tie at four, all against Maholm. Maholm gave up four runs and ten hits with no walks and four strikeouts in six and two-third innings.

Belliard would break the tie in the eighth, as his single to center scored Willie Harris, who had entered as a pinch-runner for Young, who singled with one out. Harris stole second off reliever John Grabow before Flores walked, and Belliard fought two fouls off Franquelis Osoria before finding one to his liking, lining his single to center plating Harris.

However, the good fortune from the bats would not extend to the relief pitching in the eighth. Luis Ayala failed to retire any of the three batters he faced, allowing a walk, double and single for one run. Charlie Manning managed to strike out Adam LaRoche with a runner at third, but Joel Hanrahan was not as effective, allowing a sacrifice fly to Doug Mientkiewicz, and the Pirates had stolen the lead from Washington, setting the stage for the ninth inning heroics.

Despite allowing the go-head run to score, Hanrahan was awarded the victory, raising his season record to 2-2, with a 4.24 ERA. Jon Rauch earned his thirteenth save, pitching a perfect ninth inning. Capps was the loser (0-1, 2.64).

Wednesday night is game two between these two second division teams. John Lannan (4-6, 3.47) takes on Ian Snell (2-6, 5.65) in a 7:05 pm game at PNC Park.

NATS NOTES: The win lifts the Nats record to 26-40, 13 games behind Philadelphia in the NL East.

Cristian Guzman, Dukes, Milledge, Young and Belliard all had multi-hit games. Guzman is hitting .310 for the season.

Tyler Clippard, Monday's starter, was returned to Columbus to make room for Belliard.

Photos (c) C. Nichols 2008

Nats Lose Finale 3-2; Swept By Giants

Washington, DC--In what has become a familiar refrain, the Washington Nationals pitched decently in all but the middle innings, put some base runners on but couldn't push them across, and ultimately lost to the San Francisco Giants 3-2 in front of 26,209 patrons brave enough to withstand the sweltering conditions at Nationals Park Monday night.

Monday's victim was Tyler Clippard, called up earlier in the day to make the start that normally would have gone to John Lannan. The team did not want Lannan to start on three days rest though, so Clippard was recalled from Triple-A Columbus. Like his Clipper teammate Garrett Mock, Clippard would be in a Nats uniform only one night by design, and both pitchers were aware of the situation before their starts. Clippard displayed a tremendous change-up, but had little command or control of his fastball. Regardless, he kept the Nationals in the game, as he allowed three earned runs on five hit and four walks, with six strikeout along the way, in four and one-third innings.

In Clippard's defense, the double by Giants' catcher and clean-up hitter Bengie Molina that produced what would be the game-winning third run should have been caught, and the results would have been much different for Clippard and the Nats. On a 2-2 count in the top of the fifth, Molina lofted a lazy fly ball to the warning track in left center field. There was no question this ball did not have enough gas to make it over the fence -- it barely made it to the warning track. But the lumbering Wily Mo Pena got a bad break on it and did not have nearly enough foot speed to make up for the initial mistake, giving Molina and the Giants a gift that they did not deserve.

Pena has always been a brutal fielder, but in the past that fact has been mitigated by his production of power. Before this season, Pena averaged a home run every 18.6 at bats. It's not a Bonds-like pace, but enough to be a productive major league hitter. This season, however, Pena has one lone home run in 131 at bats, and is hitting .206/.267/.255, absolutely brutal for a back-up catcher, let alone a starting left fielder. Combined with a major league worst range in left field, and you've got a regular every-day player making outs at the bat and giving them away in the field.

Brian Sanches came on for Clippard, who had thrown 98 pitches and probably would not have come out for the sixth inning regardless. Sanches was able to shut down the burgeoning threat, getting Aaron Rowand to ground to shortstop and Rich Aurilia to line one right at Pena that he had to catch out of self-defense.

The Nats scored once in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Jesus Flores, plating Lasting Milledge, who had doubled earlier. Washington added one more in the eighth when it looked like they would finally get to the San Francisco bullpen for a bunch of runs. Milledge started the two-out rally with a walk, and Dmitri Young -- in his first action in five days due to a "viral illness" -- singled. Flores then took a four pitch walk, ending reliever Tyler Walker's evening and loading the bases. Giants Manger Bruce Bochy went to rookie Alex Hinshaw to face Kory Casto. After the second ball, a pitch high and tight to Flores, Molina tried to pick off Willie Harris (running for Young) at second, only to overthrow shortstop Omar Vizquel, allowing Milledge to trot home, cutting the lead to 3-2. Hinshaw, clearly unnerved, then threw two more wide ones to Casto, filling the bases once again. Bochy had seen enough by this point though and summoned his closer, Brian Wilson, who coaxed Felipe Lopez into a soft liner to right to end the threat.

The Nats had their chances in this game, with nine hits and reaching on four walks. But without having a force in the middle of the line-up to provide any power, the Nationals have to string multiple hits together to score a single run, and they just weren't up to the task on this hot, muggy evening.

Matt Cain was the winner for the Giants, running his record to 3-4. He went six and one-third innings, allowing one earned run on eight hits and one walk, striking out six. Wilson earned his 18th save of the season. Cristian Guzman and Young both had two hits for the Nats. Sanches, Jesus Colome, Charlie Manning and Luis Ayala were spotless in relief, allowing no runs, no hits and just two walks in four and two-thirds innings, keeping the Nats in the game. But as the story has unfolded for much of this season, the hitters were powerless and unsuccessful in manufacturing any runs in support of their pitchers.

Washington begins a nine-game, three city road trip Tuesday in Pittsburgh. Tim Redding (6-3, 4.15) faces Paul Maholm (4-5, 4.48) in the series opening at 7:05 pm.

NATS NOTES: The lose drops Washington's record to 25-40, last in the NL East, 14 games behind division-leading Philadelphia. The Nats' 25 wins on the season are above only Colorado, with 24.

Ronnie Belliard was activated from the 15-day disabled list after the game. Clippard was returned to Columbus to make room on the roster.

Single-A Potomac clinched the first-half title in the Carolina League Monday night with a victory over Winston-Salem (CHA).

Cristian Guzman recorded his team-leading 25th multi-hit game. He is second among NL shortstops in extra-base hits with 27, training only Jose Reyes of the Mets with 29. Guzman has 20 doubles, two triples and five home runs. He is tied for fourth in the ML overall in doubles, and third in the Major Leagues in multi-hit games.

GB&U: Same Old Song and Dance

RESULT: Nats lose to Giants 3-2, swept four game series.

GOOD: Dmitri Young. Meathook returns! 2-for-4 in his return from "viral illness". Anything to spark this moribund offense. Guz had another two hits and the bullpen threw 4.2 shutout innings.

BAD: Bob Carpenter. When Wily Mo Pena turned and out into a routine fly ball from Jose Molina into an RBI double, chasing Tyler Clippard in his Nats debut, not once did Bob call the play for what it was. Don Sutton volunteered that it looked like a play could have been made on the ball. But neither had a single critical word for Pena.

UGLY: Wily Mo Pena. No other left fielder in the league would have let that ball fall. Period. It was a lazy fly ball and Pena just couldn't get to it. Not only is he costing this team with his bat, he's costing them runs in the field. Why does he still play? Call up Bernadina. It's embarrassing.

NEXT GAME: Tuesday at Pittsburgh. Tim Redding (6-3, 4.15) versus Paul Maholm (4-5, 4.48).