Sign of Things to Come

Noted while watching Game 1 of the doubleheader on Gamecast at "work":

--Guz returns. He's hitting second today behind Emilio! the team would be better suited all the way around with Milledge inthe 2 slot and Guz 7th or 8th, but with Dukes out Milledge needs to be further down in the order. The positive here is that Manny realizes Bonifacio needs to be the lead-off hitter and Guz does not.

--Man, does this team need to find a power-hitting first baseman to put into the clean-up spot. having that one bat would allow other players to slot in a more natural spot in the batting order.

--Extreme bummer about Dukes, but it continues the disturbing pattern of the Nats medical staff taking the player's opinion about their injury at face value instead of immediately doing MRIs to eveluate the injury, leaving the player unavailable to the manager for days until proper diagnosis. Is the team so cheap they are trying to get away with medical opinion without doing MRI until absolutely necessary? I would hope not, but...

BREAKING NEWS: Dukes to DL: UPDATE for 4-6 weeks!!!

Straight from the horse's mouth:

The Washington Nationals today placed outfielder Elijah Dukes on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to August 3, with a right calf strain and recalled right-handed pitcher Garrett Mock from Columbus of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.Mock returns for a fourth stint with the Nationals this season. To date, the rookie has posted a 5.27 ERA

(8 ER/13.2 IP) in five games/two starts with Washington. During his most-recent stint with Washington, which came in late July, Mock fired 3.0 one-hit scoreless innings of relief spanning three appearances, during which did not issue a walk, fanned five and posted a batting average against of .091 (1-for-11).

The 25 year-old Mock was 6-3 with a 3.01 ERA in 19 games/17 starts for Columbus. Mock’s strikeout-to-walk ratio in the International League was a stellar 3.8/1 (96 strikeouts/25 walks), and he currently ranks fourth in the IL in ERA.

Dukes, 24, is batting .264 (48-for-182) with six home runs and 23 RBI in 54 games with the Nationals this season. Among those with 200 plate appearances, his .364 on-base percentage leads all Nationals. This is Dukes’ third trip to the Disabled List this season. His previous DL stints were due to right-hamstring and right-knee issues.

And now this from the Washington Redskins Newspaper (I mean, the Post):

An MRI exam of Elijah Dukes's bothersome right calf revealed a strain far more significant than the team first believed, and as a result, Dukes, the team's starting left fielder, will miss four to six weeks.

Bottom(feeder) Line: Ugh. Just when you think you're out, they pull you right back in...

Photo (c) C. Nichols 2008.

GB&U: The Return of Ugly!!!

RESULT: Nats Lose to Rockies 8-2.

GOOD: Snakebit John Lannan. 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks. Made one mistake to Ian Stewart and it cost him. Other than that, had the Rocks off-balance all night. It's good to know that event he feel-good August Nationals still don't hit for Lannan.

BAD: Ronnie Belliard. Inexcusable for him to get caught at third base on a ball hit right at him. At least break for home and make Barmes throw you out instead of jsut standing there and allwoing yourself to be TAGGED out to start the unconventional 5-tag-3 double play. This just two pitches trying to get thrown out stealing third on a whiffed bunt attempt.

UGLY: Never in the history of GB&U has there been a more appropriate series of events to take this distinction. Last night's eighth inning was ugly in every sense of the word. Three pitchers. Three bloop hits. Four walks. Two HBPs. RBIs on two BBs and one HBP. U-G-L-Y. Wouldn't mind seeing less of Ayala and more of Shell right now.

INJURY UPDATE: Why the hell isn't Guzman on the freaking disabled list?!? Last night was the 11th game he's missed!!! Oh, Zim finally played (1-for-3) and Dukes ran in the OF, but no timetable for return.

OTHER "NEWS": Stan says we aren't signing all our draft picks. He better be talking about draft picks other than Crow. Look, Nieto was never going to sign, it's why he dropped all the way to the fifth round. That's not shocking. But the team and Crow's reps had better come to an agreement, or there will be hell to pay on these here internets.

NEXT GAME: Tonight's rubber game against the Rocks. Odalis Perez (4-8, 4.16) versus Jeff Francis (3-7, 5.67) fresh off the 15-day DL. Look, a team that actually uses it's disabled list!

Bullpen Implodes to Waste Lannan's Effort; Nats Lose 8-2

Denver -- For six innings, Washington Nationals starting pitcher John Lannan cruised through the Colorado Rockies line-up like it was a minor league team. He mixed his off-speed pitches with fastballs on the corners to baffle last year's National League Champions. But a mistake to pinch-hitter Ian Stewart, turned around for a game-tying two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, opened the door and the rest of the Rockies came crashing through in the eighth, scoring six runs against three Nationals relievers on just three hits, and Colorado wrested a victory where before it looked like another defeat. The loss snapped Washington's modest four-game winning streak since the Major League trade deadline of July 31.

Lannan's line for the night tells the story so often repeated for him this season: seven innings pitched, two earned runs on five hits and two walks with 8 strikeouts -- but no decision. It was just another hard-luck game for Lannan, whose record stands at 6-11 with a credible 3.55 ERA this season.

"He's given us a lot of quality starts without much to show for it," manager Manny Acta said. "He hasn't been the beneficiary of a lot of run support."

After Stewart's homer -- his fifth of the season -- things got plain weird for the Nats in the bottom of the eighth. Luis Ayala relieved Lannan and retired Jeff Baker on a ground out to first, but could do no more good. Slugging OF Matt Holliday flipped a double down the right field line that landed on the chalk, 1B Garrett Atkins drew a four-pitch walk and Ayala then hit C Chris Ianetta. Manager Manny Acta had seen all he cared to of Ayala (L, 1-7, 5.81) and called for lefty Charlie Manning. Rockies OF Brad Hawpe met Manning with a bloop single to shallow center that scored both Holliday and Atkins, with Ianetta moving up to second. SS Troy Tulowitzki, batting just .238 for the season, walked to load the bases. Manning managed to strike out Stewart for the second out, and then gave way to Saul Rivera, who had pitched brilliantly the night before. But there would be no magic in his right arm Tuesday night, as he hit OF Willie Tavares, walked Jeff Baker and allowed an infield single to Holiday, each play scoring a single run and further burying the Nats.

The ugly totals for the bottom of the eighth: three hits (none hit hard), four walks and two hit-by-pitches, resulting in six earned runs and one big loss for the Nationals. "You always see something new and I don't remember the last time I saw four walks and two hit by pitches in an inning," Acta said.

The Nats got their runs courtesy of poor defense again by the Rockies. In the second inning, Austin Kearns (2-for-4) singled, took third on an error by Garrett Atkins on a bunt play by Lastings Milledge, and scored on a sacrifice fly by C Jesus Flores. In the fifth inning, Ryan Langerhans led off with a walk, took second on a sacrifice by Lannan, advance to third on an Emilio Bonifacio ground out and scored on a wild pitch by Rockies starter Jorge de la Rosa.

Washington had a chance to increase their lead in the top of the seventh. 1B Ronnie Belliard led off with a single to left field and Langerhans followed up with another clean single, putting men at first and second with no outs. Lannon struck out trying to sacrifice, but Belliard stole third base anyway to get into scoring position. However, in one of the strangest plays in a night of strangeness, Bonifacio hit a one bouncer to third right in the direction of Belliard, who couldn't decide to advance or retreat. Instead, he did neither and 3B Clint Barmes fielded the ground ball, tagged Belliard quickly and threw to first to get the speedy Bonifacio by a step. Just like that, rally over.

And that's when the real weirdness started.

The Nationals go for the rubber game Wednesday at 9:05 eastern, sending Odalis Perez (4-8, 4.16) to the hill against Jeff Francis (3-7, 5.67), making his first start in more than a month on the disabled list with inflammation of his left (pitching) shoulder.

NATS NOTES: The loss drops the Nats record to 42-71, 19.5 games behind division-leading Philadelphia.

Colorado pitcher Manny Corpas pitched one inning, allowing two hits, to earn the win. His record is 2-3, 6.55.

Washington SS Alberto Gonzalez had an MRI on his injured backside. The team announced he has a "contusion" of the hamstring and is day-to-day.

Ryan Zimmerman returned to the line-up at 3B and went 1-for-3. SS Cristian Guzman and OF Elijah Dukes did not play.

Photos (c) C. Nichols 2008.

GB&U: Breaking Rocks All Day...

RESULT: Nats beat Rockies 9-4.

GOOD: Remember back to, oh, I don't know, middle of last week when it was hard to find a "Good" and limitless on the "Bad" and "Ugly"? Nah, me either!

Emilio! Remember, one-name nickname, like the Brazilian soccer players. 3-for-5, RBI, 2 runs. Another triple. He's fast. Wee Willie! 2-for-5, 3 RBI, 2 runs, home run (9)! Jesus Saves! 2-for-5, homer, 2 RBIs. Boy oh boy Alberto! 2-for-3 before contusing hit foot (day-to-day).



BAD: Ryan Langerhans. 0-for-4, 4 LOB. Someone's gotta do it.

UGLY: Rockies' defense. What's up with the poor D??? The Reds kicked it around like it was a kickball game, and the Rockies can't throw to the bases! I'll take it, but it goes to the deterioration of the game at large.

INJURY UPDATE: Zim pinch-hit, Mannny says he'll be back, maybe today. Guz (9 games) and Dukes (3 games) still sit.

NEXT GAME: Tonight at Coors Field, 9:05 eastern start. John Lannan (6-11, 3.61) takes on Jorge de la Rosa (5-6, 6.94) for Colorado.

Photo (c) C. Nichols 2008

Nats Stay Hot In Colorado; Beat Rockies 9-4

Denver -- Despite not feeling his best, Washington Nationals pitcher Tim Redding found a way to keep his team in the game and hung around long enough that his teammates picked him up with a four-run fourth inning as he earned the victory in a 9-4 win over the Colorado Rockies before 33,143 purple-clad fans at Denver's Coors Field. The Nats pounded out 14 hits, including five extra-base hits, to chase all-star starter Aaron Cook and three Rockies relievers.

It was the Nationals fourth win in a row since August 1, the day Washington released veteran C Paul LoDuca and INF Felipe Lopez and traded for SS Alberto Gonzalez and activated 2B Emilio Bonifacio from the minor leagues.

Redding was a bit under the weather to start the game and he got roughed up in the first inning, allowing Matt Holliday's RBI double and Brad Hawpe's two-run single, all with no outs. But Redding, the team's de facto ace, bore down and retired the next three hitters to limit the damage and give the Nats a fighting chance. Redding (W, 8-6, 4.44) ended up going five innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits and three walks. He also struck out six Rockies, which was his saving grace on a night where he just wasn't as sharp as he would have liked. He even added a single, scored a run and made a nifty behind-the-back grab of a one-hop grounder by slugger Matt Holliday. The win was Redding's first since beating Houston on July 10. He had lost four straight starts since.

"After the first inning, and after the way we had been playing the last weekend, I knew if I kept the game relatively close we would come back and win," Redding said.

In the top of the second, Jesus Flores served notice that the Nats hitters would not go quietly on this evening, as he took a 2-1 fastball to deep left field for his eighth home run of the season. But the fireworks really started for the Nats in the third inning against Rockies all-start starter Aaron Cook. Redding himself started the damage, with a clean single to right field. Emilio Bonifacio (3-for-5, RBI, 2 runs) followed with a single of his own to put runners at first and second with none out. Willie Harris attempted to bunt them over, but Cook's throw to third got away, allowing Redding and Bonifacio both to score, with Harris ending up on second base.

"I should have thrown it into the stands; it would have only cost us one run," Cook said. "If I didn't throw that ball down the left-field line we would have been in the game."

Lastings Milledge then singled to left field and Harris moved up to third. Cook (L, 14-7, 3.63) walked Austin Kearns to load the bases, bringing up Jesus Flores. Flores grounded a routine ball to SS Troy Tulowitzki and the Rockies shortstop forced Kearns at second. But Kearns made a hard take-out slide and Tulowitzki air-mailed his throw to first, allowing Harris and Milledge both to score on the play. Just like that, the Nats had taken a 5-3 lead, one they would not surrender.

In fact, the Nats would add to that lead. In the sixth inning, Alberto Gonzalez singled, took second on Redding's sacrifice and third on a wild pitch. Gonzalez injured himself on the slide, categorized as a "foot contusion", and Pete Orr pinch-ran. Bonifacio tripled on the next pitch driving in Orr, and later scored on Harris' single to center. Harris would continue his hot streak, hitting a two-run homer in the eighth inning -- his ninth of the year -- off reliever Matt Herges to close the scoring. Harris finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

Washington faces the Rockies in game two of the three-games series Tuesday at 9:05 eastern. John Lannan (6-11, 3.61) faces Jorge de la Rosa (5-6, 6.94) for the Colorado.

NATS NOTES: After their fourth win in a row, the Nats record stands at 42-70, 19.5 games behind Philadelphia in the NL East.

Ryan Zimmerman pinch-hit for reliever Luis Ayala in the ninth inning. Manager Manny Acta hopes to be able to put Zimmerman in the line-up Tuesday night.

OF Elijah Dukes and SS Cristian Guzman both missed the game. It was Dukes' third straight and Guzman's ninth.

SS Alberto Gonzalez is listed as day-to-day with his injury. It is not considered serious.

Photo (c) C. Nichols 2008

GB&U: Housecleaning Ends With Sweep

RESULT: Nats finish sweep of Reds 4-2.

GOOD: Collin Balestar. He looked very sharp against a struggling team. He went 5.1, allowing one earned (Votto's 14th homer) , six hits and two walks with five Ks. He moves his record to 2-3, 4.55. Lastings Milledge homered for the second day in a row. Austin Kearns was 3-for-4. Emilio Bonifacio was 2-for-4. Can we just call him Emilio, you know, like the soccer stars how they go by one name? Wouldn't that be cool?

BAD: Kory Casto. 1-for-4, three left on base. He's scuffling right now with full-time play.

UGLY: Cincy's Defense. They made just the one error today, but it was a big one: the ball that hopped over Dunn and went to the wall for two runs. The bloop by Nieves in the first should have been caught too, although Bob and Don on the TV thought it was a great piece of situational hitting, strategically hitting a weak pop fly 20 feet past the second baseman into the sun to make it an indefensible play. Ugh. No wonder only 9000 people watch on TV. And we get two more years of this?

INJURY UPDATE: Dukes, Zim and Guz all sit. Nothing like a two-man bench, eh Manny?

NEXT GAME: Tonight in Colorado against the Rockies. Tim Redding (7-6, 4.34) takes the mound against all-star Aaron Cook (14-6, 3.53).

Nats Finish Sweep; Beat Reds 4-2

Washington--In a duel of rookie starting pitchers, Washington's Collin Balestar was sharper, more focused and most importantly, got more help from his teammates than his oppponent Johnny Cueto, and the Nationals completed a three-game sweep of the visiting Cincinnati Reds Sunday 4-2, before 32,939 rejuvenated fans at Nationals Park.

Balestar, 22, making his sixth career start, held the Reds to one earned run over five and one-third innings, allowing six hits and two walks, striking out five. He raised his record to 2-3 and lowered his ERA to 4.55. He allowed a solo home run to Reds 1B Joey Votto (14th of the season) in the sixth inning and then turned the game over to the bullpen. Fellow rookies Steven Shell and Charlie Manning held the Reds down for two and two-thirds innings, and newly-appointed closer Joel Hanrahan earned his first save of his career, despite allowing a solo home run to OF Corey Patterson in the ninth inning, his seventh of the year. Hanrahan struck out the final two batters for emphasis after Patterson took him deep.

"I've been waiting on the opportunity," Hanrahan said. "I finished it up the way I wanted to -- with a strikeout. That's how I envisioned it. I didn't picture the home run in there, but that's all right."

Washington's offense did all their work in the first inning, scoring four runs -- three earned -- against Reds rookie Johnny Cueto (L, 7-11, 5.00) after two were out in the frame. Cueto started out dominant, striking out 2B Emilio Bonifacio and LF Willie Harris, both swinging weakly at breaking pitches. But Cueto left a fastball in the middle of the plate to OF Lastings Milledge, and he turned it around with a no-doubt-about-it swing to left that started the rally. It was Milledge's ninth of the season, and second in as many days. Austin Kearns then reached on a ground ball that 2B Brandon Phillips knocked down behind second base but couldn't make the throw on, and Kory Casto followed with a single to left that moved Kearns up 90 feet. Pete Orr, with a rare start on Sunday, singled cleanly to left field, but the ball took a funny hop on LF Adam Dunn, and the ball bounced over Dunn's head and went all the way to wall, plating Kearns and Casto, allowing Orr to slide safely into third on the play. It was ruled a single, one RBI and a two-base error on Dunn.

The Reds have been victimized by poor fielding the entire series, and the error in the bottom of the first just re-emphasized the point. "It's very frustrating because we're making stupid mistakes," Dunn said. "We're beating ourselves. We're obviously not getting hits. They're making every single play in the field -- and we're making none."

Wil Nieves followed Orr's big play with a bloop single to right field that Phillips couldn't track in the bright sunshine, and Orr walked home to make the lead 4-0. All that was left for the Nats was to play good defense and let the pitchers take care of the rest.

Added Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker: "With that shortstop and second baseman [SS Alberto Gonzalez and 2B Emilio Bonifacio], they're a different club -- much different club than we saw last time. They have lots more energy, more life, more creativity."

The Nationals start an eight game road trip to Colorado and Milwaukee Monday night at 9:05 Eastern. Tim Redding (7-6, 4.34) takes the mound against Rockies all-star Aaron Cook (14-6, 3.53).

NATS NOTES: The win raises Washington's record to 41-70, last in the NL East and 20 games behind division-leading Philadelphia.

Washington INF Aaron Boone, on the disabled list with a strained left calf, will travel to Florida to continue his rehabilitation with no timetable for his return.

OF Elijah Dukes (leg), 3B Ryan Zimmerman (hand) and SS Cristian Guzman (thumb) were unavailable. It was Zimmerman's third missed game and Guzman's eighth that he has not batted.

Photos (c) C. Nichols 2008.

Nats Win Back-to-Back, Beat Reds 10-6

Washington--Down early against the Cincinnati Reds Saturday night, the Washington Nationals could have rolled over as they had so many times earlier this summer. But as simple as flipping the calendar to a new month, the new-look Nats never stopped playing hard, never stopped trying and eventually wore out the Cincy bullpen and celebrated a 10-6come-from-behind victory in front of 30,970 appreciative fans at Nationals Park.

Perhaps the highlight of the evening happened in the bottom of the seventh inning, while Reds skipper Dusty Baker was waiting for former National Gary Majewski to trot in from the bullpen to replace Mike Lincoln. Lincoln had just been beaten by Alberto Gonzalez' single to load the bases and set up the big inning. After the initial cheer for the base hit died down Baker marched out to retrieve the ball from Lincoln, the Nats faithful rose and delivered an unprompted second ovation to the hard-working Nationals, appreciative of the hustle,spirit and enthusiasm shown since the roster upheaval at the trading deadline.

Trailing 6-2 entering the bottom of the sixth, the Nats clawed their way back into the game, scoring two in the frame. Gonzalez (3-for-5,2 runs) started the rally with a one-out double, ending Reds starter Josh Fogg's evening. Bill Bray entered and one out later, Ronnie Belliard pinch-hit for Nats starter Jason Bergmann and delivered his 10th home run of the season, cutting the deficit in half. Emilio Bonifacio (2-for-5) then tripled to straight-away right field, but was left stranded. The message was clear though: the Nats weren't going away quietly.

Reliever Charlie Manning shut down the Reds 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh and let the bats go back to work. Lastings Milledge led off with a walk and Austin Kearns followed with a single, moving Milledge up 90 feet. Catcher Jesus Flores struck out, but Kory Casto followed up with a single to left field, scoring Milledge and moving Kearns up. Gonzalez' safety then loaded the bases, prompting the pitching change, and the subsequent ovation.

Majewski wouldn't fare any better than his teammate on the mound though, as Elijah Dukes hit a hard grounder that second baseman Brandon Phillips couldn't handle, and Kearns carried the tying run home. Little used utility player Pete Orr was summoned by Manager Manny Acta to pinch-hit for Manning, and he delivered in a big way,with a two-run single to left field, scoring Casto and Gonzalez easily.

The Nationals added two insurance runs in the eighth, as Milledge smacked his eighth homer of the season and Austin Kearns (3-for-5, 2runs, 1 RBI) singled, advanced to third when right fielder Jay Bruce over-ran the ball, and scored on a wild pitch by Majewski. Manning (1-2, 4.01) earned the win -- his first career victory -- with his perfect inning. Starter Jason Bergmann (1-8, 4.33) had a rough night, going six innings and allowing six runs -- five earned -- on six hits and three walks. He struck out only two.

The Nats look for the sweep Sunday against the Reds, sending rookie Colin Balestar (1-3, 5.13) to face fellow rookie Johnny Cueto (7-10,5.02). Game time is 1:35 pm.

NATS NOTES: The win makes Washington 40-70, 20 games behind division-leading Philadelphia.

Cristian Guzman came in to play defense in the ninth inning after Elijah Dukes had a cramp getting out of the box after hitting in the bottom of the eighth. Guzman did not bat.

Ryan Zimmerman sat out his third straight game due to lingering soreness in his right hand.

Photos (c) C. Nichols 2008.

GB&U: This Ain't So Hard

RESULT: Nats come from behind to beat Reds 10-6.

GOOD: Austin Kearns! 3-for-5 and an RBI. Emilio Bonifacio! 2-for-5, swinging bunt double, triple to straight-away right field. Alberto Gonzalez. 3-for-5, two runs. Ronnie Belliard! Pinch-hit 2-run homer! PETE ORR!!! Pinch-hit two run single.

BAD: Jason Bergmann. Six runs--five earned--in six innings on six hits and three walks. Gave up five runs in the second putting the Nats in a hole tonight, but recovered and kept 'em in it for a while until the bats heated up.

UGLY: Elijah Dukes hit his calf with a swing in the eighth inning and had to be helped off and left the game. It was described as a cramp, and he's day-to-day. The Nats can't afford him to be hurt again. Dukes did not start due to arriving late for the game today, and Manny has very few rules, but the first one is: Be On Time. Hopefully Dukes got the message today and this doesn't linger.

INJURY UPDATE: Guzman entered the game at short, with Gonzalez moving to third and Harris to left field when Dukes hurt himself. Guz did not handle a ball, but at least we know who's closer to returning, him or Zimmerman. Zim was a DNP.

NEXT GAME: Sunday matinee. It's a battle of rookie pitchers, as Colin Balestar (1-3, 5.13) takes on Johnny Cueto (7-10, 5.02).

And Dukes Shall Lead Them; Nats Stop Skid

Washington--Elijah Dukes returned from the 15-day disabled list and provided a spark -- one of many on the day -- as the Washington Nationals defeated the Cincinnati Reds Friday night 5-2, ending a nine-game losing streak. The Nats jumped all over Reds starter Homer Bailey, touching him for five runs and eighth hits in the first two innings.

Bailey (L, 0-5, 7.55) would not see the third inning, as the once heralded "can't miss" prospect continued to struggle in his first full season in the big leagues. "I was damn near putting it on a tee for them," Bailey said. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, as long as they don't cut your arms off -- and they're still attached."

Bailey's opponent, Nats starter Odalis Perez, was as sharp as he has been all season, dominating the Reds line-up, pitching seven and one-third innings, giving up just one earned run on three hits and three walks, striking out five along the way.

The fun got started for the Nats in the very first inning, as Willie Harris continued his hot streak, reaching on a one-out single. Dukes followed with a seeing eye single to left field and both runners advanced when Reds catcher David Ross couldn't handle a breaking ball from Bailey on Austin Kearns' strikeout. Catcher Jesus Flores (1-for-4, two RBIs) lined a single to left center, and both Harris and Dukes, lumbering home from second, scored. Dukes was nowhere near full speed on the jaunt, but professed after the game, "No problems at all, man."

The hit parade continued in the second inning. Newly acquired shortstop Alberto Gonzalez led off with a double to right field and pitcher Perez sacrificed him cleanly to third. Lead-off hitter Emilio Bonifacio, acquired for closer Jon Rauch last week, gathered his first RBI as a National, singling up the middle an allowing Gonzalez (1-for-2, two walks) to walk home. Bonifacio immediately stole second base, and Harris walked to put two men on. Dukes (2-for-4, two RBIs) then delivered the big hit, a double down the line to left field, scoring Bonifacio and Harris all the way from first.

The Nats had all the runs they needed to beat the Reds on this night.

The rest was up to Perez to make the lead hold, and that he did. He only ran into trouble twice. In the fourth inning Reds SS Jeff Keppinger doubled to lead off, took third on a Jay Bruce ground out and scored on another ground out by Brandon Phillips. In the fifth, Perez allowed a one-out single to Andy Phillips, and immediately followed that with a walk to catcher David Ross. But Perez retired relief pitcher Nick Masset, just arrived from the American League in the Ken Griffey, Jr. trade and Jerry Hairston, Jr. flied out to end the inning.

Gonzales and Bonifacio made quite an excellent double-play combination. Gonzalez made several outstanding plays, displaying tremendous range and a rifle for an arm. Bonifacio made two nifty leaping plays in the ninth inning to snuff any chance of a late inning rally.

The Nats try to start a winning streak of their own tonight against the Reds. Jason Bergmann (1-8, 4.13) faces Josh Fogg (2-3, 7.84) for Cincinnati.

NATS NOTES: The victory moves Washington's record to 39-70. They trail NL East leading Philadelphia by 20 games.

With the release of C Paul LoDuca, Johnny Estrada and INF Felipe Lopez and the addition of SS Alberto Gonzalez and 2B Emilio Bonifacio, the Nationals are now the youngest team in the majors, with an average age of 27 years, 197 days.

The Nationals optioned RHP Garrett Mock to Triple-A Columbus to make room for Bonifacio. The team also reinstated RHP Ryan Wagner from the 60-day disabled list and optioned him to Columbus.

3B Ryan Zimmerman and SS Cristian Guzman both missed the game due to lingering discomfort with their bruised hands. Both are still listed day-to-day. Guzman has now missed six games, Zimmerman two.

GB&U: The Kids Are Alright

RESULT: Nats beat Griffey-less Reds 5-2.

GOOD: Infield Defense. Although that sells them short since they both made their presence felt hitting as well. SS Alberto Gonzalez and 2B Emilio Bonifacio both made a couple of tremendous plays, Gonzo on ranging for ground balls Guz doesn't even sniff and Boni leaping to snare two line drive sin the ninth to close it out. Welcome to DC boys.

And Elijah Dukes went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, even if he seemed to lumber a bit scoring from second base. I asked him after the game and he said, "No problems at all, man." So we'll take him at his word. He certainly didn't have a problem with his swing.

Odalis Perez gave up one earned on three hits and three walks in 7.1 IP, getting his first win at Nationals Park.

BAD: Kory Casto. 0-for-4, four left on base.

UGLY: Didn't you used to be Homer Bailey? Ouch. His fastball had zero life on it, looking like a BP fastball until Dusty Baker gave him the hook after two innings. Wow, so much for prize prospect.

INJURY UPDATE: Guz and Zim both sit nursing sore digits. Still both day-to-day.

NEXT GAME: Saturday at 7:10 pm against the Reds. Jason Bergman (1-8, 4.13) faces off with Josh Fogg (2-3, 7.84).

GB&U: There Was a Game Last Night?

RESULT: Nats lose to Phillies 8-4. That's nine in a row. If they continue, I'm gonna have to write a book about 2008.

GOOD: Pete Orr was 3-for-4. Rhymes and everything. Mock and Colome cleaned up without adding to the mess. Wonder how Mock likes pitching out of the pen?

BAD: Austin Kearns. 1-for-5 with four left on base. He's the clean-up hitter hitting .212.

UGLY: Ryan Zimmerman's right hand. Did you see him at first base after he got hit? HIs hand blew up like a cartoon, and was varying shades of purple. The Nats said nothing was broken and he's day-to-day (aren't we all). Great, now the Nats entire left side of the infield have hurt hands and not going on the DL, limiting Manny to a two-man bench. Bad and short-handed (pun intentional).

INJURY UPDATE: Guzman DNP, still day-to-day. Seriously, why not bite the bullet and get a body up here?

NEXT GAME: Tonight against the Griffey-less Cincinnati Red Legs. Odalis Perez (3-8, 4.387) faces Homer Bailey (0-4, 6.52) for the Reds. Game time is 7:35 pm.

Nationals Lose Then Make Moves

Washington--The result of Thursday's 8-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies was consequential only in that it was the 70th of the season for the Washington Nationals, the first team in the majors to reach that mark in 2008. But the greater purpose, as fans as team officials and fans go, was the activity after yesterday's game as the Nationals made several roster moves that could affect this organization for several years and truly begin, in earnest, the structure for rebuilding the franchise into a competitive force in the National League East.

The Nats issued a press release, without much flair or fanfare, just before 11:00 pm stating they would activate Elijah Dukes from the 15-day disabled list and newly acquired middle infielders Alberto Gonzalez and Emilio Bonifacio from the minor leagues. The corresponding moves have been much anticipated by the Nationals dedicated fan base -- some might say from the very beginning -- as the team released C/1B Paul LoDuca and MI Felipe Lopez, along with giving C Johnny Estrada his outright release after designating him for assignment last week.

Dukes, 24, went 5-for-15 (.333) with two doubles, one RBI, two walks and a .412 on-base percentage in four rehab contests with Columbus. For the Nats this season, Dukes is hitting .263/.367/.434 with six home runs, 20 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 175 at bats.

LoDuca, 36, was the target of many fans' ire this season from the day of his signing as a free agent this winter to a one-year, $5MM contract. Many fervent Nats supporters saw the move by General Manager Jim Bowden as accomplishing nothing but blocking talented -- but young -- catcher Jesus Flores from having an every-day job in the big leagues. When Bowden went out a couple weeks later and inked Estrada, he announced that Flores would spend all of 2008 in the minors, honing his craft and working with the young pitching talent the Nats have stockpiled, in hopes of building a strong repertoire with the kids in the system. The complete opposite has happened, as LoDuca and Estrada spent much of the first half of the season injured and ineffective, and Flores has blossomed into the team's leading run producer, pacing the squad in RBIs, currently with 45, to go along with seven home runs and averages of .281/.330/.455. LoDuca finished his brief stint with the Nats hitting .230 in 46 games with no home runs and twelve RBIs.

The second release had to pain Bowden as much as any transaction he's made, as he released MI Felipe Lopez, a player he has traded for twice. Lopez, long on tools but lacking in motivation and consistency, batted .234/.304/.313 this season with two homers and 25 RBIS, stealing only four bases and playing poorly and distracted in the field, whether it was at shortstop -- his stated preferred position -- or at second base. Lopez has seen his career spiral downward the last several seasons, cumulating with his release from the worst team in baseball yesterday. The former all-star with Cincinnati is a career .259 hitter.

LoDuca, Lopez and Estrada made roughly $11MM combined this season.

GM Jim Bowden tried in vain for the last several days to find trading partners for the veterans, but to no avail. He found the market dry, and with the Nats getting worse instead of better in the standings, Bowden decided it was time to cut bait on the veterans and start swimming with young fishes he had been able to pry away from other organizations.

Thursday morning, in the sole MLB trade deadline deal he was able to accomplish, Bowden acquired SS Alberto Gonzalez from the New York Yankees in exchange for RHP Jhonny Nunez. Gonzalez, 25, was rated the top defensive player in the Yankees system. Gonzalez played in 28 games during a pair of stints with the Yankees this season and batted .250 (47-for-188) with eight doubles, four home runs and 23 RBI in 47 games with Scranton/W-B of the Triple-A International League in 2008.

The other new acquisition, Emilio Bonifacio, joins the team as well for Friday. He was recalled from Triple-A Columbus where he was tearing up the International League. Bonifacio batted .452 (14-for-31) with a double, three RBI, four walks, four stolen bases, nine runs scored and a .514 on-base percentage in eight games with the Clippers. Bonifacio, 23, came to the Nats from the Arizona Diamondback in the trade that sent Jon Rauch to the D-backs bullpen.

Thursday's game saw John Lannan (L, 9-11, 3.61) roughed up for one of the few times this season. Jimmy Rollins and Jayson Werth both touched Lannan for home runs, and Lannan finished his evening pitching five and two-thirds innings, allowing eight runs -- six earned -- on nine hits and three walks. He struck out seven Phillies. The Nats contributed three throwing errors to the cause, Ronnie Belliard's eighth of the season, Ryan Zimmerman's third and Flores' fourth.

Kyle Kendrick got the win for the Phillies. His record improves to 9-5 with a 4.59 ERA. He went six and two-thirds, giving up just two earned runs on seven hits and one walk, striking out four.

Washington opens a three-games series with the Cincinnati Reds Friday night, minus hometown hero Ken Griffey, Jr. who was traded at the deadline yesterday to the Chicago White Sox. Odalis Perez (3-8, 4.387) faces Homer Bailey (0-4, 6.52) for the Red Legs. Game time is 7:35 pm.

NATS NOTES: The Nationals fall to 38-70 with Thursday's loss. They are 21 games behind division-leading Philadelphia, and 2.5 games behind Seattle for the worst record in baseball.

All-star SS Cristian Guzman is still sidelined with a bruised left thumb and did not play.

3B Ryan Zimmerman was hit on the right hand with a pitch in Thursday's game. He took his base after the play and his hand was immediately and visably bruised and swollen as he stood at first base. He later scored and returned to the dugout, where he then left for medical attention. The team released a statement saying that X-rays were negative, and doctors have diagnosed a contusion (bone bruise). He's listed as day-to-day.

Photo of Lopez courtesy A. Amobi, DC Sports Box.

BREAKING NEWS: Lo Duca, Lopez released

The Washington Nationals released C Paul Lo Duca and INF Felipe Lopez after tonight's game. The team issued a press release late in the evening announcing the moves.

In addition, the team will activate OF Elijah Dukes on Friday, and activate SS Alberto Gonzales, acquired from the new York Yankees on Thursday in exchange for RHP Jhonny Nunez, and 2B Emilio Bonifaco, acquired last week for RHP Jon Rauch.

Much, MUCH more tomorrow after having a chance to digest everything.