RESULT: Nats lost to Phillies 2-1.
GOOD: Colin Balestar. Six innings, two earned runs on six hits and NO walks with five Ks. He settled down very nicely after giving up Utley's bomb in the 3rd. Bullpen went three shutout innings too.
BAD: Four hits. Against a guy who was opening day starter and sent back to the minor leagues due to ineffectiveness, all the Nats could muster was four hits. Giving up hits is what Myers does this year. In 113.2 innings this season (including last night) he's allowed 122 hits and 50 (50!!!) walks.
The Nats got 4 and 1. They're getting worse as the season goes on.
The Nats got 4 and 1. They're getting worse as the season goes on.
It was Myers first win since MAY 30! Myers started this game with an ERA over 5.50, and all the Nats could scratch out was a ground out to score a guy who advanced because of an error.
UGLY: Two more runners thrown out on the base paths. LoDuca and Zimmerman both caught in stupid and unnecessary run-downs for outs. When you only get six runners to reach base, you can't waste them on the base paths, but the Nats do this routinely. Not only are they bad, but they're sloppy. Who is to be held accountable for that? Bowden? Manny? Tim Tolman?
INJURY UPDATE: Guzman has nothing structurally wrong with his thumb, according to the Nats press release this morning about the results of today's MRI. He is day-to-day with a contusion (bruise) on his left thumb and will resume play when he can hold the bat with both hands.
Dukes went 2-for-3 last night in a rehab appearance for Columbus. Hurry back Elijah.
NEXT GAME: Tonight at 7:10 against the Washington-oops, I mean Philadelphia Phillies. Tim Redding (7-5, 3.98) faces ageless Jamie Moyer (9-6, 3.76).
I don't think Lo Duca had a choice about his run-down, as it was going to be a 3-6 double play, as Howard touched first and threw to Rollins. Zimmerman had no excuse.