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 appearanceThe 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.

"The pitch that is just absolutely going to cost me some sleep tonight." -- Garrett Mock, on the 3-2 pitch that Albert Pujols lined to center for the game-winning RBI.

BOX SCORE AND GAME RECAP.

THE RESULT: Albert Pujols hit a go-ahead single in the sixth inning, making a winner out of Adam Wainright for the 16th time this season, as Garrett Mock and the Washington Nationals fell to the St. Louis Cardinals, 2-1, completing a three-game sweep, before 41,083 at new Busch Stadium.

Mock (L, 3-6, 5.01) was excellent, as he gave up just two earned runs on four hits and one walk over six innings, striking out five. Tyler Clippard, Sean Burnett and Mike MacDougal kept the Cardinals off the scoreboard as well.

But Wainwright (W, 16-7, 2.47) was a little bit better. He allowed one earned run on three hits and three walks, striking out seven. Three relievers threw one-hit ball for three innings to shut down any chance of the Nats tying the game.

After the game, the Nationals traded 2B Ronnie Belliard to the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor league pitcher Luis Garcia and a player to be named later, expected to be another minor league pitcher. The team then recalled OF Justin Maxwell from Triple-A Syracuse to replace Belliard on the active roster.

Garcia, 22, is a right handed reliever, and was 5-3 with five saves for the Dodgers Single-A affiliate, with a 2.92 ERA and 3.67 K/BB rate in 2009. In 78 career minor league games over four season, Garcia is 13-4 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.353 WHIP.

THE TAKEAWAY: Mock is turning into a pitcher before our very eyes. In his last six starts, he's given up more than two earned runs just once. He's struck out five or more in each of his last five starts.

He is 3-2 in August and his ERA for the month is 3.31 with 33 strikeouts in 32.2 IP.

THE GOOD: Mock. A sac fly and hit-and-run were the only plays that resulted in runs scored for the slugging Cardinals.

THE BAD: Whoa, where was the offense? Wainwright is having a tremendous season, and he completely dominated the Nats on Sunday.

THE UGLY: The loss drops the Nats road record to 19-46, and 14-21 in one-run games.

NEXT GAME: Washington (46-85) ventures to San Diego (56-76) for a three-game set with the Padres. Livan Hernandez (7-8, 5.36) makes his second start for the Nats since being picked up as a free agent against Tim Stuffer (2-6, 4.11) at 10:05 pm ET.

"I threw him a pitch in the middle of the plate, a bad pitch." Jason Bergmann, Aug. 28, 2009.

THE RESULT: Like Khalil Greene did to John Lannan one inning earlier, Albert Pujols hit a solo home run off Jason Bergmann, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 3-2, before 40,033 at new Busch Stadium.

BOX SCORE and GAME SUMMARY

THE TAKEAWAY: Lannan and John Smoltz engaged in a legitimate pitchers duel all night, and you just got the feeling something simple was going to make the difference.

Jason Bergmann hung a slider to Albert Pujols. Nuff said.

THE GOOD: John Lannan. He bounced back in a big way from a couple of lousy, and concerning, outings. He went eight innings, and allowed just two earned runs on four hits and two walks, striking out two. It was vintage Lannan, as 62 of his 91 pitches were strikes, and he got 16 ground ball outs, compared to five fly balls.

Of course, the one fly ball that cost him was the solo shot to the light-hitting Greene in the bottom of the eighth.

THE BAD: Middle of the order. 3-4-5 hitters combined for 0-for-10 with two walks.

THE UGLY: Jason Bergmann. One batter. One hit. One run. One home run. One loss.

NEXT GAME: Tonight at 7:15 pm ET. Craig Stammen (4-6, 5.08) takes on Mitchell Boggs (1-2, 4.58).

The press release:

The Washington Nationals today placed outfielder Nyjer Morgan on the 15-Day Disabled List with a fractured left hand, selected the contract of infielder Pete Orr from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and transferred right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann from the 15- to the 60-Day Disabled List. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Orr was batting .245 with 13 doubles, five triples, nine home runs, 50 RBI and 18 stolen bases in 120 International League contests for Syracuse. Orr earned the promotion by hitting .297 with three homers and 17 RBI in 26 August contests for the Chiefs.

The 30 year-old Orr is a career .261 (116-for-444) hitter with 14 doubles, two home runs, 25 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 320 big league games with Washington (2008) and Atlanta (2005-07). He has twice represented Canada in the World Baseball Classic. Orr will wear uniform No. 24 for Washington.

Morgan, 29, injured his left hand while stealing third base on Thursday afternoon at Chicago (NL). Morgan is batting .307 with 42 stolen bases for the season, but since being acquired by Washington on June 30, he hit .351 with nine doubles, two triples, one homer, 12 RBI and 24 stolen bags. Morgan’s well-chronicled range in center field also stabilized the Nationals’ outfield defense as a whole.

Pete Orr appears for the Nationals in August of 2008.
Photo © Cheryl Nichols, 2008. All Rights Reserved.

Yesterday I reported that with six more home runs, Adam Dunn would become the first player in Major League history to record six straight 40-home run seasons.

As an "anonymous" commenter pointed out, this statement is inaccurate. I should have been more careful, as it is an easily verified statement. I edited yesterday's story to correct the inaccuracy.

George Herman "Babe" Ruth hit 40 or more homers every year between 1926 and 1932, seven straight seasons.

What's interesting is that in those seven seasons, including five seasons with over 140 RBIs, he was not awarded with the MVP trophy. His single MVP season was 1923, with 41 homers and 131 RBIs. He did hit .393/.545/.764 that year.

To all regular readers of Nats News Network, and any casual readers that stopped by yesterday, I apologize sincerely for the regrettable error.

And to the "anonymous" commenter that so eloquently pointed my error out, thanks for your diligence and caring enough to read my blog and point out my significant error.

"It's broke, guys, and I'm done for the year." -- Nyjer Morgan, walking past several reporters in the clubhouse at Wrigley Field following today's 5-4 win over the Cubs (courtesy of Washington Times Chatter).

Here's a picture of Nyjer Morgan NOT breaking his hand sliding into third base, against the Padres last month.

Photo © Cheryl Nichols 2009. All Rights Reserved.

THE RESULT: The Washington Nationals jumped all over Chicago Cubs starter Randy Wells in the first three innings, staking their claim on a 5-0 lead. The Cubs chipped away at the mark, but fell one run short, dropping the rubber match of this three-game set, 5-4, before 35,174 at Wrigley Field.

The Nationals are 46-82 this season, 20-21 under interim manager Jim Riggleman. They are 14-11 in August.

It's the first time the Nats have won a series in Chicago since 2005.

Nats starter J.D. Martin wasn't his sharpest, in the fall-like conditions off Lake Michigan, with game-time temperatures in the low 60s. But Martin stuck around for five innings, giving up three earned runs on four hits and two walks. He allowed two homers, Aramis Ramirez' two-run shot (11), and Derek Lee's solo shot, his 25th of the season.

But he limited the damage and evened his record to 3-3.

The game started like a track meet. Nyjer Morgan drew and opening walk, stole second and then stole third. Cristian Guzman doubled to score Morgan, and Zimmerman followed with a blast into the second row of the left centerfield bleachers.

Morgan, however, did not take the field following the third out. According to MASN.com, Morgan broke his left hand sliding into third and will likely miss the remainder of the season. X-rays revealed he broke the second metacarpal bone in his left hand.

Guzman's fielder's choice in the second plated Martin in the second inning, and Dunn's mammoth shot to center in the third closed the scoring for the Nats.

Lee's homer in the fifth off Martin cut the lead to 5-3. The Cubs got another in the seventh against Tyler Clippard. Second baseman Jeff Baker walked to lead off, and after two outs, Lee singled, moving Baker up sixty feet.

Ramirez (3-for-4, three RBIs) singled to center, and Baker scored to draw the home team within one run.

Sean Burnett relieved Clippard to face Kosuke Fukudome. On a 2-2 count, Clippard uncorked a wild pitch and Lee tried to score. But Josh Bard recovered and made a nice play to nab the less-than-speedy Lee at the plate.

Mike MacDougal went one and two-thirds to notch his 14th save of the season.

THE TAKEAWAY: Adam Dunn is quietly approaching an incredible milestone. He is now six home runs shy of recording six straight 40-home run seasons.

THE GOOD: Willie Harris. Inserted for Morgan after his injury, Harris went 1-for-1 with three walks. A perfect day at the plate.

THE BAD: Ronnie Belliard. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

THE UGLY: Morgan's wrist. The slo-mo replay looked pretty ugly, as he jammed his left wrist and bent it hard forward as he slid hands first into third base. .

He missed a couple games due to illness, returning today. The Nats are a different club when he's in the lineup, but it sounds like they will miss their catalyst the rest of the season.

Morgan was hitting .351 with 35 runs, a homer, 12 RBI and 24 stolen bases in 49 games with the Nationals.

NEXT GAME: The Nats go to St. Louis to face teh Cardinals, Friday at 8:15 pm ET. John Lannan (8-9, 4.03) looks to rebound from a couple of rough starts against newly-acquired John Smoltz (3-5, 7.40).

"It's nice. I want to come back and pitch in the city. I love the city and playing there. Always the Nationals are my first option and it's something I want to do a long time." -- Livan Hernandez, on his return to D.C., Aug. 26, 2009.

THE RESULT: Livan Hernandez returned to the Washington Nationals rotation, and did to the Chicago Cubs what he had done so many times against the Nats while he was gone. But the bullpen ruined the feel-good story, giving up seven runs in the seventh and eighth innings, as the Cubbies took a 9-4 win before 36,562 at Wrigley Field.

Hernandez was vintage, throwing 116 pitches through six innings, and allowing just two earned runs on five hits and two walks. He even struck out six for good measure.

The only runs he allowed were on a Milton Bradley two-run shot in the third inning.

Hernandez (7-8, 5.36) was released by the Mets last week following three shaky starts in which he yielded 26 hits and 18 earned runs in 14.1 innings. He was signed by the Nationals as a free agent after their 15-6 victory Tuesday night.

"Livan did a real good job. It was kind of vintage Livan, mixing his pitches up. You know we use that phrase a lot 'changing speeds,' but he really does," interim manager Jim Riggleman said.

"He's a complete guy out there. He can handle the bat and I'm glad we got him."

Unfortunately, Jason Bergmann, Ron Villone and Jorge Sosa could not keep a tied game tied in the late-going.

With the score tied at two in the seventh inning, reliever Jason Bergmann (L, 2-3, 5.60) gave up singles to Koyie Hill and Ryan Theriot. With runners at the corners, Bradley hit a slow roller to third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, whose throw home was high and late, giving the Cubs the lead.

Then the real fireworks started.

Villone was brought in to face left-handed batter Kosuke Fukudome and did not do his job, as Fukudome singled up the middle on a broken bat.

Sosa was then called upon to shut things down. He only managed to record one out though among the seven hitters he faced, as he started with a strikeout of Alfonso Soriano. He would not get anyone else out though, as he gave up five hits, two walks and two wild pitches, leading to five earned runs...and the ballgame.

Washington did not muster much of an attack either against a quartet of Cubs hurlers. Seven hits and five walks were only turned into four runs, two of which were scored with two outs in the ninth inning.

Willie Harris, subbing for the ill Nyjer Morgan in center, had two hits, along with Ryan Zimmerman. Adam Dunn went 0-for-5 with two Ks and five left on base.

THE TAKEAWAY: Welcome back Livan. Your numbers and fastball velocity (only around 82-83 MPH all night) tell us one thing: You're near the end of a pretty remarkable career.

But your effort and your words last night tell us something different: You care. A lot.

In this day and age, it's common for athletes to be known as mercenaries, especially in baseball. Hernandez has bounced around quite a bit since he left D.C., with stops in Arizona, Minnesota, Colorado and New York Mets. So he didn't have to say the things he did about the Nationals organization, especially considering he knows how unlikely it is that he'll return next year.

They were classy words spoken by a classy guy, and his results the rest of the way re immaterial. If he can show one of these young arms the right way to conduct your business as a big league pitcher while he's here, he's done his job.

THE GOOD: Livan! 6 IP, 116 pitches, 71 for strikes. Two earned on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts.

THE BAD: Adam Dunn. 0-for-4, two Ks, five left on base.

THE UGLY: Jorge Sosa. Riggs had no one else warming up, so Sosa knew he had a job to do. And he failed, miserably. One-third of a inning, five earned on four hits, two walks and two wild pitches. Yuck.

NEXT GAME: Matinee from Wrigley, as the creator envisioned it. 2:20 pm ET start time. J.D. Martin (2-3, 4.76) faces Randy Wells (9-6, 2.84). Take a late lunch and enjoy baseball in the sunshine amidst the ivy.

"Elijah is a work in progress. .... When he can start laying off the ones low and away that aren't strikes, he's going to be a real force in this league." -- Jim Riggleman, Aug. 25, 2009.

THE RESULT: For the second straight day, the Washington Nationals participated in a six-run inning. But Tuesday, they were on the proper end of things, as the Nats sent nine men to the plate in the fifth inning, including Elijah Dukes' first career grand slam, in a 15-6 drubbing of the Chicago Cubs, before 37,297 int he friendly confines of Wrigley Field.

Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano certainly helped the Nats' cause in the pivotal frame. He issued two walks and hit a batter during the rally, as the Nats scored six runs on just three hits, including the granny.

After the game, the Nationals announced that they had signed RHP Livan Hernandez, recently waived by the New York Mets, and scheduled him to start Wednesday's game.

The team optioned struggling Collin Balester to Triple-A Syracuse, and transferred Dmitri Young to the 60-day DL, to make room for Hernandez, the Nationals leader in wins since the team moved to D.C., on the active and 40-man rosters.

Dukes was understandably excited about it after the game. "I love scoring those guys that get on base and hitting the ball well. RBIs mean a lot to me," he said. "It's not about the average and the home runs, it's getting those RBIs."

Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Willingham both drove in runs during the inning.

Willingham homered twice in the game, and finished the night 4-for-4 with five runs and six RBIs. Dukes went 2-for-3 with a run and five RBIs. Wil Nieves chipped in with three RBIs, hitting in the eighth slot in the order.

The 14-hit attack made a winner out of Garrett Mock (3-5, 5.23). He went five and tow thirds innings, and surrendered four earned runs, on seven hits and two walks. It was not a stellar performance, but he did strike out six, and kept the Cubs down enough as the Nationals batters kept pounding away.

Tyler Clippard and Saul Rivera each gave up a run in relief, but the outcome was pretty much decided before they entered the game.

Zambrano (L, 7-5, 3.80), making his first start since coming off the DL, was better at the plate than on the hill. He hit his fourth home run of the season to go along with his .245 average, but was beaten up on the mound. He went four and one-third, allowing eight earned runs on seven hits, three walks and hit one batter.

"There was nothing wrong," he said. "I made a lot of mistakes. They came ready today. I didn't do my job."

THE TAKEAWAY: Dukes has struggled a bit since his return from minor league exile, but certainly has had flashes of the immense talent he possesses. He had a week earlier where he drove in 10 runs in four days, and last night's explosion give him 51 RBIs in just 261 at bats.

He was extremely hot down the stretch last season, too. Let's see what he does the next five weeks.

THE GOOD: The return of the offense. Willingham's two, Dukes' granny, even Nieves getting in on the show. Everyone is a hitter when the wind is blowing out to center at Wrigley!

THE BAD: Willie Harris. The only starter without a hit.

THE UGLY: Yet ANOTHER botched suicide squeeze. That's three in three weeks. For the love of the game, Riggs, give it up.

NEXT GAME: Toinght at 8:05 pm ET. Livan Hernandez (7-8, 5.47) makes his 2009 Nats debut against Rich Harden (8-7, 4.04).

The Washington Nationals fired Manny Acta and replaced him with Jim Riggleman on July 14 during the Major League all-star break. The Nats were 26-61, a .298 winning percentage, 22.5 games behind the division leader.

Since then, under Riggleman, the Nats have gone 18-20, a .473 winning percentage, and have lost ground in the division standings, at 29.5 games behind the leader.

So Riggleman must have whipped this "underachieving" crew into shape, huh? Well, let's take a closer look at what has actually happened.

In the 38 games Riggleman has managed, the Nats have been one of the streakiest teams in baseball. His tenure started with a five-game losing streak. They've also had losing streaks of four, three and five again.

The Nats have also had winning streaks, of four, eight, and three games.

Pretty incredible, right. Of the 38 games, 32 have been decided in a streak of three games or longer.

We can't remove the eight game winning streak. But IF we could, we'd see the Nats at 10-20, a .333 winning percentage not all that dissimilar to the pre-all-star record.

So how does a team that went 6-11 under Riggleman in the first 15 games reel off eight straight wins, then go right back to sucking, losing nine of their next 13?

The same way they got there in the first place.

From July 12 through the eight-game winning streak, Ryan Zimmerman went .376/.441/.800 with 27 runs, 10 home runs and 23 RBIs in 23 games. The Nats went 14-11.

Since? 11-for-46 with eight walks (.239/.352/.435) with five runs, two homers and 10 RBIs in 13 games. At least he accidentally drove in a few runs when he did make contact, but hitting .239 got Bill Hall and J.J. Hardy sent packing out of Milwaukee. The Nats went 4-9.

Once again proving that as Ryan Zimmerman goes, so go the Nats. It doesn't matter who the manager is.

"I kind of lost my rhythm a little bit. I should have stepped back and recouped, but by that point I was out of the game." -- Collin Balester, August 24, 2009

THE RESULT: Eight straight Milwaukee Brewers reached base against three Washington Nationals pitchers in the sixth inning, scoring six runs, and the Brewers cruised to a 7-1 win over the Nats before 17,805 in the series finale Monday afternoon at Nationals Park.

Washington left 11 men on base, a day after pounding Milwaukee pitching for three home runs and eight total runs.

The Nats fell to 44-81 on the season.

Collin Balester pitched extremely well through five innings. The right-hander, who lasted just and inning and a third last time out, did not give up a hit until the fourth inning, and entered the sixth having allowed just two hits.

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

But Frank Catalanotto lead off with a double, and Ryan Braun mashed a two-run home run, his 27th of the season. Another single and a walk later, and Balester (L, 1-4, 6.82) was out of the game.

Jason Bergmann entered, and for the third straight appearance was ineffective. He walked Mike Cameron and gave up an RBI single to Jason Kendall before being pulled for Ron Villone. Jody Gerut greeted Villone with a two-run single.

Former Nat Felipe Lopez closed the scoring with a run-scoring fielder's choice.

The Nats got their run when Willie Harris scored on a Wil Nieves fielder's choice in the second inning.

THE TAKEAWAY: September 1 roster expansions can't come soon enough. It becoming quite apparent that the Nats are in need of a few more arms. A couple of guys are really getting worn down in the pen and it shows.

Not only is the bullpen being asked to throw at least four innings a game, but recently, with Balester and John Lannan's short appearances, they've had a few seven inning games as well.

THE GOOD: Willie Harris. He went 2-for-3 with the lone run and made a nice catch in left field.

THE BAD: Jason Bergmann. Called on to hold the Brewers to just two runs in the inning, he instead put gas on the fire.

THE UGLY: The top five batters in the order were a combined 1-for-19 against four different Brewers pitchers.

NEXT GAME: Washington travels to Chicago and storied Wrigley Field to face the Cubbies. Garrett Mock (2-5, 5.10) looks to continue his quality performances against Carlos Zambrano (7-4, 3.35) returning from the disabled list.

"[Blogs] are clearly a presence on the Web, which is clearly a presence in our lives. They are out there doing things. I think we're all better served when they have as much good information as they can have." -- Stan Kasten, on the benefit of team access to bloggers, August 23, 2009.

THE RESULT: The Washington Nationals broke a five-game losing streak, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 8-3, before 21,484 on a beautiful sunshiny Sunday at Nationals Park.

The Nats got early home runs from Cristian Guzman, Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn, and solid pitching from Craig Stammen (W, 4-6, 5.08) to notch their 44th victory -- against 80 losses -- this season.

Not included in the attendance totals were 16 members of the Natosphere, invited by the team to cover the Nats on the second "Blogger's Day" this season not from the stands, but from the press box.

As in the first Blogger's Day, the Nats Baseball Media Relations department had a scheduled itinerary for the event, then the Internet writers and bloggers were invited to cover the game from the press box. Team president Stan Kasten offered the use of his suite in the press box, now affectionately nicknamed the "Blogger's Suite", for the event, "the first of its kind," Kasten quipped.

The event kicked off in the main press conference room in the bowels of Nationals Park. Manager Jim Riggleman kept the stage after the official press conference finished up, and he took questions from the invited Internet writers and bloggers as he did minutes earlier from the press corps.

What Riggleman said (though his answers to a question regarding his handling of Kerry Wood when he was manager of the Cubs was particularly instructive) wasn't as important as how he said it. Rightfully so, he treated the meeting with the same professionalism as he did when addressing the assembled media. The questions were pointed -- but professional -- and at some points more pointed than what the regular press would pose, since they have closer access on a daily basis.

If this was going to be some of these folks' only shot at interviewing a major league manager, they weren't going to pull the punches for the opportunity.

When the skipper left to go back into the clubhouse (one place the bloggers and Internet writers were not invited), members of the Game Operations staff briefed the bloggers and took questions, centered -- not surprisingly -- on the Racing Presidents mascots. No, the race outcomes aren't scripted, per se, but simply "bullet-pointed", implied Tom Davis, manager of field entertainment.

At that point, outfielder Josh Willingham and pitchers Garrett Mock and Collin Balester, himself a blogger, came into the press room to take questions. All three were earnest and frank. While some of the questions they fielded were more appropriate for management, they all provided some genuine insight into what makes a major league player.

Next on the agenda was one of the team's Principal Owners, and director of the Nationals' Dream Foundation, Marla Lerner Tanenbaum, who discussed the Foundation's goals, and the impact of the economy on the charity works. The Foundation supports three fundamental goals: the Nationals' youth baseball academy, the pediatric diabetes center at Children's Hospital, and their "Neighborhood Initiatives", supporting the community local to the ballpark.

While grateful that donations to the Foundation were consistent through the rough economy, requests for assistance were up, putting a strain on the amount of projects they could take. Also, the completion of the baseball academy and the diabetes center were -- predictably and unfortunately -- caught up in government red tape, but moving forward.

Assistant Director of Player Development, Mark Scialabba, followed. In what was perhaps the most spirited discussion of the day, Scialabba was peppered with questions about players on all levels of the minor league system. Some of the names discussed were Steven Strasburg (naturally), Drew Storen, Chris Marrerro, Derek Morris, and the quintet of Dominican players recently signed.

Nats Farm Authority also tried to get Scialabba to spill the beans about which players are going to be sent to the Arizona Fall League and the Florida Instructional League. While the names were not revealed, promises that they were "coming soon" and that it would be the "most exciting group" the Nats have sent to the AFL got the group pumped up.

Everyone then headed up to the media center, where we set up shop in the "Blogger's Suite" and grabbed lunch in the press dining area.

At 1:00 pm, Kasten and newly-appointed Senior Vice-President and General Manger Mike Rizzo gave quick remarks, then took questions for about a half hour. No subject was off limits: player news, injury updates, planning for next season, free agency possibilities, the minor league system and many other topics were discussed thoroughly.

The juciest piece of info we got was the repeated message that the team would indeed be pursuing a veteran starting pitcher to help solidify the Nats young rotation. Kasten remarked that it would not be a "Sabathia-type", but a veteran that could help stabilize a rotation full of youngsters still learning how to pitch at the major league level.

Both Kasten and Rizzo espoused the "grow arms, buy bats" theory that Andy MacPhail, G.M. of the Baltimore Orioles, so eloquently phrased.

After the game started, Kasten returned to the box and "hung out" for an inning. He was engaging, personable and relaxed -- maybe for the first time in a while -- considering the events of the last several weeks. It was an interesting conversation with long-time executive who has literally done it all in professional sports.

To cap it off, the Nats pounded Manny Parra and the Brewers!

THE TAKEAWAY: Representatives from Nats News Network, DC Sports Box, Federal Baseball, FJB, Just a Nats Fan, Nationals Review, Nats Fanboy Looser, Nats Farm Authority, Nationals Pride, Nats 320 and Nationals Inquisition were in attendance. It was a good cross-section of the diverse and widely varied blogs and websites dedicated to covering the Washington Nationals.

Mike Gazda, Director of Baseball Media Relations, was our host, along with John Dever, Senior Director of the department, and Bill Gluvna, Coordinator.

"I don't know if we've gone too far or we haven't gone far enough," Kasten said. "All of us in sports are learning, feeling our way through these developments. A year ago we didn't do things like this. A year from now we'll probably have a better fix on what's appropriate or what's not appropriate. We're trying to figure it out."

Kasten's remarks are not only pertinent to the Nationals, but all of baseball. MLB is notoriously protective of their intellectual property. With advances in technology and new media, baseball in general, and the Nats now in particular, are being forced to develop protocol for providing access to on-line journalists in some form or another.

Not all blogs or Internet writers need to have clubhouse access -- though some, including yours truly -- feel that our work can be much more complete and thorough if we had the same access that traditional media does.

The model works. The Washington Capitals credential more than a dozen independent online outlets -- again, including yours truly -- with press box, locker room and press conference access. The online coverage of the team is excellent, with several award-winning blogs counted in the contingent.

Several MLB teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, credential Internet writers as well.

But for most of the assembled blogs and Internet writers Sunday, "Blogger's Day" at the park, or events in similar structure, give them an opportunity to face the players, coaches, and management in person to get a better perspective of the team they passionately cover, and to get the information directly from the sources.

As important, the organization gets to meet and understand the people for whom that passion becomes displayed on the Internet, for all to see, read, digest and comment on.

An old TV ad used to say, "An educated consumer is our best customer." By providing bloggers and Internet writers access to the teams they cover, even on a semi-regular basis, the organization is helping to educate their most loyal and passionate customers.

Who, in turn, educate, enlighten and entertain the rest of the Nationals' fan base. It's only logical that the team would want to provide the necessary information for Internet writers to produce educated, informative and accurate content. As we saw last week, even the pros can get it wrong when they don't have personal access to the organization.

NOTES: Roger Bernadina, the speedy center fielder currently rehabbing a broken ankle, will miss the rest of the season, according to Rizzo. His ankle is not responding to running as the team had hoped, and he will not return to the playing field this season.

NEXT GAME: The Nats finish a four-game series with Milwaukee Monday afternoon at 4:35 pm. Collin Balester (1-3, 6.75) faces Yovanni Gallardo (11-10, 3.56).

All photos 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

"Something has to change you know. It's unacceptable and I just have to do something about it." -- John Lannan, on his start.

THE RESULT: Nationals rallied after being down 7-0, however, it wasn't enough to pull out a win. Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Washington Nationals 11-9 in a rain delayed game that started at 8:26pm. This game marked the five straight loss.

Nationals starter John Lannan gave up seven runs in only 1 2/3 innings and could not locate his command. "I have to get through it and get ready for my next start," Lannan said. "The ball is just up. A couple of inches down, those balls are not hits. Physically, I feel fine, so I guess it is a mental challenge to get past it. Lannan ended up with a no decision.

Saul Rivera came in for Lannan to finish off the second inning and ended up pitching 3.1 innings, gave up two hits and one run and stuckout three. He also recorded his first major league hit and scored his first run, twice!

THE GOOD: Ronnie Belliard. Player of the game. He went 3-4 with a Grand Slam and 4 RBIs.

THE BAD: Ryan Zimmerman. He went 0-for-4 with a walk and run, along with leaving five on base.

THE UGLY: Umpire calls and Riggleman getting tossed.

NEXT GAME: Milwaukee Brewers tonight at 1:35 pm at Nationals Park. Craig Stammen (3-6, 5.13) hosts Manny Parra (8-9, 6.33).

NOTES:

Jorge Padilla earned his first career start in left field.

It looks like Milkaukee did not send their running sausages so the Nats have created their own to compete with the Nats' Racing Presidents.

Photos 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Posted by Cheryl Nichols, Photographer and Contributor for Nats News Network

Friday, August 21, 2009 is a day that many fans will long remember. It is the day that Stephen Strasburg was introduced to Washington.


One dollar cannot buy many things at a ballpark, however, that is all fans had to pay to see the the 15.1 million dollar man (and his super agent), the new permanent general manager, participate in a townhall meeting, watch the Nationals and Brewers batting practice and take in an entire baseball game. Yes, for one buck.

Fans were very happy to see the mystery man Strasburg in person and gave him a standing ovation. It was the introduction to the new permanent General Manager Mike Rizzo that received the loudest cheers.

Fans were also surprised by a guest -- Nats third baseman Ryan Zimmerman presented Strasburg with this new jersey and cap. Are they the TWO faces of the franchise now?

Unfortunately, the Q&A with Stan Kasten, Mike Rizzo and Nats Announcer Charlie Slowes was cut short due to the threat of storms.

It was a scorcher, but fans didn't seem to mind too much. The future looks bright for the Nationals.

Photos 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

In a scene befitting a coronation, with the third base stands filled with fans and media alike, the Washington Nationals introduced first overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg, signed Monday night for $15.1 million, a record contract for a player from the entry draft.

Wearing a dark blue "Curly W" golf shirt, Strasburg waived politely when introduced by emcee Bob Carpenter, from MASN, the Nationals broadcast partner.

Team president Stan Kasten first made a few general remarks praising the Lerner family and their dedication to building the franchise.

Newly appointed G.M. Mike Rizzo, touting "better days ahead," gave a few comments about how they expect Strasburg to be part of an exciting future, noting he just has to do his part and that the organization does not expect him to be the "savior" of the franchise.

After a short video display and burst of fireworks, Carpenter then interviewed the tall right-hander.

After the fireworks, Carpenter asked Strasburg what the reaction might be after his first shut out. He replied, "Maybe a flyover from Air Force One?"

Ryan Zimmerman then took the stage and presented Strasburg with a crisp, home-white No. 37 jersey. Third base coach Pat Listach, who currently wears the number, was not available for comment.

Zimmerman then told Strasburg not "to worry about everything here [motioning to the collected media and fans]," but to go out and have fun and continue to be the player he was in college. Zimmerman then, at Carpenter's prompting, teased the former San Diego State hurler about his loss to Zim's alma mater, Virginia, in the NCAA playoffs.

What followed was a standard press conference, with questions from the media.

Some highlights (mostly paraphrasing):

What did you do physically since May? "Took the summer off...played golf...was a college kid until today."

His part in the "feel good" of this week? Starting to get a taste of what his signing means to the fans of DC. "Hoping to come in here and help this team win ballgames."

On the organization's plan for his development: Rizzo: "We'll be cautious with his development." We'll have to assess where his is now; he'll go to the Nats Florida instructional league, then ramp him up to get him to throw on a competitive basis. If they can get him up to speed physically, he'll pitch in the Florida instructional league then in the Arizona Fall League with an eye toward spring training.

On his goals for reaching the major leagues: "It's up to the organization." He just wants to continue what he did in college, being competitive, helping his team win.

How tough will the wait for making the majors be? Tough, because he knows the fans are anxious. But he also realizes that there is an adjustment from pitching once a week to every five days, and he'll do what the organization thinks is best.

Does he feel any pressure to be the "face of franchise"? He got good advice from his college coach, Tony Gwynn "The game is the same. All of this [media, fans] is a little different, but I have to do my thing and try to be successful."

What has been going through his mind since the signing? "I'm a practical guy, so I've been focused on what I need to take to Florida with me."

Did he ever doubt that he would sign? He was always hopeful that it would happen and thankful that it worked out.

On Gwynn's influence: He stated that he wanted to go nine innings every Friday to help San Diego State win games and get to the college World Series. Gwynn told him to "trust his teammates" and kept him on a fairly stringent pitch count.

Scott Boras, Strasburg's agent, was asked about his "makeup": Stephen has already seen failure, already understands how to work for something and strive for something. His achievements were earned, and is a foundation for his ascent into Major League Baseball.

To Kasten, on maintaining the momentum from the Strasburg signing and Rizzo promotion of the last week: "We always thought this would happen." "There have been bumps and bruises" this season, but "a lot of good things [are] happening here." He said the plan has always been "all premised on young starting pitching" and that the Nationals are "very near turning around of this franchise."

How soon can you make the big leagues: "I have experience pitching in the Olympics with guys in the majors now. " But he trusts the judgment of the organization and when "I'm ready, I'll be here."

To Rizzo, on obstacles Strasburg faces: It's "more of a training ground". He needs to adjust to the "everyday-ness of the professional game." "This is a seven-day-a-week job."

"I don't know how Dougie [Eddings, the second base umpire] saw that play out there. I guess he was eating his carrots today." -- Nyjer Morgan, on the reversal of a strikeout in the fifth inning.

THE RESULT: Second base umpire Doug Eddings overruled home plate umpire Hunter Wendlestadt, turning a strikeout by Garrett Mock into a foul ball. Carlos Gonzalez blooped the next pitch down the left field line for a double, the Colorado Rockies scored two, two-out runs, and defeated the Washington Nationals 4-1, before 18,036 sweaty Nats fans.

Gonzalez tipped a 1-2 pitch from Mock, and Wendelstadt ruled that catcher Josh Bard caught it for strike three. As the Nats were jogging off field, Eddings called everyone back, ruling from his double-play position that the ball skipped in the dirt before Bard caught it, making it a routine foul ball, do the dismay of manager Jim Riggleman, who argued vociferously to no avail.

There could have been no resolution other than the run-scoring hit on the next pitch.

"When I got to second base, I asked the umpire," Gonzalez related, "and he said he could see the mark in the dirt."

"I think the umpire made the right call," Mock (L, 2-5, 5.10) said. "But regardless of whether he makes the right call or the wrong call, that's not for me to argue or get rattled about."

Colorado got its second run courtesy of Mock's wild pitch to the next batter.

Mock's day ended with the eventual conclusion of the fifth inning, after 91 pitches. He allowed just those two earned runs on three hits and two walks. He struck out eight in five innings.

For all the excitement, it was just a 2-0 deficit. But the Nats on this occasion bats could not get their starter off the hook.

Rockies starter Jason Hammel (W, 8-7, 4.54) was just as good as Mock. He went seven innings, and gave up just one earned run on three hits and two walks, striking out three.

Jason Bergmann, called upon in the eighth inning, couldn't hold the deficit to one run. He gave up two straight two-out hits to the middle of Colorado's order, resulting in a lead the Nats could not dent in their last two trips to the plate.

THE TAKEAWAY: Washington managed just four hits and two walks against the Colorado Thursday night, and the streaking Rockies find themselves just 3.5 games back of the Dodgers at this point.

Right or wrong, the Nationals probably see a lot of themselves in the way Colorado picked themselves up after dismissing former manager Clint Hurdle early in the season, replacing him with old-school manager Jim Tracy, much as the Nats have played better with Jim Riggleman of late.

Whether that improvement is resultant, coincidental, or just regression to the statistically probable, we don't know. One thing we do know is that under Riggleman, the Nats are one streaky team.

They have had winning streaks of four, eight and three games, and losing streaks of five, four, three since the all-star break and currently are stalled in a three-game losing streak.

THE GOOD: Sean Burnett. He went two and one-third innings of perfect relief, striking out three.

THE BAD: Jason Bergmann. He got one out and gave up two runs on two hits.

THE UGLY: Two more errors, one each on Elijah Dukes and Cristian Guzman.

NEXT GAME: The Nationals start a wraparound, four-game weekend series with the Milwaukee Brewers tonight at 7:05 pm at Nationals Park. J.D. Martin (2-2, 4.61) hosts Braden Looper (10-6, 5.03).

NOTES: Washington will introduce first overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg to the media and fans today at 2:00 pm at Nats Park. The Nats are offering $1 tickets to folks willing to go to the box office between noon and 2:00 pm today, and all fans are invited to the conference, a Q&A with team officials following, and watch the Nats batting practice from the stands.

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Abbreviated version...sorry they're so late.

COLORADO ROCKIES (67-53, 2nd in NL West, 3.5 games back; three-game winning streak)

Gonzalez - 8
Spilborghs - 7
Helton - 3
Tulowitzki - 6
Hawpe - 9
Stewart - 5
Barmes - 4
Torrealba - 2
Hammel - 1 (7-7, 4.73 ERA, 84 K, 29 BB)

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (43-77, 5th in NL East, 26.5 games back; two-game losing streak)

Morgan - 8
Guzman - 6
Zimmerman - 5
Dunn - 3
Willingham - 7
Dukes - 9
Bard - 2
Gonzalez - 4
Mock - 1 (2-4, 5.27 ERA, 32 K, 23 BB)

WEATHER

Ugly hot, sticky, gross. Mostly cloudy skies, considerably sticky humidity levels, and the chance for a passing storm. First pitch 85F, final out 80F

Screenshot courtesy MLB.com and Comcast Sportsnet.

From the Press Release:

The Washington Nationals today announced the promotion of Michael A. Rizzo to the position of Senior Vice President & General Manager.

Rizzo, a 26-year veteran of professional baseball, joined the Nationals in 2006. Since March of this year, he has served as the team’s acting General Manager. During that time, the Nationals promoted Jim Riggleman to Manager and successfully signed first round draft picks Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen. As Assistant General Manager and Vice President Baseball Operations, the Nationals entire scouting operation fell under his domain, including Major Leagues, professional scouting and international talent.

“Since Mike is one of my favorite people, this is one of the easiest and happiest announcements I’ve ever had to make,” said Stan Kasten, President of the Washington Nationals. “Mike was one of the architects of our plan to be competitive long-term and the last few months have only proven that there’s no one more capable than Mike of continuing our vision for the franchise. This move gives the team organizational continuity and demonstrates to Major League Baseball and our fans in DC that we’re committed to the strategy for building a perennial winner.”

“Without question, Mike Rizzo has proven his capabilities as a talented and effective baseball executive,” said Nationals Managing Principal Owner Theodore N. Lerner. “In every possible respect, he has earned this promotion. Mike’s professionalism during recent negotiations, his steady demeanor day-in and day-out, his intelligent, thoughtful decision making process and consistently positive attitude, make him the obvious and appropriate choice for GM. Mike Rizzo reflects and exemplifies the integrity of our franchise. This is a good day for the Washington Nationals.”

During his remarks at the press conference, Rizzo listed as priorities for the major league club acquiring a veteran starting pitcher, stabilizing an improving bullpen, and acquiring more speed and defense.

Rizzo also stated the team was not in a hurry to name a permanent field manager, saying "We'll address the manager decision after the season." He did complement interim manager Jim Riggleman, but told reporters that he wants to find the "permanent man for the job." Riggleman will be considered for the permanent position.

Team president Stan Kasten remarked that he's known for the "last couple of weeks," that Rizzo was the man for the job, and that the Strasburg signing had no impact on the decision, or the timing. Kasten joked, "Mike bailed me out on Monday," in reference to the timing of the decision.

Both men praised the Lerner family and the organization for providing the tools and resources necessary to build the Nationals into a title contending club.

The Washington Nationals will hold a press conference at 4:00 pm today, introducing Mike Rizzo as General Manager and Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations.

The announcement ends month of speculation, most heatedly in the last several days, about the status of the chief of baseball operations for the club.

The job has been open since March, when former G.M. Jim Bowden resigned amid scandal revolving around charges of money skimming from foreign-born players, and revelations that the team's top foreign-born prospect, Esmailyn Gonzalez, was actually Daniel Lugo, four years older than he purported to be.

Since that time, Rizzo has been "acting" as G.M. in every capacity during what appears to have been an exhaustive interview process involving several high-profile candidates.

Several media outlets yesterday reported that Jerry Dipoto, Arizona's V.P. of Player Development, was going to be awarded the position, but those reports proved to be inaccurate.

Rizzo's performance as "acting" G.M. this summer have been generally lauded and considered an apt try-out, if you will, for the full-time gig. According to reports, Rizzo was the primary point person for the successful Stephen Strasburg negotiations with agent Scott Boras.

Rizzo, as well, obtained Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett from the Pittsburgh Pirates for enigmatic Lastings Milledge and disappointing Joel Hanranan. He has reconstructed a bullpen, largely ignored in the off-season, from an unmitigated disaster to a functioning unit, and has overseen the removal of the field manager and pitching coach mid-season.

He also drafted and signed two top-ten picks from this season's amateur draft, Strasburg and Drew Storen, who is shooting through the Nats minor league system this summer.

Rizzo inherits a major league club with plenty of talent, and several holes to fill. He'll have to address the defensive shortcomings of this squad, most notably in the middle infield, where Cristian Guzman's range shrinks by the day, and the second base position is devoid of any real answers.

The team could still use some relief help, and perhaps a veteran starter to take some pressure off the youngsters and to fill in for Jordan Zimmermann, who will be rehabbing his elbow from Tommy John surgery next season.

But all those are projects for another day. Today is Rizzo's day, a day he's been waiting for and working for his entire professional career. Congratulations to the Nats new baseball chief.

Mike Rizzo, "acting" General Manager of the Washington Nationals, taking in the Nats' 5-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

THE RESULT: For the second night in a row, the Washington Nationals entered the ninth inning trailing the Colorado Rockies by two runs. For the second night in a row, the Nats got a quick run to cut the lead to one.

And for the second night in a row, that's where the comeback ended.

Josh Bard dialed deep to bring the Nats within one run, but when Cristian Guzman grounded out against Colorado closer Huston Street, the Nats had fallen for the second night in a row, and fifth time this season, to the Rockies 5-4.

The bigger news of this night, however, was reported by Bill Ladson of MLB.com, that Mike Rizzo, Assistant General Manager, would be promoted to permanent G.M. of the Nationals at a news conference on Thursday at Nationals Park, according to a baseball source with knowledge of the decision.

After all the confusion of the day about whether Rizzo, who has been "acting" G.M. since Jim Bowden resigned in March or Jerry Dipoto, Arizona's V.P. of Player Personnel would be named permanent G.M. of the Nationals, it now seems that Rizzo finally won the job he's been auditioning for all season.

Several news outlets issued conflicting reports throughout the day, but Ladson's report, along with Chico Harlan's Nats Journal post from earlier in the evening, give us the best information on the status of the position to date.

As for Wednesday's game, it was a rough night for Collin Balester. He lasted just one and one-third innings, allowing five walks and three hits, totalling three earned runs. He also committed an error, throwing a ball away on a pick-off move to second base.

Balester threw just 24 of his 51 pitches for strikes.

Nyjer Morgan, Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn and Josh Bard all had two hits apiece. Bard homered in the ninth inning, and Zimmerman drove in two runs with a double and a triple.

THE TAKEAWAY: If the news about Rizzo is the final decision, then congratulations are in order. With everything in this saga the last two days, you'll forgive me if I'll wait until I get the press release to celebrate, but the reports on MLB.com and Nats Journal seem pretty definitive.

Rizzo certainly passed his audition with flying colors though. After assuming the reigns as "acting" G.M. in March, he's overseen the transfer of the Dominican academy, remade the bullpen (twice), traded for a true leadoff hitter and center fielder, fired a pitching coach and eventually, field manager Manny Acta, conducted a draft, and signed the number one overall pick to a record-setting, but not bank-breaking, four-year contract.

Yeah, I'd say he's passed the test.

THE GOOD: Ryan Zimmerman. He went 2-for-3 with a double, triple, and two RBIs.

THE BAD: Josh Willingham. 0-for-4 with three left on base.

THE UGLY: Collin Balester. He was terrible. One of those nights where not only did he lack command, but lacked any semblance of control whatsoever.

NEXT GAME: Thursday, the finale of the three-game set and conclusion of the season series. It's the last chance this season for the Nats to get a win over Colorado. Garrett Mock (2-4, 5.27) takes on Jason Hammel (7-7, 4.73) at 7:05 pm.

While waiting for the latest drama to unfold...

Anyone have Jerry Dipoto's travel schedule on them?

Oh, and the $1 tickets? SOLD OUT, baby! Strasburg already a hit in DC!

COLORADO ROCKIES (66-53, 2nd in NL West, five games back; two-game winning streak)

Gonzalez - LF
Fowler - CF
Helton - 1B
Tulowitzki - SS
Hawpe - RF
Stewart - 3B
Barmes - 2B
Iannetta - C
Marquis - P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (43-76, 5th in NL East, 24.5 games back; one-game losing streak)

Morgan - CF
Guzman - SS
Zimmerman - 3B
Dunn - 1B
Willingham - LF
Dukes - RF
Belliard - 2B
Bard - C
Balester - P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Collin Balester (24.0 IP, 1-2, 6.00 ERA, 13 K, 6 BB)
COL: Jason Marquis (157.1 IP. 13-8, 3.55 ERA, 78 K, 51 BB)

WEATHER

Summer in D.C., hazy hot & humid. 30% chance of early storm. Game time: 85F; final out: 81F.

Mike Rizzo, at spring training days after becoming "acting" general manager.

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

According to this Yahoo Sports story, "acting" GM Mike Rizzo may soon be looking for work. Gordon Edes cites multiple sources that the Washington Nationals may be very close to announcing a permanent general manager, speculating that person is Jerry DiPoto, Arizona Diamondbacks V.P. of Baseball Operations.

CBS Sports's Danny Knobler already has DiPoto telling friends he plans to accept the job.

I am not surprised about this in the slightest; not the idea of it or the way it’s going down.

Rizzo has done a good job with the responsibilities thrust upon him since March, when Jim Bowden fell on his sword in his last self-serving act to baseball. The then-assistant general manager oversaw the closing of Jose Rijo's training center and move of the Dominican baseball operations to a new facility.

Since, he's overhauled the bullpen (twice), obtained a true center fielder, trimmed fat from the roster, conducted a draft, participated in the firing of a well-respected manager, and was part of the signing of the savior.

Fans want to know, what more could Mike Rizzo do to prove he's worthy of the full-time gig.

Regardless of how it was presented in the media, Rizzo probably had very little to do with the Strasburg signing. The Strasburg negotiations were always between the ownership group and Scott Boras. Rizzo's involvement was as conduit. But it helped that Rizzo has a nice relationship with Boras.

What would be a shame is if the Nats were using Rizzo for his relationship with Boras to grease the skids, then send him packing.

There is an organizational house-cleaning coming. Hiring a permanent GM is the first step. Maybe it will be easier to clean house with someone fresh coming in.

Since moving to D.C., this organization has never had a chance to work properly. No one in a position of authority has been able to hire the people that work for them. Kasten was stuck with Bowden. Bowden was stuck with Rizzo. Everyone was stuck with scouting director Dana Brown.

Even the managers weren’t able to hire their own coaches.

I suspect that the new GM will come in and clean house and hire his “own people”. For once. The way it’s supposed to be done.

It sounds more and more like Mike Rizzo won't be that guy though. It's too bad.

THE RESULTS: Carlos Gonzalez homered in the eighth inning off Sean Burnett and Clint Barmes took Tyler Clippard deep in the ninth, leading the Colorado Rockies to a 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals before 18,192 at Nationals Park.

The loss drops the Nats to 43-76 for the season, and breaks a three-game winning streak.

Burnett (2-3, 3.22) took the loss, getting just one out while walking one and allowing the home run to the Rockies' lead-off hitter.

Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez (W, 11-9, 3.41) held the Nats down all night. He went eight innings, allowing seven hits and one walk, allowing just two earned runs. Both came in a two-out rally in the second inning by the bottom of the order.

With one out, Elijah Dukes beat out an infield single on a broken bat that shortstop Troy Tulowitzki had to avoid on his route to the grounder. Alberto Gonzalez hit a roller that forced Dukes at second to go to two outs.

Catcher Wil Nieves got hit in the elbow with a pitch, putting runners at first and second. Pitcher Craig Stammen the helped his own cause, with a double to right field that scored Gonzalez. Nyjer Morgan followed with a ground ball past third baseman Garrett Atkins that brought in Nieves.

That's the last the Nats would score until the ninth inning.

Cristian Guzman's RBI single cut the lead to 4-3 with two outs, but on the next pitch, Ryan Zimmerman flew out to left to end the game, and the winning streak.

Stammen deserved a better fate. He went five and one-third innings, giving up two earned runs on four hits and two walks, striking out three. He got into trouble loading the bases in the sixth, and interim manager Jim Riggleman brought in Ron Villone to face Brad Hawpe.

Hawpe grounded out, but Dexter Fowler carried the tying run home. Jason Bergmann came in to snuff the rally, and pitched the seventh without incident before Burnett and Clippard gave up their respective home runs.

THE TAKEAWAY: Well, it's hard to complain about a loss on a couple of solo home runs in an otherwise well played game.

The big story on Tuesday, of course, was the signing of Stephen Strasburg to his first professional contract.

During the game, news came out that Strasburg would probably travel to D.C. Thursday and be introduced as the Nationals newest savior, uh, I mean, starting pitcher at a press conference on Friday.

Also, according to Nats Journal, it sounds like Strasburg will most likely not pitch in Washington this year. He will likely be evaluated in D.C.,then sent to the minor league training facility in Viera, Fl, then assigned to an Arizona Fall League team.

THE GOOD: Nyjer Morgan. He went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base.

THE BAD: Adam Dunn. He went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

THE UGLY: Bottom of the first, Morgan led off with a single and stole second. With no outs, he stood there as Guzman struck out looking, Zimmerman flied out, and Dunn whiffed to end the frame.

NEXT GAME: Wednesday at 7:05 pm. Collin Balester (1-2, 6.00) hosts All-Star Jason Marquis (13-8, 3.55).

NOTES: Mike Morse, recalled to take the roster spot of Logan Kensing, who was DFA'd Monday, dressed and wore No. 28. He did not play.

With the excitement of signing day passed us all now, it's back to baseball as the Nats open up a seven-game homestand, starting with the Colorado Rockies.

Nats come off the road winners of 11 of their last 14 games.

COLORADO ROCKIES (65-53, 2nd in NL West, five games back; one-game winning streak)

Gonzalez - LF
Fowler - CF
Helton - 1B
Tulowitzki - SS
Hawpe - RF
Atkins - 3B
Barmes - 2B
Iannetta - C
Jimenez - P

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (43-75, 5th in NL East, 24.5 games back; three-game winning streak)

Morgan - CF
Guzman - SS
Zimmerman - 3B
Dunn - 1B
Willingham - LF
Dukes - RF
Gonzalez - 2B
Nieves - C
Stammen - P

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: Craig Stammen (89.1 IP, 3-6, 5.24 ERA, 40 K, 17 BB)
COL: Ubaldo Jiminez (158.1 IP, 10-9, 3.47 ERA, 140 K, 63 BB)

WEATHER

Hot. Real hot. Increasing humidity. Slight chance of t-storm. Game time 90F; last out 82F.

I will admit that I was a skeptic. A pessimist. It's in my nature. My wife doesn't call me "Eeyore" for nothing.

I did not think the Washington Nationals were going to sign Stephen Strasburg.

I was wrong.

We all heard the stories of how Strasburg's agent, Scott Boras, wanted to use the Matsuzaka and Contreras international free agent contracts as models for Strasburg, upwards of a $50 million contract! Preposterous. At least that's how it turned out.

The two sides agreed upon a four-year, roughly $15 million contract at 11:58 pm and change last night.

"We didn't even need that last minute," team president Stan Kasten joked. At least they can joke about it.

So congratulations go out to everyone involved. First, to Strasburg himself. He'll never have to work a real job for the rest of his life. Next, to the Lerners. This is a huge show of good faith to the fans -- and to the rest of baseball -- that they really are open for business and dedicated to producing a winner, not just revenue.

Congrats also to Stan Kasten. He got a responsible deal done, one that will allow Bud Selig to say that the Nats paid a record deal to an amateur, but did not "blow up" the entry draft. And to Mike Rizzo. It might not be enough to land him the permanent title of general manager with this team, but it will be enough somewhere else.

And a hearty congratulations to all the hard-core fans of the Washington Nationals. This day was for you. You would have had every right to jump from this ship had today arrived full of excuses, just like it had always been. I even have a draft of the column I would have written had the signing not happened. It is not pretty.

But now, it's not necessary. The Nationals and Scott Boras really surprised me. Very pleasantly, I might add.

But I want to take this opportunity to caution Nationals fans, again, because it's my nature.

This is just the first step, albeit a very important one, in building a competitive, title contending team. This team as it is constructed is still dead last in the majors in team ERA, and just lost its No. 2 pitcher (Jordan Zimmermann) to Tommy John surgery until 2011 at the earliest.

One can envision going into the 2011 season with Strasburg, Lannan and Zimmermann at the front of the rotation, but three starters only get you so far. They still have to find two more arms to be able to really compete.

Sure, there are plenty of candidates, but every team has a handful of pitching prospects. Finding out which ones are big leaguers is tough, and I'd say we know little more about Martis, Mock, Detwiler or Balester than we did at the beginning of the season.

Stammen and Martin have been pleasant surprises for their successes at Syracuse this year, but both lack the ability to "miss bats," as they say, and have to be at the very top of their game every time out in the bigs to have any success, a very high margin for error.

Further, the bullpen is a patchwork ensemble, thrown together during the season in emergency-like fashion, after the previous GM completely ignored it last off-season. It's been turned over three complete times this season, and while the latest collection has been fairly solid, the pen still needs attention over the winter.

Which bring us to the position players. There's enough offense on this team to be competitive with some quality pitching behind it. Morgan, Zimmerman, Dunn, Willingham, Dukes, Flores...that's a solid core to start with.

But the key this off-season is going to be finding players in the middle infield that can catch the ball and not be liabilities with the bat. And if you can find one that really contribute both ways (cough, Orlando Hudson, cough), so much the better.

Team defense overall needs to be improved, and it starts with finding a shortstop and second baseman this team can count on, on a daily basis, to catch and throw.

And while the organization likes to boast of their improving minor league system, there really isn't much by the way of middle infield prospects. Ian Desmond projects as a backup at best, and Danny Espinosa is still a long ways off.

Cristian Guzman is not a major league quality defensive shortstop anymore. He simply can no longer make the play to his left (up the middle) and can only go to his right when his bunions aren't acting up.

I'll admit, when he's on one of his streaks, he's very fun to watch at the plate. But for all his hot streaks, his empty batting average only masks the fact that he's a below-average offensive player in today's game as well, with a .329 OBP and 96 OPS+ this season.

Alberto Gonzalez has proven this season that while he had enough talent to play defense in the majors, his lack of concentration -- in the field and at the plate -- have shown that he probably does not have the mental makeup to really succeed at this level. He's a backup at best.

All this is a digression from today's main point: Rejoice! Rejoice that the Nats finally, ultimately got one right! This signing means as much off the field as it eventually will on the field.

But Nats fans, please temper your expectations. One player does not a championship team make. One need to look no further than Strasburg's hometown team, the San Diego Padres, to prove that point.

Last year they had one of the games very best pitchers in Jake Peavy, and one of the games best young hitters in Adrian Gonzalez, and still finished with 99 losses.

There's plenty of work left to be done. The Nats won't compete for the playoffs next season. But they have two off-seasons to find a suitable double-play combo, some reliable bullpen help, maybe a veteran starting pitcher, and get Jordan Zimmermann healthy.

Oh, and by that point, re-signing first baseman Adam Dunn.

Too much to ask for? Well, I didn't think they would sign Strasburg, so what the hell do I know?