I never thought it would be so tough to keep up with the trade rumors being three hours behind, but here I am, currently in Spokane, Washington, trying to sort though all the noise that's centered around Washington, DC's baseball team.

That's right, the Nats are the epicenter of MLB's trade deadline.

There have been a couple of pieces already moved:  All-Star closer Matt Capps to Minnesota and most-tenured Nat Cristian Guzman to Texas.  But the big domino yet to fall is the biggest bat floating on the trade market, that of 1B Adam Dunn.

Dunn's name has been mentioned in connection with a half-dozen teams by dozens of national writers.  If you're on twitter, every couple of minutes a new update from Buster Olney, or Jon Heyman, or practically anyone says "Dunn to White Sox" or "Dunn out with White Sox" or "Mystery team possible for Dunn."

Etc., etc., etc.

The most prominent rumor involved Dunn to the White Sox and Arizona's Edwin Jackson coming back to the Nats.  That was squashed (?) yesterday when Jackson ended up with the White Sox and the Nats purportedly then losing interest in the rhight-hander.  According to twitter reports, Chicago GM Kenny Williams was none too happy with his counterpart in D.C. as the interest for bouncing Jackson was lost.

A deal isn't a deal until it's a deal, Kenny.

For now, Dunn prepares himself to toinght's game with the Phillies.  But will he play in it?

Tampa Bay is supposedly hot on Dunn, and they have plenty of Major League ready talent, especially starting pitchers.  Matt Garza, Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann, and Jeremy Hellickson have all been supposedly tied to Dunn at some point this trade season.  The Rays might feel the need to make a move since the Yankees were busy yesterday, acquiring Lance Berkman from the Astros.

Other teams that have reportedly kicked the tires on Dunn include San Francisco (another team with lots of pitching), the Yankees themselves, and this morning, reports of a "mystery" team (hmm, if the Yankees and Rays are in on it, can the Red Sox be far behind?)

It's a big decision for GM Mike Rizzo, to be sure.  40-homer guys don't grow on trees.  But if Rizzo doesn't trade Dunn, it pretty much means he's gotta re-sign him, and Rizzo then needs to determine if Dunn will retain his value for the length of any contract he'd offer.  But that discussion is for another day.

For today is trade deadline, where anything is possible.

by Anthony Amobi, Staff Writer

(Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

It was an eventful night on Friday at Nationals Park in more ways than one for anyone who made it to the banks of the Anacostia.

First, infielder -- and the longest tenured National on the team -- Cristian Guzman was traded to the Texas Rangers for prospects earlier in the afternoon; second, Miss Iowa, Katherine Connors, kissed and made up with pitcher Miguel Batista over his comments on Tuesday night, plus threw out the first pitch; and third, oh yes - the Phillies, and their misbehaving fans, were in town for a three-game set with their brand new ace, Roy Oswalt.

On a picture perfect evening for baseball, Nats fans saw Craig Stammen and the offense break through to quiet the legions of Philly faithful and beat their division rival, the Phillies, 8-1.

Much of the attention heading into Friday nights game was centered on pitcher Oswalt who recently became a member of the Phillies via trade from Houston.  He struggled in his Eastern Division debut, however.

Oswalt, slight in stature -- but extremely talented -- went six innings and allowed five runs on seven hits. He just looked off, could not hit his spots and the Washington offense teed off on him.

The Philadelphia fans from near and far who descended on Nationals Park gave Oswalt a salute befitting a war hero as he walked from the bullpen to his respective dugout. However, they would be disappointed with the result of the evening.

On the other hand, Stammen had a wonderful performance for Washington. He earned the easy victory on the night, going 6 1/3 innings and only gave up one run -- a long Jayson Werth homer (his 15th) in the seventh inning.

Stammen allowed five hits, struck out five and walked one. He had everything working in his start and kept a powerful and experienced Philadelphia lineup at bay with a mix of pitches, command and confidence.

(Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

He's had his share of ups and downs on the mound throughout his tenure as a National. However, Jim Riggleman noted in the post-game press conference that despite his struggles in 2010, last night's start could be a building block for something better.

"He's had a couple days where he actually threw pretty good and we didn't really play that good or it happened to be a time where the bullpen didn't hold the lead. I think his numbers are skewed a little bit. It's a good time for him to come together. Hopefully he continues this."

(Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

Stammen got a lot of help from his offense, highlighted by Adam Kennedy, who had four hits, drove in a run and scored twice. As well, both Roger Bernandina and Josh Willingham drove in two runs, plus Nyjer Morgan scored twice.

The offense for the Nationals started off early, as Nyjer Morgan acted as the table setter, ripping a lead-off triple to right field off Oswalt. Moments later, he crossed home plate as Adam Kennedy drove him in with a groundout.

(Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

Washington plated two more runs in the third and got a helping hand from Philadelphia thanks to two huge errors in the third inning. Stammen led off the frame with a single, and then Morgan got plunked in the back with a pitch. The next batter, Kennedy attempted a bunt, and Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz threw the ball to third for the force out.  Only problem was, there was no one covering the base and the throw sailed into left field.  Stammen came into score easily.

Morgan, who advanced to third on the error, scored on a Ryan Zimmerman sacrifice fly and Washington took a 3-0 lead.

The Nationals pretty much put the game away in the fifth inning. Josh Willingham ripped a two-run double to increase the lead to 5-0 and give Stammen enough of a cushion to sail to the easy win.

For good measure, Washington scored three more times in the seventh inning to take an 8-1 lead, as Roger Bernadina smashed a two-run double and Ian Desmond plated a run with a sacrifice fly.

With Saturday evening's trade deadline rapidly approaching, it may be an eventful day or not for the Nationals, as the immediate fate of Adam Dunn may be decided.  There has been much speculation as to where the Buynan-like slugger may go, with rumors of the Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, San Francisco Giants and even the New York Yankees continue to swirl.

Obviously, Nats Town will be watching very closely to see what happens.

(Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

The Washington Nationals Thursday evening traded Matt Capps, their lone All-Star representitive, to the Minnesota Twins for MLB-ready catcher Wilson Ramos -- Baseball America's No. 58 overall prospect in 2010 -- and left-handed relief pitcher Joe Testa.

Ramos is a 22-year old Venezuelan and is widely considered a strong defender that will hit for gap power at the major league level.  With Triple-A Rochester this season, Ramos hit .241/.280/.345 in 295 at bats and hit .296/.321/.407 with Minnesota in 28 plate appearances when Joe Mauer was injured earlier this season.

Baseball America ranked Ramos as the Twins No. 2 prospect and Keith Law of ESPN.com ranked him as the No. 42 overall prospect.

From Law's Top 100:

Ramos has had trouble staying healthy, but when he plays he hits, and he plays a premium position at which bats like his are hard to find. He missed time in 2009 with a broken finger and a partially torn hamstring, which makes his .317/.341/.454 line in 54 games at Double-A even more impressive. Ramos is big, taller than his listed 6-foot height, and his large frame suggests he might outgrow the position. But right now he throws extremely well (he’s nailed 43 percent of would-be base stealers in the past two years) and his receiving is adequate. He does need to work on the intangible aspects of catching, like handling a staff, something the Twins value very highly in their catchers. At the plate, he has strong hands and very good hand-eye coordination, with a hard, line-drive-oriented swing; he’s also impatient, drawing just six walks in his abbreviated 2009 season, and will have to up his patience or hit well above .300 if he ever has to move out from behind the dish.

Testa, a 24-year-old reliever, has a career 3.33 ERA in three minor-league seasons. In 36 games between Class A and Class AA this year, he's a combined 2-5 with a 5.50 ERA.

Assessment:  This is an absolute coup for GM Mike Rizzo.  He turned a half-season of a free agent closer into a legitimate MLB-ready player at a position of need.  The situation couldn't have worked out any more perfect for the Nats.

 

Capps had arm trouble in 2008 and spent much of 2009 building his arm strength back up but struggled to a 5.80 ERA.  The Nats bought low on Capps, as they were the only team that assured him a shot at closing.  Once the season started, Capps performed admirably, as he's been at the top of the leader board in saves all season.

 

Capps parlayed that into an All-Star berth, further reinforcing his trade bona fides.  Rizzo knew that Capps would garner a HUGE raise in arbitration next season, so he sold Capps at his absolutely highest value.  Again, an absolute coup.

 

As for the immediate question of who closes games for the Nats this year, it's really immaterial.  The Nats will want Drew Storen in that spot quickly, but manager Jim Riggleman has a penchant for veterans in key spots (Willie Harris, anyone), so it wouldn't surprise me to see Joel Peralta and Tyler Clippard getting some opportunities as well.

 

As for long-range projections for Ramos, I think this move confirms the suspicions that the team has concerns that Jesus Flores may never make it back from his shoulder injuries.  As well, Derek Norris could be moved to first base to get him from behind the plate and into a slot where his bat can get him to the bigs faster. 

 

Regardless, it gives the organization another very well-respected prospect in a position of high demand and volitility.

Olsen looked like he didn't skip a beat in two months.  (Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nats News Network)

THE RESULT:  Scott Olsen has been away from Nationals Park since May 22, when he went on the D.L. with weakness in his surgically repaired shoulder.  Thursday afternoon, it looked like he never left the place.

Olsen, making his first start in over two months, went six good innings and led the Washington Nationals over their division rival Atlanta Braves 5-3, before an annouced crowd of 30,263 -- though many left during an hour and a half rain delay.

Olsen (W, 3-2, 3.67) gave up three runs -- two earned -- on five hits and two walks in six innings.  He struck out just one and gave up a home run, Matt Diaz' mammoth two-run shot.  But he was in control for the most part, getting several ground ball outs.  The top three hitters in the Braves order went 0-for-9 with seven ground outs against Olsen.

"He kept the ball down good, was confident with his pitches," said Nats Manager Jim Riggleman in his post-game.  "He stayed with what he tries to do, he pitched to contact..he had a very good outing."

The left-hander got support from some likely -- and one unlikely -- sources.

Ian Desmond and Adam Dunn both hit solo home runs; Desmond his seventh off Braves starter Derek Lowe (L, 10-9), and Dunn's 24th, a blast to the Red Porch seats, off Takashi Saito in the eighth inning.

Desmond connects for his seventh homer of the season.  (Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nats News Network)

But the big hit came from backup catcher Wil Nieves.  With one out and two on in the fourth, Nieves (entering the day at .183) laced a single past the outstretched glove of second baseman Martin Prado, plating both Michael Morse (1-for-3, HBP) and Desmond.

Nieves has reached base safely in all of his six starts in July.

Wil Nieves got the job done in the 5-3 win.  (Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nats News Network)

Play was halted after the Braves batted in the sixth inning as the teams waited out a summer thunderstorm.  When they picked things back up, the bullpen took over for Olsen, and as they have all series, got the job done.

Sean Burnett, Drew Storen and Matt Capps (26th save) all pitched a scoreless inning to keep the Braves in check.  For the series, the bullpen threw 11 2/3 scoreless innings, not even including Miguel Batista's five innings in his emergency start.

Michael Morse was hit by a pitch ahead of Nieves' two-run single. (Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nats News Network)

THE GOOD:  Lots to go around, but Olsen gets the nod.  He threw 52 of his 81 pitches for strikes and limited the damage when he did run into trouble.  Multi-hit games from Dunn and Desmond were nice too.

THE BAD:  Adam Kennedy went 0-for-4 in the two hole.

THE UGLY:  This one goes to the official scorer today.  Desmond had a hot one-hopper glance off his glove on a backhand attempt that was ruled an error, his league-leaing 24th.  There's not another scorer that would have given an error on that play to the home shortstop.  And of course, that runner eventually scored.

THE STATS:  The Nats struck out seven times and walked once.  They were 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left four on base.

NEXT GAME:  Washington hosts the Philadelphia Phillies -- and legions of their fans -- this weekend for a three-game set.  Craig Stammen (2-4, 5.50) will face newly-acquired Roy Oswalt (6-12. 3.42 for HOU) at 7:05 pm.  Oswalt was traded to the Phillies earlier in the day for LHP J.A. Happ and two minor leaguers.

NATS NOTES:  As expected, the Nationals placed Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day DL before today's game to activate Olsen for the start.  Strasburg is feeling much better after experiencing trouble warming up for his start on Tuesday, but the team is being cautious with him. 

Since they planned to skip his next start anyway, and with a need to carry an extra reliever this week, the team retroactively put him on the DL to his last start.  He'll be eligible to return Aug. 6.

Hudson exits to cheers from visitor's side of the stands (Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nats News Network)

THE RESULT:  Tim Hudson always beats the Nats.  Wednesday night was no different, as the veteran pitcher dominated the Washington Nationals and led the Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 lead before 24,263 sticky and sweaty fans at Nationals Park.

Hudson struck out seven in 7 2/3 innings, giving up just one earned run on seven hits and one walk.  It's just another quality outing against a division rival that he absolutely owns.  Lifetime, Hudson is 10-1 with a 1.49 ERA in his career against the Nationals.

He faced four of fewer batters in six of his seven innings -- all but the fifth -- where the Nats picked up their lone run.  Ivan Rodriguez led off the frame with a double, his first extra-base him in 12 games, and scored on a Michael Morse two-out single.

Hudson delivers in 3-1 Braves win over Nats (Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nats News Network)

The Braves got all the runs they needed in the first off Nats starter Livan Hernandez (7-7, 3.22).  The first two Braves hitters touched Livo for hits, and Chipper Jones hit a sac fly to score Martin Prado and move Jason Heyward up to third.  Brian McCann walked to set up a potential double play.

Hernandez struck out Eric Hinske, and Rodriguez threw down to second in an attempt to throw out McCann, who had broken for first.  McCann stopped in his tracks and retreated, and shortstop Ian Desmond threw to Adam Dunn at first.  At that point, Heyward broke for home and easily beat the throw from Dunn to score the second run of the inning.

It was the Braves first steal of home in a decade.

Jones drove in Prado again in the fifth for an insurance run the Braves would never need.

THE GOOD:  Joel Peralta threw three innings in relief.  He struck out three, walked one and gave up two hits.

Joel Peralta sparkled in relief for the Nats in 3-1 loss to Braves.  (Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nats News Network)

THE BAD:  Adam Dunn went 0-for-4, leaving three men on base, including striking out in the bottom of the eighth with a man on as he represented the tying run.

The strain of trade rumors may be getting to Adam Dunn. (Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nats News Network)

THE UGLY:  Willie Harris struck out in all three of hit at bats.

THE STATS:  The Nats struck out nine times in the game and walked just once.  They went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base.

NEXT GAME:  Thursday at 12:35 pm.  Scott Olsen (2-2, 3.77) returns to the rotation after missing two months strengthening his shoulder after off-season surgery.  He'll face Derek Lowe (10-8) for the Braves.

NATS NOTES:  Before the game, Stephen Strasburg addressed the media on his balky shoulder.

Strasburg said. "I just went out there, I felt tight a little bit. I wanted to go out there to keep it loosened up. It was just one of those days where it was tighter than normal. I'm just at the point in the season where I'm kind going down uncharted territory. Got to be smart right and look at the big picture."

Asked how he felt, he replied, "I feel a lot better. My range of motion, after going and doing some stretching and everything, it's starting to come back to me. Made big strides today. I'm not going to jump the gun, just going to take it day by day and hopefully go out there, meet with the trainer tomorrow and get better."

"We're taking it day by day right now. We're going to see how it feels tomorrow, and then after tomorrow see how it feels the next day."

Rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg relaxes in dugout in 3-1 loss to Braves. (Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nats News Network)

"Erring on the side of caution, I just didn't want him to go out there when he was struggling to get loose in the bullpen pregame." Mike Rizzo defending his decision to relieve Stephen Strasburg from his start Tuesday night.

Stephen Strasburg walks to bullpen to warm up pre-game with pitching coach Steve McCatty.  He never took the mound.  (All photos Cheryl Nichols/Nats NewsNetwork)

THE RESULT:  They played a Major League Baseball game at Nationals Park tonight before a full house.  The partisan crowd saw their starter throw five shutout innings, striking out six along the way.  He gave up just three hits and one walk in one of the best performances by a Nats starter all season.

It just wasn't the guy they all came to see.

Miguel Batista made an emergency start for the Nats tonight and turned in a terrific outing, pacing the Nationals to a 3-0 win over the visiting Atlanta Braves.

But all attention to Batista's performance was diverted to concern and worry over the health of the presumptive No. 1 starter, Stephen Strasburg.

Strasburg was pulled from his scheduled start just moments before the first pitch by General Manager Mike Rizzo.  Strasburg had trouble getting loose in the bullpen warming up, and after talking to pitching coach Steve McCatty and head trainer Lee Kuntz, Rizzo decided to relieve Strasburg from taking the mound against the Braves.

"Stephen was having trouble getting loose in the bullpen, so I pulled the plug on it," Rizzo told reporters gathered at the back of the press box during the game.  "[It was a] precautionary move. Again, erring on the side of caution. I just didn't want him going out there when he was struggling to get loose in the bullpen pregame.

Rizzo indicated that Strasburg had "no symptoms during the week. He had a clean bullpen, he had his side and then the bullpen and played catch yesterday and was fine."

"There's no pain. There's no shooting pains or anything like that in the shoulder or the elbow. He was just struggling to get loose."

Strasburg was evaluated by team doctors during the game, including getting X-Rays and an MRI.  The MRI showed no structural labral, capsule or rotator cuff damage according to the general manger, but did show some mild inflammation.  Rizzo said Strasburg was given some anti-inflammatory medication and would be re-evaluated when he returned to the park Wednesday.

After the game, Rizzo would not speculate on any time-frame for Strasburg pitching again -- or shutting him down.  "I want to see where he's at tomorrow," Rizzo responded to a question about whether Strasburg would skip his next start.  "We're not going to elimate anything, but again, we're going to be cautious with him."

"We're going to use common sense and be cautious like we have. This is a workload he's never seen before."

In nine starts for Washington, Strasburg is 5-2 with a 2.32 ERA, 75 strikeouts and 15 walks in 54 1/3 innings. He has won his past three starts.  His next start, however, is now up in the air.
There was still a game to play though.

Nyjer Morgan created the first run of the game as he singled to lead off in the first, stole second and third, and scored on Braves catcher Brian McCann's throwing error.

Morgan made a concerted effort to pick his team up after Strasburg left the game. 

"Most definitely, just wanted to go out there and keep the crowd in it. Everybody came to see the kid. You know, we have a hell of a team here. Basically, just wanted to go out there and play my game, just try to make it happen and made it happen. Oh yeah, that’s huge for us to get up one nothing, it takes a lot of pressure off the guys. They can get into their game and find their groove from there."

"Even though we lost one of our horses, we’re still professionals. We gotta be able to handle a little bit of adversity, and we definitely handled it tonight."

Washington picked up two more in the second, as Roger Bernadina led off with a hit, Ivan Rodriguez reached on an error by veteran third baseman Chipper Jones, and both scored on a single by Ian Desmond.

It was nice to see the Nats benefitting from the other team's poor defense for a change.

THE GOOD:  Miguel Batista.  He only threw 48 of his 83 pitches for strikes, but that was enough to keep the Braves off the board.  He did a fantastic job under the circumstances, and saved the Nats from a potentially disasterous week of shredding the bullpen.

Sean Burnett, Drew Storen and Matt Capps pitched a total of four innings to complete the shutout.

THE BAD:  Cristian Guzman went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the No. 2 hole.

THE UGLY:  Strasburg, obviously.  I'm not going to speculate on the source of the inflammation, but if there is serious injury it would be terrible news to a franchise that really doesn't need any more.  It's a relief to hear the MRI was negative and didn't show any structural damage, but the inflammation had to come from somewhere. 

Hopefully this is just an instance of a little bit of a dead arm period for a rookie in his first year of professional baseball.

Anything more would be devastating.

THE STATS:  The Nats were 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.  They left four men on base, struck out 10 times and did not walk once.

NEXT GAME:  Wednesday against Atlanta at 7:05 pm.  Livan Hernandez (7-6, 3.12) faces Tim Hudson (10-5, 2.47).

WASHINGTON -- Washington Nationals presumptive No. 1 starter Stephen Strasburg was scratched from his start with the Atlanta Braves tonight, after he had trouble getting loose in the bullpen for his start.

Nats GM Mike Rizzo said Strasburg was shut down as a "precautionary move" when the big right-hander had trouble loosening up for his start.  Rizzo said he was the one who "pulled the plug" on Strasburg pitching after being alerted to the situation from trainer Lee Kuntz.

"We're going to err on the side of caution," Rizzo told reporters gathered in the media elevator lobby. "I make the decisions and take the heat for it."

Strasburg started to warm up in the bullpen, but stopped and talked with pitching coach Steve McCatty, and catcher Ivan Rodriguez was seen consoling the rookie pitcher.  After talking with Kuntz -- and then Rizzo -- Strasburg was relieved of his start and made his way back to the clubhouse via the tunnel under the grandstands in right field.

Strasburg was not available to the media.

Rizzo said the team will be very cautious with evaluation and treatment of Strasburg, and said he would be listed as day-to-day.   He will be further evaluated by the team's medical staff, including most likely an MRI and X-Rays. 

Rizzo indicated that this problem just came up this evening when Strasburg went out ot the pen, and that he did not have any problems the last few days with long-toss or his previous bullpen session.

The Nationals announced just before gametime that Stephen Strasburg would be scratched from tonight's game.  No other information was reported at the time.

On video, Strasburg was shown in the bullpen warming up, stopping and talking with pitching coach Steve McCatty and catcher Pudge Rodriguez, then trainer Lee Kuntz, before exiting through the tunnel behind the stands.

Miguel Batista made the emergency start for the Nats.

As soon as we have more information we will post it.

In the second inning of Saturday loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, Adam Dunn -- who was not in the game -- left the bench and the clubhouse, and went up to the Brewers radio booth to visit with legendary announcer Bob Uecker, who made his return Friday to the airwaves after missing time recovering from heart surgery. 

Dunn even appeared live on Milwaukee radio.

I'm all for Dunn paying his respect to a friend and one of the venerable voices of the game.

However, the second inning of Major League baseball game on live radio is not the time or place.

There is plenty of time pre-game or post-game for Dunn to have caught up with Uecker.  Before he reports, during batting practice, after the game.  On HIS time.  Dunn's personal time.

At game time, Dunn belongs on the bench, or the clubhouse, or the batting cage below the stands.  Period.  No exception.  It's game time.

No wonder Dunn is so emphatic about not playing in the American League as a designated hitter.  If he can't stay on the bench in a game where he didn't start, imagine the places he'll go if he knows he only has to hit every other inning.

He might go up on the concourse for a bratwurst and a beer.  He could visit the family lounge to check in on the kids.  Maybe he could give the color guy a break every other inning if he likes going in the broadcast booth so much.

Leaving the clubhouse during a game, riding an elevator up to the press box level, and going on a live radio broadast is simply inexcusable.  It shows utter disregard for process, his manager and his teammates.

This is a simple case of a player that does not respect the situation he's in.  If he isn't punished by the team I will be disappointed.  Not that Dunn will get away with his brazen act, but that the organization has that little regard for process.

"I'll pay my fine," Dunn told reporters when confronted about the incident on Sunday.

Disrepectful in the least, insubordinate at worst.

"I wish you hadn't told me that," Manager Jim Riggleman said when he was told -- by reporters -- what had happened.

Riggleman obviously doesn't want to have to discipline one of his team's "leaders". 

But somebody should.

I didn't watch this game.  Haven't even seen the highlights.  We went out for dinner and saw Inception.  I'm not a huge fan of realistic fantasy, and even less into action flicks.  But it was interesting enough.  And the theatre was nice and cool.

Anyway, the Nats found new and interesting ways to lose another game, as Ryan Braun hit a walk-off against Drew Storen, after the Nats tied things up in the top of the ninth.  From multiple accounts, here are some bullet point "highlights":

• 
  
  Alberto Gonzalez started at first base, the first time in his career he'd played the position.
• 
  
  Collin Balester was recalled to bolster the bullpen, and was expected to just be on the roster one day, until Ross Detwiler was activate to start Sunday's game, until...
• 
  
  ...J.D. Martin's balky back acted up on him and he'll hit the D.L.  Balester will stick around for now.
• 
  
  Before both Martin and Balester had exited, they both had given up a home run.
• 
  
  Manager Jim Riggleman acted like an All-Star manager (not in a good way), and used up his entire bench by the top of the ninth.
• 
  
  Michael Morse went 2-for-3 a night after hitting two home runs.  He also made a critical base-running error, getting doubled up after Jim Edmonds made a terrific catch and throw behind the play.
• 
  
  Nyjer Morgan, pinch-hitting for Morse, bunted for a single to load the bases in the ninth.
• 
  
  Wil Nieves, the last man on the bench, couldn't get a ball deep enough to score Josh Willingham from third with one out.
• 
  
  Drew Storen allowed three base runners in his third of the inning and took the loss.
• 
  
  Washington lost its 12th straight one-run game on the road, and the Nationals have dropped 28 of 36 overall on the road.

Sunday, the Nats send Ross Detwiler to the mound for his first start of 2010.  He'll face Dave Bush (4-9) at 2:10 pm.

Post by Cheryl Nichols

The Washington Nationals fifth starter Luis Atilano will be placed on the Disabled List with bone chips in his right elbow.

Nationals have recalled RHP Collin Balester (aka Ballystar) from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday to take Atilano's spot on the roster.  According to Bill Ladson, it will only be for one day until the Nats recall LHP Ross Detwiler to start Sunday's game in Milwaukee.

Just last night we were with Nats fans asking if Bally was still growing the mustache and the answer is definitely yes. Tune in tonight to see the stache.

Friday night, the Washington Nationals got out to a decent lead against a struggling middle-of-the-pack team and their journeyman starting pitcher.  Unfortunately, the offense stopped hitting and the bullpen imploded again, leading to a 7-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers before 34,822 at Miller Park.

The Nats got out to a 5-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning on the strength of two Michael Morse home runs and a Ryan Zimmerman single.  Morse is now hitting .338 for the season with six home runs. 

I'm not one of the legions of fans calling for Morse to be the every day right fielder because I think he'd be exposed playing every day.  And he's not a great fielder, evidenced by his awkward attempt to play Corey Hart's drive in the first inning that turned into a triple, then scored for the first Brewers run of the game.

But this team has a much different feel to it when he's in the lineup.  He looks -- and so far this season hits -- like a No. 6 hitter.

So what happened to the lead?

Well, for starters, Craig Stammen couldn't get the bottom of the Brewers order out.  With two outs, he gave up a hit to .252 hitting No. 8 hitter Alcides Escobar.  Then, whether it was a mistake with the defensive signs or just poor managing, first baseman Adam Dunn played behind Escobar at first, and the speedy shortstop took second base.  The offical scorer refused to give Escobar a stolen base, scoring the play "defensive indifference".

Of course, Brewers starter Chris Narveson, who is a decent hitter in his own right (.296), slapped a single to center field, scoring Escobar after he took the free base.

Stammen then walked Rickie Weeks on five pitches -- moving Narveson up to second.  Jim Edmonds -- only in the game because Hart ran into an outfield ball and hurt his hand -- drilled a ball to left center to plate the pitcher.

All with two outs.

Stammen finished his night going five innings, giving up three earned runs on five hits and one walk, striking out three.  He threw just 90 pithces, 54 for strikes.

Leading 5-3, Manager Jim Riggleman brought in Tyler Clippard for the sixth inning.  Clippard got two outs, sneaking a fastball past Prince Fielder and getting rookie catcher Jonathan Lucroy to fly to right, but not before walking third baseman Casey McGahee.

Speedster Carlos Gomez drilled a line drive to center field on his first pitch, an 89 MPH fastball, scoring McGahee and sliding in safe at third for a triple.  Clippard then threw an 80 MPH change up right down the middle of the plate to Escobar, who deposited the offering into left field for a double, scoring Gomez and tying the game at five.

Again, all with two outs.

The team insists Clippard is not hurt, but his fastball only registered in the upper 80s Friday night, down from 94 MPH earlier when he was humming, and he has stopped throwing his curveball altogether, a pitch he used to rely on 8-10% of the time.

Whether he's hiding an injury, or just plain old struggling, Clippard has allowed more earned runs than innings pitched in July.

Here's where things got squirrelly, though.  Riggleman really wanted Clippard to get through the inning, since the pitcher's spot was due up second in the seventh.  Since the underperforming righty gave up extra-base hits on his last two pitches, Riggleman really had little choice but to go get him. 

He called on Sean Burnett, but insisted on making a double-switch to avoid "wasting" Burnett for one batter and having to pinch-hit for him the next inning.  Riggleman inserted Roger Bernadina into right field, lifting Morse, the man responsible for four of the Nats five runs.

It's not uncommon for Riggleman to make a defensive replacement with a double-switch, but it was strange to make the move in the sixth inning, and removing his hottest hitter.

Burnett got out of the sixth, but Riggleman's move backfired in the seventh more than just removing a potent bat from the order.  Burnett walked the leadoff hitter in the seventh, then gave up a two-run home run to lefty Edmonds, the man Riggleman wanted Burnett to face all along. 

Just like that, a 5-1 lead turned into a 7-5 deficit.

Two batters later, Burnett gave up a double to left-hander Prince Fielder, thus ending his evening.  Joel Peralta came in to throw 1 2/3 scoreless to hold things, but the Nats hitters couldn't muster a comeback against the Brewers bullpen.

In fact, the Nats offense managed just one hit and no walks after completing their scoring in the fourth inning.

Perhaps a quote from the Brewers Jim Edmonds (courtesy of CBSSports.com) after the game says it best to sum up this one up, a game the Brewers didn't win as much as the Nats lost it.

"Their starting pitcher did a great job," Edmonds said. "Don't know why they took him out so early, but he definitely was doing a good job of moving the ball around and keeping people off balance. Sometimes when you can get a guy like that out of the game, things start to look up. That's what happened for us today."

According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, LHP Ross Detwiler will make his season debut this Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Detwiler, 24, has been in the minors all season rehabbing from hip surgery.

The left-hander made seven starts for Double-A Harrisburg, going 2-2 with a 2.48 ERA and 1.378 WHIP in 32 2/3 innings.  He's struck out 31 and walked just seven.

Detwiler will be pitching on three days rest, as he started Wednesday for Harrisburg against New Britain.  He went seven innings in the 2-0 win, allowing no runs on five hits and one walk, striking out seven.

The Nationals first round pick (No. 6 overall) in 2007 has an MLB record of 1-6 in 16 game s(14 starts) with a 4.93 ERA and 1.565 WHIP in 76 2/3 innings.

Detwiler replaces injured Luis Atilano, who complained of soreness in his elbow following a loss earlier this week.  Doctors determined he has loose chips in his pitching elbow, and a plan of action has yet to be decided on.

THE RESULT:  A night after the Washington Nationals youngest starting pitcher held the high-scoring Cincinnati Reds in check, their oldest starter did the same, perhaps more impressively, as Livan Hernandez threw a seven-hit, no walk complete game, shutting down the Reds 7-1, before 23,115 at Great American Ballpark.

The series split moves the Nats record for the season to 42-54.

The Nationals won back-to-back road games for the first time since May 12-13 -- the high point of the season -- when their record was 20-15. They've gone 8-26 on the road since then.

Hernandez was in control the entire way today, as he needed just 102 pitches in his second complete game of the season.  He struck out five and allowed no extra-base hits among the seven he scattered.

He even drove in a run, with a bases loaded single in the second inning.

Washington got all the offense they needed early on in this one against Reds starter Edinson Volquez, making his second start of the year following reconstructive elbow surgery.  The Nats got one in the first, two in the second and three in the third, giving Hernandez plenty of breathing room.

The Nats got out of the box quickly, as Nyjer Morgan walked to lead off the game, stole second, moved up to third on Rgoer Bernadina's flyout to center, and scored on Ryan Zimmerman's ground out to first.

Morgan had a good day overall, going 2-for-4 with a walk, and RBI and three stolen bases.

In the second, Volquez had more trouble, as he walked the bases loaded with one out.  Hernandez' base hit plated Willie Harris and Morgan beat out the back end of a potential double play, allowing Adam Kennedy to get home with the third out of the game.

Washington drove Volquez out of the game in the third inning.  Zimmerman singeld to lead off and came home ahead of Adam Dunn's 23rd home run of the year.  Harris later hit a ball to the top of the right field wall in front of the Nats bullpen, and after review the play stood as a triple.  No worry, as Kennedy (2-for-3, run, RBI) drove him in with a single.

Bernadina added a solo home run off lefty releiver Bill Bray in the seventh to close the scoring.

THE GOOD:  Livo!  The bullpen needed a rest, and Livo came through once again.  He lowered his season ERA to 3.12 and upped his record to 7-6. He has both of the Nats complete games this season.  Willei Harris (2-for-3) and Adam Kennedy provided much-needed offense from bottom of the lineup.

THE BAD:  Cristian Guzman was 0-for-4 with 2 Ks, the only Nats starter to not reach base.  Despite the homer, Dunn struck out in each of his other four at bats.

THE UGLY:  They won 7-1, but it could have been much worse.  The nats only went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

THE STATS:  The Nats struck out 10 times, walked four times and left six men on base.

NEXT GAME:  Friday at 8:10 pm in Milwaukee.  Craig Stammen (2-4) takes on Chris Narveson (8-6).

NATS NOTES:  RHP Luis Atilano will probably go on the 15-day DL after complaining of a sore elbow after his 8-7 loss to the Reds on Tuesday.  The team confirmed he has "loose chips" in his pitching elbow.  There is no word as of this posting who might take Atilano's start on Sunday.

THE RESULT:  Stephen Strasburg held the Cincinnati Reds down long enough for his Washington Nationals teammates to break through against Bronson Arroyo, chipping away with a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth -- before breaking through for four more in the sixth -- and then held on despite some nervous times for an 8-5 win before a sellout crowd of 37,868 at Great American Ballpark.

It was the first time in four years that Cincinnati had sold out a weeknight game.  The previous time was for half-price tickets and $1 hot dogs.

The win breaks a four-game losing streak and the Nats record stands at 41-54.

Strasburg went 5 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs.  He scattered seven hits and one walk, striking out seven.  He gave up a run in the third when Brandon Phillips hit a ball to straight center that Nyjer Morgan played awkwardly and it went for a triple, and Orlando Cabrera singled him in.

But he held the top offense in the National League to that one run until the Nats bats came alive again.

Roger Bernadina knocked in Adam Dunn with a sacrifice fly in the fourth, and Cristian Guzman hit his second home run of the season in the fifth with Ian Desmond aboard, all against Reds starter Arroyo (L, 10-5, 4.26)

The Nats broke out in the sixth for the second night in a row.  Desmond hit a bases loaded two-run single and Nyjer Morgan had a clutch two-run single two batters later.

After sitting for a stretch while the Nats poured four runs across the plate, Strasburg (W, 5-2, 2.32) was visibly upset when Manager Jim Riggleman came to get him with two outs in the sixth inning, but by then he started to leave some pitches up.  Joey Votto and Jay Bruce both singled, and Miguel Cairo cashed them in with a two-run opposite field two-out hit.

Drew Storen came on and struck Drew Stubbs out on three sliders to end the frame.

Storen got into his own trouble in the seventh, allowing two hits and a walk before striking out Orlando Cabrera for the first out.  Sean Burnett retired Votto on a gorund ball, but another run came in onthe paly.  Tyler Clippard then struck out Jonny Gomes (0-for-4, 3 Ks) to get out of the jam.

But Clippard got right back into hot water.  He walked two in the eighth before getting lifted for Matt Capps.  Pinch-hitter Chris Heisey greeted Capps with a run-scoring single, but Capps got Brandon Phillips to hit into a fielder's choice to finish the eighth, and struck out two in the ninth to complete his 24th save of the season.

Willie Harris gave the Nats some insurance in the ninth with his fifth home run of the season off All-Star reliever Arthur Rhodes.

THE GOOD:  Cristian Guzman went 2-for-5 with two RBIs.  Ian Desmond scored twice with two RBIs.  Ryan Zimmerman went 2-for-5 with a run scored.

THE BAD:  Adam Dunn went 0-for-4 and is 0-for-10 with three walks thus far in the series with the Reds.

THE UGLY:  Ivan Rodriguez went 0-for-4 and had one hit in his last 20 at bats. Since peaking at .449 on April 22, Rodriguez is hitting .235/.260/.306 in 193 plate appearances.

THE STATS:  The Nats were 4-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left five men on base.  They struck out four times and walked three times.

NEXT GAME:  Thursday at 12:35 pm against Cincinnati.  Livan Hernandez (6-6) takes on Edinson Volquez (1-0).

NATS NOTES:  Jordan Zimmermann made another rehab start for Class-A Potomac.  He gave up no runs, allowing two hits and no walks in four innings, striking out four.  In 13 innings of rehab starts, Zimmermann has allowed zero earned runs and walked none.  He should make his start for Low-A Hagerstown beginning of the week.

Ross Detwiler made his longest start of the season, going seven innings for Double-A Harrisburg.  He did not allow a run and gave up five hits and one walk, striking out seven.  Detwiler is 2-2 with a 2.48 ERA with Harrisburg.

Luis Atilano complained of some soreness in his elbow after Tuesday's night's loss, and will be scratched for Sunday afternoon's start.  The Nats have not indicated who will make that start yet.

THE RESULT:  Before the 2:40 rain delay last night, this looked like just another loss for the Washington Nationals.  The starting pitching left lots to be desired.  The reliever provided no relief.  Hitters continued to slump.  Fielding was sloppy.  The Nats trailed the Cincinnati Reds by seven runs after five innings.

Then the rains came, and seemed to wash some of that away. 

An offensive explosion -- a six run sixth inning -- brought the Nats back to within one run.  Unfortunately it wasn't enough, as Adam Dunn was called out on strikes for the last out of the game on a pitch he thought was inside, dashing the Nats hopes of pulling off the upset and sealing the 8-7 loss to the Reds.

Attendance was listed at 22,876, but it appeared less than 2,000 remained to see Dunn get punched out, then watch Nats Manager Jim Riggleman exchange some very heated words with home plate umpire Marty Foster.

The six runs outburst equaled the team's total runs scored in the four previous games.

Starter Luis Atilano (L, 6-7), summoned before the game from Triple-A, was pushed around again.  He gave up five earned runs on five hits and three walks in just four innings, and his ERA for the season sits at 5.15 after the outing.  He only threw 41 of his 72 pitches for strikes.

You knew things would be bad for Atilano when he walked the first two batters of the game, then surrendered a three-run home run to All-Star first baseman Joey Votto.  Later, Atilano gave up an RBI-single to pitcher Mike Leake (W, 7-1, 3.45).

What turned out to be the winning runs came on a throwing error by Ryan Zimmerman.  He made a tremendous diving stop to his right to rob catcher Corky Miller of extra bases, then slung a sidearm throw to first.  The ball came in low and seemed to confuse Adam Dunn, who failed in his attempt to block the throw.

Zimmerman tried to atone for the error with a two-run opposite field homer (17) to start the comeback.  Pinch-hitter Michael Morse later hit a three-run triple and Ian Desmond doubled to score Morse from third.  Desmond went to third on a throwing error, but died there as Dunn flied out to end the inning.

THE GOOD:  Michael Morse.  All the guy does is produce when called upon.  He's hitting .324/.375/.554 in just 74 at bats this season with four homers and 12 RBIs.

THE BAD:  Atilano.  I think this experiment is just about over.  Doug Slaten also gave up three runs in his inning of work. 

THE UGLY:  Ivan Rodriguez went 0-for-4, and since peaking on April 22 at .449, over his last 52 games he's hitting .235/.260/.306.

THE STATS:   The Nats went 3-for-5 with runners in scoring positionand left five men on base total.  They struck out six times and walked four times.

NEXT GAME:  Today at 7:05 pm against the Cincinnati Reds.  Stephen Strasburg (4-2, 2.03) faces Bronson Arroyo (10-4, 3.96).

NATS NOTES:  Before the game, Manager Jim Riggleman told reporters that Ian Desmond will see the bulk of his at bats from the two-spot the rest of the season.  He told MLB.com's Bill Ladson:  "I just know we have struggled to score runs during the four games after the All-Star break.  I just decided to move the lineup a little bit, get some guys in some different spots and see if we could create a little offense.

The Nats have also made something of a splash in the international market.  Though it's still unofficial, several reports have said the Nats will sign Cuban defector Yuniesky Maya, a 28-year old right-handed pitcher.  Maya was the Cuban National team's No. 1 starter and compiled a 48-29 record and 2.51 ERA in six Cuban National Series seasons.

Maya participated in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics as well.

Part of the debate on whether to trade or re-sign Adam Dunn is that we know what he is now, but what will he be in the future?

Will Dunn contunue to slug 40 homers and draw close to 100 walks a year?  Will his defense, which has been bad this season, but not historically bad, stay roughly the same or get even worse as the years advance?

Will he finally decide that a move to the A.L. would increase his value to a team?  Or will he stubbornly hold to his belief that he's a complete player and insist to stay in the National League.

Dunn has been an incredibly gifted offensive player for his entire career.  He came up as an outfielder and moved to first base last season.  He's never posted an OPS+ lower than 114, and his career 162-game average is 133.  For 2010 -- at age 30 -- he sits at 151, which would be his finest OPS+ season of his career.

Sounds an awful lot like a couple of other players in MLB history. 

Jim Thome came up a a third baseman, made the transition to first base relatively early in his career, and has been primarily a DH for the last five seasons.  He is one of the elite power hitters of our generation.  Until his age 37 season, he never put up an OPS+ under 126 in a non-injury year.

In his age 30 season with the Indians, he put up -- to that point -- a career high 170 OPS+. 

What happened to Thome? 

The next season, at age 31 was even better, leading the Majors with an astounding 197 OPS+.  Remember, this was 2002.  Anyway, in 2003 at age 32 he signed his big free agent contract and put up OPS+ of 144, 85 (he was injured most of the year), 155, 150, 123 and 118 last season.  This year, at age 39, he continues to be a valuable member of a competitive team posting a 150 OPS+ in 192 at bats for the Twins.

Richie Sexson came up an outfielder and gradually transitioned to first base.  He didn't put up quite as gaudy OPS+ numbers as Dunn or Thome, but in 12 seasons he averaged 122.  His career high OPS+ was 144 in 2005 -- at age 30. 

After his age 30 season, the Seattle Mariners re-signed the big guy (6'6") to a new contract that paid him $44 million the next three years.

What happened to Sexson? 

At age 31 he had a decent, but not stellar 117 OPS+.  At age 32 it dropped to 84, and at age 33 went to 88.  His last four years his homers dropped from 39 to 34 to 21 to 12.  The Mariners released Sexson in July of 2008 and was signed by the Yankees a week later.  He appeared in just 22 games for New York before he was released.  He never played again.

I'm not equating Dunn, Sexson and Thome.  But looking at their statistics, they certainly followed the same career arcs up to their respective age 30 seasons carrying the same skill set:  power hitter, patient at the plate, defensively limited and transitioned to first base.

The difference is what happened next.  Will Adam Dunn be able to follow the career arc of Jim Thome and be included in the list of the finest power hitters of our generation?  Or could Dunn's skills erode as quickly as Sexson's?

We don't know the answers to those questions, but Mike Rizzo has to make an educated decision in the next ten days.

Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nats News Network.  All Rights Reserved.

THE RESULT:  There was nothing alarming, exciting or untoward about Monday night's game.  It was simply a matter of a good team beating a not-so-good team, a team geared for the post-season beating an also-ran, a team with purpose beating a team playing out the string.

Johnny Cueto pitched six solid innings and drove in two runs himself, his bullpen held on over three innings, and a trio of Reds provided all the offense the Cincinnati Reds needed to defeat the Washington Nationals, 6-2, before 21,243 at Great American Ballpark.

The loss drops the Nats 13 games below .500 for the first time this season at 40-53.

The last few games the Nats have gotten their share of base runners but failed to drive them in.  In this one, they didn't bother with the first step.  The Nats got just four hits on the evening.  They were the beneficiary of seven walks, including twice each for Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn, but could do nothing with the gifts.

Ivan Rodriguez ended both the second and eighth innings by grounding into double plays behind a walk to Adam Dunn.

Rodriguez was involved in the one interesting play of the night as well.  With two out and two on, Rodriguez hit yet another ground ball.  This time though, the ball got past the pitcher and hit the second base umpire, careening into short right field. Zimmerman carried what he thought would be the Nationals third run of the game home from second base.

However, by rule, if a batter ball hits an umpire in front of the infield, the ball is dead and the runners are awarded one base.  Zimmerman went back to third, and Willie Harris proceeded to fly out to end the inning.

Washington managed two runs in the third on a Nyjer Morgan sacrifice fly and Cristian Guzman single.

Nats starter J.D. Martin (1-5) struggled.  He gave up six earned runs on six hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings.  He gave up home runs to Johnny Gomes and light-hitting Miguel Cairo in the six inning, ending his -- and the Nats -- evening.

THE GOOD:  Um.  Uh.  Sean Burnett pitched a scoreless inning of relief.  Yeah, let's go with that.

THE BAD:  The bats.  Four base hits, and none against a beleaguered bullpen. 

THE UGLY:  The body language.  I'm no social scientist, but there was little excitement, urgency or enthusiasm evident on the part of the Nationals tonight.  Maybe the drain of losing two tough games, then travelling, did them in tonight.

THE STATS:  The Nats went 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position, leaving eight men on base.  They struck out four times and walked seven times.

NEXT GAME:  Tuesday v. Cincinnati Reds at 7:10 pm.  RHP Luis Atilano (6-6) against RHP Mike Leake (6-1)

You already know that the Washington Nationals were shut out in two straight games over the weekend by scores of 2-0 and 1-0.  You probably already know that the Nats went 0-for-18 with runners in scoring position in those two games and struck out 30 times in the three-game set with Florida.

Right now, the Nationals middle of the order bats are struggling, especially with runners in scoring position.  But it's not really an aberration.

In fact, through a combination of the top of the order not finding their way on base this season with reguality, the lack of "clutch" hitting by their big boppers, and utter lack of production from the bottom of the order, the Nats are ranked 14th in the National League in runs scored per game at 4.02.

For all the praise the Nats hitters get, they are outscoring just Houston and Pittsburgh in the N.L.

That's not enough.

And these aren't "kids" either.  The average age of a Nationals hitter, weighted by at bats and games played, is 29.5, fifth oldest in the N.L.  So it's not a bunch of rookies out there getting punched out, these guys are, for the most part, seasoned veterans.

There have been a lot of trade rumors the last couple of weeks swirling around Adam Dunn mostly, but also involving Josh Willingham and Matt Capps.  I believe Mike Rizzo when he says the team doesn't want to trade any of them, and to do so it would "hurt" both teams.  But there comes a time when you have to look at the situation and make a call about what you think is best for the future of the organization.

This Nats team is going to lose 90 games again.  It's almost unavoidable.

Right now their record stands at 40-52, a .435 winning percentage.  Those numbers obviously include the stretch at the beginning of the season when they started 20-15.  If the Nats continue to play .435 ball the rest of the way, they will end up at 70-92.

Over the last 20 games, with the players that they've accumulated -- the same ones at the beginning of the season both Rizzo and Manager Jim Riggleman said were the most talented bunch the Nats have ever had -- the Nats have won just seven, a .350 winning percentage.  That too small a sample size to mean anything but how poorly they've played lately.

The team was not as good as the 20-15 pace at the start of the season, not should it be as bad as the 7-13 pace they are currently suffering.

However, 92 games is a big enough sample to tell us where this team stands, and it's on a pace for 92 losses.  Most independent prognostications had the Nats down for 72-78 wins at the start of the season, and I had them at 68, a significant ten-game improvement over last year.

So how do the Nats take the next step?

Well, there are three ways to acquire players in Major League Baseball: 

1)  Draft, Sign and Develop; 

2)  Sign as a Free Agent (Major League, Minor League, or international),

3)  Trade

The Nats are slowly implementing method one -- especially with regard to pitching -- and we're just now starting to see the benefits.  Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann and Ross Detwiler lead the list of young Nats pitchers that should form the basis of the rotation for many seasons.  But the system is still almost barren when it comes to athletic hitters of any position.

Method two has been hit-and-miss, but the Nats have at least participated and showed the willingness to sign free agents where it made sense.  Except internationally, which is a whole seperate issue.

Method three is the trickiest.  So far, Mike Rizzo has shown to drive a real hard bargain when entertaining trade possibilities.  He has some assets that by all accounts should be cashed in for younger, more athletic models, but this organization has always been hesitant to move these assets for fear of looking like they are "giving up".

This team (albeit under previous "management") didn't move Chad Cordero, Dmitri Young or Cristian Guzman in their all-star years when they could have commanded a decent return.  Instead, they were all given reward contracts that proved to be an albatross to the development of the franchise.

Rizzo is faced with those decisions again, specifically with Dunn and All-Star closer Matt Capps.  Dunn is a free agent after the season and Capps will be eligible for arbitration.  Both will command HUGE raises from their current salaries.

Dunn is of the age where hulking sluggers start to break down and he's already a defensive liability.  Capps is succeeding after two injury-ravaged seasons and every save is a nail-biter.  Both players could return Major League-ready players (not lower-level "prospects") from a contending team.  Both players could also outlive their usefulness on their next contract.

A 90-loss team doesn't really have the need for an aging slugger that wants a four-year contract and an All-Star closer. Where I grew up they called that 'lipstick on a pig'.  Some casual fans might be put off by trading an All-Star closer or the 40-homer hitter, but really, if they can lose 90 games with these guys, they can do it without them, too.

And if they are going to lose 90 games, wouldn't you rather see them do that with players that could get better, instead of just getting older and breaking down?

The Washington Nationals, as they are currently constructed, are not a playoff team.  However, from the pitchers that Rizzo has acquired they can start to see the possibility. 

Now is the time to upgrade in several offensive positions with younger, more athletic players than what they currently have.  Now is the time to trade Dunn and Capps for those players.

THE RESULT:  Florida Marlins starting pitcher Alex Sanabia was a 32nd round draft pick in 2006 and entered today's game with 11 2/3 innings pitched this season.  Despite his meager pedigree, he and four relievers combined to shut out the Washington Nationals 1-0 before an announced 21,057 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

The Nats fall to 40-52 and have lost 13 of their last 20 games.

Once again, the story of this game was the Nationals inability to drive runners home from scoring position -- and terrible base running.

As was the case in Saturday night's loss, the Nats could not muster a hit with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-9 on Sunday.  The team left nine runners on base total and had two wiped out on the bases.

The Nationals got their leadoff hitter on in five of nine innings on Sunday, including in each of the first three innings, but the results were the same each time.

The middle of the Nats order especially struggled.  Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham each left five runners on base, and the two combined with Ryan Zimmerman to go 2-for-10 and one walk with four strikeouts.

The Nationals' best scoring chance against Sanabia came in the third, when they loaded the bases with one out. The rookie then struck out Adam Dunn and got Josh Willingham to tap out.

Also as was the case Saturday night, Adam Kennedy made an egregious base running error, costing his team a chance to tie the game in the ninth inning.

Kennedy hit a one-out single off fist-pumping Marlins closer Leo Nunez, and Michael Morse followed with a clean single to right.  Kennedy had designs on going to third, but the ball was too well hit to advance, and he fell returning to second base as the throw came in behind the runner from right fielder Michael Stanton.

Kennedy was called out, and Manager Jim Riggleman came out to discuss the call with the second base umpire -- to no avail.

Adding to his league-leading caught stealing total, Nyjer Morgan was gunned out in the first inning after leading the game off with a walk, one of just two on the day for the Nats.

The Nationals struck out 11 times Sunday for a three-game total of 30.  That's the equivalent of one whole game plus one inning of no contact for the Nats in the series.

The offensive ineptitude made a hard-luck loser out of Craig Stammen (2-4).  He went six innings and allowed just one run on six hits and three walks, striking out six.  The only run of the game came in the fifth inning when Emilio Bonifacio and Gaby Snachez hit consecutive doubles.

THE GOOD:  Stammen.  Any time your starter allows only one run, he's done his job.  Joel Peralta threw two scoreless innings to keep his team in the game.

THE BAD:  The lack of hitting with runners in scoring position has reached epidemic proportions.  In the back-to-back shutouts, the Nats went 0-for-18 with runners in scoring position.

THE UGLY:  The base running errors.  These are not physical errors, they are mental errors, and someone needs to be held accountable.  It's been going on all season and wishing the problem away isn't working.

NEXT GAME:  The Nats travel to Cincinnati to face the red-hot Reds Monday at 7:10 pm.  RHP J.D. Martin (1-4) takes on RHP Johnny Cueto (8-2).