With Sean Burnett struggling to even get lefties out right now, and Doug Slaten on the D.L. where he mercifully can't allow any inherited runners to score, what options do the Nats have for left-handed relievers?

Well, Syracuse doesn't really have any options.  Atahualpa Severino is on the 40-man roster, but he just came back from injury last week and in four outings has posted a 10.80 ERA, giving up six hits, two walks and four earned runs in 3 1/3 innings, so he needs some time to shake the rust off.  Lee Hyde was a Braves farmhand the Nats picked up but he has struggled in Syracuse as well, posting a 6.75 ERA in 17 1/3 innings.  Opposing batters are hitting .324 off him.

Is there another option?  Hold on to your hats, it's about to get freaky in here.

Down at Double-A Harrisburg, the Nats have a lefty starter trying to make his way back to the big leagues.  This guy had some real good success for a while, before control and attitude issues, along with the pressure of playing in a big market, got to him.  He's been nothing short of dominating for the Senators. In four starts, he's 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 0.95 WHIP, allowing just four earned runs on 15 hits and three walks in 19 innings.  He's struck out 14 and walked just three in four starts.

Of course, I'm referring to Oliver Perez.

Relieving isn't his preferred role, and the fact he was vocal about it and refused a minor league assignment in New York contributed to his demise there.  But he's been pitching like a guy desperate to get back into the big leagues and he's holding lefties to a .143 average.  Maybe for the sake of returning to Major League Baseball he would be responsive to the opportunity.

Perez has a big league arm.  Maybe it's time to find out if he's ready to use it again.

Bullet Point Style!

• The Nats released Odalis Perez this morning. Apparently the team has tried to contact him and his agent several times over the last couple of days and since yesterday was the mandatory reporting date and he was still a no-show, he basically forced the Nats' hand. So, Odalis gets what he wanted, a release from the $850K contract had he made the team. Bon chance, mon ami, finding employment.
  
  
• Meathook took one off the left hand in BP yesterday. He was having X-rays taken today to see if anything was broken. For now, he's listed as day-to-day. But then again, aren't we all?
  
  
• Daniel Cabrera becomes the latest player to turn his back on his country, deciding not to play for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming WBC. This comes just a couple of days after Roger Bernadina and Shairon Martis both withdrew their names for consideration as well.
  
  
• RHP Jorge Sosa still is not in camp due to visa problems. MLB.com is reporting that manager Manny Acta has spoken with Sosa's agent and he should be in camp by Wednesday at the latest, according to the report. Sosa could be a very important piece of Acta's bullpen this season.
  
  
• The big news around the Nats, however, still centers around GM Jim Bowden, and the bonus-skimming scandal that dooms his tenure. SI.com reported Sunday night that Bowden is now under investigation all the way back to 1994, when he was GM of the Cincinnati Reds. A scout, Jorge Oquendo, is alleged to be a link between Bowden and David Wilder, former Chicago White Sox Director of Player Personnel, who was dismissed for allegedly taking money earmarked for player signing bonuses. Oquendo worked under Bowden in 1994 and from 2000-2003 and for Wilder in Chicago.

When do the Nats say "enough" with regard to Bowden? His track record as a losing GM, coupled with the embarrassing and unprofessional (dreadlock wig, segway riding, firing players over talk radio) and downright illegal (drunk driving, FBI investigations for bonus-skimming) at some point has to trigger something with the Lerners that says, "Hey, maybe we should find someone else to guide this team."

The sooner, the better.

Odalis Perez, 31 will return to Nationals on minor league contract and invitation to spring training.

Press Release from the Nationals:

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms on a non-guaranteed minor-league 2009 contract with left-handed pitcher Odalis Perez. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.


Perez made 30 starts and logged 159.2 innings in 2008 during his first season with Washington. Among Nationals’ starters, his 14 quality starts and 4.34 ERA were second only to John Lannan’s (21 quality starts/ 3.91 ERA) totals. He was the Nationals’ Opening Day starter last season, thus throwing the first pitch during the inaugural regular-season game at Nationals Park. He went on to post a 2.65 ERA in 16 starts on the banks of the Anacostia. The 31-year-old is a veteran of 10 major league seasons.

Washington -- The Washington Nationals continued their limp to the finish line of the baseball season over the weekend, dropping a pair of games to the Padres by scores of 6-1 and 6-2. Combined with Friday night's 14-inning 11-6 loss, the Nats were swept by a team that had been equally bad in the standing as they had over 154 games. The Nats now stand one-half game ahead of Seattle to avoid the worst record in the major leagues for 2008. The Mariners have played one fewer game and have on fewer victory that the Nats. Washington has lost five straight and eight of their last ten. Seattle is working on an eleven game losing streak of their own.

Saturday night the Nationals were dominated by 6-foot, 10-inch right-hander Chris Young. Young (W, 6-6, 4.11) was masterful in keeping down the Nats offense, pitching seven innings and allowing no runs on just two hits and four walks, striking out five. He threw 66 of his 111 pitches for strikes. Young battled injury all season long, and won for just the second time since May 16. He even added a home run, the first of his major league career, against Nats starter John Lannan in the seventh inning. Lannan (L, 9-14, 3.68) didn't pitch poorly, allowing just one earned run over his seven innings, but three unearned runs led to his demise. Lannan allowed four hits and three walks, striking out five. He surrendered two home runs, Young's and 2B Edgar Gonzalez', his seventh.

Two errors led directly to runs, as Will Venable reached ahead of Gonzalez' homer, and Ryan Zimmerman threw one away with a runner on in the eighth, allowing both base-runners to move up and eventually score on an infield single by Chase Headley. The lone Nats run came courtesy of an Aaron Boone ground-rule double in the eighth inning, scoring Emilio Bonifacio from second base.

San Diego completed the sweep Sunday afternoon, on a perfect day weather-wise for baseball. Cha Seung Baek (W, 6-10, 4.87) threw seven innings, allowing just one earned run on five hits, to defeat the Nats 6-2. Baek, who pinch-hit in Friday night's marathon, struck out five and did not walk a batter. His counter, Nats' starter Odalis Perez (L, 7-11, 4.27), gave up three earned over six innings on five hits and one walk. He struck out eleven Padres in the brilliant sunshine. 29,608 fans saw the last Sunday home game of the season.

Adrian Gonzalez, the Padres budding superstar first baseman, went 2-for-3 with a home run and three runs scored and 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff added two hits and three RBIs. Ryan Zimmerman homered -- his thirteenth of the season, driving in two, and finished 2-for-4 on the day. Willie Harris also contributed two hits.

San Diego outscored the Nats 23-9 in the sweep, their first on the road since July 2006. Washington needs to go 5-1 in their last six games to avoid the franchise's first 100-loss season since 1976 as the Montreal Expos.

The Nats are off on Monday, and begin a three-game series with the Florida Marlins Tuesday night, their last home games of the season, before concluding the 2008 season on the road at Philadelphia.

Photo (c) C. Nichols 2008.

Washington -- The Washington Nationals are again proving to be the Achilles' heel to the New York Mets in a pennant race. After giving the Mets so much trouble last season during the Mets now-famous collapse to fall out of the playoffs, the Nats are up to it again. Washington has now defeated the Mets two straight games, including Tuesday night's 1-0 shut out by Odalis Perez and company, and have knocked the once division-leadings New Yorkers from first place in the N.L. East. Philadelphia beat Atlanta, moving a half-game in front of the slumping Mets for the first time since August 26.

Perez was simply outstanding on the mound -- and in the batter's box -- for the home team last night. He went seven and one-third shut out innings, allowing only four hits and walking no one, striking out six. The Mets scratched out just four singles, two of which were back-to-back pinch-hits in the eighth inning.

At that point, Manager Manny Acta went to rookie reliever Mike Hinckley, who forced SS Jose Reyes to bounce into a fielder's choice and struck out Ryan Church to end the threat. Hinckley has yet to allow a run in his first nine major league innings pitched. Joel Hanrahan pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his ninth save of the season, striking out two. Perez (W, 7-10, 4.26), the veteran left-hander signed right before the season, retired thirteen in a row at one point and did not allow a runner to advance past second base. It was his longest outing since 2005.

"He had the best command of the season so far," Washington manager Manny Acta said. "He threw every one of his pitches for strikes. He was able to stop the middle of the lineup. He was just tremendous."

Mike Pelfrey (13-10, 3.67) was the hard luck loser for the Mets. He went seven innings, allowing one run on seven hits and four walks, striking out four.

The lone run of the game came in the fifth inning. With two down already, Perez lashed a soft liner to left center field, which LF Fernando Tatis dove for and missed, allowing the ball to get by and Perez to trot into second base with a double. Tatis would stay down in tremendous pain, and was helped off by members of the Mets training staff. He separated his right shoulder on the play, and will miss the rest of the season. When play resumed, Pelfrey walked lead-off hitter Willie Harris. As he's done all season long, SS Cristian Guzman came up with a big hit, delivering a ground rule double into the Mets bullpen to score the only run needed for the evening.

Harris would save that lead in the top of the sixth, as he made an outstanding Willie Mays-style catch with his back to home plate off a drive to left by David Wright with two out and two on. "It was a great play," Wright said. "But we needed to do a better job of putting more pressure on them in more innings, not just having one opportunity and have that make or break the game."

For the Mets, memories of last season's collapse -- especially losses to the lowly Nationals -- have to be creeping back into their consciousness.

Wednesday night is game three of the four game set. Nats rookie Shairon Martis (0-2, 2.70) takes on Mets rookie Brandon Knight (0-0, 6.43). Knight made one start in July for the Mets, and has made two subsequent relief appearances. This is a spot start, as Friday's rainout pushed Johan Santana's regular turn off. Knight pitched for the U.S. Olympic Team in Beijing this summer. Martis makes his third start for the Nats.

NATS NOTES: The win raises the Nats record to 58-93, 26 games behind Philadelphia in the division. The win also moves Washington out of the worst record in the majors, one half-game ahead of Seattle.

RESULT: Nats shut out Mets 1-0. Mets fall from first place!

GOOD: Odalis Perez. 7.1 IP, 0 runs, 4 hits, walks, 7 Ks. Outstanding. Even scored the only run of the game. Mike Hinckley and Joel Hanrahan were perfect.

BAD: The Nats only got one run themselves. Zim had a particularly rough night, going 0-for-4 and stranding 5 runners.

UGLY: Man, are the Mets in trouble. Manager Jerry Manuel had a 15 minute closed-door meeting pre-game, and then they go out and get shut out by Odalis Perez. Injury to insult, they lose Fernando Tatis to a separated shoulder. He's done for the year.

NEXT GAME: Tonight at 7:10 for game three of four. Nats rookie Shairon Martis (0-2, 2.70) takes on Mets rookie Brandon Knight (0-0, 6.43). Knight is a 33 year old rookie that sepnt most of his summer playing for the U.S. Olympic team. I think enough is said there.

RESULT: Nats lose to Mets 13-10.

GOOD: Cristian Guzman. First career two home run game. 5 RBIs. Elijah Dukes. Home run, did not take Pelfrey's head off after the beaning.

BAD: Opening Day Odalis Perez. Yuck. I won't even type his numbers. Joel Hanrahan. Another home run allowed. Sa-ool Rivera. The season can't end fast enough for him. He's throwing meatballs up there right now.

UGLY: Dukes taunting the Mets fans. I'm going to say this slowly so everyone knows where I stand: This...has...got...to...stop. I am the biggest unabashed Dukes fan around here, I think the kid can hit 40 home runs (sorry if I'm propounding Bill Ladson-like hyperbole here). But he has to know that his actions last night night were wrong and irresponsible.

INJURY UPDATE: Flores tried to do some simple drills pre-game and had to stop. He ain't coming back this year, it would be foolhardy to think and prepare otherwise.

NEXT GAME: Second off-day this week today. Nats start a three-game series with the Marlins Friday. If you play a Major League baseball game, and no one is there to see it, does it still count in the standings?

Queens -- There have not been many instances where the Washington Nationals have hit three home runs in one game this season, let alone lose a game in which they accomplished the feat. But that's the exact scenario that played out before 52,431 screaming New York Mets fans Wednesday night at Shea Stadium, as the Nats fell 13-10 to the division leaders.

For the second night in a row at the soon to be replaced and demolished Shea, the Nats fought back from a large deficit and scored more runs than their season average, only to be ultimately thwarted in their efforts to play spoiler to the contending Mets. Cristian Guzman continued--and added to--his amazing run at the plate, smacking two home runs and driving in five on yet another three-hit night. His "slash" numbers (batting average, on-base average and slugging average) are all at full single season career highs at .314/.344/.445, and he now has nine home runs and 52 RBIs for the season.

The Nats also got a long home run by Elijah Dukes, his eleventh (2-for-4, 2 runs), who taunted the crowd on his way around the bases and then at the dugout, blowing kisses to the Queens faithful. Dukes later would be brushed back and have words with Mets starter Mike Pelfrey, and in a subsequent at bat, hit by Pelfrey on a 3-2 count.

"Some people react different than other ones," Manager Manny Acta said of Dukes. "It's very common after a homer to get pitched inside. I think we'll let it go at that."

Washington totaled ten runs on eleven hits and five walks, and on a normal night, that might have been enough for victory. But David Wright led the Mets on a thirteen hit, eight walk evening of their own, as he went 4-for-4 with a walk, home run, three RBIs and four runs scored. Wright, almost forgotten in New York with the re-emergence of 1B Carlos Delgado, is hitting .296 with 28 HRs and 109 RBIs for the Metropolitans. OFs Carlos Beltran and Fernando Tatis each added three hits and two RBIs as well, and former Nat Brian Schneider chipped in with a two-run single in what would be the deciding seventh inning.

The Nationals found themselves down early in the game, due to a season's worst outing by starter Odalis Perez. Perez surrendered an RBI single to Beltran in the first inning, got through the second unscathed but then completely collapsed in the third. Perez struck out his opponent, Pelfrey, to start -- and finish -- the inning, an indication of just how bad it was. With one out, SS Jose Reyes singled to center, then stole second base ahead of Ryan Church's base on balls. Wright knocked in Reyes and moved Church to third with a single up the middle. Beltran took Perez' second pitch to deep left center for a double, scoring Church and advancing Wright to third base. Perez intentionally walks Delgado to get to Tatis, and the surprisingly resurgent outfielder made him pay, as he crushed one to deep left center for a double as well, plating Wright and Beltran. Second baseman Damion Easley finished the carnage, singling to left field, scoring Delgado and Tatis.

Just like that, the Nats trailed 7-1. Perez would complete the inning, but not return for the fourth. He allowed seven runs -- six earned -- on eight hits and three walks. But as poorly as he pitched, he did not take the loss.

The resilient Nats scored a single run in the fourth on a Wil Nieves ground out, three in the fifth inning courtesy of a Ryan Zimmerman ground out and Kory Casto two-run single, and two in the sixth inning on Guzman's two-run shot to right field to take Perez off the hook and tie the game.

Unfortunately, Saul Rivera (L, 5-6, 3.68) gave the lead right back in the bottom of the seventh, allowing consecutive singles to Wright and Beltran, Delgado's sacrifice fly, and Schneider's bases loaded, two out, two run single. The score was 11-7 entering the eighth inning, but the visitors were still undaunted. Aaron Boone hit a one out single to left center and Emilio Bonifacio walked, setting up Cristian Guzman's second home run of the night, a deep blast to right field just in front of the Big Red Apple that looms over right field. With just one out though, the Nats could not extend the rally, as Zimmerman flied out and Milledge grounded to third to go to the bottom of the inning still trailing by one.

The score didn't stand there long though. With Joel Hanrahan on the mound, Church drew a five pitch pass and Wright, capping his perfect evening, took a 2-2 fastball to deep left center, and all left fielder Roger Bernadina could do was watch it leave the park. Luis Ayala entered for the Mets, and recorded his second 1-2-3 save in as many nights for New York, his seventh in eight attempts since the trade.

The recent scoring outburst has to be a harbinger of good things toward next season, but the disappointment of scoring 18 runs in two games --with two losses to show for it -- was evident in the Washington dugout following the final out.

Washington is off on Thursday before starting a three-game series in Miami against the Florida Marlins. Friday's starters are expected to be Shairon Martis (0-1, 3.60) and Scott Olson (6-10, 4.41).

NATS NOTES: The loss drops Washington to 56-90. San Diego lost as well, so the teams remain tied for the worst record in the Major Leagues. Seattle won, and is now three games ahead of both teams in the loss column.

C Jesus Flores tested his sprained ankle before the game, and was still in a considerable amount of pain doing the simplest drills, such as playing catch. The team will not rush his return, Acta said.

Stock Photo (c) C. Nichols 2008

RESULT: Nats beat dirty Phillies 9-7.

GOOD: Odalis Perez. Way to stick up for your teammate. Cristian Guzman! 8 multi-hit games in a row, three-run double to break the game open. ZIM! Third homer in 8 games, that's more like it.

BAD: Marco Estrada. Couldn't get anyone out in the sixth, allowing Howard's second two-run bomb.

UGLY: Joe Blanton. Usually I don't give out awards to the other team, but Blanton looked lousy last night. 4 earned in 4 inning son 6 hits and 3 walks. Pew. Hope he's not listening to sports talk in Philly this morning. BIG series for the Fightin's this weekend in Gotham.

INJURY UPDATE: Collin Balestar has a sore glut. He'll be pushed back to next Tuesday, prompting Martis to get the ball tonight and pushing another Bergmann shelling off until tomorrow.

NEXT GAME: Tonight in Hot-lanta. Shairon Martis makes his ML debut against Jo-Jo Reyes (3-10, 5.49).

Washington -- Cristian Guzman led a 13-hit attack, Ryan Zimmerman homered for the third time in his last eight games, and the Washington Nationals used a four-run eighth inning to bury their division-rival Philadelphia Phillies 9-7 before 23,122 at Nationals Park.

Guzman set a franchise record with his eighth consecutive multi-hit game, going 3-for-5 on the evening, with a double, two runs scored and three RBIs. His average is up to .311, and he is 21-for-39 (.538) during his multi-hit streak. He was joined on the hit parade by Zimmerman (2-for-4, home run), CF Lastings Milledge, and 1B Kory Casto, all with multi-hit performances against Phillies starter Joe Blanton and five relievers. Elijah Dukes and Roger Bernadina added stolen bases -- Bernadina's first career SB.

The game was tied at five heading to the bottom of the eighth. Phils reliever Chad Durbin, who had entered the game in the seventh, took the hill for Philadelphia but probably wished he hadn't. Casto met him with a single to right field to start the inning off. Pete Orr pinch-ran for Casto, and took second on a one-out wild pitch to Bernadina. The rookie outfielder then lashed the next pitch to left, pushing Orr up 90 feet to third base. Manager Manny Acta called for Ronnie Belliard to pinch-hit for pitcher Saul Rivera (W, 5-5, 3.52), and Belliard delivered a humpback liner over the shortstop's head to score Orr with the lead run.

But the Nats weren't done yet. Bernadina measured Durbin's delivery on several pitches from second base, and with the count 2-2 he took off for third and slid in safely ahead of the tag of third baseman Pedro Feliz. Durbin then finished the walk to 2B Emilio Bonifacio and the bases were loaded for hot-hitting all-star Cristian Guzman. "Guz" took two balls and on the third pitch lined a double to the gap in center field, clearing the bases and giving the Nats a 9-5 lead.

Guzman gave the dugout his customary finger-wagging salute as he stood on second, watching Phillies Manager Charlie Manual lifting Durbin (L, 5-4) from the game, probably one batter too late.

"I was just trying to put the ball in play," Guzman said. "I saw the ball go into the gap, so 'Thank you.' "

The ninth inning provided some fireworks though, as Closer Joel Hanrahan was called on to shut the door. He managed to do the job, but not without some excitement. RF Matt Stairs and 2B Chase Utley both pushed in runs against Hanrahan, pitching in a non-save situation. But he got OF Jayson Werth to strike out swinging to end the game, and as he exchanged fist-bumps with catcher Wil Nieves, Hanrahan let out a big sigh as if to say, "Whew, got through that one!".

Zimmerman, Casto, Milledge and Dukes all provided RBI hits earlier to get the Nats started, and Zimmerman's home run in the seventh, to tie the game, was a no-doubt-about-it shot to straight-away center.

The Phillies rode the power swings of 1B Ryan Howard and Utley to score their early runs. In the first inning, Nats starter Odalis Perez plunked Utley with the first pitch the all-star second baseman saw -- retribution from Tuesday night's home plate collision with Nats catcher Jesus Flores, who left the game with a sprained ankle and will miss 2-4 weeks. Howard followed with a "big fly" to right center to take the early lead. Utley tripled in the third inning to drive in a run, and Howard added his second two-run homer -- to almost the exact spot of the first -- in the sixth inning.

Perez finished the evening pitching five innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits and three walks, striking out five. No pitch was bigger than standing up for his fallen teammate in the first inning however.

Washington starts a nine-game road trip Thursday night in Atlanta against the Braves. Shairon Martis makes his Major League debut against Jo-Jo Reyes (3-10, 5.49) for the Braves. Game time is 7:10 pm from Atlanta's Turner Field.

NATS NOTES: With the win, Washington's record stands at 54-86, 25 games behind division-leading New York. The Phillies drop to 76-64, trailing the Mets by three game as they head into a three-game series in New York this weekend.

Nationals RHP Collin Balester has a mild left gluteal strain, which forced Washington to juggle its rotation. He will not start as scheduled on Friday against Atlanta and instead will take his next turn Tuesday against the Mets. Jason Bergmann's start moves back from Thursday to Friday.

RESULT: Nats beaten by Cubs 9-2.

GOOD: Ryan Zimmerman. Zim had three singles on the day. That has to count for something. I guess asking Zim to hit a home run once in a while would be out of the question though.

BAD: There was enough to go around. Perez was stinky, giving up 5 runs -- 4 earned -- in 4.1 IP on 10 hits and 4 walks. How did he only give up five total? Marco Estrada was not nearly as successful as he was in his debut the other night, giving up three earned on Ramirez' second homer of the day.

UGLY: Today's RBIs? From Emilio! and the Man With Two Last Names. Enough said.

NEXT GAME: Sunday in the sunshine from Wrigley. Jason Bergmann (2-9, 4.50) versus Rich Harden (8-2, 2.04). Who do YOU like in that match-up?

Chicago -- A day after the Washington Nationals had their way with the N.L. leading Chicago Cubs, the Cubbies returned the favor, riding the strong right arm of all-star Ryan Dempster and two home runs by slugging third baseman Aramis Ramirez to defeat the Nats 9-3 before 40,000-plus at Wrigley Field Saturday afternoon.

Dempster scattered eight hits in his seven and one-third innings, but gave up just one run -- on an RBI single by Anderson Hernandez -- notching his 15th win of the season against just five losses, setting a career-high mark for victories in one year. He walked just one batter and struck out four along the way. "I don't know. I'm not worried about that. It's a great personal accomplishment, but my motivation is one reason and one reason only and that's to get to the playoffs and win the World Series," Dempster said. "I will take 15 wins and a World Series and I'd be the happiest player in baseball."

Washington starter Odalis Perez was not nearly as sharp. He battled constant trouble, and allowed four earned runs -- all in the fourth inning -- on ten hits and four walks in four and one-third innings. Perez put multiple runners on each of the first three innings but remained unscathed -- until the Cubs finally made him pay in the fourth.

Perez got Dempster to ground out to start the inning innocently enough, but then walked OF Alfonso Soriano, no small feat. 2B Ryan Theriot followed with a single to center field, and Derrick Lee smacked a ball up the middle that scored Soriano. That brought Aramis Ramirez to the plate, and he deposited a 1-2 fastball over the ivy in left field for a three-run home run, all the offense the Cubs would need on this day.

"You can only work out of so many jams against such a good ball club," Nationals manager Manny Acta said.

Perez (L, 5-10, 4.21) found himself in another jam to start the fifth. OF Kosuke Fukudome reached on an error by second baseman Hernandez, and after Dempster sacrificed him to second, Fukudome scored on a Soriano double to left field. That extra base hit sent Perez to the showers, his day -- and that of the Nats for all intent -- over.

Ramirez would add another three-run home run off reliever Marco Estrada in the eighth inning, his 22nd of the season. Theriot reached on an infield single, Daryle Ward walked, and Ramirez drove another offering over the ivy, this one to right field. Mark DeRosa added his 17th homer of the season as well for Chicago.

Ryan Zimmerman had three singles in four trips to the plate, but could not find a batter behind him to drive him in today. Maybe the Nats should have saved a couple of those extra runs they scored Friday afternoon for this contest.

The series wraps up Sunday at 2:20 pm. Jason Bergmann (2-9, 4.50) matches up with Rich Harden (8-2, 2.04) for the Cubs.

NATS NOTES: The loss lowers the team record to 46-84, 26 games behind division leading New York. The Nats have lost thirteen of their last fifteen games.

OF Lastings Milledge took a Dempster fastball off his left hand late in the game, but seemed to be fine, despite some nasty bruising. "I'll be all right," said Milledge, who remained in the game but didn't have to bat again. "It's a little sore, but I've got to play."

OF Elijah Dukes, on the DL with a right calf strain, homered Friday night during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus. The Nats hope he can rejoin the team next week

Washington -- The Washington Nationals lost a pair of games over the weekend to the Colorado Rockies, extending their season-high losing streak to ten games, and traded Luis Ayala, one of their long-time bullpen pitchers, to a division rival.

Saturday: Starter John Lannan was not as sharp as normal, and the Rockies rode the arm of recently acquired starter Livan Hernandez (11-9) to beat the Nationals 13-6. The Rockies got a terrific performance from SS Troy Tulowitzki (three hits, three RBIs) and two hits apiece from 1B Garrett Atkins, RF Brad Hawpe and 3B Ian Stewart.

Lannan was rough from the start Saturday night. He gave up eight earned runs on seven hits and four walks with two strikeouts in four innings to take the loss. His record for the season is 6-12 with a3.81 ERA. Reliever Garrett Mock fared no better, allowing three earned runs on three hits and two walks in just two innings. The Nats got a good effort from Ronnie Belliard, who had three hit sand three RBIs. Lastings Milledge added three hits and scored twice.

Washington committed three errors, one each from Emilio Bonifacio,Ryan Zimmerman and Milledge. They also allowed four stolen bases, two each form Willie Tavares and Matt Holliday.

Sunday: Washington's losing streak reached ten games, as the Rockies had two big innings and the Nats offense was a no-show once again in the sunshine, with the final score 7-2. The Nats actually out-hit the Rockies on Sunday, but once again made bad outs on the bases and were otherwise unable to take advantage of having runners on base. Willie Harris, Pete Orr and Milledge all had two hits apiece as part of the ten-hit effort, but Ryan Langerhans was thrown out at home on a "contact" play in the second inning, and Emilio Bonifacio was thrown out trying to steal second base in the third.

Starter Odalis Perez (L, 5-0, 4.06) turned in a quality start,allowing three earned runs on four hits and four walks over six innings. The three runs came following an error by SS Pete Orr, a walk by Perez and three-run home run by 3B Ian Stewart. Colorado got four more runs in the eight inning off of Charlie Manning and Jesus Colome. OFs Brad Hawpe and Seth Smith both homered as well for the Rocks. All-star Aaron Cook (15-8) got the win, giving up only two earned runs on seven hits over five innings.

NATS NOTES: With the losses, the Nationals record stands at 44-81,24.5 games behind division-leading New York.

On Sunday, Washington announced a trade, sending RHP Luis Ayala to the Mets in exchange for a player to be named later, expected to be minor league SS Anderson Hernandez. Ayala was once the Nats most dependable reliever, but he has not been the same since surgery after an injury following the World Baseball Classic in 2006. Hernandez hit .301 for Triple-A New Orleans in 2007, but this season is hitting only .201 in441 bats for the Zephyrs.

Photo of Lannan (c) C. Nichols 2008.
Photo of Langerhans courtesy of Anthony Amobi, DC Sports Box.

RESULT: Nats lose nail-biter to Mets 4-3.

GOOD: Odalis Perez. He recovered nicely after allowing two in the first to settle down and keep the team in the game. He went six innings, allowing 3 ERs on 8 hits and one walk, striking out 5. Ryan Langerhans! Pinch-hit home run. YAY!

BAD: Emilio! 0-for-5 with 3 Ks. Might have to move him down for a while to get comfortable again. Looked real awkward in last at bat.

UGLY: The Umpiring. First base ump Mike Reilly missed a call on Guzman and the critical missed strike on what was called a check swing by Tatis in the pivotal seventh inning to set up the phantom hit by pitch that forced in the winning run.

And Manny, if you're going to blow up for the only time all season, you should, um, have it right. A caller post-game had it right: if you don't let the umpires know you're willing to go out and make yourself a pain in the ass to them, they have no impetus for getting the call right since they don't have to worry about you coming out and making them look bad. Manny, where were you on the blown checked swing?

NEXT GAME: Wednesday against the Mets. Jason Bergmann (2-8, 4.13) takes on John Maine (9-7, 4.13) Gee, identical ERAs, much different won-loss record. Still think wins is a good way to evaluate a pitcher's value. Nah, me either.

RESULT: Nats beat Colorado 6-3 in Game Two of double-header.

GOOD: Odalis Perez. 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 hits, 1 BB, 1 K. Looked as strong as he has all year long. Did he clear waivers? Willie Harris. 2-for-4, double, 2 RBIs. Wil Nieves. 2-for-5, 2 RBIs! EMILIO! -for-5, RBI, SB.

BAD: Kory Casto. 0-for-4, .208 for the year. Pete Orr, 0-for-5. Pew!

UGLY: The Rockies claimed Livan Hernandez off waivers from the Minnesota Twins and expect him to be in uniform Friday. Look, I love Livan as much as the next guy. You gotta appreciate how he takes the ball every fifth day and throws 110 itches. But his shelf life has expired, and the Rockies are simply fooling themselves if: 1) They think he can contribute to a pennant chase; and 2) They think they are IN a pennant chase.

INJURY UPDATE: Guz pinch-hit and played short in Game 2, so it looks like he's back. Zim was 1-for-4 in the nightcap. Alberto Gonzalez still not playing. Tim Redding was hit by a ball in the leg during BP. Hopefully he can out unscathed.

NEXT GAME: Tonight at 8:05 eastern against Milwaukee. Collin Balester (2-3, 4.55) versus C.C. Sabathia (11-8, 3.28). This, my friends, is known as a "reverse lock".

Photo (c) C. Nichols 2008.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With the Major League non-waiver trade deadline approaching Thursday, there's lots of talk about who could be switching teams int he next couple of days. The Nats have already made one trade: the highly discussed Jon Rauch/Emilio Bonifacio deal. Will there be more? Only Trader Jim knows for sure, but it sure seems like he's trying.

There have been media reports (all taken with liberal amounts of grains of salt) that say the Nats have made just about anyone on the roster over 25 available. But what's really there? And what could Nats fans expect as a return? Let's run down the current, shall we?

Paul LoDuca: Every Nats' fans favorite to be moved. The Yankees and Marlins both have injuries at catcher, making them possible trade partners. LoDuca has made it known that he'd be willing to play in NY or Miami, really anywhere closer to horse race tracks. The returns would be minimal though for a 36-year old catcher who was forced out of playing catcher on the worst team in the National League.

Felipe Lopez: He certainly has position flexibility that contending teams may find useful. Hard to believe the ghost of FLop that Nats fans have watched for the last couple of seasons used to be a pretty decent option at shortstop. Currently hitting .235/.307/.313. If the Orioles weren't desperate enough to trade for him, I can't believe anyone else will be either. First candidate to be DFA'd after the deadline. Bonifacio can't get here soon enough.

Ronnie Belliard: Belly is a streaky hitter, but some team might find his decent pop and position flexibility something to take a chance on for the rest of the season. He'd probably only return a "C" level prospect, but it's players like that the Nats have to bring into the system to take a look-see. Won't cost 'em nothin'.

Wee Willie Harris: He's never been hotter in his career, so maybe JimBow can strike while the iron's hot. Willie is a decent defensive player both in the OF and at 2B, and his speed is something that many teams covet. Again, he wouldn't bring a minor league all-star back, but could fetch a low-level thrower that the organization could try to teach to be a pitcher.

Tim Redding: Ace of the Staff. Except for that blow-up in Atlanta, Redding's been pitching very well the last four weeks, and could be a real useful pick-up to a team that is looking to fill a 4 or 5 spot down the stretch. Could the Tigers, Mets or Phillies find him attractive? You bet. His contract is real easy to swallow too. But knowing the way Bowden overvalues his players, it would probably take quite a bit to pry Redding away. All he's done is take the ball every five days for the Nats since he got here and more often than not kept them in the game. He may be more valuable here than the return.

Odalis Perez: Here's a situation where a couple weeks make all the difference. At the all-star break Perez' ERA was around 3.50, now it's at 4.38, and rising every time up. He's lost three of his last four starts, getting hammered in two of them. He's only pitched into the seventh inning once in his last six starts. His window of attractiveness might have already closed. Still, he's a lefty who gets lefties out with a decent K rate.

Austin Kearns: The wildcard. The Mets could use a corner outfielder. Bowden LOVES trading with Omar Minaya. This could be a match in heaven. It would be like Bowden trading one of his own sons, but something tells me he'd even do that if the price were right. Kearns is hitting over .300 since his return from elbow troubles, maybe he could fetch a "B-" prospect out of Omar. C'mon, the Mets have Fernando Tatis and Endy Chavez playing left and right fields. You're telling me Kearns wouldn't be an upgrade there?

Bottom(feeder) Line: At this point, I don't think we're going to see anything of any significant value exchange hands for the Nats this trading deadline. I think the fans can expect more of the same as we've had for a while, with the eventual return of Dukes to the line-up, Bonifacio's call-up and maybe a pitcher or two making appearances after September 1. But never count out Trader Jim Bowden. He knows he's on the hot seat, and he has a propensity for being splashy anyway.

Washington, DC--The game last night between the Washington Nationals and visiting Baltimore Orioles had a little bit of everything that makes baseball great. There were extra base hits, stolen bases, good pitching and even a little intrigue. On top of it all, it was a tied game heading into the late innings, where the Nationals were able to scrape two runs together in the seventh inning, then hold on to defeat the Orioles 4-2, before 35,830 bi-partisan fans, one of the largest crowds all season.

In that fateful seventh, with Orioles starter Daniel Cabrera still on the mound, Willie Harris led off the inning with a walk, Cabrera's third and last of the night. Kory Casto then pinch-hit for relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan, and drilled a double to left filed that scooted by outfielder Jay Payton, allowing the fleet Harris to score all the way from first base. "Coming off the bench, it's tough. It's something I've never really done," Casto said. "It's your one shot and you've got to make it count."

Elijah Dukes, looking more and more every day like the run-producing force the Nationals hoped he would be when they traded for the troubled slugger, promptly delivered Casto on a single to center field and the Nationals took a precarious two-run lead into the final frames.

The Orioles would get runners on in each of the last two innings, and things looked particularly dicey in the ninth against closer Jon Rauch. Brian Roberts led off for the O's with a double and Nick Markakis followed with a walk. But Rauch got Melvin Mora to ground into a 6-4-3 double play, then Kevin Millar to fly out to center, and Rauch had secured the victory and his 16th save of the season.

Washington starter Odalis Perez, fresh off the 15-day disabled list, was on a pitch count for his first start back and fought through four innings without his best stuff, but hung tough while he was in there. He allowed no runs on three hits and three walks, striking out three. Steven Shell, the man who directly replaced Perez on the mound was not as sharp, as he surrendered both Orioles runs.

In the fifth inning, Shell gave up a triple to the first batter he faced, Brian Roberts, who immediately scored on Markakis' ground out. In the sixth, Adam Jones led off with a single that left fielder Wily Mo Pena misplayed, giving Jones an extra base. Brandon Fahey then shot one past third base to score Jones easily. Joel Hanrahan came on for Shell and pitched one scoreless inning to get the win. He's now 4-2 on the year with a 4.38 ERA.

The Nats got their first runs off Cabrera in the bottom of the first inning. Cristian Guzman led off with a double to right center and scored on Lasting MiIlledge's single to center. The ball scooted underneath Adam Jones' glove on the still wet turf, and Jones went all the way to third. Newly appointed clean-up hitter Jesus Flores then dumped a single into right field which brought Milledge home safely.

Game Two in the "Battle of the Beltways" is Saturday night at 7:10 pm. The Nats' John Lannan (4-8, 3.34) hosts Garrett Olson (5-3, 5.01) for the Orioles.

NATS NOTES: The win raises the Nats record to 32-49, last in the NL East, eleven games behind slumping Philadelphia.

The Nats have won back-to-back games at home for the first time since May 4.

Nats Take Game One of "Battle of the Beltways" 4-2 also posted at DC Sports Box.

Photo (c) C.Nichols 2008

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

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

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

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

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

Washington, DC--What started off as a beautiful day Tuesday became a rainy, ugly mess in the evening for the Washington Nationals and the 26,875 fans in attendance, as the Nationals lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-1, after two long rain delays and some specifically terrible play in the field.

Just as gametime approached, the skies that had been blue turned dark and ominous almost instantaneously. Then, with the first pitch, it rained and rained -- monsoon-like at times -– throughout the first few innings of play. The Nationals played the game much like the weather conditions – cold, messy and miserable.

In the horrific first inning, the Nats surrendered four runs via two errors and several costly mental mistakes, and the team once again suffered through what is now a comedic recurring theme: an offense that is unable to mount any continued threat at all. The Nats managed just six hits off five Cardinals pitchers.

Washington starter Odalis Perez hit St. Louis leadoff hitter Brian Barton to start the game, and one out later slugger Albert Pujols grounded the ball back to the pitcher, a routine double play ball. Perez fired to second hoping to turn two, but second baseman Felipe Lopez dropped the ball in an attempt to make the catch for his fifth error of the season. The drop actually mattered little for the force out, as Lopez took a bad route to the bag and was several feet in front of second when he dropped Perez’ throw. It’s debatable whether he would have had Pujols at first anyway.

Then the flood gates opened.

The next batter, St. Louis right fielder Ryan Ludwick, hit a sinking line drive to left field. Thanks to the slick conditions, Ryan Langerhans misplayed the ball and allowed it to skip past him for Washington’s second error of the inning. The ball went all the way to the left field fence, and by the time it was retrieved, Barton would cross the plate and St. Louis took a quick 1-0 lead.

Two batters later, catcher Yadier Molina would hit a three-run homer – his third of the season – into the bullpen over the left-field wall and the Cardinals had a 4-0 lead.

Odalis Perez (L, 2-5, 4.09) would find himself out of the game after the third inning. Although he gave up five hits and four runs, he was charged with a single earned run. To add injury to insult, Perez left the game with tendonitis in his throwing shoulder. He will miss his next start, and that does not bode well for a team with half of their opening day roster on the disabled list.

In the fourth inning, the Cardinals mounted another challenge as Cesar Izturis doubled and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. At that point, the umpires decided they had enough, and the game was suspended for the first rain delay, which lasted one hour and fifty-one minutes.

Once play resumed, Albert Pujols was hit by a pitch that got away from reliever Jesus Colome. Pujols then left the game with what the Cardinals announced was a strained calf muscle. More than likely, though, it was to remove him from harm’s way in ugly playing conditions.

The next play was indicative of the plight of the Nationals right now.

With Pujols’ replacement, Rick Ankiel, at first and Izturis at third, Cards Manager Tony LaRussa put on the double-steal. Every high school team has a play to cut off the throw at second and go back to the plate to nab the runner going home. But the Nats botched this one too, as the throw went through to second base where Felipe Lopez was slow with the relay, allowing Ankiel – and more importantly, Izturis – to be safe. St. Louis took a 5-0 lead, and with the Nats offense that lead proved insurmountable.

After yet another rain delay – this time 51 minutes long – St. Louis added another run in the fifth from pitcher Kyle Lohse’s RBI single that drove in Troy Glaus.

Washington finally got on the board in the bottom part of the fifth inning thanks to Ryan Langerhans driving in Jesus Flores, who had doubled, on a groundout. But there was no more comeback, as the Nats right now are simply incapable of mounting any sustained offense. For the few fans left in the stands that had the bravery(?) to sit through the rain jungle conditions, there was not much else to see.

Kyle Lohse (W, 6-2, 3.87) – who was signed by the Cardinals right before the start of season – pitched through both rain delays and went five innings for his third straight victory. The St. Louis Cardinals have won five out of their last seven games.

The Nationals, who are on a three-game losing streak, will try to hit pay-dirt on Wednesday night as John Lannan (4-5, 3.52) counters against St Louis’ Todd Wellemeyer (6-1, 3.16). The game starts at 7:10pm at Nationals Park.

NATS NOTES: The loss leaves the Nationals record at 24-35, last in the NL East, 10 1/2 behinnd Philadelphia, and third worst in the National League.

The team is now hitting .230, worst in the league. They are next-to-last in home runs with 40, ahead only of Los Angeles (39).

The Nationals have lost six out of their last eight, and in the last three games have managed to only score one run.

Photos (c) C. Nichols 2008

Anthony Amobi of DC Sports Box contributed to this article