"I think he grew up a little bit today." Davey Johnson, on starter Ross Detwiler.

Detwiler delivers in another impressive performance. (photo by Cheryl Nichols)

In his previous start, left-hander Ross Detwiler held the Philadelphia Phillies down for 7 1/3 innings, giving up no runs and just three hits over that period.  What would he do for an encore?  Taking on an Atlanta Braves team fighting for their playoffs lives, Detwiler threw six more shutout innings leading a surging Washington Nationals team past the Braves 3-0, before an appreciative crowd of 37,638 in the last home game of the season at Nats Park.

The Nationals now stand 2 1/2 games above the New York Mets, with three games remaining, for third place in the N.L. East.  With a record of 78-80, if they can somehow continue the hot streak they've been riding for three weeks and sweep the Florida Marlins this week, the Nats would finish above .500 for the first time since the move in 2005.

The Nats have won 13 of their last 17 games.

Wilson Ramos and Michael Morse provided all the offense, as each homered to support the cause.  Morse's two-run shot in the seventh was his 29th of the season and prompted a curtain call from the enthusiastic Nats fans.

Morse earned a curtain call for his two-run home run, his 29th of the season. (photo by Cheryl Nichols)

Detwiler cruised through the first two innings, retiring six straight Braves batters.  But all of a sudden in the third inning, Detwiler lost it.  Catcher David Ross lined a single to center.  No. 8 hitter Jack Wilson worked an eight-pitch walk.  Then Detwiler issued a four-pitch walk to pitcher Mike Minor, when the opposing hurler was trying to sacrifice.

But the lanky lefty was able to compose himself.  Two lazy fly balls and a grounder to third ended the inning, stranding all three Braves runners.  Detwiler didn't run into any more problems completing his six innings.  Overall, he gave up just four base hits and walked two, striking out four.  It was a composed and impressive performance from a young pitcher that seems to be maturing before our eyes.

After Detwiler departed, Henry Rodriguez (3 Ks), Tyler Clippard (2 Ks) and Drew Storen (1 K) threw three innings of perfect baseball to seal the win.  Storen recorded his 42nd save of the season.

With all the excitement of Brad Peacock and Tom Milone's progress through the minors and brief success in the bigs at the end of the year, Detwiler's been something of a forgotten man in the rotation.  He's quietly gone 4-5 now with an even 3.00 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 15 games and 10 starts.

Manager Davey Johnson said after the game those that are writing off Detwiler for next season are making a big mistake.  "There's a lot of guys hungry for this rotation.  The effort that you're seeing is outstanding.  He's definitely in the picture to be in the starting rotation [in 2012]."

"I've seen [Ron] Darling, Sid Fernandez and [Rick] Aguilara, young pitchers with great promise that took longer [to develop].  I know Det had a number of starts last year, but what he's done this year, from being in the bullpen... to back in the rotation, he's pitching to good hitting ballclubs and done okay, held his head above water.  This was probably the biggest game of the year for him, going against this club.  To hold them down to zilch... was a great effort."

The Nats now take back to the road for the final three games of the season in Miami, to close out Sun Life Stadium as a baseball facility.  The Marlins, who will be rebranded the Miami Marlins as part of the agreement the team has with southern Florida lawmakers for public financing of the new stadium, have always been a thorn in the Nats side, this season winning 10 of the 15 games the teams have played thus far.

Regardless of the outcome in Florida, the Nats have already picked up nine games over what they finished with last year, a remarkable 19-game improvement -- so far -- over the last two seasons.  Anything they pick up in Florida is gravy at this point.  But a sweep would complete an utterly improbable run for the .500 mark that has seen the Nationals go 15-9 so far in September.

Small steps.

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THE GOOD:  Michael Morse's home run was to deep right center and provided cushion in the close game.  He went 2-for-3 with a walk.  Wilson Ramos' homer, his 15th of the year, was a line drive shot into the flower bed just above the wall in left field.

THE BAD:  With the Braves losing two of three to the Nats, and the St. Louis Cardinals win over the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta finds their once eight-game lead over the Cards down to one with three games remaining.

THE UGLY:  Chris Marrero had a tough day, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and six men left on base.

THE STATS:  9 hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks.  0-for-10 w/RISP, 8 LOB, zero GIDP.  No errors.

NEXT GAME:  Monday at the Florida Marlins at 7:10 pm.  Tommy Milone (1-0, 3.32) faces Anibal Sanchez (8-9, 3.67).

Chris Marrero disappears after chaing after foul ball. (photo by Cheryl Nichols)

Zim made Gold Glove caliber spin-and-throw in ninth inning. (photo by Cheryl Nichols)

Pudge giving thumbs up to fans after last home game (photo by Cheryl Nichols)

This four-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies means absolutely nothing to the home team, as they have already clinched the N.L. East title.  But to the Washington Nationals, every game they play is another step toward respectability, and with eight games left they sit just four games below .500, courtesy of sweeping a day-nigth doubleheader from the Phillies, by the scores of 4-3 and 4-0.

In the day game, Ryan Zimmerman entered as a pinch-hitter in the top of the 10th inning and delivered an RBI single to score Michael Morse, who walked and had taken second on a passed ball by rookie catcher Erik Kratz.  Drew Storen gave up a hit and a walk in the bottom of the frame, but made the run stand up for his 49th save of the season and made a winner out of Tom Gorzelanny (4-6, 4.09), who gave up a hit and a walk in his scoreless inning of work in the ninth.

Tommy Milone deserved a better fate, as all the scoring came after he left the game.  The rookie lefty tossed six innings of shutout ball, giving up just four hits, striking out two and walking none.

In the nightcap, Ross Detwiler was dominant, allowing just three hits and one walk over 7 1/3 innings, striking out three, leading to a 3-0 shutout of the division champions.  Detwiler (3-5, 3.30) didn't allow two runners in any inning up until the seventh, when a walk and hit batter put two on with two out, but he got John Mayberry, Jr. to fly out to end the frame.  Henry Rodriguez pitched the eighth and Storen came back out for the ninth for his 40th save of the season.

Danny Espinosa hit his 20th home run of the season off Cliff Lee in the second inning, and the Nats scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings for the margin of victory.

The Nationals refuse to go into this good night.  They have won eight of their last ten games and are 11-8 overall in September, after so many early-fall failings of the past.  With eight games remaining their record is 74-79, just four games below .500, and they sit one game up on the New York Mets for third place in the N.L. East.  In fact, they currently have the ninth best record in the entire National League. 

These achievements may not mean much in the grand scheme of things, but for a franchise, organization and fan base that haven't had much to cheer about since the move in 2005, they represent incremental progress toward the ultimate goal of being truly competitive.  Small steps, but steps none the less.

It must have felt like a ton of bricks sitting on his chest.  Steve Lombardozzi made his MLB debut seven days ago, but since then the player that made a name for himself in the minor leagues for his ability to get on base had done so just once, a walk in his first plate appearance, since his recall from AAA-Syracuse.  His next 15 at bats ended in the same manner: with Lombo taking a right turn back to the dugout.

But all that ended in the seventh inning Monday night, as Lombardozzi sliced and opposite field single to drive in Brian Bixler with the go-ahead, and eventual, winning run in the Washington Nationals 3-2 win over the New York Mets, before 27,015 at Citi Field in Queens.

The Nats have now won three of their last four games, and with the win go to 68-77, just two games behind the Mets for third place in the division.

Lombardozzi, who was named the Nats 2011 Minor League Hitter of the Year last week, hit a combined .309/.360/.430 with eight home tuns and 30 stolen bases between Syracuse and AA-Harrisburg this season.

The rally made a winner of Todd Coffey, who pitched to one batter in the sixth, striking out Jason Bay, in relief of Ross Detwiler, who was cruising along until running into trouble in the bottom of the sixth.  Detwiler retired the first tow batters of the inning, but then walked Justin Turner after a long at bat and then Lucas Duda on five pitches.  A single by David Wright and a double from Angel Pagan scored two runs to tie the game and chased Detwiler.

The 25-year old lefty, who hadn't pitched in 10 days, went 5 2/3 innings and allowed just those two runs on three hits and three walks, striking out two.  Up until two outs in the sixth, he'd only allowed one hit and one walk.

After Coffey did his job, Tyler Clippard threw two perfect innings and Drew Storen shut the door in the ninth for his 35th save of the season.

The Nats scored single runs in the fifth and sixth to take a short-lived 2-0 lead.  Wilson Ramos plated Jayson Werth, who had doubled and taken third on a Wright error in the fifth, and Ryan Zimmerman scored on a Rick Ankiel RBI single in the sixth.

After one of their roughest stretches of the season, going 3-12 from Aug. 23 - Sept. 8, the Nats have righted ship a bit winning three of four.  The elusive .500 mark is well out of reach, but catching the Mets for third place is certainly possible and the Nats are a mere four games (with 16 to play) from reaching their second-best win total since the move. 

These goals aren't particularly lofty, but for a franchise that has finished out of last place once in the last six years, they are signs of slow, but steady, progress.

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THE GOOD:  Tyler Clippard.  He's just not human.  Two more perfect innings, lowering his ERA to 1.91 for the season.  Jayson Werth went 3-for-4 and scored a run.

THE BAD:  Brian Bixler led off and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout, reaching only on a fielder's choice.

THE UGLY:  Michael Morse.  He went 0-for-4, striking out three times.  He's hitless in his last nine at bats.  What's the opposite of Beast Mode?

THE STATS:  10 hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks.  3-for-10 w/RISP, 7 LOB, 0 GIDP.  No errors.

NEXT GAME:  Tuesday at 7:10 pm against the Mets.  Chien-Ming Wang (2-3, 4.43) faces Dillon Gee (12-6, 4.42).

"Do I think our approach is getting better? Yes. But the results aren't there yet."  Manager Davey Johnson, following the Nats ninth loss in ten games.

Davey Johnson, as he has done after every loss since he's taken over as manager of the Washington Nationals, looked exasperated and frustrated when he met with the media following a 7-3 loss to the New York Mets last night.  The loss marks the Nats ninth in their last 10 games, including four at home, and drops their record to a season-low 10 games below .500 at 63-73.  It also drops the Nats four games behind the Mets in the race for third place in the N.L. East.

It's not how Johnson wants to finish the season, that's for sure.  It's been a year of improvement on many levels, but struggling down the stretch has put a damper on the most obvious achievement: the overall record.  Merely ten days ago the Nats were 62-64 after a 4-1 win over Arizona, on pace to win 79 games.  After losing nine out of 10 games, that figure dramatically drops to 75 wins. 

The Nationals only need to win seven out of their last 26 to pass last year's total, and 11 wins to become the second winningest team since the move in 2005.  But the way they're playing right now nothing is out of the question.

Last night saw the Nats suffer from the same ailment that has plagued them all season long: the inability to score runs.  They outhit the Mets 12-9, but left eight men on base and had one erased on a double play. 

But the real culprit was starting pitcher Ross Detwiler.  The 25-year old lefty just didn't have it, giving up a three-run homer to David Wright in the first inning, a solo shot to Nick Evans in the second, and two more runs in the third.  All told, he gave up six earned runs on seven hits, striking out just two, in three innings, raising his season ERA by more than a run, up to 3.83.

"It was one of those games where he didn't locate very good," Johnson said of Detwiler.  "He left a fastball middle-in to the third baseman, that wasn't good. We tried to pitch [Wright] in but you can't leave it over the plate. I don't think he had real good command. He didn't really use his off-speed stuff. Just one of those days you turn the page on."

The Nats had a couple of chances to get into Mets starter R.A. Dickey (W, 7-11. 3.60), especially early.  In the second, the Nats put two on with no outs.  After an Alex Cora fly out (0-for-4, .219), Ross Detwiler sacrificed runners to second and third.   But with two outs, Ian Desmond took a big hack at an outside knuckeball and flied out weakly to center field to kill the rally.

"We still make young mistakes," Johnson explained.  "Like Desmond tonight. We had a couple runners in scoring position and he tried to force it and make something happen, [swinging] at a couple balls out of the zone; really high pitches, high knuckleballs.  You need [the pitcher] to come into your area, into your zone. But that's just trying to make something happen. You gotta take what's there."

In the seventh, the Nats again put their leadoff batter on, with Brian Bixler singling to left.  Mets manager Tim Collins called on lefty Tim Byrdak, and he struck out Desmond and Rick Ankiel (who had homered earlier in the game), again both taking big hacks at outside pitches instead of looking for something more in their zone.  Ryan Zimmerman took an outside pitch to right field for a single, but Michael Morse swung through a slider to end the inning.

Johnson took an honest assessment of the situation after the game.  "If you look at our production, our on base, guys in scoring position, we're not good.  You look at the bench production, we're not good. Do I think our approach is getting better? Yes. But the results aren't there yet." 

"Nobody hates to lose worse than me.  I probably take it harder than anyone.  I tell them, 'Managers take the losses, you guys take the wins'. I'm not happy with it. But I am happy with what I've seen and the approach and the attitude. I like the direction we're going in."

It's a familiar, if uncomfortable refrain by now.  If the Nationals can't find a way to break the doldrums they find themselves in, they run the risk of allowing all the progress they'd made up until Aug. 22 -- when they beat the Diamondbacks and found themselves just two games below .500 with 36 games to play -- to vanish like it never even happened.

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THE GOOD:  Collin Balester went four innings in relief of Detwiler, allowing one run, a solo homer by Lucas Duda, and seven hits, walking one.

THE BAD:  Zero. That's the amount of walks the Nats had against a knuckleball pitcher last night.

THE UGLY:  Desmond. Although he went 2-for-5, his approach at the plate is absolutely frustrating. There's no situational awareness, no cutting down the swing, no pitch recognition. He swings from the heels every time at bat and until someone gets through to him, he's going to be a streaky singles hitter with low OBP.

THE STATS:  12 hits, no walks, seven strikeouts.  2-for-6 w/RISP, eight LOB, one GIDP. E: Cora (4).

NEXT GAME:  Saturday at 7:05 pm against the Mets.  Tom Milone makes his Major League debut against Dillon Gee (12-5, 4.24).

It could be a small point, but Monday night we might have actually witnessed where a still-young pitcher and his, um, more-experienced manager had a moment where they built a meaningful trust in one another.  Statheads like me have a tendency to minimize the human contact part of the game, but that type of influence is still strong in Major League clubhouses, especially with "old school" managers like the Nats' Davey Johnson.

In the sixth inning of last night's 4-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, starter Ross Detwiler of the Washington Nationals found himself in a situation.  Detwiler had been cruising to that point, allowing just two hits and no walks, looking very much like the guy the Nats figured he could be when they selected him with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2007 draft.

The first batter he faced in the inning was opposite pitcher Joe Saunders, and he greeted Detwiler with an infield single.  Detwiler got leadoff hitter Ryan Roberts to fly out to left and coaxed a ground ball from 2B Kelly Johnson to force Saunders at second.  All-Star Justin Upton then took a 0-1 pitch to left for a single, prompting a visit from pitching coach Steve McCatty.

Detwiler and Chris Young fought to a 3-2 count, but Detwiler missed low, loading the bases with the free pass.

It was at that point that manager Davey Johnson had a big decision to make.  With reliever Henry Rodriguez warmed up, should he leave his suddenly struggling starter in or go to the flame-throwing, but erratic, relief pitcher?

"I had a guy hot," Johnson said.

So it was an exercise it trust then, to let him work his way out of the jam he created?  Johnson replied, "No doubt about it."

"I wasn't real happy with the 3-2 pitch [to Young]," Johnson said. "It was... I don't know what it was.  I know it was 86 miles an hour.  But I have no idea what it was. I was thinking about going [to relieve Detwiler], but I said, 'No, I'm gonna see what he's made of right here.'"

Detwiler threw a ball to start off slugger Paul Goldschmidt, but the big first baseman hit the next offering, a 91-MPH sinker, on the ground to third where Ryan Zimmerman made a nice play to get a force out at second base to end the inning.

For his part, Detwiler played it off a little bit.  "I got myself into that jam by walking the guy with the changeup with a lead, so it's huge.  It was a tough hop for Zim. He made a good play on it."

It was a big spot for Detwiler to show Johnson and others in the Nats organization how far he's progressed as a pitcher.  But if Detwiler feels the opportunity he's had to get some starts in the waning part of the season gives him a leg up on any competition for the rotation next season, he isn't letting on.  "I'm just going out for every game now.  Next year is a long ways away.  I don't feel like I'm auditioning at all."

Detwiler may not feel like he's auditioning, but with roster expansion coming in a few days, it's expected that the Nationals will recall starting pitchers Tom Milone and Brad Peacock from AAA Syracuse.  And with several recent draftees pitching well in the minors, and two more high profile draft picks in Matt Purke and Alex Meyer under contract, the Nats are stockpiling young arms.

Detwiler is getting a chance to impress the Nats brass on the Major League level right now, with a spot in the opening day rotation being dangled in front of him.  Maybe wiggling out of a two out jam in the sixth inning Monday night helps him in that pursuit.  It sure showed his manager "what he's made of."

Detwiler delivers in 2-1 loss to the Reds. (C.Nichols/Nats News Network)

Last night, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Ross Detwiler matched his career high in number of pitches in a game with 103.  In either a strange twist of fate, or a simple coincidence depending on your point of view, the result in both starts was a one-run loss to the Cincinnati Reds.  In this case, it was a 2-1 final that was in doubt until the last pitch of the game.

On June 9, 2009, Detwiler dropped a 3-2 decision to the Reds.  Like last night, he went six innings in the affair.  Like last night, his offense helped him very little, managing just two runs on six hits.  And in the strangest coincidence of all, just like in last night's loss, the Reds starter (and winner) was Johnny Cueto and Francisco Cordero earned the save.

Cue the Twilight Zone theme.

Last night, Detwiler (L, 1-3, 2.87) pitched much better than he did that night in June of '09.  He limited the Reds to one run -- a solo home run to Joey Votto, his 20th of the year.  Detwiler gave up seven hits and two walks in his six innings, striking out a season-high seven.  It was his most competent start all season, and manager Davey Johnson was happy with the performance.

"I thought he pitched a good ballgame" Johnson said.  "I wanted him to go further than five [innings], I wanted to stretch him out a little bit.  He did a good job.  He got out of the leadoff hitter getting on in the sixth... I was pleased with the way he pitched."

It's just too bad that the Nats offense, which got Chien-Ming Wang off the hook Tuesday night after a rough first inning, decided to take last night off against Reds starter Cueto.

Cueto (W, 9-5, 1.89) was masterful, using a funky delivery where he would turn his back to the batter during his wind-up, much like Cuban hurler Luis Tiant did in the 1970s.  Cueto generated a lot of weak ground balls off the Nationals bats, and took a shutout into the ninth inning.  Ryan Zimmerman ended that bid -- and Cueto's night -- with a leadoff solo home run to the seats in the Red Porch.

The Nats tried to rally against Reds closer Francisco Cordero and had the fiery reliever in trouble, loading the bases with one out courtesy of a Jayson Werth walk, single by Danny Espinosa, and an error by shortstop Paul Janish on Jonny Gomes ground ball.  But rookie catcher Wilson Ramos swung at Corderos' first offering, a 90-MPH slider off the plate, and grounded into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play.

Wilson Ramos chases a slider, grounds into double play. (C.Nichols/Nats News Network)

Cueto's final line was stellar: in eight innings he allowed one earned run on six hits and no walks, striking out five.  The Zimmerman home run was the only blemish of the evening.

On this night, like that night two-plus years ago, Detwiler deserved a better fate.  But the 25-year old lefty's performance meant more than a win down the stretch for a team trying to finish the season by reaching the elusive .500 mark.  He's battling for a place in next season's rotation, and the year after that, and the year after that.

Detwiler knows that the Nats have prospects in the minors, and more coming as the result of Monday's signing day.  This is his opportunity to finally live up the billing of being the No. 6 overall selection in the 2007 draft.  He took care of what he could control last night.  Maybe next time out his offense can get him some runs.

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THE GOOD:  Detwiler.  He showed good stuff, recording seven Ks in his six innings.

THE BAD:  Sean Burnett.  He was awful, allowing two hits (both to lefties) and a walk in a third of an inning.

THE UGLY:  Ramos' double play.  Cordero was shaky in the ninth inning, issuing a walk to Werth and getting visibly upset at Janish's error.  Ramos swung at a bad pitch and did the Reds a favor. It's one thing to be aggressive in that situation, but you have to be smart aggressive, not go up flailing at the first pitch you see.

THE STATS:  Seven hits, one walk, five strikeouts.  0-for-8 w/RISP, seven LOB, one GIDP.  No errors, one DP.

NEXT GAME:  Thursday at 7:05 pm against the Reds.  Jordan Zimmermann (7-10, 3.23) hosts Bronson Arroyo (7-9, 5.31)

All photos C.Nichols/Nats News Network

The Washington Nationals got a credible performance from their starting pitcher, but a lack of offensive production and faulty bullpen ultimately did them in, losing last night to the Colorado Rockies 6-3, before almost 36,000 at Coors Field in Denver.

If that script sounds familiar, it's mostly how the Nats built a 27-36 record in the first 2 1/2 months of the season before reeling off 13 wins in their next 15 games, fooling everyone into thinking they might be able to compete for a Wild Card spot this season.

Last night, Ross Detwiler was the starter that got no support.  He went five innings, allowing just two earned runs on five hits and three walks, striking out just one.  He threw only 66 pitches, 38 for strikes.  Detwiler certainly didn't put up world-beating numbers, but he was keeping his team in the game, trailing 2-1 when he left the game.

But the offense was simply inept. 

In the top of the first, The Nats had a run in with runners at first and second with one out against shaky young starter Esmil Rogers (W, 5-1, 6.35).  They didn't score again until Ryan Zimmerman's two-run two-out double in the ninth inning, trailing at that point 6-1.

The Nationals had their chances, but squandered them all night long.  They went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position, leaving 10 men on base.  Jayson Werth, Laynce Nix and Ian Desmond -- hitting in the fifth through seventh spots in manager Davey Johnson's lineup -- combined to go 0-for-10 with four strikeouts and a combined eight men left on base.

The bullpen couldn't hold Colorado in the late innings, effectively barring a comeback.  Collin Balester wasn't so bad, allowing a solo home run to Troy Tulowitzki in two otherwise solid innings of relief.  But the normally-reliable Ryan Mattheus had a rough outing, giving up three runs on two hits, three walks and a hit batter in the eighth inning, ending the competitive portion of the evening.

There's no rest for the weary, as the Nats are just starting an 11-day, 10-game road trip through Colorado, Chicago and Philadelphia, and a tough loss is a difficult way to kick things off.  They'll look to Jordan Zimmermann tonight to stem the bleeding, having lost back-to-back games now, falling five game below .500.

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THE GOOD:  Ryan Zimmerman went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.  Rick Ankiel, Michael Morse and Wilson Ramos all had two hits.

THE BAD:  Danny Espinosa went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts, stranding three.

THE UGLY:  Ryan Mattheus.  Three earned runs on two hits, three walks and a hit batter in one inning.

THE STATS:  10 hits, two walks, eight strikeouts.  2-for-11 with RISP, 10 LOB, zero GIDP.  No errors, two DPs.

NEXT GAME:  Tonight v. Rockies at 8:40 pm.  Jordan Zimmermann (6-9, 3.12) faces Juan Nicasio (4-3, 3.95).

If this was Ross Detwiler's only chance to show the Washington Nationals he belongs in the Major Leagues, he made a pretty good impression.  The former No. 6 overall pick in the 2007 draft made the best of his spot start, allowing a two-run home run to Aramis Ramirez on his final pitch, but otherwise shutting down the Chicago Cubs, earning the win in a 3-2 victory before 19,181 at steamy Nats Park.

The Nats inch above the .500 mark again at 44-43, tied with the New York Mets for third in the N.L. East, 11 games behind division-leading Philadelphia.

Detwiler pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up just four hits in the process.  He did not walk a batter, something that has plagued him his entire professional career, though he only struck out one, and that was the opposite pitcher to boot.  But he generated a lot of ground ball outs and kept the Cubs off the scoreboard -- until that last pitch.

After the game, manager Davey Johnson admitted he made a mistake.  He didn't want Detwiler to face Ramirez in the sixth inning, but he didn't get right-handed reliever Todd Coffey up quickly enough to get him properly warmed up. "I was slow on the draw," Johnson explained.  "I wanted to get Coffey ready for Ramirez, and I didn't get him up for Ramirez, so I take that one on me."

But it wouldn't have been a Nats win if it weren't a one-run ballgame.

As they've done most of the season, the bullpen came in and did their jobs.  Todd Coffey, Sean Burnett, Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen (21st save) gave up just three hits over 3 2/3 innings, walked no one and struck out three.  It was as efficient as they've been all season long.

Detwiler may have a chance to stick with the club even if it's not in a starting role.  He was called up to take the spot start because of last Saturday's double-header, but Johnson has said on several occasions he'd like another lefty in the bullpen and would like a long man as well.  Detwiler might be able to fill both of those roles adequately.  He's been good his first time through the rotation in his career, but gets into trouble once he gets stretched out.  This might be a case of form following function.

Johnson joked with reporters before the game that someone would have to wrestle him to get Detwiler off his team.

Regardless of what role Detwiler might serve, the team needs to find more offense, particularly from their two best players, Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth.

The Nats jumped all over Cubs starter Ramon Ortiz, scoring three times in the first inning.  But once the inning was over, the futility they've been experiencing with the bats was in full evidence.  The Nats were 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position all night, and they stranded 10 runners in the game.  No one struggled worse than Werth, the new No. 5 hitter.  Werth went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and two ground outs, stranding six base runners.

Werth, who famously signed a $126 million contract in the off-season, is mired in the worst slump of his career.  For the season he's hitting a mere .224/.330/.382, but over the last month or so, his lack of production is alarming.  Since June 1, Werth is hitting a paltry .167/.305/.278 with seven extra-base hits in 131 plate appearances.  In his last 11 games, Werth has struck out 19 times.

Johnson has remained a steadfast supporter of his right fielder, but even he conceded last night that Werth needs to start producing.  "I think he's bottomed out," Johnson said of Werth, who is grounding out at a rate higher than at any time in his career since becoming a regular player.  "I thought he was in a good frame of mind the last three or four days.  I think he's comfortable. I think earlier in the year he was playing 'mentor' a little more than he needed to with some of the young guys. But he's a heck of a ballplayer and I know he gonna start doing the things he's capable of doing."

Johnson hopes, along with the rest of Nats Town, that happens much sooner rather than later.

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THE GOOD:  Danny Espinosa. 2-for-3 with a walk in the second spot in the order.  "The way he's playing, I like him in that two-hole," Johnson said of the 23-year old switch-hitting second baseman.  He's kind of a spark plug and gets us going.  He's swinging good from both side of the plate right now."

THE BAD:  Ian Desmond.  0-for-3 and five left on base. Was ordered to sacrifice with runners at second and third last in the game.  He's hitting .215 this season, and has just five base hits since June 18 (5-for-52).

THE UGLY:  The Nats might have been held to one run were it not for Cubs second baseman Jeff Baker's ugly throwing error in the first inning. With the base loaded, he fielded a Laynce Nix grounder and made one of the worst throws you'd ever see a Major Leaguer make, missing his target by 20 feet.  The ball ended up in short left field, two runs scored and all hands were safe.

THE STATS:  10 hits, four walks, eight strikeouts. 2-for-11 with RISP, 10 LOB, two GIDP. E: Detwiler (1), Cora (3).

NEXT GAME:  Wednesday at 7:05 pm at Nats Park.  Tom Gorzelanny (2-6, 3.77) faces Randy Wells (1-3, 6.59).

HARPER WATCH:  In his second Double-A game for Harrisburg, Bryce Harper went 0-for-4 with an RBI and two outfield assists, nailing runners twice at second base trying to take an extra base against him on balls hit to left field.

NATS NOTES:  To make room on the active roster, reliever Collin Balester was designated for assignment.  Though he had an option remaining, because of his service time the team decided that administratively it would be easier to conduct the transaction if they designated him.  He is expected to remain on the 40-man roster once he clears Thursday, and manager Davey Johnson was hopeful to add him back to the active roster as soon as he is eligible.

The Washington Nationals were cruising today, leading the Houston Astros 7-3 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, with the bullpen having thrown five shutout innings.

But as Yogi once said, "It ain't over til it's over."

A five-run rally in the bottom of the ninth lifted the Astros to an 8-7 win, before 3,328 at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, FL.  The Loss drops the Nats to 10-8 for the spring.

The Astros sunk their teeth into Tyler Clippard in the ninth, crushing him for five runs on four hits and two walks.  The dagger came off the bat of Anderson Hernandez of all people, as he drove in Chirs Bogusevic from third after Bogusevic's triple tied the game one batter earlier.

It's not like the Astros got lucky in the frame:  they pounded Clippard for two doubles and a triple to go along with the game-winning hit.  The lanky righty faced nine Astros batters, and five of them scored.

The implosion was a black mark against an otherwise effective bullpen performance.  Sean Burnett was perfect in one inning of work, Cole Kimball struck out three, but walked two and gave up a hit in his two innings, and Doug Slaten got his job done, retiring all five batters he faced.

Ross Detwiler started and was not as sharp as he'd been earlier in the spring, but he battled through his three innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks, though he did not strike out anyone.

Of all the candidates for the fifth spot in the rotation, Detwiler still remains the most intriguing.  His size (6'5"), handedness and pedigree (No. 6 overall pick in 2007 draft) make him an enticing prospect.  The lanky lefty altered his mechanics in the off-season to deliver the ball more over his plant foot instead of the pronounced cross-body motion that has precipitated hip surgery, stalling his breakthrough.

Entering today's game he had struck out 10 in nine innings of spring training work, giving hope that he would finally seize the opportunity and secure a spot in the rotation and develop into that home-grown No. 3 starter behind Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman for the start of 2012.

That might still be the case, but since he still has an option left, he's going to have to outright win the fifth spot, and with just two or three more appearances left before the end of spring training, Detwiler is running out of time to prove that he deserves that spot.

Whether he wins the job or not, Detwiler will pitch at the big league level this season.  But he needs to prove healthy, effective -- and consistent -- before that happens.

NATS NOTES:  Nyjer Morgan hit a three-run home run, his first of any kind since 2009.  Wilson Ramos (2-for-4) added a blast to center as well.

Alex Cora went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base.

Michael Morse went 0-for-3, but drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

The Nats went 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left three on base.

Jayson Werth committed a throwing error, airmailing home plate on a short fly to right, allowing a run to score.  Brian Bixler booted a grounder at third base, but no harm was done.

Washington plays against Atlanta in Orlando on Thursday at 6:05 pm.

The Washington Nationals lost to the Houston Astros 7-6, leaving the tying run on third base in a three-run ninth inning.  Here's a quick look at the good and bad:

GOOD:

1.  Ross Detwiler.  I know his box score didn't end up that impressive, but his transformation from last year to this is incredible.  His delivery is smooth, efficient and effective.

2.  Michael Morse.  Continues to rake.  Stud.

3.  Jesus Flores.  Long homer to right center, two RBIs and a walk.  Putting his name in the drawing.

Ross Detwiler delivers in a 7-6 loss to the Houston Astros. (C.Nichols/Nats News Network)

BAD: 

1.  Nyjer Morgan.  1-for-4 with a K.  Misplayed three balls in center field.

2.  Livan Hernandez.  Seven hits and a walk in three innings.  Not sharp.

3.  Ian Desmond. 0-for 5 and an error.

Sorry for the brevity, it was Friday night.

The Washington Nationals could only muster two hits today against a parade of Atlanta Braves pitchers, including young star Tommy Hanson, in a 5-0 loss before 6,250 at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL.

But the story for the Nats today centers around their own young starter, left-hander Ross Detwiler.  Pitching on his 25th brithday, he went three solid innings, surrendering an unearned run on two hits and one walk, striking out five, including mowing down the side in his third inning of work.

Detwiler was sharp, offering a good fastball, and he was crisp on the few occsions he threw his breaking ball.  Detwiler overhauled his machanics over the winter, and from first impression it seems the exaggerated, pronounced cross-body motion that has put so much stress on his front hip is gone, replaced with a natural step more driectly towards home plate.

Detwiler lost life on his fastball last year, but it wasn't because of his arm.  All that stress on his surgically repaired front hip left the joint weak, and a weak lower body meant less life on his fastball.  A change to a more natural delivery can only mean good things for the former No. 6 overall pick in the 2007 amateur draft, selected before such luminaries as San Francisco's Madison Bumgarner and the Braves Jason Heyward.

As for today's game, the Nats were just flat shut down.  Hanson went three innings, giving up just one walk, though he struck out just one in the appearance.  Reliever Cristhian Martinez came on after Hanson and was flat dealing, striking out five in his two innings.

Other than Detwiler, the highlight of the day for the Nats came in the second inning, when Danny Espinosa took a relay from Nyjer Morgan in short right center field and threw out Heyward trying to score on a double by shortstop Alex Gonzalez.

The Braves got their first run on the day on the next play, as Ian Desmond committed his first error of the spring, drawing first baseman Michael Aubrey off the bag on an in-between hop off the bat of Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman.

The Nats host the Houston Astros tomorrow at 1:05 pm.  Yunesky Maya is expected to take the ball for Washington in his second appearance of the spring.

THE RESULT:  The Philadelphia Phillies, having clinched the N.L. East title two days ago, started a lineup Wednesday night that was reminiscent of an away Spring Training game.  The only regular starters in the lineup were shortstop Jimmy Rollins and centerfielder Shane Victorino.

No Chase Utley.  No Ryan Howard.  No Jayson Werth.

No matter.

The Phillies backups hammered Washington Nationals starter Ross Detwiler for four home runs and seven runs total in 4 2/3 innings.  Detwiler (L, 1-3, 4.25) gave up seven hits and walked two, striking out just two.  He left balls up and out over the plate, and he was punished early (back-to-back soslo shots in the second) and often (part-time outfielder Ben Francisco hit two homers).

And the Nats hitters were shut down by Joe Blanton (W, 9-6, 4.74).  Blanton, who is second among qualifiers in most hits allowed per nine innings, went seven strong, allowing just three hits and three walks, striking out six.

For the three-game series, the Nationals mustered just eight base hits.

Their record sits at 68-91 with three games to play against the New York Mets.

The highlight of the game for the home crowd was generated by themselves, giving slugging first baseman Adam Dunn a standing ovation before his final at bat of the game, possibly his last in a Nats uniform in Nationals Park. 

Barring any last-minute contract agreement, Dunn will file for free agency after the season, and several sources have said they don't expect the Nationals to meet Dunn's requirements for a contract for next year.

The significant of Dunn's at bat music for that final trip, "Turn the Page" by Metallica, was not lost on the legions of fans that paid tribute to Dunn, hoping that the team hasn't turned the page on the idea of re-signing their cleanup hitter.

THE GOOD:  Once again, the bullpen.  Miguel Batista, Collin Balester, Joel Peralta and Doug Slaten combined for 4 1/3 innings of one-hit scoreless relief.

THE BAD:  Adam Dunn.  On what could very well be his last appearance in a Nationals uniform at Nats Park, he went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.  He even fessed up after the game of pressing, mainly because of the cheers -- and the standing ovation he received before his last at bat. 

"That's the first time in a long time I've had that feeling of, I wouldn't call it nerves, but I'd call them jitters," said Dunn.  "I tried to hit every ball as far as I possibly could."

THE UGLY:  Detwiler.  He's been good in limited opportunity late in the season, but tonight he didn't have the velocity or location to beat Philly's "spring training" lineup.  It was a pretty disconcerting start heading into a very important off-season for him.

The former first-round pick, Detwiler is danger of being relegated to "bust" status, his career derailed by injury and ineffectiveness.  What should make him dangerous, his funky delivery, also causes his hip problems, and he just didn't show his pre-surgery velocity or movement.  Hopefully a full off-season will allow the hip to fully heal and strengthen so that he gets that zip back in spring training.

THE STATS:  8 Ks, 3 BBs, 0-for-6 with RISP, 5 LOB, 0 GIDP, 0 Es

NEXT GAME: Off-day Thursday.  Friday the Nats start their final series of the season with the New York Mets.  Jordan Zimmermann (1-2, 5.76) takes on Pat Misch (0-4, 4.66) at 7:10 pm from Citi Field.

THE RESULT:  Tell the truth.  When you found out Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn weren't in the lineup, you kinda gave up on this one, didn't you?

That is, until Michael Morse launched his 13th home run of the season leading off the bottom of the second inning to tie the game at one.  But even then you still weren't totally convinced.

But then, in the sixth inning, the Washington Nationals scored four times with two outs, and you were back in, ready to follow the youngsters as they turn into a Major League team.  

And on the day Stan Kasten, president of the team, announced his resignation, the Nats cruised to their third straight victory over the Houston Astros, 7-2.  You, along with 14,633 paid attendance, rejoiced. 

At least about the victory.

The Nats record now stands at 65-88, and with nine games to go, you once again feel optimistic about this team finishing up on a hot streak, with visions of Danny Espinosa, Ian Desmond, and other Nats youngsters leading the way.

The kids hit home runs, played exceptional defense, and gave Ross Detwiler his first victory since in almost a whole calendar year.  His last victory was Sept. 28, 2009 against the New York Mets.

Roger Bernadina homered the opposite way in that fateful sixth off loser Nelson Figueroa (5-4, 3.81), and Morse added a two-RBI double in the frame.  Bernadina and Morse, as unlikey a 4-5 combo in the league, went a combined 4-for-6 with a walk, double, two home runs, five RBIs and three runs scored.

And Danny Espinosa homered for the second day in a row, giving the 23-year old second baseman his sixth home run and 11th extra-base hit in just 77 plate appearances.

Detwiler went six innings, throwing 79 pitches, 45 for strikes.  He did not get a strikeout, but induced three ground ball double plays.  He gave up two earned runs on seven hits and two walks.  The first run scored when the second batter of the game drove a double over the head of Justin Maxwell on a ball that Maxwell did not get a good read on and probably should have caught.

Craig Stammen, Drew Storen and Collin Balester all recorded a scoreless inning of relief.

The Nats have taken their lumps this year, on their way to a 90-loss season after consecutive 100-loss seasons.  But teams hardly ever make a 20 game leap in the standings.  If the Nats go 3-6 the rest of the way, they will have 10 more wins this season than last.  That's legit.

It's tough to be patient, but if you look around, some of the building blocks are here.  Some of Kasten's words today in his address to reporters stood out more than others: 

"I do know that this team finally has a terrific pipeline. You know the kids our system produced this season. You know the kids that they're about to produce the next season, the season after that, the season after and the season after that. Nothing good happens after that. We finally have that. We finally have a baseball operations front office that is as good as can be to produce that on an ongoing basis. Those are the two most important things on [the baseball operations] side."

THE GOOD:  Infield defense.  Man, how long have I been waiting to type those words?  All three of Espinosa, Desmond and Gonzalez had a tremendous day on defense, making diving stops, leaping catches, and laser throws to first.  It was a clinic, and a beautiful thing to watch.

THE BAD:  Justin Maxwell.  He was the only batter not to have a hit or score a run, and he hit inot a double play.  He did draw a walk though.  And he kinda misplayed that ball in center on the second batter of the game.

THE UGLY:  Astros pitcher Gustavo Chacin.  Chacin faced two batters, and gave up Espinosa's homer and a single by Adam Kennedy.  Tough night.

THE STATS:  6 Ks, 3 BBs, 2-for-8 with RISP, 4 LOB, 1 GIDP.

NEXT GAME:  Friday night against Atlanta at 7:05 pm.  Jordan Zimmermann (0-2, 6.75) faces Nats-killer Tim Hudson (16-8, 2.61).

In addition to tonight's starter RHP Yunesky Maya and LHP Ross Detwiler, the Washington Nationals activated RHP Joe Bisenius before the game with the New York Mets.

Bisenius' name hasn't been mentioned before in the list of potential September call-ups, yet here he is back in the big leagues. 

He pitched two games with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007 before arm trouble and inconsistancy left him without a team and he was working out with his hometown Sioux City, IA independent league team, where Nats scouts found him and offered him a minor league contract on May 7.

In the dugout before tonight's game with the Mets, Bisenius spoke with reporters about getting the call.  "I was obviously really excited to get the news and come up here and show these guys what I can do."

When asked what he will bring to the Nationals bullpen, he said, "Hopefully an agressive approach -- go right at guys and be able to throw quality innings when needed."

Bisenius had arm trouble and fought his stuff in his time in the Phillies organization, but he said his injury problems are behind him and he's looking to make his name again in the big leagues.  "Health-wise I feel great right now."

He reportedly threw in the upper 90s, touching triple-digits, with the Phillies.  Reports from the Nats' minor league staff still have him in the mid-90s.

The 27-year old pitched at three different minor league levels for the Nationals this season.  Overall, he was 4-0 with one save and a 3.05 ERA in 34 games.  He has a 10.8 K/9 rate and a 2.88 K/BB rate in 38.1 innings this season.

"I didn't have a job for a little bit, I was looking for a team when [the Nats] came calling.  I was looking to get back to the big leagues.  If you're in the minor leagues and you don't think you can get back to the big  leagues you probably shouldn't be there."

As for being added to the 40-man roster, an indication that the Nats didn't want to lose him in the off-season due to his being a six-year minor leaguer, Bisenius said, "I'm just looking to take it day by day here and show the what I can do.  But yeah, I'd like to be back here next year.  I like this organization so far -- a lot."

The 6'4" righty was 1-0 at Syracuse with a 2.70 ERA in 14 games.

BULLET-POINT STYLE!

• 
  
  Congratulations to 1B Tyler Moore and OF Randolph Oduber for winning MVP honors in their respective leagues.  Moore won the Carolina League MVP, finishing first in that league in homers, RBIs, doubles and extra-base hits.  Moore's 75 XBHs were second in all of minor league baseball.  Oduber won th Gulf Coast League MVP.  He led that league in average (.366), slugging (.569) and OPS (1.002).  Oduber was a 32nd round pick in this year's draft.
  
  
• 
  
  Stephen Strasburg undergoes his ligament replacement surgery today, under the direction of Dr. Lewis Yocum in CA.  Nats team doctors will assist.  Best wishes to Strasburg and his family today.
  
  
• 
  
  We should hear about any suspensions for Wednesday night's brawl before game time today.  My guess?  Morgan gets 10 games, Volstad gets 10 games, Edwin Rodriguez and Jim Riggleman both get two games, Slaten and Veras both get two games, and Listach gets 3 games.  MLB comes down hard on coaches who get involved in brawls other than playing peacekeeper.
  
  
• 
  
  Ross Detwiler went five innings for Syracuse last night.  He gave up three runs -- just one earned -- on five hits.  The lefty walked one and struck out two.  He threw 56 pitches, 39 for strikes.  Garrett Mock goes for the Chiefs tonight.
  
  
• 
  
  Finally, Nats News Network will be making the road trip to Pittsburgh this weekend for the games Saturday and Sunday.  We'll be saying hi to anyone wearing the Curly W!

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.

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:  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.

Almost any time someone from the Nationals talks about the rest of the season, they mention the reinforcements coming -- specifically the return of injured starting pitching.  But just how realistic is it that any of the pitchers currently on the disabled list will actually contribute meaningfully this season?

Ross Detwiler:  Detwiler is recovering from hip surgery and is probably the closest to returning to the Nationals.  He was on a rehab assisgnment in Potomac and Harriburg, and last week was activated from the MLB DL and assigned to Harrisburg.  In three games, Detwiler has a sparkling ERA (0.84) but is putting a lot of runners on base (1.594). 

He went six innings his last time out, and officials have described his time in the minors as his "spring training", in order to build his arm strength up.  He could return to the rotation at any time once the team is comfortable that his arm is game ready.  In 15 games last season, Detwiler went 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA and 1.586 WHIP.

FORECAST:  Detwiler will return to the MLB rotation mid-July.

Jordan Zimmerman:  Zimmermann underwent Tommy John surgery and has speadily progressed in his rehab, to the point that the team has slowed him down on occasion, and he has not met any setbacks that are common with TJ rehabs.  He has thrown a couple of simulated games at Nationals Park and is set for his first rehab assignment, this Saturday in Woodbridge for the P-Nats.  He is expected to throw two innings.

He's had good velocity in his simulated games, but the Nats are going to be very cautious with Zimmermann, who they envision to be the No. 2 starter behind Stephen Strasburg in 2011.

FORECAST:  If things progress smoothly through his rehab starts, Zimmermann could make a couple of MLB starts in September.

Chien-Ming Wang:  Wang has been slow to recover from his shoulder surgery, with GM Mike Rizzo describing it to the Washington Post the other day as more of a "football injury".  Regardless, Wang hasn't had any real setbacks, per se, just that his recovery has been slow.

He's been throwing live BP at extended spring training in Viera, FL and is schedueld to throw 45 pitches of live BP tomorrow.  There is no timetable on his return to action of any kind, including a rehab assignment.

FORECAST:  I'll be surprised if Wang makes an appearance for the Nats this season.  I was intrigued by this signing, hoping that Wang could return to the form that made him a two-time 19-game winner for the Yankees.  But every time he is talked about by Nats officials, the plan gets moved back a little bit more.

Jason Marquis:  Marquis played catch in the outfield from 90 feet on the last homestand, and has since returned to his off-season home in New York and the team's facilities in Florida to continue his rehab.

After he has his surgery, the Nats put an August timetable on his return, but considering we're at July 1 and he hasn't thrown from a mound yet, that looks doubtful.

FORECAST:  The first year of Marquis' contract is full-bust.  He might get an appearance or two in September, but significant progess needs to be made in the next couple of weeks or even that is in jeopardy.

Garrett Mock:  Mock was sent to the minors after one start, then discovered a nerve injury in his neck that caused tension in his shoulder.  He had corrective surgery, and had been throwing as late as mid-May.  But considering the dearth of information about Mock's injury and lack of a timeline from team officials, it's hard to be enthusiastic about a return to the majors this year.

FORECAST:  Mock will resurface later this summer and spend the rest of the season in the minors.  Even when he does get healthy, Detwiler, Luis Atilano, Matt Chico and others have stepped in front of him for now.

Scott Olsen:  Olsen went on the DL May 22 with tightness and weakness in his surgically repaired shoulder.  He was undergoing therapy and actually threw 33 pitches in a bullpen session in early June.  But Olsen experienced soreness the next day and was again shut down.

He was sent back to extended spring training in Viera and as of June 22 had just started a throwing program.

FORECAST:  Olsen doens't throw another pitch for the Nationals this season.

John Lannan:  I saved the most frustrating for last.  Lannan, expected to be a major part of the Nationals pitching staff this season, was ceremoniously dumped to Double-A Harrisburg last week after three consecutive miserable starts where he allowed 10+ hits in less than five innings.  He did have a stretch of four games earlier this season where he gave up two earned runs or less in each.

Lannan has had two starts now for the Senators.  His first was sparkling, giving up just one run on four hits in seven innings.  Last night, however, Lannan was rocked for six earned runs on 10 hits and three walks in five innings.  In Double-A. 

Lannan insists that the soreness he had in his elbow, which caused him to miss a start earlier this season, is not troubling him.  Yet, he is confounded why his sinker does not have the life on it that causes him to generate weakly hit grounders.

He does not strike anyone out, and his K rates have gotten worse every year in the bigs, leading Fangraphs to call Lannan the Luckiest Man in Baseball.  This year his walk rates have gone up in addition.

FORECAST:  If Lannan does not have a physical problem, then he really needs to figure out why he can pitch well one game and get hammered the next.  Still, I think we'll see Lannan get his troubles figured out and return to the rotation by August 1.

Manager Jim Riggleman addressed some of the various rehab programs for injured players throughout the system this morning in his pre-game press conference.

Jordan Zimmermann:  Threw 35 pitches in a simulated game at Nats Park yesterday morning and is in uniform this weekend watching from the bench.  He reportedly felt fine this morning after his workout yesterday.

The Nats are being especially cautious with Zimmerman, the potential homegrown No. 2 starter.  All through the process he's been ahead of schedule, and has not met with any setback, which is generally uncommon with Tommy John survivors.

There's no timebale for a rehab assignment yet, but GM Mike Rizzo has remained steadfast that Zimmermann won't see a Major League mound until August at best.

Jason Marquis:  Played catch in the outfield yesterday before batting practice, but is still nowhere strong enough to throw from a mound yet.  He's still weeks away from anything but light duty after surgery to remove floating bodies from his elbow.

Ross Detwiler:  Pitched four innings for Double-A Harrisburg last night.  He gave up six hits and one walk, striking out two in four shutout innings.  Riggleman described Detwiler's rehab as his "spring training", stretching his innings out an dbuilding up arm strength.  Detwiler is recovering from hip surgery.

Jesus Flores:  Is at exteded spring training and throwing to bases.  He really hasn't ramped up his rehab as the Nats are really taking their time with Flores, recovering from shoulder surgery. 

Riggleman indicated this morning that a normal 21-day rehab assignment minght not be enough to get Flores in game shape once he's cleared for play by doctors.  By that point, Flores will have missed over a year of playing time.