"It's nice to win a one-run game." -- Ryan Zimmerman, moments after his game-winning sacrifice fly.

Nationals celebrate 2-1 victory over New York Mets. (Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nats News Network)

THE RESULT:  Coming off a brutal month of June and a 1-5 road trip, the Washington Nationals really needed to get this 10-game home stand to a good start. 

In a tight, tense game, the Nats finally came through with runners in scoring position and beat the New York Mets 2-1 with a ninth inning rally that sent 20,167 home from Nationals Park with smiles on their faces.

The win raises the Nationals record to 35-45.

The Nats used a little "small ball" in the ninth to score the decisive run.  With one out, pinch-hitter Willie Harris coaxed a walk on a 3-2 pitch from reliever Pedro Feliciano (L, 2-4).  Nyjer Morgan then dragged a bunt past Feliciano which drew first baseman Ike Davis off the bag.  Davis fielded the bunt and threw to second baseman Alex Cora covering, but it was too late to catch the speedy Morgan.

Nyjer Morgan beats out bunt in ninth inning. (Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nats News Network)

Cristian Guzman followed with a hard-hit single to left, but Harris didn't get a great jump, concerned that the line drive might have held up to be caught.  But it fell in front of left fielder Jesus Feliciano and he made a strong throw to home, making third base coach Pat Listach's decision to hold Harris that much easier.

Now with the bases loaded and one out, Ryan Zimmerman came to the plate, but not before Mets manager Jerry Manuel called upon Ryota Igarshi -- not his closer Francisco Rodriguez.  Manuel also put on a bit of a strange defense, aligning five infielders in an extreme attempt at a force at home or double play.

Zimmerman looked at two balls from Igarashi, then lifted a fly ball deep enough to right field that Harris was able to slide across the plate before Jeff Francouer's throw got there.

"You don't want to get away from what you do," Zimmerman told the media. "If you try to pull the ball too much, you hit into a double play. You kind of take what they give you. Once I got 2-0, I was obviously in the driver's seat. I was just trying to drive the ball to right-center like I always do."

Zimmerman's heroics made a winner out of Matt Capps (W, 1-3), who pitched a scoreless ninth inning. 

Manager Jim Riggleman made special mention of Harris' effort in his post-game remarks.  "Regardless of what his numbers say across the board, [Harris] grinds out an at-bat for you," Riggleman said. "That was huge."

The excitement in the final frame should not overshadow the pitching duel between Livan Hernandez and Johan Santana.

Livan Hernandez delivers against the New York Mets.  (Photo by Ian Koski/Nats Daily News)

The crafty veterans traded turns pitching in and out of trouble all night.  Both went seven innings, and both allowed their share of baserunners, but both allowed just one earned run.  Hernandez did not walk a batter and struck out seven, while Santana gave out two free passes and whiffed seven.

THE GOOD:  Morgan went 2-for-5 and drove in the Nats first run with a solid single to left field, plating Ian Desmond from third.  Desmond went 2-for-4 himself, including a double that missed being a home run by a matter of inches. 

The blast hit off the wall in right center where there is a funky angle, and instead of bouncing back toward the field, it caromed away from the field toward the visitor's bullpen.  Manager Jim Riggleman thought it went out and asked for a video review.

"I saw fans standing there like they were ready to catch that ball and I just knew that ball was gone. ... I was shocked that ball stayed in; that's why I had them review it. I thought it had to hit back there on that concrete somewhere," he said of Desmond's drive.

THE BAD:  Michael Morse went 0-for-3 and left three runners on before being lifted for a defensive replacement late in the game.

THE UGLY:  The Nats won, but the hitting troubles continued, as they went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base.  That's just not getting it done.

NEXT GAME:  Friday is game two of the four-game series. 

As we try to sort out some problems with my ability to shoot/download/upload video, there are the highlights from this morning's press conference with Nats' Manager Jim Riggleman.

On Ryan Zimmerman, and his lingering soreness in his right hamstring:

"He is definitely available to pinch-hit, but again, same restrictions on the running and… just trying to get that area there to go away where it's been sore."

On whether the team has contemplated the DL:

"We're not there. He's able to swing and right now if that's the only thing I can do is use him to hit for the pitcher, then we'll continue to look at that.

Once we do that, then we've lost the days where we can backdate it. We're a little bit strapped. Willie is a little tender and Pudge's back was aching a little."

On the short bench:

"When you're only carrying five extra men anyway, and a couple of them are unavailable, then you've just got to be careful how you use people. I don't want a situation where we are not able to back-date Zim at some point if we ever chose to do that. I really am anticipating him being able to play in Chicago.

The concern there will be the cold weather but we've got to make sure he's totally ready to go. Maybe a day game where I can start him in Chicago, and then we go down to Florida."

Revealing Willie Harris has had some knee troubles of late:

"Harris - I'm not going to start him in the ballgame. I'll use him if needed as a pinch hitter. We've got a lot of good athletes on the ballclub.

I think it's his right knee. It's been sore. It's been sore for a little while and he's played. Both plays yesterday got him. The one up against the wall where he banged himself and then diving on the one in front of him just kind of aggravated what was already sore."

Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports that Harris injured the knee making the diving catch against the Mets last week, and he had an MRI on it Saturday, the results of which were negative.

Riggleman also said he needed to be careful with his bullpen today after yesterday's 13 inning game.  He's hoping that today's starter, Scott Olsen, cna give him the innings he needs witht he bullpen a little beat up.

Today's start is very important to Olsen, coming off a disaster start where he couldn't get out of the third inning.  The Nats have been Jekyll and Hyde with starters, either getting very good performances or rather terrible ones. and Olsen really needs to compete today to keep hold of his spot and provide the innings his team needs.

LINEUPS

Dodgers:  Furcal SS, Martin C, Kemp CF, Loney 1B, Blake 3B, Belliard 2B, Anderson LF, Johnson RF, Billingsly P

Nationals:  Morgan CF, Kennedy 3B, Guzman 2B, Dunn 1B, Willingham LF, Rodriguez C, Desmond SS, Maxwell RF, Olsen P

"This is the big leagues. You can't give teams four or five outs." -- Josh Bard, who had an error and passed ball, July 24, 2009.

THE RESULT: The Washington Nationals committed four errors and a passed ball, which led to three unearned runs, and a 6-2 loss to the San Diego Padres, the next-worst team in the National League.

San Diego is now 4-17 in July.

The Nats managed just six hits off Mat Latos -- making his second career start -- and three Padres relievers, scoring on solo home runs by Cristian Guzman (4) and Ryan Zimmerman (16).

The Nationals have lost 13 of 16 and have the majors' worst record at 28-68. They now have 94 errors in 96 games, far and away the worst in the major leagues.

Friday night's game is the 10th time this year the Nats have made three or more errors in a game this season.

Interim manager Jim Riggleman was pointed in his post-game comments. "We just cannot play that sloppy and have that many errors through this point in the season and just say, 'Well that's baseball. That's OK. They're trying.' No. That's not fair to the fans who come out here and buy these tickets."

Washington starter Garrett Mock,who made his second start since being recalled last week, gave up five runs, three earned, on nine hits and one walk, striking out five, in five and one-third innings.

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

The Nats made an error and had a passed ball before they recorded an out. Tony Gwynn singled to start the game, took second on a passed ball by Josh Bard that he tried to backhand; instead he whiffed and the ball went to the stone wall, giving Gwynn second base.

Everth Cabrera attempted a sacrifice bunt, but Mock overthrew Nick Johnson at first, and all hands were safe. Gwynn scored on a sacrifice fly and Cabrera later scored on a double to make it 2-0 before most fans were in their seats.

Adam Dunn made an error for the second straight game, misplaying a ball in the corner. Bard later dropped a pop-up up the third baseline, and Jason Bergmann overthrew Johnson in the seventh, which led to another unearned run.

To make matters worse, when the Nats did reach base, they took themselves out of innings. Johnson led off the second with a single, but was gunned down when Riggleman put on a hit-and-run, which turned into a strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play with Josh Willingham providing the strikeout.

THE TAKEAWAY: So much for the extra fielding defense Riggleman is putting the team through before games. Four errors and a passed ball make for a very ugly game.

The Nats actually made good contact off Padres rookie Latos in the first couple of innings, but after the errors and the Willingham/Johnson double play, the team just rolled over.

THE GOOD: Ryan Zimmerman and Cristian Guzman. They both went 2-for-4 with a solo home run.

THE BAD: Willie Harris. He was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the leadoff position.

THE UGLY: Four errors. F-O-U-R. 4. And a passed ball to boot. It's embarrassing and hard to watch.

NEXT GAME: Saturday night for game two with the Pads. J.D. Martin (0-1, 11.25) makes his second start against Tim Stauffer (0-1, 2.08).

Photo courtesy of AP.

Rob Dibble doesn't know it. Ray Knight either. And certainly Pat Listach doesn't have the first idea, since he made the same ridiculous mistake, TWICE, in a 5-4 loss to the Houston Astros.

Two times in last night's one-run game, third base coach Pat Listach sent a runner home with only one out on a base hit to center field. In the fourth inning, Nick Johnson, who still runs with a noticeable limp as a result of his horrific collision in 2006, was thrown out by center fielder Michael Bourn trying to score on a single by Adam Dunn.

In the top of the ninth, game tied at four, Willie Harris led off with a single and took second on a sacrifice by Anderson Hernandez. Nyjer Morgan then delivered a line drive up the middle that Harris had to freeze on for fear of the pitcher -- or shortstop -- snaring it. Once clear of fielders, Harris took off.

Inexplicably, Listach waived Harris home although the ball was just in short center and Bourn had already reached the ball. Bourn then delivered a throw that was up the third baseline a bit, but catcher Pudge Rodriguez had plenty of time to make the catch and slide back over to the plate to tag out Harris, who was trying to contort his way around the tag instead of sliding.

The play was lauded by booth announcers Bob Carpenter and Rob Dibble, and later on the post-game show by analyst Ray Knight. And I hate to continue harping on these guys, but I guess I have to until they get it right.

Both plays of "aggression" were just plain stupid. There was absolutely NO REASON to send either Johnson or Harris with just one out. This team is plenty bad on it's own to have the third base coach making mistakes as well, getting runners thrown out at home.

Manager Manny Acta defended his coach after the game, as he should have. Hanging Listach out to dry in the media would have been a spectacularly bad thing to do, especially coming into the all-star break. But Acta's words here shouldn't confuse baseball fans about the original plays.

"You have to be aggressive. If the throw would have been one foot to either side we wouldn't even be discussing this, and I never second-guess my third base coach because we have scored over 300-something runs, and on every one of them he has waved the runner home. So I'm not going to second-guess him when one guy gets thrown out."

True enough Manny, had the throw been worse, Harris might have scored. But you cannot count on major league players to make a bad play in order to try to force in a run, which is what Listach did...TWICE.

It's normal for players to try to be more aggressive to get out of a slump. It's the only way they know how. If you're failing, try harder. It's the complete opposite as a coach. You're supposed to be the voice of reason and restraint, reigning players in to do their jobs, not to do too much.

Put it this way: If Listach puts up the stop sign on either play, and either runner ran through the stop sign and were out, it would have been a terrible case of the player trying to do too much, right? In these cases, it was the coach that was trying to do too much.

It was the wrong call. Twice.

---------

I have two more comments about last night's game.

First, Nick Johnson is broken. It is plainly obvious that he is afraid to go backwards to chase pop-ups. I suppose I would be too after what happened to him. The fielders around him are going to have to be more assertive in helping Johnson play those types of balls.

Hernandez clearly should have called Johnson off on the pop foul that went untouched, giving Geoff Blum new life, then doubling to put runners in scoring position and allowing Jeff Keppinger to hit a sac fly to plate Rodriguez with the tying run.

Second, I still don't understand the double-switch in the ninth inning. Acta brought in Austin Kearns and Mike MacDougal at the same time, moving Willingham to left and Harris into center field. I get that the pitcher's spot was coming up, but why wouldn't he just have Kearns pinch-hit, instead of removing his best defensive outfielder (Morgan) to accommodate a double-switch.

Would Tejada been able to take second on Carlos Lee's fly out to center if Morgan were still in the game? It was pretty close play on Harris' throw.

If anyone has ideas on that, I'd love to hear them in the comments.

"Which one?" -- Manny Acta, in response to the question "How bad did Guzman's error hurt?" in the post-game conference, July 7, 2009.

THE RESULT: The Washington Nationals lost a perfectly winnable game last night due to a veteran pitcher that couldn't throw a strike, infield errors too numerous to count, a backup outfielder falling down on the base paths, and eight runners left on base with the Nats going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

Oh, and the winning pitcher for the Colorado Rockies didn't throw a single pitch.

It was a fairly normal game until the eighth inning. Sure, Jordan Zimmermann wasn't sharp, giving up seven hits and four walks in just four innings. And he certainly would have fared better if Willie Harris, starting again at second base, hadn't tried to field a ground ball in the fourth inning with his, um, private area.

But as it was, the game was tied entering the top of the eighth.

With two outs, forgotten man Austin Kearns pinch-hit for reliever Sean Burnett (two innings, one hit, no walks).

Kearns laced a single through the hole on the right side. Colorado manager Jim Tracy called upon veteran left-hander Alan Embree to face Nyjer Morgan. Kearns broke on a steal attempt, and instead of throwing home, Embree went to first. Kearns then, incredibly, just fell down in the middle of the base path and was tagged out after a short run down.

So then to the bottom of the inning. Julian Tavarez struck out Chris Iannetta to start off, but then gave four straight balls to rookie Carlos Gonzalez, hitting all of .197. Seth Smith pinch-hit for Embree, and drew a five-pitch walk. Acta had seen enough.

"I am very patient, but my patience runs out when there's a veteran run who's not throwing strikes," Acta said later.

Joe Beimel came in, and on his second pitch he got Ryan Spilborghs to bounce back to the pitcher for a tailor-made, inning ending double play.

Only Cristian Guzman, who earlier failed to field a ground ball that hit his shin, was late getting to second base, and Beimel double-clutched, sending the ball to Harris, who was in short center field backing up the play. All hands were safe, and the next batter lofted a run-scoring sacrifice for the game-winner.

THE TAKEAWAY: I blame Bob Carpenter. Earlier in the game, he noted how the team defense was much better "due to better starting pitching," whatever that means. Regardless, Cristian Guzman was absolutely terrible last night, committing his 12th error of the season and contributing to Beimel's throwing error in the pivotal eighth.

Gotta hand it to thet Nats, though. It wasn't boring.

THE GOOD: Ryan Zimmerman. Actually, it was a mixed bag for Zim, as he hit his 14th home run of the year, a three-run shot, that put the Nats up 4-1 at that point. But he also ground into two more double plays, giving him 14 of those on the season as well.

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

THE UGLY: Julian Tavarez. He's now 3-7 on the season.

NEXT GAME: Today, the finale of the three-game series with Colorado, at 3:10 pm EDT. Ross Detwiler (0-4, 5.81) tries to play stopper against Jorge De La Rosa (5-7, 5.14).

NOTES: Jesus Colome rejected his outright assignment to Triple-A Syracuse and elected free agency. Via con dios, Jesus.

"We jumped on Smoltzie pretty good and Jordan went out there and kept getting the first guy out." --Willie Harris, June 25, 2009.

THE RESULT: The Washington Nationals hung four runs on certain Hall-of-Famer John Smoltz in the first inning, and cruised to a 9-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox before 41,985 at Nationals Park.

Nats starter Jordan Zimmermann (W, 3-3, 4.65) was fairly dominant, giving up just one earned run on five hits and one walk, and he struck out six Sox hitters along the way.

Smoltz, making his first start of the year and first appearance for the A.L. East leading Red Sox, gave up five earned on seven hits, one walk and one hit batter, and struck out five. The veteran right-hander was making his first start in over a year after surgery for a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.

"Most of the time when the line score is the way it is, I'm going to be very disappointed, but I really can't at this point," Smoltz said. "I lost a little rhythm there in the first inning ... but very encouraged with how good I can be and the way I felt and the stamina and everything going forward."

Washington's first inning rally was spurred by the middle of the order and completed by the bottom.

With one out, Nick Johnson was hit on the left shin and awarded first base. Ryan Zimmerman doubled down the left field line on the next pitch, and Adam Dunn followed with a walk with first base open.

Josh Willingham delivered with a base hit to left that scored Johnson, and catcher Josh Bard singled in Zimmerman. After Willie Harris struck out, Anderson Hernandez contributed a clutch liner to left, plating Dunn and Willingham. Just like that, the Nats batted around in the first inning.

The Nationals (21-49-1) added a single run in the third, two in the sixth and two in the seventh, the final two coming on Harris' third home run of the season.

THE TAKEAWAY: The Nats certainly took advantage of a pitcher making essentially a rehab start in the big leagues. Smoltz threw strikes last night, but was hardly the pitcher that dominated the National League for so long. If he can regain some of what made him such a great pitcher, Boston will be awfully tough to beat down the stretch.

The bottom of the order really came through, as Willingham, Bard, Harris and Hernandez combined for nine of the Nats 11 hits. Once again, getting regular playing time Willie Harris is proving to be a pretty valuable player for the Nationals.

THE GOOD: Jordan Zimmermann. He completely shut down one of the best hitting teams in the major leagues. He threw 77 of his 109 pitches for strikes, and got nine ground ball outs to go with his six Ks. That's great production.

THE BAD: Ryan Zimmerman. He continues to struggle mightily at the plate, going 1-for-5 and three left on base. He was tremendous in the field though, making several highlight reel plays.

THE UGLY: Nick Johnson's shin. He did not come out to play defense after scoring in the first inning, and TV replays showed a big goose egg on his shin as he was standing at third. The team has him listed day-to-day with a "shin contusion", but that knot looked more like a small planet.

How fast he can recover and get back in the lineup will go a long way in determining if he's going to be a valuable trading commodity as we approach the non-waiver trade deadline.

NEXT GAME: Tonight in Baltimore against the O's, hon. Ross Detwiler (0-3, 4.76) goes against fellow rookie Brad Bergeson (4-2, 3.94) at 7:05 p.m. at Camden Yards.

NOTES: Tyler Clippard make his 2009 debut in relief of Zimmermann. He threw two innings and gave up a two-run home run to Rocco Baldelli in the seventh inning. He gave up three hits, struck out two and did not walk a batter.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FLYIN' WILLIE!

Thanks for playing so hard and keeping us gasping

at your flying catches and walk-off home runs!

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Posted by Cheryl Nichols

"In my heart, I'm an everyday player, but on my contract, I'm a utility guy," --Willie Harris, June 20, 2009.

THE RESULT: The Nationals beat the Blue Jays 5-3 in twelve innings with a two-run walk off homer by Willie Harris. The Nats are officially on a winning streak. Saturday night's victory produced several records a well. A season leading four straight wins, second straight extra innings win, tied amount of innings at twelve and Nick Johnson tied a franchise record, held by Rusty Staub, of reaching base in 10 consecutive plate appearances.

THE TAKEAWAY: Despite starter Ross Detwiler's strong start, he missed out on first big league win. Detwiler went a career high 7 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on six hits. The bullpen only gave up one run out of five relivers.

Mike Rizzo explained to the bloggers that there are four key elements to have a successful team: defense, offense, starting pitching and bullpen. Don't look now, but it appears that the current Nationals are starting to figure out all four at the same time.

THE GOOD: Willie is more than a "utility" player. He was the hero of the night and did everything that could to help Nats get their twentieth win. Harris went 2-4 with 2 RBIs, 1 walk and 1 SB. For the third straight game, Willie Harris made another amazing catch, this time to rob an extra-base hit from Raul Chavez in the fifth. Harris also hit the winning two-run homer in the twelfth inning and spoke to Debbi Taylor from MASN after the game.

THE BAD: Elijah Dukes caught stealing at second base in the seventh.

THE UGLY: Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn each went 0-5 with two strike outs each. The duo left eight on base between them.

NOTES: Jesus Colome, who came out in the 11th with a strained right quadriceps muscle, is day-to-day. He said the injury was hurting him most of the way through his matchup with Adam Lind, and Acta said the Nationals will monitor him in the morning. "If we have to make a decision, we'll make one," Acta said.

NEXT GAME: Toronto Blue Jays at Nationals Park. Shairon Martis (5-1, 4.76) faces Ricky Romero (3-3, 3.73) at 1:35 p.m.

Photos 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Posted by Cheryl Nichols

"Despite the record, we go out every day and expect to win." --Adam Dunn, June 19, 2009.

THE RESULT: The Nationals won their third straight game which marked their first extra innings victory (now 1-8 in extra innings). It took eleven innings on a hot and humid night, but well worth it to the team and fans for sticking this one out.

THE TAKEAWAY: The Nats are on a winning streak! Starter Jordan Zimmermann went 5 2/3 strong innings, and the bullpen finished the final 5 1/3 frames without allowing a run. MacDougal was the only reliever left in the pen. Zimmermann also earned his first RBI of the season as he beat out a potential double-play grounder with the bases loaded in the fourth inning, and turned it into a run-scoring fielder's choice.

The team and fans seemed to appreciate this win more than any other win at home this year and mobbed Dunn after his walk off single.

THE GOOD: Willie Harris made another amazing catch to rob an extra-base hit from Vernon Wells in the ninth.

THE BAD: Fielding errors. F: Hernandez, A (6, fielding), Guzman, C (9, fielding), Dunn (8, fielding).

THE UGLY: Team LOB=16. Especially watching three guys strike out with the bases loaded, looking (Zimmerman, Dukes and Bard). Ryan Zimmerman was then called out looking at a 3-2 slider on the outside so it should have been a walk.

NOTES: It was beach night at the ballpark and the first 10,000 fans received a free beach towel. Screech and the Nat Pack really got into character. Adam Dunn spoke with MLB Tonight after the game.

NEXT GAME: Toronto Blue Jays at Nationals Park. Ross Detwiler (0-3, 5.23) faces Brett Cecil (2-1, 4.38) at 7:05 p.m.

OTHER: Former National Endy Chavez, now playing for the Seattle Mariners, was carted off the field tonight after collision with shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.

Photos 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

"Zimmerman knew all the way that Harris wasn't going to be there. He was playing Markakis to pull and he had already told Zimmerman that on a ball to him, he should go to first base." --Manny Acta, May 23, 2009.

THE RESULT: Five Baltimore Orioles pitchers held the Washington Nationals to one run on seven hits and three walks, as the Birds beat the Nats 2-1, before a robust crowd of 31,833, many of whom made the trip down the B/W Parkway for the festivities.

Nats starter Ross Detwiler pitched well in defeat and should have had a different fate. He went six innings, allowing just one questionable hit, walking four and striking out four.

The run came in the third. Detwiler walked the bases loaded--including a four-pitch walk to O's starter Koji Uehara, making his first ever major league at bat. With two outs, Detwiler got Nick Markakis to ground to Ryan Zimmerman, but Willie Harris failed to cover second on the play, and what should have been a ground ball out to end the inning turned into an RBI single.

The Nats scored their lone run on a Cristian Guzman hone run in the fifth inning, his second of the season.

The Orioles took the lead against Julian Tavarez and Ron Villone in the seventh inning. Tavarez gave up a one-out double to catcher Gregg Zaun, but he was erased on a fielder's choice by Cesar Izturis. Aubrey Huff then pinch-hit for the pitcher, and Acta went for the lefty. Huff proceeded to triple against Villone, and that's all the Orioles would need.

Goerge Sherrill struck out the side in the bottom fo the ninth for the save.

THE GOOD: Justin Maxwell's catch of Adam Jones' sure-to-be home run ball may be the play of the year.

THE BAD: Josh Bard. 0-for-4, ground into DP, K.

THE UGLY: Manny Acta tried to defend Harris not covering the bag, but that's a play little leaguers know to make. Harris hasn't played second in a while, and the Nats are hamstrung by "using" 13 pitchers right now.

But has anyone seen Daniel Cabrera do anything but play catch with the right fielder between innings yet?

NEXT GAME: Nats hope to avoid a sweep by the O's at 1:35 pm. Sharion Martis (5-0, 4.53) faces Brad Bergesen (1-2, 5.35).

The Nats made several changes today.

BULLPEN-BY-COMMITTEE

One day after watching the bullpen blow a four-run lead, the Nationals decided Tuesday that right-hander Joel Hanrahan will no longer be their closer and that right-hander Garrett Mock is out as the eighth-inning setup man.

The team will go with a bullpen-by-committee, with right-handers Julian Tavarez and Kip Wells as the late-inning options. Once left-hander Joe Beimel is activated from the disabled list next week, he will most likely be the closer, with Tavarez and Wells becoming the setup men.


HARRIS BACK/MAXWELL OUT

Willie Harris was activated from the DL today and is back in a new role - primarily outfielder. Justin Maxwell was sent back to AAA Syracuse.

GUZMAN BACK TOMORROW?

According to Nats Journal, Washington will activate Cristian Guzman (left hamstring strain). That move will send either Alberto Gonzalez or Alex Cintron back to Class AAA.

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

One of my favorite baseball writers, Tim Kurkjian of ESPN.com, has a column today about the addition of Adam Dunn to the Nats lineup this summer.

Then, Rob Neyer quotes David Pinto quoting Barry Svrluga about the contributions of Rick Eckstein. Eckstein might be a great hitting coach. But at least he IS a hitting coach. He looks at film, breaks down mechanics, etc. He's not a miracle worker, or his brother would be an all-star.

But at least Eckstein is actively trying to help guys out, as opposed to convincing every-day players the best way to approach things is to swing at the first, best pitch, a la the best pinch-hitter in the history of the game.

The Washington Nationals continued their winter caravan at ESPN Zone tonight and named Willie Harris the Nats' Top Chef at the cook-off! It was a lot of fun and I weeded out 27 photos out of 300+ that I took tonight. It was great to see the boys today. I am ready for baseball season!! Enjoy.

The winter caravan travels to Woodbridge, Charlottesville and Richmond today.


**A special thank you to Chico Harlan who used a few of my photographs in today's Nationals Journal about the event.