In the first deal of the 2009 Baseball Winter Meetings, the Washington Nationals traded a player to be names later to the New York Yankees for RHRP Brian Bruney.  To make room on the 40-man roster, the Nats unconditionally released veteran RHRP Saul Rivera.

Bruney, 28, went 5-0 in 44 appearances covering 39.0 innings for the Yankees last year.  He had a 3.92 ERA and 1.513 WHIP, striking out 8.3 per nine innings.  For his career, he has a 4.27 ERA in 221.3 innings.

Bruney immediately threw his hat into the ring for the available closer job, telling Nationals Journal: 

"I love closing ballgames.  There's nothing better than that in my opinion. I felt like New York was a good stepping stone with lots of pressure-filled situations. But to be honest, I had talked to my agent and I said, 'I can't wait to get to the place where I can try and close somewhere.' "

Bruney (6'3", 219) has 13 career saves in six major league seasons, 12 of which came in one season, 2005 with Arizona.

This past June, Bruney criticized New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriquez after a game and the two needed to be separated the following day during batting practice when "K-Rod" confronted Bruney prior to the game.

 
Rivera was a dependable part of the Nationals bullpen for parts of four seasons, but had a 6.10 ERA in 30 appearances last season and spent part of the year in the minors.  Rivera turned 32 today.

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE UGLY: Umpire calls and Riggleman getting tossed.

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

NOTES:

Jorge Padilla earned his first career start in left field.

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

Photos 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

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

Despite being the only bullpen pitcher to go lights out yesterday, Saul Rivera has been optioned to AAA Syracuse. Rivera seemed to be getting his groove back, however, he has options and was sent to Syracuse. Unfortunate in my opinion. Hang in there Saul!

Welcome back Joe! Beimel has been greatly missed in the last two weeks. He is back just in time to pitch against his old Dodger team (2006-2008).

Photos 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

OTHER INJURY NOTES: Ladson reports that right-hander Garrett Mock hyperextended his right knee catching a popup by Michael Bourne in the eighth inning. Acta said that Mock is OK and will be ready to pitch on Wednesday against the Dodgers.


Press Release:

NATIONALS REINSTATE JOE BEIMEL FROM DL, OPTION SAUL RIVERA TO TRIPLE-A SYRACUSE

The Washington Nationals today recalled from rehab and reinstated left-handed pitcher Joe Beimel from the 15-Day Disabled List and optioned right-handed pitcher Saul Rivera to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Beimel missed the last 13 games, after going on the DL with a left hip flexor strain, April 21. In eight relief appearances this season, he owns four holds and a 1.23 ERA. The 32-year-old signed with the Nationals as a free agent on March 18.

Rivera, 31, is 0-3 with a 8.49 ERA in 10 relief appearances with the Nationals.

From the press release:

The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Saul Rivera from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and placed left-handed pitcher Joe Beimel on the 15-Day Disabled List with a left hip flexor strain. Nationals Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo made the
announcement.

Rivera, 31, has pitched in six games this season with the Nationals and has been a workhorse in the team’s bullpen since his big-league debut in 2006. His 221 career relief appearances and 45 holds rank third in club annals (2005-current). Rivera signed with Washington as a minor-league free agent on November 18, 2005.

Beimel suffered his injury while making an exceptional defensive play during the eighth inning of Monday’s game against Atlanta. In eight relief appearances this season, he owns four holds and a 1.23 ERA. The 32-year-old signed with the Nationals as a free agent on March 18.

This has to be considered a big hit to the bullpen, since Beimel has been the most effective component and Rivera arguably the least effective. If Rivera's struggles continue though, he'll make the Nats decision really easy. Rivera simply has to perform better or he risks losing his job--for good.

And it's really too bad about Beimel. The play he apparently hurt himself on was a nice one, but you have to wonder if the field had been dry if he'd gotten injured. We'll never know, of course, but let's hope this hip flexor strain doesn't keep him out longer than 15 days.

Photos 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

THE RESULT: For the third day in a row, the Washington Nationals took a lead into the ninth inning. For the third day in a row, they lost. Today, Michael Hinckley and Saul Rivera gave up one-run leads in the eighth and ninth innings, and Rivera paid for it with his job.

Hinckley surrendered a solo home run with two outs in the eighth to Cody Ross to tie the game at three. Rivera then walked Emilio Bonifacio, catcher John Baker doubled him in, walked Ross Gload intentionally, Jeremy Hermida walked unintentionally, and Ross delivered again, a three-run double that killed off the Nats in the first home Sunday game of the season.

The "relief" scuttled a decent outing from Daniel Cabrera, who went five innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits and four walks. He did not strike out a batter.

"I think it's embarrassing. I think it's unacceptable. I think our fans have every right to be mad like we are right now," manager Manny Acta said. "We're going to have a brand-new bullpen tomorrow, and if those guys who come in don't get it done, we're going to continue getting guys out of here."

After the game, the Nationals turned over one-fifth of their roster.

Relievers Wil Ledezma and Steven Shell were designated for assignment, and Rivera and catcher Josh Bard were optioned to triple-A Syracuse. The Nats have ten days to waive, trade or release Ledezma and Shell.

In their place, the team purchased the contracts of Jordan Zimmermann--who will start tomorrow--and Kip Wells, and recalled RHPs Garrett Mock and Jason Bergmann.

As if that weren't enough, there were late reports that the Nats had signed Ryan Zimmerman, the face of the franchise, to a five-year, $45 million contract extension.

THE TAKEAWAY: Well. Take a deep breath. Where to start?

First, the good news. Zimmerman's signed, WOO HOO!!! Seriously, this locks up The Face (tm) until 2013. Maybe by then they'll build or acquire some pitching.

Next, the roster moves. Look, Bergmann and Mock should have been on the opening day roster. Bard was a waste as the third catcher, and he proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that his time is done. Ledezma has shown unreliable for four different organizations now.

And it's hard to see a guy this team has counted on to be a warrior, Saul Rivera, go out like this. He's been one of the few constants on lousy teams, but he has not been even remotely effective this year, earning three of the first 10 losses. He was throwing at 85-86 today, with little to no bite on the assortment of breaking balls.

Hopefully Rivera goes down and rediscovers his funkiness that has made him so dependable.

As for today's game, feh. The best play was a result of a lousy play. Austin Kearns overran a looping line drive and had to go chase it. He made a great throw to catcher Jesus Flores, who made a spectacular dive back to home plate to nab Alfredo Amezaga, keeping the game tied in the top of the eighth.

THE GOOD: Nick Johnson. He went 2-for-4 with a walk, and is hitting .385 for the season.

THE BAD: Alberto Gonzalez. Two more errors. 0-for-5. All the faults are exposed with playing time.

THE UGLY: 1-10. Let us all hope the moves after the game are a wake up call and the pitching gets better starting tomorrow. Everyone is anxious to see Zimmermann's first start, though he gets a tough draw.

NEXT GAME: Tomorrow at 7:05 pm against Atlanta. Jordan Zimmermann's major league debut against Derek Lowe (0-1, 2.81) and the rest of the Braves. You'll find me at the Red Loft, watching the baseball game and Game Three of the Caps-Rangers series.

Photos 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

UPDATE: Videos from WUSA9 with Zimmerman and Rivera (before sent down). MASN interview with Shell (before sent down).

THE RESULT: The Washington Nationals allowed 10 hits, committed three errors, hit two batters, and lost their home opener to the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies 9-8.

Cristian Guzman went five-for-five before leaving in the ninth with a tweaked hamstring and the Nats got three homers, one each from Adam Dunn, Elijah Dukes and Ryan Zimmerman. And they pounded out 12 hits. But Daniel Cabrera couldn't benefit from early support, Saul Rivera hit two straight batters then gave up two home runs, and Anderson Hernandez, usually sure-handed, booted two easy ground balls as the Nats start the season off 0-7.

THE TAKEAWAY: If you were to guess which Nats pitcher were to hit two consecutive batters, you probably would have guessed it was Cabrera, not the normally reliable Saul Rivera. Yet, there it was in the seventh. Rivera plunks Victorino and Utley ahead of Ryan Howard, and Howard did was he does best. He punished a mistake into a three-run home run.

And the calls for Manager Manny Acta's head will continue, as he left Rivera in the game to face Howard instead of bringing in a left-hander reliever. And were I the manager, I probably would have called for Beimel at that point in the seventh. But Rivera's career splits are just as good against lefties, and there was a lot of baseball to play. Sometimes it's up to the player.

But the Nats gave away six runs in this contest, and maybe some of the concentration lapse can be attributed to the home opener, or the passing of Kalas before the game, but the only things that have been consistent so far this young season has been poor defense and worse pitching. And they were both evident again today.

THE GOOD: Power! Dunn, Dukes and Zimmerman all crushed their homers, and Dukes' might have been the most impressive. He hit a slider on the outside corner--one-handed--into the Phillies bullpen.

And Guz lashed singles all over the ballpark and was the player of the game. He's hitting at an unsustainable rate, but let's hope he's not really injured, cause he's fun to watch when he's in a zone like this.

THE BAD: Daniel Cabrera. Four runs--one earned--on six hits and two walks with just two strikeouts in five innings. Cabrera barely hit 90 on the stadium gun today, and that was sparingly. He walked in a run, then allowed 46-year old Jamie Moyer to lift a sac fly deep enough to score another run.

THE UGLY: The defense. This is getting repetitive. Anderson Hernandez booted two easy ground balls, one leading to a run. Adam Dunn had an error and misplayed another ball, both leading to runs. As bad as the pitching is, this team can't give their opponents extra outs, but it's happening every night.

NEXT GAME: Off on Tuesday, the Nats get back at it Wednesday night, with Shairon Martis (0-0, 9.00) hosting Joe Blanton (0-0, 15.75) at 7:05 p.m.

R.I.P. Harry Kalas, longtime Phillies broadcaster and the voice of NFL Films, passed away in the broadcast booth before the start of today's game. There was a moment when the game might have been postponed, but the Phillies insisted the game be played. Kalas was 73. There was also a moment of silence for young Angels' pitcher Nick Adenhart who was killed last Thursday. Adenhart grew up in Maryland.

Also, Mark "The Bird" Fydrich was found dead at his home earlier today working on his truck. Fydrich was best know as a rookie pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, talking to the baseball and manicuring the mound on his hands and knees between pitches.

The game lost two of its more colorful characters today, and the feeling permeated the ballpark. Rest in peace, Harry and The Bird.

Additional photos will be posted tomorrow so check back.

Photo (c) C. Nichols 2009. All rights reserved.

RESULT: Nats lose 8-7 to Marlins. Losing streak at 5 games.

GOOD: Collin Balestar. The rookie starter took a no-hitter into the sixth, and his line was impressive: 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks.

BAD: The Line-up. Manny decided to go with an almost completely rookie line-up, save for Zim, Langerhans and I guess Milledge doesn't count anymore either. The rooks built a lead that should have held up though, leading 6-1 entering the bottom of the 8th inning.

UGLY: The Aforementioned Eighth Inning. The Nats have had some ugly innings this year to be sure, but tonight probably took the cake. Four different pitchers gave up 7 runs (6 earned) on 7 hits and 4 walks, including back-to-back walks to start the inning by Saul Rivera and Manning's walk of Paul LoDuca on 5 pitches. Then, Hanrahan threw one away when no one covered first base on a bunt hit. The very definition of ugly.

NEXT GAME: Tomorrow night the Nats host the Mets at 7:10 pm. John Lannan (8-13) faces Pedro Martinez (5-4). Come out and boo the Mets with me. Seriously, I know it's football season, but if you're reading this, make the effort to come out tomorrow night. I'll be in Section 131, Row SS right on the aisle with three empty seats. First round's on me.

RESULT: Nats beat Greg Maddux and the Dodgers 5-4.

GOOD: Ryan Zimmerman. His first homer since May 17 (really?!?). Guz and Emilio! Two hits apiece from the middle infield. Lastings. RBI and SB. Tim Redding. Despite three solo homers given up, he had a another quality start. Joel Hanrahan. A four-out, one-run save with very little nervousness.

BAD: Saul Rivera. Two-thirds of an inning, one run on three hits and a walk. Joel had to bail him out in the eighth. Signs of wear on Sa-ool recently.

UGLY: Lastings Milledge. Got caught on the oldest trick in the book. After embarrassing Maddux the play earlier by taking third on a groundout when Maddux slipped and was a little bit late covering the base, the 17-time Gold Glover took his revenge.

A combacker took Maddux close to the third base line, and he looked at Milledge, then poised to throw to first to make the play. Milledge broke when Maddux' arm went through, but Maddux held the ball and Milledge was a dead duck. Lastings managed to get into a run-down, allowing Jesus Flores to advance to second, but it was a done deal. Maddux got his.

NEXT GAME: Tonight, looking for the sweep agaisnt the Dodgers. A pair of impressive rookies face off, with John Lannan (7-12, 3.95) on the hill for the Nats, facing Clayton Kershaw (2-4, 4.11) for L.A.

Here's the slideshow from last night's game:



All photos (c) C.Nichols 2008.

RESULT: Nats beat the Phillies, 4-3. They stop the losing streak at 12.

GOOD: Tim Redding. 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 hits, 1 BB, 5 Ks. Joel Hanrahan. 2 IP, o runs, 2 hits 1 BB, 2 Ks. Anderson Hernandez played second, went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Guz went 2-for-5. Zim went 2-for-5. Kearns bounced one up the middle for an RBI.

BAD: Saul Rivera. He was awarded the win, but was the least effective pitcher of the night for the Nats. He gave up two earned runs on three hits and a walk -- surrendering Carlos Ruiz' third homer of the year -- in his lone inning pitched.

Zim threw one down the line in the seventh allowing Shane Victorino to go from first to third, and scored on a ground out by Greg Dobbs before the Ruiz homer.

UGLY: Philly Phans. They booed Howard when he struck out. They booed Rollins when he ranged for a ball but couldn't come up with a throw. They said something nasty to Willie Harris in the left field corner after catching a fly ball by Pat Burrell.

NEXT GAME: Tomorrow afternoon at 2:20 pm at Wrigley. John Lannan (6-12, 3.81) takes the hill against Jason Marquis (8-7, 4.67).

Denver -- For six innings, Washington Nationals starting pitcher John Lannan cruised through the Colorado Rockies line-up like it was a minor league team. He mixed his off-speed pitches with fastballs on the corners to baffle last year's National League Champions. But a mistake to pinch-hitter Ian Stewart, turned around for a game-tying two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, opened the door and the rest of the Rockies came crashing through in the eighth, scoring six runs against three Nationals relievers on just three hits, and Colorado wrested a victory where before it looked like another defeat. The loss snapped Washington's modest four-game winning streak since the Major League trade deadline of July 31.

Lannan's line for the night tells the story so often repeated for him this season: seven innings pitched, two earned runs on five hits and two walks with 8 strikeouts -- but no decision. It was just another hard-luck game for Lannan, whose record stands at 6-11 with a credible 3.55 ERA this season.

"He's given us a lot of quality starts without much to show for it," manager Manny Acta said. "He hasn't been the beneficiary of a lot of run support."

After Stewart's homer -- his fifth of the season -- things got plain weird for the Nats in the bottom of the eighth. Luis Ayala relieved Lannan and retired Jeff Baker on a ground out to first, but could do no more good. Slugging OF Matt Holliday flipped a double down the right field line that landed on the chalk, 1B Garrett Atkins drew a four-pitch walk and Ayala then hit C Chris Ianetta. Manager Manny Acta had seen all he cared to of Ayala (L, 1-7, 5.81) and called for lefty Charlie Manning. Rockies OF Brad Hawpe met Manning with a bloop single to shallow center that scored both Holliday and Atkins, with Ianetta moving up to second. SS Troy Tulowitzki, batting just .238 for the season, walked to load the bases. Manning managed to strike out Stewart for the second out, and then gave way to Saul Rivera, who had pitched brilliantly the night before. But there would be no magic in his right arm Tuesday night, as he hit OF Willie Tavares, walked Jeff Baker and allowed an infield single to Holiday, each play scoring a single run and further burying the Nats.

The ugly totals for the bottom of the eighth: three hits (none hit hard), four walks and two hit-by-pitches, resulting in six earned runs and one big loss for the Nationals. "You always see something new and I don't remember the last time I saw four walks and two hit by pitches in an inning," Acta said.

The Nats got their runs courtesy of poor defense again by the Rockies. In the second inning, Austin Kearns (2-for-4) singled, took third on an error by Garrett Atkins on a bunt play by Lastings Milledge, and scored on a sacrifice fly by C Jesus Flores. In the fifth inning, Ryan Langerhans led off with a walk, took second on a sacrifice by Lannan, advance to third on an Emilio Bonifacio ground out and scored on a wild pitch by Rockies starter Jorge de la Rosa.

Washington had a chance to increase their lead in the top of the seventh. 1B Ronnie Belliard led off with a single to left field and Langerhans followed up with another clean single, putting men at first and second with no outs. Lannon struck out trying to sacrifice, but Belliard stole third base anyway to get into scoring position. However, in one of the strangest plays in a night of strangeness, Bonifacio hit a one bouncer to third right in the direction of Belliard, who couldn't decide to advance or retreat. Instead, he did neither and 3B Clint Barmes fielded the ground ball, tagged Belliard quickly and threw to first to get the speedy Bonifacio by a step. Just like that, rally over.

And that's when the real weirdness started.

The Nationals go for the rubber game Wednesday at 9:05 eastern, sending Odalis Perez (4-8, 4.16) to the hill against Jeff Francis (3-7, 5.67), making his first start in more than a month on the disabled list with inflammation of his left (pitching) shoulder.

NATS NOTES: The loss drops the Nats record to 42-71, 19.5 games behind division-leading Philadelphia.

Colorado pitcher Manny Corpas pitched one inning, allowing two hits, to earn the win. His record is 2-3, 6.55.

Washington SS Alberto Gonzalez had an MRI on his injured backside. The team announced he has a "contusion" of the hamstring and is day-to-day.

Ryan Zimmerman returned to the line-up at 3B and went 1-for-3. SS Cristian Guzman and OF Elijah Dukes did not play.

Photos (c) C. Nichols 2008.

RESULT: Nats lose to Giants 6-3.

GOOD: Lastings Milledge. 2-for-4. home run, 2 RBIs hitting in the 3-hole. Just wondering, do you think the Nats envisioned Milledge hitting in the 3-hole in the middle of June when they traded Schneider and Church for him over the off-season? Guzman and much-maligned Wily Mo Pena both had two hits as well.

BAD: Joel Hanrahan. Gave up a massive two-run home run to seal the deal for the Giants in the top of the seventh to John Bowker. Seems like every other time Hanny pitches, he's giving up taters.

UGLY: Saul Rivera. He didn't give up a run of his own, but allowed three to score against starter Garret Mock's record. Rivera entered the game after Mock walked in the Giants first run in the top of the fifth with the bases loaded, and Rivera promptly allowed all three inherited runners to score.

NEXT GAME: Monday's finale against the Giants. Tyler Clippard (just recalled after the game) gets his first start as a National against Matt Cain (2-4, 4.67).

Photo (c) C. Nichols 2008

Washington, DC--On as perfect a summer day as one could ask for in the Nation's Capital, a Memorial Day crowd of 28,552 was witness to a memorable ball game despite the home standing Washington Nationals losing to the visiting Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in eleven innings.

The game time temperature at the park was 78 degrees, but felt warmer sitting in the beautiful sunshine that bathed most of the crowd. Emotions would rise with the afternoon temperatures, though, as disputed plays and frustrating results were cause for patrons to get hot under the collar.

The deciding inning was ugly for the Nationals, not for the fact they gave up the winning run, but how it went down. With Luis Ayala unavailable to pitch due to overwork earlier in the series, and closer Jon Rauch having already pitched in the ninth inning, Manager Manny Acta let Saul Rivera go back out into the heat for his second inning of relief work. Milwaukee's stout first baseman, Prince Fielder, led off the frame and doubled down the left field line. Manager Ned Yost ordered fifth-place hitter Corey Hart to sacrifice, and he did his job, moving Fielder over to third. Rivera struck out the next batter, Russell Branyan, on three pitches, and with two outs the home fans remained hopeful that Rivera would emerge unscathed.

It was not to be though, as Gabe Kapler singled on the first pitch he saw from Rivera to drive in Fielder and give the Brewers the cushion they would need. Rivera (L, 3-2, 4.26) managed to get out of the inning without another run, but it was not for lack of effort. He walked light-hitting catcher Jason Kendall and pinch-hitter Craig Counsell on eight pitches, and would throw three more balls to second baseman Rickie Weeks. But Weeks eventually rolled over on a slider and grounded out with the bases loaded to end the threat.

The bottom of the ninth would find no triumphant retort. Brewers Manager Ned Yost summoned his closer of the moment, Salomon Torres, and Torres shut down any thoughts of an extra innings comeback. Aaron Boone (0-for-5) and Wil Nieves both grounded out to short and Lastings Milledge (1-for-5, .242) struck out to end the matinee.

The Nats did have a few offensive heroes on this day, though not quite enough. Cristian Guzman continued his strong spring, by going 2-for-5 with a home run (his fifth) in the bottom of the first inning to get the Nats started. Jesus Flores, who looks stronger everyday as the Nats regular catcher, went 2-for-4 and raised his average to .340.

The biggest and most exciting play of the day centered around the Nats' big man himself, Dmitri Young. Down 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth, with the Nats having just surrendered the lead in the top of the inning, Young sauntered to the plate with two outs and a chance to tie, and he came through -- although in a controversial and contested manner. On an 0-1 count, Young blasted a shot toward the Red Porch in left center field that found Brewers center fielder Mike Cameron racing back to the wall. Cameron leapt at the wall but could not come down with the ball, and the ball ricocheted back into center field. By the time Cameron was able to recover and track the ball down, Young had carried his large frame all the way into third base with what appeared to be a triple.

But no sooner had time been called than Manny Acta came confidently out of the dug out to confer with the umpires. Acta pointed out to the men in black that Young's blast had carried over the outfield fence and had, in fact, bounced off the front wall of the Red Porch, some three feet or so behind the center field fence before bouncing back into play. After deliberating, the umpires agreed that had indeed been the case, and awarded Young his first home run since August of last season. Yost came out to protest mildly, but left after getting the explanation from the umps.

After the game, Cameron suggested changing the color of the second wall to alleviate the confusion, as both walls are green. "They [the upmires] got it right," Cameron said. "They've got to change it or do something to fix that."

Nationals starter Jason Bergmann had another terrific outing, extending his scoreless innings streak to nineteen and two-thirds since being recalled from Triple-A Columbus. He pitched five and two-thirds scoreless on the afternoon, allowing four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts.

The Nationals travel to San Diego for a three-game series with the Padres starting Tuesday night. Shawn Hill (0-1, 4.08) returns to the mound to test his right elbow against Randy Wolf (3-4, 4.76). Game time is 10:05 EDT.

NATS NOTES: The loss drops Washington's record to 22-30, nine games behind division leading Florida.

Ryan Zimmerman had the day off to rest his sore left shoulder. He is listed by the team as day-to-day on the injury report.

The Nationals are 1-9 in their last 10 extra innings games dating back to last season.

Nats Fall to Brewers in Extra Innings 4-3 also posted at DC Sports Box

Photos (c) C. Nichols 2008