Craig Stammen has filled a lot of roles for the Washington Nationals over the last couple of years.  Rarely has offensive catalyst been in his job description though.  But last night he not only earned the win in relief pitching 1 1/3 hitless innings, he also started the winning tally with a one-out single in the seventh and came around to score on a Ryan Zimmerman base hit, giving the Nats a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish, defeating the New York Mets for the second straight night.

The win is the Nats fourth in their last five games and raises their record to 69-77, matching their win total from last season with 15 games remaining, and pulls them to within one of the third place Mets.

Stammen was called on by manager Davey Johnson in the bottom of the sixth after lefty Doug Slaten put the first two batters of the inning in a tie game on base via five pitch walk and 2-2 hit by pitch.  Stammen pitched out of the jam by striking out 1B Nick Evans, getting a soft ground ball from C Josh Thole and coaxing a pop out to short from pinch-hitter Mike Baxter.

In the top of the seventh, with one out and none on, Johnson let Stammen bat for himself and he hit a grounder that deflected off Evans' glove and went into right field for a single.  He took second on an Ian Desmond single, and after a fielder's choice erased Desmond at second, Stammen carried the tie-breaking run in on Zimmerman's ground ball single through the left side of the infield.

The right-hander walked Jose Reyes to lead off the bottom of the inning, but got the next batter to pop up his bunt attempt.  At that point, Johnson started a parade of relievers than included Atahualpa Severino, Todd Coffey and Sean Burnett, all of whom did their jobs and earned holds.  Drew Storen allowed a pair of two-out singles in the ninth, but struck out Lucas Duda on three sliders, each more wicked than the previous, to seal the victory and earn his 36th save of the season.

The Nationals picked up their other two runs in the top of the sixth on RBI doubles by Rick Ankiel and Michael Morse.

Nats starter Chien-Ming Wang had an interesting evening, allowing nine hits in his five innings of work, but just two runs.  He struck out four and did not walk a batter.  Wang would have fared even better, but RF Jayson Werth misplayed a base hit into two runs in the fifth inning, as he was over-aggressive trying to set up for a throw home and simply didn't handle the ball.

The Nats overcame the miscue though and inched ever closer to catching the Mets for third place in the division, a feat that has not been accomplished by this franchise since the move in 2005.  It's not a particularly lofty goal, but you gotta start somewhere, and you get the feeling that everyone involved in the organization would really like to get over that hump and show the rest of the baseball world that they are, indeed, making progress.

_______________________________________________________

THE GOOD:  Ian Desmond picked up two more hits out of the leadoff spot.  He's had four multi-hit games in his last ten.

THE BAD:  Werth's play in right.  It was an innocent enough base hit that he just rushed to get set up on.  Instead of making a throw to try to prevent one run, he ended up allowing two.

THE UGLY:  Wilson Ramos had a rough night, going 0-for-4, grounding out to short three times.

THE STATS:  11 hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks.  2-for-6 w/RISP, 9 LOB, 1 GIDP. E: Werth (7).

NEXT GAME:  Wednesday against the Mets at 7:10 pm.  Brad Peacock makes his first MLB start (0-0, 6.75) against Mike Pelfrey (7-11, 4.66).

NATS NOTES:  Ankiel nabbed Thole at home with a tremendous throw from center field in the bottom of the fifth in a scoreless game.  It was Ankiel's ninth outfield assist of the season.

NATIONALS REINSTATE RHP STEPHEN STRASBURG FROM DL & ADD SIX PLAYERS TO ACTIVE ROSTER

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg from the 60-Day Disabled List, recalled right-handed pitchers Yunesky Maya and Craig Stammen, left-handed pitcher Atahualpa Severino and outfielder Corey Brown from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and selected right-handed pitcher Brad Peacock and infielder Steve Lombardozzi from Syracuse. Additionally, the club transferred right-handed pitcher Cole Kimball to the 60-Day DL, unconditionally released right-handed pitcher Adam Carr and designated right-handed pitcher Garrett Mock for assignment. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

Strasburg is slated to make his 2011 debut tonight vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers, just over a year after undergoing “Tommy John” ligament-replacement surgery on Sept. 3, 2010. The 23-year-old went 1-1 with a 3.54 ERA in six rehab starts this season, posting 29 strikeouts and just three walks in 20.1 innings pitched.

In 12 starts with the Nationals in 2010, Strasburg went 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts. He was selected by the Nationals with the first-overall pick in the ’09 First-Year Player Draft.

The 30-year-old Maya is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in five starts this season with Washington. In 22 starts with Syracuse in 2011, he posted a 4-9 record and 5.00 ERA.

Stammen is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two relief appearances this season with the Nationals. The 27-year-old went 10-7 with a 4.75 ERA in 25 games/24 starts in 2011 with the Chiefs.

Severino returns for his third career stint with the Nationals. In 35 relief appearances with Syracuse this season, the 26-year-old went 1-2 with one save and a 4.50 ERA.

Brown batted .235 with 18 doubles, three triples, 14 home runs, 39 RBI and four stolen bases in 124 games this season with the Chiefs. The 25-year-old posted a .330 batting average, .413 on-base percentage and .549 slugging percentage with five home runs and 14 RBI in his final 29 Triple-A games, beginning Aug. 2. A first-round pick (59th overall) by Oakland in the ’07 First-Year Player Draft, Brown was acquired from the Athletics along with right-hander Henry Rodriguez in exchange for outfielder Josh Willingham in December 2010.

An Eastern League All-Star and a participant in this season’s XM All-Star Futures Game, Peacock went 15-3 with a 2.39 ERA and 177 strikeouts in 25 games/22 starts in 2011 with Syracuse and Double-A Harrisburg. The 23-year-old ranks among all minor league pitchers in wins (second), strikeouts (seventh) and strikeouts per 9.0 innings (10.86, fifth). Peacock, who was tabbed the No. 10 prospect in the Nationals’ system entering 2011 by Baseball America, is 34-38 with a 3.93 ERA in 113 games/101 starts during his five-year career. He was selected by Washington in the 41st round of the ’06 First-Year Player Draft.

Lombardozzi batted .309 with 25 doubles, nine triples, eight home runs, 52 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 134 games this season with Syracuse and Harrisburg. The son of former Twins/Astros second baseman Steve Lombardozzi, Sr., the 22-year-old Lombardozzi was selected by the Nationals in the 19th round of the ’08 First-Year Player Draft and hit .298 with 17 homers, 183 RBI and 74 stolen bases during his four seasons in the minor leagues.

(C.Nichols/Nats News Network)

The Washington Nationals re-assigned catcher Jesus Flores and pitcher Craig Stammen to Triple-A Syracuse today, cutting the Nats spring training roster to 35 as Opening Day rapidly approaches.

Neither move is unexpected.  Flores, returning from major shoulder surgery, needs to see more pitching to get his stroke back after missing the better part of two seasons.  He played well over the winter in Venezuela, but he needs to play every day to get himself back into "game shape."

Stammen found himself in a three-way battle for the "long man" spot in the bullpen, which he manned capably last season, with Chad Gaudin and Brain Broderick.

(C.Nichols/Nats News Network)

Gaudin has been lights-out this spring and Broderick, a Rule 5 draftee, must remain on the Nats active roster or be offered back to the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

Both men took the news as a challenge to work their way back onto the big league roster, showing class and determination.

This speaks to the volume of Major League talent GM Mike Rizzo has accumulated for the Nationals.  He has developed an inventory of players such that two players that have been starters on this team in the past didn't even make it to final cuts.

Flores and Stammen are both Major League players though, and we'll see them resurface -- in D.C. or elsewhere -- before too long.

by Anthony Amobi, Staff Writer

(Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

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

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

(Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

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

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

(Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

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

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

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

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

So what happened to the lead?

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

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

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

All with two outs.

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

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

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

Again, all with two outs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Anthony Amobi, Staff Writer and Dave Nichols

Craig Stammen makes an early exit on Independence Day. (Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

There were tens of thousands of people in the District of Columbia on the Fourth of July to celebrate the birth of our nation.

For the 29,234 that collected along the banks of the Anacostia at Nationals Park, only the ones cheering the New York Mets left in a celebratory mood, as the visitors from New York got out to a big lead early and hung on, beating the Washington Nationals 9-5. The two teams split the four-game weekend set.

The Nats record fell to 36-47 on the season.

On a sweltering afternoon in the Nation’s Capital, the Nationals could not master a comeback against closer Francisco Rodriguez as they has twice before in this series. Really, the Nationals never got their bearings in place from the onset. 

While the Nats made things interesting during the middle innings of the game and then later in ninth inning, the early lead gave the Mets a comfortable cushion to work with.

Washington’s Craig Stammen (L, 2-3) put his team in a precarious situation from the beginning and never gave his team a chance to win. He only lasted 3 1/3 on Sunday and took the loss, giving up seven runs on eight hits, walking and striking out three. 

He gave up two runs in the first, one in the second and two more in the third.  In the fourth, he combined with releiver Migeul Batista to give up another three.

Stammen delivers against the Mets. (Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

The right-hander was not the same guy who pitched in Atlanta last week after being recalled from Triple-A Syracuse. He looked very much off, wasn’t sharp, couldn’t get his pitches over and got hit hard.

On the other hand, New York’s Hisanori Takahasi (7-3) got the win as he cruised through the first five of his innings on the mound before running into trouble in the sixth. He lasted five innings and gave up three runs, five hits, and struck out seven.

New York’s Francisco Rodriguez earned his 20th save by ending a Nationals’ rally in the ninth inning.

The offense for Washington showed some signs of life as Ryan Zimmerman went 3-for-5 and hit his 14th homer of the season. Cristian Guzman had three hits as well, and Josh Willingham had two.

Nats celebrate Zimmerman's home run. (Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

The Mets took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning off Stammen thanks to a two-run triple and then scored another run in the second inning off an Angel Pagan RBI-single.

Ike Davis increased the Mets’ lead to 5-0 in the third inning with a two-run homer – his 10th. New York, in the fourth inning, increased their lead to 8-0 as Bay struck again with a two-run single and Jeff Francoeur plated a run with a RBI-double.

David Wright scores for the Mets against the Nats. (Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

By the sixth inning, the Nationals started to chip away at the Mets’ lead. They were finally able to get to Takahashi as he gave up a walk to Nyjer Morgan and a single to Cristian Guzman before Ryan Zimmerman took him deep with a three run-homer.

The Nationals rallied further and knocked Takahashi out of the game – he was replaced by reliever Elmer Dessens – and were able to load up the bases with no outs in the frame; however, Dessens struck out Adam Kennedy and were able to induce a double play off of Wil Nieves’ bat.

The Mets made the score 9-3 off an Pagan RBI-single in seventh inning, but the Nationals added another run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI-single by Ryan Zimmerman,

Washington came within four, 9-5, in the eighth inning as Nieves plated in Kennedy with an RBI-single.

Nieves drives in Adam Kennedy. (Photo by Anthony Amobi/Nats News Network)

If there were any positives to take out of Sunday’s loss, Tyler Clippard bounced back from some horrendous outings the past few times out on the mound. He went 1 1/3 innings, struck out three and didn’t allow a hit.

THE GOOD:  Ryan Zimmerman went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs.  Cristian Guzman went 3-for-4.

THE BAD:  Adam Dunn went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts and three runners left on base.

THE UGLY:  Stammen. The sequence where Stammen walked the No. 8 hitter with one out, then had to leadoff man drive that run in is why he remains on the fringe between Major League regular and Triple-A. Already trailing 2-1, it's inexcusable to walk the No. 8 hitter in front of the pitcher.

THE STATS:  The Nats went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position, leaving 10 on base.  They struck out 12 times and walked just twice.  One of the walks was Stammen's only plate appearance.

NEXT GAME:  Tuesday, July 6 vs San Diego.  RHP Livan Hernandez (6-4) v. LHP Clayton Richard (6-4).

NOTES:  Before the game, MLB announced the 2010 All-Star representitives.  The Nationals rep will be closer Matt Capps.  Capps will make his first All-Star appearance.  He is 2-2 with a 3.19 ERA and 22 saves in 36 2/3 innings and 32 K’s.  He was voted onto the team by the players.  "It says that peers and people who see you and are around you all the time think enough of you to think you're one of the best in the league at this time," Capps said

The Washington Nationals pounded out 11 hits for seven runs, and Craig Stammen -- making his return to the big league rotation -- was exceptional, leading the Nats to a 7-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves before 19,045 at Turner Field.

The win snaps Washington's five game losing streak -- and seven game road losing streak.  The Nats record moves to 34-44.

Stammen (W, 2-2, 5.13) was very strong in his first start since being sent down to the minors for a three-start stint.  He went 7 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks, striking out four.  He even chipped in with a run-scoring sacrifice fly.

"He really threw the ball good against a tough lineup," Manager Jim Riggleman said in his post-game interview.

The Nats even played some decent defense for a change.  Ryan Zimmerman had a couple of nice stops, Josh Willingham made a diving catch in left field, and even Adam Dunn snared a blistering one-hopper behind Stammen, who threw 57 of his 99 pitches for strikes.

Stammen relied mostly on his fastball, slider and change-up, and mixed in an occasional curveball the third time through the Braves lineup.

The offense was led by Zimmerman, who had a two-run double during the Nats' three-run fifth, Willingham hammered a two-run homer (14) off Peter Moylan in the seventh, and Alberto Gonzalez matched his career high with four hits.

"Zim got a huge hit for us," Riggleman said.  "That's the hit that we've been missing that a little bit and when Zim uses right field usually good things happen."

Nyjer Morgan showed more of what the organization hoped to see from him this season as well, going 2-for-5 with a run, stolen base and an RBI, though he did have trouble with a line drive that he overran when it checked up on him and went behind him for a triple.

But that's nit-picking on a night that saw the Nats play a fairly complete game to beat a good team on the road.

THE GOOD:  Alberto Gonzalez.  Any time a guy goes 4-for-4 you gotta give him props.  Willingham and Morgan both had two hits, and Zimmerman delivered big when the outcome was still in doubt. 

And all credit must be given to Stammen.  Sent down to make room for Stephen Strasburg three weeks ago, Stammen went down to the minors as succeeded with Syracuse, and he got 14 ground ball outs tonight in a very quality outing.

THE BAD:  Adam Dunn went 0-for-5 with three strikouts. 

THE UGLY:  It was a well-played game but the Nats on all acounts, so we'll give the ugly to Braves reliever Peter Moylan.  Moylan had not given up a home run over the fence since Opening Day 2009, when Zimmerman hit the shot that christened Nationals Park...until Willingham touched him in the seventh.

THE STATS:  The Nats struck out 10 times, walked three times and left eight men on base.  They were 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

NEXT GAME:  The Nats try to take the series from the Braves tomorrow at 7:10 pm.  J.D. Martin (0-3) takes on Jair Jurrjens (0-3).

by Anthony Amobi, Staff Writer

Over the weekend, the Washington Nationals endured a pair of soul-crushing losses to the Cincinnati Reds, both games exemplifying the trouble the Nats have had for the last three weeks or so.  The losses are a stark contrast to off-the-field celebrations of the next two days, as the team is set to draft "The Next Lebron" and debut their once-in-a-generation ace on successive days.

On Monday night, the Nationals are expected to select highly touted 17-year old Las Vegas, Nevada native Bryce Harper as the first pick in the 2010 First Year Player Draft.

The very-much hyped Harper, who attended school at the College of Southern Nevada and is being advised by super-agent Scott Boras has set the baseball world on fire with his bat, arm, and amazing athleticism at such a young age. At 6'3" and 205 lbs, he's already got the size and pedigree that many look for in a baseball player much more a power hitter.

Harper skipped his final year of high school, got his GED, enrolled in college and excelled against the competition where players were a year, two, three or four older. Hes smashed school and conference records, so theres really not much else left for him at the collegiate level.

Right now, Harper's primary position is catcher; however, he is expected to become an outfielder down the road--perhaps a right fielder--to preserve his body and maximize the years in his pro career.

His numbers at the College of Southern Nevada in 2010: 21 HRS, 59 RBI, .410 AVG, .917 SLG, 1.414 OPS.

The can't-miss player is regarded as the best all-around player in the draft, although there are some concerns about his makeup, ego on the field and attitude at times.

Still, thats not expected to deter the Nationals from selecting him at all. The team will be expected to pay a huge amount for the youngster, but most are expecting him to progress within two-to-three years to the major league level.

Stephen Strasburg, 2009's No. 1 overall selection, will make his major league debut Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The team is expecting a sell-out, and has released some standing-room only tickets, as well as released individual tickets for some suites that are usually only sold as part of a seeason ticket package.

It should the the closest thing to a playoff atmosphere in Nationals Park since Opening Day 2008 when the team moved into the ballpark on South Capitol Street.

As for the baseball on the field:

On Sunday, the Washington Nationals endured another crushing loss to the Cincinnati Reds, this time in ten innings by a score of 5-4. Cincinnati used a Drew Stubbs RBI-single in the 10th inning to take two out of three games from Washington this weekend.

Washingtons record stands at 27-31 and they are now 6.5 games back in the National League East. They are also 3-7 in their last ten games.

Dark clouds loomed over Nationals Park during June 6 game

(Ian Koski/natsdailynews.com)

Matt Capps, who started the season off on fire after a tenuous year in Pittsburgh, blew his fourth of the season in the ninth inning. The Nationals had a slim 2-1 lead, but Drew Stubbs ripped a one out-single to right and then pinch-hitter Jonny Gomes hit a RBI-double to left, tying the game at two.

Moments later, Scott Rolen who pinch hit for starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo crushed a Capps offering and launched over the left field wall for a two-run homer that upped the Reds lead to 4-1. Rolens homer was his 14th of the year.

The Nationals would rally in the ninth off Reds closer Francisco Cordero and tie the game at four. Their offense could come alive as Mike Morse would hit a two-run double to right field that plated both Josh Willingham (who reached base on a walk) and Ian Desmond (who reached base via a single).

Cincinnati won the game in the tenth as Jay Bruce hit a two-out single to left and Drew Stubbs got the winning single off Washington reliever Miguel Batista. Pitcher Doug Slaten (2-1), who allowed the winning run to reach base initially in the frame, took the loss.

The Reds Nick Masset earned his first save of the season as he retired Ian Desmond with a groundout to second base with two men on. Cordero would earn the win (2-3) despite blowing the save.

The Nationals and Reds both got impressive pitching performances from their starters on the mound to close out the rubber game of the series.

Washington's Craig Stammen perhaps had his most outstanding start of the year as he went 6 2/3 innings and gave up a run on seven hits. For Stammen, despite his solid work on Sunday, he was sent down to Triple-A Syracuse after the game to make room for Stephen Strasburg who will make his major league debut on Tuesday at Nationals Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

RHP Craig Stammen had best start of season on June 6 and was sent down to

Syracuse immediately following game to make room for Strasburg.

(Ian Koski/natsdailynews.com)

After the game, Nationals manager Jim Riggleman remarked to the media assembled on Stammens start and showed quite a bit of empathy for the situation at hand.

"Somebody's got to go, and it's Craig and I feel terrible about that, too. One of the guys who has been leaving it all out there for you takes the hit on this."

Cincinnati scored on Stammen in the first inning as Joey Votto singled to right to plate Orlando Cabrera for a quick 1-0 lead.

Washington tied the game in the bottom of the inning off a Ryan Zimmerman RBI-single and made the score 2-1 in the fourth off an Ian Desmond RBI double.

Bronson Arroyo started the game on the mound for the Reds and went eight innings. He gave up two runs on six hits, plus struck out five, while walking one.

The upcoming week will be big for the Nationals and the eyes of the baseball world will be descending on the nations capital aside from Stephen Strasburgs aforementioned major league debut.

On Saturday, the Washington Nationals were defeated by the Cincinnati Reds, 5-1. They fell to 27-30 on the season, but the 22,896 in attendance would only remember what happened towards the end of the contest.

The game was pretty mush settled in an absolutely wild eighth inning in which Cincinnati held a 2-1 lead. With Washington reliever Tyler Walker on the mound, the Reds jumped all over him and the bullpen. Orlando Cabrera led off the frame with a double – in fact, he barely missed hitting a homer – and then scored on a Brandon Phillips RBI single.

After Phillips’ single, things would get real interesting. Reliever Sean Burnett would be called into the game and he would begin his night on the mound on shaky ground as he allowed Phillips to advance to second on a wild pitch. Moments later, Phillips would advance to third after umpire Dan Bellino determined that shortstop Ian Desmond interfered with his ability to get to third.

Washington manager Jim Riggleman, who thought the call by Bellino was incorrect, tried to plead and argue his case would find himself tossed.

Manager Jim Riggleman was ejected from June 5 game

(Max Cook/WeLoveDC.com)

Burnett would walk Joey Votto and Scott Rolen would ground out to short, but Brandon Phillips – who was on third – decided to be aggressive and advance home. Phillips would score, only after barreling over catcher Wil Nives and knocking the ball out of his glove.

After he crossed home plate, Phillips would then show a display of theatrics – perhaps something one would do in the pro wrestling on football – by pounding his fist on his chest and yelling like a caveman. The Nationals were not amused and they would exact revenge in ninth inning against him.

The Reds would add another run off a one-out Jay Bruce RBI-single in the frame for a 5-1 advantage.

In the ninth inning, the Nationals would engage in the ‘unwritten rules of baseball’ as reliever Miguel Batista threw inside to Phillips and would get him in the ribs. Umpire Joe West would eventually eject Batista, but most everyone figured it was in response to Phillips’ brazen celebration in the eighth inning. No other incidents would flare up on the evening.

The events of the eighth inning perhaps overshadowed the work that Washington starting pitcher Luis Atilano did on the mound. Although Atalino (5-2, 4.24) would take the loss, he went seven innings, allowed two runs – which one was only earned on six hits.

Although he pitched well enough for the win, he was outshined by Cincinnati’s Mike Leake, who won and still remains undefeated on the season with a 5-0 record with a 2.22 ERA.

With Stephen Strasburg starting on the mound this Tuesday and getting the lion’s share of national attention with his work in the minors, it seems that Leake’s work so far in the majors has gone completely under the radar. Amazingly, Leake actually never saw any time at the minor level and was promoted directly to the majors from spring training.

Pitcher Mike Leake slid twice during June 5 game

(Max Cook/WeLoveDC.com)

On Saturday, Leake showed why the Reds had so much confidence in him as he went seven innings and gave up one run on seven hits. He struck out five in his outing.

Washington’s only run came in the sixth inning as Ryan Zimmerman scored from second on a Joey Votto error.

Cincinnati took a 1-0 lead in the first off a Votto RBI-double to right. They would add another run in the fifth as Cabrera’s RBI-double to left plated Leake.

Craig Stammen pitched five scoreless innings.  Unfortunately, that was after he'd already allowed four earned runs in his first inning of work.

Four first inning runs were plenty for Kyle Lohse, who held the slumping Washington Nationals to six hits and two runs in his six innings of work, leading the the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-2 victory and sending the Nats to a season-high four game losing streak.

The Nats record is now 20-19, with one game remaining to salvage their pride on the road trip.

The loss clouds the major league debut of reliever Drew Storen, who pitched two-thirds of an inning.  He got former Nat Felipe Lopez to fly out to left on a great catch by Josh Willingham--and hit Ryan Ludwick--before striking out Matt Holliday on a 3-2 sinking fastball.

He threw 13 pitches, seven for strikes.

The team hopes that Storen can be a bridge to the late innings for the Nats, a role that Brian Bruney failed at in his tenure with the team.  The No. 10 overall pick in the 2009 amateur draft is the second member of that class to make the big leagues, following Cincinnati's starting pticher Mike Leake.

He won't be the last though, as the debut of No. 1 overall pick Stephen Strasburg is looming, probably just a matter of two weeks.

Storen's promotion is certainly out of need--the Nats have had trouble in the sixth and seventh innings--but also something of a reward for signing quickly, working his way through the minor leagues last summer, and being prepared for the challenge this season by mowing down batters in two different levels of minor leagues.

But the big story in the game tonight, as it has been for the entire losing streak, was lack of offense.  Since breaking out for 14 runs last Thursday against Colorado, the Nats have scored eight runs in their next four ballgames, all losses.

Ian Desmond went 4-for-4 and Adam Kennedy had two hits one spot ahead of Desmond in the order. 

But other than that, the Nats cupboards were bare.

The two-through-five hitters in the order went 0-for-15 with one walk.  Nats pinch-hitters were 0-for3. 

Mike Morse, recalled yesterday to provide pop off the bench and against left-handed pitchers, went 0-for-2, including a pop up with runners on second and third with one out in the seventh and a ground out to first with runners on first and third with two outs in the ninth.

Stammen's overall numbers don't look too bad, and if the team had been able to hit a little, he might have received a different fate.  He gave up four earned runs on six hits and two walks, striking out four.

But with two outs in the first inning, Stammen walked No. 3 hitter Matt Holliday ahead of Albert Pujols.  The MVP then singled to center field, setting the table for the bottom of the Cards' order.

Colby Rasmus followed with another single, scoring Holliday and moving Pujols to third.  David Freese then sent a ball to the wall in right field, where Willie Harris got his glove on it, but could not pull it in.

It went as a triple, scoring two runs.

Catcher Yadier Molina then dumped a single to right field, and just like that, the Nats were in a hole they would not be able to climb out of.

The Nats wrap up the road trip Tuesday, sending John Lannan (1-2) against perennial Cy Young candidate Chris Carpenter (4-1).  Lannan started strong against Colorado his last time out, throwing three shutout innings, but then fell apart after a long delay in the top of the fourth, with his elbow stiffening up in the delay.

NATS NOTES:  Adam Dunn did not start for the second straight game due to flu-like symptons, but did pinch-hit.  Manager Jim Riggleman said after the game he does not expect Dunn to be available to start Tuesday's game.

Pujols finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored.

Matt Capps, working in a non-save situation, gave up two earned runs on three hits in the eighth inning, raising his ERA to 1.77.

The Nats struck out seven times and walked just once.

In the eighth inning of Monday night's tense 3-2 win over the New York Mets, Washington Nationals right fielder Roger Bernadina could not get a sacrifice bunt down, eventually striking out, and leaving even more questions about his fitness for the major leagues.

Tuesday night, reliever Tyler Clippard could only manage one out from five batters as he coughed up a 6-3 lead in the eighth inning.

What a difference a couple of days make.

Bernadina hit two home runs (first of his career), including a two-run shot in the top of the ninth, and made an impressive diving catch with the game tied and the bases loaded in the fifth inning to lead the Nats over their division rival 6-4, before 33,024 at soggy Citifield in Queens, New York.

And Clippard, the goggled herky-jerky reliever, threw a perfect eighth inning to get the win, his seventh of the season, before handing things over to Matt Capps for his league-leading 14th save of the year.

The slightly built Bernadina crushed the second shot, clearing the bullpen in right center field, off Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez.  He finished 3-for-5 on the day with three RBIs.

The crazy thing is that despite his three hits, Bernadina still left six runners on base in the two at bats he made outs.

As important as his home runs were, the catch was probably the biggest play of the game.

Starter Craig Stammen worked himself into a jam in the fifth, giving up two runs on an a pair of doubles wrapped around a single.  The Nats righty then proceeded to load the bases on a fielder's choice and two walks, which brought up right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

Stammen got the count to 2-2 before Francoeur laced a sinking liner toward the right field line.  Bernadina tracked it down and laid out for it in the wet outfield grass, robbing Francoeur of what surely would have been a bases-clearing extra-base hit.

Stammen had a tough go of it today in the murky glom that was Citifield.  Game time tempature was 48 degrees, and a misty rain fell thoughout the game, making it difficult to get any feel for breaking balls. 

Stammen finished five innings, and escaped allowing four earned runs on six hits and four walks, striking out just two. 

The Nats starter was actually more efficient at the plate.  He went 2-for-2 with three RBIs, plating all the Nats runs on the day that Bernadina did not.  It was the first time a pitcher for the franchise drove in three since Guillermo Mota did the trick June 9, 1999 for the Expos.

The Nats now make their way to Colorado with yet another series win under their belts.  The win raises their season record to 19-15, once again securing sole possession of second place in the division.

John Lannan (1-1) makes his return to the rotation after missing a start due to inflammation in his elbow against rookie Jhoulys Chacin (1-0) for the Rockies.  Game time is 8:40 EDT.

NATS NOTES:  Jason Marquis, signed to a two-year, $15 million contract as a free agent this off-season, is scheduled for surgery on Friday to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow, according to several sources.  He had a rehab start at Class-A Potomac Tuesday night, but told reporters today at Citifield that his elbow "locked up" on him and doctors agreed that the surgery was necessary.

Cristian Guzman and Adam Dunn both had two hits today.

Ryan Zimmerman committed his third error of the season, misplaying a grounder in the wet infield late in the game.  It did not lead to a score.

Sean Burnett and Tyler Walker threw a one-hit scoreless inning each.

All of Washington's six runs were driven in with two outs in the inning.

by Anthony Amobi, Staff Writer

WASHINGTON – After a thrilling come-from-behind win last night, the Washington Nationals opened up their three-game set with the Florida Marlins in the loss column, defeated 4-2, before 20,161 at Nationals Park.

Despite a solid night by Washington starter Craig Stammen, his bullpen mates could not hold off their opponents. With the score tied at two in the eighth inning, Brian Bruney – who had come into the game in relief of Stammen in the seventh – continued a string of erratic and uneven performances.

He managed to get through the seventh inning unscathed; however, the Marlins would get him in the eighth. Bruney allowed a leadoff single to Bryan Petersen--his first career MLB hit--to start the frame, and then allowed Chris Coghlan to reach on an error.

Moments later, Gaby Sanchez would inflict the damage with an RBI-single that broke the tie to plate Petersen. After an intentional walk to Hanley Ramirez, Jorge Cantu would plate Coghlan with a sacrifice fly to raise Florida’s score to 4-2.

The Nationals made things interesting in the ninth inning against Marlins closer Leo Nunex.  Adam Kennedy – who pinch hit for pitcher Tyler Walker – singled, and then with two outs in the frame, Willie Harris looked to bring his team within a run of the lead with a stroke to right field. However, Harris’ apparent hit was in foul territory and was mere inches from the foul line.

With another chance to keep the Nationals alive, Harris unfortunately ground out to the shortstop to end the game--another comeback win averted.

Stammen bounced back from a horrible start against the Marlins last weekend and on Friday night looked as good as he’s been all year. He gave up two runs – one earned – on eight hits, striking out eight and walking none. 

Bruney (L, 1-2, 6.00), who pitched the eighth inning where the Marlins decided the game, took the loss.

Meanwhile, Chris Volstad (W, 3-2, 4.12), who started the game for Florida on the mound, earned the win. Closer Nunez finished the game to earn his fifth save.

Washington got on the scoreboard first in the opening inning as Josh Willingham plated Cristian Guzman with an RBI fielder's choice. Florida tied the game in the second inning off a Cody Ross RBI-double scoring catcher Jeff Baker.

The Nationals retook the lead in the sixth inning, as Ryan Zimmerman hit his fifth homer of the season--a solo shot.  However, the Marlins struck back and tied the game as Jorge Cantu hit a solo shot of his own – his seventh homer of the season – to tie the game at two.

Game two of the weekend series it Saturday at 1:00 pm.  Matt Chico is expected to be recalled from Double-A Harrisburg for the start for Washington, taking the rotation spot of John Lannan who is nursing a sore elbow.  Chico will face Josh Johnson (3-1) for the Marlins.

After the game, Justin Maxwell was sent down to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for Chico on the 25-man roster.

Willie Harris after his two fantastic catches

Roger Bernadina diving for a foul ball

All Photos 2010 © Cheryl Nichols Photography/Nationals News Network. All Rights Reserved.

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In other news, Friday night was also an important one for the future of the Washington Nationals as Stephen Strasburg made his Triple-A debut for the Syracuse Chiefs.

Much like Strasburg did during his brief tenure with the Harrisburg Senators, he impressed and delivered with Syracuse.

The Chiefs earned a 7-0 win over the Gwinnett Braves as Strasburg went six shutout innings.  He fanned six, walked one, and also showed some prowess with the bat, driving in two of Syracuse's seven runs.

His outing on Friday against Gwinett was not a fair fight at all. In fact, Strasburg was flat out dominant.

Starsburg threw 65 pitches, 45 for strikes and lit up the radar gun – hitting 98 miles per hour at points with his blazing fastball, plus using an impressive repertoire of off-speed pitches to stymie his opponents.

If all goes well, fans of Nationals may not wait that much longer to see the phenom come up to the majors.

It's widely recognized that Strasburg should make his major league debut as a member of the Nationals in early June, if all goes well with his stint in Triple-A.

On Saturday, the Washington Nationals got a well-pitched game from their starter and three relievers, out-hit their opponent, made no errors, and tied the game up late with a clutch hit against an All-Star closer.

Unfortunately, they also left 15 runners on base and had three runners gunned out on the basepaths--including two at home plate--killing rallies and leaving the Nats shaking their heads trying to figure out how they lost a game--a 4-3 decision to the Los Angeles Dodgers--they had several chances to win.

The most damaging play was in the bottom of the 13th inning, after the Dodgers pushed one across in the top of the frame to take the lead.

Ivan Rodriguez hit a one-out single to get things started, and Nyjer Morgan, who had some misadventures of his own on the base paths, doubled to the right field corner, moving "Pudge" to third base.

Rodriguez, who did not start due to back tightness, couldn't score on the play, though Morgan would easily have had a triple were it not for the lead runner.  There was no pinch-runner available, as Manager Jim Riggleman used Willy Taveras to unsuccessfully pinch-hit for Matt Capps with two outs in the 10th inning.

The next batter, Ian Desmond, bounced a lazy ground ball to third baseman Casey Blake.  With one out, Rodriguez' first inclination should have been to let the ball go through the infield before running.  But he broke when he saw the ball was hit slowly.

Blake fired a strike to Russell Martin, and the catcher calmly applied the tag on a close play.

As for whether Rodriguez should have been trying to score there, Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said: "It was a good gamble. Blake made a good play. ... If the throw is just a hair off, he is going to be safe."

Cristian Guzman flied out to left field to end the game.

The miscalculation by the future Hall of Famer made a winner out of Dodgers reliever Carlos Monasterious (W, 1-0, 2.08) for the first time in the major leagues.

Twice earlier in the game the Nats made base-running mistakes that in a one-run loss would loom big.

In the sixth inning, pitcher Craig Stammen (7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K) singled with two outs to score Alberto Gonzalez, who had doubled off Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw.  The next batter, Nyjer Morgan, hit a ball to deep left center.

Third base coach Pat Listach waived Stammen home, and from most estimations even if the throw had gone through he probably would have scored.  But Morgan tried to get the Dodgers to cut the throw and try to get him instead.  He continued to third base and was gunned down 7-4-5 to end the inning.

Stammen did not cross the plate before Morgan was tagged out, so the run did not score.

Morgan should have either held at second or gotten into a run down between second and third, and both he and Listach acknowledged the mistake after the game.

"I was being aggressive, but not intelligent," Morgan told reporters after the game. "I have to be a little smarter in that situation, but still, it was an aggressive play."

"If they throw the ball home, he walks into third," Listach said to reporters. "If they throw the ball to third, he's got to stop and let him cross the plate first."

The other out at home was in the seventh.  Ian Desmond doubled to lead off the inning.  Cristian Guzman followed with a routine ground ball to short.  Desmond's first mistake was running with the play in front of him, because if shortstop Rafael Furcal had fielded the ball cleanly, he would have been a dead duck at third.

But Furcal booted it, rushing to make the play, and both runners were safe.  The Nats had first and third with no outs in the bottom of the seventh.

Adam Dunn (2-for-6, 3 Ks) struck out on a called check swing, which brought up Josh Willingham.

The "Hammer" hit a ground ball to third, and Desmond inexplicably broke for the plate.  He was thrown out easily by Blake.  Pinch-hitter Willie Harris grounded to second to end the inning.

So the Nats lost a one-run game after having three runners make outs on the base paths, two at home plate.  Riggleman called them "mistakes of aggression."  But still mistakes.

It's a philosophical thing, really.  Do you play aggressively, forcing the action but taking the chance to run into outs?  Or are you more conservative, biding your time, willing to take the chance with your next hitter?

Do or die?  Or live to fight another day?

Today, the Nats died, so to speak.

With the loss, the Nats failed in their attempt to climb two games above .500.  They are having some success winning ball games so far this season, so it's still improbable that one game in April is going to make any difference record-wise at the end of the year.

It bears watching, though, if the Nats learn anything from today's mistakes.

NATS NOTES:  Sunday's finale with the Dodgers features Scott Olsen (0-1, 11.74) against Chad Billingsly (1-0, 7.07).

Miguel Batista (L, 0-2, 5.87) took the loss.  He went three innings and gave up one run on three hits and a walk.

Closer Matt Capps threw two scoreless innings and struck out four.

The Nats stole three bases, including one by Adam Kennedy which set up the game tying single by Stammen.

Stammen went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Nationals batters struck out 11 times and walked just three times.

All Photos 2010 © Cheryl Nichols Photography/Nationals News Network. All Rights Reserved.

Here's Manager Jim Riggleman's post-game press conference.

Video 2010 © Cheryl Nichols Photography/Nationals News Network. All Rights Reserved.

WASHINGTON -- Last time out against Philadelphia, Craig Stammen couldn't get out of the second inning.  What a difference five days makes.

Monday night, Stammen went eight strong innings to beat the Colorado Rockies 5-2, before 11,623 spectators, the smallest announced crowd in Nationals Park history

Stammen mixed a good curve with a sharp slider to keep Colorado hitters off-balance all night, going eight innings of five-hit, one walk ball.  He struck out five, and had Rockies hitters swinging and missing much of the night.

"He got better and better as he went along," Manager Jim Riggleman said about his starter.  "He was just outstanding."

Stammen only ran into trouble in two innings, the third and fourth.  He gave up consecutive doubles to 3B Ian Stewart and 2B Clint Barmes for the Rockies first run of the game. 

The next inning, veteran 1B Todd Helton doubled to lead off, Troy Tulowitzki singled him to third and Brad Hawpe walked to load the bases.

Stammen bore down and got a ground ball to third baseman Ryan Zimmerman by C Miguel Olivo.  Zimmerman stepped on third for the force out, but threw a little wide at home and Ivan Rodriguez could not handle the throw, scoring Helton.

But that was it for the Rockies.  Stammen benefitted from two double plays by Ian Desmond and Adam Kennedy, and Riggleman noted that in his remarks.

"[The defense] made some plays for [Stammen].  Adam Kennedy made a real nice play to his left, Desmond made a couple of really nice plays, one to his left, one to his right to get a double play.  [Stammen] let his defense help him."

Stammen got all the offensive help he needed tonight from Willie Harris.

Harris hit a three-run home run in the second inning off Rockies starter Aaron Cook (L, 0-2, 7.53) and delivered a sacrifice fly the next inning with the bases loaded to drive in four on the evening.

"Willie's a ball player," Riggleman said, stating the obvious.  "He can play anywhere on the field, gives you good at bats.  He's one of the few guys in baseball that had 100 points higher on base percentage [over batting average].  He continues to give good at bats makes the pitchers throw a lot of pitches and has a little power."

Nyjer Morgan (2-for-3, walk, RBI) knocked in the Nats' fifth run of the game, singling in Josh Willingham with two outs in the third.

Matt Capps closed things out with his sixth save in six chances, allowing a lone single to Tulowitzki.

With Jason Marquis' meltdown Sunday, the Nats really needed a starter to pick the team up, and Stammen did just that.  He's an important player for the Nats, especially with their prize free agent signee struggling early in the season. 

The Nationals are 7-6 on the young season, but numbers-wise the Nats are still at the back of the pack, last in the N.L. in ERA.  But if they keep getting performances like tonight's from Stammen, those numbers will slowly drift back to respectability.

Tuesday is the second game of the four-game set.  Scott Olsen (0-0, 6.35) hopes to build on his prior effort against Jorge De La Rosa (1-1, 2.77).  Game time is 7:05 pm.

NATS NOTES:  Before the game, GM Mike Rizzo commented on Marquis' struggles.  He reiterated that the player insists he is healthy, and to him, it's all about Marquis' lack of command thus far.

Rizzo also said P Garrett Mock was working out with the team, taking physical therapy every day for the neck inury that has limited this season.  He did not have a specific timetable for Mock's return.

Harris, Morgan and Rodriguez all had two hits apiece.  Rodriguez is hitting .450 through 13 games.

Morgan and pinch-runner Willy Taveras were both thrown out stealing by Miguel Olivo.

Adam Dunn walked twice and went 1-for-2 with two runs scored.

The team walked seven times, struck out just twice, and left seven runners on base.