DC leadoff batter Willie Harris flies out to Jay Bruce in center for the first out of the 4th of July matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, which gets underway after a 2-hour delay. Reds’ starter Bronson Arroyo gets the second out with help from second baseman Brandon Phillips who spins and throws to first off-balance after fielding a sharp grounder from Cristian Guzman. Elijah Dukes hits the first pitch he sees to left for a single. Arroyo issues DY a two-out walk. Austin Kearns grounds into a force at second to end the DC first...Jerry Hairston, Jr. chases strike three for Jason Bergmann’s first K. Jay Bruce doubles into the corner in right. 1-0 pitch to Ken Griffey, Jr. who starts the fireworks early with a two-run blast just over the wall in right. 2-0 Reds. 

Ronnie Belliard singles to start the second, but Bronson Arroyo gets the next three Nationals’ batters in order to end the top of the frame. Jason Bergmann gets a fly ball out from Joey Votto, gets Reds’ catcher Paul Bako looking, and gets the opposing pitcher swinging through a fastball to end the second...Top of three, Willie Harris stares at strike three on a curve on the outsider corner. Cristian Guzman drops a single into center.* Elijah Dukes swings over an outside curve. DY walks again. Austin Kearns grounds to short, Hairston throws to second for the inning-ending force...Bottom of the third, Jerry Hairston Jr. bloops a single over second. Jay Bruce grounds to second, Felipe Lopez fields, spins and throws to second, Guzman back to first, double play. Jason Bergmann issues a two-out walk to Griffey, Jr., and throws ball four over Brandon Phillips’ head to bring up Adam Dunn with two on...Dunn pushes Willie Harris back to the warning track in center, where Harris closes his glove on the third. 2-0 Reds.

Ronnie Belliard has Arroyo’s slow curve drop under his bat for a swinging strike three. Lo Duca flies out to right. Felipe Lopez goes the other way and flies out to left to end the DC fourth. Keppinger and Votto pop out for the first two outs of the home half of the inning. Paul Bako draws a two-out walk, and Bronson Arroyo lines to left where Elijah Dukes ha...misses it, under his glove and has it roll all the way to the wall for a two-base error and another run scored. 3-0 Reds...Willie Harris lines a one-out single to left center in the top of the fifth. Cristian Guzman flies out. Elijah Dukes pops a curve out to left...Reds’ half of the fifth, Jay Bruce pops out to short. Griffey, Jr. pops out to Belliard in short left. Brandon Phillips is fooled by a curve from Bergmann that ends the fifth. Still 3-0 Redlegs.

DY doubles to lead off the DC sixth. Austin Kearns grounds out allowing DY to take third. Belliard grounds out to first, DY stays at third. Paul Lo Duca takes a two-out walk. Felipe Lopez flies out to short. 3-0 Reds middle of six...Willie Harris leaps softly into the wall to catch a blast off Adam Dunn’s bat. Keppinger flies out to short. Joey Votto strokes a two-out grounder up the middle. Paul Bako lines a single through Bergmann and into center. Andy Phillips comes on to pinch hit, and pops out to right to end the sixth. 3-0 Reds.

Aaron Boone flies out to left to start the seventh. Willie Harris swings through strike three from Reds’ reliever David Weathers. Cristian Guzman chops one straight down and Paul Bako fields and throws to first in time, Stand up and stretch...Steven Shell starts the seventh...Guzman fields Hairston’s weak grounder and throws to first in time. Jay Bruce grounds back to the mound. Shell walks Ken Griffey, Jr., but drops a slow curve on Brandon Phillips for strike two and then paints the outside corner to get Phillips waving his bat weakly at strike three. 

Jared Burton’s on in relief for the Reds’ eighth. Elijah Dukes misses an outside fastball for a swinging strike three. DY drills a single through second. Another outside fastball gets Kearns swinging. Ronnie Belliard flies out to right...Adam Dunn hits a broken bat single off Shell, who’s back for the eighth. Keppinger pops a bunt out to Shell who doubles up pinch runner Corey Patterson at first. Shell walks Joey Votto with two down, but gets help from DC catcher Paul Lo Duca who throws Votto out trying to steal second. 

Three outs for the Nationals to get three runs off Reds’ closer Francisco Cordero. Lo Duca singles through the infield and into right. Felipe Lopez grounds into a force at second but beats out the back end of the DP. Jesus Flores reaches safely on a hotshot to short that Jerry Hairston dives for and tosses to second a moment too late. Two on, one out for Willie Harris. Harris flies out to right...Cristian Guzman fouls one off...and then stares at strike three on the outside corner. Reds win 3-0. 

(ed. note - "* = Guzman continues 11-game hitting streak.")

Nationals now 34-54.

"Don Sutton's Favorite Pitcher" DC righty Tim Redding is (1-3) in 7 starts and 8 appearances against Cincinnati in his 7-year MLB career, allowing 37 hits, 24 ER, 7 HR's and 14 walks in 36.0 innings opposite the Reds. Redding's failed to register a decision in 8-straight appearances, though he's (2-0) in his last 10 starts, and the Nationals are (9-1) over that same stretch, breaking the win nine-game winning streak that stretched back to Redding's last two wins on 5/14 and 5/19, just last Monday when Florida beat Washington 6-5 in a Redding start at Dolphin Stadium, though Redding's own no-decision streak in tact...

Reds' right-hander Aaron Harang's started 3 games against the Nationals with an (0-1) record and a 6.75 ERA in 14.2 innings pitched, over which he's allowed 24 hits, 11 ER, 3 HR's, and 6 walks, while striking out 7. Harang's (1-5) in his last 10 starts, with the Reds (4-6), having won two straight Harang outings, and 3 of 4 following a streak of 5-straight losses when the 30-year old San Diego, California native's turn in the rotation came around. 

Nationals' #'s Against Aaron Harang...

Ronnie Belliard - 6 for 17, .438 AVG, 1 2B, 2 RBI's. 

During yesterday's game at Great American Ball Park, the Reds announced that Aaron Harang's next outing on Saturday had been pushed back. Harang's start was moved to Tuesday, because of what an article (and its title) at CBSSports.com entitled, "Reds' Harang to miss next start due to stiffness in forearm; Fogg to sub", described as "forearm stiffness." The report also includes a quote from Reds' Manager Dusty Baker, who explains:

"'He (Harang)has stiffness in his forearm muscle, like he had two years ago when (sic) was skipped in the rotation,' Baker said."

Josh Fogg, 31, returns from a rehab stint for "lumbar back spasms", and will pitch for the first time since June 1st. Fogg's got 8 starts on his resume against the Nationals, with a (1-3) record, a 3.17 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 48.1 IP, over which he's allowed 48 hits, 17 ER's, 4 HR's and 21 walks with 21 K's, and a .267 BAA. Fogg's (0-1) in 2 starts and 4 appearances at home this season, giving up 14 ER's and 5 HR's in 11.1 innings pitched in Great American Ball Park. 

Nationals' #'s Against Josh Fogg...

Ronnie Belliard - 3 for 6, .500 AVG.

Aaron Boone - 3 for 7, .429 AVG, 1 HR, 3 RBI's. 

Paul Lo Duca - 8 for 19, .421 AVG, 2 2B, 1 3B, RBI.

Wily Mo Pena - 2 for 3, .667 AVG, 2 2B, 1 RBI's. 

The "If They Were Playing" List...

Nick Johnson - 4 for 9, .444 AVG, 3 2B, 1 RBI.

Ryan Zimmerman - 3 for 8, .375 AVG, 2 2B. 

Tim Redding Had Better Be Careful With...

Adam Dunn - 2 for 9, .222 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI.

Ken Griffey, Jr. - 3 for 7, .429 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI's, 3 BB.

Trade Deadline NEWS...

...And this is probably not what all the Bowden-Haters out there want to hear, but Washington Post writer Chico Harlan, in a post entitled, "As the trade deadline approaches", at the "Nationals Journal" describes the DC GM Jim Bowden's approach heading toward July 31st as, "...a maverick strategy founded on a simple premise: This season is not worth salvaging ... in any way." After which Mr. Chico quotes Mr. Bowden, who elaborates further:

"'We're open to any trade that makes us better long-term. That includes proven major leaguers that are successful, top prospects in the minor leagues; we're open to anything. We've told every club, we have complete flexibility on trading players and acquiring players. So we're keeping every avenue open to us. We've let all the clubs know that. If someone wants to know if we're a buyer or a seller, we're both.'"

...and when Mr. Chico mentions to the DC GM that this sounds, "...more like an approach a team would have in the offseason," Mr. Bowden responds:

"'Completely. Sure. We'll trade a piece that hurts our team this year to help our team win a year from now or two years from now. Total focus is on the long-term.'"

(ed. note - "Well, that makes me want to keep watching in '08...How about you?") 

Washington Times writer Thom Loverro's article, "Angelos rests but Lerners shouldn't", wonders how much of a leash the Washington owners are going to keep on DC GM Jim Bowden heading towards the deadline, especially after the moves Bowden made to put together the '08 version of the Nationals. Mr. Loverro then offers his own opinion on Bowden's motivation:

"I suspect Nationals general manager Jim Bowden is in survival mode these days - not that his job is in jeopardy.

"But given the list of questionable deals that have failed this season, you have to wonder whether the affection for Bowden that Mark Lerner holds is there throughout the rest of the Lerner group..."

The "questionable deals" Mr. Loverro points to in the article, Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada, who have both been injured and lost the starting spot to the man who should have had it since March, Jesus Flores (ed. note - That's my opinion, not Mr. Loverro's.")...The $5 million dollars Felipe Lopez is getting as the 4th middle infielder behind Guzman, Belliard and Willie Harris...Wily Mo Pena, DY, Austin Kearns, Chad Cordero, etc.

Mr. Bowden's record leads Mr. Loverro to write that while the fans of the Nationals' neighbors to the north have always complained about Peter Angelos' heavy handed involment in the Orioles' roster decisions, the DC faithful, Mr. Loverro warns:

"...should fear the opposite, that their owners won't step in. Interference of some sort is required if the Nationals want to move forward."

...and here I thought all of the problems could be solved by firing Lenny Harris?

Game time 7:05 pm EST. The 3rd of 4 in Great American Ballpark. Redding vs Harang Fogg. The Nationals have dropped three straight, including the first two games in Great American Ballpark. Will Griffey hit #605? Can Redding finally earned his 7th win? He's been stuck on 6 since May 19th...Let's play baseball.

You can't really blame Luis Ayala for last night's loss. After all, Jesus Colome did allow two men on who eventually scored the go-ahead runs for the Reds, but the first man, Corey Patterson reached on an error by Willie Harris at second, followed by Jerry Hairston's single, and an intentional walk to Jeff Keppinger, so after an error on what should have been the second out, you can't really blame Colome for the fact that Ayala had to come on with the bases loaded, and you can't blame Ayala, or Austin Kearns in right, who couldn't even come close to the opposite field liner Brandon Phillips put halfway down the line...So whose fault is it? I guess, if I were to play the BLAME GAME...ahh, it's a holiday...(ed. note - "Dukes HR last night = homers for the 3rd time in 4 games.")

On The Hill...

In 4 career starts against DC's Nationals, Cincinnati Reds' righty, Bronson Arroyo, 31, is (1-1) with a 5.95 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 19.2 innings pitched over which Arroyo's allowed 20 hits, 13 ER, 2 HR's and 8 walks with 19 K's, holding the Washington hitters to a .253 BAA. Arroyo's first two starts against the Nationals, in 2006, went well, with Arroyo winning one, and the Reds both, as he threw 8.0 innings of 1-hit shutout baseball, on April 26th in DC, and then pitched 8.0 more shutout innings at home in Ohio, allowing 6 hits this time and helping the Reds win a 5-4 decision.

Arroyo's next two starts against Washington didn't go as well. On May 21, 2007, in Great American Ball Park, Arroyo pitched just 2.0 innings, giving up 6 hits and 6 ER's with 3 walks, a HR to Austin Kearns and doubles to both Ryan Zimmerman and Dmitri Young in an 8-7 Reds' loss. Then, on August 1, '07 Arroyo lasted just 1.2 innings, giving up 7 hits, 7 runs, 2 walks, and a HR, again to Kearns, in a 7-2 loss to DC in RFK. 

At home in Great American Ball Park this season, Arroyo's (1-4) in 8 starts, having given up 48 hits, 29 runs, 26 earned, in 45.1 innings pitched, for a 5.16 ERA , with 7 HR's hit, 16 walks offered, and a 1.41 WHIP, with 41 K's collected, while the opposition has hit at a .279 clip against Arroyo in Ohio. 

Nationals' #'s Against Bronson Arroyo...

Austin Kearns - 3 for 4, .750 AVG, 1 2B, 2 HR's, 5 RBI's, 2.500 SLG, 3.25 OPS.

DY - 8 for 17, .471 AVG, 2 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI's, .500 OBP, .765 SLG, 1.265 OPS.

DC Right-Hander Jason Bergmann's...

...never faced Cincinnati as a starter, but in 2.0 relief innings against the Reds, the 26-year old Neptune, NJ native has given up 3 hits, 1 R, and 1 walk for a 4.50 ERA, a 2.00 WHIP and a .333 BAA Cincy's Redlegs. Away from home this season, Bergmann's posted a (1-3) record in 5 starts, throwing 31.0 innings, 1 CG, and allowing 30 hits, 18 runs, 14 earned, 7 walks and 6 HR's, with 27 K's, a 4.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and .252 BAA. (ed. note - "As compared to 0-2 in 6 starts and 7 G's at home in DC, where Bergmann's been hit 44 times, with 18 runs scored and 6 HR's served up in 36.1 innings pitched.") 

Reds' #'s Against Jason Bergmann...

Edwin Encarnacion - 1 for 1, 1.000 AVG.

Brandon Phillips - 1 for 2, .500 AVG, 1 2B.

Jason Bergmann's trying to break an (0-4) streak over an 8-game period, in which the Nationals have lost 7 of 8 Bergmann starts since he last notched a victory (his lone road win) on May 15, 2008 in Flushing, Queens, NY's Shea Stadium. 

Austin Kearns Returns...But Kory Casto Has To Go?

Austin Kearns was 1 for 4 with an RBI single last night in his first start for the Nationals since May 17th. Shortly after that last game, Kearns was placed on the DL and eventually forced to undergo surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow. 

To make room on the roster, Washington shipped Kory Casto back to Triple AAA Columbus, after the 26-year old outfielder hit in just 9 of 50 at bats with the Nationals, collecting 2 doubles, 1 HR and 7 RB's in 23 games. 

In MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article on the roster moves entitled, "Kearns back in action for opener", Mr. Ladson quotes DC Manager Manny Acta, who offers Casto encouraging words as he heads back to the Clippers, telling Mr. Ladson:

"'We let him (Casto) know that we liked what we did,' Acta said. 'He cannot settle right now to being a bench guy. That's what I told him. His goal should be to still be an everyday guy. I really like the improvements he made up here on a part-time situation.'"

The Nationals on the 4th of July...Building Upon Three Years Of Tradition.

July 4, 2005 - Wash 2 NYM 5 @ RFK

July 4, 2006 - Wash 6 FL 4 @ RFK 

July 4, 2007 - Wash 6 ChC 0 @ RFK

July 4, 2008 - Washington @ Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio's Great American Ball Park on the Ohio River, Bergmann vs Arroyo, Game 2 of 4, on the 232nd Anniversary of the birth of the United States of America on July 4, 1776. 1:15 pm EST start time. Who's Watching The Nationals Instead Of Spending Time With Their Family?

Reds’ starter Johnny Cueto throws a fastball by Roger Bernadina for a swinging K to start tonight’s game. Cristian Guzman chases a two-strike curve into the dirt. Elijah Dukes pops the first pitch out to right and Cueto’s got a 1-2-3 first....Jerry Hairston, Jr. flies out to the returning Austin Kearns in right, Jeff Keppinger grounds to short, and John  “Cool Hand” Lannan gets a weak grounder from Ken Griffey, Jr. to end his own scoreless inning. 

Low change from Johnny Cueto gets DY for a swinging K. Austin Kearns grounds out to third. Ronnie Belliard grounds to short. Cueto’s through two...Chopped grounder to short, and Guzman throws out former Montreal Expos' Draft Pick Brandon Phillips. Edwin Encarnacion sends one right to Guzman, who throws to first. Willie Harris knocks down Joey Votto’s sharp pond-skipper, and throws to first to end the second. 

Jesus Flores pops the first pitch of the third up to Votto in foul territory. Willie Harris takes three pitches before popping out, and Johhny Cueto strikes out the opposing pitcher to retire the Nationals’ entire order in order the first time through...Ronnie Belliard knocks down a sharp grounder from Jay Bruce and throws to first in time. Cincy catcher David Ross walks to give the Reds their first baserunner of the day. Johnny Cueto gets the sac bunt down, and Lannan just has to get Jerry Hairston, Jr. to finish the third...Hairston lines to center, Bernandina’s throw is up the third base line, Ross scores. 1-0 Reds after three. 

Roger Bernandina tops off a two-strike pitch, grounding out to second to start the fourth. The Guzzz grounds up the middle and beats out an across the body throw from Brandon Phillips for Washington’s first hit off Cueto. Elijah Dukes splits the gap in left center and the ball rolls to the wall, allowing Guzman to score and Dukes to take second standing. 1-1 ballgame. Cueto balks Dukes over to third, and walks DY in front of Austin Kearns...AK grounds through short. Duke scores. 2-1 Nationals...In the dramatic shift, Willie Harris is positioned in shallow right, right where Ken Griffey, Jr. grounds out to start the Reds’ fourth. Brandon Phillips lines a single just inside the third base bag, but it takes a Nationals’ bounce off the G.A.B.P's stands and holds Phillips at first. Edwin Encarnacion grounds to Harris, who tosses to Guzman at second, over to DY, inning-ending DP. 2-1 DC. 

Willie Harris grounds through second to start the fifth. John Lannan fouls off a two-strike bunt attempt, failing to move Harris up. Roger Bernadina flies out to center, and Harris decides to advance himself, tagging and taking second, only to have Guzman pop out to end the top of the frame...Lannan gets a pop-up from Joey Votto. Jay Bruce walks and moves to second on a wlid pitch from Lannan that gets by Flores. David Ross sends Austin Kearns sprinting back, and he reaches up and robs Ross of an extra base hit, and John Lannan drops a cruel curve on Cueto for a swinging K to end the fifth. 

Cueto throws a fastball over the catcher, batter and Ump against Elijah Dukes, and Dukes doesn’t like it, Cueto's 2-2 pitch ends up 10 rows back in the left field bleachers. DUKES!! GOES DEEP AGAIN!!! 3-1 DC. DY doubles off the wall in left center. AK flies out to Hairston in center. Ronnie Belliard pops out to right. Jesus Flores pops out to right...Lannan walks leadoff batter Jerry Hairston, Jr. to start the Reds’ sixth. Jeff Keppinger grounds up the middle, and Willie Harris gets to it and somehow throws to first in time to get one out. Ken Griffey, Jr? Lannan dips a low bender under Griffey’s bat for a swinging K. Brandon Phillips lines to center...and it drops in front of a diving Bernadina. Hairston scores. 3-2 DC. Edwin Encarancion droops a single over second and into the short center grass. Phillips takes third. Joey Votto lines to center. Phillips scores. Tied at 3-3. Lannan strikes out Jay Bruce. 3-3 after six. 

Willie Harris lines a single under Edwin Encarnacion to start the top of the seventh. Felipe Lopez pinch hits for Lannan, and goes down swinging on a hit and run attempt, so Harris is dead to rights at second. Strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out. Cueto gets Bernadina swinging. Stand up and stretch...Jesus “Everyday” Colome gets a ground ball out from David Ross, but the second grounder from pinch hitter Corey Patterson is thrown by DY at first by Willie Harris, allowing Patterson to take second. Hairston lines to center, Patterson comes around third...and trips, just falls, and has to stay there. Jeff Keppinger gets the intentionals to bring up Ken Griffey Jr.?(ed. note - “Sorry, but...Don’tbringinManning, Don’tbringinManning, Don’tbringin Manning...”) DC Manager Manny Acta calls to the bullpen for lefty reliever Charlie Manning. Manning gets up 0-2 quickly, and the next pitch is in the dirt, 1-2...Griffey pops out. One more out? Manning does his job, and Luis Ayala’s on...Brandon Phillips drops a bloop single down the line in right, two runs score, 5-3 Cincy. 

Cristian Guzman hits a ground rule double to lead off the top of the eighth. Elijah Dukes’ Discerning Eye draws a walk. DY grounds to Brandon Phillips, who fields, spins, throws to second, Keppinger throws to first, double play. AK flies out to right. 5-3 Reds, middle of eight....Joey Votto flies out to start the home half of the eighth. DC righty Steven Shell throws a high fastball by Jay Bruce for out number two. David Ross down swinging...

Three outs to get two runs off Reds’ closer Francisco Cordero. Ronnie Belliard flies out to right...as it starts to rain...Jesus Flores goes down chasing. Wilie Harris grounds to Brandon Phillips, who throws to first...in time! Game over. 5-3 Cincinnati wins. 

Nationals now 34-53.

On The Hill...

DC lefty John "Cool Hand" Lannan made his second professional start, the first in front of the DC faithful, against the Cincinnati Reds last season on August 1st in RFK Stadium, earning his second win in the Majors for 5.2 innings of work during which he allowed 5 hits, 2 ER's, and 2 walks, with a .250 BAA, while collecting just one strikeout from Reds' batters. Lannan's second start against Cincinnati comes tonight in Great American Ball Park, where for the 17th time in '08, the (4-9) "Cool Hand" Lannan takes the mound for the Nationals.

Johnny Cueto will also be making his 17th start of the '08 campaign, but it's Cueto's first time around the Majors, and the 22-year old right-hander's facing the Nationals for the first time. After posting a (3-5) record in his first 11 starts, Cueto was (3-3) in 6 starts in June, while his ERA dropped from 5.40 in both April and May to 3.47 in more innings (36.1) than he'd pitched in either of the previous two months. At home, Cueto's (4-3) in 9 starts with a 4.11 ERA in 57.0 innings. 

Cueto beat the Cleveland Indians in Interleague Play his last time out on the mound, throwing 6.1 scoreless innings, and prompting, in MLB.com's Mark Sheldon's article entitled, "Reds clinch Ohio Cup behind Cueto", the Reds' Manager Dusty Baker to proclaim:

"'He threw a great game,' Reds manager Dusty Baker said. 'He had outstanding tempo going. He controlled both sides of the plate.'"

Reds' shortstop Jerry Hairston, Jr. goes into a little more detail in analyzing and praising Cueto's efforts in Mr. Sheldon's article, telling the MLB.com writer:

"'When he's spotting his fastballs and throwing that breaking ball for strikes, he's tough to beat,' shortstop Jerry Hairston Jr. said. 'He's one of those guys that doesn't get really rattled or appear to be. You can tell he has made an effort to get better. Obviously, you know the talent is there.'"

The Reds' #'s Against John "Cool Hand" Lannan...

Adam Dunn - 1 for 2, .500 AVG, 1 BB, 1 RBI.

Ken Griffey, Jr. - 1 for 3, .333 AVG, 1 RBI.

Brandon Phillips - 1 for 3, .333 AVG, 2 CS.

Jeff Keppinger - 1 for 2, .500 AVG. 

Nationals' #'s Against the Cincinnati Reds*...

Felipe Lopez - 12 for 32, .375 AVG, 4 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI's.

Ronnie Belliard - 84 for 279, .301 AVG, 25 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR's, 31 RBI's.

Aaron Boone - 7 for 39, .179, 1 HR, 6 RBI's.

Cristian Guzman - 11 for 57, .193 AVG, 3 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI's.

DY - 23 for 71, .324 AVG, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 13 RBI's.

The "If They Were Playing" List...(#'s Against the Reds.)

Austin Kearns - 9 for 30, .300 AVG, 1 2B, 2 HR's, 6 RBI's.

Ryan Zimmerman - 17 for 51, .333 AVG, 4 2B, 4 HR, 12 RBI's, .393 OBP, .647 SLG, 1.040 OPS.

Nationals' #'s @ Great American Ball Park...

Felipe Lopez - 190 G - 192 for 694, .277 AVG, 35 2B, 4 3B, 25 HR's, 91 RBI's.

Ronnie Belliard - 16 G - 18 for 57, .316 AVG, 5 2B, 3 HR's, 5 RBI's.

DY - 4 G - 8 for 15, .533 AVG, 4 2B, 5 RBI's. 

DC Bullpen vs the Reds...

Jesus "Everyday" Colome - 5 G, (1-1, 6.43 ERA), 2.29 WHIP, .343 BAA, (7 IP, 12 hits, 10 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 4 BB, 6 K's).

The Tallest Pitcher in MLB History Jon Rauch - 10 G, (0-1, 7.84 ERA), 1.65 WHIP, .302 BAA, (10.0 IP, 13 hits, 9 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 11 K's). ( Rauch @ GABP - 3 G, (0-1, 11.57 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, .364 BAA).

Saul "Sa-ool" Rivera - 4 G, (0-0, 8.44 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, .333 BAA. (5.1 IP, 7 hits, 5 ER, 3 BB).

The "If He Was Pitching Against the Reds" List...

The Flat-Brimmed Closer Chad Cordero - 12 G, (0-1), 1.76 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, .151 BAA, (15 IP, 8 hits, 3 ER's, 1 HR, 5 BB, 19 K's). 

* = (ed. note - "Extended stats courtesy of Winston Smith.")

"Zimmerman Watch" - Federal Baseball's 24-Hour, 22 Hou...12 Hour... Intermittent Dodgy Coverage of the BREAKING NEWS! And ACTION!!......

According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article entitled, "Zimmerman taking small steps", the Washington Nationals' third baseman has started taking some swings with a bat, in an early step in his recovery from what is described as a, "small labral tear", and Zimmerman's quoted in the article reporting:

"'It's feeling better,' Zimmerman said before heading out to the cages for the second straight day on Wednesday. 'It's getting stronger, but it's hard to notice anything [in the early stages of rehab].'"

And also in Mr. Ladson's article...

DC Skipper Manny Acta reports that Austin Kearns, "... is expected to join the big league club Thursday in the series opener against the Reds," and upon his return to the DC outfield, Mr. Ladson writes:

"Acta said Kearns would start in right field and Elijah Dukes would move over to left when the 28-year-old (Kearns) gets back. Roger Bernadina would likely remain in center field until Lastings Milledge returns from a right groin injury."

Dukes, Bernadina and Kearns...Huh? Let's hope AK's elbow's up to snuff..."Cool Hand" Lannan's in control on the mound...Johnny Cueto's not as good as he's looked...and Cristian Guzman continues to rake, after hits in his last 11 games...Who's Watching the Nationals? 7:10 pm EST...Great American Ballpark...Ken Griffey, Jr.?

GAME REPORT...

The Nationals lost again this afternoon, this time a 3-2 comeback win by Florida on the bat of Alfredo "The Amazing" Amezaga, leaving Washington 2-10 against Marlins after the two teams have played 12 of the 18 games they'll play this season. DC dropped three straight to Florida back on April 7th-10th, and settled for just one of the three games they played in Miami one week later from April 18th-20th. Back home in the nation's capital in the second week of May, the 9th-11th, the Nationals were swept again at home as the Marlins left town with three wins, to go 6-0 so far in Nationals Park in '08, and now, with today's win, the Marlins improved to 4-2 in Dolphin Stadium. (ed. note - "You're welcome. Have second place on DC, Florida. Washington will take '09's #1 Pick! and spoil it all in September...")

Today's game...started well for Washington, with Paul Lo Duca singling in two runs off Marlins' starter Ricky Nolasco for an early 2-0 DC lead. "Opening Night" Odalis Perez retired the first nine batters he faced for a 2-0 lead after three, and those of us here at federalbaseball.com thought things were going well...

"C'Mon PLoD Increase That Trade Value..." - BravesBooster

"Lo Duca Rules!!!! RBI single to center. 1-0 DC" - e chigliak ("Everything I say is a 'little' sarcastic.") (ed. note - "Alright, I was listening on the radio, the real score was...")

"2-0 DC.

Now maybe we only have to eat half his (Lo Duca's) salary to get someone to take him…" - Doghouse ("When in doubt, blame PLoD.")

Unfortunately, the Nationals' offense dried up after those early runs. The right-hander Ricky Nolasco retired 15 of the next 16 DC batters, (allowing only Willie Harris to reach base in the third on an error by shortstop Hanley Ramirez), and in the bottom of the sixth the Marlins finally came through with support for their starter when Robert Andino hit an RBI single to drive in Hanley Ramirez, who had double and moved to third on a wild pitch from "Opening Night" Odalis Perez...

Highlight reel material from both Willie Harris, diving in left center for a sliding catch to steal extra bases off the bat of Cody Ross, and Roger Bernadina who layed out in center to rob Wes Helms hold the Marlins' to one run in the 8th. Check out the highlights with MLB.com's GAMEDAY.

Odalis Perez, (2-5)  - 6.2 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's, 3.78 ERA. 

Charlie Manning?

What to do with Charlie Manning? Before giving up the go-ahead home run today to Alfredo "The Amazing" Amezaga, (who hadn't homered since 5/28...His only other HR!), Manning was already struggling in his first 19 games in the Majors, giving up 10 hits, 8 ER's, 2 HR's and 13 walks with 20 K's in 16.1 relief innings for DC since debuting on 5/24.

With the blown save and the loss this afternoon, Manning drops to (0-2) with a 4.96 ERA in 20 G's...And this from a pitcher who, in 11 games at Triple-AAA Columbus, was (0-1) with a 2.61 ERA in 10.1 innings pitched, over which he allowed just 7 hits, 3 ER's, 2 HR's and 6 walks with 12 K's. What to do with Charlie Manning? Who could come up to replace Manning? Bascik? Hinckley? Martis? O'Connor? Detwiler? How's Detwiler doing?

The Tallest Pitcher in MLB History, Jon Rauch...

...gets a mention in the most recent edition of USA Today Sports Weekly, dated June 2-8, in an article by Paul Petera and Ron Shandler of BaseballIQ.com entitled, (in the online edition), "Overachievers are this season's true fantasy All-Stars", in which one or both of the writers names Jon Rauch the "Runner-Up", behind only Cubs' reliever Kerry Wood, in a list of, "...players who have succeed their preseason projected values," in this case, as closers.

...and finally there's a quote from Manny Acta in the USA Today team notes section, in a post entitled, "Inside Pitch", where DC Manager Manny Acta makes a comparison between an old Expo and the newest Nationals' arm:

"'Very impressive," manager Manny Acta said. 'We haven't had an arm come through our system like this since Javier Vazquez (with the Montreal Expos). It's exciting.'"

Nationals now 34-52.

On The Hill...

"Opening Night" Odalis Perez (2-5, 3.87 ERA) has faced Florida once this season already, back on April 20th in Dolphin Stadium, throwing 6.0 innings of 5-hit, 1-run ball against the Marlins, with the one run unearned, 3 walks allowed, 7 K's, a 1.33 WHIP and a .208 BAA for the game. In his 10-year Major League career, Perez has pitched against the Fish 11 times, 8 as a starter, going (2-2) with a 3.55 ERA in 50.2 innings, over which the veteran lefty's allowed 51 hits, 20 ER's, 17 walks and 3 HR's for a career 1.34 WHIP and .268 BAA against the Marlins.

The one win Odalis earned in Miami Gardens, Florida in April, is one of only two wins Perez (2-3, 5.35 ERA) has collected in 7 starts away from DC this season. Of the 11 HR's Odalis has served up in '08, 7 have been hit on the road, and Perez has given up 23 ER, 20 walks and 52 hits in 38.2 innings for a 1.86 WHIP with opponents hitting .327 against "Opening Night" on tour. 

Ricky Nolasco, the Marlins' 25-year old, 6'2'' third-year right-hander out of Corona, California, leads the Marlins in wins so far this season, posting an (8-4) record and a 4.05 ERA in 95.2 innings pitched in '08. 6.0 of those innings came against DC back on May 9th, when Nolasco (and the Marlins) beat the Nationals 7-3, with Nolasco allowing 4 hits and 1 of the earned runs, with 2 walks and 6 K's. In 5 starts and 7 appearances in his career, Nolasco's (4-1) with a 3.77 ERA against DC, having been hit 24 times for 12 ER's in 28.2 innings. 

Nolasco's win over the Nationals earlier this season was on the road in Washington, and in fact, 5 of Nolasco's 8 wins (5-2, 4.37 ERA in 10 starts) this season came outside of Miami...But at home in Dolphin Stadium, Nolasco's posted a (3-2) record and 3.50 ERA in 5 starts and 7 appearances, with 6 HR's launched and 17 runs (14 earned) scored against him in 36.0 IP, where he's walked only 7, for a (1.17 WHIP) while striking out 26, and holding visiting teams to a .257 BAA.  

Nationals' #'s Against Ricky Nolasco...

Cristian Guzman - 1 for 4, .250 AVG. 

Paul Lo Duca - 5 for 9, .556 AVG, 2 RBI's. 

Felipe Lopez - 1 for 11, .091 AVG, 1 HR, 1 RBI.

Pete Orr - 2 for 7, .286 AVG, 1 3B. 

The "If They Were Playing" List...

Lastings Milledge - 2 for 3, .667 AVG. 

Ryan Zimmerman - 2 for 14, .143 AVG, 1 2B, 1 RBI. 

Nick Johnson - 3 for 12, .250 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI. 

Early Returns On The Nationals' New Kids...

Before Collin Balester (1-0, 1.80 ERA) appeared in and earned the win in the first start of his MLB career, MLB.com's Bill Ladson quoted, in an article entitled, "Balester getting accustomed to Nats", DC Skipper Manny Acta, who broke down expectations for the 22-year old in his debut and for as long as he remains on the big league roster, telling Mr. Ladson:

"'He has one of the best fastballs in our system,' Acta said. 'That being said, control is going to be a key for him. In the past, he has shown that he can throw the ball over the plate. Except that here, it's not only throw it over the plate, it's sometimes on the edges of the plate.'"

As for 24-year old Roger Bernadina, MLB.com's Bill Ladson also talks to Mr. Acta in an article entitled, "Bernadina learning as he goes in bigs", where Acta provides an early analysis of Bernadina's performance (and shows his own excitement for watching these players "arrive" in the Majors):

"'He looked good [in his first game],' Nationals manager Manny Acta said. 'He got the first hit out of the way, and he looked good in the outfield. Got a bunt down, tried to steal a bag. It's out of the way, and he understands this is baseball.

'He's going to have to make some adjustments when people adjust to him, but he's getting an opportunity. He's playing his dream out.'"

Memo: To All MLB Pitchers Who Don't Read Federalbaseball.com - STOP HANGING PITCHES TO ELIJAH DUKES!

Last night Dukes was 3 for 5 with 1 HR, and 3 RBI's. Monday, Dukes was 1 for 4 in the first of three in Florida, so with a little of the old "addition", Duke is, for now, 4 for 9 with 2 HR's and 4 RBI's two games into the series. Dukes' June was the best month (outside of HR's) of his (admittedly nascent) two-year Major League career, as DUKES!! finished the month batting .292 in 27 games and 106 at bats, scoring 14 runs on 31 hits, 4 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR's, and 15 RBI's, with 16 walks and 5 stolen bases.

The Marlins' Fans' Perspective, Check out the SBN's Marlins' blog:

FishStripes

It's a 12:10 pm EST start early this afternoon for the rubber match of the three game series between the Nationals and Marlins, so there should be plenty of dolphin-blue and orange empty seats in Dolphin Stadium as Odalis Perez and Ricky Nolasco square off on the hill. It is Florida though, so there's a 60% chance of rain according to the latest forecast...

DC leadoff batter Roger Bernadina battles Marlins’ lefty Mark Hendrickson to a full count and then strikes out swinging for the first out of tonight's second of three in Dolphin Stadium. Cristian Guzman lays one down the line in right for a soft fly ball single. Elijah Dukes archs a line drive out to Robert Andino at second. DY grounds back to the mound...

The first pitch of Collin Balester’s MLB career is a strike, high and inside to Hanley Ramirez. Two balls, one low, then high and tight, and the fourth pitch shatters Ramirez’s bat, resulting in a pop out to second. 95 mph fastball starts Jeremy Hermida off, and after showing the Marlins his 76 mph curve, and missing a few fastballs, a low 93 mph heater from Balester makes it a full count...Hermida grounds to short, but Guzman can’t come up with the ball, Hermida’s safe at first. Jorge Cantu at bat, Hermida steals second easily off Balester and DC catcher Paul Lo Duca. Cantu works the count full, and then pops up Balester's nasty 77 mph curve. Balester hits Josh Willlingham with a slow curve, but gets Mike Jacobs to pop up a fastball to end a scoreless first. 

Ronnie Belliard lines out to center for the first out of the second. Lo Duca flies out to center. Wily Mo Pena goes down chasing off-speed junk from Hendrickson, who completes his second scoreless...Balester gets strike two from Cody Ross with a low in the zone, mid-70’s curve, and then goes upstairs with 95 mph heat for a swinging K. Balester throws another fastball by Robert Andino, and gets a grounder to short from Matt Treanor to end the second. 

Robert Andino steps back onto the grass to catch Felipe Lopez’s pop out. Collin Balester’s first AB? K’s like a pitcher. Roger Bernadina grounds out to second to end the DC third...Balester strikes out the opposing pitcher to start the home half of the third. Full count to Hanley Ramirez, and Balester gets a groundout to short. Hermida chops one to third, Belliard's throw to first ends Balester’s third scoreless. 

Mark Hendrickson’s first mistake of the night comes with one down in the fourth, and it’s a hanging curve that Elijah Dukes sends soaring into the upper deck in left. DUKES!!! 1-0 DC. DY flies out to right. Belliard grounds out to short. 1-0 Nationals, middle of the fourth...Roger Bernadina retreats to left-center to catch Jorge Cantu’s fly ball. Josh Willingham grounds out to second. Jacobs chases an 86 mph change from Collin Balester for strike two, and then chops a grounder to second, where Lopez fields and throws to first. 1-0 DC after four.

Paul Lo Duca doubles off the wall in left to leadoff the fifth. WMP pops up over home for an unproductive out. Felipe Lopez slices a line-drive to Jeremy Hermida in left, Lo Duca 'rounds third, and Mike Jacobs deflects the throw back in to hold Lopez at first, as Lo Duca scores. 2-0 Nationals. Balester’s first MLB sac bunt moves Lopez to second. Bernadina goes the other way with a single to left, Lopez turns around third, Josh Willingham comes up throwing, and Treanor stops Lopez three feet up the line from home so there’s no doubt he’s out. 2-0 DC after four and a half...Cody Ross smacks a one-hop single to right for the first hit off Balester. Robert Andino beats out the backend of his own DP grounder, Ross is out at second. Matt Treanor takes Balester’s first walk, and Mark Hendrickson takes Balester’s first inexcusable walk to load the bases for Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez pops to short left, where Lopez catches it going back, and Robert Andino tags and beats the throw home. 2-1 Nationals on the first run off Balester. Balester’s first wild pitch comes on a curve to go to a full count, two outs against Jeremy Hermida, and Balester reloads the bases with another walk. Jorge Cantu pops out foul of first, Balester escapes his first tough spot...

Cristian Guzman blasts a grounder under a diving Hanley Ramirez’s glove. Elijah Dukes rips a low liner through short. DY smokes a single to right. Bases loaded for Ronnie Belliard. Make that Belli-YARD!! GRAND SLAM!! GRAND SLAM!! 6-1 DC. Felipe Lopez hits a two-out single off the wall in left, but gets nailed trying to stretch it...6-1 Nationals middle of six...Steven Shell replaces Collin Balester (5.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K's, 1.80 ERA). Shell strikes out Willingham, gets a fly ball out to center from Mike Jacobs, and after walking Cody Ross, Shell blows Andino away. 6-1 after six. 

Eulogio De La Cruz pitches to DC reliever Steven Shell to start the seventh. Shell grounds out to first. Bernadina pops up to third. Cristian Guzman grounds sharply to short, Hanley Ramirez has it, 6-1 after six and a half...Stand up and stretch...Matt Treanor singles to start the Marlins’ seventh. Shell hits Alfredo “The Amazing” Amezaga. Full count fastball to Hanley Ramirez...GONE!! Second deck in left for a three-run blast. 6-4 DC. “Wild” Joel Hanrahan’s up next. Jorge Cantu flies to Dukes in short right. Josh Willingham doesn’t get much farther into right than Cantu, Felipe Lopez has this one. 6-4 DC after seven. 

Elijah Dukes lines a broken bat single to center to start the eighth. Dukes steals second, just avoiding Hanley Ramirez’s tag on a good throw from Treanor. DY strikes out chasing a low fastball. Ronnie Belliard walks, and Eulogio De La Cruz is done. Joe Nelson takes over for Florida. Lo Duca pops off his fists, and into center for a single. Bases loaded. Kory Casto on to hit for WMP. Casto grounds hard to first, Jacobs fields and throws...wide of home, Dukes scores. 7-4 DC. Felipe Lopez drops a single one hop in front of Cody Ross. Belliard crosses. 8-4 DC. Willie Harris rips a line drive to right. Lo Duca scores. 9-4 Nationals...Mike Jacobs strikes out swinging through a fastball from Charlie Manning. Cody Ross doesn’t come close, for another swinging K. Wes Helms takes a two-out walk. Manning suddenly loses control and walks Treanor too...Manning’s out in favor of Luis Ayala. Alfredo “The Amazing” Amezaga lines by Guzman’s glove for an RBI single to center. 9-5 Nationals. Hanley Ramirez singles to right, Dukes throws over home as Treanor scores, Amezaga to third, Ramirez to second. 9-6 Nationals. Jeremy Hermida chases strike three out of the zone!! 9-6 after a long eighth.

Logan Kensing pops up Elijah Dukes on the first pitch. Aaron Boone flies out to center. Ronnie Belliard strokes a two-out double to center. Paul Lo Duca takes a pitch to the arm. WWJD? Jesus Flores strikes out swinging...Wait for it...The Tallest Pitcher in MLB History...Jon Rauch is on to end it for DC...Cantu grounds to short. Willingham strikes out swinging through a high fastball. Mike Jacobs lines off Rauch’s leg, and reaches safely when it bounces into foul territory. Cody Ross singles to right. Rauch goes 3-0 on Luis Gonzalez, then throws two fastballs for strikes. Full count. Gonzalez flies to center, Roger Bernadina closes his glove on Collin Balester’s first Major League win. Balester (W, 1-0, 1.80 ERA).

Nationals now 34-51.