Fleas 2 Nats 1
Nats 5 Fleas 4
Nationals Get Away With a Split – The Post
GAME 1 The Ombudsman called me at work to tell me he was watching this game and that it was painful, so it should come as no surprise that Tony Armas, Jr. was pitching. He only gave up two runs but the Nats only scored one and left seven on. It could have been much worse for Washington, as Philadelphia stranded 12.
GAME 2 Ryan Drese started last night, which is just about the most discouraging thing you can imagine heading into a nightcap. These feelings were justified when he was pulled in the 4th after giving up four runs in four innings.
In the fifth, the Nats came to life. Carlos Baerga and Jamey Carroll got on base and with two outs, Jose Vidro got them home. Then Nick Johnson doubled Vidro in to pull within a run. I figured that the three run outburst set the Nats up for a one-run loss, but fate intervened in the eighth. Jose Guillen smashed a double to right center, and two batters later Preston Wilson sent him home. Wilson also reached second with the throw to the plate. The next batter was Baerga, who doubled home Wilson. It was enough and the Nats would hold on for a big win. Chad Cordero got the save, but good efforts by the bullpen — especially Luis Ayala, who got the decision, saved the day. The Nats head to Queens 1/2 a game back of Philly for the Wild Card and five back of Hotlanta.
More from The Wash. Times: Keeping close
Game 1 Boxscore – ESPN.com
Game 2 Boxscore – ESPN.com
MIKE WISE – These Pesky Little Buggers Refuse to Call It Quits – The Post
Did you know The Post still has a columnist named Mike Wise? They do and he even wrote about the Nats and was not a total wet blanket. Next thing you know, someone will try to tell me there is a guy named “Cornheister” or something.
Loaiza to start Sunday vs. Mets – The Wash. Times
This is a bad idea. Esteban Loaiza tends to pitch well in the early months of the season, but not the later months, which suggests that the guy gets tired. Why pitch him on only three days rest then?
NATIONALS NOTEBOOK – Relievers Have Held Their Own – The Post
The bullpen has been incredible, especially lately with a 1.09 ERA in the last 20 games. Of course, so had the Phillies bullpen, and look what happened to them (The Inky).
The Nats bullpen may be down a man though; Hector Carrasco brusied his shoulder during BP and is day to day.