Detroit 8 WASHINGTON 4 (ESPN Boxscore)

The Nationals found a different way to lose last night. Instead of spotting the Tigers a huge lead and coming back like they did on Monday or getting completely blown out yesterday, they were actually tied going into the sixth. Mike Bascik had given the Nats five innings and allowed only three runs. Manager Manny Acta replaced him with a well rested Saul Rivera who couldn’t retire any of the three batters he faced; they all scored. Jesus Colome did not perform much better, allowing two runs before he could get out of the inning.

A frustuarated Jim Bowden is on the warpath again saying “produce or move on.” That is a great philosophy, especially for this season, but I still can’t help but laugh when I think of Bowden being a tough guy.

Nationals Swept, Changes Loom – The Post

Tigers complete rout of Nats – The Wash. Times

The Nats gave up on Levale Speigner, placing him on waivers (The Wash. Times).

Speigner, a Rule 5 pick, is available on waivers to all other major league teams. He will maintain Rule 5 status if a team picks him up. If not, the Nationals must offer him back to the Minnesota Twins for $25,000, which was half of his original cost. If the Twins decline the offer, Speigner can be outrighted to one of the Nationals’ minor league teams.

They also sent Wilson Abreau down, while bringing up Luis Ayala and Chris Schroder. Ayala is eager to pitch for the Nats again (The Post) after spending over a year rehabing his reconstructed elbow.

Bowden’s latest column is about minor league pitching, pitching, pitching (The Wash. Examiner).

Speaking of pitching, pitching, pitching, here is a quote from Acta on the subject:

I can tell you right now: When Shawn Hill comes back, whoever has his spot can throw three shutouts in a row and Shawn Hill is going to go back into the rotation.

So does that mean if John Patterson throws only two shutouts he can’t return to the rotation? By the way, Patterson has a rehab start tonight. Southeast Jerome Williams was outrighted to Harrisburg and has 72 hours to decide if he wants to accept the move.

Congratulations to J.J. on sweeping the series.