Chicago 7 WASHINGTON 2 (ESPN Boxscore)

The Cubs came to town and promptly kept the game from being competitive. Two runs in the first, one run in the second, two runs in the third and fourth innings. It was pretty ugly for the home team and starter Jason Simontacchi, who admitted that he “couldn’t execute pitches.”

The Nats bats were active, but ineffective. Thirteen runners were stranded, notably Nook Logan at third base in the first inning. He got there on a walk and a throwing error with no outs, but Ryan Zimmerman, who has now gone two weeks since driving in a run, couldn’t get him home.

Nationals Extend Run Of Offensive Futility – The Post

Nats see what they’re missing – The Wash. Times

I don’t understand why Alfonso Soriano got booed last night. He came here, did what he was told (eventually) and had an amazing season. The club made no effort to give him a new contract, so he followed the money elsewhere. What’s the problem? If you want to boo anyone, boo Stan Kasten.

Both Thom(as)s, Boswell and Loverro have columns in The Post and The Wash. Times, respectively.

I miss Soriano, but I can understand why the Nats didn’t make a play for him. He is expensive and unlikely to come near the season he had last year. Signing him at 8 years for $136 million, like the Cubs did, would have been foolish.

In other news, Micah Bowie is on the DL for synovitis or inflammation of his left hip, retroactive to June 28. Tim Redding, called up from AAA Columbus, will make his first start (The Post) in the majors since 2005 tonight in Bowie’s place. It could be a cup of coffee for Redding because GM Jim Bowden indicated the call-up came because it is Redding’s turn to pitch.

Nationals co-owner Mark Lerner is lobbying Bud Selig for an All-Star game (The Wash. Times). It could be tough getting selected though, as four other NL teams recently opened new ballparks and have yet to play host to a game. Back during the dark times of fighting over the ballpark with MLB, I wish the D.C. Council had made a deal guaranteeing an All-Star game within five years of the ballpark opening; I think they had some leverage there.

Chad Cordero was just presented with his 2005 Rolaids Relief Man of the Year ring (The Wash. Times). In the same article, Bowden makes a comment that could easily be taken out of context, but I won’t do it.

Michael Burgess, picked 49th in the recent draft, has signed with the Nationals (Tampa Tribune).