WASHINGTON, D.C. — There is something about playing the Marlins that is anything but inspiring. I have been to handful of Nats vs. Marlins games I don’t think any of them have been either interesting or victorious for the home team. Last night continued that trend. Something about that team with ugly uniforms just brings out the worse in the Nats. Last night, they played like a team that deserves all of the jokes that lazy sportswriters from other towns make about them.

The first pitch of the game was hit into the left field stands by someone an .180 hitter Cody Ross. It was just the start of an evening of dreadful pitching by Mike O’Connor, making his first start since late 2006. Past balls/wild pitches, walks and no command of his pitching led to him given the hook on a 2-0 count. In all of my life I have only seen a pitcher replaced for anything other than injury in the middle at bat once before and that too was a Nats vs. Marlins game in 2005. O’Connor joins John Halama on that shameful list. To a degree you have to feel sorry for O’Connor — he just doesn’t have major league stuff and the fact that he has had any success at all is kind of shocking. You want to root for him, especially since he went to George Washington University, but he just isn’t good. He gave up nine earned runs over 3 1/3 innings.

After O’Connor was replaced, with the bases loaded, Joel Hanrahan came in and threw a wild pitch, allowing another run to score. O’Connor had done the same in the previous inning. Hanrahan finished up O’Connor’s walk and then gave up a grand slam (which was thrown back!) to Dan Uggla. After that, Hanrahan settled down and retired the next eight batters.

The Nats offense provided all of five baserunners the whole night. Their best chance to score came in the ninth inning with Willie Harris on first on a “throwing” error that was more like a tossing era between the first baseman and the pitcher covering. Aaron Boone, ripped a drive to deep left that was caught at the wall on the run. It looked long enough, but just couldn’t get the extra five feet to set off “Bustin’ Loose.” Lastings Milledge grounded into a double play, ending the bloodbath 2 hours and 55 minutes after it started.

• I drove to a game for the first time. I ordered my parking ticket online and regretted doing so as soon as I got the lot which was nearly empty. Plenty of parking is available if you don’t mind paying for it and walking a bit. I only did it because of the likely Metro delays and look forward to taking Metro to my next game. Much easier, cheaper and closer.
• I will also never buy tickets online again, the 1st base ticket window had no line.
• M Street SE is unrecognizable compared to what it used to be.
• Sometime, when I have some time, I’m looking forward to walking the Dept. of Transportation history path.
• The Singstar competition was hysterical. This stupid bit between innings features two karoke singers battling it out for victory based on fan applause. The choice of songs — “Lovefool” by the Cardigans, a great tune, but not meant to be sung by anyone by the Cardigans. The first singer inadvertently turned off her microphone which received a loud round of applause. The second one, a twenty-something guy butchered it as expected and was booed. The woman, who didn’t have her mic on, was the easy winner.
• The African Queen, wife of Screech’s Best Friend of Nats320 was the fan of the game.
• Chico Harlan wrote his first gamer for the The Post last night, link below.
• The Nats wore their red “Sunday” uniforms which better at night during the day, but after last night’s loss I would not be heartbroken if they are mothballed.

All in all, a dreadful game, yet a fun evening.

Boxscore – CBS Sports
O’Connor Fails to Provide Any Answers for Nationals – The Post
O’Connor mauled by Marlins in rout – The Wash. Times
O’Connor’s return a nightmare – The Free Lance-Star