William F. Yurasko

Nats/MLB 2008

Nats take 3 of 4 from Bucs, complete 8-3 homestand

May 5, 2008

SUNDAY: WASHINGTON 5 Pittsburgh 2

Nats Are Looking Spiffier After Homestand – The Post
Redding leads way for Nats – The Wash. Times
Wins change Nats’ mindset – The Free Lance-Star
Snell, Pirates left in cold after 5-2 loss – Post-Gazette
Bucs endure another loss to Nationals – Tribune-Review
Tim Redding only gave up a run over 6 1/3 innings and Aaron Boone homered as Washington beat Pittsburgh 5-2. The Nats took 3 of 4 from the Pirates and went 8-3 on their longest homestand of the year. They are now 14-18 after a 5-15 start. I am now one win away from winning my annual wager with the Maryland Bureau Chief on the Nats vs. Bucs series.

Zimmerman Gets a Day Off, Ending Streak – The Post
Zimmerman gets well-earned rest – The Free Lance-Star
Slumping 3B Ryan Zimmerman had his first day off in 206 games.

A surprise from the start – The Wash. Times
Right now, the starting rotation is exceeding its low expectations. Redding has been solid, Shawn Hill isn’t bad, Odalis Perez has a 3.18 ERA and John Lannan had a 21 inning scoreless streak.

SATURDAY: WASHINGTON 9 Pittsburgh 8

Guzmán Reemerges in ’08 – The Post
Guzman drives Nats to victory over Pirates – The Wash. Times
Guzman’s six RBIs bail out Chico, Nats – The Free Lance-Star
LaRoche, Pirates come up short, 9-8 – Post-Gazette
Pirates lose slugfest with Nationals – Tribune-Review
With both teams wearing Homestead Grays uniforms, the Nationals held on to win 9-8. The Pirates came back to within one in the eighth, but Jon Rauch got the save. Cristian Guzmán had six RBI. Matt Chico did not pitch well but says he found a silver lining in the game. I remain skeptical.