One thousand games ago, ¡LIVAN! threw the first pitch in modern Washington Nationals history at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa. Back on April 5, 2005, I would not have believed you if you said that ¡LIVAN! would start the Nats 1,000th game, coincidentally, also in Philadelphia.

Last night he took the mound there again and pitched in-and-out of trouble for 6 2/3 innings and the Nats fell to the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1, so at least ¡LIVAN! improved upon his debut in a Washington uniform. I guess the highlight was Pete Orr being intentionally walked to get to Brian Schneider, who grounded into a doubleplay. That isn’t quite enough to make a Nats fan’s head explode though it might cause dizziness. At least Michael Morse homered. Phillies starter Kid Quantum, I mean Cole Hamels, tripled off of ¡LIVAN! on his way to a 5 hitter too.

Jayson Werth‘s return to Philadelphia was greeted by a standing ovation initially. Boos would come later. His fielding left something to be desired as well.

Nationals vs. Phillies: Jayson Werth’s old team, fans make it a rough night in 4-1 loss – The Post
Phillies take down Nationals in Werth’s return – CSN Washington
Werth’s return to Philadelphia foiled by Hamels’ gem in Nats’ 4-1 loss to Phillies – The Wash. Times

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Philly, Ryan Zimmerman was recovering from abdominal surgery in a hotel room. CSN Washington