WASHINGTON 4 Baltimore 3 (ESPN Boxscore)

With the exception of some small ball in the 3rd that put the Nats ahead 1-0, yesterday’s game was kind of a yawner. P Erik Bedard was having his way with the Nats, allowing only three hits; one less than batters he hit with pitches. Balmer scored two runs in the fourth and another in the sixth. Things were not looking good.

After 7 innings, Bedard gave way to the bullpen. Chad Bradford gave up a Ryan Zimmerman double and was replaced by Danny Baez who promptly gave up a run scoring single to Ryan Langerhans. Hope! Austin Kearns then got hit by a pitch and Ronnie Belliard singled. Bases loaded with one out with Jesus Flores up. He hits into a fielder’s choice that costs the lead runner. Things were looking grim with Nook Logan at the plate and two outs. To the surprise of well, everybody, Logan came through with a single that knocked in two runs and put Flores on third. Nats 4 Balmer 3! Robert Fick struck out in the next at bat.

The ninth was the return of Chad Cordero to the closer’s role. He came in, let a few base runners on, but got the save, so I guess we can say he is back.

Logan atoned for a baserunning gaffe during Friday night’s loss.

Bedard had two hits, one of which drove in a run. Bedard knocked Ryan Church out by hitting with a pitch on the forearm. the Nats should have retaliated.

Nats’ Logan Takes a Star Turn – The Post

Logan is Nats’ hero – The Wash. Times

Same tired questions – The Sun

Thomas Boswell is happy again (The Post).

Micah Bowie went 3 1/3 innings in his first start of this century (The Post). He’ll get his next after five days of rest.

Kearns is making his first trip back to Cincinatti since being traded to Washington. The Reds were the “hometown team” for the Lexington, Ky. native.

Speaking of Cincy, GM Wayne Krivsky actually filed a grievance against the Nationals over the Gary Majewski trade.

Nationals Mailbag (The Wash. Times)

I’ll have more about the day later.