Houston 4 WASHINGTON 2 (CBS Sportsline Boxscore)

The ball was flying out of RFK early on last night with the Nationals getting solo homers from 2B Ronnie Belliard (5) and 3B Ryan Zimmerman (15). Unfortunately, it was also flying out for Houston with Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee going deep. Lance Berkmen was on base when Lee homered and that provided the difference in the game. Craig Biggio also added a RBI in the eighth.

Both D.C. broadsheets focus on the efforts to trade Dimitri Young and Belliard. While that makes sense if they can be exchanged for decent prospects, August and September could be a long two months without their bats.

Tim Redding gave up three runs over seven for the home team, but it wasn’t enough.

For Nationals, A Quiet Night On the Field – The Post

Trades possible as woes persist – The Wash. Times

Nook Logan is getting more starts (The Post) because he been seeing more pitches and getting on base more (The Wash. Times). Of course, once Alex Escobar comes back, Logan and Ryan Langerhans will find themselves on the bench because Ryan Church will move to center and take their place and make room for Escobar in left. That is until Escobar gets hurt again.

C Brian Schneider got hit by a pitch in the seventh, causing a triceps contusion (nationals.com) which used to be called an arm bruise. He left in the top of the ninth last night and won’t play this afternoon.

Th Times-Dispatch has a breakdown of trade possibilities.

Express notes that Manny Acta is impressed with the Brewers model and seeks to emulate it. Frankly, the Brewers first place position aside, I think the Nats should emulate a franchise that has actually been to the playoffs already.