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Nats swept by Phillies as pitching and defense falters

Phillies win 8-6, complete sweep of NationalsAP
I was at a barbecue yesterday and I friend (a recovering sportswriter) read this lead off of his Crackberry, commented that he had never seen a lead from an AP story that was this cynical:

WASHINGTON (AP) — A four-game series of perilous pitching and dodgy fielding mercifully came to an end Sunday, with the Philadelphia Phillies completing a sweep of the worst-in-NL staff of the Washington Nationals.

A two-base error on an eighth-inning bunt provided the go-ahead run as the Phillies won 8-6, capping a series that included 55 runs, 42 walks and enough long innings to make any fan restless.

Ouch, left unsaid was the series was only 33 innings long since the Saturday game got called after six.

That two base error came when 2B Anderson Hernandez, covering first on a bunt, did not expect the throw from Jesus Colome. Yes, an infielder did not know where the ball was on a bunt.

Nats Find Another Way to LoseThe Post
Phillies complete sweep of NationalsThe Wash. Times
Apparently, the Nats have converted 33.3% of save opportunities.

THOMAS BOSWELL – Nationals’ Bullpen Remains a DebacleThe Post
Bos is dumbfounded by Washington pitching. As are we all.

Nationals ReportThe Wash. Times

Detwiler Will Get a Shot In Struggling RotationThe Post
Not even a full season removed from a 4.88 ERA in single A, Ross Detwiler is making his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park. He has a 2.96 ERA at AA-Harrisburg, but has lost all three decisions. As bad as the parent club is, Harrisburg is much worse.

Nationals Insider: Avoiding first-round folliesThe Wash. Times
The Nats first round drafting has been a mixed bag, but isn’t that true for everyone?

I have fallen behind 7-2 in the Cheesesteak/Half-Smoke Challenge.

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