The Washington Nationals concluded a six-game intradivisional road trip 3-3. That’s not horrible at all, but because of the way this team, a season removed from 98 wins and steady domination, it seems like a lost opportunity . At 10-8, the are proceeding at a 90 win pace which is probably good enough for a Wild Card berth. That’s not what is expected out them though and the fact that the New York Mets are playing better than expected doesn’t make it feel any better. Nor does the fact that the Atlanta Braves, the division leaders are off to an unsustainable pace. The problem is the Nats keep losing because they seem to make mental mistakes and are easily discouraged by those mistakes. Perhaps the weight of expectations, internal and external, is taking it’s toll, but overall the team seems very unfocused three weeks into the 2013 season.<\/p>\n
Sunday’s game was game another example. While another multiple error game did not cost them any runs, it chased starter Jordan Zimmerman early. He put in a mere 5 innings because had to pitch around errors. He didn’t give up any unearned runs and the bullpen was strong. The bats were not though, a day after a 7-run explosion. The pivotal moment of the game proved to be in the 7th when the Nats accepted two walks from Mets reliever ____. Up 3-0 in the count, Jayson Werth, renowned for his plate discipline, inexplicably swung, grounding into a double-play. The Nats would not score in that inning. Werth manned up to it<\/a> (Nats Enquirer<\/em>) which is good, but if the most experienced veteran is pressing like that, what does that say about the team?<\/p>\n Saturday’s game was a 7-6 win that shouldn’t have been that hard. Gio Gonzalez lost the strike zone and the Mets kept coming back. Bryce Harper<\/strong> was the difference with two homers.<\/p>\n