Nationals at Reds

[Jollay]

Four games against a team with good starting pitching. This could get ugly if the bats don't get going in a hurry.

Johnny Cueto has been good this year (8-2, 3.42 ERA) and he has been awesome of late (four earned runs total in last five starts). JD Martin has been good as well (1-4, 3.35 ERA) but he faces an imposing lineup tonight in a hitters' park.

[Jollay]

First game is a 7-2 loss. Not much to say. Justin Maxwell got sent back to the minors as expected to make room for Atilano to start Tuesday.

He faces the impressive Mike Leake, who didn't give up an earned run in seven at Nats' Park earlier this year.

Does anyone expect the Nats to score even three runs? Although it does help to see a rookie the second time.

I do know Leake can hit, so it's anyone's guess whether the Nats can knock in more runs than the Reds' pitchers this series. So far it's tied, with the Nats at two, and Cueto and the Reds at two.

[craig01]

Leake gets an rbi.

[Jollay]

Nats down 5-1 after five in a rain delay. Atilano walked the first two batters in the first then promptly gave up a bomb to Joey Votto.

And yes, for the series, Cueto and Leake have knocked in three runs, while the Nats combined have done the same. Wow.

Also Pat Listach is starting to get irritating as a third base coach. Too conservative many times. Nyjer Morgan doubles down the line with two outs and a fast runner (pinch-hitter Willie Harris) on first, Jay Bruce throws it to second to try and get Morgan, and Listach holds up Harris at third.

Come on, man, somebody pay attention. But its that kind of stuff that's helping to kill the Nats right now--baserunning as well as stuff like missing the cutoff man.

[Jollay]

Nats go down 8-1 but do find some offense in a losing cause, falling 8-7. Doug Slaten got knocked around after Atilano and it put the Nats in a hole they just couldn't escape. Only about 1500 stayed to watch the end of the game after the long rain delay.

Strasburg versus Arroyo today. Nats now 14 under .500 and may struggle to get 70 wins now.

[craig01]

Strasburg looking sharp so far.

[Jollay]

Strasburg looking sharp so far.

Looked pretty good tonight. Really only had trouble in the sixth. Seemed like he really reached back for his gas a little more than usual, and it was slightly more potent than usual.

7-4 Nats after seven. It was 7-3 when Strasburg departed for Storen, who ended the trouble in the sixth. But then he loaded the bases in the seventh with one out, and it took Burnett retiring Votto on a grounder (run scored) and Clippard striking out Johnny Gomes to get out of the inning.

Hope the Nats can hold on. Sellout crowd tonight in Cincy.

[Jollay]

Nats win 8-5, Capps gets his 24th save and Willie Harris adds a solo shot late. Bullpen struggled a little bit but got the job done against a good hitting lineup (fifth-best scoring lineup in MLB).

Finale tomorrow afternoon with Livan versus Edinson Volquez.

[Jollay]

A little afternoon delight as the Nats lead in the series finale 5-0 early. Dunn a bomb and Harris a triple early--five runs might be enough for Livo if Riggleman doesn't ride him too hard.

Good to see Willie Harris starting to come alive of late, although he's still not batting .200.

[Jollay]

Nats win 7-1 as Livo goes the distance. They go to 42-54 and earn a split with the Reds.

The performance by Hernandez was encouraging as he had been fading somewhat of late, and it keeps the Nats' bullpen rested. With Stammen, Martin, and a mystery starter going up against an even better lineup than the Reds' in the Brewers' next, resting the pen was huge.

Atilano was placed on teh DL today, hence the need for another starter versus the Brewers...