Nationals at D-Backs

[Jollay]

Tonight Rodrigo Lopez (5-9, 4.68 ERA) goes against Livan Hernandez (7-7, 3.22ERA). He's the guy the Nats want going tonight because he had a shorter than usual outing than usual last time, and he is by far the Nat who has the best chance to pitch late and pick up a taxed bullpen.

The D-Backs had a fire sale at the deadline, and return from the east coast as well, where they continued their mastery of the Mets. They also picked up National favorite Ryan Church. They seem like the type of team that might play spoiler down the stretch, with alot of guys playing for jobs next you.

Nats moved Tyler Walker to the 60-day DL and underwent season-ending rotator cuff and labrum surgery. They also demoted Atahualpa Severino back to Syracuse. Severino was in town long enough to sign autographs yesterday, but didn't pitch.

Meanwhile, Justin Maxwell is back for the fourth time this season. You would think he'll be able to stay the rest of the year this time.

[Jollay]

Nats win the first game 3-1. Could not have gone much better if Riggleman planned it.

Livan went seven and a third for the win and Burnett went the rest of the way for the save, giving the rest of the bullpen a much-needed rest. Dunn and Pudge went deep, Pudge for only his second on the year.

Newly acquired Joe Saunders goes for the Backs tonight against Scott Olsen in a battle of lefties.

[Jollay]

Nats lose to the D-Backs in game two, 6-1. West Springfield HS and Virginia Tech grad Joe Saunders pitches well and goes the distance, and a Mark Reynolds three-run bomb with two outs in the fourth did the most damage. Reynolds' shot was most discouraging because Scott Olsen had just walked Miguel Montero when he shouldn't have.

A couple of nice plays early for the Nats--a monster Zimmerman homer to center in the fourth and Josh Willingham gunning out Adam LaRoche at the plate in the second--was it.

Nats are 47-60, 13 and a half behind the Braves. Craig Stammen goes tonight against Ian Kennedy, who I am curious to watch and evaluate. Can Stammen finally put together two good outings in a row?

[Jollay]

Well, Craig Stammen actually put together two good outings in a row, and Adam Dunn homered twice to propel the Nats to the 7-2 win in game three.

Stammen was shaky, giving up six hits and four walks in just over five innings, but he only gave up a run. Dunn, meanwhile, just needs to be signed now. If you're not going to give him four years, which I imagine is the sticking point, give him more cash.

[Jollay]

Nats going for three out of four against the Diamondbacks tonight with Ross Detwiller on the mound. Nyjer Morgan took an MRI yesterday on his sore hip, a nagging injury that has been bothering him for a while, and is out of the lineup for the second straight day. Hope he's okay, he's been playing much better on defense and on the basepaths of late.

A couple of notes on the Nats rotation--Jason Marquis will actually start Sunday against the Dodgers in his first start since April, and Strasburg threw a simulated game today with no setbacks. He will start Tuesday at home.

How this influences Olsen, Lannan, Detwiller, Stammen, and Hernandez, the current Nats' rotation, remains to be seen. My guess is at least one of the first four move to the bullpen while Balester is sent down. That would leave one of those guys to be sent down. My guess is Olsen is one candidate for either fate, since he has some bonuses coming his way if he makes more starts.

[Jollay]

Nats hit four solo shots, two by Zimmy, but commit three errors and fall to the D-Backs 8-4. Detwiller looks mediocre at best on the mound.

Nats split the four-game series.