"We're a little worried."
(Manny Acta, via Washington Post, 5/12/2008)

Marlins 5, Nats 4: Ayala blows up again. Hey, how come Hill didn't start the eighth?

O'Connor demoted. A little quick with the hook, though, don't you think -- was there any harm in giving him one more start? Next up for #5 slot is Bergmann, right?

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

"As the pitching goes, we go...It seems kind of unfair to throw it on the starting pitching, but if you look at any good team in Major League Baseball, they have good starting pitching."
(Ryan Zimmerman, via Washington Times, 05/10/2008)

Marlins 11, NAAAts 0: Zim rips starters post-game. Mike O'Connor, piss poor. Maybe try Bergmann again?

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

"Am I going to be able to perform and throw seven innings, one hit like I did in Philadelphia the first start of the year, every time out? No. Not at all. But there comes a time when I need to step up, take control and get through six innings."
(Tim Redding, via Washington Times, 5/10/2008)

Marlins 7, Nats 3: Redding's a wreck; Nats have no answers for Marlins, yet again.

Dukes is back, at long last! But is he a time bomb ticking on the bench?

Nats survive MAAtt Chico's first appearance out of the 'pen.

(Photo of derailed train via CHS dot org)

"This is my first blog of many this season."
(Ryan Zimmerman, via Ryan Zimmerman's blog, 5/3/2008)

Zim suffering from blog burnout? A plea from The Nationals Enquirer: Please don't quit, Zim!

A day after the DC blogging scene was abuzz over the news of the emergence of Ryan Zimmerman's blog, with reactions from blogging pros and joes alike ranging from outrage to shock to over analysis to derision, here at The Nationals Enquirer we're going on record and fully endorsing Zim's first blog. Hopefully, this is the first of many, many blogs for Zim.

Why?

Since an 0-5 performance the same day as his first blog post (May 3), Zimmerman has been on fire: 8-14, 2 HR, 4RBI.  Coincidence? We think not. But is Zim suffering from blog burnout? He hasn't posted in 6 days, which in blog-time tranlates roughly to 6 months. Keep blogging Zim! Don't listen to the naysayers. We've added you to our blog roll!

(AP Photo/Dave Einsel) 

"That's what we need. We need everybody to chip in whenever they get their opportunity."
(Manny Acta, via Washington Post, 5/9/2008)

Nats 8, Astros 3: Lannan back on track. Little things add up to big win.

(AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

Lo Duca headed to the disabled list with a fractured hand.

Next question: how soon after the 4-6 weeks it'll take for his hand to heal can they simply release him? Hey, at least he's got a future in coaching (just not coaching involved with throwing out would-be base stealers)!

Estrada heading off to the DL, too. Nationals Journal says Jesus Flores will return from exile in AAA as the starter, with Mr. Walkoff Wil Nieves backing up.

"The guy was being obnoxious the whole night. I just kept my mouth shut and didn't say anything. Then I'm coming off the field, and he told me I was a [wimp]. So I said, "If I'm a [wimp], come outside and wait for me.' He turned red as a freaking ketchup bottle."
(Paul Lo Duca, via Washington Times, 5/8/2008)

It's not easy being Paul Lo Duca these days.

From Washington Times:

The veteran catcher, though, appeared to be in agony after fouling off an 0-1 pitch and immediately dropping his bat.

Tended to briefly by assistant trainer Mike McGowan, Lo Duca soon was helped back to the dugout, where the scene took a surprising turn. As he walked down the dugout steps, Lo Duca began jawing and pointing at some fans in the front row, at one point pausing to make another point.

Lo Duca finally was ushered into the clubhouse, while security personnel ushered three spectators out of the park to a chorus of boos from the crowd of 30,432.

(AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

"I just felt a really, really, really sharp pain. Probably the most pain I've ever felt."
(Paul Lo Duca, via Washington Times, 5/8/2008)

Astros 4, NAAAts 3: Pain is the name of the game. Fire Tim Tolman. Fire everybody.

(AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

"When I was starting, I was trying to do too much. I was trying to throw five wins in one game."
(Matt Chico, via Chatter, 5/7/2008)

There is a God: Mike O'Connor replaces MAAtt Chico in the rotation.

But where's Bergmann?? Bullpen makes no sense for Chico.

Next logical, almost too obvious move if you ask us (you didn't ask, but we'll pretend you did), is to put Chico on the bus to Columbus and bring back AAA Star Jason Bergmann (for long relief, until O'Connor doesn't work out). So why no announcement of a Bergmann move yet? In no other organization in baseball would Matt Chico have even gotten a sniff of the majors at this point. Give him the rest of the year to get his sh*t together (and by sh*t we mean his leg kick and his head, in no particular order). If they're really concerned about Chico getting his head on straight, is the bullpen the best place to do it?

Capitol Punishment shutting down?

Say it isn't so! Blog burnout? Or blame Matt Chico?

Our "sources" are telling us that the reason is because Needham is taking some time off before taking the keys over at Nationals Journal after Barry Svrluga leaves the Nats' beat for China & the Redskins. Ok, wishful thinking: we made all that up. We have no sources.

If it's true, Needham's voice will be sorely missed. Damn.

"I think he had to take a shot. You're on the road. You're trying to play to win...It shouldn't have gotten to that point."
(Manny Acta, via Washington Post, 5/7/2008)

Astros 6, Nats 5: Luis Ayala's two out, eighth inning implosion seals see-saw loss. And don't forget Saul Rivera. Kearns goes from hero to goat in a matter of seconds.

Meanwhile...

Last call Friday for MAAtt Chico: IL Pitcher of the week Jason Bergmann ready to return.

Aaron Boone's 7th inning HR off Shawn Chacon reentered the earth's atmosphere 10 minutes ago.

Dukes getting closer. Where's he gonna play?

The Tim Redding Journeyman Express: rolling. But Nationals dot com says he's "glad" he doesn't have to face his former club?

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

"Two days of relaxing and doing nothing, you can't really tell anybody how much that does for you in the course of a long season. It's better for me. It's better for the team. It's better for everybody."
(Ryan Zimmerman, via Washington Post, 5/5/2008)

Nats 5, Pirates 2: Home cooking. Redding rolls, Zimm sits. But who needs him? We've got Aaron Boone!

(AFP/Getty Images/File/Greg Fiume)

"Why do I have to think about 2005? We're in 2008. Let's think about 2008."
(Cristian Guzman, via Washington Post, 5/4/2008)

Nats 9, Pirates 8: Guzman going like gangbusters (4-5, HR, 6RBI)! MAAtt Chico shabby again (time to bring back Bergmann).

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

"I really stunk today."
(John Lannan, via Washington Post, 5/3/2008)

Pirates 11, Nats 4: Lights out: Bucs end Lannan's scoreless streak with a bang. Lannan, Nats, really stunk out the joint!

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

"Trying to get him in. Simple as that."
(Austin Kearns, via Washington Post, 5/2/2008)

Nats 3, Pirates 2: It's a miracle! Kearns finally gets a hit when it counts!

Hmm...maybe Odalis Perez isn't that bad after all...

Streaking! 4 in a row! Shhhhhh.....here they come:

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

""I was stunned...All of a sudden, he has instant relief. She found the spot. ... He swung from both sides of the plate with violence of contact, and his hips went through it."
(Jim Bowden, via Nationals dot com, 5/1/2008)

Hey!! Um....waiiiiiit a second, what kind of massage is this, anyway!?

It's a miracle! It's a miracle!

You can't make this stuff up (via Nationals dot com):

WASHINGTON -- A miracle has happened to first baseman Dmitri Young. The pain in his lower back and hip flexor is gone, thanks to the team's masseuse, Tiana Tchamouroff.

Meanwhile...Chief's shoulder problems: cured! Jesus Colome walks on water! Kearns hits! Elijah Dukes helps an old lady cross the street! Wily Mo Pena hits a breaking ball! Jim Bowden levitates!

(Nick Wass/Associated Press)

Ray King Bobblehead night instead?

According to sources with no direct or indirect knowledge of the situation, the Washington Nationals have canceled tonight's Dmitri Young Bobblehead giveaway night due to an "administrative error" and have hastily announced tonight as: Ray King Bobblehead giveaway night. According to sources, the "administrative error" (by an intern in the marketing department, but not the same intern who accidentally ordered 20,000 bobbleheads in the likeness of General Manager Jim Bowden rather than President Thomas Jefferson last summer) led to an accidental order or 15,000 bobbleheads in the likeness of recently released lefty Ray King. Neither Stan Kasten, nor Ray King, available for comment.

Exclusive image (above) "reportedly" appeared earlier this afternoon on Nationals dot com.

"I was thinking: Get it done."
(Felipe Lopez, via Washington Post, 4/30/2008)

Nats 3, Braves 2: It takes a dozen, but FelipE, Nats get it done.

(Note that we can't bring ourselves to say *anything* about Shawn Hill...we're giddy...just hope his arm feels ok tomorrow)

Get well soon, Chief.

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

How come every ball hit in Lastings Milledge's direction these days turns into an adventure?

Nothing comes easy for L-Millz: nearly killed Kearns in the 2nd last night (above)...then made a great catch later in the game...then looked like he almost misjudged Chipper Jones' fly out to end the game...everything hit his way is a mini-heart attack.

Meanwhile, Fingers crossed for Hill today...

"I'm hoping there's nothing torn in there. I'll just take the next couple weeks off, I guess."
(Chad Cordero, via Washington Times, 4/30/2008)

"That's where I need to be. That's when I do best, when I drive the ball that way. Hopefully I can stay right there."
(Ryan Zimmerman, via Washington Post, 4/30/2008)

Nats 6, Braves 3: Zimm breaks out (3-4, HR, 3RBI); Chief breaks down (~55 mph fastball was the tipoff).

Hey! Nats (10-17) don't have the worst record in baseball anymore -- thanks, Texas!

(Image of Cordero on TV taken by Nationals Enquirer staff. Standings screenshot from mlb dot com.)