Remembrance of good times past
Submitted by Jeff on Tue, 07/03/2007 - 6:06am.
- The Nationals are playing two kinds of games these days: ones where the pitching staff performs decently and thus gives the anemic offense a shot of winning, and ones where the pitching staff flounders and the offense is thus rendered irrelevant. File Monday's game in the latter category: Jason Simontacchi allowed five runs in three innings, and the Cubs later extended their lead to 7-0, more than enough given the Nats' awful offense. Nats lose to the Cubs, 7-2. (Box score)
- This series, of course, marks the return of Alfonso Soriano to RFK, and Tom Boswell is glad to see him. He notes the Nats' record is the same this year as this point last year, but at least last year "Soriano provided the hope of nightly thrills." However, Thom Loverro isn't as ready to share the love, noting the mix of cheers and boos that greeted Soriano when he led off the game. Even Loverro, though, notes that last year "last place seemed more fun when he was around."
- Before yesterday's game the Nationals put Micah Bowie on the DL with "synovitis", or mild inflammation, of his left hip. Bowie said he first suffered the injury two months ago going after a bunt in a game in San Diego, and reaggravated it last week in Atlanta when he was hit by a line drive. The team hopes that Bowie will be ready to pitch right after the All-Star Break. Taking his place in the rotation, at least tonight, will be Triple-A pitcher Tim Redding. Redding (9-5, 5.32) was called up, according to Jim Bowden, because it was his turn to start anyway.
- If all this talk about losing and injuries and free agents who got away depresses you, check out the Free-Lance Star's profile of the Potomac Nationals' "Fab Four": recently-promoted outfielders Justin Maxwell, Chris Marrero, and Mike Daniel and first baseman Brett McMillan.
- Speaking of the future, the Lerner family has formally requested to host the All-Star Game at the new ballpark, no earlier than 2010. While MLB likes to give the game to teams with new ballparks, a number of other new ballparks are also in line to get in the game. But team president Stan Kasten thinks Washington can cut to the front of the line: "We have a step up over any city because we are the nation's capital, and it would be a showcase for the nation and the world." (Sort of like Mayor Fenty and those iPhones…)
- Quote of the day from Jim Bowden, about the impending release from the hospital of Jesus Colome, who is being treated for an infection on his right buttock, er, lower right extremity. "We pray for his buttocks and his family."