In the doldrums
Submitted by Jeff on Mon, 08/20/2007 - 5:06am.
- Two weeks ago the Nats ended their last homestand on a high note, completing a three-game sweep of the Cardinals on the heels of a three-game sweep of the Reds. The positive momentum the Nats had leaving town got lost somewhere in the Bonds-mania of San Francisco, or maybe just evaporated in the desert heat of Arizona. Or, maybe, the Phillies and Mets are just that much better. The Nats bullpen was handed a 2-2 game in the top of the eighth, only to give up six runs, allowing the Mets to complete a sweep and ending this homestand on a 1-5 record. Nats lose, 8-2. (Box score)
- That late-inning implosion appears to be a sign that key members of the bullpen, like Jon Rauch, need a rest, an assessment Rauch disagreed with after the game. "You know, if I wanted a day off and I felt tired, I'd ask for it." Rauch and Saul Rivera will get some help in the form of Jesus Colome, called up after last night's game; Colome didn't make it to the ballpark until the bottom of the eighth yesterday.
- Austin Kearns made his first start of the season in center, a shift that allowed the Nats to give Nook Logan the day off while playing both Ryan Church and Wily Mo Peña, who hit his first homer as a Nat yesterday.
- Ronnie Belliard got the day off yesterday because of his struggles at the plate: he's batting just .206 since signing a contract extension last month. "Belliard's been scuffling lately," Manny Acta said. "He needs a day off."
- Speaking of Acta, Thom Loverro thinks that the rookie manager deserves a contract extension. Noting that Jim Bowden predicted that Acta will be named NL Manager of the Year, Loverro asks, "If Bowden feels that good about his manager, why not submit a ballot in the form of a picked-up contract option for 2009?"
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