The Nationals picked up a quick run in the first, but were only able to manage to score two more runs in the game (in the 8th) and fall 4-3. Joey Eischen pitched one solid inning (the seventh), other than that wild pitch that allowed a run to score, of course. Vidro, Guillen, and Johnson were able to have multi-hit games (2 hits each). Beyond that? Other than Wilkerson's 1 hit (a triple), 1 walk and two runs, none of the rest of the line-up did anything Wednesday night offensively (I suppose I should give Wilson credit for at least walking once).

As will be mentioned by many others, the Nationals got an early lead off of that one run in the first inning, kept the lead until the 4th inning when they gave up 2 runs to the Braves. The Braves went ahead 2-1 off of a home-run and a single in the 4th, kept the Nationals from scoring more runs until the 8th, and in the meantime scored 1 more run in the seventh when Eischen threw a wild pitch and a runner scored. The Nationals scored 2 more runs in the top of the 8th to tie the game, but the Braves scored quickly and picked up the winning run in the bottom of the 8th. The Nationals did nothing in the top of the ninth, the Braves didn't have to hit in the bottom of the ninth and the game was over. The Nationals already lost this series, but hopefully they won't get swept.

Well, here's ESPN's box score for the game. Nationals.com recap. SI.com's recap.

"Robinson Cuts Loose":
Washington Times article by Mark Zuckerman. Simple recap: "The crux of Robinson's impassioned message was simple: Play with more energy. Play with more brain-power. Play like major leaguers."

"Judge Dismisses Comcast Suit":
Washington Times article by Eric Fisher. Notice how hard it is to see the Nationals on TV? Partly that was a result from a fight between Comcast and the Orioles proposed new regional sports network. Comcast believed that it would have the right to show Nationals games, but the Orioles believed that those Nationals games belonged to its network. So Comcast sued the Orioles and that lawsuit has just been dismissed (though it can be refiled with just one of its counts/allegations/arguments).

"The court has now made clear that this is a bogus lawsuit, and Comcast's old excuse for not carrying Nationals games has been swept aside," said Arnold Weiner, a Lutherville, Md., attorney representing the Orioles. "They should begin carrying the games immediately."

But because of that 30 day option to refile the case with that one argument:

"Cohen's statement means a Comcast-MASN carriage deal will not be forthcoming immediately."

Notes:
Wilson plays LF and Wilkerson plays CF. Article.
OF Kenny Kelly made it through waivers and is now in AAA New Orleans.
SI.com's Power Rankings (the Nationals are now 10th this week, after being 8th last week, right ahead of the Phillies).

Tonight's Game:
vs.
Ryan Drese, 7-9 (5.65) will try to keep the Nationals from being swept when he pitches tonight against Jorge Sosa, 5-1 (2.55 ERA). Drese is currently pitching 3-6 on the road with an ERA of 7.19 (and is 4-3 with the Nationals). Sosa is 0-1 at home with an ERA of 3.26. Neither pitcher has faced the other team during this season. Unneeded stats: Drese is 10 days older than me, and is currently making $550,000 this season (and went to UC-Berkeley). Oh, and despite what people have told me that his name rhymes with greasy, ESPN says that you prononuce his name: Drees. Sosa, on the other hand, is one year younger, is making $650,000 this season, and he did not go to college.

Nationals.com preview. ESPN's Stat Pack.

Probables.
Friday:
vs.

Armas (5-4, 4.73 ERA) vs. Josh Becket (9-6, 3.33 era).

Saturday:
vs.
Patterson (4-2, 2.58 era) vs. Burnett (7-6, 3.48 era; the almost O's player)