Monday, August 01, 2005
Nationals finally Win Game after Losing 6 Straight
Since the second half, the Nationals (56-49) have now won 4 games of the last 17. They entered the Braves-Marlins road trip in first place, but now find themselves in second place, 5 games back from the first place Braves (61-44). They are just 1.5 games up from the third place Marlins and Philies (tied), and 3 games up on the Mets.
Here's the ESPN box score for their last game, that win. Other than noting that they had yet another new line-up, I don't particularly want to look at the last 6 games. Here's the Nationals.com recap. And here is SI.com's recap for the Sunday game ("The Marlins lost for only the third time in 11 games").
This Week:
The Nationals now will return home and face the third place Dodgers (47-58) for three games (Tuesday-Thursday), and then will host the visiting first place (tied) San Diego Padres (51-54) for three games (Friday-Sunday). At the moment:
Tuesday:
vs. 
Esteban Loaiza (6-6, 3.54) vs. Jeff Weaver (8-8, 4.59)
Well, hopefully Loaiza's much better home-record will allow the struggling offense some time to get going. Loaiza is 4-2 with an era of 2.38 at home. Weaver's ERA is slightly better on the road (4.46 vs. 4.71), but he has a winning percentage at home (same number of wins).
Nationals.com preview (oh, and despite the team's struggles, Cordero still "continues to lead the Major Leagues in saves after recording his 35th on Sunday against the Marlins.")
Wednesday:
vs. 
Ryan Drese (7-10, 5.61) faces D.J. Houlton (4-4, 5.70). Drese is currently 1-1 at RFK, with an ERA of 3.77 in two games. Houlton is currently 1-1 on the road, with an era of 4.56 (4 GS and 1 relief appearance).
Thursday:
vs. 
Tony Armas (5-5, 4.83 ERA) vs. Brad Penny (5-6, 3.62). Armas is 4-0 at home, with an era of 2.82. Penny is 2-5 on the road, with an era of 4.02.
Trade Deadline Article: "Bowden unwilling to part with Patterson, top-notch players"
"According to Bowden, contending teams wanted players from the Nationals' farm system and young players from the Major League roster, but the teams were unwilling to give Washington a No. 1 starter or an impact power hitter."
Roster Moves: (Nationals.com article; WashingtonTimes.com article)
Byrd demoted to AAA, unhappy, Cepicky back up in the majors. "Earlier this season, he batted .278 (5-for-18) with three RBIs in seven games. Cepicky was hitting .272 with 14 home runs and 66 RBIs in 96 games for New Orleans at the time of the promotion."
Schneider: "Catcher Brian Schneider was given Sunday off because of inflammation in his right rotator cuff. If the pain does not subside, Schneider will have an MRI on the shoulder on Tuesday, according to Dr. Bruce Thomas."
Boswell's Saturday Article: "Mean Facts of the Game"
Column is all about: "Not long ago, the Orioles and Nationals were the toast of baseball. Now, if they don't watch out, they'll just be toast. If this is all part of some elaborate initiation ritual for those who are rediscovering baseball, it can end any time now, thanks" (first paragraph).
Here's the ESPN box score for their last game, that win. Other than noting that they had yet another new line-up, I don't particularly want to look at the last 6 games. Here's the Nationals.com recap. And here is SI.com's recap for the Sunday game ("The Marlins lost for only the third time in 11 games").
This Week:
The Nationals now will return home and face the third place Dodgers (47-58) for three games (Tuesday-Thursday), and then will host the visiting first place (tied) San Diego Padres (51-54) for three games (Friday-Sunday). At the moment:
Tuesday:
vs. Esteban Loaiza (6-6, 3.54) vs. Jeff Weaver (8-8, 4.59)
Well, hopefully Loaiza's much better home-record will allow the struggling offense some time to get going. Loaiza is 4-2 with an era of 2.38 at home. Weaver's ERA is slightly better on the road (4.46 vs. 4.71), but he has a winning percentage at home (same number of wins).
Nationals.com preview (oh, and despite the team's struggles, Cordero still "continues to lead the Major Leagues in saves after recording his 35th on Sunday against the Marlins.")
Wednesday:
vs. Ryan Drese (7-10, 5.61) faces D.J. Houlton (4-4, 5.70). Drese is currently 1-1 at RFK, with an ERA of 3.77 in two games. Houlton is currently 1-1 on the road, with an era of 4.56 (4 GS and 1 relief appearance).
Thursday:
vs. Tony Armas (5-5, 4.83 ERA) vs. Brad Penny (5-6, 3.62). Armas is 4-0 at home, with an era of 2.82. Penny is 2-5 on the road, with an era of 4.02.
Trade Deadline Article: "Bowden unwilling to part with Patterson, top-notch players"
"According to Bowden, contending teams wanted players from the Nationals' farm system and young players from the Major League roster, but the teams were unwilling to give Washington a No. 1 starter or an impact power hitter."
Roster Moves: (Nationals.com article; WashingtonTimes.com article)
Byrd demoted to AAA, unhappy, Cepicky back up in the majors. "Earlier this season, he batted .278 (5-for-18) with three RBIs in seven games. Cepicky was hitting .272 with 14 home runs and 66 RBIs in 96 games for New Orleans at the time of the promotion."
Schneider: "Catcher Brian Schneider was given Sunday off because of inflammation in his right rotator cuff. If the pain does not subside, Schneider will have an MRI on the shoulder on Tuesday, according to Dr. Bruce Thomas."
Boswell's Saturday Article: "Mean Facts of the Game"
Column is all about: "Not long ago, the Orioles and Nationals were the toast of baseball. Now, if they don't watch out, they'll just be toast. If this is all part of some elaborate initiation ritual for those who are rediscovering baseball, it can end any time now, thanks" (first paragraph).
