The Washington Nationals lost to the Atlatna Braves in Atlanta on Monday by the score of 7-3 putting the Nationals at 5-15 for the season.  Quickly falling behind in the season standings, the Nationals have a lot of work to do to get their team back into shape and I just don’t see it happening.

Cristian Guzman, Felipe Lopez, and Willie Harris all recorded doubles yesterday against the Braves.  Harris, Lastings Milledge, and Aaron Boone all picked up a RBI in Monday’s game as well.

Matt Chico was the opening pitcher for the Nationals and pitched for four innings allowing eight hits, six runs, and walked three.  This loss puts him at 0-4 for the year.  Joel Hanrahan, Jesus Colome, and Chad Cordero were brought in to pitch the last three innings giving up a combined five hits and one run between the three of them.  (Hanrahan was the pitcher to give up the run).

The Washington Nationals will stay in Atlanta for one more game against the Braves tonight then will travel back home to face the New York Mets.

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The Washington Nationals gave up four runs in the fifth inning and they went onto lose to the New York Mets by the score of 5-2.  Had the Nationals been able to control the Mets in that fifth inning, I think the game would have played out good for the Nationals in the late innings.

Matt Chico took the loss for the Nationals and it dropped his 2008 record to 0-3.  Chico lasted five innings and gave up five earned runs and seven hits.

Jesus Colome, Saul Rivera, and Chad Cordero pitched the final three innings and only allowed two hits.  Great job by the bullpen tonight.

Austin Kearns did go deep for the Nationals and Ryan Zimmerman had a sacrafice fly in the first inning but that was all the offense they could manage against the Mets pitchers.

The hitters are slumping right now and the pitchers aren’t able to pick them up and that is why the Nationals have been in a slump as a team.  I don’t know if this team can come out of this slump, I can see it continuing for a few more weeks atleast.  What do you think?

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