The Washington Nationals got behind 8-0 in the third inning and lost to the Los Angeles Angels by the score of 8-3.  With the Nats getting down by eight runs so early in the game, you have to wonder if it took a lot of emotion out of the team.  They had to have been thinking, “here we go again”.  It was just another bad loss for the Nationals.

Shawn Hill stunk it up as he only pitched three innings and gave up eight hits and six runs.  Hill was rocked right from the get go as the Angels bats were hot and they were hitting him hard all over the field.  Hill dropped his record to 1-5 with the loss.

I will give the Nationals bullpen credit however as they limited the hot hitting Angels scoreless.  Steven Shell, Jesus Colome, Joel Hanrahan, and Charlie Manning all pitched well out of the bullpen for the Nationals.

Wily Mo Pena hit a solo home run in the third inning for the Nationals first run of the game.  Elijah Dukes then hti a solo home run in the fourth inning.  Kory Casto had a pitch hit rbi single in the fifth inning for the Nationals third and final run of the game.

Now the Nationals will look to avoid the sweep on Wednesday.  I really expect them to lose on Wednesday as well.

Nationals Blog

Exactly what I thought would happened did happen to the Washington Nationals on Thursday.  They were beaten by the Minnesota Twins 9-3 and were swept in their three game series.  We had blogged last night that the Nationals were going to have their hands full with the Twins today and that is exactly what happened.

Shawn Hill got the start on the mound for the Nationals but he sure didn’t stay out there very long.  Hill only lasted 3 2/3 innings as he gave up ten hits and seven runs.  Hill’s season record is now 1-4 and he really needs to turn things around in a hurry.

Brian Sanches pitched the next 2 1/3 innings and didn’t have any problems.  However when Joel Hanrahan came in he gave up two runs in the seventh inning that really put the game out of reach for the Nats.  Jon Rauch did a good job in the eighth inning when he pitched a scoreless inning to hold the Twins to nine runs.

We can’t expect the Nationals offense to score enough runs to win games like this.  Sure they only scored three runs, but I put all the blame right back on the pitching staff.  Cristian Guzman was the guy that did get the Nationals scoring started with a rbi single in the third inning.  Also in the third inning, Elijah Dukes had a rbi single.  It wasn’t until the eighth inning when teh Nats finally scored again when Dmitri Young hit a solo home run.

So now the Natinals are 29-45 on the season and continue to struggle.  It’s going to be a long season in the Nationas capital if you ask me.

Nationals Blog

The Washington Nationals battled back to take a one run lead in the eighth inning but could not hold onto it as the Astros scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to take a one run lead and eventually beat the Nationals 6-5.

Talk about a heart breaking loss for the Nationals who could have really used this win against the Astros.  Luis Ayala gave up a two run double to Carlos Lee in the eighth inning to take the loss for the Nationals.  Ayala is now 1-2 on the season.

Nationals starting pitcher Shawn Hill lasted 5 1/3 innings before being pulled from the game.  Hill gave up eight hits and three runs while walking four batters and stricking out three others.  Saul Rivera gave up a run as well as he pitched an inning of relief.

 The Nationals did hit three home runs in the game and still only scored five runs.  Nick Johnson, Aaron Boone, and Austin Kearns all hit solo home runs in the game.  Cristian Guzman and Ryan Zimmerman also had a RBI in the game.

Nationals Blog

The Washington Nationals doubled up the New York Mets on Thursday night as the Nationals beat the Mets 10-5.  The Nationals really needed this win as they need to get back on track and go on a nice winning streak.

Shawn Hill started the game for the Nationals and pitched five innings.  He did allow three runs on six hits in the no decision.  Mike O’Connor pitched the sixth inning to record the win for the Nationals.  Saul Rivera and Jon Rauch both gave up a run in the game.

Felipe Lopez powered the Nationals at the plate as he hit a grand slam in the sixth inning.  Lopez finished with six RBI in the game.  Cristian Guzman, Ryan Zimmerman, Wil Nieves, and Johnny Estrada all had one RBI in the game.  A lot of production for the Nationals which is something they need to happen more often.

Nationals Blog