Since we last left the Nationals, the team has gone 4-3 and pulled itself out of last place in the NL East. They are one win away from 63, and thus avoiding the humiliation of triple digit loses this year. They are also nine wins from tying last year's total. These are the metrics we have to use to judge a team that wasn't really competing for the post-season anyway (during the pre-season, Vegas had the over/under on Nats wins set at 66). Nineteen of their last 23 games are against either the Mets, Braves, or Phillies. With each of the those teams still vying for the post-season, nine wins would be an accomplishment.

Walk-Off
Ryan Zimmerman's walk-off hit on Sunday gives him six game-winning hits and one game-winning walk in the last two years. That gives Zimmerman more game-winning hits over the last two years than David Ortiz, Derek "Mr. Clutch" Jeter, and everyone else in the league. This phenomena happens frequently enough that the team has established a tradition of congratulating Ryan after these hits by punching him. According to Austin Kearns, "They're not love pats."

Following in Ryan's footsteps, Jesus Flores hit a game winning walk-off two out double last night to give the Nats their fourth straight win and raise them to two games out of last place in the NL East. It is unclear how much physical abuse Flores took as a result of his hit.

Photo by Flickr user dcJohn

Calling Them Up
September marks the period in the baseball year when the minor league season ends and MLB rosters expand to 40 players. The two big additions to the roster this year are pitcher Ross Dertwiler and outfielder Justin Maxwell. Both are joining the team from the Single A Potomac Nationals. Dertwiler was the sixth overall pick in this year's draft, and Maxwell was the Nationals second pick in the 2005 draft. Neither player is expected to get much playing time.

Interestingly enough, Ryan "I am getting paid $13,667 per hit, and yet only make slightly more than the league minimum" Langerhans was also called up. We assume that it is only because they already had a uniform for him.

Briefly Noted
Left-handed reliever Ray King was traded to the Brewers for the mysterious player to be named later. Unfortunately for Ray, the trade occurred after August 31st and he is not eligible for the post-season roster... The team is trying to bring Cristian Guzman back for the last two weeks of the season. Despite a rough couple of years, Guzman was batting .329 before he got injured... The Nationals are not the first team to be eliminated from the post season! Thank you Tampa Bay!

Useless statistic of the week: The Nationals are currently leading the National League with two balks committed this year while playing in a dome.