The Nats are 3-3 in the last week. They even managed to score 25 runs in those 6 games, up from the 17 that they scored in the previous 7 games. They are still only batting .218 as a team with a .267 OBP in the last 7 days, putting them second to last in the National League during that period. Overall, the team is last in the National League with a .234 batting average, second to last in OBP at .311, last in slugging at .357, and last in OPS at .668. That said, they don't have the worst record in baseball, and have actually won 18 of their last 34 games. If they could learn to hit, they might actually live up to the admittedly meager .500 ball expectations that they had this year.

Flores Makes His Case
Last night, Jesus Flores hit the first grand slam of his career. Flores was acquired last year from the Mets in the Rule 5 draft. After the team acquired catchers Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada, Flores was expected to spend most of this season down in the minor leagues. He is now projected by many to be the catcher of the future, though the team wanted to him to get regular playing time in the minors. After Lo Duca and Estrada were injured, the team called up Flores, who has excelled. He has an OBP of .420, is slugging .590, and a .344 batting average. Given that the team that is last or second to last in all major offensive categories, it seems unlikely that Flores will be sent back down once Lo Duca and Estrada are healthy.

Time on the Pine for Zimmerman
It has to be tough when the highlight of your season occurs in March. Many expected this to be Ryan Zimmerman's breakout year. After hitting a walkoff homerun in the season opener, he has struggled from the plate all season. He currently has an OBP of .291, is slugging .427, and has a .257 batting average. All of these numbers are down from his career average. Now, he is sitting on the bench with an injured shoulder. He is listed as day to day, and apparently is not cool enough to join everyone on the DL. I am starting to think that there needs to be some serious questions asked of the Nationals medical staff.

Photo by Flickr user emilygoodstein.

Game of the Week
The game of the week should be Saturday, May 31 when the Nationals play the Diamondbacks. The probable pitchers for that matchup are Jason Bergman and Brandon Webb. Bergman has been pitching great since being recalled from the minors and currently has a streak of 19.2 scoreless innings. Brandon Webb won his first 9 starts, but has lost his last 2 and will look to rebound against the Nationals. It could make for an exciting pitchers' duel.

On second thought, Thursday, June 5 at home against the Cardinals is our game of the week. It's Ryan Zimmerman Bobblehead Day, and admit it, you know you want one.

Briefly Noted: Odalis Perez had an emergency root canal on Wednesday, and still pitched well... Tours of the new ballpark will benefit the Washington Nationals Dreams Foundation... Nats Fanatics has a good rundown of the Nats minor league prospects... I will admit that I was a little sad that favorite whipping boy Rob Mackowiak starting hitting, although he is still only batting .149. Now I am elated to learn the last year's favorite Ryan Langerhans is back! In true Langerhans fashion he is 0 for 6 so far this season.

Meaningless Statistic of the Week: The Nationals are leading the National League in being hit by a pitch when facing a right handed pitcher. Way to lean into them, guys!