(Entry written by DCist contributor Chris Kelly)
The Nationals head up I-95 to Philly for a 3-game tilt before they hit the All-Star break, following yesterday’s 3-2, 11 inning loss and a 3-1 series loss against the Mets (first home series loss since April). Nats blew a chance to win it in the 9th yesterday with two men on and one out, but neither Jose Guillen nor Brad Wilkerson could get the job done. For the second day in a row, the Nats left 9 men on base, which is probably the place to start if you’re looking to play the blame game. Starting first baseman (and cleanup hitter?!), Carlos Baerga, went 0-5 and left 4 men on base. Needless to say, the Nats are missing Nick Johnson badly, who along with the injured Ryan Church will hopefully be healthy and ready to go after the break after rehabbing with AA Harrisburg.
If there’s a silver lining to yesterday’s loss, it would have to be the performance of Tony Armas, Jr. who tossed 7 innings of 4-hit, 2-run ball (walking 1 and striking out 3). With their recent 2-game stumble and a 5-game winning streak by the Braves, who swept a doubleheader against the Cubs yesterday, the Nats’ lead in the NL East stands at a precarious 2.5 games. Ryan Drese takes the hill tonight, hoping to maintain the brilliant form of his last two starts (15IP, 9H, 1 ER 0BB, 5 K).
While Livan Hernandez & Chad Cordero will represent Washington at the All Star game next week in Detroit, struggling Nat Christian Guzman earned the honor of being named to Sports Illustrated’s All Bust Team All Bust Team last week. SI’s Tom Verducci offers this glowing assessment of Guzman’s performance: ‘The worst offensive player in baseball, period.’
