Not for the first time this year (remember that stretch back in April that got them within three of .500?) did the Nats make us think a competitive season was possible, when they ran off a 7-3 homestand to close the NL East gap to single digits. After taking bragging rights from the Orioles and a series each from the Astros and Dodgers, the Nationals headed back out on the road to face division rival Philadelphia feeling confident. They promptly laid a Screech sized egg, falling 11-2 on Monday and knocking the wind out of the team’s momentum.

Last night, Washington played a closer game, giving up only four runs this time to the Phils but barely managing any offense off Philly starter Brett Myers, who pitched lights out baseball until Brian Schneider walked and Marlon Byrd homered him in in the eighth. Until then, the Nats had managed only two hits. Frank Robinson called a bases loaded walk to Myers in the seventh inning “the real damage,” but the way the Nats were swinging, the game was fairly out of reach after the Bobby Abreu homer in the fourth.

In the final game of the Phillies series, which is taking place right now, the Nats took a third inning lead behind Alfonso Soriano’s 19th home run of the season, but the Phillies have since evened the count. Nats starter Livan Hernandez has given up two hits, both home runs. Damn Phillies.

In other news, reliever Joey Eischen is likely out for the season with a rotator cuff tear. The southpaw had had a forgettable 2006 season to date.

AP Photo taken by George Widman.