The Nats finally enjoyed a day off yesterday after more than two weeks of consecutive gamedays. A winning May seems to have gotten the season back on track after a disasterous April, but the Nats still have to cover plenty of ground if they want to make a run at the top half of the division. Winning four out of the six remaining games on this roadtrip will be necessary to maintain some momentum heading into June.

The club’s cause may be helped by a little addition-by-subtraction that happened yesterday. Joey Eischen’s shoulder has finally done what Frank Robinson and Tony Tavares wouldn’t – shelved him for the year. After surrendering 18 runs in less than 15 innings of work this year, Eischen was placed on the 60-day DL yesterday with a torn rotator cuff, effectively ending his season. Bill Bray, the Expos/Nats 2004 First Round pick, will replace him in the bullpen.

The Nats head to Wisconsin tonight to begin a three game set with the Brewers, who have slipped below .500 by losing their last five games, including a four-game sweep by the lowly Pirates. Milwaukee comes off an especially agonizing loss last night in which they somehow surrendered the game-winning hit twice. Ramon Ortiz looks to continue his recent renaissance and win his fourth straight start. He’ll be facing lefty Dana Eveland, a May call up from AAA Nashville who has been unimpressive in his four starts (0-2, 7.97 ERA). On Saturday, Mike O’Conner returns from a nasty ankle bruise caused by a line drive in Monday’s loss to Philly.

One last item, special for our friends up the Parkway in Charm City. If you weren’t absolutely, thoroughly convinced that Peter Angelos is the spawn of Satan, today’s Post proves it.

Photo courtesy thebravesgirl