After getting thrashed at home by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the tune of 11-1, the Nationals experienced something of a wake-up call. The Nats might have looked around and found out that they were in the basement of one of the worst divisions in baseball. They might have done some research and found out that Friday night’s beat-down was at the hands of franchise whose entire existence has been marred by futility and failure. They might have looked at themselves and simply thought, Hey, we’re better than this. Whatever the reason, the Nationals came alive to take the final two games and win the series.

Saturday night’s win, only the Nats’ 2nd in 11 tries, was delivered by Nick Johnson. His first home run in 78 at-bats came with 2 outs in the bottom of the 10th, breaking a 3-3 tie. Johnson dove into the mob of teammates waiting for him at home, providing a jolt of elation for a team desperately in need of such moments. With the start of Sunday’s game arriving a mere 15 hours later, it was clear that the Nationals held on to the joy of the previous night. Ryan Zimmerman hit a 2 run homer in the first inning, giving the Nationals a lead which they would not relinquish. Ramon Ortiz provided 7 innings of 4-hit ball, giving up a single run. He also displayed a keen baserunning instinct, scoring from second base on a Devil Ray wild pitch.

Tonight, the Nationals welcome the Florida Marlins to RFK for a 4-game series. Pedro Astacio will make his season debut for the Nats. The 15-year veteran should provide some stability to a pitching staff that has suffered its fair share of injuries this season. The Nationals will finish off their homestand with the San Diego Padres before heading into the All-Star break.

Briefly Noted: Alfonso Soriano will be the Nats’ lone representative at this year’s All-Star Game in Pittsburgh … Washington signs highly regarded Dominican teenager Esmailyn Gonzalez.