National Record

Luis Atilano got his second victory in his rookie season, as he led Washington to a 3-2 victory yesterday. Atilano went six innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs. Atilano also allowed three walks and had one strikeout. Atilano has won both of his starts since being called up from AAA Syracuse.

After Atilano Brian Bruney came into the seventh inning and allowed two hits but no runs. Bruney got his second hold of the season. Then, Tyler Clippard came into the eighth and allowed one hit, gave up one walk and got one strikeout. Clippard got his fifth hold of the season and lowered his ERA to 0.54.

To end the game, Matt Capps came into the ninth. Capps was outstanding, as usual, as he only allowed no hits and got a strikeout. Capps also was able to get ahead in the count from the three batters he faced, as he was able to get three first pitch strikes. Capps threw ten pitches and eight of them were for strikes. Capps earned his tenth save of the season and has been perfect in save opportunities this season. Capps is becoming one of the best free agent pickups this season.

The three runs were enough to get the Nationals by. Washington got on the board in the first inning, as Adam Kennedy hit a solo homerun off of Ryan Dempster. This was Kennedy’s first homerun of the season. Then in the top of the second, when the score was tied 1-1, Catcher Wil Nieves singled to right center that scored Roger Bernadina. That was Nieves fourth RBI of the season. Then in the top of the fourth, after the score was tied 2-2, Adam Dunn was able to hit his fourth homerun of the season, putting the Nationals up 3-2. Washington’s pitching then would lead the team to victory.

The Nationals are now 12-10 on the season and are a game back of the New York Mets for the lead in the National League East. The Nationals are off today and they will face the Florida Marlins tomorrow night at 7:10 p.m. Scott Olsen (1-1, 6.14 ERA) will face off against Ricky Nolasco (2-0, 3.03 ERA).

Livan Hernandez had himself another gem in his fourth start of the season. Hernandez pitched seven strong innings, allowing six hits and one earned run. Hernandez has been the best started for the Nationals this season, as he has gone at least seven innings in his four starts and has only allowed three runs in 31 innings. Hernandez’s earn run average is at a 0.87.

After Hernandez’s seven, relief pitcher Tyler Clippard came in for a hitless eighth. Clippard did allow a walk but after that, he was perfect. Clippard has appeared in ten games and has only allowed one run in 14 2/3 innings. Clippard was able to earn his fourth hold of the season.

Matt Capps came into the ninth and earned his ninth save of the season. Capps allowed one hit and got two strikeouts. Capps threw 19 pitches and 15 of them went for strikes. Capps also has been great through the start on the season, as he has been perfect with save opportunities and his ERA is at 0.73.

The Nationals scored three runs today. Washington got on the board in the top of the first. After Nyjer Morgan opened the game with a triple, Ian Desmond hit a single to leftfield that scored Morgan. Then Cristian Guzman came up to the plate. After Desmond stole second, Guzman hit a triple to centerfield that scored Desmond, putting Washington up 2-0. Then in the top of the eighth, Desmond singled to left that scored Morgan and that was Desmond’s tenth RBI of the season.

All in all, the Nationals had seven hits. Desmond had two hits, while Morgan, Guzman and Ivan Rodriguez each had one hit. Also two of those seven hits were for extra bases. Morgan got his fifth triple of the season, while Guzman got his third.

Washington also had three stolen bases. Desmond had two on the day, giving him three on the season and Morgan got one as well, giving him six on the season.

The Nationals are now 11-10 on the season and off to their best start since 2005. Washington is one game out of first.

As for yesterday, the Nationals lost in extra innings 4-3. Brian Bruney got the loss and a large part of it was the way he struggled in the bottom of the 11. Bruney allowed a leadoff single to Ryan Theriot to lead off the bottom of the 11. Then after he struck out Jeff Baker, he walked Derrek Lee and then allowed a single to Marlon Byrd. Then Aramis Ramirez came to the plate. Bruney threw four consecutive balls to Ramirez and allowed Theriot to score and the Cubs to win the game.

The Nationals had ten hits and three runs. Adam Dunn led the team with three hits. Morgan, Desmond and Josh Willingham each had two hits while Wil Nieves had one.

The Nationals got two runs in the top of the fourth, Josh Willingham had a bases loaded walk that allowed Morgan to score and Adam Kennedy hit a sacrifice fly to center that brought in Desmond. That was Willingham’s 12 RBI of the season while it was Kennedy’s ninth. The last run for the Nationals came in the top of the sixth, as Nieves hit a RBI single that scored Josh Willingham. That would be the final run for the Nationals.

The Nationals have an afternoon game tomorrow at 2:20 p.m. Luis Atilano (1-0, 1.50 ERA) will face off against Ryan Dempster (2-0, 2.60 ERA)

Scott Olsen was able to get his first win in the majors since July 5, 2009, against the Los Angeles Dodgers this afternoon. Olsen pitched seven scoreless innings, only giving up six hits and one walk. What was the most impressive of Olsen’s performance was the eight strikeouts Olsen had. Olsen has moved his season record to 1-1 after today’s performance.

Washington had two players come out of the bullpen. Tyler Clippard came in the eighth and didn’t allow a hit and got a  strikeout. Clippard got his third hold of the season and lowered his ERA to a 0.61 on the season. Matt Capps came into the ninth and earned his eighth save of the season. Capps has the most saves in the league this season.

The one and only run in the game came in the bottom of the first. Adam Dunn grounded out to Dodgers second baseman Ronnie Belliard that scored Nyjer Morgan. That was Dunn’s eighth RBI of the season.

Washington altogether had four hits on the day. Nyjer Morgan and Cristian Guzman were the only two players who had hits, as they each had two hits. Guzman was the only one to have an extra base hit, as he hit his fourth double of the season.

The Nationals are now 10-9 on the season and are tied for second in the National League East. The Nationals are one and a half games back of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Washington hits the road tomorrow, as they go against the Chicago Cubs. John Lannan (1-1, 5.42 ERA) will face off against Carlos Silva (2-0, 0.95 ERA)

Washington was unable to come from behind and win in extra innings this afternoon, as they lost 4-3. Craig Stammen got the start today and he did pretty good. Stammen went seven innings, giving up six hits and three runs. Stammen allowed two homeruns and both were to Dodgers Third Baseman Casey Blake. Blake hit a homerun against Stammen in the top of the second that scored first baseman James Loney and in the top of the seventh Blake hit a solo home run.. Stammen would end up getting a no decision. Brian Bruney came in for the eighth inning and didn’t allow any runs but did allow a walk. With the score stilled tied at 3-3, closer Matt Capps came into the game and pitched two scoreless innings. Capps allowed two hits but got four strikeouts and lowered his ERA to 0.87. After Capps finished the 10 inning, Miguel Batista came in and found the wrong end of things. Batista actually didn’t do too bad in his three innings pitched, giving up three hits and a walk. But Batista allowed the game winning run in the top of the 13, in which Dodgers catcher Russell Martin, hit a single to center that scored Shortstop Rafael Furcal. Batista would end up getting his second loss of the season.

The Nationals got three runs on the board today. The Nationals were able to strike first. In the bottom of the first, Cristian Guzman grounded out Furcal but that allowed Ian Desmond to score and put the Nationals up 1-0. The Nationals then were able to tie the score 2-2, after a Stammen single in the top of the sixth brought in Alberto Gonzalez. Then in the top of the eighth, Nyjer Morgan singled to left that brought in Adam Kennedy and tied the game up 3-3. The Nationals were able to get 14 hits on the day. Five of those hits were doubles from Stammen, Gonzalez, Desmond, Morgan and Dunn. Desmond also got a triple this afternoon, his season one of the season.

The Nationals have been aggressive about stealing bases this season. Three Nationals got steals this afternoon. Morgan, Kennedy and Josh Willingham each had a steal this afternoon. Morgan has five steals on the season, while Kennedy and Willingham now have four.

Not in the Washington line-up was Ryan Zimmerman, who is still dealing with a hamstring injury, and Ivan Rodriguez, due to tightness in his back but was going to have the day off even if the back injury did not occur yesterday.

The Nationals are now 9-9 on the season and have another afternoon game against the Dodgers. Scott Olsen (0-1, 11.74 ERA) will face off against Chad Billingsley (1-0, 7.07 ERA)

Adam Dunn finally had a great game National fans could cheer for. After struggling through the first 16 games this season and only having one homerun during that time, Dunn was able to go 2 for 3 with two homeruns, a walk and three RBI’s. Dunn hit a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth and in the bottom of the fifth he had a two run homerun that scored Cristian Guzman. Dunn hit his long bombs against Charlie Haeger, who got his second loss of the season (0-2). This was also Dunn’s 25th career multi-homer game.

The rest of the offense was below average the rest of the day. Nyjer Morgan, along with Dunn, each had two hits. Morgan got his fourth triple of the season and also hit a double. After that, Only Adam Kennedy and Josh Willingham had a hit. Even though Washington had five hits, they were able to get on base six more times due to walks. Even with the lack of offense from the majority of the team, Washington was still able to get their ninth win of the season.

In the bottom of the first, the Nationals got on the board first thanks to a single to left by Adam Kennedy. That single allowed the Nats to take a 1-0 lead, as Kennedy drove in Morgan. Dunn then hit his homeruns in the bottom of the fourth and fifth that made the score 4-1. In the bottom of the seventh, Morgan hit a double to right and he was able to drive in Justin Maxwell and the Nationals had a 5-1 lead, which would end up being the final score.

The Nationals didn’t know what to expect from their starter today, Luis Atilano. Atilano was just recalled from the minor leagues yesterday due to Jason Marquis being placed on the 15-day disabled list. Atilano was able to shine, as he went six innings, only giving up five hits and one earned run. Atilano was able to get a strikeout and allowed two walks. Atilano one run came in the top of the third as a bases loaded groundout by Dodgers catcher AJ Ellis was able to bring in first baseman James Loney. Atilano was able to win his first career start and is one of the pitchers who has proven you can come back from Tommy John surgery, as he got it in August of 2006.

After six innings, Tyler Clippard came in relief for Atilano. Clippard pitched two innings and was unstoppable. Clippard pitched two innings and allowed zero hits. Clippard also struck out four batters, giving him 18 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings pitched this season. Clippard was able to get his second hold of the season and move his ERA down to 0.66. Miguel Batista was able to come into the ninth and close the game out in a non-save situation.

Washington didn’t start Ryan Zimmerman due to a hamstring injury and catcher Ivan Rodriguez left after the sixth inning due to tightness in his back.

The Nationals have a day game today at 1:05 PM, as pitcher Craig Stammen (1-0) will face off against Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw (1-0)

Livan Hernandez pitched strongly in his third outing of the season but managed to still get the loss last night. Hernandez went eight strong innings and only gave up four hits. The problem was that two of those hits were homeruns. In the top of the second inning, Rockies catcher Miguel Olivo hit a solo shot and in the it if the seventh, third baseman Ian Stewart went yard. Hernandez also had five strikeouts and gave up two walks. Hernandez has been great so far this season, with a 2-1 record and a 0.75 ERA. After Hernandez’s eight innings, Brian Bruney came into the game to relieve Hernandez and he pitched a scoreless ninth. Overall it was a great game for Hernandez, the problem was the offense wasn’t able to perform.

The Nationals had seven hits but were unable to to get any runs on the board. Nyjer Morgan, Adam Dunn and Ian Desmond all went hitless on the day. All three have been struggling through the first sixteen games. Dunn is hitting .176, Morgan is hitting .236 and Desmond is hitting .233. Washington had only one player with a multi-hit day and that was Ivan Rodriguez who went 2 for 4. And Washington got two doubles, one from Willie Harris and the other from Adam Kennedy.After that, Alberto Gonzalez, Cristian Guzman and Justin Maxwell each got a hit.

The Nationals placed starter Jason Marquis on the 15-Day Disabled List due to an elbow injury. Marquis will miss six weeks. Marquis has done awful this season, being able to go 8 1/3 innings in three starts. In those three starts, Marquis is 0-3 with a 20.52 earned run average. To replace Marquis on the roster, Washington recalled pitcher Luis Atilano from AAA Syracuse. Atilano went 2-0 in two starts for Syracuse with a 1.64 ERA. Also, the Nationals outright pitcher Jason Bergmann to AAA Syracuse after being designated for assignment April 15.

The Nationals face off against the Dodgers and Atilano (0-0) gets his first career start tonight. He will go up against pitcher Charlie Haeger (0-1, 7.20 ERA).

The Nationals were able to win and go above .500 again as they won 6-4 against the Colorado Rockies. Washington got a below average start from John Lannan today as he was able to go six innings but allowed 11 hits and four runs. Colorado was able to score the first three runs of the game against Lannan that included a solo home run from Brad Hawpe. Lannan was replaced after the sixth inning by Tyler Clippard. Clippard is still shining from the bullpen, as he was able to go two innings and he only allowed one hit. Clippard also got three strikeouts and one walk. Clippard was able to lower his ERA to 0.77 on the season. Clippard’s effort was able to get Washington’s offense a chance to take the lead after being tied 4-4 from the top of the fourth on. He was able to do that and he was able to get his third win of the season. Matt Capps came into the ninth to get the save and Capps did great. Capps did allow a hit and a walk but Capps was able to strike out Dexter Fowler, Jason Giambi and Ian Stewart to get his seventh consecutive save of the season.

Offensive wise, Washington was able to get six runs. They got their first runs in the bottom of the third. After trailing 3-0, Dunn got it started with a 2-RBI double, in which he was able to drive in Nyjer Morgan and Ryan Zimmerman. The next batter, Josh Willingham, then hit a single to center that drove in Dunn. After a steal from Willingham to move him to second, Clint Barmes caused an error that got Adam Kennedy got to first and Willingham was able to score that made the score 4-3. After Colorado tied it up the fourth, the game was tied until the bottom of the eighth. Rafael Betancourt was on the mound and Washington was able to cash in. With Willingham and Kennedy on base with one out, Wil Nieves hit a double to center to drive in Willingham and put Washington up 5-4. The next batter, Ivan Rodriguez, hit a sacrifice fly to left that drove in Kennedy. Washington went up 6-4 and that was the final score.

On an injury note, Ryan Zimmerman left the game due to a hamstring injury. There is no word on the extent of the injury.

Yesterday, Washington was crushed by Colorado 10-4. Scott Olsen only was able to go only two innings allowing seven hits and six earned runs. Tyler Walker came into the game in replacement of Olsen and he didn’t do too well. Walker went three innings, allowing five hits and four runs, including a two run home run from Ryan Spilborghs. From the fifth inning on, Jesse English, Brian Bruney, Sean Burnett and Tyler Clippard each pitched an inning and they allowed a combined two hits and got four strikeouts.

The Nationals were able to get only four runs yesterday. Ryan Zimmerman got two of those runs from a two run home run in the bottom of the fifth that drove in Cristian Guzman. In the bottom of the sixth, the Nationals got their last two runs of the game. Ian Desmond hit an RBI single that drove in Justin Maxwell and Guzman was able to hit a single that drove in Desmond. Josh Willingham, Adam Dunn and Nyjer Morgan all went hitless and had a combined five strikeouts.

The Nationals play the Rockies tomorrow at 4:35 PM as Livan Hernandez (2-0) will face off against Ubaldo Jimenez (3-0)

Willie Harris came into the season knowing that he would most likely not be the everyday rightfielder and be platooning with others like Willy Taveras and Justin Maxwell. Harris made his case to be the everyday starter today by going 2 for 3 and driving in four runs. It started for Harris right in the second. Harris came to the plate against Aaron Cook and with two on, he belted a three run home run to rightfield, putting the Nationals up 3-0. Harris got his other RBI in the bottom of the third, in which his sacrifice to center was able to drive in Adam Dunn, giving Washington a 4-0 lead. Washington got their last run in the bottom of the seventh from a Nyjer Morgan single, in which he drove in Josh Willingham.

Along with Harris, Nyjer Morgan and Ivan Rodriguez both got two hits on the day. After that, Adam Dunn and Craig Stammen each got a hit, giving the total of Washington’s eight total hits on the day.

Stammen was able to go eight strong innings today and pitched fairly well. Stammen allowed five hits and gave up two earned runs. Stammen also got five strikeouts and only allowed one walk. Stammen was able to get his first win of the season and help move Washington to an above .500 record at 7-6. Stammen was able to move his ERA down to a 8.16.

Matt Capps came into the ninth to close out the game and he did just that. Capps was able to get Sean Smith and Todd Helton to fly out, getting two straight outs. Capps then allowed a hit to Troy Tulowitzki but any hopes of a comeback were ended, as Capps was able to get Brad Hawpe to groundout to the shortstop. Capps is now six for six in save opportunities and Washington seems to have found a consistent closer they have been needing for years.

The Nationals did make a move today as they signed pitcher Ron Villone to a minor league deal. It is unclear when Villone will start playing in the minor leagues or when he might get called up.

The Nationals will have Scott Olsen (0-0) go up against Jorge De La Rosa (1-1) tomorrow at 7:05 p.m.

Jason Marquis became a part of history he didn’t want to be apart of. Marquis is only the fifth pitcher since 1969 to pitch at home and give up seven earned runs without recording an out. Marquis has struggled his first three starts, as he has gone 0-3 with a 20.52 Earned Run Average. Marquis has only been able to go 8 1/3 innings and given up five walks and only has three strikeouts for the season. Don’t be surprised to see if Manager Jim Riggleman scratches Marquis from his next start. After that Miguel Batista came into the game and he didn’t do to well. Batista allowed a grand slam to Craig Counsell. All in all, Milwaukee scored ten runs but after Batista was done in the first, he only allowed one hit the next four innings. Tyler Walker, Jesse English and Brian Bruney all came into the game and they pitched a combined four innings with four hits and one run.

Washington didn’t really establish an offense until the fifth inning. The Nationals were able to get their first run in the bottom of the second inning, when Adam Kennedy hit an RBI double. Kennedy would end up going 3 for 4 on the day. In the bottom of the fifth, the Nationals were able to put up three on the board. It started with Cristian Guzman. Guzman was able to drive in an RBI single and score Kennedy. The next batter, Ryan Zimmerman, was then able to hit a single to left and drive in Alberto Gonzalez and Willy Taveras. Three batters later, Ivan Rodriguez was able to drive in Guzman. Washington then was able to drive in two more runs in the bottom of the seventh, as Ian Desmond hit a double to left field to drive in Josh Willingham and Adam Dunn. Those would be Washington’s last two runs of the game and the score would end up being 11-7.

Besides Marquis’s struggles, Adam Dunn still can’t find his stroke. Dunn went 1 for 5 and is hitting .162 for the season. Meanwhile, Ivan Rodriguez has been on fire and he went 3 for 5 and moved his batting average to .444. Ryan Zimmerman and Cristian Guzman both went 2 for 5 today and they both have a .310 batting average after today’s game.

Washington now is 6-6 through the first 12 games and start a new series against the Colorado Rockies tomorrow night. Craig Stammen (0-0) will face off against Aaron Cook (0-1) tomorrow evening at 7:05 p.m.

Livan Hernandez is one of the lead candidates for the best signing to a minor league deal this off-season. Hernandez has been outstanding so far and his start this afternoon against Milwaukee proves it. Hernandez threw a complete game. He didn’t allow a run, only allowed four hits and had three strikeouts and two walks. After the fifth inning, Hernandez didn’t allow a hit and only one batter was able to reach base due to an error. This was Hernandez’s eighth career shutout and it was his first since 2004. Hernandez is now 2-0 on the season and his Earned Run Average stands at a 0.00

Offensive wise, Ryan Zimmerman was in the line-up for the first time in five games. Zimmerman had a nice game, going 2 for 3 with two doubles, a walk and two RBI’s. One of Zimmerman’s RBI’s came in the bottom of the fifth in which he drove in Cristian Guzman from his double and the other came in the bottom of the seventh, in which he drove in Guzman again from his second double of the game and made the score 8-0.

After Zimmerman’s two RBI’s, Catcher Ivan Rodriguez and Outfielder Jason Maxwell both drove in 3 RBI’s. Ivan Rodriguez was able to get the Nationals on the board first in the bottom of the second in which he hit a single to left and drove in Outfielder Josh Willingham for his fourth RBI for the season. Rodriguez was then able to get two more RBI’s in the bottom of the sixth, in which he doubled to center and was able to get Willingham and Ian Desmond home for two more runs. Rodriguez ended up going 2 for 4 on the day.

Maxwell ended up having himself a nice game today as well. Maxwell was recalled from the minors two days ago and was able to show his power today. After going hitless in his first two at bats after his callup, Maxwell hit a two run home run in his first at bat of the game off of Wolf and put the Nationals up 3-0 by the end of the bottom of the second. Maxwell also drove in another run in the bottom of the sixth, in which his sacrifice fly to center field was able to drive in Rodriguez and make the score 7-0.

Washington still has players continuing to struggle. Adam Dunn found himself having an 0 for 4 day and giving himself a .156 batting average on the season. Dunn is continuing to struggle and don’t be surprised to see Jim Riggleman to benched him a game or two so that way Dunn can figure out how to get out of this slump.

Washington will try and sweep the Milwaukee Brewers and go for their fourth straight win tomorrow at 1:35 p.m., as Jason Marquis (0-2 12.96 ERA) will go up against Doug Davis (0-1, 12.27 ERA). Davis has only faced the Nationals once the past three years and he ended up losing the game on one earned run. But Davis has struggled his first two starts, giving up three home runs, so expect an offensive frenzy tomorrow afternoon.