The Skinny: After a recent hot streak, the Washington Nationals dropped a pair of one run games in Houston to the Astros. They dropped the game on Tuesday, 6-5 and lost on Wednesday by the score of 4-3. The Nationals are now 14-20 on the year.
The Pitching: Shawn Hill started for the Nats on Tuesday and lasted only 5.1 innings. In his five innings of work he gave up three runs but was in constant trouble as he walked four batters and allowed eight hits, it could have been worse for him. However, the Nats offense kept them in the game until Luis Ayala coughed up two runs in the 8th inning. The Nationals started Odalis Perez on Wednesday as he was still looking for his first win of 2008. Perez threw five innings and gave up three runs before getting pulled and receiving a no-decision. Joel Hannrahan would get the loss as he threw 2.1 innings of no-hit relief. The problem is, he gave up five walks and the Astros would score on a walk off single in the bottom of the ninth.
The Hitting: Ryan Zimmerman and Austin Kearns each had two hits on Tuesday night. Nick Johnson hit a solo home run in this one and then was walked in all three of his other plate appearances. Kearns hit a solo shot in the 8th inning to give the Nationals a 5-4 lead, however, the bullpen could not hold the lead. On Wednesday, Zimmerman provided all of the Nationals offense as he went 3-4 with two HR and three RBI. Zimmerman was given a day off last weekend and it really has appeared to have helped him get his stroke back.
What’s Next?: The Nationals will try to salvage one game in this series on Thursday night. John Lannan will get the start for Washington. Game time is 8:05pm.