Bergmann, etc.

So Jason Bergmann threw seven innings tonight for Class AAA Columbus, and it appears he might be ready. He allowed six hits and no runs to Louisville, striking out nine and walking none. That, I would think, would be the key stat -- the strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Manny Acta said before the game that Bergmann will join the team when rosters expand Sept. 1. But it appears he could be ready before then. He threw 93 pitches, 65 strikes. Should they keep him down for another start just to get his pitch count over 100? He has had three starts for Columbus, allowing three runs in 17 innings for a 1.59 ERA. He has walked four and struck out 18. I haven't seen even one of his pitches, but it would seem from this chair at Minute Maid Park that he might be ready.

It's the top of the middle of the fourth here, and the Nats are up 6-0. Five-run first inning -- featuring consecutive doubles from Zimmerman, Young and Kearns and a two-run homer from Belliard -- was the biggest first inning for the Nationals this year. The last time they scored five was July 6, 2006 against Florida. You might remember that game. They then coughed up seven runs in the second inning, but Ryan Zimmerman hit a walk-off single to win it.

John Lannan taking the mound for the fourth. You might get a peek of Mark Lerner sitting in teh second row behind the plate on some of the shots on TV.