Nationals Journal - Daily news and commentary on the Washington Nationals - June 1, 2008

Oddities and ends

* Odalis Perez is missing tomorrow's start because of shoulder tendinitis. But he's confident he'll be able to make his next start at the end of next week. Perez was planning to try some light throwing today. If that goes...

By Chico Harlan | June 7, 2008; 6:59 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Stakes and the lineup

I just wanted to pass this along before things got too late. More notes will follow on the blog shortly. But here, before the post, is resident horse racing expert Paul Lo Duca's 10-second take on the Belmont: "Unless something...

By Chico Harlan | June 7, 2008; 6:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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About Bergmann

By far the biggest question raised by yesterday's game relates to Jason Bergmann: What happens next? Is this start an anomaly, or does it signify that Bergmann (who's always been a streaky pitcher) still has the capability revert to his...

By Chico Harlan | June 7, 2008; 9:07 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Trivialities and a mild controversy

Some quick notes... * The Nationals still have not officially named a starter for Sunday's game, but Class AAA Columbus's Tyler Clippard (4-4, 3.41) will be the likely choice. Acta said he would not use RHP John Lannan on three...

By Chico Harlan | June 6, 2008; 7:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Lineups

Another crazy pitching match-up for Bergmann. In the last four games, he's opposed Cole Hamels, Ben Sheets, Brandon Webb and now, Tim Lincecum. San Francisco Lewis -- 7 Castillo -- 5 Winn -- 9 Molina -- 2 Rowand -- 8...

By Chico Harlan | June 6, 2008; 6:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)

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A post that has nothing to do with baseball. Sorry.

An open invitation to anybody attending a game at Nationals Park this weekend: There is a Mexican stand called Capitol Cantina located in the first concourse behind Sections 128 or 129. It serves nachos, tacos and burritos, the latter of...

By Chico Harlan | June 6, 2008; 3:53 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (62)

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Draft, rounds 2-6

Some parts of any draft -- in any sport -- are predictable to the point of comedy. It's a given, just about, that teams will mention how their second-round pick had "a first-round grade on him." In baseball, every pitcher...

By Chico Harlan | June 6, 2008; 11:24 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (62)

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Reports on games, draft picks and minor leaguers

Yesterday provided two games, one simulated game, six new draft picks, and enough drama to make all of them interesting. (Well, except the simulated game.) I took a different approach with the game story, using it not for the narrative...

By Chico Harlan | June 6, 2008; 8:32 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (31)

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5:25 p.m.

Lineups for Game 2 tonight are posted below. Some other notes from the last hours. * Nick Johnson emerged in the clubhouse after the 4-1 loss in game 1 with a shaved head. While walking out of the clubhouse, I...

By Chico Harlan | June 5, 2008; 5:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (104)

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3:40 p.m.

At 3 p.m., the Nats made their first-round pick, selecting Aaron Crow, a right-handed pitcher from the University of Missouri. Baseball America calls him the second-best pitcher in the draft; that's the good news for Washington. Bad news is, this...

By Chico Harlan | June 5, 2008; 3:40 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (25)

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1:15 p.m.

The scene: First pitch was 1:10. We've got blue skies and blue stands. I just turned and asked Dave Sheinin, sitting to my right, how many people he thinks are here right now. "Wow," he said, appraising the empty seats....

By Chico Harlan | June 5, 2008; 1:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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12:46 p.m.

Some pre-game odds and ends. * The Nats hope that Dmitri Young, who's battling a little sickness, will be able to pinch hit in the afternoon or play tonight. * We've got a full clubhouse of the injured and ailing...

By Chico Harlan | June 5, 2008; 12:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (15)

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11:21 a.m.

Also, here's a useful web link, given what's happened this week. I take back what I say about the perfect forecast....

By Chico Harlan | June 5, 2008; 11:21 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)

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11:19 a.m.

OK, I thought this day called for two games. Actually, it's three, and one just happened. Ryan Wagner and Ronnie Belliard joined up for a simulated game. Until just a few minutes ago, the simulated game -- for me, at...

By Chico Harlan | June 5, 2008; 11:19 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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9:56 a.m.

I feel confident saying the Nats won't have a longer and more critical day all summer. Today's schedule is epic even without Trace Adkins. We've got two games and one draft. I just arrived at Nats Park, and the sun...

By Chico Harlan | June 5, 2008; 9:55 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (15)

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Doubleheader Thursday; Clippard Sunday?

The game was called about half an hour ago after about two hours and 35 minutes of waiting. There will be a doubleheader tomorrow, the make-up at 1:10 and the original game still at 7:10. Same pitching matchups also apply:...

By Adam Kilgore | June 4, 2008; 10:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (19)

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Who should start? And who will?

Manny Acta today found a silver lining, as he is known to do, in missing two-thirds of the lineup -- and the closer -- he scrawled on opening day. "It is an opportunity for these guys," Acta said. "If they...

By Adam Kilgore | June 4, 2008; 7:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (53)

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Lineups, neither of which includes Albert Pujols

Adam Kilgore back for one more day. The Nationals, who have scored .037 runs per inning during the last three games, are trying to snap a three-game losing streak. Todd Wellemeyer vs. John Lannan, two sub-30 year-olds with sub-four ERAs....

By Adam Kilgore | June 4, 2008; 5:36 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (24)

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Chat reminder

Right now I'm uninjured, slated for exactly zero MRIs, and ready to to chat at 2 p.m. Hopefully the next five hours don't change that. I've been told by various members of the Nationals staff and beat writing corps that...

By Chico Harlan | June 4, 2008; 8:42 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (99)

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Man Bites Dog

Or in other words: Good news for the Washington Nationals. Ryan Wagner made his first appearance this season in the Nationals clubhouse. He still seems a ways from rejoining the club, but his spirits were exceedingly high before the game...

By Chico Harlan | June 3, 2008; 8:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Zimmerman: "It's going to be taken slowly."

Still Adam Kilgore here, still posting as Chico Harlan. Below is a full transcript of Ryan Zimmerman's meeting with the media this afternoon. The abridged version: He's not sure how long the shoulder injury will keep him out, but he...

By Chico Harlan | June 3, 2008; 6:35 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (29)

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Lineups, one of which Kory Casto is in

Adam Kilgore here, providing a low-grade replacement for Chico while he recharges after the San Diego-Arizona trip (albeit using his "Posted By" signature because I have no password; please disregard that and direct any ire my way). The Nationals start...

By Chico Harlan | June 3, 2008; 3:32 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Zimmerman out, Kilgore in

Here are the stories of the day -- both of which, by entire coincidence, start with Ryan Zimmerman. News story on his DL stint. Preview story for the MLB Draft. I'm off today and tomorrow (though we'll still have the...

By Chico Harlan | June 3, 2008; 10:52 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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A good run of bad luck

So, according to the team's release, the MRI today on Ryan Zimmerman's left shoulder revealed a small labral tear. Team orthopedist Ben Shaffer is recommending rest and anti-inflammatories. Three more doctors -- including James Andrews -- will examine the rest...

By Chico Harlan | June 2, 2008; 7:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Nationals Journal: June 1, 2008 - June 7, 2008