Nats at Rockies

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To very cold Colorado. The Rockies did play a doubleheader Wednesday, so that might help.

John Lannan versus righty Jhoulys Chacin in Game 1. Lannan skipped his turn in the rotation last week to rest an ailing arm while young Chacin has done well in two starts (2-0, 0.00 ERA) since being called up from AAA late last month.

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Nats win the first game 14-6 behind two homers by Zimmerman in just a miserable climate. Watching the game at certain points it was hard to understand why they didn't suspend the game. The rain was falling in buckets (hey, at least it washed away the snow). At one point Nyjer Morgan was at first and took off running on a hit and run (I believe with Adam Kennedy), and was so mudded down, when Kennedy whiffed he got caught up in a rundown as he was nowhere near second when the throw came.

Nats are now 20-15 on the season. Rematch today of a great pitching matchup in DC between Jimenez and Hernandez, which Jimenez won in Nats Park. Nats probably can't count on 14 runs in this one...

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Game 2 is PPD to rain. Day/night doubleheader, 2:10 EDT and 8:10 EDT on Saturday.

Ugh.

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Willingham is out for Game 1 with a sore groin. Game 2 tonight will be Atilano versus Jason Hammel, who pitched fairly well in a no decision in DC April 21st.

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Nats down 3-2 halfway through seven.

Adam Dunn with his eighth homer on the year (solo) and Nyjer Morgan should really stop trying to steal on Miguel Olivo, who has gunned him out again today. That was the eighth time Nyjer has been caught stealing already this year, and Olivo has gunned him at least four of those times (maybe five, not sure).

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Just about had it with Brian Bruney. Gives up three runs in the eighth to make it 6-2 Rockies.

What is maddening is his walks. Started the inning with two. Time to give someone else a shot. Since it'll be a couple more weeks before Storen comes up, it might be wise to give Joel Peralta a shot. His career ERA in the majors is a below average 4.63, but that's still a huge improvement over Bruney and Peralta has been lights out at Syracuse so far.

Bruney needs to develop Marquis-type "arm troubles" and visit the minors. Soon.

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Nats lose afternoon game 6-2. Second game tonight and it will be televised, unlike this one.

Nats fall to 20-16.

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Adam Dunn gives us the highs and lows of Adam Dunn in the seventh, as he belts a solo shot to tie the second game of the night at three, and then fails to scoop the ball on a play to first to give the Rockies a 4-3 lead.

Ian Desmond made a great play on a deflection off Sean Burnett's glove and threw a bullet one-hopper to Dunn. The ball hit dirt a good bit away from Dunn, and hit him right in the glove, which he dropped. There was a runner on third with two outs.

Suppose I can't complain too much, Dunn's defense has been a little better than expected this year.

A great positive out of Saturday night's loss continues to be Roger Bernadina. Drove in two runs and hiked his average over .300. Could he be claiming the rightfielder job? Let's hope, but the Nats are still gonna need a Mike Morse or Willie Tavares to play a decent amount versus lefty pitchers.

Final game today with Scott Olsen versus lefty Jeff Francis, who has been the Rockies' number one in the past but is coming off injury. The Nats have Clippard/Capps rested and it would be great to have Olsen go seven with a lead if possible.

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Just saw Morse was called up with Tavares sent down. We'll see if he gets the start today. We'll see if Tavares clears waivers and then accepts the assignment. Hope he does, we could definitely use him in case of an injury or poor performance.

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Wow, hadn't even realized its been since September '08 since Francis started.

Dunn not playing today. Morse is at first, Gonzalez second, and Guzman in right (gulp).

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I'll never understand why Riggleman has the Nats' left fielder play so off the line with non-power pitchers like Olsen on the mound even if they are trying to paint the first base line corner...Tulowitzki a double down the line to start the bottom of the second. I'll defer to the experts on it, I guess though. Nats up 1-0 currently.

Love the graphic comparing Tulowitzki and Desmond's first 57 games of their careers, which shows Desmond a better hitter than Tulowitzki. Like that means something.

Of course, Tulowitzki had a ton less minor league time, but whatever Rob Dibble.

If Desmond can become 3/4 the player Tulo is offensively and defensively, I'll be ecstatic.

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1-1 now in the 3rd. Man, Guzman is TENUOUS catching balls in right, but I don't think he's missed one yet.

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Nats lose 2-1 to fall to 20-18 on the year. Its their first three-game losing streak of 2010.

Game was lost in the seventh with runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Olsen was unable to get a sac bunt down, Morgan struck out, and Desmond also failed to deliver. Thought it might have been worth pinch hitting for Olsen, and Dibble thought it might be worth pinch-hitting for Morgan, but can't blame Riggleman really because of his strained bullpen and since he only had one right-handed hitter on the bench (also the backup catcher).

Wasted game by Olsen, and Clippard takes the loss. Jeff Francis looked really good for the Rockies--they could be really strong if they get a boost from his return.

You have to wonder if the Nats are significantly vulnerable to left-handed pitching, since Willingham and Zimmerman aren't the types that hammer it.

Two at the Cards next.