Nats at Cards

[Jollay]

Two more before the Nats come home Wednesday. If the Nats take one they remain over .500.

Cards not playing well; just got dropped out of first in the Central by the Reds. We'll see if this motivates them, or a little series with the Nats just adds to the "blah" performance we've seen out of them lately.

Craig Stammen goes against Kyle Lohse tonight.

[Jollay]

Lineups per Adam Kilgore...

Nyjer Morgan gets the day off today against Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse, somewhat surprising since Lohse is a right-hander. Roger Bernadina will take center. The Cardinals made a seemingly minor shakeup that has pretty much rocked the local populace: Albert Pujols will bat cleanup today for the first time since May 30, 2003.

Nationals
1. Willie Harrs, RF
2. Cristian Guzman, SS
3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
4. Adam Dunn, 1B
5. Josh Willingham, LF
6. Ivan Rodriguez, C
7. Adam Kennedy, 2B
8. Roger Bernadina, CF
9. Craig Stammen, SP

St. Louis Cardinals
1. Felipe Lopez, SS
2. Ryan Ludwick, RF
3. Matt Holliday, LF
4. Albert Pujols, 1B
5. Colby Rasmus, CF
6. David Freese, 3B
7. Yadier Molina, C
8. Skip Schumaker, 2B
9. Kyle Lohse, SP

[Jollay]

Well, those turned out not to be the lineups as Adam Dunn was again a late scratch with flu-like symptoms.

Cards win 6-2 in a typical start for Craig Stammen, as he gives up four runs in the first and then settles down to coast through six without giving up another run.

Drew Storen makes his debut and goes 0.2 innings, striking out Matt Holliday. Ian Desmond had four hits.

Another tough one today as Lannan goes for the Nats against Chris Carpenter. Looks like the Nats might be headed for five losses in a row and .500 coming home.

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Dunn is out for Tuesday's game as well, at least as a starter.

Not alot of firepower against a premier pitcher in Carpenter.

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Felipe Lopez a full-count two-run shot in the third off Lannan. 2-0 Cards lead.

Don't want to have Felipe Lopez sink the Nats.

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Ian Desmond, facing Carpenter with the Nats down 2-1 in the eighth, one out two on.

Guy goes 0-2, works the count to full, and then singles up the middle to tie it. Wow. Gutsy AB. Skip Schumaker with the error to start the rally and put the lead runner on...

2-2 tie going into the bottom of the eighth now. I imagine Clippard to come out in an important situation.

Carpenter is done for the Cards--and he is not happy with the no decision and only 1 ER in 8 IP.

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Ludwick a bomb off Tyler Clippard, who is coming to earth in a hurry. Changeup or a slider with minimal movement at 80 MPH right down the middle; Ludwick kills it.

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LOL at Schumaker, another error (he has 4 of his 8 total yesterday and today!!) and the Nats have a runner on first against Ryan Franklin in the ninth with one out.

Stammen the pinch runner for Ivan Rodriguez at first.

C'mon Nyjer!!!!

[Jollay]

Now Morgan on 1st...almost hit into a double play.

Nats down to Guzman (3-4 tonight) now down one run...

[Jollay]

Guzman lines out, game over. Nats leave nine runners on base tonight, lose 3-2.

Clippard gets the loss, and the Nats are now .500 again.

A wasted good start from Lannan tonight, much like Olsen a couple of nights ago. The offense hasn't been that great this year so far anyway, without Dunn it makes it worse.