RealGM

7:05 tonight, 4:35 Thursday.

It's obviously early, but the Nationals are somehow a team already in need of a win. Even if the Nationals are improved, if they continue to get flattened against a team they see as soon as next week, the potential is there to dig themselves a big hole early. Even with a big homestand looming, Washington has the Brewers, Rockies, and Dodgers on it, all playoff teams.

Tonight would be a good win, if one of the Nats' acquisitions (Marquis) can get it done. But ace 1A for the Phillies has always been good against Washington, 7-3 with a 2.30 ERA.

Stammen and Blanton go Thursday. Important for the Nats to get at least one here.

Nats lose 8-4 as Marquis gets shelled...

Actually I was wrong for Thursday's game--Kyle Kendrick goes for the Phils, not Blanton.

Nats have to get a win--can't go into Phily just having been swept at home.

Nats edge out the Phils 6-5 in the finale, as the bullpen gets it done. Clippard pitches a scoreless seventh (and part of the sixth), Bruney a shutout eighth, and Capps the scoreless ninth for the first save of the year.

Stammen was not great but him only giving up four runs in five innings still marked an important improvement over the debuts of Lannan and Marquis.

Willie Harris hit a two run shot (any power we get from RF is a blessing) and was the player of the game. He also played some good defense and was able to get the ball in quickly on a couple Phils hits down the line, perhaps saving a run or two.

Huge win--couldn't go back to Phily coming off them sweeping Washington.

Great to shut up some Phily fans as well...if only...for a second...