Dodgers at Nats

[Jollay]

Dodgers (7-8) versus Nats (8-8) for a three-game set. Nats would love to finish the homestand with a winning record.

Charlie Haeger and his crazy knuckler go for the Dodgers, while Luis Atilano makes his major league debut for the Nats in place of Jason Marquis, who went on the DL with "arm troubles."

Atilano was a first-round pick of the Braves years ago who has had legitimate arm troubles, ie Tommy John surgery. He's been good in the minors of late, to include last year and this year (2-0, under 2.00 ERA at Syracuse).

Zimmy will still not start, although he may pinch hit. More important he get back for the latter part of this series if possible; not as important against Haeger.

[Jollay]

Nats win the first game 5-1, behind six strong innings from Atilano and two monster homeruns from Adam Dunn. Never really counted Atilano as a viable candidate to claim a spot in the rotation, but he looked very good last night mixing pitches.

Tyler Clippard pitches two flawless strong innings--can a middle reliever from the Nats actually make an all-star squad? Because he deserves it thus far. Careful Riggleman, though, don't overwork the guy...

Nyjer Morgan with some more suspect defense, a misjudged fly ball and then bad throw led to the only Dodgers' run of the night.

Pudge left the game with tightness in his lower back...ugh, hope that doesn't cool him off. Nieves will catch the game tomorrow.

Stammen pitches for the Nats against hard-throwing lefty Clayton Kershaw. Would be nice if Zimmerman can play this one, but its not worth the risk if his hammy remains too iffy.

Manny Ramirez is on the 15-day DL. Would have been nice to heckle him this weekend...

[Jollay]

Nats lost in 13 Saturday, 4-3. Casey Blake just killed the Nats with two homers, and almost had another on a well-hit ball.

Craig Stammen was again pretty good, as he went seven innings. Miguel Batista got the loss but certainly didn't pitch badly, only giving up a run in three innings.

Nyjer Morgan made a bone-headed play on a double he hit in "regulation" time, trying to stretch it to a triple with two outs. He was thrown out, which nullified a run that was just about to cross the plate. He did manage to steal a base (his fifth), as did Kennedy and Josh Willingham, who now have four apiece. Love the way Riggleman keeps the guys aggressive on the bases.

Series finale today with Billingsley versus Olsen, who got shelled in his last outing. Hope he can put together a good outing today with Batista and perhaps Capps unavailable. (Capps pitched a pair of innings Saturday).

[Jollay]

Nats lineup Sunday: still no Zimmerman, although Pudge returns.

Morgan, CF
Kennedy, 3B
Guzman, 2B
Dunn, 1B
Willingham, LF
Rodriguez, C
Harris, RF
Desmond, SS
Olsen, P

[Jollay]

Nationals win 1-0 on a beautifully pitched game by Olsen. Nats scored their run in the first, turns out that's all they needed. Clippard pitched the eighth and Capps the ninth for his league-leading eighth save.

Gotta feel great about getting a winning record (6-4) on the homestand against three playoff contenders. 10-9 record going into a road trip at Wrigley and at whatever the hell the marlins call their stadium now.

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Forgot to mention, the defense was top notch today. Justin Maxwell saved the game in the ninth with a beautiful catch (James Loney was on 2nd), and Josh Willingham had another beautiful catch earlier.

Olsen did manage to strikeout eight, but the staff does continue to pitch to contact. Good defense is essential for the Nats!