Cubs at Nats

[Jollay]

Casey Coleman was the Cubs' Minor League pitcher of the year last year for Chicago, and he makes his second start of his career tonight. Coleman has also made four appearances out of the bullpen, and has not found much success of yet (0-1, 7.82 ERA). He opposes Livo (8-8 3.06 ERA), who again becomes the teams' defacto ace with Strasburg so grievously injured.

Cubs are without Lou Piniella, who is officially retired. At least for this year. The Cubs are one of three NL teams currently with a worse record than the Nats (also Pirates and D-Backs).

[Jollay]

The Cubs are putting the hurt on the Nats minus Derek Lee (traded to the Braves). 6-0 Cubs in the fifth and Coleman just got his first MLB hit for an RBI through a drawn in infield. Miguel Batista is on his way in with the bases still loaded and one out.

[Jollay]

Nats lose 9-1.

On T-shirt Tuesday, John Lannan, who has pitched much better of late, goes against Carlos Zambrano, who has been less psychotic of late.

[craig01]

Nats down 5-1 in the 5th.

Doesn't look good.

[Jollay]

Well, they make it interesting at least, falling 5-4. Lannan gives up bombs to Alfonso Soriano and Tyler Colvin and gives up all the Cubs runs. The Nats' bullpen shuts the door the rest of the way, and the Nats almost tie it up in the ninth. Adam Kennedy clears the bases with a double, but a hard-hit ball by Zimmy off Marmol is caught in right field.

Lannan had an interesting quote when asked about the strain on the bullpen, something like: "I have nothing to say about that, that's the way our manager manages."

Well, John, that may be true, but I think the question was a softball for you as a starter to say, "we have to do better."

This quote, and the Olsen tirade last week leads me to believe there's some friction between the starters and Riggleman.

[Jollay]

It'll be Jason Marquis against Ryan Dempster in the series finale Wednesday night. Dempster has been pretty solid this year, while Marquis is 0-6 with an ERA over 11.

Nats lose and they become the third worst team in the NL.

[craig01]

Maybe Marquis will break the ice tonight.....

[Jollay]

Marquis is strong, giving up no runs through seven innings. But then he allows one guy on in the eighth, and the Cubs shell Clippard and Burnett for the 4-0 win. Soriano another homer-he just slaughtered his former team this series.

Marquis finally owns it and he gets zero run support. Typical. And if the Nats can't handle Dempster, wait till they get a load of Chris Carpenter...