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Things are very bleak for the Nats, who drop to 60-84 with a 4-0 loss to the Braves in the first game of the series. The loss was the Nats' sixth straight.

The Nats had hit D-Lowe pretty well this year before Monday, but he owned them last night. Tonight Jurrjens goes up against Livo. With Phily coming up, it really wouldn't be all that surprising if the Nats are swept by both contenders.

Things are unraveling in DC as Mike Rizzo's plan was to at least bag 70 wins this year, and then become a fringe contender in 2011. Now, as 70 wins slips away this year, and Strasburg out until probably 2012, things are just bad. Nats have had a couple team meetings recently in an effort to infuse some pride/passion into the players, but it doesn't seem to be working.

Doesn't help that Yunesky Maya had another not so hot outing last night. Makes it harder to sell 2011.

Livan does the job, homering and shutting out the Braves through eight innings in a 6-0 Nats win. Loss knocked the Braves two behind the Phillies in the NL East.

Mike Minor going against John Lannan in the finale this afternoon. Minor gave up two runs in six innings versus the Nats on August 17th and is 3-0, although with an unimpressive 5.63 ERA.

Alberto Gonzalez gives Adam Dunn the day off at first base, Nyjer Morgan is still in the lineup pending word from MLB, and Ian Desmond bats third for the first time in his major-league career.

It must be September because Justin Maxwell just hit a grand-slam in a meaningless game (for the Nats). Raised his average to .143 in the process. 4-0 Nats early.

Nats hold on to win 4-2 with Drew Storen getting his fourth save of the year. Extremely surprising to win a series on the road against a playoff contender, and now it's onto Phily to try and do the same, likely without Nyjer Morgan whose suspension is imminent.

The quest for 70 continues.....