Nats lose Adam LaRoche for the season

On a night that saw the Washington Nationals mount a huge rally in the late innings to steal a victory, there is some bad news coming out of D.C. Their first baseman Adam LaRoche, who has been out since May 22nd, will undergo season-ending surgery on his left shoulder. This marks the end of a frustrating season for LaRoche, who told reporters that he feels like he let the team down. LaRoche was signed as a free agent during the offseason to replace Adam Dunn at first base. He can hit for power from the left side, but the biggest asset he provided for this team was his defense. His range and ability to make picks off bad throws was a big reason why general manager Mike Rizzo coveted the 31-year old veteran. Dunn’s failure to make plays in the field cost Washington a lot of games last year and defense was a top priority to upgrade after leading the league in both 2009 and 2010. Adam injured his shoulder during spring training and it lingered with him the entire year. His injury ...