Nats Blogger Day II

(AP Photo by Nam Y. Huh. Look on the bright side, Big Z; at least you can still hit.) "I was getting some good pitches to hit and wasn't missing." (Josh Willingham, via Washington Post, 8/26/2009) Big Beatdown in Wrigleyville! Nats 15, Cubs 6: Willingham and Dukes put the "Friendly" in Friendly Confines...

(by Mike Henderson) The clock struck midnight in the sixth inning as Collin Balester's chariot turned into a pumpkin.

Brewers Hammer Nats in the Sixth - The PostBalester unravels in defeat - The Wash. TimesThings were going fairly well for the Nationals against the Brewers yesterday evening. The 4:35 game was played in ideal conditions and starter Collin Balester had reeled off five scoreless innings. The Nats picked up a run in the second to hold onto a slim 1-0 lead. Then the sixth inning happened...

The reason Collin Balester still factors prominently in the Washington Nationals' plans for the future is because he has the kind of as-of-yet unrefined pitching talent scouts pounce on and managers dream about. The mid-90s fastball, the big-breaking curveball and Balester's 6-foot-5 frame are such well-worn staples of the pitching pedigree, it seems impossible for talent...

Garrett Mock got his first start of 2009 against the Cubs. That July outing lasted less than four innings. Since then, he's been better, but not spectacular, and has stuck in the Washington rotation.Mock will face the Cubs and the freshly re-activated Carlos Zambrano. The Cubs have played well at home, but nothing is for certain with the 2009 North Siders.Mock made a few relief...

Willingham, Dukes Flex Muscle for Nats in Rout - The PostLineup erupts in Nats' blowout - The Wash. TimesOkay, maybe night games at Wrigley Field aren't so bad after all.The Nationals, routed Carlos Zambrano and the Chicago Cubs last night. LF Josh Willingham homered twice, including a shot onto Waveland Ave. in the 4th. He had six RBI on the night. RF Elijah Dukes hit his...

(Click on the thumbnail for the full size image) Just when you think it couldn't get worse, the Cubs get absolutely spanked by the worst team in baseball at home.The wind appeared to be howling straight out tonight and the Cubs managed 6 runs, Josh Willingham managed 6 RBI's all by himself, including 2 HR's, 5 Runs scored and a 4 for 4 night with a walk. Z did hit...

Garrett Mock (2-5, 5.10 ERA) vs. Carlos Zambrano (7-4, 3.35 ERA) Story LinesThe Cubs are facing the very real fact that they will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Baring a 10-game winning streak, the Cubs will have a tough time overtaking the 8-game lead the Cardinals have in the NL-Central and the 7.5-game lead the Rockies have in the Wild Card. That being said...

Elijah Dukes hit a grand slam in a six-run fifth inning, Josh Willingham had two homers and six RBIs and the Washington Nationals rocked Carlos Zambrano in his return from the disabled list, routing the Cubs 15-6 on Tuesday night. Dukes drove in a career-high five runs as the Nationals sent the Cubs to their 13th loss in 18 games, bringing out the boos at Wrigley Field. Chicago fell...

Elijah Dukes hit a grand slam, and Josh Willingham went 4-for-4 with a pair of homers, six RBI and five runs scored, as the Washington Nationals crushed the Chicago Cubs, 15-6, in the opener of a three-game set from Wrigley Field.