Going Deep with The Nats

When the Washington Nationals opened this 4-game series with the Arizona Diamnondbacks, there was a precedent set in that the Diamondbacks had not lost a series all season. Winning two games of the four games in this series would not get the job done. The Nationals would have to win at least three games to spoil the D’Backs streak, and it was mission accomplished last night for these Nats as they took the first 3 games in this series and now go for the rare 4-game sweep that the Nats had already done to the Pirates in this young season when the Pirates were in first place.  Continue reading →

Photo by LEGNats for TalkNats

What a difference a week makes or in this case two weeks when the Arizona Diamondbacks rolled into Washington D.C. and pushed the Nationals further into the abyss and a season’s worst 5-games under .500. Some of you remember that 10-inning loss as you were jumping off the ledge when Austin Adams walked in the game-winning run after loading the bases with a walk which was mired in a managerial snafu by Dave Martinez who had the premature call to the bullpen before a pinch-hitter was officially placed into the game. The Nationals hit rock bottom on that Saturday in the park and since then salvaged the last game of that series against these Diamondbacks with a nice 3-to-1 win that started what is  now a dominant Nationals 11-and-2 record in this stretch. Continue reading →

As we approach the ¼ pole on the season, the thoroughbred known as “Curly W” is making it’s move from 3rd in the race. This thoroughbred has been through many ups and downs this year, and the remaining ¾ should be a wild ride. Like the real Washington Nationals, you pace yourself and learn what your horses are all about. We learn so much about people over time, and manager Dave Martinez seemed to learn something just from Wednesday to Thursday.

When you have great starting pitching like the Nationals do as the best in the National League and you are entrenched in a tight game, go old-school and play for that next run like the Nationals did on Thursday but did not do on Wednesday. The results were the polar opposite. A loss on Wednesday and a win on Thursday. There were still no guarantees on execution, and this time Wilmer Difo did his job to perfection on the sacrifice bunt which led to the first run that tied the game.  Continue reading →

Photo by LEGnats for Talknats

The Nationals season series against the Diamondbacks will wrap-up this weekend, and there is a good chance the next times these two teams could see each other is in October if both teams advance to the post-season. The Diamondbacks currently own the best record in the National League while the Nationals are another long winning streak away from getting on top of the NL East. Continue reading →