THE BELTWAY BOYS: Nick Johnson: Honey On The Spam

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Nick Johnson: Honey On The Spam

Nick Johnson

It had to happen sooner or later, and thank goodness, it happened much later than the Yankees, The Red Sox, The Dodgers, The Diamondbacks and the Cardinals.

For the first time this season, the Nationals were out of the game by the second inning, playing the rest of the game because rules required it. Cludio Vargas was as badTuesday as he was good his last time out against the Diamondbacks, giving up 6 runs in 1 1/3 innings. Not a great way to gain Frank Robinson's trust. On the other side, Brewer nobody Wes Obermeuller had a perfect game heading into the 7th inning.

On a positive note, Tomo Ohka pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up only 2 hits and no runs, reaffirming the fact that he has the talent to be a credible middle of the rotation pitcher.

For the Nationals, only Nick Johnson and Jamie Carroll stood in the way of a no hitter. Nick Johnson, continuing his march towards becoming one of the National League's best all around first baseman contributed a single and a 9th inning home run that ended the Brewers shutout hopes.

Sometimes, games like this happen. I pulled out one of my many baseball statistic annuals, and found that the 1927 Yankees lost 13-2 to the Senators in July of that year. It happens. It doesn't matter. Now, it does matter if it happens time and time again, game after game, month after month. Just ask Devil Rays and Royals fans what that's like. No, until they prove otherwise, this was but a blip on the baseball radar, a statistical certainty during a 162 game season. Let's see what happens over the next few games. Likely, Tuesday's game will just a blip on that radar.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 7:38 AM

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Rasner Rocks For Yanks

What was it that Jim Bowden said when he lost Darrell Rasner to the Yankees through waivers last winter? Wasn't it something like, "C'mon, it wasn't like he was going to make an impact at the major league level?" Well Jimbo, it seems like some of your "minor" transactions are coming back to haunt you.

Rasner, a 6'3" righty from Carson City, Nevada, was waived February 11th by the Nationals, just a couple of weeks before the start of spring training. He was picked up and assigned to 'AAA' Columbus. He had some injuries this year, but it didn't effect his pitching. In 58 innings for the Clippers, Rasner went 4-0, 2.76. But wait. There's more.

Pitching on Sunday against the Twins, Rasner pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. In two starts, he's now 1-0, 1.17.

What do you always like to say, Jim, something about "You can never have enough pitching?" Let's see, you waived Rasner, and he's starting for the Yankees. You waived Claudio Vargas, and he's starting for the Diamondbacks. You waived Byung Young Kim, and he's starting for the Rockies. You traded Tomo Ohka for a guy no longer in the major leagues, and he's starting for the Brewers.

Jim, if I were you, I'd stay away from the waiver wire. Seems like you haven't figured it that it's supposed to help the team, not hurt it.

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I am a 49 year old father of six. Born in Beirut Lebanon, I have lived in dozens of countries world-wide and ten states here in America. Although I was born in the Middle East, I consider Washington, D.C. my home town. I have lived in Pocatello Idaho since 1991. Although D.C. is a great place to enjoy life, Idaho is a great place to raise your children. My kids have benefited from the safe surroundings and quality education we have here.

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Big Changes, Little Names

Big happenings? Nah. Just happenings. Zach Day was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies and Capitol Punishment is reporting that the Nats have claimed him off the waiver wire. So we ended up getting Preston Wilson for nothing. That's nice. Billy Traber, he of the tight leash, was sent down to New Orleans and replaced by Mike O'Connor.

That's all well and good, but don't look to any of these moves making a difference in the play of the team. But hey, it's something to talk about. Right?