THE BELTWAY BOYS: Down, But Not Out

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Down, But Not Out

[October 1st] -- I'm trying to think of something interesting to write regarding the Nationals' 4-3 loss Friday night to the Philadelphia Phillies.

But I can't.

Livan pitched well enough to win, but didn't. The Nats almost came back to tie the game in the 9th, but didn't. Several players almost got a 2nd hit in the game, but couldn't. It was one of those nights. Everyone played "ok" but no one played "great." It was just "one of those losses." I guess the highlight of the game was Marlon Byrd, whose power display since returning from New Orleans continues to amaze. Byrd doubled off of Billy Wagner and raised his average to .269. Endy who?

The Nationals now sit at 81-79 with two games left. The team only has to win only one of their three remaining games to finish with a winning record, but that isn't much to play for when compared to the Phillies, who are now only one game behind Houston for the lead in the wildcard race. It's going to be difficult for the "boys" to pull one of these last two games out. Tomorrow night, John Patterson goes for his 10th win against Brett Meyers, who has pitched "lights out" in two of the three games he's started against the Nats.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 9:41 PM

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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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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?