THE BELTWAY BOYS: Holy Hector! Carrasco Bids For Rotation Slot in 2006

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Holy Hector! Carrasco Bids For Rotation Slot in 2006

[September 25th] -- Hector Carrasco is THE MAN, and he hopes to be one of THE MEN when the season starts next spring.

Carrasco's start against the Mets September 13th was only the second of his career. Since that night in New York, the 35 year old has been near perfect. Over his last four starts, Carrasco has pitched 21 innings, giving up just 12 hits, 2 runs and has struck out 23. His ERA, which was a good 2.19 as a reliever, is now a microscopic 1.73 since he joined the starting rotation. All of this is because pitching coach Randy St. Claire taught him a quality change, something he never had to go with his 90+ mph fast ball.

Ryan Zimmerman, a night after returning to the real world where rookies are embarrassed by major league pitchers, rapped out two hits, one a double and drove in the second run of the night. Zimmerman's batting average is back up to .421 after dropping near the "Williams" line last night [that would be .400 hitter Ted Williams]

rapped out 3 more hits, "raising" his average to .215, and with the exception of that mental lapse yesterday in the field, he has been playing like Jim Bowden and the rest of us thought he would. I have this "gut" feeling that if the team stays with him next year [and there is no one in the system to take his place], he just might give the Nats their money's worth.

I still believe that the Nationals will end the year above .500, and will have provided their D.C. fans with much joy over the months.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 8:07 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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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?