THE BELTWAY BOYS: Padres Remarkable Comeback Dooms Nats 8-5

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Padres Remarkable Comeback Dooms Nats 8-5

[September 17th] -- It happens. Too bad "it" happened when it did. The Washington Nationals, one out away from winning their 5th game in a row, allowed a dramatic game tying grand slam by Khalil Greene in the 9th and a game winning 3 run blast by Ramon Hernandez in the 12th, all but ending any real hope for the Nationals to make the post season in their first year in D.C.

This morning, tired from staying up half the night and listening to the game, I am not saddened or distraught. Baseball is a game of percentages. Even the Yankees lose 3 or 4 games a year like this, so to expect the Nats of doing any better than them would be pure folly.

The Team played well all game, scoring 5 runs, two coming on solo home runs by Nick Johnson and Preston Wilson. By the time the bottom of the 9th began, I was beginning to formulate what I would write here this morning. Even with the bases loaded and 2 down, down by 4, I wasn't worried. I mean, what would the chances be of D.C. pitchers giving up TWO grand slams in three days? As it turned out, pretty good.

Chad Cordero is tiring, which is to be expeceted. This is his first full season in the major leagues, and by far and away the most innings he has ever pitched in a single season at any level. You can't get mad when these things happen; you just shrug your shoulders and look forward to the next game.

If the Nats can win today, they still have a [slight] chance for the post season, but more importantly, they can still end the season with a win total in the low to mid 80 range. Any of us would have that kind of season last fall. It hurts because Washington was sitting high atop the NL East in the beginning of July with a 50-31 record, and it has been a miserable second half for the boys.

No sweat. No worries. Now, go get the Padres!

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 9:54 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?