THE BELTWAY BOYS: Stick A Fork In Nationals' Playoff Hopes -- They're Done

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Stick A Fork In Nationals' Playoff Hopes -- They're Done

[September 17th] -- Joey Eichen didn't just throw the ball away in the 9th inning against the Padres Sunday afternoon, he threw away any hopes of a D.C. post season as well.

Less than 24 hours after losing to San Diego on a grand slam in the 9th and a 3 run blast in the 12th, the Nats lost again, this time on an infield single, a hit batsman and an errant throw on a bunt attempt. No ball left the infield this time, but the end result was the same: A painful loss.

Yes, the Nationals already slim play off hopes are now gone. They are 4.5 games behind Houston, with fellow Eastern division rivals Florida and Philadelphia ahead of them -- and leap frogging 3 teams in two weeks is virtually impossible.

So, what now? Real Nationals fans will look at the season as a whole, and be very excited that the team won more games than they lost their first year in Washington [trust me, they'll do just that]. Memo to Frank and Jim: NOW IS THE TIME TO PLAY RYAN ZIMMERMAN AND THE SLEW OF KIDS GATHERING SPLINTERS ON THE BENCH. Thanks for the effort Vinny and Cristian, but we need to see how these kids can play. And based on your play during the second half, they're probably going to produce more than you. Let's see if Kenny Kelly or Brandon Watson can be a major league lead off hitter. Preston Wilson was brought in to help us get to the playoffs. Now that we're not going to be playing in October, let Preston rest his aches and pains and give the kids a chance. Can Jay Bergman be a starter at this level? Let's find out.

Thanks for a great pennant run, boys, and I'm proud that you stayed with the "really" talented teams for this long. But now is the time to begin tinkering for next year. Ah next year. New owner. More money. Free Agents. And Ryan Zimmerman

My, what a fun off season it will be.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 8:39 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?