THE BELTWAY BOYS: Surging Nats Take Wind Out Of San Diego's Sails

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Surging Nats Take Wind Out Of San Diego's Sails

[September 16th] -- With respect to Livan Hernandez, Chad Cordero and Jose Guillen, John Patterson is the future of the Washington Nationals. The lanky Texan pitched another complete game at Petco Park Friday night, allowing only 3 hits and striking out 6 while lowering his ERA to 2.65.

Patterson has gone from afterthought to ace in a single year. Livan Hernandez wins with smarts and guile; no one has ever suggested that he has great "stuff." His career ERA is in the high 3's, further indication that he wins by almost willing it to happen.

Just a few days ago, many fans, including me, had thrown in the towel and begged the Nationals management to play the team's "future talent" now so that the new ownership could get a better feel as to who can and who can't play at this level. This morning, Washington is 77-71, riding a five game winning streak and only 2 1/2 games out of the Wild Card lead.

Oops.

I still think it very unlikely that the Nationals can win the Wild Card because two of the teams ahead of them are in their division. But I do believe in moral victories, and watching our team fight for a playoff position going into the final week of the season is certainly a victory of sorts. Remember, most of us bloggers predicted back in March that Washington would win somewhere between 75 and 85 games, and we'd be very happy with that. Well, with 14 games left, the Nats need only split their remaining schedule to end the year with a 82-80 mark.

Not bad for a team that won 67 games just one year ago.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 10:14 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?