Nothing new

Nothing new to Nats fans, as they get off to a 0-7 start.

When I first looked at the Opening day lineup for the Marlins, I smiled seeing a easy out in Emilio Bonifacio, Florida's leadoff hitter. I was wrong when he went 4-5 with a inside the park Homer and 3 stolen bases. John Lannan struggled to get ahead of hitters, throwing only 5 first pitch strikes to the 17 batters he faced. By the third inning, it was 6-0 Marlins. In the top of the 4th, Guzman was on second, and Adam Dunn up. He took a outside out of the zone slider and crushed it to right field. I thought it had a chance of leaving, but it was off of that huge Florda left field wall for a RBI double. He later crushed a three run Homer to make it a 8-5 game. The nats lost, 12-6.

Scott Olsen looked even more pathetic the next day, giving up 5 runs in 5 innings as he got clobbered by his former team. The nats lost, 8-3.

The next day was the hugest killer ever. Daniel Cabrera had a bad start as expected( 6 IP, 5 ER), and the nats had bases loaded, 1 out and they couldn't score. In the top of the ninth with the nats down by two, the bases were loaded with one out for Josh Willingham (.345 last year with RISP), who got a start against his former team, and he struck out. Next was Austin Kearns,
who looked for a game tieing or game winning hit. He hit a sinking line drive to left field that looked like the game tieing hit off the bat, but the Left Fielder Jeremy Hermida got a great jump, and an even better catch to win the game for the fish.

The next day was also a killer for the nats, as the Braves made their home opener. Shairon Martis as the starter for the nats who only made it through 3 innings (Because of the rain delay) The nats had bases loaded, nobody out one time and failed to score. The Braves won the game in the tenth inning on a walk-off single by Kelly Johnson off of Joe Beimel to end the game.

The nats lost the next game 5-3. John Lannan had another bad outing going 6IP,4ER. They lost the next one, 8-5, while Scott Olsen has yet to learn how to pitch in a Nats uniform.

Then came the nats opener, against the Philadelphia Phillies. The game was played shortly after the death of Harry Kalas, the Phillies play-by-play announcer since 1971. They even thought about not playing the game, even when they had a Nationals Park record 40,676 people at the game. It was an offensive game, even though Daniel Cabrera lasted through 5 innings while only giving up one earned run. Although an error by Adam Dunn and two by Anderson Hernandez (he got off the DL because of a injury to Willie Harris) Left the Phils with a 4-3 lead. But then a homer by Dukes and Dunn got the game tied 4-4. But then in the seventh Saul Rivera let the first two baserunners, with powerful Ryan Howard up, and Joe Beimel, a lefty, was warming up. Rivera, a righty, clearly didn't have it at all and Howard crushed a 3 run Homer to right field. Then in the ninth Brad Lidge came on to the mound. Down 9-6, Zimm hit a 2 run HR down the right field line, and the nats were down 9-8 with nobody out, but then Dunn and 'Lijah tried to be heros, taking huge uppercut swings, resulting in a strikeout and the Nats lost, 9-8. Obviously I couldn't watch the game being in 'Zona, but I had my eyes glued to the scoreboard on ESPN.

The Wednesday night game against the Phillies was rained out, but Shairon Martis will pitch against Joe Blanton, as the nats look to achieve their first W in the columns. The projected lineup for the nats:
1. Anderson Hernandez 2B
2. Elijah Dukes CF
3. Ryan Zimmerman 3B
4. Adam Dunn LF
5. Nick Johnson 1B
6. Austin Kearns/Josh Willingham RF
7. Jesus Flores C
8. Alberto Gonzalez SS
9. Shairon Martis P
Notice how Lastings Milledge isn't playing? Belive it or not, new acting GM Mike Rizzo sent him down to the minors. Lastings is really struggling at everything so far this year, Hitting .167 with no walks, missing a team meeting, and making routine fly balls look like a comedy show. Roger Bernadina will be called up from AAA.

While I was in Arizona, I decided I needed Some baseball so I went to a D'Backs game against the LA Dodgers. Even though the D'Backs lost, Chase Field is a pretty good Stadium, uglier than Nats Park but some things were better like No Clint (That annoying contest guy that fans hate).

Bowden resigns from GM

Nats Gene-- FORMER general manager Jim Bowden resigned today, after 5 seasons of messing up with the Nats, highlighted by signings of Felipe Lopez, Austin Kearns, Johnny Estrada, Paul LoDuca, Wily Mo Pena, Daniel Cabrera, Corey Patterson, and Jason Simontacci. Also by the non-signings of Torri Hunter, Aaron Rowand, Orlando Hudson, Aaron Crow, and Mark Texeiria. Bowden was a terrible GM, mostly by relying a little too much on the Nat's farm system and young players. I like the idea of having young and promising players, but Bowden took it way too far, and decided to not get any proven player who has done it in the big leagues, like Milledge, Nieves, Alberto Gonzalez. And he uses this as a excuse in the press conferences. "Listen, we're young, so just shut up, go away, and let these un-established players build our championship club. Bye."

Bowden's statement included: "I am today resigning my position as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Washington Nationals. It is an emotional decision that saddens me, but one that I feel is in the best interests of two of the things I love most - baseball and the Washington Nationals." also: "At the same time, while I have done nothing wrong, I place a greater value on the love, respect, and best interests of my family, friends, the game of baseball -- that I've served lovingly and faithfully for close to 25 years -- and, the reputation and future of the Washington Nationals, which I'm proud to have been a part of since its inception in 2004." and lastly: "Like anyone else, I have made mistakes in all areas of my personal and professional life, but I leave here with the true belief that I have done nothing intentionally to harm the Washington Nationals or Major League Baseball. The team, the fans and media can now turn all of their attention from the distractions off-the-field to where it belongs, on the baseball field for the Washington Nationals and their upcoming 2009 championship season." Even though it is tough to resign from GM and probably not have a job again, at least you could tell the truth. He said he did nothing wrong as GM, he has to realize that Felipe Lopez wasn't that good, and Austin Kearns didn't hit .280 with 80 RBI's and 25 homers. He also said: "for the Washington Nationals and their upcoming 2009 championship season." I like how he's being optimistic, but championship season?

The Nats are not sure who will be the new GM, but Mike Rizzo, the former vice GM will be a candidate. Even though Rizzo will be better than Bowden was, I would like to get a former player who has GM/Manager experience rather than Rizzo. That's why I didn't like the equations of Bullpen coach Randy Knorr (I would have kept Rick Aponte) or hitting coach Rick Eckstein (Although it looks like he has proven himself, so far). Team president Stan Kasten, who will serve as General Manager until a replacement is found, said the team would have made its decision for new GM soon..

Adam Dunn has finally made his decision, he will play in the World Baseball Classic for team USA. I would like to see him hit in a Nat's uniform and get to know his teammates and coaches, but that gives Nick Johnson a chance to start at first base while there is an outfield of Willingham in left, Milledge in center, and Dukes in right, and see who plays the best. If all of the above stay, either Johnson, Milledge (probably not), or Willingham will be a backup, Nick Johnson the most likely.

Joel Hanrahan also said he will play in the World Baseball Classic, for team USA. He said he was considering it for a long time. He will join the team in Clearwater, Fla., and work out on Tuesday. Rick Eckstein recommended to USA that Hanrahan sould be on the team. A spot on the roster opened up when Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan pulled himself out due to concerns about the current state of his mechanics. "When Manny and St. Claire gave me the approval, I decided to do it," Hanrahan said. "I only have a year in the big leagues. I still have some work to do. I'm trying to develop my changeup this year. There is still work to do to get ready for the season. You are still committed to the Nationals -- you have to be 100 percent for them when April 6 comes around." Last year, he was 6-3 with a 3.95 ERA and nine saves.

The nats have started the season 2-3 in Spring Training play. The starters have looked really good so far, the bullpen has looked really shaky, and it looks like hitting from back when, well... 2008. The nats have averaged just 2.8 runs a game, in the last two losing to the Cardinals 2-9 and Orioles 7-5. In the Card's game, the Nats just had only four hits, and Daniel Cabrera made his Nats debut, going two innings and gave up two runs (one earned), while walking none and striking out none. Ross Detwiler had his first outing of the spring, and it was the worst I have ever seen, walking 4 and giving up a hit, so in total giving up 3 runs and retiring none. Justin Maxwell was the player of the game for the nats, going 1-2 with two walks, and robbing Chris Duncan of a grand slam, leaping over the wall. (above)

The nats finally got their first home run of the spring, Nick Johnson solo shot in their 7-5 loss to the O's. Scott Olsen made his Nats debut, throwing two scoreless innings, while walking none and striking out two, but then comes the bullpen. Tyler Clippard throws an inning, giving up 3 runs. Also Garret Mock (ERA: 13.50) threw an inning, giving up two. The nats have an off day, and then on Tuesday play the Italian World Baseball Classic team, John Lannan will start.

Nats Sign Cabrera

Last night, the Nationals signed Daniel Cabrera, 27, to a one year, 2.6 million dollar deal from the O's.This is a terrible signing for the Nats. Cabrera really stunk in Baltimore last year, going 8-10 with a ERA of 5.25 to go with 90 walks and 18 Hit batters. He will be part of the Nationals rotation, probably to replace Tim Redding, who was non tendered last week. Cabrera does have talent, and when he is at his best is a strikeout pitcher, if he learns to use his height (6-9, 258 lbs). I also hope his transition from AL to NL would matter.
Is he a good hitter? Last year I was watching an O's game(where I was I couldn't get Masn) and Cabrera was batting. The first two pitches were swings and misses on balls two feet outside of the strike zone. The third pitch was a meatball right down the middle, and he jumps back in terror as if he was just shot, strike 3. Anyway he is 0-14 with 14 strikeouts. In other news..................
> Mark Texeira said yesterday he will have made his mind up in the next week.
>Aaron Boone just signed a one year contract with the Astros.