Nats get first W, Zim could close on deal

The nats improved their record to 1-7 yesterday as the nats beat the Phillies, 8-2.It was a good hitting day, as Shairon Martis did a great job of shutting down the Phils powerful lineup, especially when the nats pitching had done such a pathetic job in the previous 7 games. In the bottom of inn. 1, Nick Johnson, who was batting 2nd now that Guzman will miss a few games, and Zimmerman singled, and Joe Blanton tried to see what would happen if he could get Adam Dunn to strike out on a really fat fastball sitting there on the inner half, and Dunn hit 2 rows over the bullpen in right field. Then later in the 8th inning, nats up 4-3 (Martis: 6.1 IP 2 ER 1 K) with nobody out and a 3-0 count, Elijah Dukes crushed a 3 run bomb to left, with Alberto Gonzalez hitting his 2nd career HR. Hammer also hit a pinch-hit HR in his first official at-bat in a nats uniform at nats park.

The nats and Ryan Zimmerman reportedly are nearing a 5 year, 45 million dollar deal. The deal would be made official within the next few days. No one was available to talk to the press at the time. I think it would be great to have Zim for another 5 years mainly because it would take so much more off his mind.

I really hope Acta keeps Johnson in the #2 spot, being PERFECT for #2, even though Acta said Johnson will drop down further when Guzman gets back in. Johnson is a great # 2 hitter mainly because of his OBP, getting on when Dunn, Zim, and 'Lija come up.

Tonight the nats will try and find more luck against the fish, as they are 3-18 against them over the last 2 years. 3-18!?!? It will be John Lannan and Ricky Nolasco, the same 2 who started opening day on April 6th. Hopefully the nats can build on that win and get some revenge.