Thought that maybe you'd caught that flu that was going around the clubhouse. Have a good time off!

Matt sure did step up nicely. Wasn't afraid to throw strikes or give up a run here or there.

A lesson to young pitchers: Even if you have some brutal fielders behind you -- and yes, Nats hurlers, you do -- the defense does want to help you win. Often, they will, given the chance.

One's tempted to chalk this kind of success to Acta's calming influence, and the more I see of Manny the better I like him. But the players have to buy in too, so full marks to them.

So far the Nats are right where I expected them to be. I expect to see further improvement as the season progresses, and the Nats inch closer to .500 - but I will talk about about the future after the first month is completed. Im satisfied though through 23 games.

Barry:

Glad you enjoyed the game last night. I have about a ten game losing streak when seeing them in person. Last time I saw them win in person was opening day 2005!

The team is pretty close to where I thought they'd be, but a few games below where I hoped they'd be. Having Logan and Guzman back I think is worth a game... maybe two... a month... so they'll be closer to my hopes soon... I hope.

I should get up there and go to more games, I'm 4-0!

I really like the youth on this team. Zimm is definitely an upgrade from Vinny Castilla... Pitchers are productive (and cheap!) and the expectations are low so they have room to shine (the 2006 Florida Marlins anyone?) Keep it up guys.

How 'bout that Zimm play to deny Reyes just now.

Zimm should be giving clinics to Mike Lowell in the off season. (OK, that was mean... sorry...)

... looks like a great game going tonight as well. Mrs. Williams' little boy Jerome went all the way to six before giving up his only hit so far; matching Tommy G every inch of the way.

... whether they win or lose, this kind of strong competiveness is gold for the Nats future.

Mrs. Williams needs to speak to that young man. Fercryinoutloud! If you're a pitcher and get up there to hit, don't go into your home run trot just because you THINK it's going over the wall...

Fortunately it sounds like we got a gift -- inadvertent, to be sure -- from umpire Randazzo on the very next play.

... me again.

Wigi: you mention your anticipation of good things when Guzman returns. But I wonder how Manny can break up Felipe and Ronnie? They're both hitting (Belliard just hit the RBI double) and they're both defensively dependable. If 'twere me, I'd be in quite a quandry.

Don't have an answer to the hitting quandary, david.

For what it's worth, Lopez is much superior to Belliard as a second baseman. And if Guzman's defense is back up to snuff, he'll outdo Lopez at short, so it should be a win-win defensively.

All I have to say is this: stupid Chad Cordero with his stupid flat hat.

Also, Barry, in the podcast from Thursday night, while you're talking to Manny, is that someone's cell phone going off? And is the ringtone the Law and Order: SVU theme? For your sake, I really hope it wasn't yours. . .

Barry, I was at Friday's game too, right above you in section 410.

Dang, wotta game Saturday. Hate to say it, but Willie was right to argue the call at first base. Replays showed Flippie was out. At least the home base umpire brought everything back into line with that close call at the bottom of the 9th. Every camera angle I saw was inconclusive.

Despite all that, the Nats played one heck of a ballgame. Kearns' thrown couldn't have been more spot-on target, and with anyone other than friggin' Endy Chavez running, would have nailed the runner at home. And Jerome, dang, that kid suddenly learned how to pitch, huh? And I know da Z-man booted a play later on in the game, but those two plays he did in the 6th inning were the main reason why the only Nats jersey I own has his name and number on it. And Belliard may drop too many fly balls, but boy can he hit when given the chance.

Just got back from the game. Wow. Good baseball is heaven, even with losses like that. Jerome Williams you were AWESOME tonight! Way to go! And if you want to take Chad Cordero in the back for some roughing up, I'm sure we'd all look the other way....

one. strike. away.

p.s. regarding Jerome's single that should have been a double. We all just figured it either a)took him a minute to register what just happened, b)he just forgot what to do when you actually make contact with the ball, c)or just wanted to watch and see what a hit looked like from that angle. Section 447 cut him a lot of slack on that one tonight.

Bowden must be smiling when he sleeps. The bats of Belliard and Young will bring some prospects/picks to the team as the trade season approaches. The injuries to Johnson & Guzman will at least have served that purpose to the future of this team. Thanks for your services...see ya. Just have to wait and see how Logans return affects the lineup. If he ever hits...oh, if he ever hits. The pitching has started to come around, and is a bit better than I anticipated it would be. Cordero though, geez, just don't know about him. His stock might be dropping a bit. The save chances are limited, and to have them blown like last nights is very demoralizing. A great effort by Williams wasted. It's going to happen occasionally, but it sure is tough to stomach. Wagner isn't producing much these days either. So, there is much work to be done by the braintrust, though some of the parts seem to be getting it together, the warranty is expiring on others. Cheers everyone.