Nationals 2011 Regular season thread

Ryan Zimmerman returns to the lineup after a month and a half on the DL and contributes a two-run double when it matters as the Nationals claw their way back from a 6-1 deficit for an 8-6 victory over the Cardinals in Washington.

Once again neither starter, Yunesky Maya for the Nationals, Jamie Garcia for the Cardinals, figures in the decision. Maya gave up all 6 St. Louis runs and is still in search of his first major league victory.

Washington 8, St. Louis 6 WP Henry Rodriguez, LP Miguel Batista

The final line: Nationals 8 runs, 13 hits, 0 errors, St. Louis 6 runs, 9 hits, 2 errors

Next game: Wednesday, June 15th vs the Cardinals in Washington, game time 7:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 31 wins, 36 losses

Current streak: 4 wins!!!

Livan Hernandez pitches a complete game 3 hit shutout and the Washington hitters finally show some life as the Nationals cruise to a 10-0 victory. Hernandez' complete game was the 50th of his career. Jayson Werth, Danny Espinosa and Mike Morse homered for Washington, Morse slugging two round trippers.

Washington 10, St. Louis 0 WP Livan Hernandez, LP Kyle McClelland

The final line: Washington 10 runs, 15 hits, 0 errors, St. Louis 0 runs, 3 hits, 3 errors

Next game: Thursday, June 16th vs the Cardinals in Washington, game time 7:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 32 wins, 36 losses

Current streak: 5 wins!!!

The surprising Nationals sweep the Cardinals in Washington with a 10 inning 7-4 win. The Cardinals stroked 3 home runs but the Nationals countered with 4 by Jayson Werth, Roger Bernadina, Laynce Nix and the game winning 3 run homer from Danny Espinosa.

Washington 7, St. Louis 4 WP Sean Burnett, LP Fernando Salas

The final line: Nationals 7 runs, 10 hits, 1 error, Cardinals 4 runs, 8 hits, 2 errors

Next game: Friday, June 17th The "Battle of the Beltways" resumes with the Baltimore Orioles coming to Washington, game time 7:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 33 wins, 36 losses

Current streak: 6 wins!!!

The "Battle of the Beltways" resumes in Washington with a 3 games series. Despite being outhit 18 to 10, the surprising Nationals emerge as 8-4 winners in the first game of the set.

Neither starting pitcher is around for the decision, with Sean Burnett getting the win, Jeremy Accardo being charged with the loss. Washington used 6 pitchers in the contest, Baltimore 5.

Roger Bernadina stroked his third home run of the season, his second in two days.

Washington stranded 9 runners on the basepaths, Baltimore 12.

Washington 8, Baltimore 4 WP Sean Burnett, LP Jeremy Accardo

The final line: Nationals 8 runs, 10 hits, 0 errors, Orioles 4 runs, 18 hits, 2 errors

Next game: Saturday, June 18th vs the Orioles in Washington, game time 1:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 34 wins, 36 losses

Current streak: 7 wins!!!

The Nationals extend their winning streak to 8 games with a 4-2 victory over the Orioles on Saturday afternoon. Ryan Zimmerman and Mike Morse both homer in the win.

Drew Storen earns his 17th save in 19 attempts.

Washington 4, Baltimore 2 WP Jordan Zimmermann, LP Brian Matusz.

The final line: Nationals 4 runs, 8 hits, 0 errors, Orioles 2 runs, 8 his, 0 errors

Next game: Sunday, June 19th vs the Orioles in Washington, game time 1:35PM EDT

Nationals record: 35 wins, 36 losses

Current streak: 8 wins!!!

The Nationals drive for a .500 record and their 9th consecutive win hits a roadblock in a Father's Day loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Roger Bernadina and Danny Espinsosa both homer in the losing cause. The Nationals were undone by Baltimore's 14 hits and also by committing 3 errors.

Baltimore 7, Washington 4 WP Chris Jakubauskas, LP Tom Gorzelanny

The final line: Orioles 7 runs, 14 hits, 0 errors, Nationals 4 runs, 9 hits, 3 errors

Next game: Tuesday, June 21st vs the Seattle Mariners in Washington, game time 7:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 35 wins, 37 losses

Current streak: 1 loss

Tuesday, June 21- Nats 6, Mariners 5
What an incredible game last night. I turned on the radio at just the right time. Ryan Z. had just grounded into his 3rd DP. At that moment, before I even knew the score, I just knew they were losing. Then Hairston came up with two out. And then, everyting happened so perfectly. That was for sure the game of the week, if not the month.

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/..._home&c_id=was

As Bryan mentioned above, what an incredible finish! The Nationals celebrate the first day of summer with their biggest comeback since the franchise moved to Washington in 2005 by scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning for a 6-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

Seattle starter Doug Fister pitched a great game for 8 innings, giving up just 3 hits and 1 run. However he didn't figure in the decision. For Washington, Livan Hernandez had his shortest, and possibly worst, start of the year surrendering 5 runs and 10 hits in just 4 innings.

The winning blow for the Nationals was a 3 run walk off homer by Wilson Ramos, struck with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, incidentally Washington's only extra base hit of the game.

Nationals 6, Mariners 5 WP Todd Coffey, LP Doug Fister

The final line: Washington 6 runs, 7 hits, 1 error, Seattle 5 runs, 13 hits, 1 error

Next game: Wednesday, June 22nd vs the Mariners in Washington, game time 7:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 36 wins, 37 losses

Current streak: 1 win

There was no dramatic finish this evening as both teams struggle at the plate and in the field with both starting pitchers figuring in the decision. Drew Storen earns his 18th save for Washington. The Nationals are back at the .500 mark for the first time since May 11th.

Nationals 2, Mariners 1 WP John Lannan, LP Erik Bedard

The final line: Washington 2 runs, 5 hits, 2 errors, Seattle 1 run, 6 hits, 2 errors

Next game: Thursday, June 23rd vs Seattle in Washington, game time 1:05Pm

Nationals record: 37 wins, 37 losses

Current streak: 2 wins

Overshadowed by Jim Riggleman's surprising resignation Thursday afternoon was the fact that there was a baseball game played with the Nationals winning the 11th of their last 12.

The Nationals sweep the Mariners with a 1-0 finale in Washington. The Nationals scored their only run in the bottom of the 9th on a Laynce Nix sacrifice fly.

It was a pitchers duel for the full 9 innings, however neither starter figured in the decision.

For the Nationals, Jason Marquis pitched 5 and a third innings of no hit ball until opposing starter Michael Pineda got his first major league hit, a bloop single to shallow center field.

Nationals 1, Mariners 0 WP Tyler Clippard, LP Chris Ray

The final line: Washington 1 run, 6 hits, 0 errors, Seattle 0 runs, 4 hits, 1 error

Next game: Friday, June 24th vs the White Sox in Chicago, game time 8:10PM EDT

Nationals record: 38 wins, 37 losses

Current streak: 3 wins

The Washington Nationals make their first-ever trip to play the White Sox in Chicago and have a wild time in the opening game of the 3 game set in the Windy City.

Starting pitchers Edwin Jackson for Chicago and Jordan Zimmermann for Washington dueled for 7 scoreless innings. Jackson surrendered 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8. Zimmermann gave up 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4.

The Nationals would end up using 8 pitchers in the contest with the White Sox sending 7 pitchers to the mound.

The Nationals would score 2 runs in the 8th inning and another in the 9th when the White Sox would tie up the contest in the bottom of the 9th with 3 runs. Both teams would then score 1 run in the 10th and 12th innings before the Nationals finally put it away by scoring 4 in the top of the 14th.

Nationals interim manager John McLaren was ejected in his first game after a controversial call at 1st base.

The White Sox got home runs from Mark Teahen and AJ Pierzynski while the Nationals would counter with round trippers from Mike Morse and Laynce Nix.

Nationals 9, White Sox 5 WP Collin Balester, LP Matt Thornton

The final line: Nationals 9 runs, 19 hits, 1 error, White Sox 5 runs, 15 hits, 2 errors

Next game: Saturday, June 25th vs the Whie Sox in Chicago, game time 4:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 39 wins, 37 losses

Current streak: 4 wins!!!

I was watching clips of McLaren's ejection. That was a bizarre call.

Off topic: In the future, when the Nationals play inter-league games, I think the Nats should wear throwback Senators jerseys in AL parks and MASN should list NATS as WASH. I think it would be nice to see.

Davey Johnson! That's awesome! Wishing the best for your team now.

The Nationals are held to two hits in a 3-0 Chicago victory.

Chicago 3, Washington 0 WP Jake Peavy, LP Tom Gorzelanny

The final line: White Sox 3 runs, 10 hits, 1 error, Nationals 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors

Next game: Sunday, June 26 vs the White Sox in Chicago, game time 2:10PM EDT

Nationals record: 39 wins, 38 losses

Current streak: 1 loss

Despite being outhit 8 to 3, the Nationals ride to victory on the strength of a Danny Espinsosa two-run homer. John McLaren's tenure as an interim manager for the Nationals ends with a 2-1 record.

Washington 2, Chicago 1 WP Livan Hernandez, LP Philip Humber

The final line: Nationals 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, White Sox 1 run, 8 hits, 0 errors

Next game: Monday, June 27th vs the Angels in Anaheim, game time 10:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 40 wins, 38 losses

Current streak: 1 win

Davey Johnson begins his run as Nationals manager tonight.

Davey Johnson's managerial debut with the Washington Nationals is spoiled as the Los Angeles Angels take the first game, 4-3 in 10 innings.

Netither starter, John Lannan for Washington, Ervin Santana for Los Angeles, is around for the decision. Washington used 4 pitchers, Los Angeles 3.

Washington's 3 runs all come from solo homers by Mike Morse, Ryan Zimmerman and Danny Espinsosa.

Los Angeles 4, Washington 3 WP Scott Down, LP Sean Burnett

The final line: Angels 4 runs, 16 hits, 2 errors, Nationals 3 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors

Next game: Tuesday, June 28th vs the Angels in Anaheim, game time 10:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 40 wins, 39 losses

Current streak: 1 loss

The Nationals commit 5 errors in an 11-5 loss to the Angels.

Los Angeles 11, Washington 5 WP Hisanori Takahashi LP Colin Balester

The final line: Angels 11 runs, 15 hits, 2 errors, Nationals 5 runs, 11 hits, 5 errors

Next game: Wednesday, June 29th vs the Angels in Anaheim, game time 4:05PM EDT

Nationals reocrd: 40 wins, 40 losses

Current streak: 2 losses

The Angels sweep the Nationals in Anaheim with a 1-0 victory in the final game of the three game set. The Nationals drop under .500 again.

Jordan Zimmermann pitches the first complete game of his career holding the Angels to 4 hits but is victimized by an unearned run to be charged with the loss.

Angels 1, Nationals 0 WP Dan Haren, LP Jordan Zimmermann

The final line: Los Angeles 1 run, 4 hits, 1 error, Washington 0 runs, 3 hits, 1 error

Next game: Friday, July 1st vs the Pittsburgh Pirates in Washington, game time 7:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 40 wins, 41 losses

Current streak: 3 losses :sigh:

Davey Johnson gets his first win as Nationals manager and the Nationals raise their record to .500 at the season's mid-point with a 2-1 squeaker.

Matt Stairs drove in the winning run as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 9th inning.

Tom Gorzelanny started for the Nationals, going 7 innings, giving up 6 hits and 1 run (unearned) while striking out 8 and walking 1. The Nationals used 3 pitchers with Drew Storen being awarded the win.

For the Pirates starter Charlie Morton also turned in an impressive performance, hurling 5.2 innings giving up just 3 hits, and 2 walks while striking out 1. Morton did surrender a solo homer to Roger Bernadina that allowed the Nationals to tie the game. The Pirates used 6 pitchers with Tim Wood being charged with the loss.

The only other extra base hits in the game were doubles by the Pirates Alex Presley and Andrew McCutchen.

Nationals 2, Pirates 1 WP Drew Storen, LP Tim Wood

The final line: Washington 2 runs, 6 hits, 2 errors Pittsburgh 1 run, 6 hits, 2 errors

Next game(s): Saturday, July 2nd vs the Pirates in Washington-a rare doubleheader with game times at 3:35PM and 7:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 41 wins, 41 losses

Current streak: 1 win

At the mid-point of the 2011 season I note that this thread has already had more views than the 2010 season thread had in total. I don't know if this is attributable to the fact that there's more interest in the Nationals as the caliber of play has improved or if there's another explanation.

Regardless, I just want to state that this isn't just my thread and all BBF members are welcome, and encouraged, to contribute.

The first game of a rare doubleheader in Washington goes to the Pirates by a score of 5-3.

Washington starter Livan Hernandez pitched 7 innings giving up 6 hits and 2 runs while walking 2 and striking out 6. Sean Burnett is charged with the loss after giving up solo home runs to Garrett Jones and Andrew McCutchen. The Nationals would use 4 pitchers.

For Pittsburgh James McDonald worked 6.1 innings, giving up 7 hits and 2 runs while walking 3 and striking out 7. Jose Veras would get the win and former National Joel Hanrahan earns his 24th save of the year.

Rick Ankiel stroked a pinch-hit homer for Washington.

Pirates 5, Nationals 3 WP Jose Veras, LP Sean Burnett

The final line: Pittsburgh 5 runs, 10 hits, 0 errors, Washington 3 runs, 10 hits, 0 errors

Next game: Sunday, July 3rd vs the Pirates in Washington, game time 1:35PM EDT

Nationals record: 41 wins, 42 losses

Current streak: 1 loss

The Nationals bounce back to take the nightcap of the doubleheader and bring their record back to the .500 mark.

John Lannan started for Washington, going 7 innings giving up 6 hits and 3 runs. Ryan Mattheus got the win and Drew Storen earned his 20th save.

For Pittsburgh Brad Lincoln worked 6 innings, holding Washington to 4 hits and 2 runs. The Pirates would use 4 pitchers with Tony Watson being charged with the loss.

Ivan (Pudge) Rodriguez stroked a pinch hit single to score the winning run for Washington.

Washington 4, Pittsburgh 3 WP Ryan Mattheus, LP Tony Watson

The final line: Nationals 4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, Pirates 3 runs, 9 hits, 2 errors

Next game: Sunday, July 3rd vs the Pirates in Pittsburgh, game time 1:35PM EDT

Nationals record: 42 wins, 42 losses

Current streak: 1 win

The Pirates leave Washington with a four-game series split after dropping the Nationals to one game below the .500 mark once again.

Washington starter Jason Marquis was battered for 8 hits and 7 runs (6 earned) in just 1.1 innings. The Pirates led 8-0 after 2 innings and there really was never any doubt about the outcome of this one. Marquis is charged with the loss, Washington using 4 pitchers in the game.

Pittsburgh starter Kevin Correia gets the win, the Pirates using 3 pitchers.

The Pirates got doubles from Chase d' Anaud, Garrett Jones, Andrew McCutchen and Lyle Overbay while the Nationals countered with two-baggers from Roger Bernadina, Alex Cora, Danny Espinosa and Wilson Ramos. Ramos also homered.

Pittsburgh 10, Washington 2 WP Kevin Correia, LA Jason Marquis

The final line: Pirates 10 runs, 16 hits, 0 errors, Nationals 2 runs, 9 hits, 2 errors

Next game: Monday, July 4th vs the Chicago Cubs in Washington, game time 1:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 42 wins, 43 losses

Current streak: 1 loss

There were no offensive fireworks to provide the Nationals with a 10th inning win on July 4th-in fact, they scored without the benefit of a hit.

With the score tied at 4-4, Jayson Werth drew a leadoff walk, was advanced to 2nd base on a Livan Hernandez sacrifice bunt, stole third and scored on a wild pitch by losing pitcher Marcos Mateo.

For the Nationals, starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann worked 6 innings, giving up 8 hits and 4 runs while walking 1 and striking out 5. Washington would use 5 pitchers with Henry Rodriguez collecting the win.

Cubs starter Casey Coleman worked 5.1 innings giving up 5 hits and 3 runs (2 earned), also walking 1 and striking out 5. The Cubs sent 7 different pitchers to the mound with Marcos Mateo being charged with the loss.

There wasn't a whole lot of offense in the game-the Cubs got a double from Aramis Ramirez and a triple from Carlos Pena with the Nationals also getting one double courtesy Danny Espinosa and a triple from Laynce Nix.

Nationals 5, Cubs 4 WP Henry Rodriguez, LP Marco Mateo

The final line: Washington 5 runs, 7 hits, 0 errors, Chicago 4 runs, 10 hits, 1 error

Next game: Tuesday, July 5th vs the Cubs in Washington, game time 7:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 43 wins, 43 losses

Current streak: 1 win

The Nationals scored 3 runs in the 1st inning and managed to hang on for a 3-2 win.

Nationals starter Ross Detwiler, making his first major league start of the year after being called up from Syracuse, pitches 5.1 innings giving up 4 hits, 2 runs but no walks while striking out 1. The Nationals would use 5 pitchers with Drew Storen collecting his 21st save of the season.

For the Cubs, Ramon Ortiz is charged with the loss. Ortiz pitched 6 innings giving up 7 hits and 2 earned runs while walking 3 and striking out 7. The Cubs would use 4 pitchers.

The Nationals did not have an extra base hit in the contest. The Cubs got doubles from Geobany Soto and Reed Johnson, their only runs coming from an Aramis Ramirez 2 run homer.

Nationals 3, Cubs 2 WP Ross Detwiler, LP Ramon Ortiz

The final line: Washington 3 runs, 10 hits, 2 errors, Chicago 2 runs, 7 hits, 1 error

Next game: Wednessday, July 6th vs the Cubs in Washington, game time 7:05PM EDT

Nationals record: 44 wins, 43 losses

Current streak: 2 wins