The positive vibes created by the Nationals’ mini run of success vanished quickly. They started to crumble about 90 minutes or so before the game when center fielder Alex Escobar was waved from shagging flies, sat down because of a bad hamstring.
Then came the first inning and more bad news, courtesy of three Houston runs. And then came the fourth when starting pitcher Zach Day left because of a sore shoulder. Not that he didn’t deserve to go anyway, having given up six runs in a 10-3 loss to the visiting Astros.
And so it goes with the Nationals, which helps explain why only 18,803 fans showed up Monday.
Here’s what they got to see by the Nats: a wild pitch in the first inning followed by a three-run homer; nine walks; two hit batsmen; and two near wild pitches — on pitchouts. Add it up and it equals this: 16-29, Washington’s record after 45 games.
All this in 3 hours, 19 minutes.
Feel the excitement.
About the only good news Washington had all day came when Jose Guillen said he’d probably return today from his hamstring injury. Of course, the slugging outfielder has slumped most of the season.
“I don’t think he’s ever really felt comfortable this year,” manager Frank Robinson said. “[But] there’s still plenty of time.”
And catcher Brian Schneider will start a two-game rehab assignment in Potomac today and expects to return to the Nationals’ lineup Friday when he comes off the disabled list.
The Nationals couldn’t catch, or make, enough breaks last night. Such is the tale of their season.
In the fifth, Washington had the bases loaded with one out and two runs in, trailing by three. Jose Vidro, their top hitter who entered with a .346 batting average, roped a grounder to second — the start of an inning-ending double play.
And there was the first inning when all three batters struck out against Wandy Rodriguez. All he did was record a career-high seven strikeouts in earning his sixth win of the season. Of course, he also walked five, two of which led to runs.
Escobar’s injury, and Guillen’s unavailability, left Washington with three outfielders, forcing utility man Damian Jackson to center.
“It looks like someone threw a hand grenade out there,” Robinson said.
Escobar injured himself Sunday, but did not tell the team about the injury until Monday.
“It’s not the way you’d like to hear it,” Robinson said.
“Yesterday it wasn’t sore,” Escobar said. “It was just a little tight.”
