The Nats have their three infielder outfield out again today.

The MLB.com people already have a picture of Shawn Hill. He's listed at 6'2", 185, but I think most of that weight is in his face.

*"The Dodgers are 15-2 with Martin behind the plate. He sits, and they slip.

"There is a lot of coincidence there," Little said. "If that tendency carried over for a year or two, it would mean something."*

I also love this headline from espn.com:

Tracy blames Pirates' start on players

Or maybe he's the second coming of John Henry Johnson.

And on a sac fly, it pays off.

Whew.

Donnelly may be learning...

I hear that Donnelly now salivates when a bell is rung too.

Robinson/Bowden are really made for each other.

Or at least one who started in the leadoff spot over 1000 times.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/Jrichb1020.htm

but SWAGGER is a good thing Bob!

now you know how I feel about Izturis and wonder why anyone actually wants to keep him.

There's also another reason you may want to flip over.

.230/.267/.286/.553, 9 BBs, 19 Ks, including .184/.220/.218/.438 at the Friendly Confines.

Second half?

Is there going to be halftime in this game? Will there be a marching band?

Steve Lyons just showed why he's one of those baseball guys who is completely illogical. Play Navarro because of the other names that were involved in the trade? Is he serious?

I've got a grand idea...play who gets the job done.

Jamie McCourt is doing to dot the "i"

Ditto, Martin is simply better

If Navarro was flat out terrible there might be an argument, but it's not like Martin head and shoulders above him. We're still talking about small sample sizes here.

Please, Grady don't bring in Beimel. That's all I ask.

What? There's truth to his statement...but there shouldn't be. Lance Carter is a prime example. That guy isn't getting the job done...you don't keep him on the team just because you don't want your trade to look bad. How does that make sense at all? What would you rather have...your trade look bad, or Carter constantly giving up runs?

Yes with Martin it's a small sample size...doesn't change the fact that he's playing great defense and hitting...neither of which Navarro could do.

But boy were they wrong.

Lance Carter is the relief pitcher version of Edgardo Alfonzo.

Navarro has a .759 OPS this year, with a .378 on base. When Martin's average takes an inevitable hit, he'll go down to a similar level.

what? Beimel's been really good for the blue!

I think the Dodgers should win because the Washington Nationals are the personification of evil.

Then Steve would be swearing.

i dont think its stupid with a banjo slappy at the plate.

Thanks.

Small sample size. They haven't been around long enough yet to determine if they are truly evil or just plain bad.

It could be worse.
Jackson, Anderson, and Clayton all in the same lineup might could compete with the Colorado for most banjo'iest of banjos.

Frank Robinson and Jim Bowden have been though.

And now ... a rabbit is loose!

I hope Sam won't be in the vicinity when it happens.

But if he is, free salt for everybody!

Can I get my own pillar?

Danys Baez is Abu Ghraib on a grass field.

Thanks.

*how dare you!& (just kidding) guys like Cora don't come around that often.

Bob, that is one of the best lines ever. Deserves to lead the Baez chapter in Best of DT II.

It was either going to be that or the less politically charged:
Danys Baez is Yakov Smirnoff at Branson.

The guy only leads the team in walks.
Come on Grits!

could they have been promoted?

Nice insurance run.

Unless you have one of them magic radios.

The Nats could have a respectable lineup if Guillen and Church came back, and Clayton/Jackson/Anderson (2 of 3) all sat.

Win - Lowe
Hold - Baez
Save - Saito
Loss - Stanton

But ....

duh!

Thats the summary for today.

I like the cut of that man's jib.

Hopefully whatever took Kent out will heal up quickly.

This was also in the AP story:

Jackson's inability to lay down the bunt bothered Robinson most. Jackson's explanation: a case of the blahs.

"I'm not feeling well-rested, whatever excuse you might make to the boss," Jackson said. "I'm just not feeling good today, and you just can't do that in baseball. ... I just let the team down, all the way around."

Presumably, Damion Jackson was not crying when he said that.

When I watch the entire game from first pitch to last: Dodgers are 14-7.

When I get to catch some of the game, but not all of it: Dodgers are 7-7.

When I miss the game completely and only get to see highlights on ESPN News: Dodgers are 7-7.

Kind of a strange way it breaks down, but I know what I have to do. I must continue to watch every game . . .