Best wishes to Juan ...

Barry Bonds hitless at RFK this weekend (sat out good chunks of two games, though).

Dmitri Young is 5th in the NL batting ave race, .004 behind Matt Holliday.

Washington Post tells me that your NL leader in "batting with RISP and two outs" is . . . Nook Logan.

Amazing pic of Ryan Zimmerman hitting his gamewinning single this afternoon off a tough slider from Brian Wilson. http://tinyurl.com/2o58bs. I look at that picture and think "baseball is a very hard game."

Big Series starting tomorrow for the Nationals in the "avoid last place" derby -- Marlins are at RFK for three. Tuesday night is the marquee matchup of Shawn Hill v. Dontrelle if your local and thinking of heading out.

I was watching with my dad and we had differing opinions. First of all, I had hoped they'd let Chad go one more since he seemed to be rolling, though he may have been tired due to the heat and all. Second, I was in favor of going to Proctor over Broxton since a 5-run lead should be easy to protect and you still have Broxton and/or Saito around if things get a little tense. I was most impressed by Grady's quick hook once things got a little dicey. Going to Hernandez in the 9th was the same philosophy - try to get by with the inferior reliever but be ready to bring the hook. My dad insisted that they should have just gone Broxton and Saito for the 8th and 9th, but I think that even if they haven't pitched in a few days you still would like to rest them when possible.

Make fun of it as you will but I am willing to bet that everybody would love to see that rotation next year. It obviously wont happen unless Miller can throw strikes and be spectacular in spring training and the other youngsters have to have great springs as well. But if they did the unexpected, most of us would love to have these guys doing well and if so be the heart of the rotation.

Would I bet a nickel that all five make the rotation? No. I would just love to see that rotation.

Trading Penny and Lowe might get a Ian Snell type pitcher or better to sub into that rotation. I am tired of Penny and Lowe myself.

I mean, Greg Miller? Please. If he harnesses his control, he might be able to join the rotation in 2009 or 2010. If. Might.

Of course, then the whole blogosphere would be clamoring for Greg Brock and Marty to get their opportunity, to say nothing of D4P.

Game tomorrow's on WGN, btw, for those not in the LA area but with cable.

Shimmin too was a lock, til he got impatient and went all Jeff Gillooly on D4P.

It's an ugly game.

20 Wells is suspended.

--

I'm gonna assume Stults will get the nod for Wells on Wednesday.

>> Left-hander Eric Stults, optioned to the minors Friday to clear roster space for newly acquired pitcher Esteban Loaiza, will rejoin the Dodgers next week and start in Wells' place Wednesday in Chicago, Manager Grady Little said. <<

http://tinyurl.com/37dhoe

32/34 - brown eyed handsome man, rounding third and heading for home, that's me.

http://tinyurl.com/2vzwfc

"Furcal said his ankle is finally starting to feel better. He said the ankle normally bothers him in day games after night games, so he is hopeful Sunday's improvement is a sign that he's cleared a hurdle in his recovery, both physically and mentally."

6 - Sam! Did they actually let TR win a President Race on his bobblehead day??

http://www.draysbay.com/story/2007/9/2/192738/8453

Meloan's delivery really isn't suited for starting.

Teddy was 0 for 105 going into Sat pm's race, which was the night they gave out his bobble. His travails have made him a huge fan favorite. On the other bobble nights, the star of the evening won the race, each time with an escort of secret service folks. Teddy came in carried on a litter by secret service guys. The crowd cheered "Teddy, Teddy."

But he fell off and George Washington sprinted by and won.

Last night was encouraging in some respect. Bills was terrific. But we still left ten runners stranded. Maybe in time that lineup will provide some pop but for the immediate future it lacks slugging.

I am most excited about not wasting Meloan's good stuff on middle relief and making him a starter again. Won't they have to stretch him out first? He hasn't started in more than a year.

Last night was encouraging in some respect. Bills was terrific. But we still left ten runners stranded. Maybe in time that lineup will provide some pop but for the immediate future it lacks slugging.

I am most excited about not wasting Meloan's good stuff on middle relief and making him a starter again. Won't they have to stretch him out first? He hasn't started in more than a year.