On The Hill...

(2-4) with a 4.66 ERA in 7 starts and 36.2 IP, DC's rookie right-hander Collin Balester debuted with a win on July 1st in Florida, then proceeded to lose three of four with one no-decision before earning his second win in the Majors, by beating the Reds on August 3rd. Last time out against Milwaukee, on the 8th of August, Balester gave up 5 hits, 4 runs, 1 HR and 1 walk with 4 K's in a 5-0 Nationals' road loss to the Brewers. At home in DC, Balester's (1-2) in 3 starts with a 3.94 ERA in 16.0 innings...

...As they look for the sweep in the finale of their three games visit to DC, the New York Mets throw Oliver Perez, (8-7, 3.90 ERA), who makes his 24th start of 2008. Perez pitched against the Nationals once already this year, on April 23rd here in Nationals Park, dropping a 10-5 decision in which the 26-year old former San Diego Padre and Pittsburgh Pirate, pitched 5.2 innings and allowed 6 hits and 5 ER's, with 4 walks and 3 K's.  

Against the DC franchise in his 7-year MLB career, Perez has a (2-3) record in 6 starts and 31.1 innings pitched, having given up 34 hits, 20 ER, 3 HR's and 15 walks with 26 K's collected and a 5.74 ERA against the Nationals.

Away from Shea Stadium this season, Perez is (4-5) in 13 starts. His most recent start however, was at home in Queens on August 8th, a 7.0 inning shutout performance that saw Perez give up just 2 hits and 3 walks with 8 K's, before handing the ball to Aaron Heilman, who pitched two, to hold Florida scoreless in a 3-0 Mets' win...

Nationals' #'s Against Oliver Perez...

Ronnie Belliard - 2 for 14, .143 AVG, 1 2B. 

Jesus Flores - 1 for 3, .333 AVG, 1 RBI.

Austin Kearns - 7 for 24, . 292 AVG, 1 2B, 3 HR's, 7 RBI's. 

Ryan Langerhans - ? - 2 for 3, .667 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI's. 

Ryan Zimmerman - 3 for 13, .231 AVG, 1 2B, 1 RBI. 

The "If They Were Playing" List...

Wily Mo Pena - 10 for 28, .357 AVG, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI's, 12 K's. 

Nick Johnson - 2 for 3, .333 AVG, 1 HR, 2 RBI's. 

So Far This Series...New York - 

Jose Reyes - 4 for 11, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI. 

David Wright - 3 for 8, 4 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI.

Carlos Beltran - 4 for 8, 3 R, 3 2B, 3 RBI's.

Carlos Delgado - 1 for 6, 3 RBI's. 

Fernando Tatis - 2 for 8, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI's. 

Random Link Of the Day...

I received an email from the folks at homerderby.com, who awarded their "Jersey of the Week" to #30 in the Nationals' home whites, a gentleman known simply as Beer, who is applauded by the writer Richie Rich because:

"You gotta love a guy who can tell a vendor what he wants with out saying a word or turning around."

Check out the link to see why that's funny...Though they do harp on the whole "Worst Team in Baseball" theme a little too much for my taste...

"Over And Over The CROW Cries Uncover The Cornfield..." - Brian Wilson

According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article entitled, "Crow signs deal with Fort Worth Cats", the Nationals' '08 1st Round pick has agreed to one deal this week, which will not, however, prohibit his signing with Washington...

...and Washington Post writer Chico Harlan has a post entitled, "Nat or Cat?" at the Nationals Journal blog in which Mr. Harlan quotes from a press release at the Cats' website:

"The Cats have signed the ninth overall selection in the 2008 June draft, pitcher Aaron Crow to a contract, it was announced today. Crow was selected by the Washington Nationals but has been unable to reach an agreement with the Nationals. The deadline to sign players from the draft is midnight on Aug. 15. Crow will be in a Cats' uniform and pitch out of the bullpen if he does not sign with the Nationals."

...36 hours and counting...and if Crow doesn't sign, Mr. Harlan has a preview of the pitcher who is projected to be next year's #1 overall...most likely to DC. Please sign, Crow? Please? At least DC fans will know one way or another by tomorrow night...

For A Mets' Fans' Perspective on Tonight's game, Check The SBN's Mets' Blog...

Amazin' Avenue

And don't forget to...

Check the NatCast if you're heading to Nationals Park...

The finale of the Mets' three-game visit to the nation's capital and Nationals Park gets underway at 7:10 pm EST from DC. Balester vs Perez. Righty vs Lefty. Zimmerman vs Wright. Good vs Evil. Will the Nationals gets swept by the Mets? In their own park? Please don't let that happen, DC. Drown out the "Let's  Go Mets!" cheers with a little bit of, "Let's Go Nats Go!" the Washington Nationals' official team chant...Who's Watching The Nationals...It can't be as bad as last night...Can it?