Nationals News: Stephen Strasburg Levels Up (?)

by John Quinn on May 3, 2010 11:00 AM EDT

Stephen Strasburg faced many obstacles in what was likely his last start at AA Harrisburg, but was able to learn a lot from them. His first start at AAA could come this week.

Nationals Baseball points out the (many) holes in the Nats' offense.

The Nats struck out 35 times in three games against the Marlins, getting blown out twice (and blowing out the Marlins once).

The Nationals lost on two consecutive days for the first time this season, and they're upset about it. Tuesday's game against the Braves will tell us a lot about their character.

Brian Bruney and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week. Jim Riggleman hopes that Bruney will figure out his problems so Tyler Clippard will get less work.

Ian Desmond has been working hard on improving his defense, and it has paid off -- he hasn't committed an error in weeks, after a horrendous start to the season.

Jason Marquis hasn't started throwing yet after going on the DL on April 21.

A majority of FJB readers still believe the team is on the right track.

Livan Hernandez is The Nats Blog's player of the month for April.

Nationals Daily News wonders what, if anything, anything should be done with the struggling Lannan.

Around the league...

Johan Santana gave up a career-worst 10 runs in 3 2/3 innings yesterday against the Phillies.

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The Wall Street Journal gave mention today to Livan Hernandez, whose April was the best one-month ERA (0.87) of any pitcher, ever, who had a career ERA over 4.40.

by Graven Image on May 3, 2010 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

Umm. OK.

I’m not sure what this means, but I suppose it could be a good trivia question.

Rob

"Man may penetrate the outer reaches of the universe, he may solve the very secret of eternity itself, but for me, the ultimate human experience is to witness the flawless execution of a hit-and-run." -- Branch Rickey

by RobBobS on May 3, 2010 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah the real message is that Livan had an outstanding month, which is all the more impressive since he’s a mediocre pitcher. But yes the statheads at the WSJ stretched their skills to make sure he was #1. Most of the “first player ever to…” stats these days have ridiculous qualifiers.

by Graven Image on May 4, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions