The Night Lannan Beat Smoltz...

John Lannan's 7.0 shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves, in a 6-0 DC win back on April 22nd was a turning point for the Washington Nationals. A dominant win in the last game of a road trip that saw the Nationals go (2-6) in an 8-game swing through New York, Atlanta and Florida, sent them home on a high note, and over 10 games of the extended 11-game homestand that ends this afternoon in the fourth game against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates, the Nationals have gone (7-3) to raise their record from (6-15) back on 4/22 to (13-18) after yesterday's win. 

On the Hill...

Tim Redding's started 9 games in his career against Pittsburgh, but only has decisions in three of those starts, going (1-2) with a 3.83 ERA in 44.2 IP. Redding's opponent on the hill, Pirates' righty Ian Snell's faced Washington 5 times in his career, three times as a starter, with no decisions, and a 3.91 ERA in 23.0 IP. Redding's 30-years old, right-handed, stands 5'11'' and weighs in a 225 lbs. Snell's 26-years old, right-handed, stands 5'11 and weighs in at 170. Redding's (3-2) with a 3.55 ERA this season, Snell, (2-1) and 4.93, each has 14 walks, Redding 22, Snell 23 K's. Redding comes off a win over the Braves at home in Nationals Park, in which he went 6.0 IP, allowing 4 hits, 2 ER, 1 HR, and 2 walks, while Snell lost to the Mets last time out, giving up 5 hits, 4 ER, 1 HR and 5 walks in New York. Redding's (11-10) in his career during the day time...Snell's (7-12)!!! There...That's the Stat That Decides It...

(ed. note - "Federal Baseball.com Prediction...Nationals will win 6-3 on Sunday.")

Nationals' #'s Against Ian Snell...

Willie Harris - 3 for 7, .429 AVG, 2 2B, 1 RBI.

Lastings Milledge - 3 for 5, .600 AVG, 1 2B, 1 RBI. 

If DY Were Here... - 3 for 5, .600 AVG, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Ryan Zimmerman - 2 for 8, .250 AVG, 2 2B. 

QUOTE OF THE DAY...

From a Washington Times/AP article out of Mexico City entitled, "Julio Franco retires from baseball":

"'I understand that my  time has passed and the great men and athletes know when to say enough.'"

Julio Cesar Robles Franco's Major League stats over his 23-year career at baseball-reference.com.

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

1:35 PM EST today. The Nationals play the last of four with Pittsburgh and the last of eleven on the homestand, and then it's off to Houston starting Wednesday night...but before we even think about how ridiculous left field in Minute Maid Park is...The Nationals need to win the series with the Pirates...It's Redding v Snell...