On the Hill...
Jason Bergmann's (1-1) with a 4.50 ERA and 34 K's in 32.0 innings so far in '08, and the 26-year old right-hander out of Neptune, NJ, hasn't given up a run since his call-up from a month-long Triple-AAA stay earlier this month. In 3 starts since returning to the DC rotation, Bergmann's (1-0), with 2 no-decisions, 6 walks, 22 K's and 0 runs allowed over the last 19.2 innings on the mound in starts against the Mets, Phillies and Brewers.
Bergmann's faced the Arizona Diamondbacks 3 times in his 4-year MLB career, and he's posted an (0-1) record with a 6.59 ERA in 13.2 innings on the hill opposing the D-Backs, surrendering 15 hits, 10 ER's, 2 HR's and 9 walks, with 5 K's collected.
The D-Backs counter with their own sinking-fastballer, Brandon Webb, who is (9-2) with a 3.01 ERA in 11 '08 starts. The two losses follow a nine-game win streak Webb had started the season with and carried until May 15th. In the last two losses, to the Marlins and Braves, respectively, Webb's given up 16 hits, 10 runs, (7 earned), 2 HR's and 3 walks in 11.1 innings pitched.
Webb's (2-2) in 5 starts and 6 appearances against the Expos/Nationals, with 1 CG shutout under his belt, and a 3.89 ERA with 36 K's in 37.0 innings, over which Webb's allowed 36 hits, 16 runs, 4 HR's and 12 walks. Webb will seek to end a five-game AZ skid, which, with the Dodgers' win over the NY Mets last night, has decreased the D-Backs lead to 2.5 games in the NL West.
Nationals' #'s Against Brandon Webb...
Felipe Lopez - 9 for 29, .310 AVG, 1 2B, 1 RBI.
Rob Mackowiak - 2 for 5, .400 AVG, 1 RBI.
"If They Were Playing' #'s List"
Austin Kearns - 7 for 18, .389 AVG, 2 2B's, 1 HR, 4 RBI's.
Ronnie Belliard - 6 for 23, .261 AVG, 3 RBI's.
Jason Bergmann vs the D-Backs...(Notable #'s)
Stephen Drew - 1 for 1, 1.000 AVG, 1 3B, 2 RBI's.
Orlando Hudson - 2 for 5, .400 AVVG, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 BB.
"Zimmerman Watch" - Federal Baseball's 24-Hour, 22 Hou...12 Hour... Intermittent Coverage of the BREAKING NEWS! And ACTION!!......
According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article entitled, "Zimmerman likely to take Saturday BP", if the Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who has now missed five straight:
"...is able to take batting practice on Saturday, Zimmerman might play against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sunday, or against the Cardinals at Nationals Park on Tuesday."
Who Gets the Start in the OF?
Will it be...Pena/Milledge/Dukes? Mackowiak/Milledge/Dukes? Mackowiak/Milledge/Langerhans? Langerhans/Milledge/Dukes? Or will Willie Harris earn himself a start with his outstanding all-around effort last night, and that mammoth home run Harris hit?
The game gets underway tonight at 8:10 pm EST. The Diamonbacks look to stop their 5-game losing streak, while the Nationals look for a second win to start one. (ed. note - "A winning streak that is...") Bergmann vs Webb. The second of three between DC and the D-Backs. Bergmann's 19.2 scoreless innings streak is on the line...and Arizona's trying to hold off the Dodgers in the West...