GameThread: Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies - Game 19 of 162.

First Things First...

For the first time, last night, after DC closer "Wild" Joel Hanrahan had allowed an eighth inning Grand Slam to cap off a Philadelphia come from behind win, DC Manager Manny Acta didn't simply reply, "Yes" when asked if Joel Hanrahan would remain DC's 9th inning man. Instead, Mr. Acta, as quoted by Washington Post writer Chico Harlan in an article entitled, "Max Offense, Max Deflation" told the press:

"You know, we're going to have to sit back and think this through, because we're not going to make a decision out of a reaction of tonight, because it's not like we do have Rollie Fingers and Mariano Rivera in our bullpen. So we're just going to sit back, think it through, and we'll come back with a decision."

Is the Age of Mock upon us?

Garrett Mock started the eighth with a backwards K last night in the loss to Philly, and by the time DC Manager Manny Acta pulled Mock, an 11-7 game had become a close 11-9 battle, after he'd given up three singles, a sac fly and two runs scored, leaving 2 runners on for "Wild" Joel Hanrahan. Mock's now posted an (0-1) record with a 9.82 ERA in 3.2 IP in which he's allowed 4 hits, 4 ER and 2 walks with 2 K's so far in '09.

MLB.com's Bill Ladson, in an article entitled, "Nats crush five homers, but fall to Phils", writes about the only person he believes could take over for Hanrahan as the Nationals' closer:

"If one looks at Washington's 25-man roster, right-hander Julian Tavarez is probably the only one capable of closing right now. This season, Tavarez has been the team's most consistent reliever, posting a 3.12 ERA."

In Tavarez's 17 MLB seasons he's collected a total of 22 saves, 11 of which came in one season in Pittsburgh in 2003, when the then-30-year-old pitcher was (3-3) with a 3.66 ERA in 83.2 IP, in a bullpen with Pirates' closer Mike Williams and reliever Joe Beimel. Williams, however, was traded and Tavarez took over the closing role late in the season, blowing 3 of 14 opportunities before the end of '03.

Mock? Julian Tavarez? Kip Wells? Are we missing someone? Jason Bergmann? Could he possibly close? How about moving Daniel Cabrera to the bullpen and bringing up Collin Balester? Who said, "Jesus Colome"? NEW POLL.

John Lannan vs Cole Hamels...

DC lefty John "Cool Hand" Lannan's (0-3) in 4 career starts against Philadelphia, having surrendered, 27 H, 18 R, 15 ER, 4 HR and 10 walks, with 17 K's collected, a 6.43 ERA posted and a .325 BA for the Phillies against the Nationals' ace...The Phils' ace Cole Hamels is (5-3) in 12 starts against Washington in which the 6'3'' left-hander has allowed just 18 ER in 79.1 IP, walking 22 and striking out 83 with a 2.04 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and .214 BAA the Nationals. Last year, in 3 starts and 22.1 IP, Hamels held Washington to 14 H, 1 ER and 7 walks, while posting a 0.40 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and limiting DC to a .177 BAA...Will Hamels continue to dominate the Washington Nationals?

John Lannan vs The Phillies...

Pedro Feliz - 3 for 6, .500 AVG.

Ryan Howard - 4 for 11, .364 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI's.

Jimmy Rollins - 5 for 12, .417 AVG, 2 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI's,

Chase Utley - 5 for 11, .455 AVG, 2 RBI's.

Shane Victorino - 4 for 11, .364 AVG.

Jayson Werth - 3 for 8, .375 AVG, 2 HR's, 2 RBI's.

The Nationals vs Cole Hamels...

Ronnie Bellliard - 6 for 23, .261 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 7 K's.

Elijah Dukes - 1 for 4, .250 AVG, 1 2B.

Adam Dunn - 1 for 8, .125 AVG, 1 2B, 5 K's.

Nick Johnson - 3 for 11, .273 AVG, 3 2B, 1 RBI.

Austin Kearns - 6 for 22, .273 AVG, 2 2B, 1 RBI.

Josh Willingham - 3 for 12, .231 AVG, 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI's, 7 K's.

DC Starting Lineup...(i'll add it when it's available in the...)

1. Ronnie B. - 2B
2. Nick "Two-Spot" Johnson - 1B
3. THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! - 3B
4. The Big Walky - LF
5. Elijah "Super" Dukes - CF
6. AK - RF
7. WWJD? - C
8. The General - SS
9. John "Cool Hand" Lannan - Throwing Pitches...

Who's Watching The Nationals?