The Nationals grounded into three double plays last night, including Pudge Rodriguez' 20th twin-killing of the season.
It's official -- if all goes well with Strasburg's simulated game tomorrow and his bullpen session on Saturday, he'll be activated from the DL and will face the Marlins at home on Tuesday.
Garrett Mock will make his first rehab start with the Hagerstown Suns tonight, his first rehab start since having neck surgery in April.
Adam Kennedy has benefited from increased playing time following Cristian Guzman's trade to the Texas Rangers.
Though Adam Dunn was placed on waivers, there is no reason to be concerned: Rizzo was not satisfied with what he was offered before the trading deadline (and the likelihood of being offered more is slim to none), and the Nats scored points in the clubhouse and among their fans in keeping him, so it wouldn't make sense to turn around and deal him.
While there wasn't one single thing that went wrong in last night's loss, there were three larger issues -- Scott Olsen's problems getting lefties out, Joe Saunder's dominance and Collin Balester's lack of control. Oh, and the fact that the Nats have scored just four runs in two games in what is undeniably a hitter's ballpark.
Balester has made four relief appearances in the majors, and has plunked a hitter in the head in two of them. Neither Rickie Weeks nor Mark Reynolds were seriously injured, but his confidence has to have taken a hit.
Yunesky Maya, the Nationals' big Cuban signing, has been optioned to the rookie-level Gulf Coast League.