Yeah Baby. The New Nats Pitching Mantra Growing

I'm not sure where the whole "Yeah Baby!" thing started, but after a very interesting Matt Williams trip to the mound with Doug Fister earlier this week, Nats fans have taken and ran with the old 1997 Austin Powers made-famous phrase.  During that mound pow-pow, Williams said he asked Fister if he wanted to face the next batter, to which Fister replied with the new catch phrase. And every game it grows.

Davey Johnson Wants To Choke Ryan Mattheus

Davey Johnson was on 106.7 the Fan with the Sports Junkies this morning and dropped this great quote when asked about how he felt when he heard pitcher Ryan Mattheus broke his pitching hand punching a locker after a loss.

"I want to choke him to death"

LOL.  I guess Davey was sort of joking.  Anyway, here is what we think that situation would look like:

H-Rod's Wild Bounce

You don't see this every day.  A pitcher throws a wild pitch so hard to the backstop that it bounces almost all the way back to the mound.  Nats reliever Henry Rodriguez did it on Sunday afternoon and almost was hit in the head by the rebounding baseball.

The batter's reaction is pretty funny too as he gets scared the ball is gonna hit the pitcher.

The Cardinals Are Evil, The Nats Lose

Cardinals 3, Nationals 2

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Cardinals	0	0	2	0	0	1	0	0	0		3	8	1
Nationals	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0		2	5	0

Another game against the Cardinals, another tough loss for the Washington Nationals.  On Monday night after returning home from a 6 game road trip, the Nationals lost to the Cardinals 3-2 as the evil Cardinal watched from hell.  Rumor has it, if you stare into his dead eyes for 30 seconds you will burst into flames.  Nobody has had the guts to test him...

Wait, what happened?  Oh, I guess there was a baseball game played too.  It was much of what you would expect.  Pete Kozma was booed, and the Nats lost.  A few good things happened...sort of.

Gio Gonzalez Struggles, Braves Sweep Nats, Doh!

Braves 9, Nationals 0

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Braves	3	0	4	0	0	2	0	0	0		9	12	0
Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	4	2

Read the full box score at MLB

It may be early in the season but the Atlanta Braves just laid an ass-whooping on the Washington Nationals.  The Nats could only manage 4 hits for the 2nd straight day, and were shutout by the Atlanta Braves 9-0 giving them the series victory on a sweep.  Gio Gonzalez had his worst outing of the season and the offense made Braves starter Paul Maholm look like Nolan Ryan. (Although Maholm hasn't given up a single run all season!)

My Journey That Was Opening Day At The Half Street Fairgrounds (Bullpen)

I was having a rough day.  I woke up late, I forgot to finish some work from the day before, and by the time I was on the metro and headed towards DC I was already late.

My original plan to meet up with friends in Eastern Market was now out of the question due to the time, and I only had 1 option: Go to the Half Street Fairgrounds, or as I will always call it, The Bullpen.

If you are unfamiliar with what The Bullpen is, it is a giant asphalt lot surrounded by shipping crates.  That pretty much sums it up.

This abandoned parking lot features a stage for live music, about 20 beer stands (with a crappy selection of Miller Lt distributor only products), a few tents, some beanbag games, a food truck or 2, and just a bunch of open space.  The crowd is supplied by the Washington Nationals.

As I fought my way through thousands of people to escape the dungeon known as the Navy Yard Metro, I headed towards a giant clump of people which appeared to be a line, although it was more like Kindergarten Cop's class before Arnold got his whistle (BAM TAKE THAT REFERENCE!).

VIDEO: A Quick Look At Rafael Soriano, New Washington National

We take just one minute to look at what the deal is with Rafael Soriano, who was acquired by the Nationals from the New York Yankees on Tuesday afternoon.  Check it out!

The Secret To The Washington Nationals Bullpen Success

While the Nationals bullpen hasn't been doing too amazing as of late (as a whole), they have been one of the main reasons the Nationals are sitting atop the National League East.  But how did these guys step up their game? What is their secret?  Well I've found out.  Take a look:

Ryan Mattheus Injured

According to CSN Washington, Ryan Mattheus left warmups before the Phillies game on Monday night due to re-aggravating a nagging foot injury.  It is not expected to be serious.  (Read more from CSN).

Another day, another injury.  The Nats bullpen is already missing their closer, Drew Storen, and their backup closer/late inning reliever Brad Lidge is out as well.  This one may not be as bad, and Mattheus could be back as soon as tomorrow.