Who Can Turn The World On With His Smile?

Nationals 6, Blue Jays 2

Tyler Moore came into the ballgame with 0 RBIs but it didn't stop him from driving in 5 runs on Wednesday afternoon in the Nationals 6-2 victory over the Blue Jays.  Moore's power along with 8 strikeouts by Stephen Strasburg (first to 100K on the season) led the Nats to their second consecutive sweep of a team from the AL East (you're welcome O's).

Moore had a 2 run ground rule double in the 2nd, his first career Major League home run in the 4th, a 2 run shot, and a 6th inning solo Papa John's Pizza shot to centerfield.  Moore has been ignored all season due to fellow rookie Bryce Harper, but he proved something today.

Strasburg pitched 6 innings of 5 hit baseball but was taken out before the 8th after only throwing 89 pitches.  It may have had to do with throwing 119 pitches against the Sox in his last start.  Davy mentioned something about a mis-trimmed fingernail.  One thing was certain, Strassy wasn't happy about it.  I can't imagine how happy he will be to sit out at the end of the year after the innings limit with the Nats in a pennant chase.  It isn't going to be pretty.

Ian Desmond had the Nats 6th RBI, a solo homer in the 8th...Lidge pitched very well for 3 batters...The Blue Jays got another homer from Bautista, but losing a starter early due to injury (5th inning) for the 2nd time in 3 games isn't a good look.

Take off your motherf**king pants the Nats have won 6 straight...The Nationals hit 8 homers in Toroto...Nats get Thursday off before coming back home to deal with the Skanks...

Harper Says F U Blackberry

Nationals 4, Blue Jays 2

Blue Jays fans were in awe, making "ooh" and "ahh" sounds, as a Bryce Harper shot went well over 400 feet into a Blackberry banner above the seats in Toronto.  Harper's solo shot was a massive bomb, causing the stadium to shut down to a stunned silence.  While the Nationals won the game 4-2, that Harper bomb in the 2nd inning was all you needed to know.

Espinosa hit a homer to center in the 4th to give the Nattys a 3-0 lead, and later after a Bautista HR cut the lead to 3-2, Jhon Solo used the force to will a ball out of the park for his first major league home run.  As he entered the dugout, the whole team just sat there.  Silent Treatment.

I'm pretty sure every Sunday Chien-Ming Wang is down at Eastern Market because he lovvvvvvessss Jams.  (I'll work on that joke).  He escaped a few but it was only a matter of time before the Jays struck.

Wang walked Bautista twice in the game with nobody on and then in the 5th with 1st base open he threw one right over the plate.  Bautista hit the ball like it was Booker T's face right over the wall.  I throw my hands up in the air sometimes.

Wang only lasted 5 innings, then Detwiler came in.  I don't really like this combo thing and I'm not sure what to make of the 5th starters slot.  Detwiler, Wang, Lannan, Trade?  Clippard picked up his 9th save with 2 K's.  Hello Davy, why was he not closing weeks ago!?

Also of note, Zimmerman hit another ZIDP, his 9th already on the season.  Zimm is struggggglin.  And Bryce Harper bunted again, this time he got on base in the 8th inning leading off.  Then as Harper does, he got picked off on the base.

Nats go for the sweep tomorrow at 12:37pm EXACT TIME!

Nat's Win North of the Border

Nationals 6, Blue Jays 3

The Nationals showed no signs of slowing down as they cruised to a 6-3 victory over the Jays.  Brandon Morrow had to leave the game after facing 1 batter because he hurt his side or something. 

As Morrow walked off the field, the Jay's best shot at slowing down the Nat's lineup this series went with him.   Lombardozzi, Harper, and Morse all chipped in at the plate right out of the gate to get the Nat's an early 2 run lead.

E-jax pitched a fantastic game tonight and gave the Jays nothing to work with after the first inning.  He also finally got some run support in the form of a 3rd inning LaRoche homerun with Harper on base. 

In the 7th inning Ian "Mr Clutch" Desmond came up with yet another two out hit to drive Lombo home, making the score 5-1.

With E-jax starting to tire after 7 innings, Davey got Brad Lidge AND Henry Rodriguez up in the pen.  Ankiel must have seen and decided it would be best to extend the lead a little more.  He knocked the ball out of the park to lead off the 8th.

Jackson stayed in the game until the 9th inning when he gave up a lead off double.  At that point, Davey decided he'd be more comfortable with Burnett pitching.  Burnett would close out the game, but not before giving up a 2-run homer.

E-jax looked pretty upset about not being able to get the complete game as he came off the mound and I got to believe watching that late homerun leave the park didn't help.  Come on Davey, you got to let him finish!

Harper went 3 for 4 and drew a walk.  He also stole a base and made the first out at 3rd.  Lots of baserunning mistakes for the rookie, but Davy likes runners to stay aggressive.  He will learn.

Poor Morrow, injured and gets a loss throwing under 10 pitches...

Jays again tomorrow...

Series Preview: Nationals @ Blue Jays

The Nationals continue their trip through the AL East with a three game stop off North of the border in Toronto.  The Blue Jays are sitting in 4th place in their division and poses more of a challenge than Boston did.  The Jays have one of the more potent offenses in the league. It will be up to our starters and bullpen to limit the runs and give the offense of the Nat's a chance to keep up with the big bats of Toronto.  Here is how the series stacks up:

• Monday: 7:07 PM, Jackson (2-3) vs Morrow (7-3).
• Tuesday: 7:07 PM, Wang (1-2) vs Alvarez (3-5).
• Wednesday: 12:37 PM, Strasburg (7-1) vs Drabek (4-6).

The Nat's catch an unlucky break having to match up Jackson against arguably the best starter in the Jay's rotation this season.  If Jackson can out duel Morrow, this series should become very winnable with Strasburg projected to pitch Wednesday.  The game of the series should be Wednesday afternoon where all eyes will be on Strasburg to see how he responds after throwing a career high 119 pitches last time out.


Your Sound of the Series comes from Plumtree.  They are a band from the 90s, they are from Toronto...Perfect!  Here is Fatherhood.

Prediction Time:
Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting the outcomes of each series.  Feel free to yell at me in the comments or on twitter @dru90. 

• Nationals LOSE Monday
• Nationals WIN Tuesday
• Nationals WIN Wednesday

Nationals WIN the Series 2-1.