After a long road trip the Nationals returned home to RFK last night and recorded their first winning month since September/October 2005, with a 6-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The Nats played this game with an ease I haven’t seen yet this season. I think everyone was relieved that the trade deadline had passed with out much excitement. I for one, am very glad Chief gets to stay in Washington. Hopefully now the Nationals can focus on the game, get the pieces of the puzzle together, and win a couple of series. Tonight’s game proved that we have what it takes to play great baseball. I am excited to see what the rest of the season brings.

The Nationals recorded their 46th win tonight, not bad for a team who wasn’t expected to win more than 50 games all season. These guys have proven themselves over the course of the season, and tonight they played like a solid team. Ryan Zimmerman said it best in his post-game interview, “We have a quiet confidence about us.” They have what it takes to win games.

Rookie Matt Chico started for the Nats tonight. For a guy who usually pitches to contact, he surprised me by recording four strike outs. He pitched well for four innings but got into a little trouble in the 5th, allowing the Reds to score 2 runs. Chico was taken out in the 5th after throwing 90 pitches, 57 of those were strikes. He has shown great consistency this year and we are lucky to have him in the rotation.

The 5th inning was the one to remember tonight as the Nationals sent 10 batters to the plate. Nook Logan had a heck of a night going 3-4, and led the inning off with a single. Manny put Jimenez in to pinch-hit for Chico and he drew a pivotal walk. Ronnie Belliard and Felipe Lopez singled to load the bases. Enter Zimmerman: some say he is in a bit of a slump as of late, but tonight he ripped a bases clearing double and generated 3 RBI’s putting the Nationals up by one. Ryan Church continued the rally with two outs and singled to send in Zimmerman. Five runs in the 5th inning sure helped secure a Nats victory last night.

The defensive play of the game definitely goes to Ronnie Belliard. No doubt about it, this guy knows what he is doing on the field. He fielded a grounder that bounced off Rivera’s shin and flipped it from his glove, behind his back, to Lopez on 2nd to get the Fielder’s Choice. It was amazing to watch. Belliard was rightly proud of himself and ginned larger than I have ever seen. That is one baseball moment I won’t soon forget.

Speaking of Rivera, he pitched well again in his 55th game this season. He even batted tonight and drew a walk…way to go Saul! I was also pleased to see Ayala in the 8th tonight instead of Rauch. After last Saturday night (Rauch had a rough 8th inning), I think its time to give Ayala a chance to get back into the routine. He pitched well tonight getting three quick outs. Chad pitched in the 9th and recorded his 22nd save this season. Matt Chico who usually leaves the game with the Nats ahead and gets a loss or a no decision, actually left the game with the Nats behind tonight and got his 5th career win! I am excited to see what is in store for us tonight with Lannan making his second start; it has to go better than the first one right?

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