The Nationals 11 game home stand ended today with a win and a series victory over the Pirates. The Nats went 8-3 during their time at home, and recorded three series wins. It’s really nice to see the offense producing, all of the elements seem to be clicking. The team is creeping out of the cellar slowly but surely, suddenly a 14-18 record doesn’t seem so bad.

The weekend series against the Pirates was an eventful one. Friday’s game got off to a rough start. John Lannan’s scoreless inning streak ended. Lannan threw 85 pitches in just three innings. He gave up six runs, five of them earned. Strange that his streak ended against the Pirates lineup. Hopefully Lannan’s performance was just a fluke, and we will see the battery of Nieves and Lannan back in top form next week. The Nationals bats couldn’t overcome the early deficit, and both O’Connor and Hanrahan struggled in relief appearances. Lastly, a fuse blew in Nationals Park on Friday and a bunch of lights went out. I guess it was pretty difficult to see on the field, so the game was delayed about a half hour until the lights were fixed. Sadly, the lights stayed off for the Nationals for the rest of the game and they lost 11-4.

The Nats payed tribute to the Negro Leagues by wearing retro jerseys for the day game on Saturday. I liked the cream, red, and black uniforms much better than the cream and blue ones worn last year. Cristian Guzman was the man of the hour on Saturday going 4-5 with a home run and a career high 6 RBI. Guzman is really standing out lately. He’s healthy and happy, the results of which are showing on the field. Guzman’s offensive performance on Saturday was Chico’s saving grace. Chico had another rough outing and gave up five runs over 4 1/3 innings. I’m not sure how many more chances Matt is going to get to prove he should be here. Big hits by Kearns and Lopez kept the game going after relief pitching by Rivera and Ayala gave up three runs to the Bucs. The Nationals won the game 9-8.

Sunday’s game brought the unexpected absence of Ryan Zimmerman at third base. Zim apparently asked Manny for a day off ending his streak of 205 consecutive games played. It was strange to not see Zimmerman playing third base or batting in the 3rd spot. Aaron Boone filled in for Zim today and did a pretty fine job. He hit his first home run as a National, a solo shot into the Red Porch seats in the 4th inning. Tim Redding came out strong again today and pitched a great game. Redding threw for 6 1/3 innings giving up only one run on six hits striking out five and walking none. Offense from Guzman, Kearns, Lopez and Johnson helped the Nats dominate the whole game. Excellent relief pitching came in the 7th from Rivera. Ayala pitched a scoreless 8th striking out two, and Colome closed the game in the 9th after allowing one run to the Pirates. The Nats won Sunday’s game with a 5-2 score.

It was a great end to the long home stand. The Nats take the show on the road after an off day tomorrow and face Houston on Tuesday. In other news today, Elijah Dukes, who is doing a rehab stint in Columbus with the Clippers, was ejected from today’s game in the 6th inning after he was called out on strikes for the second time during the game. Meanwhile, Jason Bergmann pitched a heck of a game going six innings and giving up only three hits and two walks, while striking out five. Bergmann has now pitched 14 scoreless innings for the Clippers. Maybe Bergmann and Chico will be switching places sooner than we all thought?

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