After a series win against Baltimore yesterday, the Nats headed to Florida to take on the hard hitting Marlins. With Tim Redding on the mound, the Marlins got off to an early lead scoring a run in the first. The Nats seemed stumped by Marlins starter Tucker’s stuff in the first couple of innings, but they battled back after Willie Harris got hit by a pitch, and Guzman drove him in with a two out single.

The Marlins broke the tie in the 3rd, after Jeremy Hermida doubled, then Josh Willingham homered off a fastball to left field, putting the Fish up 3-1. The Nats tried to battled back in the top of the 4th with Belliard and Lo Duca knocking out singles. Willie Harris followed with a sharply hit single to score Belliard. Tim Redding then walked to load the bases, but Roger Bernadina grounded to second to end the inning the score still 3- Marlins.

The game got exciting in the 5th when the Nats took the lead thanks to solo homers from Elijah Dukes and Dmitri Young, put the Nats up 4-3. Tim Redding pitched the 5th with a little drama. He allowed walks to both Hanley Ramirez and Jeremy Hermida. Redding pitched out the inning getting an infield fly and a strike out. With his pitch count at almost 100 I thought for sure we would see a pinch hitter for Redding and a reliever start the 6th. I was wrong though, Manny let Tim start the 6th, but Tim worked himself into a jam, putting runners on third and first with no outs. Redding was relieved in favor of Jesus Colome. Colome’s first pitch was a fly ball to Bernadina, Ross barreled home and Bernadina’s throw home was awful, way off line, Colome actually caught it. All of the runners advanced on the play and the Marlins tied the game 4-4. Tim Redding earned yet another no decision.

Saul Rivera came in to pitch the 7th and catcher Jesus Flores was also removed and replaced by Wil Nieves. Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 7th thanks to a pretty good catch from Lo Duca in left. Ronnie Belliard lead off the 8th with a walk. With Paul Lo Duca up, Ronnie Belliard got a great jump off first and Lo Duca laced a single up the middle and Belliard reached third. Lopez entered the game to pinch run for Lo Duca, and the Nats had runners on third and first with one out. Then Ronnie Belliard was able to score on a wild pitch by Pinto to put the Nats in the lead by one.

Saul pitched an outstanding scoreless 8th getting two big strike outs. The Nats couldn’t score in the top of the 9th and Jon Rauch came in to close the game. Looks like with Cordero out for the season and maybe longer, we’ll be seeing Rauch as closer from here on out. Jon Rauch got a strike out but promptly gave up a monster solo homer on a 1-2 count to Hanley Ramirez to tie the game and send it into extra innings.

The Marlins won the game 6-5 when Josh Willingham hit another home run in the 10th inning off Rauch. This was a tough one to loose as the guys had battled back all game. Hopefully we see some good stuff from Collin Balester in his major league debut tomorrow night.

 The Nationals held the second annual Baseball 101 clinic on Saturday.  The event was open to just ladies and offered an inside instruction of the game.  About 50 women of all ages took the field and got some great tips from the Nationals coaching staff.  The coaches were divided into five stations, and the women were divided into groups of about 10.  The groups rotated from station to station throughout the two hour on field portion of the clinic. 

For our first station, bullpen coach Rich Aponte, and BP pitcher Pablo Reyes taught us a bit about the art  of pitching in the Nationals bullpen.  We learned how to grip a fast ball - a two seamer and four seamer - how to throw a curve ball, and how to grip a change up.  All of the ladies practiced throwing from the rubber with Aponte and Reyes catching.   Then we had some time for a question and answer session.  We found out that Odalis Perez had indeed been on a pitch count the other night because he was coming back from injury.  The coaches also told us a little about the pitchers daily routine.   Most of the guys get to the ballpark about 2pm and work out, watch tape, and get ready for the game.  Coach Aponte told us that when the pitchers get into the bullpen for the game, they are loose and ready to pitch if needed.

From the bullpen, our group headed to the dugout to spend some time with bench coach Pat Corrales.  Pat told us he is Manny’s right hand man, and keeps the manager informed about what game situations may arise. Pat then opened the floor up for a question and answer session.  Pat said he is more likely to get thrown out of a game than Manny is because he reacts to things in a more overt manner.  Corrales said Andruw Jones was his favorite player to work with.  Pat said that when Andruw was first starting out, he would smile or grin every time he struck out.  It drove Pat crazy, so he asked Andruw why he would smile all the time.  Andruw replied by asking what Corrales would prefer, him to smile or cry after striking out.  Corrales told us that Javy Lopez a catcher for the Braves was his most challenging player to work with.  Pat was candid and engaging with the ladies, he answered all of our hard hitting questions honestly.  Pat ended by saying that the Nationals have the best fans, and we agreed with him.

Our next station was base running with Tim Tolman and Julian Martinez.  Tim started with a discussion about signs.  We learned about the bunt, hit and run, and steal routine.  We learned that Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, and Felipe Lopez have the green light on the bases this season.  Tim said that Lastings is the fastest player on the team. Milledge and Dukes apparently raced each other, and Lastings won, although Dukes claimed he wasn’t ready when the race started.  Tim also said that he hasn’t seen anyone as fast as Nook Logan.  The ladies then practiced running the bases, we worked on banana turns around first base, and reading the sign on the way from second to third.

Next, our group headed into the batting cages where Lenny Harris and Jose Martinez were waiting to explain to us the art of batting.  Lenny preached the importance of plate coverage and also explained why hitting off the tee was still useful even at the major league level.  The ladies asked Lenny what changed with Dukes to make him so successful at the plate in the past couple of weeks.  Lenny said that he and Elijah work on a special drill where Lenny throws him soft toss and Dukes hits the ball right back at Lenny.  Harris said the drill helps Elijah see the ball better.  Harris also said that he has been trying to drill into Dukes’ head that pulling the ball isn’t necessary because he as so much power, enough to drive the ball up the center.  Each of us took a turn in the cage perfecting our stance and hitting off the tee.  I have to say, Lenny was honest with us and I personally learned a lot from him.

Lastly, we went to the outfield to meet Jerry Morales and Nilson Robeldo.  Jerry began by telling the ladies about his journey to the big leagues from his native Puerto Rico.  Morales then explained to us the workings of the outfield, who had priority over who and how the outfield is set up against certain batters.  We have been getting a kick out of watching Morales direct Milledge from the dugout on nearly every play so far this season.  We asked Jerry what the deal was.  Morales said that Milledge is indeed still learning and sometimes needs some help remembering where to stand, so Jerry usually directs him from the dugout.  Early in the season, Morales admited to writing the positioning on Milledge’s arm so he could look down and figure out where to stand against opposing batters.  Jerry also noted that Milledge sometimes gets distracted in the outfield, and likes to watch the replays on the giant scoreboard.  (Guess Lastings can watch the replays from the dugout now.)

After our on-field exercises all of the ladies headed to the club level for lunch and a question and answer session with Felipe and Jennifer Lopez and team massage therapist Tatiana Tchamouroff.  Nats sideline reporter Debbi Taylor acted as MC and fielded questions for the guests.  Felipe and Jenn talked about the challenges of raising two young daughters in baseball.  Despite Felipe’s busy schedule, they try very hard to do the simple things and spend quality time together.  Jenn and the kids like to accompany Felipe on road-trips to the fun cities, and even during baseball season they all try to have breakfast together every morning.  Tatiana was just as engaging.  She spoke about the challenge of breaking into the sports industry, and the success she had working with Dmitri Young.  Listening to these three talk about their lives over lunch was a great way to end the clinic. 

Once again the Nationals did a great job with this event.  I think all of the women had a fantastic time.  The coaches were energetic and honest.  The ladies that participated knew their baseball and asked a lot of great questions.  I think this event will become even more popular in the seasons to come.  In addition to the clinic each of the ladies received two tickets to that evenings game.  The seats were in section 237 - right/center-field - and offered a great view of the game.  For those that paid and participated, the event was well worth it!

That series had just about everything.  Rain delays, pitching duels, long balls, extra innings, record crowds, major league debuts, blown saves, a Teddy win, walk off homers and a dose of rivalry.  What more could you want? 

The Oriole Bird wasted no time making enemies;  he began taunting our bullpen before the game on Friday, challenging both Jesus Colome and Joel Hanrahan to “fights.”  After he stole Ayala’s red glove, the bullpen huddled to plot a way to get the glove back.  After a few minutes of mild “fighting” and taunting, the glove was returned and the Bird moved on to other targets, like Screech.  Later, he would trip Teddy during the President’s Race, prompting the president to challenge the Bird to a Match Race during Saturday’s game.  Teddy was victorious for the first time.

The Oriole bird was joined by thousands of fans who made the journey down 95 to see their team at new Nationals Park.  Each night brought record numbers and lots of orange and black in the stands.  On Friday, those fans returned home empty handed.

The Nats got on the board early against Daniel Cabrera.  Both Milledge and Flores collected RBI’s in the first.  Later, Kory Casto handled the pressure well and delivered the game winning RBI in a pinch hit appearance.  Odalis Perez worked on a pitch count and was removed after the 4th inning, giving up no runs on 3 hits, with 3 walks and 3 strike outs.  Baltimore rallied back against Steven Shell in the 5th and 6th.  Hanrahan got the win, Ayala - the hold and Rauch - the save, though the latter wasn’t without some Chief-like drama.

After giving up a lead off double to Roberts and a walk to Markakis, Rauch had the winning run at the plate with no outs, a situation that had the O’s fans very excited.  With one pitch to Melvin Mora and a 6-4-3 double play, the Nats and Rauch had battled back.  Millar’s fly out to Milledge ended the game.  Rauch celebrated as soon as the ball sailed over the infield.  He was already shaking Flores’ hand at home plate when Milledge made the catch. 

Early Saturday morning we were back at the park for Baseball 101 for women.  Some of our photos are available here.  It was a great time, but more on that soon.  After 101, we took a short break before heading back to the park for batting practice.  There was a mystery outfielder who had us puzzled.  He darted full speed at every fly ball and leapt against the centerfield wall when balls carried out of the park.  Upon getting a closer look, I told Stephanie it looked like Mark Lerner.  After another minute, I said, “It IS Mark Lerner.”  Dressed in a full baseball uniform complete with a red armband, principal owner Mark Lerner shagged balls with his pitchers on Saturday night, cutting off Tim Redding a number of times.  Pictures to come soon.

Unfortunately, Friday’s momentum hit a wall on Saturday night.  Lannan struggled through five innings.  His final line would include 7 runs.  Though only 4 of them were earned, two were homers.  Young and Lannan’s errors and Flores’ passed ball didn’t help either.  Colome tacked on two more runs before Shell, Manning and Hanrahan shut the O’s down.  

Guzman doubled in the first and Milledge brought him home for the only Nats run.  Moments later, Milledge would dive and miss a ball in center while injuring his groin.  He was put on the DL before the game was over with Roger Bernadina, not Mark Lerner, getting the call-up.  Willie Harris, who had crazy fans with a huge sign in our section cheering for him, went 2 for 2 with a walk.

It was 9-1 when the skies opened up and a strong storm moved through the area.  Fans headed for shelter under the concourse.  We headed for home.  Turns out we didn’t miss too much.

Sunday was even more unthinkable.  With Beckham in town, a sell-out like crowd at Nationals Park and a humid heat, we all opted to watch the game at home.

Bergmann had an excellent outting.  In 7 innings, he gave up only one run, a homer to Luke Scott.  The Nats again scored early as Bernadina collected his first hit in his first major league at bat and scored a few moments later.  Rivera and Rauch pitched scoreless frames in the 8th and the 9th to send the game to extra innings.  Ayala pitched well in the 10th and 11th before running into trouble in the 12th.  With runners on first and second and 1 out, Manny put Charlie Manning on the mound to face lefty Luke Scott.  After striking him out, Manning was replaced by Hanrahan.   A single to Adam Jones allowed Markakis to score and the Orioles to take the lead.  The stage was set for a very good closer to send Orioles fans home happy. 

But the Orioless are now 1-12 on Sundays this season, so O’s fans should have known better.  Sherill got two quick outs on Pete Orr and Paul Lo Duca.  In the pitcher’s spot, Manny inserted Dmitri Young.  Sherill pitched cautiously and walked Young, but there were no pinch runners left on the bench.  With a 1-2 count, Ronnie Belliard drove Sherill’s slider deep to left field for an unexpected walk off victory for the home team.  Belliard stood for a few seconds to watch his homer and then trotted along the bases before celebrating with this teamates.  The come from behind, extra innings walk off win against a local rival on get-away day was reminicent of the never-give-up attitude of the ‘07 team and something that has been missing throughout ‘08. 

The team now heads to Miami to take on rookie right hander Ryan Tucker (2-2, 6.75).  We can only hope Uggla stays out of the lineup for a few days with his sprained left ankle.

In our next interview for the Women in Baseball series, we talk to Amber Theoharis, Sideline Reporter for the Baltimore Orioles.

With a bubbly personality and a passion for sports, Amber Theoharis is one of the region’s rising stars.  The Maryland native who spent her childhood summer nights cheering on her favorite player, Cal Ripken Jr, still feels blessed to spend night after night at ballparks around the country as a professional, accomplished sports journalist.

As a kid, Theoharis watched the Orioles all summer long.  Just as the hot summer day would cool off, her father would bring the television out onto their screened in porch.  Together, with a bag of peanuts, they talked baseball.  Her father coached Babe Ruth League baseball, and when he was busy teaching young men how to play, Amber and her sister learned, observed, played and fell in love with the game. 

Theoharis attended the University of Maryland and majored in Journalism, but had already completed internships with The George Michael Sports Machine and the Mary Matalin Show before she graduated.  She also served as a production assistant with ABC in Washington (WJLA).  General news reporting took Amber to Salsbury, MD and then to Long Island, NY to do live-breaking news for the 5 o’clock broadcast.

“That’s when I kind of had the epiphany of ‘alright…I’m not doing what I want to do.  I’m in the number one market, on the number one newscast.  I really have to do what I want to do.’  So I just jumped into sports….I took a pay cut, went down in market size about 30 markets just to have a chance to do sports cause I wanted to do it.  And I loved it.”

Amber took a job as a weekend sports anchor in Columbus, OH at WSYX covering Buckeyes football.  After a year and a half in Ohio, Fox 45 in Baltimore brought Amber back to the region as a sportscaster.  While at Fox, she won an Emmy, Maryland Sportscaster of the Year and several AP awards.  Gradually, Amber began freelance work with MASN for Ravens Xtra and before she knew it, she was the full-time Orioles sideline reporter.  She also started her own radio show, the A-List, and began writing for Press Box. 

All of those activities obviously keep Amber very busy.  She spends much of her day doing research before heading out to the park in the early afternoon.  Once she’s there, she plans and conducts pre-game interviews, and then throughout the game she does in-game reports.  When it’s over, she also conducts post-game interviews.  During the off-season, she’s busy researching all sports, planning stories, calling sources in other cities about trade rumors and securing guests for her radio show. 

For Amber, covering baseball, and her hometown team, is truly a dream come true, despite its grueling pace.  “You’re watching a sport for a living and talking about it, which I would be doing if I didn’t work in sports.  I would be going to the game and talking about it the next day.  So I truly get paid to do what I really, really love and what I really enjoy doing.  Sometimes I sit at the park and I’m right next to the dugout.  I’m thinking, ‘this isn’t real.  This is my life?’  I’m really blessed.”

Blessed as she may be, her path has not been without challenges.  But at her young age, Theoharis has already learned to turn those moments into learning experiences.  Amber recalls vividly an incident where her bubbly personality was misconstrued as flirting, prompting her to question how to be polite and still get respect in the industry.  “It’s a misconception of most men that aren’t used to women being there for a purpose that is non-sexual.  And they have trouble understanding that…Smiling is misinterpreted.  Being kind, or nice, or polite is misinterpreted.”

Though Amber spends every second of her day immersed in baseball, she has also faced the challenge of proving herself to a male audience, a demographic quick to point out any and every mistake. 

“Men make mistakes on the radio or on television all the time.  If Buster Olney makes a mistake, it’s ‘he didn’t get enough sleep last night,’ or ‘he’s having a bad day’ or ‘I knew what he meant.’  If a woman makes an even smaller mistake, it’s ‘oh she’s dumb, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.  See, see, see that’s why women shouldn’t be on.’  There’s no margin of error when you’re a woman. You actually have to work harder than a man.  I’ve always believed that.  You have to know more and work harder because people are so willing to jump down your throat if you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

But Amber certainly knows what she’s talking about and she’s not about to let anyone bring her down.  A baseball fan through and through, Amber is “a true baseball purist,” through steroids, scandals and the challenges she’s faced.  “I still just think it is one of the most pure things left in America.  You can sit down with your grandfather and talk about players that he watched play and you still know about them today.  History is carried on in baseball through the generations.  The sport somehow does a good job of keeping past heroes and players alive.  You know, it’s because it is a game of numbers, it’s constantly compared to the numbers of the past.”

While heroes of yesterday like Cal Ripken Jr. have left an impression on Amber, so too have the stars of today.   After working in the field, Theoharis has learned an important distinction. “There’s a difference between being a good baseball player and a good person.”  Some players, like Kevin Millar, have earned Amber’s respect for their conduct on and off the field.  She also admires Derek Jeter.  For him “to be that consistent, for that long and that poised and that clutch, and still be nice to people…under the microscope that is the New York media…I’m in awe of that.”

Theoharis has interviewed Jeter a number of times, as a reporter in the American League East, and as you might guess, she doesn’t think there’s a better division in all of baseball.  “It doesn’t get more talented, more high-stakes than that,” and of course, her belief reflects a strong endorsement of the designated hitter, a position that gives “players that are the true sluggers of the game a chance to play longer.”  After all, she says, “pitchers are such a specialty.  They should just go out there and pitch.”

Amber could talk about control, location and velocity, maple and ash bats, superstitions, heroes and home runs for hours.  She only wishes more women would do the same.

“Women are scared to talk about sports because they are told they don’t know anything about it.  That drives me crazy.  You’re trained to be passive and not to speak up when you think you know something about baseball.  You’re so scared you’re going to say something wrong and then really look like an idiot.”

Amber questions whether baseball has done enough to bring women into the game.  She applauds the efforts of the Baltimore Ravens.  Their annual Football 101 program teaches women about the game, taking them onto the field and into the locker room.  The ladies are treated to seminars by women in the industry, like Amber herself.  After learning more about the game, female fans are more likely to feel like they know enough to participate in the discussion. 

“Have confidence.  Don’t let people tell you who you are.  Don’t live up to others’ low expectations of you.  Especially in sports, nobody expects anything from you because they don’t expect you to succeed.  So, just don’t believe that.  You know who you are.  You know what you know.  Do your homework.  Read.  Your biggest weapon is knowledge.  If you’re prepared and you know what you’re talking about people can’t pigeon-hole you.”

For Amber, nothing is important than knowing who you are and being yourself. 

“I was told to change my name.  I was told to cut my hair.  I was told to wear sports bras so that my boobs didn’t show. I was told to do a lot of things to make me not who I am.  And they wanted me to be everything but who I really was.  And it was such a relief when finally one day, I thought, I’m not going to try to look different.  I’m going to be armed with knowledge and do my research and do my homework, and force people to listen to me.  You have to be loud.  You have to be bold and you have to be not scared to fail.  Cause you will. Sometimes you’re wrong.  And you’re like, ‘so what I was wrong.  Why am I not allowed to be wrong?  Cause I’m a woman?’  You need to get over it and not kick yourself.  So, I think that’s what it is.  Just be confident.”

There’s no greater advice for young women, except maybe the words she received from one of her mentors, Mary Matalin.  Amber was young when she worked for Matalin, but even then her politics didn’t align with the famous Republican strategist.   Once, on air, Matalin asked Amber what she thought on a particular topic and Amber was frightened to disagree. 

“I remember she said to me, Amber, I don’t care if I agree with you or I disagree with you, you make somebody angry or you make somebody happy.  Just as long as it’s your own thought, I will always respect you. Come up with your own thought.  And stand by it.  As long as it’s your own, it’s never going to be wrong.  Don’t try to say what other people think you should say and don’t be scared to offend people.”

Matalin, a strong woman in her own right, inspired Theoharis then and continues to inspire her today.  Another mentor, Carol Costello, currently at CNN, encouraged Amber to define her own course in an industry that makes it very difficult to do so.

“Some people tell you as a woman you can’t have kids or get married if you want to be successful.  No, damn it.  I want to do it.  If I want to do that, I’m going to make that decision.  Carol taught me that I have choices in everything in life.  You can have a life and you can still be happy.  People told me I would never come back and work in my hometown.  Baltimore’s too big of a market.  You’ll never succeed.  I came back at 26.  You know, that was only six or seven years after I started.  I moved around the country, but I came back.”

And we’re lucky she did.  You can watch Amber on MASN’s Orioles broadcasts, read her column, The Broad Side, at Press Box and her blog on MASN’s website, and listen to her radio show, The A List, on 105.7 FM in Baltimore.  You can also support the cause that’s closest to Amber’s heart, the Walk for Hope.  We thank Amber for taking time out of her very busy schedule to meet with us. 

Note:  The Washington Nationals are conducting a Baseball 101 event this weekend, similar to the Ravens’ event mentioned by Amber.  It’s a great opportunity for women to learn more about the game right from the coaches.  

Manny changed the batting order up a bit tonight, with Milledge in the three spot, he moved catcher Jesus Flores up to clean up batting fourth. With Flores continually having solid at bats, this seemed like a smart move. Acta also held a team meeting before tonight’s game, his message was more of a reminder. He told the players to remember that they are lucky to be playing in the majors and that they should continue to play hard and not get complacent with losing. It was a good message, if not a little overdue. Manny’s talk worked, the guys showed some pep tonight and finally got a win after suffering four continuous losses.

Of course on the night we decided to take off, big things happened. We watched from home tonight for only the second time this season, each needing a bit of a break to regroup and get ready for the weekend series against Baltimore. Leave it to the Nats, to hit home runs, and win in walk off fashion when we aren’t there!

Veteran Tim Redding pitched another solid game relying mostly on his fastball. Redding went six innings and gave up only two runs. Unlike Lannan or Bergmann, Tim had some runs to work with going into the first inning. Angels starter Santana issued a lead off walk to Elijah Dukes. Lastings Milledge followed and snapped a mini slump with a massive home run to center field. His blast put the Nats up by two. Wily Mo is also swinging the bat better, he followed his home run last night with two opposite field hits tonight, one helping to put the Nats up 4-2 in the seventh inning. I hope his hitting continues, we really need him to live up to his “potential,” whatever that may be.

The game got dramatic in the later innings. Luis Ayala came in to pitch the eighth, a role that’s been his all season. Ayala has struggled this season, more than usual, and tonight was no different. He gave up a run on a double to right field, and put another runner on base before Manny relieved him in favor of Jon Rauch. With one out, Rauch got the fly out, but a run still scored and the Angels tied the game 4-4 in the eighth. We really hope Ayala gets out of this pitching slump soon, with Cordero still on the DL we need capable veterans in the bullpen.

The Nats couldn’t score in the bottom of the eighth, but Aaron Boone, Dmitri’s replacement at first, hit a sharp liner to third base, and beat out the throw at first. The play meant he had recorded his 1000th career hit. With that feat, Aaron follows in his Grandfather’s, Father’s, and older brother’s footsteps. It was a nice career moment for him.

The game remained tied going into the bottom of the ninth. Dukes hit a lead off single off Shields. Lastings Milledge followed with an infield grounder, but Dukes advanced to second. Jesus Flores, who was having a rough night batting in the clean up spot, going 0-4 in his previous at bats, showed patience at the plate, and laced a breaking ball into right field for a game winning RBI single. The story tonight has got to be the young guys, the efforts of Dukes, Milledge and Flores won the game. Are we finally seeing the potential of the future? Ironically Flores’ hit came with Lo Duca in the on deck circle, all Lo Duca could do was watch the future win the game.

With tonight’s win the Nats are 31-49. It’s always nice to head into an off day on the tails of a win. The Nats look to improve this weekend with the end of interleague play and a series against Baltimore.

Austin Kearns will start his rehab assignment on Thursday night, joining the Hagerstown Suns for a 7:05 home game against Delmarva.  It marks the first time the Suns will host a major league rehab assignment since becoming part of the Nationals organization.

It’s Thirsty Thursday and Ladies Night as well as a Summer Beach Party Night for the Suns. In addition to deals on Corona, all domestic 12 oz drafts will cost just $1.25.  Also, all ladies in attendance will have the chance to win great prizes from local businesses.

From the Nationals: 

The Washington Nationals and pitcher Joel Hanrahan, a native of Norwalk, Iowa, have partnered with the American Red Cross for a fundraising campaign which includes an online auction on nationals.com to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  The fund helps the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, such as the tornadoes and floods in the Central United States.

The auction will feature 13 sports memorabilia and/or experience packages and last for one week, Thursday, June 26 through Thursday, July 3. Auction items include the Ultimate Nats Fan Experience: four Presidents Club tickets, batting practice passes and autographed baseballs, batting practice meet and greet with Nationals pitcher Joel Hanrahan and other Nationals players, scoreboard welcome and ballpark tour.

Additional items for auction include a round of golf for two with a Nationals player; pitching rubber signed by Nationals Hall of Fame Broadcaster Don Sutton and Orioles Hall of Fame Broadcaster Jim Palmer; and game-used items such as a baseball from the Washington Nationals vs. New York Yankees game at RFK Memorial Stadium on June 6, 2006. A complete list of items may be found on nationals.com beginning on Thursday, June 26.

This is not to say that I think Jesus Flores should be batting third.  This is not to flip out about a small mistake.

The thing is - there are very few interesting stories about this 2008 Washington Nationals team.  There are even fewer interesting players to pay attention to, simply because they might be around for years to come.

As such, I would think that even if a beat reporter doesn’t know how some long lost reliever’s rehab is going, any story or question involving Lastings Milledge, Jesus Flores, Ryan Zimmerman, Elijah Dukes or John Lannan should be fair game.

In today’s Washington Post chat, Chico Harlan said the following regarding a question about switching Flores and Milledge in the lineup:

I can only guess with respect to Milledge and Flores. I know Manny subscribes to some of the baseball-by-numbers theory, but I doubt he crafts his lineup based purely on adjusted run numerics. Putting a 23-year-old rookie, who last year was playing in Class A ball, as your No. 3 hitter probably places unnecessary pressure on Flores. Yeah, Milledge is no vet, but he’s shown an ability to at least fill the No. 3 hole by necessity. Plus, sometimes if you have a guy who’s thriving in a spot in the batting order — as Flores has done — there’s more to lose by switching things. If Milledge likes batting third and Flores is fine batting fifth, just stick with it. The lineup has far bigger problems. Namely, what happens after Flores. 

Fine, well and good.  But no, not really.  Jesus Flores isn’t a rookie.  He was a Rule 5 pick that played in the big leagues all last season (79 games).  He made the jump from A ball a full season ago.  Milledge, on the other hand, is actually 23 too.  He only played 59 games with a Major League Club last season, spending part of his season at AAA. 

The comment stuck with me throughout the day as a red flag.  Flores the rookie, Milledge the vet?  Really?  Though I’d like the Post to get things right, simple mistakes can be forgiven.  And this one will too. 

But remember this.  Fans and bloggers said Jesus Flores was ready to be the everyday catcher…at the end of last season, after the Schneider trade, after the Lo Duca signing, after the Estrada signing, during spring training and throughout this entire season.  Maybe they (the media, but hey let’s add Jim Bowden too) truly missed his rookie year?

Our Washington Nationals are terrible, poised for potentially 100 losses.  We’re still paying top dollar to watch debacle after debacle.  It would be great for the Post to at least accurately reflect on the sorry state of baseball in DC.   Chico is forgiven.  He’s still learning, just like Milledge and Flores, but we can’t get satisfied with sloppy coverage (even if we have to be satisfied with sloppy baseball).