From the Nationals:

The Washington Nationals today selected right-handed pitcher Jesus Colome and recalled catcher Josh Bard from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League, placed catcher Jesus Flores on the 15-Day Disabled List (retroactive May 10) with a right shoulder contusion and designated right-handed pitcher Logan Kensing for assignment. Nationals Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Colome pitched in nine games with Syracuse, notching three saves and holding opponents to a .244 batting average. He recorded nine strikeouts against two walks in 10.1 innings at Triple-A. In 10 games during Spring Training, Colome went 2-0 with four saves and a 0.90 ERA (1 ER/ 10.0 IP). The 31-year-old was one of just three relievers to go “wire-to-wire” last year in Washington’s bullpen, joining right-handers Joel Hanrahan and Saul Rivera. Last season, he had a 2.25 ERA and held opponents to a .176 batting average in 31 appearances beginning June 30.

Bard was a member of the Nationals’ Opening Day roster and appeared in seven games before he was optioned to Syracuse on April 20. The 31-year-old signed with Washington as a minor-league free agent, March 21. Over the last four seasons, beginning in 2006, Bard ranks favorably among baseball’s regular catchers with a .356 on-base percentage (8th) and .280 batting average (tied for 12th).

Flores, 24, has missed the last four games after he was injured while playing defense on Saturday (May 9) at Arizona. He has batted .311 with three doubles, two triples, four home runs and 15 RBI in 26 games with the Nationals this season.

Kensing, 26, went 0-1 with an 18.00 ERA in 6 relief appearances with the Nationals, after he was acquired from Florida in a trade on April 29.

All good things come to an end. I just hate that it came to an end because of a wild pitch and an intentional walk.

It reminded me of something I read awhile back about Grace Coolidge, former First Lady. Grace was a huge baseball fan. She would often make President Coolidge attend Senators games and stay till the final out. She would re-arrange his important meetings around the Senators’ schedule. Grace kept score, lept with joy during amazing plays, led cheers in her section and sulked after losses.

So, I think we know Grace would have been running “at frequent intervals to the telegraph room in the White House to learn the latest score,” cheering along and having a ball watching Zimmerman live out this streak (New York Times, November 23, 1924).

She would have probably been stopping by to make sure her husband didn’t miss Zimmerman at-bats. She also would have been cursing out Zito and Bochy for intentionally walking Zimmerman.

“Recently she held baseball writers enrapt in an hour-long discussion of her objections to the intentional walk…”

This Morning with Shirley Povich, Washington Post, May 14, 1950

“Mrs. Coolidge was a baseball fan — with strong opinions. She once proposed to abolish the “intentional walk.”

Grace Coolidge Had Modest Start To Reign as First Lady of Charm, Phil Casey, The Washington Post, July 9, 1957

Smart lady.

I’m tired of West Coast games.  Thankfully, Ryan Zimmerman keeps getting it done in the early innings, giving us at least the option of getting some sleep.  Today, Zimmerman takes on Barry Zito, who is celebrating his 31st birthday, for consecutive hit #31.

Some odds and ends:

Harold Reynolds shares some thoughts about how signability affects the draft on his MLBlog.

Keith Law has his Top 100 up for the 2009 draft, with a lot of video.

This isn’t the strongest draft class in recent years. It’s not the weakest. It’s not the most top-heavy, and with Stephen Strasburg dominating college hitters, it’s not the least top-heavy, either. But it might just be the strangest.

Tony Gwynn talks about Stephen Strasburg.

Buster Olney considers whether Zim’s streak has been aided by Dunn’s presence in the lineup.

Ray Knight writes about how losses affect a manager day in and day out; Acta takes questions from fans.

The Smithsonian’s Q&A with Rizzo, Kasten and Acta is coming up on Sunday.

MASN is looking for everyday fans to star in the Defining Moments commericals.  Casting call will be on May 23rd at Nationals Park.

The Bullpen, an outdoor beer garden on Half Street, is set to open this weekend.  They have some concerts planned too.

Update-

Gotta add Steinberg. Good stuff on Zim’s streak.

Update 2 -

I totally forgot to add Chico’s story about his grandfather, which I thought was beautiful.  Thoughts and prayers with his family.

Short and sweet…I’m tired.  I still can’t believe we won. Congrats to the Zimmerman(n)s on being awesome & to the whole lineup.  Everybody contributed in a big way.  What a game.

Now, the Nats reunite with Felipe Lopez (.303 BA — Yes, those are 3’s not 2’s) and Jon Rauch (ERA 9.00).  Ryan Zimmerman looks for #26 while Martis, fresh off of his complete game, looks for win #4.

From the Nationals:

The Washington Nationals today selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Ron Villone from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and designated left-handed pitcher Mike Hinckley for assignment. Nationals Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Villone, 39, is 56-59 with 85 holds and a 4.75 ERA (591 ER/1119.1 IP) in 654 games (93 starts) spanning 14 seasons with Seattle, San Diego, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Colorado, Houston, Pittsburgh, Florida, New York (AL) and St. Louis. The previous four seasons (2005-08), Villone posted a .203 (76-for-375) batting average against when facing left-handed batters. Villone pitched in 74 games for the Cardinals last season, posting a 4.68 ERA.

Villone signed with the Nationals as a minor-league free agent on April 11. In eight appearances with Syracuse, Villone walked two, struck out 5 and posted a .160 batting average against en route to a 2.35 ERA (2 ER/7.2 IP).

Hinckley, 26, posted a 4.66 ERA (5 ER/9.2 IP) and issued 11 walks in 14 relief appearances with Washington.

To watch Hinckley’s Chico like blooper pitch from last night, click here.  It’s a few seconds in.

Zimmerman goes for 25 tonight…

On the Sony picture, How Do You Know? about a Nationals reliever…

…Hollywood actors Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson are in talks to act in James L. Brooks” upcoming romantic flick, featuring Reese Witherspoon in the lead…

…basically a love triangle featuring the three actors, wherein Wilson and Paul fight it out for Witherspoon’s love…

…While Paul plays a white-collar executive vying for Witherspoon’’s affections, Wilson plays a professional baseball pitcher, who is also in love with Witherspoon…

And a fun quote of the day from ESPN’s MLB Draft Blog:

Seattle is in an interesting spot in this draft, selecting No. 2 overall and finishing as the runner-up in the Stephen Strasburg sweepstakes. Short of the “Washington Natinals” misspelling the San Diego State right-hander’s name and calling out the wrong identification number, the Mariners will choose among the likes of Scheppers; 1B/OF Dustin Ackley; RHP Alex White; RHP Aaron Crow; prep arms like LHPs Tyler Matzek, Matt Purke and RHP Shelby Miller; and perhaps SS Grant Green, whom the Mariners have seen on several occasions this spring.

Check out this great interview on Fantasy Focus Baseball with ESPN’s Keith Law…

He touches on a number of important topics for Nats fans, including Strasburg’s ability and the #10th overall pick.  Because the 9a is unprotected, he believes the Nats will draft a safe pick who they know will absolutely sign.  He mentions Rich Poythress, a 1b from Georgia, and Mike Minor, a LHP from Vanderbilt as guys that could be a fit and would likely sign at or below slot.

Interesting stuff as we countdown to June…

Something strange is happening this season.  I’m trying to cheer for the Nats with low expectations in an attempt to save my soul during what looks to be another difficult season.  So, on Saturday, I convinced myself to go to the game simply to get the cool Los Nacionales t-shirt.  I really didn’t want to be there. 

But again, unexpectedly, the Nats lifted me up.  Sure it was nice to see Martis pitch really well through the first six.  It was nice to have a lead.   It was nice to see Dunn crush that bomb and Zimmerman extend his streak.  But we’ve been there before…having a game all locked up only to see it slip away in the final 6 outs.

I wasn’t truly ecstatic until Martis returned to pitch in the eighth…and then again in the ninth.  In those final moments of the game, I nearly transformed into my old, optimistic “I love this team!” self.   I love pitching.  I love the National League.  I absolutely loved this win.

So that’s two games so far where I truly never wanted to be there but left euphoric.  I don’t know what to make of that, except that I’m going to keep going to Nats Park because those moments, even though rare, are really quite special.

I just wish we could have Latino Heritage Nights more frequently, or could incorporate more of the culture, language and music into our traditional games.  It reminded me a little bit of the World Baseball Classic, which was such an amazing experience for me.  The fans sure seemed to have a great time.

Remember - today is the last day to donate new and gently used baseball equipment! Go Nats!

From the Nationals:

The Washington Nationals today acquired right-handed pitcher Logan Kensing from the Florida Marlins in exchange for right-handed pitcher Kyle Gunderson. To make room on the roster, the Nationals transferred outfielder Roger Bernadina from the 15- to the 60-Day Disabled List. Nationals Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

Kensing, 26, joins the Nationals after going 7-8 with 20 holds and a 5.21 ERA (77 ER/133.0 IP) in 108 career games (three starts) spanning five seasons with Florida. Kensing is expected to be in a Nationals uniform for tonight’s series finale at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park.

A hard thrower, Kensing has averaged nearly a strikeout per inning—or 8.9 per 9.0 innings—during his career (131 SO in 133.0 big league innings). He was Florida’s second-round selection in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft after a standout career at Texas A&M.

Kensing’s finest season came in 2006, when he posted 14 holds en route to a .221 batting average against in 37 appearances with the Marlins. Last season, in his first full campaign after August 2006 Tommy John surgery, Kensing pitched in a career-high 48 games for Florida, going 3-1 with five holds and a 4.23 ERA. He posted an impressive .234 batting average against, including a .208 mark when facing left-handed batters, in 2008.

Gunderson, 24, was selected by the Nationals in the 48th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of Rice University. He pitched in five games for Potomac of the Single-A Carolina League prior to the trade.

From the Nationals:

The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation will host the fourth annual Dream Gala at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at National Harbor. The night will begin at 7:00pm with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a dinner program and live auction at 8:00pm. Nationals players, manager and coaches will be on-hand to mingle with guests throughout the evening. The theme of the 2009 Dream Gala is “Answer The Call to Service in Our Communities”, with all proceeds benefitting the initiatives of the Foundation.

“The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation is thankful for the generosity of our supporters during these tough economic times,” said Dream Foundation Chair Marla Lerner Tanenbaum. “The Dream Gala is the Foundation’s primary fundraiser each year; its success allows us to serve our community and neighbors through our unique programs.”

Nationals television broadcasters Bob Carpenter and Rob Dibble will serve as emcees for the night’s festivities with radio broadcasters Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler introducing the 2009 Washington Nationals. A performance of the National Anthem by the Washington Youth Choir will begin the dinner program. The live auction features unique items and experiences, including a hand-crafted team-signed bench, a private clinic for four children with Nationals players, and a suite for 16 for a Nationals game vs. the Boston Red Sox in June.

The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation’s programs are focused on children’s education, health and recreation. The cornerstone programs of the Dream Foundation are the creation of the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, in partnership with the District government, that will teach the game of baseball and provide after-school educational programs for children in the District; the creation of the Washington Nationals Pediatric Diabetes Care Complex at Children’s National Medical Center, a world-class facility that will provide a multi-disciplinary approach to supporting families of children with diabetes; and the Neighborhood Initiative, benefitting the Earth Conservation Corps, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and numerous local non-profit organizations with grants, in-kind donations and additional resources.

Also, MASN will be broadcasting a special about the Dream Gala on May 11th at 9 p.m.

If you feel like throwing things this morning, you must check out Loverro’s piece:

Bowden discovers his calling in La-La Land

Yuck - Here’s the audio of the interview! 

Also, here’s a good CBSSports.com piece on the Nats and Strasburg:

Strasburg’s price tag doesn’t turn off future (?) teammates