some random comments and observations.

[natslive]

after last nights game - brilliant performance by Patterson and big hit by Wilkerson I hoped that would set the team on fire for another long winning streak......while you can't win them all - tonights game again was lack of timely hitting altho after Bennett's hit I thought we'd pull this one out......think the Padres had the leadoff hitter on in all but 1 inning

what is up with Livan? - tonight seemed as if either his knee was really bothering him or he/Bennett couldn't get it together as he was very deliberate...then there was the throwing the glove into the stands after he was removed....he also had the brain fart on one bunt that he didn't throw to 1B even tho Vidro was there covering and on the other one he made a terrible throw....

Guzman - looked like he was turning the corner but damn he made that error tonight altho I give him credit for good baserunning to score on Livan's hit

Vinny - needs to go on the DL so they can bring up Short and play him/Jamey at 3B.  Looks like Vinny's knee limits him to no power whatsoever and I am so tired of seeing him pop out especially when all we need is a sacfly.  also appears to have started to bother him in the field as well....

Vidro needs to take a seat - not sure if it's him hamstring or what but doesn't look like he's hustling out there and again lack of clutch hitting

Guillen needs to stop swinging for the fences each AB at RFK - he's one of my favorites but I am so tired of seeing him K or popup as well....I'd like to see the stats but bet he's hitting at least 50 points less at RFK than on the road.

Schneider - any word on how long he'll be out?  my opinion he's the leader of this team and he was starting to really hit

Nick - he's the only consistent threat we have in this lineup and unfortunately I always expect him to get a hit so disappointed when he doesn't (I know even if you are only 3 for 10 you are a great success)

Wilson - needs to sit his butt on the bench or go back to Colorado....a waste in my opinion

[Kenz aFan]

Tony Blanco will play 3B before they call up Rick Short. Even though he's hitting .384 with the Zephyrs, he's played more on the right side of the infield than the left. In trying to get playing time in for everyone, New Orleans has juggled their lineup so much I bet the players don't even remember their natural positions.

They finally figuring out that Wilkerson is not the solution in the leadoff spot and are starting to talk seriously about bringing up Brendan Watson to bat in the number one spot. If they do, Matt Cepicky is back in NO.

Thing is, if they do go with Watson in the leadoff spot, and he's successful, which two of the other four outfields would sit?

Under normal circumstance, Guillen and Castilla would be on the DL. They messed up with Church by bringing him back too soon.

With them signing lefty John Hamala to a minor league contract today and sending him to NO, he'll be an option to replace Kim as the long/middle reliever. Two other possibilities are lefty starter Matt White or right-handed reliever Travis Hughes.

What Bowen needs to do is sit with Guillen and Castilla and tell them straight up, that because of their injuries they are not helping the team. They both need to go on the DL and since the team is already in a frump, give guys like Watson and Blanco a shot and playing everyday. Since the team isn't playing well already, there's way more upside potential than downside. Bowden needs to get tough with Vinny and Jose so they are both ready for the September push...

[PC]

This game was so disappointing!!!

After all of those clutch performances from the night before, I expected more, especially from Hernandez.

It's even more disappointing because we really needed a sweep.  The Braves, who despite what the mediots say, is an 85-win team and they're playing the Cardinals.  They're certainly going to lose the series, probably get swept.  We could have picked up three games on them with a series sweep.

And Livan has been bad for the most part lately but he was horrendous last night!

[Montcobaseball]

I heard a clip on the radio where Robinson was yelling at a reporter that "EVEN RAY CHARLES COULD SEE THAT LIVAN WAS NOT HAVING A GOOD GAME!!!!!!!!"  Talk about being pc.

[PC]

What Bowen needs to do is sit with Guillen and Castilla and tell them straight up, that because of their injuries they are not helping the team.

Speaking of Castilla, he had 7 men lob again!  This is the second time he's left seven on in the last week and a half!!

This is unacceptable.

[natslive]

Tony Blanco will play 3B before they call up Rick Short. Even though he's hitting .384 with the Zephyrs, he's played more on the right side of the infield than the left. In trying to get playing time in for everyone, New Orleans has juggled their lineup so much I bet the players don't even remember their natural positions.

They finally figuring out that Wilkerson is not the solution in the leadoff spot and are starting to talk seriously about bringing up Brendan Watson to bat in the number one spot. If they do, Matt Cepicky is back in NO.

Thing is, if they do go with Watson in the leadoff spot, and he's successful, which two of the other four outfields would sit?

Under normal circumstance, Guillen and Castilla would be on the DL. They messed up with Church by bringing him back too soon.

With them signing lefty John Hamala to a minor league contract today and sending him to NO, he'll be an option to replace Kim as the long/middle reliever. Two other possibilities are lefty starter Matt White or right-handed reliever Travis Hughes.

What Bowen needs to do is sit with Guillen and Castilla and tell them straight up, that because of their injuries they are not helping the team. They both need to go on the DL and since the team is already in a frump, give guys like Watson and Blanco a shot and playing everyday. Since the team isn't playing well already, there's way more upside potential than downside. Bowden needs to get tough with Vinny and Jose so they are both ready for the September push...

Ken,

agree......Guillen and Vinny are not helping the team playing with their injuries and if Blanco is able to play then put him at 3B....as for the outfield I say call up Watson and put Wilson on the bench......there's been talk of bringing up Zimmerman to play 3B but not sure that's a good idea - think he needs more time....

maybe they could bring up Short and sit Vidro  as you can tell I do like Short and would love to see him get a chance to play a few games....have followed him his minor league career since he started here in the Os farm system, he's always been able to hit and a decent fielder....

there's always the next game right....we'll be there rooting the Nats on tonight....

[CapitolCityGoofball]

Physical ailments are nothing compared to RFK's svengali-like grasp over Guillen. He has became painful to watch with swings like the 9th inning whiff at that head high 1-2 changeup.  The home/away breakdown is absurd.

Home: 192TPA for.261BA, 1HR, 15RBI, .341SLG  
Away: 234TPA for.323BA, 18HR, 43RBI, .628SLG

Clearly at 111SO, and 5SB in 14 attempts, Wilkerson is not a leadoff hitter.

Signing Castilla and Guzman and giving Vidro an extension were all major gaffes by Bowden.  Clearly the team is not willing to admit these types of mi$take$.    Vidro and Castilla are hurting the team by playing with injuries, Guzman is hurting it with poor play.  The Guzman(4.2mil) situation makes it clear that, on this team, salary plays.  There is no way, Castilla(3mil) and Vidro(7mil) are sitting for any extended period, unless they are put on the DL.  

And if they are able to send Cepicky down to bring up Watson, why on earth didn't they already send him down to activate Blanco instead of allowing Sunny Kim to be claimed on waivers??