Also, while I didn't think Lannan had a bad outing by any means (and was happy to see Davey wisely took him out on time tonight, despite a low pitch count), I don't think it was a particularly reassuring one either. You never want to see a guy go 6 or 7 (forget which) with just one strikeout, of the pitcher.
you don't need to strikeout a ton of guys to have success up here. he went 7 innings and gave up 3 runs. the one he is probably still kicking himself about is the 2-out single (after allowing a career AAAA 5th string catcher get his 1st MLB hit to start the inning). lannan did his job, gave us a chance to win. even the candid davey johnson who said in lannan's last start that he probably left him in too long, commented tonight he was outstanding. (i wouldn't go that far, b/c he's had better outings, but he was darn good)
i mean livo has been unhittable his last four starts (and overall has been awesome with the nats in his second tour of duty), lannan has pitched like a #4 this year, gorzelanny has come off the DL strong in his last two starts, marquis has been the pitcher we thought he would be when we signed him and zimmermann is not pitching like a #2 guy he looks like an ace.
if there is one thing we fans have no room to nag about, is the starting pitching this year. (and no, sharp, i'm not directing this comment @ you, just a general statement)
