ZIM4MVP's Nationals Franchise is now at http://zim4mvp.blogspot.com/

[ZIM4MVP]

Decided to play MLB 08 along with the season this year.
Playing on PS3, on veteran level, and using the latest roster update from MLB08.
Will try my best to keep up with trades and FA pick ups.
All ticket and food prices will be as close to real life.
Promotion days will be as close to real life.
I WILL use players that are injured in real life but only because I will be losing players that are injured in the game.

SPRING TRAINING LEADERS IN NL
AVG - 9th Nick Johnson - .355
HITS - 6th Austin Kearns - 35
AB - 4th Austin Kearns - 106
2B - 5th Lastings Milledge - 9
3B - 1st Ronnie Belliard, Paul LoDuca, Aaron Boone - 2
HR - 27th Ryan Zimmerman, Austin Kearns - 4
RBI's - 21st Nick Johnson - 17
R - 31st Nick Johnson - 15
SB - 27th Felipe Lopez - 6
W - 11th Jason Bergmann - 3
SV - 15th Chad Cordero - 5
ERA - 24th Shawn Hill - 4.65
K - 29th Shawn Hill - 25

SPRING TRAINING STANDINGS - GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE
1st - Mets  20-10
9th - Braves  15-15
12th - Nationals  13-15
13th - Phillies  14-17
13th - Marlins  14-17

OPENING DAY LINEUP
SS - Christain Guzman
CF - Lastings Milledge
3B - Ryan Zimmerman
1B - Nick Johnson
RF - Austin Kearns
C - Paul LoDuca
LF  - Wily Mo Pena
2B - Ronnie Belliard
P - Odalis Perez

BENCH
Dmitri Young
Elijah Dukes
Jesus Flores
Aaron Boone
Felipe Lopez

ROTATION
Odalis Perez
Shawn Hill
Matt Chico
Tim Redding
Jason Bergmann

[ZIM4MVP]

OPENING NIGHT

Perez on the mound and Kotsay takes the first pitch fastball to the right field wall where Austin Kearns is there to make the catch.  He then gets Johnson to fly out to 3rd and Chipper to ground out to 1st.

Smoltz retires Guzman and Milledge and then gives up a single to Zimmerman.  Then gets Johnson to chase 2 fastballs to end the inning.

Mark Teixeria takes the first pitch fastball 359 feet over the RF wall for a HR.  Perez retires the next 2 to end the inning.

Smoltz retires Kearns, LoDuca, and Pena

Perez K's Escobar, then gets Smoltz and Kotsay to ground out to end the inning.

Smoltz K's Belliard, gets Perez to fly out to LF, and Guzman grounds out to SS.

Perez K's Kelly Johnson, Chipper grounds out to Zimmerman, and gets Teixeria to fly out to Kearns.

Milledge leads off the bottom of the 4th with a single, Zimmerman flys out to CF, Milledge steals 2nd, Johnson singles to LF and Milledge comes around to tie the game, Johnson advances to 3rd on a Kearns single to CF, LoDuca singles on a bunt down the 1st base line, Kearns advances to 2nd and Johnson scores from 3rd.  Pena grounds into a double play to end the inning.

AFTER 4 NATIONALS LEAD 2-1

Perez K's McCann, K's Francoeur looking, and gets Diaz to ground out to 1st.

Belliard singles to CF, Perez singles on a bunt down the 1st base line, Belliard advances to 2nd, Guzman grounds into a double play, Milledge strikes out to end the inning.

Escobar grounds out to 2nd, Smoltz singles over Belliard's head for the 2nd hit of the game, Kotsay pops-up to LoDuca, Kelly Johnson grounds out to Belliard to end the inning.

Zimmerman chases 2 low fastballs and strikes out, Smoltz brushes Johnson back for the 2nd time tonight, Johnson singles up the middle, Kearns grounds into a double play to end the inning.

AFTER 6 NATIONALS LEAD 2-1

Perez brushes "Larry" Jones back and then gets him to fly out to shallow LF, Teixeria grounds out to 1B, McCann looks at a changeup to end the inning.

Rauch is warming up in the bullpen with Perez batting in the 4th spot this inning, LoDuca flies out to deep CF, Pena singles to left-center, Belliard grounds into a DP to end the inning.

Rauch sits back down as Perez comes back out for the top of the 8th.  Francoeur grounds out to 2B, Diaz grounds out to 2B on a great play by Belliard, Escobar doubles past Guzman, Josh Anderson will PH for Smoltz, Anderson flies out to RF to end the inning.

Will Ohman in to pitch for the Braves, Cordero warming up in the pen, Dmitri Young in to PH for Perez, Young flies out to RF, Guzman pops out to CF, Milledge grounds out to SS to end the inning.

AFTER 8 NATIONALS LEAD 2-1

The Chief is in to close the ballgame, Kotsay flies out to deep RF, Kelly Johnson grounds out to SS, Chipper singles up the middle, Martin Prado in to pinch-run for Chipper, Teixeira chases a change-up in the dirt and

BANG ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS, NATS WIN 2-1

PLAY OF THE GAME
LoDuca's bunt single

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Odalis Perez - 8IP, 3 Hits, 5 K's

[nospinzone1]

TEAM SHOWING STUPIDITY NOT SIGNING HIM TO A LONG TERM CONTRACT.

[GburgNatsFan]

I don't know. I think the team's actions are in keeping with MLB "labor" conventions. What would

TEAM SHOWING STUPIDITY NOT SIGNING HIM TO A LONG TERM CONTRACT.

[ZIM4MVP]

3/31/08 - NATIONALS @ PHILLIES - SHAWN HILL VS COLE HAMELS

TOP 1 - Hamels strikes out the first 2 batters and Zimmerman grounds out to 3rd to end the inning.

BOT 2 - Geoff Jenkins singles to right in the bottom of the 2nd. Pedro Feliz singles down the 3rd base line. Carlos Ruiz singles to RF, Jenkins scores, Feliz to 3rd.  Hamels singles to RF, Feliz scores, Ruiz to 3rd.  Rollins flies out to the warning track in CF to end the inning.

AFTER 2  PHILLES LEAD 2-0

BOT 3 - Utley singles up the middle, Ryan Howard hits a 389ft HR to LF. 

TOP 4- Guzman singles to RF to get the Nats 1st hit of the game.  Guzman steals 2nd.  Milledge doubles to CF, Guzman scores.  Zimmerman grounds out to short, Guzman to 3rd.  Johnson grounds out to Hamels, Milledge scores.  Kearns grounds out to Hamels to end the inning.

AFTER 4  PHILLIES LEAD 4-2

TOP 5 - LoDuca singles to RF.  Ayala warms up in the pen for the Nats.  Pena singles off of a bobbled ball by Rollins, LoDuca advances to 2nd.  Belliard pops up, infield fly rule.  Aaron Boone in to PH for Hill.  With the hit & run on, Boone grounds out to Rollins, LoDuca scores, Pena to 3rd.  Guzman singles to LF and Pena scores to tie the game.  Milledge doubles off the RF wall, Guzman to 3rd.  Zimmerman flies out to deep LF to end the inning.

TOP 6 - Nick Johnson hits a 387 ft shot to right-center.  Kearns & LoDuca ground out.  Pena singles to RF.    Belliard grounds out to SS to end the inning.

BOT 6 - Geoff Jenkins hits a 378 ft HR to RF.  Pedro Feliz lines to LF for a single.  Schroder warms up in the pen.  Ruiz grounds into a 6-3-1 double play.

AFTER 6 ITS TIED AT 5-5

TOP 7 - Elijah Dukes in to PH for Ayala.  Dukes chases 2 fastballs out of the zone and sits back down on the bench.  Guzman singles to RF.  Ryan Madson in to pitch for Hamels.  Guzman steals 2nd.  Milledge flies out to CF.  Zimmerman flies out to CF to end the inning.

BOT 7 - Schroder in to pitch for the Nats.  Schroder retires the first 2 batters.  Shane Victorino hits 338ft HR to LF.  Utley singles up the middle.  Nationals intentionally walk Ryan Howard.  Burrell grounds out to 3B to end the inning.

TOP 8 - Chad Durbin in to pitch for the Phillies.  Johnson grounds out to a diving Howard.  Kearns strikes out chasing a curve ball outside.  LoDuca flies out to deep left.

BOT 8 - Jenkins doubles to Kearns who lost the ball in the outfield.  Feliz grounds out to Zimmerman, Jenkins stays at 2nd.  Schroder walks Ruiz.  Taguchi in to PH for Durbin and strikes out on a 1-2 outside fastball.  Rollins pops up to LoDuca in front of the mound.

AFTER 8 PHILLIES LEAD 6 - 5

TOP 9 - Tom Gordon in to pitch for the Phillies. Pena strikes out.  Dmitri Young PH for Belliard and strikes out on a curve ball in the dirt.  Felipe Lopez in to PH for Schroder.  Lopez lines out to 3rd to end the game.

PHILLIES WIN 6-5

PLAY OF THE GAME
Shane Victorino's go ahead home run.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Geoff Jenkins  3-4  HR, 2B

[ZIM4MVP]

4/2/08 - NATIONALS @ PHILLIES - MATT CHICO VS BRETT MYERS

TOP 1 - Guzman singles to LF.  Guzman steals 2nd.  Milledge grounds out to SS, Guzman advances to 3rd.  Zimmerman singles up the middle, Guzman scores.  Johnson singles to RF, Zimmerman advances to 2nd.  Something weird happens on a Kearns ground ball to SS, Zimmerman out at home, Johnson out at 3rd.

BOT 1 - Ryan Howard hits a 2 run homer to right center that travels 374ft.

AFTER 2  PHILLES LEAD 2-1

TOP 3 - Lastings Milledge was HBP.  Milledge steals 2nd.  Zimmerman grounds out to end the inning.

BOT 3 - Brett Myers is HBP.  Rollins flies out to CF.  Victorino flies out to CF.  Utley singles to CF, Myers to 2nd.  Ryan Howard 408ft HR to CF, Myers scores, Utley scores.  Saul Rivera in the pen for the Nats.  Burrell grounds out to 2nd to end the inning.

BOT 4- Saul Rivera in to pitch for the Nationals.  Rivera K's Pedro Feliz & Geoff Jenkins.  Carlos Ruiz is HBP.  Myers grounds out to Rivera to end the inning.

AFTER 4  PHILLIES LEAD 5-1

BOT 5 - Rollins grounds out to 2nd.  Victorino singles to RF.  Utley doubles to left-center, Victorino scores, Rivera hurt on the play, Colome in to pitch.  Ryan Howard is intentionally walked.  Burrell doubles to CF, Utley scores, Howard scores.  Jenkins doubles to LF, Howard to 3rd.  Ruiz grounds out to Johnson to end the inning.

TOP 6 - Christain Guzman is ejected for arguing a call that he is clearly out on.  Felipe Lopez in the game.  Milledge singles to LF.  Zimmerman homers to LF, a 371ft shot.  Johnson grounds out to 3B.  Kearns flies out to LF to end the inning.

AFTER 6 PHILLIES LEAD 8-3

TOP 7 - Dmitri Young in to PH for Colome, strikes out to end the inning.

BOT 7 - Ray King in to pitch for the Nats.  Dmitri Young moves to LF in places of Willy Mo Pena.  Howard hits a ground rule double to CF.  Burrell strikes out.  Feliz singles to LF, Howard to 3rd.  Jenkins singles to RF, Howard scores, Feliz to 3rd.  Ruiz flies out to deep CF, Feliz scores.  PH Jason Wyerth strikes out to end the inning. 

TOP 8 - Ryan Madson in to pitch for the Phillies.  Milledge singles.  Milledge steals 2nd.  Johnson grounds out to SS to end the inning.

BOT 8 - Rollins strikes out.  Victorino hits a 350ft HR to RF.  Chase Utley hits a 364ft HR to RF.  Howard singles to RF.  Burrell walks, Howard to 2nd.  Acta makes a visit to the mound.  Feliz hits a ground ball to Zimmerman who tags Howard and throws to first for the 5U-3 DP.

AFTER 8 PHILLIES LEAD 12-3

TOP 9 - Kearns doubles to RF.  LoDuca singles to LF, Kearns to 3rd.  Dukes in to PH for King, strikes out swinging.  Aaron Boone in to PH for Belliard, misses the hit & run, strikes out swinging, Kearns tagged out at home.

PHILLIES WIN 12-3

PLAY OF THE GAME
Ryan Howards 2-run HR in the 1st.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Ryan Howard 4-4 - 2HR  2B

[ZIM4MVP]

4/3/08 - NATIONALS @ PHILLIES - TIM REDDING VS JAMIE MOYER

PRE-GAME NOTES
Saul Rivera will be day to day
Nationals are wearing their red "DC" jerseys today

TOP 1 - Guzman grounds out to SS.  Milledge reaches 2nd on a throwing error by Pedro Feliz.  Zimmerman strikes out swinging.  Johnson flies out to CF.

BOT 1 - Redding retires the first 2 batters.  Utley homers 348ft to RF.  Howard pops up to LoDuca and the inning is over.

BOT 2 - Redding strikes out the side.

AFTER 2  PHILLES LEAD 1-0

TOP 3 - Guzman singles to LF. Guzman steals 2nd.  Milledge strikes out to end the inning.

BOT 3 - Jamie Moyer grounds out to 2B.  Jimmy Rollins walks.  Shane Victorino singles to RF, Rollins to 3rd. Utley grounds out to 3B to end the inning.

TOP 4 - Zimmerman flies out to left-center.  Johnson hits a 411ft shot to CF.  Kearns grounds out to 3rd.  LoDuca singles to LF.  Willy Mo strikes out swinging.

AFTER 4  ITS TIED AT 1

TOP 5 - Belliard singles to RF.  Redding sac bunts, Belliard advances to 2nd.  Guzman singles up the middle, Belliard scores.  Guzman steals 2nd.  Milledge strikes out swinging.  Zimmerman strikes out to end the inning.

AFTER 6 NATIONALS LEAD 2-1

TOP 7 - Ayala warms up in the bullpen.  Dukes in to PH for Redding.  Dukes strikes out swinging.  Guzman grounds out to 2nd.  Milledge flies out to LF.

TOP 8 - Rauch warming up in the bullpen.  Chad Durbin in to pitch for the Phillies.  Zimmerman singles up the middle.  Johnson lines out to 3rd.  Kearns singles to 2nd, Zimmerman out.  LoDuca flies out to Howard.

BOT 8 - Rauch in to pitch for Ayala.  Rauch gets Ruiz to ground out, then K's the next 2 batters to end the inning.

AFTER 8 NATIONALS LEAD 2-1

TOP 9 - Cordero is warming up in the pen. 

BOT 9 - Rauch stays in the game to face the heart of the lineup.  Victorino flies out to deep RF.  Utley grounds out to SS.  Howard pops-up to LoDuca to end the game.

BANG ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS, NATS WIN 2-1

PLAY OF THE GAME
Christian Guzmans RBI single in the 5th.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Tim Redding - 6IP, 3H, 6 K's

[ronnynat]

Dude, I just pitched a perfect game w/ Hill on HOF level the other day. That was intense.

[ZIM4MVP]

4/4/08 - NATIONALS @ CARDINALS - JASON BERGMANN VS TODD WELLEMEYER

PRE-GAME NOTES
Jesus Flores starting at C for Paul Lo Duca
Felipe Lopez starting at 2B for Ronnie Belliard
Elijah Dukes starting in CF for Lastings Milledge

Cardinals get on the board with a Pujols RBI single in the 3rd.

Nationals take the lead 3-1 in the of the 4th.  With RBI singles by Nick Johnson and Austin Kearns.

Skip Schumaker homered in the bottom of the 5th to make it 3-2.

Adam Kennedy hits an RBI single in the bottom of the 7th off of Jon Rauch to tie the game at 3-3.

Dmitri Young PH for Jon Rauch in the top of the 9th and hit a 3-run HR to RF to make it 6-3 Nats.

Cordero comes in before he is fully warm.  Zimmerman makes a throwing error that puts a runner on 2nd.  Glaus hits a 2-run HR to left, Phelps homeres to RF and the game is tied at 6-6 going into the 10th.

In the 11th, Paul LoDuca PH for Chad Cordero and hits and singles to CF scoring Felipe Lopez from 1st.  7-6 Nationals

Ray King comes in the bottom of the 11th and retires the side.

BANG ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS, NATS WIN 7-6 IN 11 INNINGS

PLAY OF THE GAME
Paul LoDuca's RBI single in the top of the 11th

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Dmitri Young  1-1  HR, 3 RBI

[bbq552]

What is Reddings rating in the game in mine it is (2k8)

Perez-76
Hill-72
Bergmann-72
Chico-70
Redding 64
Clippard-68!!!

[ZIM4MVP]

4/5/08 - NATIONALS @ CARDINALS - ODALIS PEREZ VS BRAD THOMPSON

PRE-GAME NOTES
Paul LoDuca and Albert Pujols have 5-game hitting streaks.

GAME SUMMARY
Cardinals turn a triple play in the top of the 4th with a Zimmerman strikeout, Guzman out at 3rd, and Milledge out after being caught in a rundown at 2nd.

Nationals load the bases in the top of the 5th.  A suicide squeeze by Ronnie Belliard scores Austin Kearns to make it 1-0 Nationals.
Odalis Perez follows up with a single that scores LoDuca and Pena to make it 3-0.

Lastings Milledge leads of the 6th with a solo shot to LF.  Russ Springer comes in to pitch for the Cardinals.  Zimmerman hits a solo shot that travels 404ft to LF and gives the Natonals a 5-0 lead.  Nick Johnson almost makes it back to back to back HR's but instead settles for a double off the LF wall.  Johnson advances to 3rd on a groundout by LoDuca.  Johnson scores on Pena's groundball to SS, Pena advances to 2nd on a wild throw.  Cards finally get out of the inning, Nationals lead 6-0.

Odalis Perez has pitched a gem through 7 giving up only 1 hit.  Perez would have a perfect game going if it wasn't for a misjudged ball by Ronnie Belliard in the first AB of the game.

In the top of the 8th, Willy Mo hits an RBI single to LF, 7-0 Nats.

Ankeil leads off the bottom of 8th with a single up the middle, the Cardinals 2nd hit of the game.  Adam Kennedy also singles up the middle. 

BAD NEWS for the Nats in the 8th as Odalis Perez clutches his shoulder after pitching to Troy Glaus.  Chris Schroder in for Perez. 

Schroder struck out Glaus.  Jason LaRue lines to CF, Ankiel scores.  7-1 Nationals.  Skip Schumaker grounds out to Belliard, Adam Kennedy scores to make the score 7-2.  Schroder gets Aaron Miles to fly out to LF to end the inning.

Luis Ayala comes in for Schroder in the bottom of the 9th.  Ayala retires the side.

BANG ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS, NATS WIN 7-2

PLAY OF THE GAME
Ronnie Belliard's suicide squeeze in the 5th.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Odalis Perez  7IP, 3H, 4 K's

POST-GAME NOTES
Pujols hitting streak is over.
Odalis Perez has been Player of the Game in both appearances in this season
Odalis Perez suffered a torn rotator cuff and will be out for over 6 months.  Nationals place him on the 60 day DL.

[bbq552]

Who are you going to bring up to replace Perez?

[ZIM4MVP]

4/6/08 - NATIONALS @ CARDINALS - MATT CHICO VS ADAM WAINWRIGHT

PRE-GAME NOTES
Jon Lannan was called up to replace Odalis Perez.
Nationals are going for the 3-game sweep of the Cardinals.
Nationals are wearing the red "DC" jerseys again today.
Dmitri Young will start in LF for Willy Mo Pena.
Felipe Lopez will start at SS for Cristian Guzman.
Aaron Boone will start at 1B for Nick Johnson.
Elijah Dukes will start in RF for Austin Kearns.

GAME SUMMARY
Aaron Boone leads off the 2nd with a solo HR to LF.

With runners on 1st and 3rd, Dukes lays down a suicide squeeze that scores Dmitri Young from 3rd, 2-0 Nationals.

In the bottom of the 6th, Chico cluched his arm after striking out Adam Wainwright.  Ray King in to pitch for Chico.  King retires the side.

Chris Schroder in to pitch the 7th.  Schroder out of the inning, 3 up 3 down.

Jon Rauch in to pitch the 8th.  Rauch strikes out the first 2, then gets Phelps to fly out to RF.

The Chief comes in to pitch the 9th.  Cordero walks Izturis.  Pujols hits a groundball to 3B, Izturis out at 2nd but Belliard can't get the throw off to first.  Schumaker hits a groundball to 3B, Zimmerman throws Pujols out at 2nd but Belliards throw to first is high.  Glaus hits a groundball to 2B, Belliard bobbles the ball, men on 1st and 2nd.  Molina pops up to Johnson for out number 3.
 
BANG ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS, NATS WIN 2-0

PLAY OF THE GAME
Aaron Boone's solo HR in the 1st.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Matt Chico  5.1 IP, 2H, 3 K's

POST-GAME NOTES
Matt Chico suffered a strained tricep and will be out for a few days.

[ZIM4MVP]

WEEK 1 LEADERS IN NL
AVG - 33rd Lastings Milledge - .333
HITS - 23rd Cristian Guzman, Lastings Milledge, Ryan Zimmerman - 8
AB - 4th Ryan Zimmerman - 28
2B - 12th Lastings Milledge - 2
3B - NONE
HR - 6th Ryan Zimmerman, Nick Johnson - 2
RBI's - 17th Nick Johnson - 5
R - 12th Nick Johnson - 5
SB - 4th Cristian Guzman - 5
W - 1st Odalis Perez - 2
SV - 5th Chad Cordero - 2
ERA - 19th Odalis Perez - 1.79
SHO - NONE
K - 13th Odalis Perez - 9
CG - NONE
WHIP - 1st Odalis Perez - .400

NL EAST STANDINGS - WEEK 1
Phillies 5-1
Nationals 5-2
Braves 4-3
Marlins 3-3
Mets 3-3

TEAM RANKINGS
.AVG - 11th - .280
AB - 3rd - 282
R - 13th - 33
H - 6th - 79
2B - 26th - 7
3B - 21st - 0
HR - 11th - 8
RBI - 13th - 33
SB - 6th - 10
ER - 4th - 2
FLD% - 4th - .993
ERA - 10th - 3.62
CG - 8th - 0
SHO - 3rd - 0
SV - 2nd - 5
K'S - 22nd - 46
WIN% - 3rd - .750

What is Reddings rating in the game in mine it is (2k8)

Perez-76
Hill-72
Bergmann-72
Chico-70
Redding 64
Clippard-68!!!

This game dosen't have ratings, just an Overall bar.  The order they are overall is:
Hill
Bergmann
Redding
Chico
Perez
Lannan
Clippard

Who are you going to bring up to replace Perez?

I brought up Lannan.

[ZIM4MVP]

4/7/08 - MARLINS @ NATIONALS  - MARK HENDRICKSON VS JOHN LANNAN

PRE-GAME NOTES
Felipe Lopez will start at 2B for Ronnie Belliard.
Jesus Flores will start at C for Paul LoDuca.

GAME SUMMARY
Nick Johnson singles to CF, Milledge scores. Kearns singles to CF, Zimmerman scores. After 1, Nats 2, Marlins 0.

In the top of the 4th Josh Willingham hits a solo 386ft HR to LF, Nats 2 Marlins 1.

In the bottom of the 5th, Cristian Guzman doubles down the LF line, Lopez scores from 2nd.  Lastings Milledge hits a 371ft 2-run HR to RF. 5-1 Nats

Jesus Colome in to pitch the 6th.

Dmitri Young in to pitch while Rauch is still warming up.  Young gives up a double to Hanley Ramirez.  Jon Rauch in to pitch the 8th.  Dan Uggla singles to LF, Ramirez scores.  5-2 Nationals

The Chief in to pitch the 9th.  Cordero retires the side and gets his 3rd save of the season.
 
BANG ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS, NATS WIN 5-2

PLAY OF THE GAME
Nick Johnson's RBI single in the 1st.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Lastings Milledge  1-4 HR, 2 RBI's

POST-GAME NOTES
Nationals have achieved their goal of a 5 game winning streak.
Tonight's attendance was 21,953.  Guess the fans aren't too happy with the above average ticket prices.

[ZIM4MVP]

4/9/08 - MARLINS @ NATIONALS - RICK VANDEN HURK VS SHAWN HILL

PRE-GAME NOTES
Felipe Lopez will now be the starting 2nd baseman over Ronnie Belliard.
Jesus Flores will start over Paul Lo Duca.

GAME SUMMARY
Dan Uggla reaches 1st on a dropped 3rd strike.  Jeremy Hermida hits a 2-run HR off the RF foul pole.  Marlins lead 2-0 after the top of the 1st.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Nick Johnson hits a 373ft HR to RF.  Nats trail 2-1.

Jeremy hermida reaches 3rd on a throwing error to 1st by Zimmerman, Hanley Rammirez scores.  3-1 Marlins. Luis Gonzalez grounds out to 1B, Hermida scores. 4-1 Marlins.

In the bottom of the 3rd, Nick Johnson singles to CF, Milledge scores from 3rd.  Zimmerman scores from 3rd on a passed ball.  4-3 Marlins.

Lastings Milledge doubles to right-center and scores on a Zimmerman single to CF to tie the game at 4.  Zimmerman scores from 2nd on a Kearns single down the LF line, Johnson out at 3rd.  Nats lead 5-4.

Saul Rivera in to pitch the 6th. 

In the bottom of the 6th Cristian Guzmans suicide squeeze scores Felipe Lopez from 3rd.  Lastings Milledge's double to CF scores LoDuca from 2nd.  Nationals lead 7-4.

Chris Schroder in to pitch the 7th.

In the bottom of the 7th, Austin Kearns hits a 2 run HR to RF that traveled 389ft.  9-4 Nationals.  Felipe Lopez lines to RF, Pena & Flores score.  Lopez steals 2nd.  Nats lead 11-4.

In the bottom of the 8th, Willy Mo doubles down the LF line, Johnson scores from 3rd.  12-4 Nats.
 
BANG ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS, NATS WIN 12-4

PLAY OF THE GAME
Austin Kearns RBI single down the LF line.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Nick Johnson  5-5  HR, 2 Doubles

POST-GAME NOTES
Today's attendance is 21,870
The Nationals had 21 hits in todays game.

[ZIM4MVP]

4/10/08 - MARLINS @ NATIONALS - ANDREW MILLER VS TIM REDDING - BALL NIGHT

PRE-GAME NOTES
The first 20,000 fans recieve a Nationals baseball.
Nationals are wearing red "DC" jerseys.
Ryan Zimmerman has a 7 game hitting streak.
Hanley Ramirez has an 8 game hitting streak.

GAME SUMMARY
In the top of the 2nd Mike Jacobs crushed a HR to right center.  Marlins lead 1-0.

In the bottom of the 2nd Austin Kearns doubles to right center.  Wily Mo Pena doubles off the LF wall, Kearns went back to tag up and was thrown out at the plate.  Wily Mo Pena advances to 3rd on LoDuca's sac fly to CF.  Felipe Lopez hits a blooper to the mound and is safe at first, Pena scores.  Game is tied at 1.

In the bottom of the 3rd, Cristian Guzman doubles to CF.  Milledge doubles to CF, Guzman scores.  After 3 Nats lead 2-1.

In the bottom of the 7th, Lastings Milledge singles up the middle.  Milledge steals 2nd.  Zimmerman singles down the 3rd base line.  Zimmerman advances to 2nd on a wild pitch.  Johnson singles to CF, Zimmerman scores.  After 7 Nationals lead 4-1.

Jon Rauch in to pitch the 8th.  Jorge Cantu singles to LF.  Matt Treanor singles to RF, Cantu advances to 3rd.  Hanley Ramirez singles to CF, Cantu scores, Treanor to 2nd. Alejandro De Aza in to run for Treanor.  Uggla singles to CF, De Aza scores, Ramirez to 3rd, Uggla to 2nd.  Saul Rivera in for Jon Rauch.  Jeremy Hermida flys out to deep RF, Ramirez scores, Uggla advances to 3rd.  Luis Gonzalez flies out to RF to end the inning.  The game is tied 4-4.

In the bottom of the 8th Wily Mo Pena hits a HR to CF.  LoDuca singles to RF.  Lopez singles to CF, LoDuca advances to 2nd.  Dmitri Young in to PH for Rivera.  Young grounds into a double play, LoDuca advances to 3rd.  Guzman singles to RF, LoDuca scores.  Guzman steals 2nd.  Milledge grounds out to 3rd to end the inning.  Nats lead 6-4.

The Chief in to pitch the 9th.  Cordero gives up a double but then shuts down the next 3.
 
BANG ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS, NATS WIN 6-4

PLAY OF THE GAME
Wily Mo Pena's solo HR in the 8th

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Tim Redding - 7IP  4 H 4 K's

POST-GAME NOTES
The Nationals had 17 hits in todays game.
Zimmerman and Ramirez continue their hitting streaks.
Ross Fetwiler fractured his hand in a AAA game.  He will be out for 1-2 months.

[ZIM4MVP]

4/11/08 - BRAVES @ NATIONALS - TIM HUDSON VS JASON BERGMANN

PRE-GAME NOTES
Elijah Dukes will start in CF for Lastings Milledge

GAME SUMMARY
In the bottom of the 1st Nick Johnson's single to RF scores Elijah Dukes from 3rd.  Wily Mo Pena's single to CF scores Nick Johnson and Austin Kearns.  After 1, Nats lead 3-0.

Top of the 2nd, Mark Teixiera reaches 1st on a throwing error by Zimmerman.  Josh Anderson singles up the middle, Teixeira scores.  Nats lead 3-1.

In the top of the 4th Brian McCann hits a bloop single into LF, Mark Teixeria was stealing 2nd and scored on the play.  McCann is out trying to steal 2nd.  Josh Anderson reaches 1st on another Zimmerman throwing error.  Diaz singles to LF.  Diaz steals 2nd, Anderson steals 3rd.  Yunel Escobar was hit in the head by the pitch from Bergmann to load the bases.  Hudson hits a sac fly to deep LF, Anderson scores, Diaz to 3rd, Escobar to 2nd.  Kotsay grounds out to SS to end the inning.  Tie game 3-3.

Ray King in to pitch the 5th.  Mark Teixiera singles to RF, Kelly Johnson scores from 2nd.  Braves lead 4-3.

Peter Moylan in to pitch the bottom of the 8th for the Braves.

Rafael Soriano comes in to pitch the 9th for the Braves.
 
BRAVES WIN 4-3

PLAY OF THE GAME
Mark Teixeria RBI single to RF in the 5th.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Tim Hudson - 7IP, 11 Hits, 2 K's

POST-GAME NOTES
Today's attendance is 11,528

[ZIM4MVP]

4/12/08 - BRAVES @ NATIONALS - TOM GLAVINE VS MATT CHICO - PROGRAM NIGHT

PRE-GAME NOTES
Aaron Boone will start in LF for Wily Mo Pena.
First 5,000 fans will recieve a free program.

GAME SUMMARY
In the bottom of the 1st Nick Johnson hits a 3 run HR to RF that hit the foul pole at 361 ft.  Nats lead 3-0.

In the bottom of the 5th Cristian Guzman singles to CF, Lopez scores from 3rd. Nats lead 4-0.

Manny Acosta in to pitch the 6th for the Braves.

In the bottom of the 7th Cristian Guzman singles to CF, Lopez scores from 2nd.  Lastings Milledge hits a 3-run HR to LF that went 399ft.  Blaine Boyer in to pitch for the Braves.  Nats lead 8-0.

In the bottom of the 8th Paul LoDuca singles to LF, Boone scores from 3rd.  Nats lead 9-0.
 
BANG ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS, NATS WIN 9-0

PLAY OF THE GAME
Nick Johnson's 3-run HR in the 1st.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Matt Chico - 9IP, 3H 6 K's

POST-GAME NOTES
Today's attendance is 12,384
Matt Chico had a 1 hitter going into the 9th inning.

[UMDNats]

This is pretty cool man. I'm doing my own The Show franchise. My team was sucking as a whole the first month so I made a move to stir things up. I traded Kearns and Lopez to the A's for Travis Buck and some 25-year old 2B. Buck and Mellelo (close to that) are a force. Both now start and are main contributors. It's awesome. I love the game.

[ZIM4MVP]

4/13/08 - BRAVES @ NATIONALS - MIKE HAMPTON VS JOHN LANNAN

PRE-GAME NOTES
Nationals are wearing the red "DC" jerseys

GAME SUMMARY
2nd - Jeff Francoeur doubles to CF, Teixeria scores, McCann scores.  Braves lead 2-0

Lo Duca sac flys to RF, Kearns scores. Braves lead 1-0.

5th - Guzman's bunts to Hampton who make a throwing error to 1st.  Lopez scores.  Tie game 2-2.

7th- Will Ohman in to pitch for the Braves.  Lo Duca hits a 364ft HR to RF.   Lastings Milledge doubles to LF, Belliard scores.  Braves int. walk Zimmerman to load the bases and face Nick Johnson.  Johnson singles to RF, Guzman & Milledge score.  Nats take the lead 6-2.

8th - Jon Rauch in to pitch for the Nats.

Peter Moylan in to pitch for the Braves. 

9th - The Chief in to pitch for the Nats.
 
BANG ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS, NATS WIN 6-2

PLAY OF THE GAME
Lo Duca's solo HR in the 7th.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
John Lannan - 7IP, 4 H, 2 K's

POST-GAME NOTES
Today's attendance is 12,025
Ryan Zimmerman's 9 game hitting streak comes to an end

[ZIM4MVP]

WEEK 2 LEADERS IN NL
AVG - 4th Lastings Milledge - .425
HITS - 1st Nick Johnson - 21
AB - 5th  Cristian Guzman, Ryan Zimmerman - 52
2B - 2nd Lastings Milledge - 6
3B - NONE
HR - 6th Nick Johnson - 4
RBI's - 3rd Nick Johnson - 15
R - 4th Lastings Milledge - 12
SB - 4th Cristian Guzman - 9
W - 1st Odalis Perez, John Lannan, Matt Chico - 2
SV - 4th Chad Cordero - 4
ERA - 2nd Tim Redding - 1.38
SHO - 1st Matt Chico - 1
K - NONE
CG - 1st - Matt Chico
WHIP - 1st Odalis Perez - .400

NL EAST STANDINGS - WEEK 2
Nationals 10-3
Phillies 7-6
Mets 6-6
Braves 6-8
Marlins 4-8

TEAM RANKINGS
.AVG - 2nd - .327
AB - 8th - 465
R - 6th - 69
H - 1st - 152
2B - 12th - 23
3B - 28th - 0
HR - 11th - 14
RBI - 6th - 68
SB - 2nd - 22
ER - 8th - 6
FLD% - 9th - .987
ERA - 2nd - 3.07
CG - 1st - 1
SHO - 1st - 1
SV - 1st - 7
K'S - 30th - 69
WIN% - 1st - .769

[ZIM4MVP]

4/15/08 - NATIONALS @ METS - SHAWN HILL VS JOHN MAINE

PRE-GAME NOTES


GAME SUMMARY
7th - Wily Mo Pena lays down a squeeze bunt, Zimmerman scores from 3rd. Nats lead 1-0.

Ryan Church singles to CF, Angel Pagan scores from 2nd.  Reyes triples to right-center, Church scores from 1st.  Mets lead 2-1.

8th - Pedro Feliciano in to pitch for the Mets.  Milledge singles to CF, Guzman scores from 2nd.  Tie game 2-2

Luis Ayala in to pitch for the Nationals.

10th - Matt Wise in to pitch for the Mets.  Ronnie Belliard in to PR for Paul LoDuca.  Luis Ayala's squeeze bunt scores Belliard from 3rd, Ayala safe at 1st.  Nats lead 3-2.

The Chief in to pitch for the Nationals.  Jesus Flores in to catch for the Nationals.
 
BANG ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS, NATS WIN 3-2

PLAY OF THE GAME
Luis Ayala's squeeze bunt in the 10th

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Shawn Hill - 7IP, 8 H, 6 K's

POST-GAME NOTES

[ZIM4MVP]

4/16/08 - NATIONALS @ METS - TIM REDDING VS OLIVER PEREZ

PRE-GAME NOTES
Moved Pena from 6th in the order to 5th and moved Kearns from 5th to 6th.
Nats are wearing the red "DC" jerseys

GAME SUMMARY
1st - Zimmerman singles to LF, Guzman scores from 2nd.  Nats lead 1-0

Luis Castillo singles to RF, Reyes scores from 2nd.  Tie game 1-1.

2nd - Austin Kearns hits a 405ft solo HR to right-center.  Nats lead 2-1.

5th - Nick Johnson grounds out to SS, Milledge scores from 3rd. Nats lead 3-1. 

7th  -Ambiorix Burgos in to pitch for the Mets.

Ray King into pitch for the Nats.  Elijah Dukes goes to LF for Wily Mo Pena.

8th - Jon Rauch in to pitch for the Nats. Dmitri Young moves to 1st for Nick Johnson.

9th - The Chief is in to pitch for the Nats.

BANG ZOOM GO THE FIREWORKS, NATS WIN 3-1

PLAY OF THE GAME
Ryan Zimmerman's RBI single in the 1st.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Tim Redding - 6IP, 4 H's, 1 K

POST-GAME NOTES

[ZIM4MVP]

4/17/08 - NATIONALS @ METS - JASON BERGMANN VS MIKE PELFREY

PRE-GAME NOTES
Dmitri Young will start in LF over Wily Mo Pena.
Elijah Dukes will start in CF over Lastings Milledge.
Jesus Flores will start at C over Paul Lo Duca.
GAME SUMMARY
4th - David Wright singles to CF, Luis Castillo scores from 2nd. Mets lead 1-0.

5th - Jason Bergmann strikes out the side.

7th - Matt Wise in to pitch for the Mets.

8th - Pedro Feliciano in to pitch for the Mets.

9th - Jesus Colome to pitch for the Nats.  Carlos Beltran singles to CF, Reyes scores from 2nd.  Carlos Delgado doubles to LF, Castillo & Beltran score.  Mets led 4-0.

Aaron Heilman in to pitch for the Mets.  Nick Johnson doubles to RF, Zimmerman scores from 1st.  Aaron Boone singles to CF, Johnson scores. Mets lead 4-2

Billy Wagner in to pitch for the Mets. 

METS WIN 4-2

PLAY OF THE GAME
David Wright's RBI single in the 1st.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Mike Pelfrey - 6IP, 6 H's, 1 K

POST-GAME NOTES