Nats Look to Rebound

After starting out 3-0, the Nationals have managed to drop 4 straight including a weekend wrap up of a 3 game sweep by the Cardinals.
The Nationals dropped two 5-4 games against the Cards before ending the series getting shutout 3-0 and managing just 5 hits in support of a nice effort by rookie John Lanna.  Lannan pitched a pretty strong 6 inning, scattering 7 hits and striking out 4, to take the loss in his first start of the young season.
Ryan Zimmerman was 2 for 4 providing the only offensive pop for the Nats.
In the first two outings against the cards, the Nats got less than impressive performances from starters Odalis Perez and Matt Chico.  Perez gave up 5 runs in 4 innings over 8 hits.  On Saturday Chico managed 6 innings but gave up 8 hits, 2 walks, and 4 runs.
Who had a Hot Weekend:
Ryan Zimmerman:  6 for 13, 2 doubles, 3 runs, and 2 RBIs
Ronnie Belliard:  4 for 13, 2 RBIs, 1 run
Next Up:  2 game series versus Florida Marlins
Tonight:  Tim Redding v. Andrew Miller
Checking on the Farm:

Columbus (AAA):   Not a promising start in Columbus.  The Clips are 1-3 after winning the season opener, they have dropped 3 straight.  Mike O’Connor pitched impressively int he season opening win, pitching 5 scoreless innings, giving up only 2 hits and whiffing 4.  Other starters:  Garrett Mock gave up 8 hits and 3 runs in 4.1 innings this weekend.  Colin Balestar gave up 3 runs and 5 hits in 4.1 Innings.  Tyler Clippard fared not much better pitching 4 innings, allowing 7 hits and 4 runs.  So what we deemed to be a pretty good rotation got roughed up by Charlotte.
Johnny Estrada is working rehab in Columbus, played twice and went 2 for 5 and 1 for , respectively.
Record:  1-3
Harrisburg (AA):  The Senators have started out 2-1.  Senators are looking for big improvement this season, coming off the worst record int he Eastern League last year.  Shairon Martis got roughed up in his first start in AA, pitching 4 innings and giving up 4 runs and 7 hits.  Roger Bernadina and Luis Jiminez have hot bats.  Justin Maxwell has made his presence felt already with a 3 run homer Satruday night.  Maxwell has a HR, 3 RBIs, and 4 runs scored in 3 games.  Michale Daniel played yesterday for the first time in AA and went 4 for 4.
Record:  2-1
Potomac (A):   Potomac has started out 1-2.  Yesterday they got their first win trouncing Salem 6-1 to avoid a three game sweep.  Chris Marrero is 3-12 with 2 doubles.  Ross Detwiler won his first start and was super impressive pitching 5 shutout innings, scattering just 3 hits while striking out 7.  Cory Van Allen was also impressive in his first start, giving up 1 run in 5 innings of work and recording 3 strikeouts.
Record:  1-2
Hagerstown (A):  After finishing in dead last last season, the Suns are looking for improvement as prospects begin filtering up.  They are off to a 2-1 start, taking 2 of 3 from Delmarva.  Hagerstown is a team we will keep a close eye on this year because of the amount of 2006 and 23007 draft picks on the roster.   2006 second rounder Colton Willems got roughed up in his first start in Hagerstown, giving up 8 hits and 4 runs in 5 innings.
Offensively, a guy we wrote about alot last year for Vermont because of his bat is doing it again so far in Hagerstown.  Aaron Suess was a 27th round 2007 draft pick and hit .293 in Vermont last year and we said here to keep an eye on Suess.  In his first three games with Hagerstown, Suess is 6 for 15 with 2 doubles and 2 runs.   Hagerstown is going to love this kid.
Bill Rhinehart (’07, 11th) 5 hits in his first 13 at bats.  Jacob Smolinski (’07, 2nd round) is 3 for 8 with a hit in each of his first two games.  Michael Burgess (’07, 4th) is 2 for 10 with a hit in each game he has played.  Reliever Kyle Gunderson has appeared out of the bullpen twice and has pitched 2.1 scoreless innings of relief.
Record:  2-1