Nats fall again, starting pitching again fails

The Washington Nationals still have not won in the 2009 baseball season.  Today they fell 8-5 to Atlanta and stand set to swept possibly tomorrow, for the second time this season.  The Nationals are now a dismal 0-6. 

Look no further than the problems that have dogged the Nationals since the start of the season 6 games ago — starting pitching.  Scott Olsen yielded 5 runs in 5 innings of work.  Same tune, different game, same result.  Here is how pathetic the starters have been, looking at the results of the 6 starters . . .

1.  John Lannan, 6 IP, 6 Runs, 6 Hits
2.  Scott Olsen, 3 IP, 8 Runs, 8 Hits
3.  Daniel Cabrera, 6 IP, 5 Runs, 7 Hits
4.  Shairon Martis, 3 IP, 3 Runs, 5 hits
5.  John Lannan, 5 IP, 4 Runs, 9 Hits
6.  Scott Olsen,  5 IP, 5 Runs, 6 Hits

Let me total that for you.  In 6 games, Nationals starters have pitched 28 innings, have allowed 31 runs, and a whopping 41 hits.  That is absolutely pathetic.  That does not win baseball games.  The Nationals, in 6 games, have yet to get a single quality start from any starting pitcher.   Before today’s game, the Nationals ranked second to worse in overall team ERA with a 7.50 ERA, only sitting above a battered Cleveland Indians staff.  The starters are also second worse in MLB, with an 11.14 ERA.  I guess we can take solace that the Indians starters suck worse. 

Fact is, the Nationals took a huge risk not acquiring some veteran starting ptiching and so far, 6 games in, it is showing to be a pretty unwise decision.  I guess though, if you are going to suck, let it be with young players who are learning.  Is that what we are down to already, just 67 games into the season?

Offensively, the Nationals got hits form the same sources they have so far this season.     Christian Guzman was 2 for 5 with a run scored.  Guzman in 6 games is hitting .429.  Elijah Dukes went 2 for 5 with a double and 3 runs driven in.  Dukes is hitting .375.  Adam Dunn was 2 for 3 and is hitting .333.