Who's On First?

[lz477]

Now thats a win

It's what we in DC call revenge.

get milledge on your team!!

This is not an accurate to real live dynasty. Lastings is considered to still be somewhat of a prospect and was born in the mid 80's. My team consists of career minor leaguers at or above the age of 30.

I do like the move for the Mets though. They get their catcher and a decent contributing outfielder for someone I'm not convinced was the future star a lot of people were projecting.

coste is doing amazing is he your best player in overall?

He really has just started to turn it on the last couple of weeks. Either he or Danny Ardoin, my catcher, have put up the best offensive numbers this season.

[lz477]

September 5th

Game 138: Florida (58-79) at Nationals (71-66)

Five Run Fifth Finishes Fish

Left: Jeremy Hermedia's ground out to Augie Ojeda scored Mike Jacobs in the fourth inning and was the only run the Marlins would score in the contest. Right: George Lombard rounds first after his three-run homer gave Washington the lead in the fifth inning.

Sporting an 8-4 record against the Nationals this season, Florida managed to draw first blood in Monday's meeting between the two teams, but Washington would pound out five runs off seven hits in the fifth to take game one of the three game set against the team that has given them fits all season.

The Marlins lone run came in the fourth inning after Nationals centerfielder Hiram Bocachica dropped a deep fly ball hit by Josh Willingham. Willingham would reach second base safely and Mike Jacobs who had singled earlier would advance to third on the play. Jacobs would then come in to score on a ground ball out by Jeremy Hermedia, two batters later. Willingham was thrown out at the plate by Chad Mottola, when he tried to score on a base hit from Alfredo Amezaga in the next at bat.

Washington's big fifth inning got started when Jorge Velandia singled, then scored to tie the game on a base hit from Boacachica later in the inning. The massive blow came in the next at bat when George Lombard drilled a three-run homerun over the right field wall. The Nationals weren't finished however, as Scott McClain followed that with a double, then scored two batters later on a double by Mottola, giving Washington a 5-1 lead.

The Nationals nearly got a sixth run across in the sixth inning, but Jolbert Cabrera was thrown out at home by Jeremy Hermedia, while trying to score on a single by Bocachica.

Both teams starting pitchers exited after the sixth, with the Marlins Scott Olsen ending the day with five runs allowed off eight hits, with one walk and seven strikeouts and was charged with his eighth loss of the year. Washington's Stephen Randolph allowed only one run off eight hits and struck out four en route to his ninth victory of the season.

Florida and the Nationals will meet up again at RFK tomorrow night with the Marlins sending Anibal Sanchez (5-15) to the mound to face Washington's Travis Smith (14-7).

Boxscore: FLA 1 - WAS 5

[TheSabathiaEra]

ouch Danny Ardion had no hits i hope he does good cuz he has my name :)

[MrDudleyDoWright]

ouch Danny Ardion had no hits i hope he does good cuz he has my name

Oh wow

[lz477]

ouch Danny Ardion had no hits i hope he does good cuz he has my name

Your name is Dan Ardoin?

[lz477]

September 6th

Game 139: Florida (58-80) at Nationals (72-66)

Nationals Flounder Again Against Florida

Left: Josh Willingham put Florida on the board with a solo homerun in the seventh inning. Right: Jeremy Hermedia gives the Marlins the lead with a two-run blast over the left field wall moments later.

After dropping game one of the three game series to the Nationals on Monday night, the Marlins took game two to split the series at one game apiece Tuesday night.

Washington was first on the board, when in the second inning Andy Tracy led the frame off with a double, then advanced to third on a sacrifice grounder from Chad Mottola and scored on a Scott McClain sacrifice fly. The Nationals added another run in the fourth to take a 2-0 lead when Chris Coste scored on an RBI single by Mottola.

Travis Smith held the Nationals two run lead and allowed just two hits until the seventh inning when Florida managed to put three runs across to take a 3-2 lead. Josh Willingham started the Marlins scoring with a one-out solo homerun over the left field wall. Jesus Flores followed with a single and Jeremy Hermida gave Florida the lead when he homered in the next at bat. Smith exited after Hermedia's long ball, ending his day with 6 1/3 innings of work with three runs allowed off seven hits and six strikeouts.

"Just one bad inning is all it takes sometimes," Nationals manager Manny Acta remarked about his starters performance in the seventh inning. "Trav looked real strong those first few innings, but a couple of bad pitches and you get yourself in trouble and things can go down hill quick." "That's just how it goes sometimes," Acta added.

The Marlins would get two more runs across in the eighth to up their lead to 5-2. Hanley Ramirez led the inning off with a double then advanced to third on a ground ball Dan Uggla hit deep into the hole between shortstop and third base. Matt Erickson fielded and made a strong throw to first in time to get Uggla running to first, but Washington first baseman Tracy couldn't hold onto the ball after he dug it out of the dirt, allowing Uggla to reach base safely. Ramirez would then score on a ground out by Miguel Cabrera and Uggla would score later in the inning on a ground out by Mike Jacobs.

Florida nearly got something started in the ninth inning, when Jeremy Hermedia doubled off the wall, but any rally that might have began, quickly ended when Hermedia over-ran second base, allowing Jorge Velandia, who fielded Mottola's throw from left field, to put the tag on the runner.

Tracy redeemed himself offensively in the ninth when he blasted a leadoff homerun to start the inning. Mottola would follow that with a double, bringing the tying run to the plate. Unfortunately, for the Nationals, Florida closer, Kevin Gregg would buckle down and prevent any more damage from Washington's batters to insure the Marlins victory and pick up his 27th save of the season.

Sanchez, who pitched six innings of two run, five hit ball picked up his sixth win of the year, while te Nationals, Travis Smith was charged with his eighth loss.

The third and final game of the series and of the season between these two teams will be tomorrow night with the Marlins sending Sergio Mitre (4-5) to the hill to face off against Washington's, R.A Dickey (1-5).

Boxscore: FLA 5 - WAS 3

League News

Royals, (OF) Justin Huber out 7 days with sprained wrist.

[lz477]

September 7th

Game 140: Florida (59-80) at Nationals (73-67)

Nationals Fight off Fish for Extra Inning Win

Left: Marlins manager, Fredi Gonzalez, is thrown out by the first base umpire after arguing a close play in the sixth inning. Right: Chris Coste leaps onto home plate after his game-winning homerun in the 13th inning.

A one out solo homerun by Chris Coste in the bottom of the 13th inning won it for the Nationals Wednesday night. The hit was his third of the day and his 24th long ball of the year.

Prior to Coste's big blast, the Marlins had the first lead of the game, when Miguel Olivo hit a solo homerun in the fourth inning to put Florida up 1-0. Washington came right back in their half of the inning to tie it after George Lombard doubled down the right field line and scored on a single by Chad Mottola. Danny Ardoin's 28th homerun of the year in the next at bat made it 3-1. A leaping catch by shortstop Hanley Ramirez on a had liner hit by Matt Erickson later in the inning helped starter Sergio Mitre by preventing the Nationals from starting up another rally.

The Marlins tied it at 3-3 in the fifth inning, after Uggla tripled and Cabrera followed with a homerun over the left field wall. The game stayed tied until Coste's solo shot in the bottom of the 13th, but there was plenty of drama in between.

Florida manager, Fredi Gonzalez was ejected in the sixth inning, after Coste was called safe at first when he hit a ground ball in the hole between short and third that Ramirez fielded and made an off-balance throw to the bag at what appeared to be in time to get the runner. The first base umpire disagreed and Gonzalez was tossed from the game in the ensuing argument.

In the very next at bat, Andy Tracy hit a deep drive to center field that Alfredo Amezaga bounced off the wall and caught, preventing Coste from advancing to scoring position. Mottola followed that with a long fly ball to left field that Josh Willingham reeled in at the warning track ending the inning.

Mitre would exit after the sixth, finishing his day with three runs allowed off six hits and six strikeouts.

Meanwhile, Washington's starting pitcher, R.A. Dickey lasted until the seventh inning, where he just missed a bullet, when Hiram Bocachica made a running catch at the warning track in center on a deep drive by Carl Everett. Ramirez followed with an infield single, but reached third on the play after shortstop, Jorge Velandia made a wild throw to first base on a ball hit deep in the hole, similar to where Coste's grounder was hit in the previous inning.

Dickey would get out if the inning unscathed after he induced Dan Uggla to hit into an harmless fly out to end the inning. The Nationals starter would end his day with three runs allowed off eight hits and struck out three over his seven innings of work.

Washington put lead runners on first and second in their half of the seventh, but like the Marlins, could not capitalize on the scoring opportunity preserving the tie ball game.

In the eighth inning, Amezaga laid out to make a diving catch on a bloop hit by Bocachica, that most likely prevented the Nationals from scoring in the inning as George Lombard followed with a single and Coste hit a deep fly out to center after that. Deep enough that Bocachica would have scored easily had he advanced to third on Lombard's single in the pervious at bat. Washington again got the first two lead runners on in the ninth, but once again failed to score, keeping the game tied at three a piece.

In the 10th inning, the Nationals collected three consecutive hits off reliever Kevin Gregg, but the late rally ended before it ever got started as Lombard was thrown out trying to advance to third on a bloop single to center field that looked as though Amezaga would get to in time to make the catch. Rather than catch it in the air, Amezaga fielded the ball on one hop and threw to third in time to get Lombard via the force out. Miguel Cabrera then threw to Uggla at second base catching Tracy in a rundown between first and second, ending the inning.

Washington was victim to strong defensive plays by the Marlins again in the 11th inning as Jeremy Hermida made a feet first sliding catch on a slicing line drive hit by Mottola to start the inning. Two batters later, Matt Erickson hit a hard ground ball up the middle that Mike Jacobs fielded after it deflected off Gregg. Jacobs then tossed to Flordia's reliever covering the bag, just in time to get Erickson at first.

In the 12th inning, the Marlins Hermida reached first on a swinging bunt, but was thrown out trying to steal second later in the frame, continuing the extra inning pitchers duel. Coste put an end to it all when he homered off Jorge Julio with one out in the 13th.

The Nationals will head to Atlanta tonight and take a much needed day off tomorrow, before starting a three game series against the Braves, whom Washington now trails by one game in the National League East, on Friday night.

Boxscore: FLA 3 - WAS 4

League News

Red Sox, (OF) Coco Crisp out 12 days with minor PCL sprain.

[philliesphan18]

Good luck against those Bravos!

[DannyMac910]

LOL everyone spells Jeremy Hermida's name wrong.

[lz477]

Good luck against those Bravos!

Thanks man. I'm really looking forward to this series.

[lz477]

LOL everyone spells Jeremy Hermida's name wrong.

Fixed and thanks for the catch. I always try to check that and I got it right once, but missed it the second time.

[DannyMac910]

I've did it soooo many times.

[sportnut1486]

i hope that answer was sarcastic

[lz477]

September 9th

Game 141: Nationals (73-67) at Braves (74-66)

Braves Blast 14 Hits, Beat Nationals

Left: Atlanta starter, John Smoltz picked up his 11th victory of the season, despite struggling with his control for the majority of his six innings of work and even walking in a run in the third. (Right)

George Lombard scored on a RBI single by Chad Mottola in the first inning to give the Nationals an early 1-0 lead. Washington would eventually load the bases in the inning and though it took Atlanta starter John Smoltz 28 pitches to get out of the frame, he would do so with the bases loaded and prevent Washington from doing any more damage in the inning.

Smoltz would struggle with his control for the majority of the game and exited after the sixth inning, having thrown 122 pitches and allowing six walks. The three runs he gave up off of six hits was meager enough however, to neutralize Washington's hitters and pick up his 11th win of the season.

Atlanta's veteran starter also got a lot of help from the Braves offense, starting with a three-run homerun by Javier Lopez in the second inning, giving the National League East front-runners a 3-1 lead.

Smoltz would get himself into trouble again in the third inning when he walked Chris Coste to lead off the inning, then gave up a single to Danny Ardoin two batters later, before issuing a base on balls to Jolbert Cabrera and Matt Erickson, walking in the Nationals second run of the game. Chris Michalak would then ground out to second baseman Willy Aybar to end the inning with the bases loaded.

Andruw Jones would add a run to the Braves lead when he singled up the middle after Aybar tripled in Atlanta's half of the third. Chipper Jones would then single and Andruw would score just ahead of Danny Ardoin's tag on another single hit up the middle by Jeff Francoeur in the next at bat, putting the Braves up 5-1. Chipper Jones was then thrown out by Hiram Bocachica, trying to score on yet another base hit up the middle, this time by Lopez.

The Nationals would cut Atlanta's lead to two at 5-3 in the fourth inning when Aybar fielded a hard hit one-hop line drive by Andy Tracy, then threw wide of second base, in an attempt to get the lead runner, Coste, in a force out at second. Lombard, who had advanced to third on the play, was able to score on the errant throw that ended up in left field. Both Coste and Tracy would be left on base when the inning ended though, as Smoltz got the last two outs before they could come around to score, stymying Washignton's bats and forcing them to strand at least two runners on base in three of the first four innings.

Despite not allowing another run after the third inning, Washington starting pitcher, Chris Michalak would be charged with the loss as the Nationals would also remain scoreless, until Tracy blasted a solo homerun in the ninth inning. Michalak would finish with seven innings pitched and five runs allowed off twelve hits, while striking out three.

The Braves and Nationals will meet up again at Tuner Field on Saturday for game two of the three game series. Jason Simontacchi (9- for Washington and Tim Hudson (12-10) for Atlanta are the scheduled starting pitchers.

Boxscore: WAS 4 - ATL 5

[ChicagoCubs720]

will you be continuing this into 08?

[lz477]

will you be continuing this into 08?

Probably not. As anyone who has ever done a dynasty knows, it is a lot of work and though I enjoy it tremendously, I'll likely take a break for awhile from playing as my wife is nearly eight months pregnant with our first child.

[JoeRudi26]

Probably not. As anyone who has ever done a dynasty knows, it is a lot of work and though I enjoy it tremendously, I'll likely take a break for awhile from playing as my wife is nearly eight months pregnant with our first child.

Either way, it's been a great dynasty, Iz. Still one of my favs. Tough loss against Atlanta.

[lz477]

September 10th

Game 142: Nationals (73-68) at Braves (75-66)

Nationals Hold Early Lead To Split Series With Braves

Left: Jason Simontacchi, who won his 10th game of the season, pitched four shutout innings, before Matt Diaz homered in the fifth. Right: Javy Lopez teamed up with Jeff Francoeur in the ninth inning to hit back to back homeruns and cut the Nationals lead to one.

Hiram Bocachica led off the game with a single into right field, but Atlanta starter, Tim Hudson caught him leaning towards second base and picked him off moments later. Unfortunately for the Braves, that would be about the only highlight for Hudson as the pitcher would exit in the fourth inning, ending his day with 3 2/3 innings of work, allowing six runs off 11 hits.

Washington's first run of the game came in the second inning, when Andy Tracy scored from first base on a double by Chad Mottola. Danny Ardoin would follow that with a double of his own, knocking in Mottola, putting the Nationals on top 2-0.

Jeff Francoeur prevented Washington from adding to their lead in the third inning, when he made a leaping catch against the wall on a deep drive hit by Tracy to end the inning, with a runner on second.

The Nationals did tack some more runs on in the fourth inning, starting with an RBI double by Jolbert Cabrera, followed by a two run single to right field by Jason Simontacchi and culminating with an RBI single by Christ Coste, prompting Atlanta manager Bobby Cox to remove Hudson from the game and call on reliever, Oscar Villarreal from the bullpen.

Washington's starting pitcher, Simontacchi held the Braves scoreless until the fifth inning, when Matt Diaz homered off the top of the left field wall, making the score 6-1.

The Nationals loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh inning with Simontacchi's spot due up in the order. Rather than pinch hit for his pitcher, Washington manager, Manny Acta decided to let Simontacchi hit. Unfortunately, Acta's gamble would not pay off as Simontacchi would hit a hard line out to the shortstop to end the inning.

Simontacchi, would get into trouble early in the seventh, giving up a single to Chipper Jones to start the inning, followed by a walk issued to Francoeur. Javy Lopez would then help out the Nationals cause when he grounded into a double play in the next at bat. Simontacchi would then walk Matt Diaz, before giving up his second run of the game when Pete Orr smacked a pinch hit single to left field, allowing Jones to score.

Erasmo Ramirez came on to relieve after Orr's single, but unfortunately, Simontacchi's day was not yet officially over as Diaz scored, just ahead of Hiram Bocachica's throw from centerfield, on a single by David Eckstein in the next at bat. Willie Aybar would then fly out to second, ending the inning.

Heading into the ninth inning, with a 6-3 lead, Lee Gardner was called on to close out the win for the Nationals. The major league leader in saves outing didn't go quite as smooth as normal, as Gardner gave up back to back homeruns by Francoeur and Lopez, cutting Washington's lead to one at 6-5. Gardner would then strikeout, Diaz and pinch hitter Chris Woodward, before walking Eckstein. Aybar would then fly out to right field to end the game, preserving the Nationals victory and allowing Gardner to pick up his 44th save of the season.

The three game set between Washington and the Braves is now split at one-apiece and the Nationals trail Atlanta by just one game for the lead in the National League East with the series finale coming tomorrow night. Washington will send Stephen Randolph (9-7) to the hill, while the Braves will counter with Mike Hampton (6-.

Boxscore: WAS 6 - ATL 5

[lz477]

Either way, it's been a great dynasty, Iz. Still one of my favs. Tough loss against Atlanta.

Thanks much Joe.

[lz477]

September 11th

Game 143: Nationals (74-68) at Braves(75-67)

Braves Bullpen Holds Hampton's Lead To Take Victory

Left: Chad Mottola's 25th homerun of the season in the fourth inning, scored Washington their first run of the game. Right: David Eckstein slides safely into home after Brian McCann's sacrifice fly in the fifth inning to put the Braves up 3-1.

For the second straight game, Hiram Bocachica led off the game with a base hit, but was then picked off first base moments later. George Lombard would follow with a base on balls issued by Atlanta starter, Mike Hampton and Chris Coste would then single, before Scott McClain would end the inning with a ground ball double play. One of many missed scoring opportunities by the Nationals, Sunday.

Washington would end up collecting just one run off Hampton, who lasted 6 2/3 innings, gave up a total of eight hits, walked two and struck out seven in the 3-1 Atlanta victory.

The Braves first run came in the first inning on a bloop hit by Chipper Jones, scoring Willie Aybar. Jeff Francoeur followed with a double to score Andruw Jones and give Atlanta an early 2-0 lead.

The Nationals managed to load the bases with one out in their half of the second inning, but again squandered an opportunity to score when Stephen Randolph grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Chad Mottola gave Washington their first run in the fourth inning, when he knocked his 25th homerun of the season just over the left field wall. Atlanta got that run back in the fifth inning, thanks to a sacrifice fly by Brian McCann to score David Eckstein, making it 3-1.

Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez and Luis Ayala would pitch parts of a perfect seventh, eighth and ninth inning to hold that lead and give the Braves the victory in not only the game, but also the series.

Atlanta now has a two game lead over the Nationals and Mets for the lead in the National League Eastern division. The Nationals will head further south to Florida for a three game series with the Marlins starting Monday night, before coming back home for three games against the Braves at RFK stadium.

Boxscore: WAS 1 - ATL 3

[JoeRudi26]

Hey Iz, is this dead? It would be a shame to see this end with only a handful of games to go.

Hopefully you'll continue. :)

[philliesphan18]

Hey Iz, is this dead? It would be a shame to see this end with only a handful of games to go.

Hopefully you'll continue.

I'll echo those sentiments.

[RaysFTW]

Hopefully you went on a short vacation and going to resume this dynasty. This dynasty has been so great so far.

[lz477]

Hey Iz, is this dead? It would be a shame to see this end with only a handful of games to go.

Hopefully you'll continue.

[i'll echo those sentiments.

Hopefully you went on a short vacation and going to resume this dynasty. This dynasty has been so great so far.

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Having a newborn has put an end to my playing for a while, though I do plan on finishing what I started. When exactly that will be I cannot say, but hopefully the little one will start sleeping through the night better and I can get a couple of hours here and there to knock out what few games I have left in the season. I hate that I haven't had the chance to wrap this thing up, because I was having a ball when it all started. Keep watching.

[philliesphan18]

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Having a newborn has put an end to my playing for a while, though I do plan on finishing what I started. When exactly that will be I cannot say, but hopefully the little one will start sleeping through the night better and I can get a couple of hours here and there to knock out what few games I have left in the season. I hate that I haven't had the chance to wrap this thing up, because I was having a ball when it all started. Keep watching.

Ahhh, I see. Congrats on that occasion by the way.