By Mike Prada

– Senior Editor

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May 31, 2011 – The Washington Nationals missed their chance to get to the Philadelphia Phillies when Roy Halladay wasn’t pitching his best on Monday, losing 5-4 despite hitting three home runs. As a reward, the Nationals will get Cliff Lee in the second game of a three-game series on Tuesday.

The Nationals are free-falling, having lost 10 of 12, including three straight one-run games. Things continue to get worse, which is bad because the Phillies continue to improve. Philadelphia now owns the best record in the Majors and has continued to dominate the Nationals, with their fans invading their stadium to add insult to injury.

Jason Marquis will oppose Lee on Tuesday, as he hopes to rebound from his second loss of the season. Ivan Rodriguez will start behind the plate for Wilson Ramos. Here is the complete Nationals’ lineup:

1. Roger Bernadina (CF)
2. Ian Desmond (SS)
3. Jayson Werth (RF)
4. Michael Morse (1B)
5. Danny Espinosa (2B)
6. Ivan Rodriguez (C)
7. Jerry Hairston (3B)
8. Brian Bixler (LF)
9. Jason Marquis (P

Read More: Cliff Lee (P – PHI), Jayson Werth (RF – WAS), Ivan Rodriguez (C – WAS), Jason Marquis (P – WAS), Roy Halladay (P – PHI), Michael Morse (LF – WAS), Roger Bernadina (RF – WAS), Brian Bixler (SS – WAS), Ian Desmond (SS – WAS), Wilson Ramos (C – WAS), Danny Espinosa (2B – WAS), Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals

Read More: Cliff Lee (P – PHI), Chase Utley (2B – PHI), Jason Marquis (P – WAS), Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals, May 31, 2011 7:05 PM EDT

Cliff Lee takes the hill tonight looking for another shutout win over the Washington Nationals with the Phillies in DC for the second of a three game series. Lee is undefeated against the Nats in his career and threw a three hit shutout in which he struck out 12 in his last time out against them. A win tonight would be the Phillies’ seventh straight over their NL East “rivals.”

He will oppose Jason Marquis, who has not fared nearly as well against the Phillies. In fact, since joining the Nats last year, Marquis is 0-5 with a 9.49 ERA against the Phils. He’s been particularly victimized by Chase Utley, who is 13-28 (.464) lifetime off Marquis.

The Phillies have been on a tear as of late, winning eight of their last 11 and starting off 3-1 on this current nine game road trip. After a bit of malaise in early to mid May, the Phils resurgence seems to have coincided with the return of Chase Utley. Charlie Manuel says that it’s no coincidence that things are starting to pick up now that the team is getting healthier.

“We’re close to really being healthy,” Charlie Manuel said. “We should be at 100 percent and our offense should pick up. Our pitching has been there all year. We could really get into a season where we play real good baseball. It’s kind of up to us. We’re the ones that have got to make it happen.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) – Once again, the Washington Nationals were on the verge winning a close game and let it slip away.

Left-handed reliever Sean Burnett entered in the seventh inning to protect a 4-3 lead with three left-handed hitters coming up for the Philadelphia Phillies. Burnett gave up a walk, single and sacrifice fly, giving up the winning runs in Philadelphia’s 5-4 win yesterday.

The Nationals have now lost eight of nine – including three straight – with five of the losses by one run and another by two runs.

“It seems like we have a lot of these games lately,” Washington first baseman Michael Morse said.

Washington lost despite solo home runs by Morse, Danny Espinosa and Laynce Nix off Phillies starter Roy Halladay (7-3), the first time this season he’s given up multiple homers in a game. Halladay had allowed a total of two home runs in his first 11 starts.

Halladay got help from Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez, who hit back-to-back homers in the fourth and each drove in a run in Philadelphia’s seventh-inning rally.

Washington starter Livan Hernandez allowed four runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out four. He left with a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning after allowing a one-out single to Placido Polanco. With lefties Chase Utley, Howard and Ibanez coming up, Washington manager Jim Riggleman turned to Burnett.

Burnett walked Utley and Howard followed with a run-scoring single to tie the game. Ibanez’s sacrifice fly scored Utley with the go-ahead run.

“It’s hard to walk away from this one,” Burnett said. “We need a win, and we had it won if I can execute and get the lefties out I’m supposed to get.”

The Nationals started well, taking a 2-0 lead in the second. Morse led off the inning with his seventh home run of the season. It also extended Morse’s hitting streak to eight games, the longest by any National this season. Hernandez drove in the second run on a squeeze bunt.

The Phillies went out in front with a three-run fourth inning. Howard started it off with a blast over the out-of-town scoreboard in right-center, his 12th of the season. Ibanez followed with a homer into the Nationals’ bullpen.

Phillies 5, Nationals 4

Philadelphia Washington

ab r h bi ab r h bi

Rollins ss 5 0 0 0 Ankiel cf 5 0 1 0

Polanc 3b 4 1 2 0 Espinos 2b 4 1 1 1

Utley 2b 3 1 0 0 Werth rf 4 0 1 0

WValdz 2b 0 0 0 0 L.Nix lf 4 1 1 1

Howard 1b 4 1 2 2 Morse 1b 3 1 1 1

Ibanez lf 3 1 1 2 Bixler pr-3b 0 0 0 0

Ruiz c 5 1 2 0 WRams c 4 0 2 0

DBrwn rf 4 0 1 1 HrstnJr 3b 3 1 0 0

Mayrry cf 4 0 2 0 SBurntt p 0 0 0 0

Hallady p 1 0 0 0 Coffey p 0 0 0 0

Gload ph 1 0 0 0 Stairs ph 1 0 0 0

Bastrd p 0 0 0 0 HRdrgz p 0 0 0 0

Contrrs p 0 0 0 0 Cora ss-3b-1b 4 0 2 0

Madson p 0 0 0 0 LHrndz p 1 0 0 1

Dsmnd ss 2 0 1 0

Totals 34 5 10 5 Totals 35 4 10 4

Philadelphia 000 300 200-5

Washington 020 011 000-4

LOB-Philadelphia 10, Washington 6. 2B-Ruiz (7), Mayberry (5), Cora (3). HR-Howard (12), Ibanez (8), Espinosa (8), L.Nix (8), Morse (7). SB-Utley (2), Ankiel (6). CS-Werth (2). S-Halladay 2, L.Hernandez. SF-Ibanez.

IP H R ER BB SO

Philadelphia

Halladay W,7-3 7 10 4 4 0 5

Bastardo H,3 1-3 0 0 0 0 0

Contreras H,2 2-3 0 0 0 0 0

Madson S,12-12 1 0 0 0 0 2

Washington

L.Hernandez 6 1-3 8 4 4 2 4

S.Burnett L,0-2 BS,4-8 2-3 2 1 1 1 0

Coffey 1 0 0 0 0 1

H.Rodriguez 1 0 0 0 1 0

HBP-by Contreras (Morse), by H.Rodriguez (Howard). Balk-H.Rodriguez. T-3:14. A-34,789 (41,506).

By Andrew Kinback

– Nationals editor

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May 31, 2011 – Happy day-after Memorial Day, Washington Nationals fans. Yesterday, America sat back, grabbed a few brews, lit up the grill, turned on the Indianapolis 500 and honored those U.S. Service members who died while in military service to the country. It was a beautiful day, and the Kinback Family Memorial Day was spent at the water park, grilling some killer steaks and partaking in the most sacred of Memorial Day traditions: watching that great cinematic masterpiece of Road House starring Patrick Swayze.

The lion-hearted tale of a man who is hired to tame a slaughterhouse of a bar and turn it into some 80′s discotech out in the middle of nowhere while kung-fu fighting off the evil, corrupt forces of the Jasper, Missouri aristocracy is one for the ages and one of those myths you can apply to most things in your everyday life. The Nationals are no different. If you find this a strange way to start a column on Nationals baseball, bare with me. I’ll get there.

One of my favorite movie lines of all time come from this film. It’s delivered by the character named Tinker, the fat, CAT-hat-wearing thug with red suspenders that uses one of the last lines of the film to finally reach immortality. He said, “A polar bear fell on me.” To avoid spoiling the movie for those who have not experienced the greatness of Roadhouse, I won’t spoil the context in which he said the line, because there is no context to spoil. A polar bear really did fall on him. Sitting there on the couch with the kids at my knee and my arm around my wife, I just had to laugh at such a ridiculous line. “A polar bear fell on me.” How many people can actually claim this?

I thought it about awhile and could think of two people: The Big Tink and Nationals manager Jim Riggleman. The image of a polar bear falling on someone is in itself in insane, but the idea that a man has worked his whole life at something and the pinnacle of his life’s work is to have a polar bear fall on him? Cosmic comedy. 

Jim Riggleman’s managing career has followed a similar path. He spent years developing himself into a baseball machine in hopes of one day reaching the top of the sport. He started in 1974 as a player being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. His playing career peaked in 1977 with the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. He got his first managing job in 1983 and his first Major League managing beat with the San Diego Padres in 1992. He was the manager of the Chicago Cubs in 1995, the Seattle Mariners in 2008 and took over the Washington Nationals’ job in 2009. As it stands now, it looks like 2011 will be the time when the polar bear will finally fall on him and probably end his time in Washington.

Would it be so hard to believe? It is still only May, but already the Nationals season has begun to spin out of control. Players are frustrated and speaking out with cryptic messages that point fingers. His designing of a lineup is questionable, his handling of pitchers and bullpens is confusing, his double switches are annoying and his constant insistence that this team is better than this is aggravating. His contract is up at the end of the season, with the team allowed to pick it up for another season, but they have made no movement to do so as of yet. From 2009 to 2010, the team improved by 10 games, but is this enough to retain a manager who has failed at inspiring and guiding his team?

It would not all be his fault. This is where the polar bear comes in. Imagine getting hired to do a job as a plumber, and told instead of using a wrench to unscrew the pipes, you had to use potpourri-colored rooster kitchen mits. You wouldn’t have the proper tools for success and you’d look absurd doing it. That exactly describes Jim Riggleman with the Nationals right now. General Manager Mike Rizzo and the front office have not supplied Riggleman with adequate players, and Riggleman can’t be blamed for that. You got to work with what you got, even if that means Matt Stairs. Look out, Riggleman! Polar Bear!

An argument some make is it theoretically takes two to three years for a manager’s style and plan to gel and stick on an organization, and Riggleman’s methods haven’t really firmed up. It is bad to switch managers because of the young guys? Rick Ankiel, Alex Cora, Jerry Hairston Jr., Doug Slaten, Adam LaRoche? Stairs? To only name a few, but do these sound like guys going to be around for a whole lot longer? A new manager has more than enough time to make his own imprint, with important and improved tools in guys like Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, before this team is even ready to contend.

I feel bad for Riggleman, I really do. He is a good man and he wasn’t the one who set up the team as it is. But when frustration builds, the team sinks into the hole and the polar bears come down, unfortunately it is the manager who usually feels the pain

Read More: Jerry Hairston Jr. (SS – WAS), Alex Cora (2B – WAS), Adam LaRoche (1B – WAS), Doug Slaten (P – WAS), Matt Stairs (RF – WAS), Rick Ankiel (CF – WAS), Stephen Strasburg (P – WAS), Bryce Harper (CF – WAS), San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers

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(Sports Network) – The Washington Nationals were able to get to Phillies ace
Roy Halladay for three home runs in a losing cause on Memorial Day.

Now the Nationals will take their swings at Philadelphia co-ace Cliff Lee
tonight in the second installment of a three-game series between National
League East inhabitants in DC.

Washington has lost three in a row and eight of nine games, and is coming off
Monday’s 5-4 loss in which it reached Halladay for four runs and 10 hits over
seven innings. Halladay still came away with the win (7-3) after Washington’s
bullpen gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh. Ryan Howard had an
RBI single and Raul Ibanez lifted a sacrifice fly to score Chase Utley for a
5-4 lead. Livan Hernandez gave up four runs in 6 1/3 innings and Sean Burnett
was saddled with the loss and his fourth blown save.

“We’re staying in games, but in the end you just want to win,” Nats infielder
Alex Cora said after going 2-for-4 with a double.

Danny Espinosa, Laynce Nix and Michael Morse all homered for the Nationals,
who are 1-3 on a six-game homestand. Nats shortstop Ian Desmond did not start
on Monday because of stomach aches and is expected to be back in the lineup
this evening.

Coming off just his second loss of the season, Nationals starting pitcher
Jason Marquis aims to get back on track tonight against a Phillies team he has
struggled against in the past. Marquis was 5-1 in seven starts until losing at
Milwaukee in last Wednesday’s 6-4 setback in which he allowed four runs in six
innings of work.

Marquis has allowed four or more runs in three of his previous five starts and
is 5-2 with a 4.26 earned run average in 10 starts this season. He sports a
perfect 3-0 mark and a 1.59 ERA in three starts at Nationals Park this season
and will face the Phillies for a second time in 2011. He lost a 7-4 decision
back on May 4 in south Philly, as he allowed a season-high seven runs, six of
which were earned, and 10 hits in five innings.

The right-hander is just 5-8 with a 5.61 ERA in 25 career games (18 starts)
against the Phillies.

Philadelphia has won eight of its last 11 games and pushed its mark to 3-1 on
a nine-game road trip with Monday’s come-from-behind win. Howard and Raul
Ibanez hit back-to-back home runs during a three-run fourth inning, while
reliever Ryan Madson remained perfect in 12 save opportunities this season
with two strikeouts in the ninth inning. Madson has filled in nicely for
injured closer Brad Lidge, who may not resume his role upon his return.

“We’re close to really being healthy,” Phils manager Charlie Manuel said on
the club’s site. “We should be at 100 percent and our offense should pick up.
Our pitching has been there all year. We could really get into a season where
we play real good baseball. It’s kind of up to us. We’re the ones that have
got to make it happen.”

The Phillies will also visit Pittsburgh for three games on this road trip.
They have won three of four road games since losing four straight as the guest
and are 15-10 away from south Philly this season.

Lee, meanwhile, hasn’t been over the .500 mark since tossing a three-hit
shutout with 12 strikeouts in a 4-0 win at Washington back on April 14 to run
his record to 2-1. More than a month and a half later Lee will take the mound
at Nationals Park hoping to extend his personal two-start winning streak.

Lee is 4-4 with a 3.50 ERA in 11 starts and has lasted eight innings during
his personal winning streak, including a 10-4 win over Cincinnati on Thursday.
Lee was reached for four runs and 10 hits with eight K’s and just one walk to
improve to 3-0 lifetime against the Nationals. The left-hander owns a 1.44 ERA
in three career outings in this series, but is 1-3 in five road starts with
his only win as the visitor coming against Washington.

The Phillies have won six of seven meetings with the Nationals this season and
are 18-7 in the previous 25 matchups between the two NL East foes.

The Sports Network

The Washington Nationals were on the verge of finally getting a win against Roy Halladay, but once again they let a close game slip away.

Left-handed reliever Sean Burnett entered in the seventh inning to protect a 4-3 lead with three left-handed hitters coming up for the Philadelphia Phillies. Burnett gave up a walk, single and sacrifice fly, giving up the winning runs in Philadelphia’s 5-4 win Monday.

The Nationals have now lost eight of nine — including three straight — with five of the losses by one run and another by two runs.

“It seems like we have a lot of these games lately,” Washington first baseman Michael Morse said. “We’re playing good baseball and that’s the tough part. Our starting pitchers are keeping us in the game, our bats came around today and we got the loss.”

Washington lost despite solo home runs by Morse, Danny Espinosa and Laynce Nix off Halladay (7-3), the first time this season the Philadelphia ace given up multiple homers in a game. Halladay had allowed a total of two home runs in his first 11 starts.

Halladay has won 10 straight starts against the Nationals and Expos franchise, and is 11-1 since losing June 28, 2002, in Montreal as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Elsewhere in the NL it was: San Diego 3 Atlanta 2; Houston 12 Chicago 7; San Francisco 7 St. Louis 3; Cincinnati 7 Milwaukee 3; New York 7 Pittsburgh 3; Los Angeles 7 Colorado 1; and Arizona 15 Florida 4.

At Washington, Halladay got help from Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez, who hit back-to-back homers in the fourth and each drove in a run in Philadelphia’s seventh-inning rally.

Washington starter Livan Hernandez allowed four runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out four. He left with a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning after allowing a one-out single to Placido Polanco. With lefties Chase Utley, Howard and Ibanez coming up, Washington manager Jim Riggleman turned to Burnett.

Burnett walked Utley and Howard followed with a run-scoring single to tie the game. Ibanez’s sacrifice fly scored Utley with the go-ahead run.

“It’s hard to walk away from this one,” Burnett said. “Livo threw a good game. Our offence put up four on Halladay, that’s not going to happen too much. We need a win, and we had it won if I can execute and get the lefties out I’m supposed to get.”

The Nationals started well, taking a 2-0 lead in the second. Morse led off the inning with his seventh home run of the season. It also extended Morse’s hitting streak to eight games, the longest by any National this season. Hernandez drove in the second run on a squeeze bunt.

The Phillies went out in front with a three-run fourth inning. Howard started it off with a blast over the out-of-town scoreboard in right-centre, his 12th of the season. Ibanez followed with a homer into the Nationals’ right field bullpen for Philadelphia’s first back-to-back home runs this year.

The Phillies kept the rally going with three straight hits, including an RBI single by Domonic Brown. Jimmy Rollins ended the inning with a fly to the right-field warning track, stranding runners on the corners.

Espinosa tied the game at 3 with a two-out home run into the right field seats in the fifth, and Washington took a 4-3 lead on Nix’s shot in the sixth inning.

“I thought we hit (Halladay) well,” Espinosa said. “I thought we played a good ballgame, threw well, everything. I thought it was a good performance by us. They had some hits, they found the right holes. It’s an unfortunate loss.”

The Nationals did have one of the best offensive games any team has had against Halladay this season. In addition to the homers, it was only the second time any team has scored more than three runs against the Phillies’ ace.

“There’s no moral victories, but you hope it seeps into people that we can do this,” Riggleman said. “We can hit, we know we can hit. We have a history of hitting. Each individual feels like you’re gonna hit and when you do it against a Cy Young guy then certainly it should reinforce it.”

Espinosa, however, didn’t take any consolation from the performance.

“The whole team can play the best game of its life and still lose,” Espinosa said. “A loss is a loss and it doesn’t feel any better.”

Padres 3 Braves 2

At Atlanta, Pinch-hitter Kyle Phillips broke a 2-2 tie in the 10th inning with his first career home run and San Diego won its third straight.

—

Astros 12 Cubs 7

At Chicago, Jeff Keppinger and J.R. Towles homered and Houston rallied to beat the Cubs.

—

Giants 7 Cardinals 3

At St. Louis, Madison Bumgarner won his second straight after losing his first six decisions and Andres Torres gave the National League’s worst offence a big boost with his first career grand slam in San Francisco victory over the Cardinals.

—

Reds 7 Brewers 3

At Cincinnati, Jay Bruce hit a three-run home run and Travis Wood turned in six mostly solid innings as the Reds successfully opened a 10-day, nine-game homestand after a 2-8 trip.

—

Mets 7 Pirates 3

At New York, Josh Thole hit a tiebreaking double in the seventh inning and the depleted Mets, playing with a makeshift lineup minus Jose Reyes, beat Pittsburgh.

—

Dodgers 7 Rockies 1

At Los Angeles, James Loney had three hits with a homer and three RBIs, Andre Ethier also drove in three runs and the Dodgers defeated Colorado.

—

Diamondbacks 15 Marlins 4

At Phoenix, Kelly Johnson homered twice and fell a single shy of the cycle and the steamrolling, first-place Diamondbacks won their seventh straight.

Roy Halladay allowed 10 hits and four runs over seven innings. (Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

In most cases, when a pitcher gives up two hits to open the seventh inning after a long outing, a manager would think about making a move to the bullpen. With Roy Halladay on the mound, Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel didn’t flinch.

Halladay got out of the seventh inning jam by striking out Jayson Werth and beat the Washington Nationals for the 10th straight time, with some help from Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez.

Halladay allowed 10 hits and four runs over seven innings, striking out five without a walk. Howard and Ibanez hit back-to-back homers in the fourth and each drove in a run in Philadelphia’s seventh-inning rally for a 5-4 win Monday.

After the Phillies took the lead in the top of the seventh, the Nationals appeared poised to snatch it back. Alex Cora led off with a double, and a bunt single by Ian Desmond put runners on the corners with no outs. Despite the trouble, Manuel trusted his ace, and Halladay (7-3) came through.

“He was there all the way. He got out of it, didn’t he?,” Manuel said. “That’s who he is. He wants to be there, and that’s what a No. 1 does.”

Halladay knocked down a grounder up the middle by Rick Ankiel and caught Cora in a rundown for the first out, then Danny Espinosa popped out before Werth’s strikeout.

“It was a grind, it really was,” Halladay said. “Fortunately we did enough offensively. They picked me up a couple times. It was a nice way to end it, for sure.”

The Phillies’ offence put Halladay ahead in the top of the seventh with three big at-bats by left-handed hitters — Chase Utley, Howard and Ibanez — against the Nationals’ left-handed reliever Sean Burnett.

Starter Livan Hernandez left with a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning after allowing a one-out single to Placido Polanco. Burnett (0-2) then walked Utley and Howard followed with a run-scoring single to tie the game. Ibanez’s sacrifice fly scored Utley with the go-ahead run.

‘A key point’

“That was a key point for us in the game, to be able to come back,” Howard said. “It was a hard-fought game by both teams, back and forth.”

Halladay gave up solo home runs to Michael Morse, Espinosa and Laynce Nix, the first time this season he’s given up multiple homers in a game. Halladay had allowed a total of two home runs in his first 11 starts.

“It’s hard to walk away from this one,” Burnett said. “Livo threw a good game. Our offence put up four on Halladay, that’s not going to happen too much. We need a win, and we had it won if I can execute and get the lefties out I’m supposed to get.”

Halladay is 11-1 against the Nationals and Expos franchise since losing June 28, 2002, in Montreal.

Washington has now lost three in a row and eight of nine.

Howard and Ibanez keyed two big Phillies rallies. The back-to-back homers started a three-run fourth inning to put Philadelphia ahead after Washington had taken a 2-0 lead in the second on Morse’s homer and Hernandez’s sacrifice squeeze bunt.

Espinosa tied the game 3-3 with a two-out home run into the right field seats in the fifth, and Washington took a 4-3 lead on Nix’s shot in the sixth inning.

Manuel said he knew teams would start to score runs even against his star pitcher with the weather warming up. The temperature was 33 C when the game started at 1 p.m.

“This is hitting season,” Manuel said. “It’s hot, it’s warm, they’re swinging. Teams get up for Roy, which is good. He likes that. That’s part of competing, and part of who he is. … Some days you’re going to get hit, and he passed the test pretty good today.”

WASHINGTON – Roy Halladay beat the Washington Nationals today for the 10th straight time, thanks to some help from Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez.

Halladay (7-3) allowed 10 hits and four runs over seven innings, striking out five without a walk. Howard and Ibanez hit back-to-back homers in the fourth and each drove in a run in Philadelphia’s seventh-inning rally for a 5-4 win.

Halladay gave up solo home runs to Michael Morse, Danny Espinosa and Laynce Nix, the first time this season he’s given up multiple homers in a game. Halladay had allowed a total of two home runs in his first 11 starts.

Ryan Madson pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save in 12 chances.

Halladay is 11-1 against the Nationals and Expos franchise since losing June 28, 2002, in Montreal.

Livan Hernandez allowed four runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out four. He left with a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning after allowing a one-out single to Placido Polanco.

Sean Burnett (0-2) then walked Chase Utley and Howard followed with a run-scoring single to tie the game. Ibanez’s sacrifice fly scored Utley with the go-ahead run.

The Phillies went out in front with a three-run fourth inning. Howard started it off with a blast over the out-of-town scoreboard in right center, his 12th of the season. Ibanez followed with a homer into the Nationals’ right-field bullpen for Philadelphia’s first back-to-back home runs this year.

The Phillies kept the rally going with three straight hits, including an RBI single by Domonic Brown. Jimmy Rollins ended the inning with a fly to the right-field warning track, stranding runners on the corners.

Espinosa tied the game at 3 with a two-out home run into the right field seats in the fifth, and Washington took a 4-3 lead on Nix’s shot in the sixth inning.

Washington took a 2-0 lead in the second. Morse led off the inning with his seventh home run of the season. It also extended Morse’s hitting streak to eight games, the longest by any National this season. Hernandez drove in the second run on a sacrifice squeeze bunt.

Roy Halladay wasn’t at his best against the Washington Nationals on Memorial Day, but thanks to Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez, he didn’t have to be.

Halladay allowed 10 hits, including three home runs, and surrendered four earned runs in seven innings of work as the Phillies beat the Nationals, 5-4. The win was Halladay’s seventh of the season, tying him with Cole Hamels and five others for the most in baseball.

Howard and Ibanez hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning to give the Phillies their first lead of the game, but the Nats answered with solo home runs from Danny Espinosa and Lance Nix in the fifth and sixth.

In the top of the seventh, Howard plated Placido Polanco on an RBI single and Ibanez followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Phillies the lead for good.

Antonio Bastardo and Jose Contreras combined to pitch a scoreless eighth inning. Ryan Madson pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 12th save of the season.

After the game, the Phillies announced that they optioned pitcher Vance Worley to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Worley gave up eight runs, five earned, in three innings against the Mets in his last start. They have not yet made a move to fill Worley’s spot on the roster.

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By Jason Brewer

– Managing Editor

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May 30, 2011 – The matchup between Roy Halladay and the Washington Nationals franchise has proved to be downright unfair. In his career against the Nationals and their previous iteration, the Expos, Halladay is 10-1 with a 2.01 ERA over 13 starts. Since joining the Phils, he’s 5-0 against Washington, with two wins coming this year. The reigning NL Cy Young award winner takes the hill this afternoon in the first of a three game series at Nationals Park.

He will be opposed by Livan Hernandez, who is 1-1 against the Phils this year. In 13 innings he’s given up 17 hits and five runs to the Phils, but was strong in his last outing on April 12th. He gave up just one run over 6 2/3 innings. The righty has lost five of his last seven decisions however.

The Phils have beaten the Nats in five of six meetings this season. Washington trails the Phillies in the NL East by 10.5 games.

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Read More: Cliff Lee (P – PHI), Jerry Hairston Jr. (SS – WAS), Jayson Werth (RF – WAS), Alex Cora (2B – WAS), Livan Hernandez (P – WAS), Roy Halladay (P – PHI), Rick Ankiel (CF – WAS), Michael Morse (LF – WAS), Laynce Nix (LF – WAS), Ian Desmond (SS – WAS), Wilson Ramos (C – WAS), Danny Espinosa (2B – WAS), San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals

Whether it’s at home or on the road, Phillies ace Roy
Halladay has dominated the Washington Nationals.

Halladay is set to take the mound this afternoon in the opener of a three-game
series at Nationals Park and is 10-1 with a 2.01 ERA in 14 games (13 starts)
against the Montreal/Washington franchise. He is 5-0 against the Nationals
since joining the Phillies last season and has beat them twice already in
2011. He went the distance in a 3-2 win on April 13, then tossed seven innings
of two- run ball during a 7-3 victory on May 5.

The right-hander and reigning NL Cy Young Award winner previously pitched in
Wednesday’s 5-4 win over Cincinnati, but did not record a decision after he
allowed three runs and a season-high 11 hits through seven innings. Halladay
is 6-3 with a 2.35 ERA in 11 starts this season and is 2-2 in four road
starts.

Philadelphia had a four-game winning streak stopped and its bid for a three-
game sweep of the New York Mets dashed in Sunday’s 9-5 loss in which starting
pitcher Vance Worley was tagged for eight runs — five earned — and 12 hits
in just three innings of work.

“I felt good. The last couple of bullpen (sessions) went well. Everything was
working in the bullpen. Just got [on the mound] and it wasn’t there,” Worley
said.

Raul Ibanez homered, while Ben Francisco and Dane Sardinha both recorded two
hits and an RBI for the NL East-leading Phillies, who lost for the third time
in their past 10 contests. The Phils are 2-1 on a nine-game road trip against
the Mets, Nationals and Pirates.

Washington dropped two of three games to the San Diego Padres this past
weekend and suffered a 5-4 loss in Sunday’s series finale.

Former Phillie Jayson Werth led the offense with three hits and an RBI, as the
Nationals dropped their seventh game in eight tries. Roger Bernadina, Laynce
Nix and Michael Morse each drove in a run in defeat.

“We had our opportunities … Double plays hurt us in this series,” said
Nationals manager Jim Riggleman.

Yunesky Maya started for Riggleman’s club and did not record a decision after
he gave up four runs in 4 2/3 frames. Drew Storen was dealt the loss for
giving up the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning. Padres closer Heath
Bell shut the Nats down in the bottom half for his 12th save.

In other news for the Nats, third baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. was suspended for
one game for making contact with home-plate umpire Ed Hickox in the bottom of
the seventh inning of a 2-1 victory over the Padres on Friday. He appealed his
suspension on Sunday and went 1-for-3.

“I didn’t push him or shove [Hickox] in any way, and the video clearly shows
that,” Hairston said. “I don’t know what [MLB was] seeing. It’s as clear as
day in the video. I made a strong argument. I thought I was in the right.

“This is the big leagues. You are going to have your ups and downs as far as
disagreements with umpires. I respect an umpire. Never have I pushed or shoved
an umpire, and I never will.”

Taking the mound for Washington today will be veteran Livan Hernandez. The big
righty is 3-6 in 11 starts to go along with a 3.71 ERA and is winless in his
last five trips to the mound — all Washington losses. Hernandez did not
record a decision in Tuesday’s 7-6 loss at Milwaukee and allowed three runs in
six innings.

Hernandez is 1-1 in two starts against Philadelphia this season and 12-11 with
a 3.59 ERA in 29 career starts in this series.

The Phillies have won five of six meetings with the Nationals this season and
are 17-7 in the previous 24 matchups between the two NL East foes.

©2011 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Ian Desmond sat at his locker in the clubhouse Sunday evening stone faced and frustrated.

It would be inaccurate to say that the Washington Nationals have taken any of their first 30 losses this season with a sense of complacency or without disappointment, but minutes after a potentially game-saving play by Desmond turned into one where the winning run scored in the ninth inning of the San Diego Padres‘ 5-4 victory, Desmond was the embodiment of those frustrations.

Closer Drew Storen, who was on the mound in a tie game and got the one-out ground ball he was looking for from Padres left fielder Ryan Ludwick with Jorge Cantu on second base, said it was “a heck of an effort,” by Desmond. Veteran infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. called it a “great play.”

And it was all of those things for Desmond, who was playing deep in the hole, to range to his left and even knock the ball down. Instead of sliding into his glove, the ball slipped away. Desmond recovered and threw to the plate, but catcher Wilson Ramos dropped the ball upon impact. Cantu scored, and another brutal loss was on its way.

“I don’t really know why it was great,” Desmond said. “The run scored, and we lost the game. It wasn’t very great to me.”

“It just trickled away,” Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said of the play. “Is that unlucky? We had a chance to have good luck, and we just didn’t take advantage of it when we could get some runs in.”

The winning run did indeed score then – perhaps a bit of bad luck for Storen, who has allowed a run in three straight appearances after a 21-inning scoreless streak. But the game was lost long before Ludwick took a hack at Storen’s 0-1 slider.

It was lost when the Nationals put two runners on base with one out or less five times and they scored in just two of those innings. It was lost when they hit into three inning-ending double plays, and it was lost because of paltry 3-for-13 batting with runners in scoring position. The Nationals had 11 hits, drew three walks and a runner reached on an error. Only four of those runners scored.

“This isn’t going to cut it,” Desmond said. “It’s not luck. We’re not unlucky. We have runners in scoring position, and we can’t score them. It starts with me. I left runners out there. I’ve been leaving runners out there. I’ve got to do something different. We’ve all got to do something different.”

“There’s no other word to say it besides frustrating,” he added. “I don’t know what’s going on… We’ve got to start scoring runs for our pitching staff. They’ve been pitching great, and we can’t score runs for them. We’ve got to find an answer.”

On Sunday, that pitcher was Yunesky Maya, though it’d be a stretch to call Maya’s 4 2/3-inning, four-earned run performance great. But called up from Triple-A on Sunday morning to start in place of injured Tom Gorzelanny, Maya – and the bullpen – kept Washington within striking distance, despite squandering a two-run lead.

Maya zipped through the first three innings, but felled by a hot day and back-to-back two-out walks in the fifth, Maya’s efficiency disappeared. He needed 38 pitches to get the first nine outs but 52 to get the following five.

Yet if the Nationals could plate just two more of their 15 base runners, it’s a moot point.

Whether the Nationals chalked up their 30th loss – and 11th in a one-run game – by bad luck or missed opportunities it was a loss just the same.

“It just kind of leaves a bitter taste in your mouth,” Storen said. “A loss is a loss, but these ones really sting. But, hey, sun’s going to come up tomorrow.”

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Ian Desmond sat at his locker in the clubhouse Sunday evening stone faced and frustrated.

It would be inaccurate to say that the Washington Nationals have taken any of their first 30 losses this season with a sense of complacency or without disappointment, but minutes after a potentially game-saving play by Desmond turned into one where the winning run scored in the ninth inning of the San Diego Padres‘ 5-4 victory, Desmond was the embodiment of those frustrations.

Closer Drew Storen, who was on the mound in a tie game and got the one-out ground ball he was looking for from Padres left fielder Ryan Ludwick with Jorge Cantu on second base, said it was “a heck of an effort,” by Desmond. Veteran infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. called it a “great play.”

And it was all of those things for Desmond, who was playing deep in the hole, to range to his left and even knock the ball down. Instead of sliding into his glove, the ball slipped away. Desmond recovered and threw to the plate, but catcher Wilson Ramos dropped the ball upon impact. Cantu scored, and another brutal loss was on its way.

“I don’t really know why it was great,” Desmond said. “The run scored, and we lost the game. It wasn’t very great to me.”

“It just trickled away,” Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said of the play. “Is that unlucky? We had a chance to have good luck, and we just didn’t take advantage of it when we could get some runs in.”

The winning run did indeed score then – perhaps a bit of bad luck for Storen, who has allowed a run in three straight appearances after a 21-inning scoreless streak. But the game was lost long before Ludwick took a hack at Storen’s 0-1 slider.

It was lost when the Nationals put two runners on base with one out or less five times and they scored in just two of those innings. It was lost when they hit into three inning-ending double plays, and it was lost because of paltry 3-for-13 batting with runners in scoring position. The Nationals had 11 hits, drew three walks and a runner reached on an error. Only four of those runners scored.

“This isn’t going to cut it,” Desmond said. “It’s not luck. We’re not unlucky. We have runners in scoring position, and we can’t score them. It starts with me. I left runners out there. I’ve been leaving runners out there. I’ve got to do something different. We’ve all got to do something different.”

“There’s no other word to say it besides frustrating,” he added. “I don’t know what’s going on… We’ve got to start scoring runs for our pitching staff. They’ve been pitching great, and we can’t score runs for them. We’ve got to find an answer.”

On Sunday, that pitcher was Yunesky Maya, though it’d be a stretch to call Maya’s 4 2/3-inning, four-earned run performance great. But called up from Triple-A on Sunday morning to start in place of injured Tom Gorzelanny, Maya – and the bullpen – kept Washington within striking distance, despite squandering a two-run lead.

Maya zipped through the first three innings, but felled by a hot day and back-to-back two-out walks in the fifth, Maya’s efficiency disappeared. He needed 38 pitches to get the first nine outs but 52 to get the following five.

Yet if the Nationals could plate just two more of their 15 base runners, it’s a moot point.

Whether the Nationals chalked up their 30th loss – and 11th in a one-run game – by bad luck or missed opportunities it was a loss just the same.

“It just kind of leaves a bitter taste in your mouth,” Storen said. “A loss is a loss, but these ones really sting. But, hey, sun’s going to come up tomorrow.”

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© Copyright 2011 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

Ryan Ludwick thought Ian Desmond made a great play. Desmond didn’t think so at all.
The not-so-great play was a grounder Ludwick hit up the middle that scored the winning run for the San Diego Padres as the Washington Nationals lost their ninth of 11 games, 5-4 to San Diego.
With Drew Storen (4-2) on the mound, Jorge Cantu doubled with one out. After Jason Bartlett grounded to third, Ludwick’s grounder hit off Desmond’s glove, and his throw home was not in time to beat Cantu.
“I knew it was in. I didn’t think he was going to get to it. I thought he did a great job getting a glove on it,” Ludwick said.
Desmond respectfully disagreed.
“I don’t really know why it was great. The guy scored — and we lost the game. It wasn’t very great to me,” Desmond said.
“This isn’t going to cut it.”
The Nationals scored a franchise-record 17 runs against Baltimore on May 20, and since then they’ve gone 1-7 and scored more than four runs just once. Their batting average is a horrifying .229 — second-worst in baseball — and they dropped two of three to the only team with a worse average — .227.
“It’s unbelievable. We have to do something different,” Desmond said.
“There’s no other word to say besides frustrating. I don’t know what’s going on. We’ve got to find what’s in ourselves. We’ve got to do something.”
Washington was just 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
“We had some good luck and we just couldn’t take advantage of it,” manager Jim Riggleman said.
It was the first time San Diego scored more than three runs in 11 games.
Luke Gregerson (2-1), the third Padres pitcher, pitched two scoreless innings for the win. Heath Bell worked the ninth for his 12th save in 13 chances.
The first two games of the series featured little offense. Both games ended 2-1, with each team winning one. On Sunday, the teams, which combined for 19 hits in the first two games, had 21.
“I trust our hitters. It’s not like they’re having bad at-bats,” Storen said.
Washington was led by Jayson Werth with three hits. Only Michael Morse, who had two hits — including the game-ending homer on Friday — had multiple hits for the Nationals in any of the weekend’s games.
“It’s not luck. We’re not unlucky. We’ve got runners in scoring position, and we can’t score,” Desmond said.
“It starts with me. I left runners in scoring position. I’ve got to do something different. We all have to do something different.”
In the first, Washington leadoff batter Roger Bernadina reached on an error by Hawpe at first. He stole second and advanced to third on Desmond’s bunt single. Werth singled to right to score Bernadina and Desmond scored on Laynce Nix’s sacrifice fly.
Yunesky Maya, recalled earlier Sunday by the Nationals, allowed just one hit in his first three innings.
In the fourth,the Padres scored when Bartlett led off with a double and scored on Ludwick’s single.
In the fifth, they scored three runs. Logan Forsythe led off with a single, pitcher Moseley bunted him to second, and with two out, Bartlett and Ludwick walked to load the bases. Hawpe singled to score Forsythe and Bartlett. After Slaten replaced Maya, Ludwick scored on Headley’s double.
Maya who is winless in six career starts, pitched 4 2-3 innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He walked two and struck out three.
The Nationals made it 4-3 in the fifth on Rick Ankiel’s single off Moseley and Bernadina’s RBI double.
Moseley pitched five innings, allowing three runs — two earned. He walked one and struck out one.
In the sixth, Washington tied the score at 4 on Morse’s fielders choice that scored Werth.
NOTES: Washington 3B Jerry Hairston was suspended one game and fined for “aggressive actions” toward umpire Ed Hickox on Friday night. Hairston, who was celebrating his 35th birthday on Sunday, is appealing the suspension. … Maya was the sixth starting pitcher used by the Nationals this season. The Nationals are the last major league team to need a sixth starter.

Ryan Ludwick thought Ian Desmond made a great play. Desmond didn’t think so at all.
The not-so-great play was a grounder Ludwick hit up the middle that scored the winning run for the San Diego Padres as the Washington Nationals lost their ninth of 11 games, 5-4 to San Diego.
With Drew Storen (4-2) on the mound, Jorge Cantu doubled with one out. After Jason Bartlett grounded to third, Ludwick’s grounder hit off Desmond’s glove, and his throw home was not in time to beat Cantu.
“I knew it was in. I didn’t think he was going to get to it. I thought he did a great job getting a glove on it,” Ludwick said.
Desmond respectfully disagreed.
“I don’t really know why it was great. The guy scored — and we lost the game. It wasn’t very great to me,” Desmond said.
“This isn’t going to cut it.”
The Nationals scored a franchise-record 17 runs against Baltimore on May 20, and since then they’ve gone 1-7 and scored more than four runs just once. Their batting average is a horrifying .229 — second-worst in baseball — and they dropped two of three to the only team with a worse average — .227.
“It’s unbelievable. We have to do something different,” Desmond said.
“There’s no other word to say besides frustrating. I don’t know what’s going on. We’ve got to find what’s in ourselves. We’ve got to do something.”
Washington was just 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
“We had some good luck and we just couldn’t take advantage of it,” manager Jim Riggleman said.
It was the first time San Diego scored more than three runs in 11 games.
Luke Gregerson (2-1), the third Padres pitcher, pitched two scoreless innings for the win. Heath Bell worked the ninth for his 12th save in 13 chances.
The first two games of the series featured little offense. Both games ended 2-1, with each team winning one. On Sunday, the teams, which combined for 19 hits in the first two games, had 21.
“I trust our hitters. It’s not like they’re having bad at-bats,” Storen said.
Washington was led by Jayson Werth with three hits. Only Michael Morse, who had two hits — including the game-ending homer on Friday — had multiple hits for the Nationals in any of the weekend’s games.
“It’s not luck. We’re not unlucky. We’ve got runners in scoring position, and we can’t score,” Desmond said.
“It starts with me. I left runners in scoring position. I’ve got to do something different. We all have to do something different.”
In the first, Washington leadoff batter Roger Bernadina reached on an error by Hawpe at first. He stole second and advanced to third on Desmond’s bunt single. Werth singled to right to score Bernadina and Desmond scored on Laynce Nix’s sacrifice fly.
Yunesky Maya, recalled earlier Sunday by the Nationals, allowed just one hit in his first three innings.
In the fourth,the Padres scored when Bartlett led off with a double and scored on Ludwick’s single.
In the fifth, they scored three runs. Logan Forsythe led off with a single, pitcher Moseley bunted him to second, and with two out, Bartlett and Ludwick walked to load the bases. Hawpe singled to score Forsythe and Bartlett. After Slaten replaced Maya, Ludwick scored on Headley’s double.
Maya who is winless in six career starts, pitched 4 2-3 innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He walked two and struck out three.
The Nationals made it 4-3 in the fifth on Rick Ankiel’s single off Moseley and Bernadina’s RBI double.
Moseley pitched five innings, allowing three runs — two earned. He walked one and struck out one.
In the sixth, Washington tied the score at 4 on Morse’s fielders choice that scored Werth.
NOTES: Washington 3B Jerry Hairston was suspended one game and fined for “aggressive actions” toward umpire Ed Hickox on Friday night. Hairston, who was celebrating his 35th birthday on Sunday, is appealing the suspension. … Maya was the sixth starting pitcher used by the Nationals this season. The Nationals are the last major league team to need a sixth starter.

Read More: Jayson Werth (RF – WAS), Jorge Cantu (1B – SDP), Michael Morse (LF – WAS), Roger Bernadina (RF – WAS), Drew Storen (P – WAS), Yunesky Maya (P – WAS), San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals are no strangers to defeat in 2011, but it always seems the Nationals know how to put just the right amount of pain and despair in their losses to break the hearts of Natstown faithful. The Nationals did it again Sunday afternoon dropping a close one to the San Diego Padres 5-4 and losing in the final inning of the game.

With the score tied 4-4, usually reliable reliever Drew Storen served up a slider to the Padres’ Ryan Ludwick (went 3-for-4) who smacked an RBI single to score Jorge Cantu in the top of the ninth and take the game and the series at Nationals Park. It was disheartening after the Nationals battled back from a 4-2 disadvantage. Center fielder Roger Bernadina racked up a RBI double in the fifth-inning and first baseman Michael Morse hit into a fielders choice that scored right fielder Jayson Werth in the sixth to tie the game. Unfortunately it was all for naught.

The first outing in 2011 for Nationals starter Yunesky Maya showed some promise, but ultimately his season debut is one he will probably want to forget as he gave up four runs off six hits in only four-innings of work. He walked two and struck out three.

The San Diego Padres came into Washington struggling, but they leave with something positive under their belts. If the Nats had this much trouble handling the Padres, then it might turn nightmarish when the visiting NL East rivals the Philadelphia Phillies come hording into Nationals Park on Monday.

The Nationals hit 30-losses on the year with a record of 22-30.

Ryan Ludwick had three hits and two RBIs, including a go-ahead infield single in the ninth, Brad Hawpe had two hits and two RBIs and the San Diego Padres beat the Washington Nationals 5-4 on Sunday.
With the game tied at 4 in the ninth, pinch-hitter Jorge Cantu broke an 0-for-13 slump with a double to right off Drew Storen (4-2). With two outs, Ludwick grounded a ball up the middle that bounced off shortstop Ian Desmond’s glove for a hit. Cantu barely beat Desmond’s throw home.
It was the first time San Diego scored more than three runs in 11 games, and gave them a series win over Washington.
Luke Gregerson (2-1), the third Padres pitcher, pitched two scoreless innings for the win. Heath Bell worked the ninth for his 12th save in 13 chances.
The first two games of the series featured little offense. Both games ended 2-1, with each team winning one. On Sunday, the teams, which combined for 19 hits in the first two games, had 21.
Washington, losers of nine of 11, were led by Jayson Werth with three hits.
In the first, Washington leadoff batter Roger Bernadina reached on an error by Hawpe at first. He stole second and advanced to third on Desmond’s bunt single. Werth singled to right to score Bernadina and Desmond scored on Laynce Nix’s sacrifice fly.
Yunesky Maya, recalled earlier Sunday by the Nationals, allowed just one hit in his first three innings.
In the fourth,the Padres scored when Jason Bartlett led off with a double and scored on Ludwick’s single.
In the fifth, they scored three runs. Logan Forsythe led off with a single, pitcher Moseley bunted him to second, and with two out, Bartlett and Ludwick walked to load the bases. Hawpe singled to score Forsythe and Bartlett. After Slaten replaced Maya, Ludwick scored on Headley’s double.
Maya who is winless in six career starts, pitched 4 2-3 innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He walked to and struck out three.
The Nationals made it 4-3 in the fifth on Rick Ankiel’s single off Moseley and Bernadina’s RBI double.
Moseley pitched five innings, allowing three runs — two earned. He walked one and struck out one.
In the sixth, Washington tied the score at 4 on Michael Morse’s fielders choice that scored Werth.
NOTES: Washington 3B Jerry Hairston was suspended one game and fined for “aggressive actions” toward umpire Ed Hickox on Friday night. Hairston, who was celebrating his 35th birthday on Sunday, is appealing the suspension. … San Diego OF Cameron Maybin, hitless in his last 10 at-bats, was out of the lineup due to knee soreness. … Maya was the sixth starting pitcher used by the Nationals this season. The Nationals are the last major league team to need a sixth starter.