So much for .500. The Astros drop three of four at Washington, losing yesterday 7-2.
*In the four-game series, 16 of Washington's 21 runs came in the 6th inning or later.
*Thanks to the Astros, the Nationals now have a winning record at home (38-37), while the Astros are 32-43 on the road (.427). That's bad, but it's better than 2009's road record of 30-51 (.370).
*The Astros have lost five of their last six games at Washington, dating back to the beginning of the 2009 season.
*And Houston has a three-game losing streak for the first time since August 6-8 at Milwaukee.
*It looks like Nelson Figueroa's carriage has turned into a pumpkin, throwing 6IP, 6H/5ER, 4K:1BB, 2HR. Figueroa's 1st four starts: 23IP, 17H/5ER, 14K:12BB, 2HR allowed. 1.96 ERA. Figueroa's last four starts: 20IP, 24H/15ER, 18K:8BB, 5HR allowed. 6.75 ERA.
*Gustavo Chacin came in to a 5-2 game, relieving Henry Villar, who left one on base for Chacin. The first batter Chacin saw - Espinosa - took him to left for a two-run homer. Then he gave up a single to Adam Kennedy, and his day was done. It's the first time since August 18 that Chacin had allowed an earned run (11 appearances).
*Wesley Wright hasn't allowed a hit to any of the eight batters he has faced since getting his first action since August 8.
*Jason Bourgeois was 1x4 with a walk, and his 11th stolen base. Joining Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence as the players with double-digit stolen bases.
*Jeff Keppinger was 3x4 with a walk. In September, Keppinger is hitting .329.
*Lee-Michaels-Johnson (4-5-6) went a combined 0x11. The Nationals' 4-5-6 hitters (Morse-Bernadina-Ramos)? 5x10, 5RBI, 1K:1BB.
*Finally, congratulations to Nationals pitcher Ross Detwiler, whose win yesterday was his second career win, his first of 2010, and his first since September 28, 2009.
*Pitch Count Hero: Angel Sanchez (1x3) - 16 pitches in three PAs.
*Pitch Count Punk: Humberto Quintero (1x3) - five pitches in three PAs.
*Man of the Match: Jeff Keppinger
*Goat of the Game: Nelson Figueroa
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
