. he suits the door o florida marlins and the nats take out the marlins, 5-4. looking for the sweep today. the fans getting ready from nationals park and hopefully the weather will be okay too. they are looking for wins in a row and trying to get florida three straight and get home here on nats extra. welcome to nats extra, presented to you by verizon

wireless. ray knight and the braves will arrive over the victory. and over the florida marlins and scoring early, ray and then the last three innings, shut out for the bullpen. >> pretty good combination. took runs on the board early and bullpen coming in. and lannan effective and he pitches them and out of the situation. we will show you a little bit about what happened yesterday with the offense. and zimmerman goes back to back. and put the nats up. 1-0 and then a bomb by adam dunn to the right center field. and then guzman triples and in

front of the mound. and second baseman didn't get over. and watching them go from first to home and guzman goes from home to third to see the speed. they are setting the tone early on and reacts to the eight wins in the 12 games for the nationals. >> winning is a lot of things, man. and we kick the record out. we are having fun and playing good last couple of weeks and can 10 that the rest the season. >> adam dunn been on a tear. and he has it with mr. dunn and four in the entire season. >> they want to pitch him away and he is taking that away from them. because he hit a lot. and at least seven i know of to the opposite way. there is one where he is getting pitches and driving them that way. >> we stood up there two weeks

ago talking about adam and how great an eye he has. and it as ball. and he takes the ball on the outside of the plate that are strikes and he has so much power, when i was with the reds and ken griffey junior, they used to hit it at will. in a home run derby and it was simply amazing, you are going to see that with adam a lot. he is a guy capable of hitting the home runs and then steams, he gets it tough. and usually off speed stuff and patient. and not i am patient that he doesn't walk. he is going to get the walk. he has more peer power than any hitter in the league. and 450 feet consistently and more power than ken griffey junior. and i pitched batting practice to both of them and 30 minutes. and home runs everywhere and no question in my mind has true power than anyone else in the game. >> you and me were talking

about. what if he was a right hander here at the park. what he could do. >> i don't know if it would do that much difference and he hits it so hard. but, hey it would be nice to be a switch hitter and he was pretty satisfied with what the good lord made him and one heck of a power producer. >> between him and zimmerman, you can't sneeze at that. and what happened to john lannan and gave him a homer early on and we are saying now, veterans, he settled down and forced him to take his pitches. >> he is one of the better pitchers in the league. fourteenth on in his ability to get through and crowley starts and just a fastball. and jumped all over. and walking four times a night before. and he had his breaking ball. and wore out a couple of right-handed hitters and more often than particular. when he through a little short slider at 82. and 89. and he has more ability in the

ball club to get it. and i see him all the time with runners on first and second. and has the ability to make the pitch and take the sting out of the bat. >> lannan talked about how he recovered from the early home run. >> he got away from where my strengths are and strikeouts were pretty big. and kind of helped us out a little bit. >> the victory, a chance for the sweep against the florida marlins and before it started, it was 10 straight. and now we are looking to start a new streak. ray, look at the historical perspective. what would it mean. >> you can't measure it in word. it is about the psychological deal of having a ball club that dominated you over the last three years. fifth straight win. i like the fact that it would improve the fact that jim

riggleman is there. and it has played so many better and i remember ron dibble predicting that he thought the club could finish 500. and that's the first time. solid defense. and the hustle is especially proved. and the base running is improved and the clutch hitting has improved. and starting pitching hasn't been as good and the bullpen picked him up. and the record indicates that. >> the 500 possibility. and could go to 11-11. and what has that many to the ball club. and overall as a leader. >> teams get in ruts. and you know, the expectation to win. maybe not have been there and they were hoping to win there. jim riggleman is not that kind of man he expects you to go out and do the details and fund meals, the little things right and holds them accountable to a

higher standard. manny never won. and i don't know if he knew how to hold the team to a higher standard. he wasn't making excuses but covering for them and saying this is a young team learning to play in the big leagues. big league players, they better now how to play here. >> they make a move. a trade. anderson hernandez goes back to the new york mets and he gets to come

. update on the nationals park and a chance of thunderstorms but that is not going to dampen the spirits of the nationals and the fans as they get ready for the match up against the florida marlins. here is the starting line up. dan uggla and he is in the line up again and left fielder batting first for the florida marlins and nick johnson and shortstop, hanley ramirez and dan uggla, there the

aforementioned and cody ross and ronnie paulino is the catcher. >> and powering the offense from the third base marker and running around the base for the line up as well and morgan leading off again and cristian guzman getting the day off and adam dunn batting clean up. and elijah dukes and and josh bard is the catcher and speaking of pitchers. top selection in the first round for the nationals at the number 10 selection none other than drew joining us and exciting summer. something you will never for get and how does it feel to be in potomac. >> it as while wind summer and great to be in potomac and great to be winning. i am having a lot of fun. >> the difference between

potomac and your first stop. >> the hitters are a little better. they take advantage of mistakes but the hitters in potomac take advantage of the mistakes. >> 36 strikeouts and one walk. was it the umpire that called the walk. >> no, i left it up in the zone and it was going through my head too. and it was the last time i was on with you guys. and so, might have gotten jinxed. >> make sure we go through that. and talk about signing early. you mention it that day and how important it was to get going. >> you know, once i found out that the nationals picked me it was a perfect fit for me. i want to ride that out and get the career started and get the career out. and throw the first pitch. and it was really important for me to get going. and layingers town and get started. >> tell the people what you feature. >> i am a fastball.

you know, and fastball guy. trying to work on the fastball. go through different breaking balls and curve ball and then a slider. and try to throw out strikes and want the hitter to beat me and not walking people. so, now, i try to work down the zone and i try to attack guys. i like k rod. he is an offensive pitcher and makes them feel uncomfortable. >> we hear about buzz about you in the minors and norris as well and nice things about how you went after people in layingerstown. how did you like -- layingerstown. and -- hagerstown. >> they were both good guys and they can hit the ball and he is really putting on the hitting clinic and he is a great guy and working hard. and i am excited to see it happening with him.

>> 7-1 out there. closing all the time and you came into hagerstown and what is the difference you have seep in college in a great conference and from professional baseball. >> it is the aluminum bats. they are different. >> you don't have the jam shots and they go a little farther and there hasn't been much of a difference. and working on getting the ball down and the hitters are a lot better here. like i said earlier, they take advantage of the mistakes and they don't care about velocity and just because you are throwing hard. they don't care, they have seen it all. and it is pitching more and going out and throwing. >> they have been hot during the recent streak. have you been able to watch him or talk to him about what he does. >> i like watching him. he is a lot of fun. >> that wouldn't be bad having

your arsenal. and he goes out there and throws fastball. and goes through one break. and goes after guys. and he just wants to go. here is what i have and he has the stuff where he gets people out. >> i don't know if people realize one strike out. 36 strikeouts. one base on ball and 22 innings, that is 13 strikeouts per nine innings. and tremendous control. do you anticipate moving up one more time. >> i hope so. it is out of my control and i go out and do my thing. and i keep my mind set. and just kind of going out and help potomac win. >> if i go out and do my job. >> they will move me and it is just. you know, got out there and pitch. and do my thing. and they will take care of me. >> you talked about being a bad boy with the expos and got a chance to see chad cordero. >> it was great to set my

sights on things. at first, i thought that was great. pitch in college and pitch the world series. now as i progressed through my college career, i realize that would be kind of cool to become him. become a professional closer and move through the minor leagues quickly and make an impact. so that's what i set my sights on and either way, he is a great guy and taught me a lot. and i was only 14, 15 at the time and he treated me well and gave me vice and helped me out. >> drew, great to have you with us. >> he is there of the potomac nationals and now stay in the game. and brought to you by just for men hair color. we look at home the and this is the second one for the nats and came at a huge moment. and went two innings and no earned runs and this reliever keeps him in the game, you too

can stay in the game with just for men hair color. >> nick johnson with the florida marlins, had a chance to talk in with him and debbi taylor talks with nick on nats extra. so when you said you bring fiber optic all the way to the home, you meant... we bring fiber optic all the way to the home. um... which gives you more bandwidth than cable. so you can upload faster. so it's like comparing a horse and buggy to a sports car. am i the, uh, horse?

(announcer) it's a whole new internet. makes uploading as easy as downloading. because your internet's not fast unless it's two-way fast. welcome to chili's. start your three-course meals with a shared appetizer. for a second course, choose two entrees from over 15 chili's favorites, like our big mouth bites -- the mini burgers with giant layers of flavor. or a half-rack of our triple-basted baby back ribs.

then save some room to share a decadent dessert. a lot of bold flavors, for a limited time only. chili's --  . welcome back to nats  the marlins and the nationals are coming up. an old familiar friend is back at nats park. it is none other than nick johnson and it has been a whirlwind seven days for old nick johnson and debbi taylor had a chance to talk with the former nationals. >> it has been a little bit of the adjustment coming to nationals park as a member the marlins. how odd was it for you coming here. >> it was a little we are.

coming to the ball bark and you have to get over that pretty quick and go out and play the game. >> when you traded, there is a lot more to it than trading teams. your wife has to pack up. what is it like for liz. >> she is doing okay. her mom flew in to help. and we are just trying to get everything packed up and moved out the place and move on down to marlins miami. >> what are some of your most memorable moments. >> we had a pretty good team and great bunch of guys. and great bunch of guys on the other side over there. and playing the game hard and competing. and we like to win more. and just didn't happen. >> you were with the yankees before coming to the nationals and to be with the contender, what does that mean to you.

>> that's what you play for: and that's one thing i want. you know, get a ring. be the last team out there and we got a shot. >> i understand that one the your coaches here is from andy fox is from sacramento. and he is where you live. and what is it like in the off season. >> we watch football. and it is nice, pick me up at the airport when i got traded and i had a place to stay for the first three nights. took me in. and happy you know, he has made the transition to leave here. >> any truth to the story he shows you the 2003 world series ring. and you were on the yankees. >> yes, i have seen it. and he keeps it. and it is in his office and just, you know, something you got to try to work hard for. and you know, hopefully have a

chance some sometime day. >> okay. nick johnson, we will go back to byron and ray. >> look at him, ray. >> he was going to get you .290 and 20 home runs and drive in 80 plus. great professional and great defensive player. >> nice story. jose padilla gets the first at bat. what did you think of that. >> he made contact. and i didn't. good afternoon and good morning. and he went up there and he is aggressive and hit it to left field. and they are playing after being in the minor league. >> don't forget about that. 8:00 a.m. to 2:00. give blood for the nats. coming up. craig stammen and chris

volstad, the pitching preview for the nats and marlins. stay tuned. 

 we will learn a lot and learn that cold water, ohio is not where he wants to be known from. cold water was his archrival high school. take that out the media guide. and versailles, ohio. and stammen has been ineffective in the last quality starts and what has been going on with craig. >> he hasn't kept the ball down and he hasn't lost anybody and his south pa is up in the strike zone. and he wins 2.14. and you see the 12.91 in the last two outings. and they catch up with him and make some adjustments after you have been around the league. 10, 11 starts. and there is a lot of film on

him now. good curve ball. change-up and sinker when he is keeping it down. lately he is sky high and above. and causing some problems. ground ball to fly ball ratio. he was null six and that switched around. and getting it down. that's how you get the ground balls. >> yes. and the good one on the breaking ball. >> they have a tendency. and break down to the tip the ball and that and the good sinker and starts about, just a little bit above the knees and works this high. >> the guy is going against chris volstad and another tall pitcher. talk about the basketball team. the heat might be able to use the guys. palm beach gardens, close to where they play. >> he has got a fastball.

very young. 22 years old. and he joined the organization and had 90 minor league pitches. and was very effective. 6-4 last year and few starts and he is another guy that is really a high end pitcher. that you can throw some low numbers on the board. and he has five earned run average and put it together and make it difficult. >> well, a different situation playing in the middle the day. as we talked about today. and good chance to send a statement as to how they are playing right now. >> have stammen stay in for six innings and stay close. that's the formula as of late how they win ball games. and it all, the points to the man on the mound. >> that is craig stammen taking on chris volstad. bob carpenter and ron debel will have the play-by-play. and we will have the details

and highlights after the game. enjoy your baseball today at nats park. 

 . >> bob: the senates got the right start last night. see you later. , 2-0. >> bob: eight innings later. clinging to a one run lead. it was up to the bullpen. >> swing and a miss and the naves have won four in a row. this afternoon. they strive for five on masn. 

 . >> bob: well, we have decla it camp day. kids have loaded from the bus coming into the ballpark and should be a fun atmosphere. they won eight of the last 12 and they arele eight under 10 and 11 under jim riggleman and doing things to win baseball to give a faux away. >> rob: that's what it takes. great defense and pitching and offense. plenty of offense. they are hitting the ball well. zimmerman hit the ball, back to back home runs by adam dunn. and ronnie belliard comes through ants biggest hit was by far the triple that cristian

guzman hit and struck nyjer morgan and this is do or die play and giving it up for the team and then came at the ends of john lannan's performance and then mike mcdougle to close out the show and one the better team insist the division. one the great nights for the nationals. >> bob: the nats have dramatically improved their winning percentage. run scored, nobody better. hitters with running on base and catching the ball and throwing it well. adding up to a 84 record. we are covering the bases with craig stammen from coldwater, ohio via the university of dayton. and he will make his 15th start and you will know more about him shortly. úúxx÷÷

 . >> bob: nationals baseball 

brought to you by: in the fenway type area of nationals park, they are poised for a possible series sweep today. the nats and the marlins meeting for the 12th time. and nats trying to make it three in a row. here is the line up for the marlins. fifth in runs and seventh in home runs. dan uggla, three for four and three rbis in this series and going back to their game on sunday, he has been very, very hot and hitting .232 still. nick johnson trying to to do a fine job for them and craig stammen has pitched against the marlins at florida on june 30th. five and 1/3 innings. seven hits on that day and get a second look at them right here today and here is rob with the pnc scouting report. >> rob: his last outing was not good against pittsburgh. he needs to stay hungry. seven and 2/3 the last couple

of outings. not good. two full starts and 11 runs given up and that equals five previous starts combined over 35 innings pitched. craig, let's get it together if we hope to win five. >> bob: leadoff hitter. chris cog lynn for the marlins. and five out of 10 -- chris coghlan and it should be a ruckus atmosphere and we are late with the first pitch and it is in there at 12:36. cloudy skies. we had some rain overnight and chance for more. now, the marlins can stick around for awhile. they are only going to philadelphia on bus after this game. and nats are staying home to host arizona. 1-1, coghlan hitting .268.

change-up called ball two. the crew chief, gary cederstrom and fieldin culbreth on the bases. a ball ripped to left officer. willingham will not be able to get it and coghlan is doing well as the leadoff hitter. willingham, morgan and dukes. and ronnie belliard up the middle. cristian guzman has the day off, dunn and bard and they are one infielder short with the trading of anderson hernandez and the this is going to get short as well. here is nick johnson. and nick in the series on base five times. nothing knew about that. and off speed pitch for a strike. >> rob: bob, left-handed

hitters 10 to plague stammen and he has got to bear down and left-handed in the line up. >> bob: nick gets on late for that one. 0-2. and what could a right- handed pitcher do to be more effective against left handers. >> rob: you have to pound them in. don't tie up their hands. don't hit the it away from them and the change-up. great curve ball. didn't use it a lot in pittsburgh. nick johnson, new it and he walks away. >> rob: thanks, nick. well, as i said pound the inside part of the plate and

when you have a fastball like he has today. use it and watch it brake back for a cross to a strike. north three up/three down grumman on the pitch track. >> bob: the information powerhouse and here is hanley ramirez who is 2-8 in the series. and struck out for the final out of the ball game last night. double play ball hit in the 5th inning was key. and i also heard criticism of hanley ramirez base running in the 3rd inning when he was at first base with two outs and didn't take a big lead and didn't score on a 2-out double. i. >> rob: i wasn't criticizing him. great job. don't score. >> bob: and 0-1 to ramirez. >> rob: where is that pitch?

>> bob: up and in according to adrian johnson. looked like an off speed pitch. 89, that's his fastball. >> rob: it is on the inner half and runs across the plate. it is not where the catcher catches it, it is where it crosses the plate. adrian, checking with howard johnson about adrian johnson. >> craig: zimmerman deflects it to left field. willingham will get it back in. that ball was hanging up. look at the location of the pitch and they are lucky it is not 2-0. >> rob: i conagree with you more. you hang a breaking ball. usually it leaves the ballpark. and ramirez hits down and shoots it right through the infield. >> bob: ryan zimmerman with a head long dive to his left.

nearly made a spectacular play and marlins have runners at the corner. cantu the hitter. >> rob: you got to start pitching inside. knocking them or at least knocking them back on their heels. you don't have stuff that you can make mistake at 96, 95 miles an hour. you will pay for it. so, he has got to pitch inside. >> bob: runner goes on first. throw is well short. and on a bad throw by josh bard, they lead and ramirez goes all the way to third. the ball was nowhere near making it to second base. that will be e two after the stolen base. >> rob: belliard is shaking up on the plate. he got wiped out pretty good.

i don't know why you make the low. he is going to steal the base. you have a guy early in ball game. and then. >> bob: you have a choice whether to pitch to cantu or not. now a runner at third base with one out, marlins have the lead. nationals make the 99th error of the year. that ball is hit well out in front of ronnie belliard. no well way to read the hop. stammen gives up another run. he will run the ball down. sacrifice fly, 2-0. bases empty, two outs and dan uggla coming up. we will check on game notes.

over the last week and a half, anderson hernandez is a met again. that's where he came from. for infielder gregg, the nats are recalling saul rivera and since the first of july, .280 batting average and major league baseball, that's over a five week period. uggla takes a breaking ball for a strike. now, because of the error, the nats have given the marlins a second run. unless uggla gets a base hit that would make it earned. inside with a fastball, 1-1. >> rob: you have to try to minimize the damage and think in your mine, well, if i can't make a perfect throw, i will eat the ball and it is second and their. nobody scores. and. >> bob: then if you give up one run, you are okay. >> rob: then a guy on third with two outs right now.

keep it simple. fundamental stuff. win you a lot of ball games. >> bob: 1-2, target away. uggla chops one foul. >> rob: this is the same thing that happened yesterday with nyjer morgan not hitting. and then coming in. so, one run comes in on the throw and one goes over to third. sack fly, it is 2-0. top half of the first. >> bob: no swing says jim wolf, ball two. >> rob: see, if he goes on the swing. looks like he broke the plane to me. >> bob: tight ball three.

catcher john baker, another left-handed batter next for the marlins. stammen does get uggla that time. he was walking to first base and he knew he struck out. the nats give the run away and the marlins get two in the first. @d@dúdúúxx÷ 

 . >> bob: the nats have 

coming from behind. and they will have to do it today. the southwest.com line up. ryan zimmerman is ridiculous lately. along with the slugging percentage and seven home runs, 15 rbis in the 12 games. batting an even .400 elevating his average up to .293. guzman is not in the line up so ronnie belliard hits second against chris volstad and the marlins, 22-year-old right hander from palm beach, florida up the road from their ballpark. nyjer morgan. scored a couple for six. on base three times. tied with ryan zimmerman with hits at 22. tenth in the league. there is another one of those basketball front line pitchers, rob was talking about.

6'8", nearly 230-pound. volstad. and morgan flips one foul. left field side. >> rob: pnc bank scouting report. too many, too many walks, too many home runs, 10 in the last starts. equal 34 runs. big angle bob talked about. >> bob: morgan on a bunt. volstad plays it well and throws him out. >> rob: worked with hall of famer jim palmer in repeating his delivery. 22 home runs, bob, and 22 starts coming into today. way too many. gave up three home runs last year in 84 innings, that is 14 starts. so he has given up a lot of walks and a lot of home runs and eight walks and two starts before the last start when he didn't walk anybody. we can get back in the ball game. >> bob: one month ago minus two days at san francisco five shut out and went all the way in the game. against the nats.

pitched into the 5th inning on april 19th. and give up three runs on six hits. and ronnie belliard is number 2 today. two for five with a homer and three rbis. he has played a prominent role in both of these wins. five for his last 11 over five games. he checks one foul as he got a ball inside. and he didn't miss by much doing what he did last night. he has been a jack of all trades lately. playing third. first and second boys. and at the plate. that's what made anderson hernandez expendable with his bat and playing all over the feel. ronnie is better, the more bats he gets. almost any player he is. and especially bell yard who didn't produce too much of

anything. and give five or six bats per week. 3-2 and 1 out. belliard gets a piece of that one for a base hit. >> rob: stay hot. >> bob: he saw a pitch up. fought it off. >> rob: did you see the hustle. he ran halfway to second. he is on fire. >> bob: ronnie is one of the guys, when thing it is are going well with the bat, he has extra skip in the bat. eleventh in the league. cody ross can play any position. he is in center. hermida back in right today. and baker and paulino they alternate behind the plate. look at them go. >> rob: i am going to take second. >> bob: here is zimmerman. don't run yourself out of an inning the way this guy is going. >> rob: i like that hustling. >> bob: zimmerman with a base hit to left. hit number 123 for ryan.

and the nats are sending a message to the marlins that we are not going to lay down because you got two in the first. adam dunn homered last night. and in three consecutive games and he and here he comes. first pitch after the zimmerman homer. >> rob: first pitch is a running fastball that just isn't coming back. >> bob: about 430 to right center. maybe more. volstad has given up 22 home runs this year as rob mention. 10 of his last 10 starts. and dunn is on a hot vehicle. six homers his last 18 games. hitting .383 over that time. our brilliant tv technicians

would call this a flat lighting day. no shadows, complete cloud cover and the hitters like this. they can see the ball really well out of the pitcher's hands. and the batter's eye out there in center field. day games can be tough this time of year just after high noon. not today and 2-0. >> rob: so the technicians call it a light. >> bob: flat lighting. >> rob: i call it a dreary day. >> bob: well,. >> bob: if you win a game like this, a rein beau will appear over the scoreboard just after the game is over. changed up on him. 84-miles-an-hour. it is 2-1 to adam dunn. dunn, third in the league and third in rbis, 81. third in walks, 80. and the on base average.

still up over .400. that's ball three. and he is a disappointed power hitter who will make you throw strikes. josh willingham, he cooled off a little bit and josh, two for eight against the marlins. 10 game hitting streak and adam dunn someones through another off speed pitch. >> bob: big pitch early in the ball game with the marlins on the board already. and the nats trying to answer

might back. dunn take it is. and bases loaded. one out. walk number 81. and we have been here before with josh willingham and the bases loaded. 10 days ago in milwaukee, he got jeff suppan and then he gets another one a little bit later on his historic two grand slams rbi night. >> rob: i believe the second was off of difelice. >> bob: it was. there is willingham. and now, volstad behind in the count. so, he gets two runs to work with. and throwing 17 pitches to get one out. it is belliard, zimmerman and dunn. two singles and a walk.

ball two inside. >> rob: this is one of the thunks i said what to look for -- things i said. too many runs given up. got to be aggressive. >> bob: willingham, has a double play ball right to hanley ramirez. moving over. on a 2-0 pitch where they wanted the ball in the air. volstad escapes. ♪ ♪ tell me who's watching. ♪ i always feel like somebody's watching me. ♪ (announcer) it's right here. it's easy.

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 . >> we are back at nationals park. it is a a special game for you. we moved to the top of the second inning and today we are covering the bases with starter pitcher craig stammen and i asked craig, describe your personality to us. >> i have a fiery competitive personality. i fool you and then come on strong at the end. >> very laid back guy from the midwest. went to the university of dayton where he was the school's strikeout leader. bob? >> bob: great school with a great athletic tradition and that ball hit to right. ' lie georgia dukes comes -- elijah dukes comes in to grab it. he is 25 years of age.

had a birthday march 9th. hometown ross berg, ohio. and born in coldwater. twelfth round by the nats in '05. and the u of d, not exactly a household name in baseball. maybe, he can change that. >> rob: not so much where you play, if you are talented, the scouts will find you. >> bob: oh, yeah. target in and down and in. and foul ball from cody ross who has had two hits. and a homer in the series. and modest four game hitting streak with five hits. >> rob: look at the kid yesterday from the netherlands. they found him. good player. since 1900. >> bob: cody ross is going to

go way upstairs with a foul ball. right to the edge of the upper deck there. >> rob: that's a long one. it is kid's day here. >> bob: they struggled on the road. likes it better when he has the ball in his hands to start the game. cody ross listed at 5'10", 194 generating serious power from the frame. 18 home runs this year. stammen is giving up nine and a 2-2 pitch coming. and that's offside third for zimmerman. one other ball game underway.

minnesota at cleveland. bunch of day games on this thursday afternoon. big day for the ball club. big series coming up. marlins go to philadelphia. and they trail the phillies right now by six. and phils are hosting colorado by cliff lee and starting in knife minutes. and cubs are at colorado and braves are at l.a. in this league. and 3-2 coming. he had him in the hole. and then craig stammen walks cody ross. first walk of the day. and we are at the top of the hour here in the nation's capitol. bob carpenter. ron dibble and debbi taylor on masn 2. they try to salvage one from the 3-game series. not a lot of walks by stammen.

>> rob: came in with 15 walks and 82 innings. >> rob: i will tell you what is good. we won the last three series and tied two and in the last five. 3-0-2. that's what you want to do either win or tie series. >> bob: jeremy hermida, one for six with a rbi and speaks to how he is not going for the marlins. i have never seen him batting eighth. he is a former number 1 draft choice. highly touted and wait until he gets healthy he is going to be something. last year. he played 142 games and hit .249. sometimes we scoff when certain publications rate a guy. the best pure hitter in the high school in america. >> that's what he was rated several years ago. >> all that means, he has never

seen a professional pitch at that time. >> true. >> bob: it really hurricane worked out with hermida so far. with a .267. out of atlanta, wheeler high school, a very talented baseball rich area. that has produced. brian mccann and jeff francoeur and many others. pitch out. ross holding. he doesn't run much but the fredi gonzalez might have a hit on here already loading by two. slapped up the middle for a base hit. it will be first and second. one out with the pitcher coming

out. three hits and a walk given up by stammen to the first eight batters in the game. and the pitcher chris volstad will be next. he is four for 38. and he is a good bunter with six evacuate sophieses. >> >> bob: lays off the fastball. up and away. dunn really in close at first.

ball two, same pitch. >> rob: well, he 10s to nibble. you can't nibble in the league or the other league. you have to throw strikes early in the count to get to your out pitches. >> bob: this is a man trying to make an out. >> rob: i mean, he is giving you an out and you are not going to take it. and he is throwing seven pitch strikes for the first nine hitters. he is down to 2-0. and struggling in this inning. >> rob: last four innings, four and a 1/3rd, he has given up 11 hits. not good. you got to start challenging these guys. knocking them back off the plate to get to the curve ball and change-up. then volstad hits the cover off

the ball. and coghlan is coming up. didn't look like a pitcher who is 4-38 this year. that was a major league piece of contact. they know when he is struggling with his command. he pulls back the bunt and wails right back up the middle. he hit so hard. ross couldn't score. >> bob: yes. nyjer morgan had a hard time charging the ball and here is coghlan who is the best florida hitter. >> rob: here comes mccaty and they are going to have a conversation about what is going on.   . >> bob: so, stammen now in the  last four and 1/3 innings. has given up eight runs.

on 12 hits. and the previous at pittsburgh. not exactly clemente etcetera with that line up. and this is a better team than the one he faced last time and only pitched three innings against. >> bob: coghlan has hit two double plays this year. rob mentioned left handers, pretty much owning craig stammen right now.

infield, outfield, doing a lot of standing around. long inning again. and the ball hit beyond the reach of belliard. it will be 3-0. as the merry go round is in progress at the second inning. and coghlan is wearing out the nat. he is seven for 12 in the series. >> well, he gets ahead with the fastball. and throws a big breaking ball with too much at the plate and coghlan jumps all over that. that will get logan densing up and now you have. >> bob: nick johnson who you have to throw strikes to. >> rob: well, you have to have a game plan. we talked about this all year.

if you don't come in with a game plan. of what you are going to attack the other team with. and pitch away from your strengths which is your curve ball. >> you will have days like this. 2-0. so now, hermida their. and volstad second. coghlan at first. they have all hit safely after the one out walk to cody ross. nick johnson will lift it out to center field. >> and marlins lead. and they almost got the witcher off the base. motionless and careless as he sauntered back to the bag. >> rob: a lot of it is the set

up because he threw it into the cut off man. and gets told by the second baseman. they almost got him. and jeremy hermida had crossed home plate plaintiff this had. >> here is ramirez. > en a laser for ryan zimmerman. a bottom fly. long run for dukes. not being able to get anywhere near that one. >> that ball is not hit as far as i am sure elijah thought it was off the end the bat.

target in. and he didn't get it in there. >> five enough. >> they will held him up. >> and he has thrown two pitches. and that have have easily nest the ballpark. >> first and he is done for the day. jim riggleman has seen enough. four more hits and a walk in the inning after a 2-run. two hit 1st inning and craig stammen's last two innings right now. they will attempt four and 2/3rd innings. and last three will told one

and 1/3rd. ♪

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second and their two outs. throws the ball away. 6-0. josh bard had no chance. who kidnapped our ball club, rob, this is not what we have been seeing lately. >> rob: you have been seeing over exposure and some guys that haven't big league and mike rizzo. >> knows what he has to do for next year. >> rob: need at least two veteran pitchers out there. to i have heard some say one. >> rob: no, you need two to three. and if you go with two young pitchers. john lannan would be one of them. >> bob: hit by cantu. high in the air. out to left center. and nyjer morgan has it.

and a disastrous second inning comes to a close. they lead 6-0. of the plane in the dark. no peanuts or nothin'. and then if your bag wants to bring one of its little bag friends for company, they charge another $25. that's just plain mean. why do they hate your bags? at southwest airlines, bags fly free. grab your bag. it's on! ( ding ) i just gave you some at the restaurant. yea i know. i threw them out. they were old so... old! they are rollover minutes. they are as good as new. ya know not everyone gets to keep their unused minutes. and these days we can't afford to be wasteful. saving minutes... ...saves money. yea. (announcer) only at&t's family talk with rollover saves your family's unused minutes. and saving minutes saves money.

for back to school, get the lg neon for $29.99 after mail-in rebate.  . >> bob: it is early. big deficit. and no one giving up. long way to go. 6-0. and get your family fun pack tickets. and the diamondbacks will be here. twenty-five dollars gets you a lower reserve particular on

either side the ballpark. and you get local logs. and drinks. and signature sunday and kid run the basis. >> bob: they chef been on the board. here is elijah dukes leading off bottom two. and breaking ball but volstad. >> rob: the one that get away. let him get away. > >> rob: no. the batter previous to him had walked. count went to 2-0. and didn't get a ball he can drive t and to the shortstop. and then the marlins tack on four.

wow. 3-2. to dukes. that is pretty good pitch by volstad. check this out. >> bob: and he has dukes reaching. and ely jaw signs and steady diet of breaking balls. until he is good up null. >> he turned it over. this is a chubby volstad. change-up, right on right. and might see more of them. on the tech dreer. >> a. >> yes. >> well, if you do. >> it is unex kid for him to

look at. it is an excellent one. >> amend about that arm angle. >> and throw two if a and if you know you can liar think in the further. >> bob: bard takes one off and josh is three for his last 21. dawgs. three for 19. and this is part of the order that needs to get something going. >> off speed. two and two. >> righty on righty. >> and as long as it works. >> and then barred paulino is going to are well, theette at

look. >> they can going to call. >> and it is interesting. that jim riggleman sticks there is. >> he is still talking to the home plate umpire and walks away. >> johnny holliday. >> rob: either the strikeout pitch and with josh bard his hands are over the plate and what he is saying, that was inside on him. >> bob: pop off on alberto gonzalez and long run. great sliding cash. and jeremy hermida. nats are gone in order in the bottom of the second. and everything is going florida's way right now after two. good defense. solid pitching. great offense for the fish. they lead by six. so when you said you bring fiber optic all the way to the home, you meant...

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 . >> bob: top of the third and  now, it as jury day. the way the marlins are going leading 6-0. there is the upcoming schedule. diamondbacks are coming in friday. saturday and sun, d.c. will join us as well as masn hd and balester and then it is off to a two game series in atlanta. after a day off monday and three game set follows that. >> four game set follows that

at cincinnati. >> bob: interesting homecoming for him and ron dibble. >> rob: not for me. >> bob: you are identified with cincinnati. change your attitude. we will have some ribs. one of the great local institutions there. >> rob: it is. >> bob: 0-2 from dan uggla and from logan densing. and it keeps coming for the marlins no matter who is pitching. >> rob: didn't know i was witheykasem. >> bob: i hate osayit but

is true. % rob: at d thfo br >> bob: 14 hits. >> rob: you have to mak more uncomfortable. get them back on the heels. throw the breaking ball away. simple, high and tight. and the guys are going to stand in there and uggla dove over to get the pitch. >> bob: on the ound by john baker or move the runner over as !belliard throws him out. comes is cody ross and jeremy hermida. and rockies have a lead in  their game with philadelphia. aaron cook. and cliff lee throwing. infields. nats can't afford to full back any further. and ross an  and that's where stammen's

problems really arted in t on a bakefly wall am and he walked dross fou hits later, it was a four run inning. there is the pop up. first base side. bard and dunn. and adam makes the call. two outs. >> bob: it is densing against a former teammate, jeremy -- it is densing against jeremy hermida. >> bob: the nats escape a ray of hope on a cloudy afternoon. pitcher spot coming up first in the third. 

 . >> bob: nationals baseball on masn brought to you by: beautiful view of the park from the river. and right now, it is marlins day and ladies night is coming up on august 20th. you get access to the rooftop and a ticket to the 7:05 game

and happy hour starts at 4:30. comply menary food and drink. and today appearances, prizes, dj, dancing and more. go to nats.com/ladies night. logan kensing, has had 94 major league pardon me. 94 games. six major league bats without a hit. he is a reliever. career guy and hasn't had a chance to swing the lumber a whole lot. and phillies have tied that game. and in the bottom of the 1st inning. and marlins don't know who to root for. they are chasing them in the divisional race and florida is four and a half back up in san

francisco and four back of colorado and six back in the phillies. i guess it as matter of taking carry of your own business and you don't care who wins your own game. and with a little chopper out to short and with hanley ramirez for the first out. five in a row for volstad going back to the double play ball off the bat of josh willingham. >> rob: hit by the pitcher, and ramirez, over to nick johnson. and pretty good by kensing. >> bob: he may be pitching awhile in this game. >> rob: yes, reserve some energy. >> bob: nyjer morgan takes the ball. and gets the big frame of his off the mount and threw nyjer out. >> rob: try to start chipping away at the lead. >> bob: there is your chip away

guy with a hit. >> rob: way too early to think it is over. >> bob: one thing the big league does is curtail the running game. if morgan runs, he has to make it to second base. you cannot afford to lose base runners. so, he may be stationed over there for awhile. so is zimmerman and so is dunn. three very good hitters following here. and big hole to the right side. if he can shoot it throw. and see the defense. >> bob: uggla cheating for the double play ball. and holding morgan. and medium lead for him.

and back. >> bob: ron dibble with the most commonly used word by a first base coach. you know, morgan doesn't take big leads when he steals. he is probably 2 feet short of what you would call a gad lead. and that's a fastball inside. 1-1 to belliard. >> rob: you don't want to get ticked off here. let ronnie do what he has to do with the bat. >> bob: doesn't hurt to distract the pitcher a little bit and you cannot lose a base runner here. belliard on a great bigbie can't too and double clutch by uggla as morgan went off him and marlins turn a fantastic double play. cantu keeps that ball from going into left field and they have turned two in three

innings. @x@0@p@0@6p)@)@)p,

 . >> welcome back to nationals  park where they trail the marlins 6-0. we have the up and coming stars of the nationals. drew. and he started in hagerstown, maryland and this is your first professional season. you were drafted by the nothing in june. what is it like being a

professional pitcher. >> little different than in college. playing every day and gotten a lot better and just as a pitcher last monday and been a lot of fun. >> it is amazing to look at your numbers and know you walked one batter as a professional. what is the key to your control. >> i have good control all year and i really try to attack hitters. i just try to think of having the hitter. if he is going to beat me, i will put it in play and throw strikes because i trust the guys behind me. >> is it enjoyable knowing potomac is close to nationals park. >> it is great being close to d.c. and not so far away and nice to see the beautiful stadium and get some big league here. >> they have improved in the bullpen. are you looking to the future when you can come in and be the closer at the big league level.

>> i love watching macdougal and he is a lot of fun to watch. this team is exciting. it is a young steam anestrus berg is fine. and going to be a lot of people watching him come in and throw. >> we will go upstairs. >> bob: we have been so impressed by his attitude and he signed quickly. he wanted to get to work am and already having great success and by the way, for the nationals fans who don't know this. aaron crow with the nationals did not sign last year hasn't signed yet with the kansas city royals yet this year. this kid has blown by him in terms of professional experience now. and you know, rob, it is important for the kids to realize, the dollars are going to be there if you are successful. but you are wasting valuable time that can effect your whole career if you are not pitching. >> rob: and the knowledge you will carry with you throughout

your career. and i know people love to say how good strassberg is and from what you have seen from the batterings of the rookie pitchers. this league is not that easy. college is easy compared to this league. minor league is easy compared to this league. when you get here, these are the best in the world. 750 guys in the major league are the best in the world. and to think you are going to step off a college feel and think you are going to light it up. please, you are kidding yourself with that. >> absolutely. >> well said. >> i think, that and his agent's part. by not rec kneeing that. and you are an independent.

and that's a joke. and not going to get you here any quicker. goodness egg though. >> bob: well, you are going to get one any way. >> rob: exactly. >> bob: base is empty, two outs. logan kensing. has retired six of the seven marlins he faced. and he through the pitch and let in the other run and getting the ball game settled down to where and where the offense started with zimmerman. one out from now can get something going. >> rob: you look at hocivareform, david price. all these number 1 guys that were supposed to be special. well, they are humbled right now. >> bob: we talked about the kid

in florida. and the clippings and ratings. it means nothing until you get here and do it. won't do another stuff. >> rob: he is a bona fide star. ryan zimmerman. >> bob: there is more internet and with baltimore. i said. leave the kid alone and let him settle. and you know, take over the role. and quit saying he is the next johnnie bench or what ever am and let the kid be himself and develop into a star.

it hit out and morgan the and logan kensing has gotten things done here. here is a bona fide start. zimmerman in his fourth major league season. swinging it great. and he will lead off in moments. across the country every day. pa announcer: final boarding call... all passengers... each with an average speed of 590 mph... almost as fast as you. nothing's gonna hold you down. grab your bag . it's on™west so our low fares stay low. ( ding ) book now at southwest.com. we've got a ton of stuff we've gotta pay for. and a few things we want to pay for. on top of it all, we're still trying to put away some money for the future. with the wish list, we can save up for anything we want. and still have enough to cover the day-t0-day. plus, the savings engine helps our money grow.

and that's something we need and want. introducing the virtual wallet from pnc, a high definition, online view of your money. pnc. leading the way.  . >> bob: bottom of the 4th inning and teddy roosevelt, is he going to do it finally in the president's

race. and for some inexplicable reason, teddy gets turned around and goes the wrong way. >> rob: and pulls a jim marshal. going the wrong way. you would not want teddy roosevelt on special teams. >> rob: already got the helmet head. >> bob: there is zimmerman. >> rob: i want to adopt teddy. >> bob: you have considerable number of large creatures in your house. >> rob: that's true. he is two for two today.

and swinging bat great. and ryan zimmerman. 124 hits. >> rob: we used to say to the pits. watch your onion, which means your head. and this is right at you. look out. ryan zimmerman is batting .297 now and with adam dunn coming up. david eckstein's brother rick has to love what he is seeing right now. jorge cantu passed up hanley ramirez to play on the adam dunn shift. they take the third baseman and put him where he would be playing on the shift. >> rob: they move i am into the grass and infield. >> bob: that's a runner aboard. >> rob: you can turn it. i would like to see them try.

beat them out. >> bob: bang bang play. and he would be safe. >> rob: get back in the game. they get on base. many many different ways. and takes it 2-1. and he walked on a 3-2 pitch back in the inning. don't load the bases. it is all not on speed.

adam dunn to center field. he didn't get it. and back to get it. cody ross for the first out. and he just didn't hear the contact that you need to hear ha on the home run ball. >> rob: the ends of the bat. >> rob: it is hit hard and cody ross good job. >> bob: get enough on there. >> bob: i was about to ask you the same thing. >> rob: now, where is the sun. >> bob: cody ross has war paint on today. well, that sky does have glitter to it. and right as he stepped in, and we might have some sunshine in the way. and one on and one out.

willingham the batter. josh hitting into a damage inning three double play in the first with bases loaded. >> rob: cody is ready. he has the high black and sunglasses if the sun comes out. >> bob: you have to be ready. you can't get caught unawares. he looks like cochese ross. not cody ross today. that is on willingham. and against the former team. 

 nats are down by sick. somebody needs to get a big blow here. and runner going and get the run on and willingham lines the foul into the corner. and jim riggleman not going to sit there all day and wait. he wanted something to happen. knowing the pitcher didn't want to walk josh and throw it over the plate. that might be a call on 3-2 as well. the risk you run here. it is strike him out throw him out double play. >> rob: he is aggressive and likes to start the runners and very pro active. and yet, sometimes his ideas may fail and i like the fact that he is doing different

things. some of them do need a head start. >> bob: he is running and willingham follows it. it is not like one move is going to keep you from seeing over first place. it is a different situation here. they have won 10 under jim riggleman they are 36-72. and we toll you folks last week in milwaukee, shut down the websites and the e-mails comparing this club to the '62 mets. that's outside. which with a good one. and two on and one out. and second walk issued by chris we knew it was going to be a fantastic offense type team. and now, you have to start thinking about the pitching. and you can draft all the first rounders you want.

you need veterans. and go around the league. and when they don't have the best stuff. here is elijah dukes. nothing but breaking stuff. first pitch, fastball. base hit am and sending zimmerman, coghlan throws. not in time. and the nats are on the board. >> rob: get aggressive coaching by pat lisahch and he knows he better be jumping on it. good job. >> rob: it wasn't a curve ball and he wails on it and pulls it through. i loved it. andsening. and zimmerman and he beats the

throw. and first into the catcher and al lo the of times no contacts made with the ball. that is right through the catcher. and now, josh bard was pumping. we would like to see more going into second bates like this. >> rob: and the counsels is 0-2. and saul rivera is back. didn't take him long to find d.c.

and had a eight man bullpen and remarked how the marlins are operating with an it right now. and bard take it is and ball two. and the nats have three. and position players. and flipper, malone. macdougal and it is in the double figures now. left the strike zone up and away. two outs. and hit the ball in the air first time up.

after and has 54. >> bob: pusher spot is due next and there is the new nat padilla. jorge padilla. and hit it the right way and had his debut last night. and gonzalez goes deep to left. that ball is still traveling.

it is off the wall. two runs will score. it as brands new ball game. 6-3. and stayed in the park. and washington has cut the deficit in half. >> rob: that was a big gaining. let off the fireworks. and they pulled the trigger on the one game. that wasn't over. great job and usually hits the other way and he has got home run potential. coghlan and into the wall. and still only one out. and we will switch off and leave kensing in the game. now, that they have got some run and kensing is pitching bell. he is going to have the second

at bat in two innings here. >> rob: we come back and get the lead, i don't know if you can use macdougal today. >> bob: that he say four games in a row. >> rob: you can't wear out macdougal to the point he is not usable for three or four days. so. great way to go. and far from over. never know when a pitcher might run into one. out of play, right side. >> rob: a lot of character. i love watching the nationals. and got to go out there and get pitching for him next year.

>> the count is 0-2. >> rob: you know, i have said this. i am a big proponent. i would rather save, 20 million and get to strassberg and give it to a pitcher that deserves it to come in and help the team. >> bob: if they don't sign strassberg, it is a disaster. >> rob: absolutely not. >> bob: dan uggla circles out to get it. the nats have a good inning. they are back in the ball game. three hits and a walk. 

 . >> bob: waving hello and havi a good time with dad at the ballpark today and friends are hanging out. they know school is around the corner. >> rob: darn it. and having fun at the ballpark. and we go top five. which pitcher won the inaugural season opener. >> rob: livan hernandez. >> bob: no. >> rob: livan came later.

>> rob: inaugural season is when? '94. >> bob: i will check it. >> rob: maybe '93. >> rob: he know charlie ff  was on the team. >> bob: 93. and charremember he was there. at that time. let's go. >> rob: brian harvey am and huff. >> bob: we will go with the old knuckle balancer. what do you think. >> rob: sure. 0 >> bob: no one is fooling ramirez today. he hit the ball and going to be 

leads off e fth. they played a couple of season openers. and when john lannan was beaten dontrelle willis beat. john patterson. >> bob: hanley ramirez is not were jack h as the arstro.. charlie huff and pat rack.

why ritchie lewis and brian harvey was a closer. >> bob: that's not the chris carpenter who pitches now. the punter from georgia. runner going. and catches the ball. right there. and belliard dropped it. trying to swipe the tag too quickly.

>> rob: bob said bard comes up. great throw. and then the great tag and he went to make the tag and before he proceeded to catch. >> bob: runners at second. >> rob: great action. >> bob: cantu has slide out to center field twice. one for a sack fly. pop up right side. and could be playable. with belliard and dunn with a grab and not an easy one. and third base. >> rob: passed to ryan zimmerman. touchdown. >> bob: to virginia, complete. >> rob: he knows ramirez is on

second. make as quick throw and right on the money. and that's right, i am back. i would love to see him throw a football. >> bob: i bet he has got one somewhere. >> rob: where were we? they had one in houston, they were throwing it around. >> rob: we have half a football team on this team. and the receivers. and a pulling guard.

and he had a double. and 2:00 on a thursday afternoon in the nation's capitol. the traffic on 395 is moving. in an hour it won't be. but we have a clear view up that way as things are brightening up a little bit here on a thursday afternoon. it is important for kensington to keep the marlins from scoring any further. will he do it? that will help. sharply hit and two outs. ramirez at third with john baker coming up and party night in nats town. two bucks and get a scoreboard pavilion seat. pregame music. post game fireworks. or nationals.com.

a become out to get here and driven to right. and duke is going back and watch it leave the ballpark. and the marlins lead 8-3. that negates the runs in the bottom of the fourth. and gets it as it comes back. and said. two of the three, they gave up. and high in the air to center. nyjer morgan is there and the marlins get two very damaging

runs halfway through the game. fish on top. 8-3. so when you said you bring fiber optic all the way to the home, you meant... we bring fiber optic all the way to the home. um... which gives you more bandwidth than cable. so you can upload faster. so it's like comparing a horse and buggy to a sports car. am i the, uh, horse? (announcer) it's a whole new internet. makes uploading as easy as downloading. because your internet's not fast unless it's two-way fast.

 . little lady with him to and 8-3 marlins as we go to the bottom the 5th inning. we go to the trivia as we take you to 1993. >> rob: chris hammond. >> bob: i will go with charlie huff. >> bob: april 5th of '93. but you did mention one other name. >> rob: yes. too it was significant and brian harvey got the save. look at the teal uniforms. >> rob: he was about 49. >> rob: good man though. i played with him in chic go with the white sox. >> rob: her issue higher on the hill. >> bob: they beat him that day. >> bob: they have 42,000.

334 and then joe rob bye stadium -- robbie stadium. scott pose led off. brett barberi. and then expo. >> rob: yes. >> bob: he was. and start. and dave madigan and conine wise. their starting line p. 67 pitches and strikes by volstad. >> rob: go back to work and get a few more. 2-2. morgan will slap it to the

right. and by the way, teal was not a great color for a uniform. >> bob: well, our spring training ballpark is the era. and it is where the marlins trained and they did a paint job on that thing. it is three years ago to wipe out the teal and give it a navy blue and red motif and we were all very happy about that.

ronnie belliard. one for two. >> bob: they had signed in 85 to expand by up to two teams to match the american league's 14 teams. >> rob: look at this. >> bob: ronnie is taking a chance here. ran ronny belliard turns into a hustler here. and bats and repetitions. >> rob: he is out of control am and slowly goes into left field and take as while for coghlan to get off the ball.

and then ronnie, i am going to take second base. >> bob: they have given an error to cantu on the ball. >> rob: that's a bullet. that's a hit. and he is not normally a third baseman. >> bob: all right. here zimmerman and the nats could take a bite out the marlins lead again. >> bob: zimmerman, left field. see-you-later. it is 8-5. and ryan zimmerman is on a tire

tear. >> rob: -- tear. we talked about the 21 runs and 22 starts that volstad has given up this year. this game is table. looks like a change-up to a righty, not a good thing. good-bye. changing the grip on the glove. >> bob: they trade the homers and here is adam dunn. and one of his career high and now has 13 rbis.

series, three for three today. making him four for seven. and four home runs in the year and right hander tim wood. and adam dunn was on the pitch and filed it straight back. >> rob: couple more before he dipped in.

>> bob: and it hits the bag. and adam dunn will have a base hit. >> rob: yes, i do. and adam dunn gets a single here with one out in the fifth. >> rob: this is a shot off the bag. watch that dan uggla and he is going to come over here and hustle and almost make the play? and battling to get back at the marlins. and to left center. and to the wall.

adam dunn coming to third. and lisathch will hold him and coghlan got it back in quickly and punish volstad who is having a hard time getting his five innings for a went. they may get him out of this game. >> rob: well, that's a fastball in. and it is not in enough. he is ready for it. willingham, that's going to do it. >> bob: he gets eight runs to work with and can't get five runs to get a w. elijah duke assist coming up and one out here in the 5th inning and the never say die nats are at it again. ♪

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 . >> bob: feeling a whole lot better with the marlins here. and two on and one out. and bottom of the fifth inning and jim riggleman over the last ball games has seen a real surge in offense. nearly seven runs a game. hitting 300 plus and even better with runners in scoring position and 18 homers and lots of extra base hits. >> rob: throw in a couple of guzman triples too. >> bob: rookie right hander tim

wood. 26 years of age. he has appeared in four games. eight innings and five hits. but no runs. it is about time dukes or somebody put runs on his major league resume. elijah with a big hit last time up. breaking ball misses. and dunn is at third. willingham at third with one out. here in the bottom of the fifth. when he sees the fastball, he is pumping. and he has been ready for awhile. and ron bologna, and it -- saul rivera. and it takes him ready to get the ball game.

dukes looks at a nasty breaking ball that just misses. 2-1. nick johnson circling and you get to send the runner. that is a sack fly. and adam dunn scores easily. nick johnson made a good play and we know that nick does not have a good time going back on foul balls. >> rob: does not have a strong throwing arm and sometimes it is better not to catch it going out to right field t watch nick johnson catch the ball. right thing to do. and yet, off balance. and can't make a strong throw and adam dunn scores easily and willingham goes to third. now, it is a eight to six ball

game and josh bard could make it a one run affair. only one run can be earned. no matter how many they score. had he is the last time you saw a sack ply to the first baseman. josh bard two strikeouts and looking for his 21st rbi. and he is going to get it. right here. and it is a 8-7 game. bard can't run because of the groin injury. but he got a great hat and the nationals are back to it within

one. >> rob: i think the marlins think they are already in philly. they are thinking. is this the filials or the -- phillies or the nationals. alberto left the yard with a 2-run double the last time. off the left field wall and tieing runs on base. hard to believe. isn't it. the nats. three in the fourth. four more here in the fifth. and unearned and taking advantage of the error. and jorge padilla is on deck for the second time today they won't leave logan kensing in. having pitched three and 1/3 of an inning. the nats are affirming seven a game. there is the touchdown right

there. we have three in four. >> rob: now, you have him in the game. stepped out for a second and thinking fresh fish. he is coming in from the bullpen. it is about time, he gave them a dose of their own medicine, the nats are doing to them. what they did to the nats. continue days in a row for last year. gonzalez with a chopper that ramirez has to wait for and the nationals are gone in the fifth inning and put four runs on the board. three of them unearned and ryan zimmerman and with his 23rd of the year. across the country every day.

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welcome to chili's. start your three-course meals with a shared appetizer. for a second course, choose two entrees from over 15 chili's favorites, like our big mouth bites -- the mini burgers with giant layers of flavor. or a half-rack of our triple-basted baby back ribs. then save some room to share a decadent dessert. a lot of bold flavors, for a limited time only. chili's --  . >> bob: evidently, it is ma day on the ballpark. and after five. now, if we can just get teddy straightened out and see if it is around here. and this team is making exciting things happen and never give up. >> no, they never quit. and manny acta believed in the ball club. we believe in the ball club and they have to believe in

themselves and they can stick it to anybody. they have shown they could be on any field with any deem and they need defense and you have to shore that up and you have to have pitching in the league to win and saw teams like the phillies go after cliff lee and what they did at the trade deadline. and detroit tigers go out. if you don't have pitchers. it is hard to stick in the league. >> ron vilone, logan kensing with the exception the one home pitch did a good job. and three and 1/3 innings. despite giving up the two run shot to john baker. he did settle the ball game down and stop the momentum for the most part t gave up three

hits the whole time. didn't walk anybody. one strike out. and villone takes over now and they have josh johnson on deck to pinch hit. why not. he has hit three homers this year. and he hit one here and his start on tuesday night. that's what you can do if you are one monday short. john johnson has not made a pitching appearance yet this year. to hermida. and a good breaking ball away for the strikeout. take me back to the home run against volstad. >> rob: that's why you don't

throw change-ups to righties and on the braking ball. and take it back to the bench with you. don't make a mistake with this big kid. >> bob: first appearance for josh johnson and a thought just struck me. he is a left handed batter. >> rob: don't throw him a change-up. if he was a right-handed batter. would you change pitchers to añgu 0tothe opposing pitche how that be. >>roanthis guis not going to get lucky. this could be a tie game am and go extra innings am and macdougal pitching an awful lot lately. >> bob: i will correct one  thing and in thep @si. @>> bob: he is every bit as

scary as carlos zambrano with a bat in his hand. i know that lou will use zambrano when he is not -tching as a pinch hitte% >> bob: i mlooki official laue stats. they don't have h doing that he will be out. three balls. two strikes. úúúúúúúú to e big picture and take a walk.

ron ville villone walks and -- ron villone walks and opposing pitcher. we are going to see a parade of relievers for both of these ball clubs today. craig stammen with one and 2/3 and chris volstad, one and 1/3rd and the marlins gave him eight runs of support. he has been a thorn in their sigh. and ronnie belliard was nowhere near the bag when he caught the ball. you have to be near the bag and that's a bug mistake byronie. >> rob: i don't think he thought for a second that gonzalez would come back across

and throw to second. you see the excuse me hit right there. i think it shocked ronnie. >> bob: he has to stay on the bag. >> bob: well the ball has hit so softly and he was thinking. there is no way you are coming to me. and nowhere near the bag. and giving cog lip a hit on the play. >> rob: he would have been out at first. likes like he was turning the double play. and get to the front end and it is mistake by the nats and now nick johnson is coming up. and saul rivera coming up

again. now, they are going to say fielder's choice and they have put that up on the board. ron villone walked the pitcher now, you have to try to pick up the team right here and get a ground ball. keeping the ball inside on nick johnson who has done great this year against lefties driving the other way. ball two. one walk and has the nats in hot water here. you cannot walk this man with hanley ramirez coming up. >> rob: you can't walk guys

period. you have the trikes. and it is the last two innings. and can't keep giving back the runs. >> bob: two to johnson. and the nats will have to bring in the right hander with hanley ramirez and probably whether there is one out or if villone does get nick if it is a double play. and ramirez swinging the bat great today. >> rob: you have to challenge nick. you can worry about hitting him with a second. >> bob: he hit six all year.

>> rob: the guy coming up next is on fire. it as couple of games and the real only ramirez is coming to play today. 3-1. and the bases are loaded. nick johnson walks for the 69th time this year and ron villone pitched his way out of this game. he retires only one of four batters. should have had two. and jason bergmann is coming in. 

 . >> bob: it is a long time t stand around around watch a game like this. we have been around for almost two hours and top of the 6th inning am and featuring poor pitching today and loaded out for hanley ramirez and he is 3-3. jason bergmann had him swinging and thought he was going to get a fastball. and it was a cutter that got

him right at the end of the barrel. one of the biggest in the night is getting ramirez in the fifth inning. >> i like that. and not the shoes, the pitch. thrown by one the guys today. get him off the plate. done have to like it. and three hit ball games this year. and having a great year with the dodgers and one ball one strike. and. >> bob: up again. >> rob: now, he has a strike.

>> bob: one fastball did he? >> rob: 2-1, cutter, and has some great stuff and can't be afraid to throw it. and ramirez pops it up. and short center field. >> rob: going to score? no, that's a pitcher who is not running. cutoff guy. and was 6'17" -- 6'7". >> bob: that's a huge out.

and now we will see if he can get cantu. and the marlins have done things to help themselves a p one out in the third and cody ross popped up and here is bergmann against cantu. 0-2 with a sack fly. i believe we are looking pasted this series to the phillies. and giving them everything they can handle. brian sanchez warming up out there. and come on, this guy,. >> bob: johnson, coghlan and another johnson at first base.

and 1-1, cantu and it is going foul. and if you are going to be steve bartman. you better bring a glove. and steve bartman one the most popular men in the history of florida baseball. and they were playing the cubs when all that happened. now, it is one ball, two strikes. >> rob: what ever that pitch was, don't throw that again. he he can throw in the 90s and nyjer morgan is there and jason bergmann does a fantastic job of bailing out the nats in the sixth inning. @x@0@p@0@6p)@

 . >> bob: you like action. we have had lots of it today. and sim are man hitting the ball beautifully and scoring. and in the 4th inning on a hit by legal lie georgia dukes -- elijah dukes and it is good hitting from there. >> rob: you see volstad has it so many times and paid dearly for it. that's when you know you are

going good. that guy will stay to a 6-0 lead and we are into the bullpen. and sanchez pitched a scoreless fifth and giving up a walk to eli georgia dukes and they will counter with jorge padilla. and then morgan and belliard. jason bergmann is enjoying his streak in a nationals uniform. two huge outs against quality hitters to keep this a one run

game. you get jorge padilla. and the last evening, he goes fishing for a breaking ball and leading the national league in two categories. batting average .367 on base percentage. .424 and 90 games in syracuse before being called up yesterday as austin kearns went on the dl. he gets jammed. and cantu for an easy out and that's a hitter way too overeager. >> rob: little anxious. >> bob: then it is on he is hands. there we go to the top the order now. morgan. and followed byronie belliard. morgan is one for three today and only two for nine in the series. it is about time he lined it somewhere and took off running.

they have to play him shallow. and clippard is a busy reliever and it as home run by paul bako and leading colorado now, 3-1. >> rob: that's an old catcher's name. >> bob: that's a veteran guy you would like in your bull club. >> rob: bako gets a shot because they traded marson and lets coats go.

>> bob: that is a strike. morgan took off and he got thrown out. nats host the fifth annual blood drive with the red cross in the conference center rooms three and four. donors will receive a nationals collectible t-shirt and the opportunity to win more. there will be player appearances and autographs and make an appointment by calling 1-800-give life or go to my life.org and parking available for all donors in parking garage c here at the ballpark on saturday. there is ronnie belliard and two outs. you think they would like to

see him get on board for the on deck. >> rob: every one of them and everybody wearing red in the house. >> bob: 12 games last year. and 736 e.r.a. and with the marlins. and better with regular work. and e.r.a. 0.92. pretty close.

belliard will take that one. >> rob: good take right there. >> bob: we know who is on deck. he has to challenge this hitter. >> rob: he has got a big hole up the middle. they are playing him to pull. >> rob: and it is big am and could be huge. sanchez came close to having belliard strike out and he gets it and here is zimmerman. and three for three. and batting 298. tried to take something off the pitch on the change-up. and paid dearly. >> bob: ryan zimmerman's career

height. and drove in 91. right now he is on 23 and 73. he scored 80 runs now. and second only to albert pujols in the national league. >> craig: big fellow on deck. zimmerman done and willing ma'am. off speech pitch. and hanging off and in. and 2-1. >> there is the reliever that wasn't paying attention. through a change-up inside on zimmerman again and just got

lucky with it. way outside. ryan zimmerman and 28 game hitting streak. the last time he got four hits in a game. may 11th at san francisco when he went deep twice. and he is going to get something to win with. and adam dunn next. affords 3-1 pitch. that was the swing to make it

9-8. well, 89 miles an hour ball. and it is all over it. belliard first with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. and nats are down 8-7. and with the runner going and another walk. and zimmerman on for the fourth time today. and now, he is a right hander left hander match up. and the florida bullpen is identify. and. >> rob: he is going to make an appearance.

he has to be particular and he gilled his way through zimmerman and walked him. and mark whiley wants to make sure he knows exactly what he wants to throw and no doubt. tieing run now is at second base. and both teams doing pretty well and nats in scoring position today. marlins have done bad situational hitting that has cost them a couple of runness. they could have a bigger lead in the game. although they scored eight.

and sunshining brightly now. and 78 miles an hour change-up. and who throws change-ups up that high. >> the guy who is scared to death and told to throw nothing but soft stuff to the big man. >> now, he is out in right field. and they leave jorge cantu and that leaves him up the middle. switch off the defense. >> that was a fastball. for sanchez, 89. 0-2 pitch.

contact needed. >> bob: good job right there. and fastball. and change-up. and came back with another fastball. a championship. a.m. in the series. three rbis and three walks.

>> bob: 1-2 delivery. a change-up. and it is even. and got the first two batters of this inning quickly. walked belliard after having him and working slowly and deliberately to adam dunn. and with a dangerous batter on deck.

dunn making contact and filing off good pitches and enhancing the chances or being walked here. that is a fastball low. and 3-2. and it is amazing. now the runners will be moving. how you take this, i do not know. and the best has it through. runners moving on a 3-2 pitch

on a change-up and nats leave two am and stranded six. into the 7th inning. in a 7-8 game. @d@dúd

 . >> bob: sunshine is out things have brightened up after a dreary morning. we have a 7-8 game going into the 7th inning. partly great because the relief job jason bergmann did. >> rob: you face hanley ramirez and get him to been it up to

short center field. and then, you get jorge cantu to flight out to nyjer morgan and two balls to center ball. and right in the middle. very tough marlins batting order. great job by jason bergmann, putting out the fire. >> bob: 7th inning and time to step on the fire and keep it from reigniting the rest the day. that is the job of tyler clippard here. uggla, bako and ross. and dan uggla doubling and 4-7 in the series. clippard challenging him. foul ball, straight back.

>> bo 2-1. and ugg hruns his first year in '06 and it was  major league record for a rook ysecond baseman and ball three. >> rob: change-up for the right hander. he was in milwauaffordsere  yapping from er there. and i think they are  t % the pitch that sqh]z8h,to llrday called fora strike. and fredi gonzezthe 0ñ0manager has been tossed. 0

florida maaejectehere. for the coun of 3-1 eadoff man and this has nothing to do with this at bat. goes back to the inning  those two walks. then clippard walks uggla and the 2-2 fastball that he took for ball three. >> bob: that's like in soccer, they get a red card and getting booked. >> rob: they have a lottery for it. and disflip in major league

baseball. does he have to give highlights of the conversation. >> rob: absolutely. details really. if you get a fine or suspension, you have the arbitration process we is your side and the umpire side. >> bob: here is john baker who homered and clippard is having a hard time finding home plate. they have done nothing with him so far this year. >> rob: well, he should be dominating the righties with the stuff he has. >> bob: baker will sky one to right for elijah dukes and conditions have changed here now. elijah makes an adjustment and hanging around from halfway from first to second. and that was dan uggla there.

>> rob: he didn't know if he was going to catch it or not. and that's the only place halfway between first and second. almost paid for it. >> bob: rob, you talked earlier, he had his black on and sunglasses and outfielders and it is cloudy and you have to be prepared. >> rob: this a rough sky now. it is not a flat sky. it is blinding. >> bob: the conditions are totally different than the ones under which they started. >> rob: there a pitch under. and moves him under the plate. >> rob: tyler clippard after he did the four great innings. he came out the next outing. and gave one up. and one on the home run. in pittsburgh gave up another home run and three great innings in pittsburgh. >> bob: saved the game. well, that double play ball and with the bases loaded and nats

exploded for eight runs after that. and got to split there. and beat the marlins the first, and now it is 8-7. luis ayala gets to scoring last night. and a breaking ball that was hanging a bit and not hanging that well and josh willingham has it for the second out. look at his pitching foot. that is right interest. and that's to protect the

leather. you put that on with a little blade or whatever. and normally you have leather spikes and it wears out and you get a hole in your shoe. and there you see him. dig in and twist it and turn it in the dirt. pulling out the rubber and there is a dub assistance. it is hard plastic. and it adheres to the leather. now with a base hit. uggla doesn't do a lot of running and successful and miss as way to hermida. >> rob: they used to have the big metal plate that you screwed into the bottom of the pitching shoe. the one you pushed off the rubber with. and tied in with the leather.

and the metal for the rest the shoe. it is kind of bulky. would they take it off so they can run. >> rob: it as small piece. and about the size nyjer morgan is going to run it down. time to stretch at a long afternoon in nationals park. in a 8-7 game. 

 . >> he has also had 17 stole bases in 62 games between syracuse and harris burg and in syracuse hitting .303 since being promoted and a lot of good things happening down on the form. fellows. >> bob: thank you, debbie. they got a switch hitter. and he has averaged 30 stolen

bases and he will be report being to potomac. here we go to the bottom of the seventh. josh willingham. three for continue in the series against his former teammates and that little pop fly will go to dan august florida -- dan uggla. elijah dukes is next. marlins will have the pitcher spot due up. they haven't used any of this yet back in the sixth.

elijah .234 today and sack fly caught by nick johnson down the right field line. cleveland beat minnesota today at home. 2-1. duke swings in and he seldom sees anything in the half.

>> rob: that's why, frank robinson hall of famer toll me the reason he sticks close to the plate is to cover the breaking ball. >> bob: and dukes, hits one to left field. did he get it? yes, he did. this game is tied. elijah dukes with the seventh of the year. and three rbi day and the nats have battled back finally to tie this game. >> rob: very nice to have elijah dukes back and covering the plate on the breaking ball. >> bob: he knew it. and the ball didn't go out by that much and elijah knew he

got it. and there is josh bard who took one up high. >> rob: deep and he tried. and trust in his ability and do it for the right side too. and kill right center field and. >> bob: the national two more homers today. and 105 on the air. and the counsel is even 1-1. >> rob: did they let off fireworks after the home run. >> bob: yes, they waited a little bit first. i am glad he doesn't work at the white house near that button, you know. >> rob: do they still have the but top. >> bob: i don't know about the survival of the free world with the trigger happy guy. >> rob: he was asking him about

the button and messing with him. nick was nervous. >> rob: why is it red? >> bob: 3-1 to josh who singled a big run in the last time. back in the fifth, made it. and 8-7 game. and that's inside. and that's a walk. shoes the third walk in less than two innings by brian sanchez and they are getting the bullpen busy again. well, folks, if you wants to see exciting baseball. come out this weekend. they come out here and looks like he is going to make a double switch and run it with fredi gonzalez and ejected and go to nationals.com. the nats and the diamondbacks

this weekend. emilio bonifacio, looks like he is going to right field. and he made out in the seventh inning. >> bob: so the nats have the marlins turning some wheels here and for the first time the lead run is on base. now at chili's -- welcome to chili's. start your three-course meals with a shared appetizer. for a second course, choose two entrees from over 15 chili's favorites, like our big mouth bites -- the mini burgers with giant layers of flavor.

or a half-rack of our triple-basted baby back ribs. then save some room to share a decadent dessert. a lot of bold flavors, for a limited time only. chili's --  . >> bob: if you cap be here the weekend join us tomorrow night when the diamond backs

come into town. they lost talent in the ball club and balester and he is one the bigger home run guys. and this is balester who goes in and opposed by right hander john garland who is 6'10". and the numbers on him. and right now, the diamondbacks have climbed out of the cellar and they are -- cellular and they have -- cellar and they play at pittsburgh tonight. there is emilio bon face yo and batting ninth and moves cody ross over to right field and takes jeremy hermida out of game and the pitcher, former nat luis ayala who pitched last

night. now gonzalez faces him. >> rob: sanchez pitch as scoreless inning and bring in another guy who is going to get hammered right here. we like that. >> bob: they are surviving quite nicely. despite the fact that they are in day 21 of 25 consecutive days of baseball. and delay deal bebard and evidently a missed -- by bard. and josh bard doesn't run well, he has a join injury and standing a third of the way before taking off and the nats just sacrificed a runner. >> rob: you don't want to run yourself out of an inning right here. someone missed a sign. and i don't know what he was doing. trying to steal second.

still hasn't gotten to second. one the repercussions off the field of missing a site. >> rob: take your money. and that was it. and hurts the club. and you miss the signs. he is swinging at it. and one for four. we go to the eighth. it is now a 8-8 ball game. at pnc, it's doing what most benefits our customers. whether that's building more certified green buildings than anyone on earth. creating online banking tools for the next generation. or making a 10 year, $100 million investment in kids. it's how we've always done business. and will for a very long time to come. pnc. leading the way.

 . welcome back to the home the curly ws and marlins eight and nationals eight. crazy day with hits. and they take on the d'backs starting tomorrow at 7:05. then on saturday. 15,000 fans. the first 15,000 through the gates receive a bobblehead presented by pnc bank. visit nationals.com. stop by the nationals park box office and we can guarantee it can hit further than anyone given out in the ballpark before. >> another inning of work for tyler clippard and he is a busy multi inning guy. >> rob: anybody you need to get out. this would be one of them. >> bob: this is like a leadoff

hitter. and leaving a lot of pitchers upstairs. bonifacio has had his season slow down considerably. hitting .246. that's a high strict and from this side of the plate, he is dreadful. >> rob: he has a .300 on base percentage. do not help this guy. make him earn it. >> bob: that was late. >> rob: impressive. 23,000 plus people. business man special on a thursday. >> bob: a lot of campers in the house. 2-2 counsel. and he threw him a change-up.

it is 3-2 by the way. threw him a change-up on 2-2. and this is a fastball. and that is unforgivable right there. well, that is going to take him out of this game. which pitcher is going to take charge of this game. and you can make an argument that the only nats pitcher who did today was jason bergmann. and so the nats are deeper in the bullpen. top of the order coming in. and coghlan. and johnson. and shear comes sean. it is 8-8. @d@dúd

 . >> bob: at the top the eigh no runner aboard. le consider eight and it is presented beand in any form and the accounts and descriptions of this game. may not be disseminated without the express written consent of the washington nationals. sixth pitcher of the day. sean burnett. he gave up a hit. a walk. and tagged with two runs. chris coghlan has been good for the marlins and 7-14. four runs scored in the three

games. he has been quite a find for florida this year. and played collegiately. and add ole miss. and taking the compensation in the draft three years ago. and showing bunt. it is in the air. burnett has it. sean burnett. he basically threw the ball down the right field line and ronnie belliard saved it. >> rob: all right. great play by sean burnett and almost makes one of the biggest errors of the game. right there. don't even think about it. try to make an evident on

bonifacio. and he would have been standing on third. maybe home if he didn't catch it. >> bob: it is a big out and another left-handed batter against burnett. >> rob: here comes steve mccatty. and he is up again. >> rob: looked very good. when they were behind. it looked like jim riggleman was going to give him some work but now he is going with the guys he knows more about, sosa, macdougal and saul, and the

only save veilable pitchers -- available pitchers left. and your starters go for one and 2/3 inning that it makes for a long day. it is the grace of the offense that they are in this game. they refuse to be stopped by the marlins today. nick is 0-2. and sack, fly and walk. his on base average is now, around .415 or so am and that's fifth best in the national league.

right on the corner. 90 on the fastball by sean burnett. well sean burnett works the left side and he will start the breaking ball for a fastball. middle of the plate to have it break away from a guy like nick johnson. >> bob: bonifacio, 19 stolen bases this year in 26 teams. the marlins are # in the league in steals with pretty much a couple of guys who steal. >> rob: great shot at that. and with income. there you see him stepping across his body. and he does a lot of the same

things a lot the same things he does. stepping across his body. and the bug difference between those two, five or 6 miles an hour on the fastball. >> rob: yes. much better. and 1-2 count here. johnson with the great batting. takes it. and 2-2. >> rob: well, the thing about bomb medical or burnett. and they are stepping right at it. and the ball breaks away from

them. >> bob: nick johnson base hit. and bonifacio had to slow up because the ball was right in fronts of him and nick johnson refuses to have a hitless game as a member the marlins. >> bob: this will be a double switch as jim riggleman comes out to visit with adrian johnson. >> rob: he comes out with a fastball. and nick pulls it through the hole. and guzman got most of the day off. cristian guzman will come in. >> bob: so, sean burnett is gone and hanley ramirez and hard hitting jorge sosa to face him. ♪

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creating online banking tools for the next generation. or making a 10 year, $100 million investment in kids. it's how we've always done business. and will for a very long time to come. pnc. leading the way.  . >> bob: it has turned into beautiful day at the park. nearly three hours ago when the game started. it is the top of the 8th inning. cristian guzman will bat ninth and play short. he will be the nats leadoff man in the bottom the 8th inning. hanley ramirez is coming up. and jorge sosa takes over. it is already for the nats and

three and 2/3rd. and the big one for him. no strikeouts and no walks. >> rob: well the big thing with sosa, like we talked about with jesus colome. and so far, he has done that. and it is one of the reasons we won the ball blame. and the first batter he faced was hanley ramirez and he got him on a ground ball to third. ramirez. and two steals.

>> rob: bonifacio on second. >> bob: you would rather it be the other way around. right off the end of the bat. and they are going to throw him cutters and sliders away. jorge cantu is next. and the marlins have stranded six base runners today. so have the nats. and florida eight runs. 10 hits. one error. and eight and 11 and one. ball game is about as even as

even can be. and 1-2 delivery. >> rob: with a hanging breaking ball in the zone and saw the numbers. almost 450 with runners in the scoring position. one ball and two strikes. fastball, way upstairs. a look ball game and freddy

gonzales and now, gonzalez ejected back in the seventh. and seven nationals pitchers and sosa goes braking ball and misses 3-2. >> rob: now, he is starting to get a little bit squirrely out there. have to be convicted in what you are going to throw. once you leave your hand, you can't help it get by ramirez here. >> bob: 3-2 pitch and ramirez just got a tap on it. and they are in the top of the ninth at philadelphia. they are trying to close out a three game ball game. and against colorado. brad lidge got his 21st save. and one for cliff lee who is

2-0 as a fillie. they beat the rockies 3-1. ramirez to center field. and nyjer morgan going back and checking his room and he has got it at the wall. tagging and going to third is bonifacio fast yo. and bonifacio fast yo did a good job of reading nyjer morgan and he went back and had plenty of time to tag am and dodged the bullet right here and another breaking ball up in the zone and ramirez hit it and deepest part of of the ballpark. and nyjer morgan makes the great play and right back in. and bonifacio fast yo, you know

he was making. i might be able to score from second. >> bob: better off from looking at his coach though. turned around three times to watch the ball. here is cantu as the marlins have the lead run at third base and that's a fastball upstairs. >> rob: back breaking ball. >> bob: okay. >> bob: cantu pops it up. and ronnie belliard is over there. foul ball. and 8th inning. the top of it over and sosa does a great job. bottom of the eighth. cristian guzman is on a red hot terror. morgan and belliard to follow and the nats are all tied up. my name is blake, and i am the chief shoe giver at toms shoes.

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 . >> bob: 8-8, they have the advantage and cristian guzman comes in and leading off in the eighth. how about that come in off the bench. >> rob: trying to get him a day off and alberto golf is not swinging the bat -- gonzalez is not swinging well and that might be the little edge we need to win the ball game.

and belliard to follow. and then the hottest in the league. mr. zimmerman. >> rob: swinging a great bat and adam dunn and table setters. they can throw the pitchers off and start worrying about them and dancing around and maybe steal a base here or there. and throw a pitch to a guy like ryan zimmerman. >> bob: cristian guzman hitting .471 over his last four games. goes up packing. and bottom of the eighth underway. look at the game and who would guess he would be the man.

guzman, 15 rbis in the 12 games. he needs to be a table setter here against a former teammate. luis ayala and lines it into the camera well. no balls and two strikes to guzman. and add something in. and ayala struck out gonzalez ending the bottom of the seventh.

that is outside. 2-2. >> rob: doing a good job and steal second. and this guy is a great contact there and a lot of rbis because of the guy in front of him and doesn't let it get to zimmerman and dunn. and they enjoyed the 15 rbis. >> bob: 2-2 to christian. and way outside and ayala through him a change-up on 2-2. and ayala, fastball, slider, change-up. and his forte is slider to outside corner and now that he is with the off speed pitch. and he walks guzman, a hard man to walk. and cristian guzman's 11th walk of the year in 379

at bats. >> rob: i also think he wasn't going to swing at a bad pitch. they can't get him out. and no, this guy doesn't have a pitch that can't get me out. if not. i will take the walk. he has a huge job to do. and it is not third base. >> bob: lays it down perfectly. ayala near the runner and no morgan gets his job done. one out and the nats have two shots with belliard and

zimmerman. well, nyjer gets the ball perfectly. there you see the shock absorber and take it up and get the sacrifice and move the runner on. nyjer morgan does a great job. and now it is up to the rest of the team to bring in the run. ronnie belliard on because. three times today. once guy an error. he has a base hit and walk. i still don't like the call. it is a smash that hit cantu. >> bob: i agree. >> rob: it as tough one to take away. >> bob: the one he hit real hard a 5-4-3 double play by cantu and generous inside strike for ayala. >> rob: i like the way he is playing. and playing well defensively and hustling around the bases.

he lives in miami. and a bouncer. that is up the middle. and big hit. scoring is guzman. nationals lead. 9-8.   . they have him to pull and hanley ramirez couldn't get there. ronnie belliard puts it in play and doesn't let him get keep in the count and cristian guzman stopped at third. and said. look at your base coach. and pat lisahch sends him home. >> bob: zimmerman could add on here. there is still only one out. and by the way, there is no activity in the ball pen.

this is sosa's game to win and save. and belliard gets a great jump. who is that guy. >> 2-2. and the nats are pressing the issue against the marlins here and trying to put them away. and ronnie belliard. head down. never looks in and steals another base. they have gone through. and zimmerman 3-3. with two singles and two rbis. they have out scored the marlins. since they were 6-0.

>> bob: he is getting more and hit by two pitches all year and the one in pittsburgh monday night didn't feel well. >> rob: i am sorry i i said that. and let this guy die. he is going to kill you. they ground out and in the plural sense of grinding, they ground out some great at bats in the series. grinding and grinding. and that's what rick eckstein

and jim riggleman love in the ball club. sim are man and the ball is flying. off the wall. scoring is belliard. he is into third base and the nationals lead 10-8. >> rob: well, the simmer-nato.r. gets in and tries the other way. on over the head and get by him and scores easily and puts zimmerman. and walk dunn in a scoring position on the fly ball.

they rough up luis ayala and watching all of this stuff lately that jim riggleman is doing. i wouldn't put it past him. >> craig: it is well worth the risk. standing around the infield. and that's the perfect time for us. and get them out of the game. >> bob: the nationals have knocked out luis ayala and started with a leadoff walk after they were behind in the count. a sacrifice, two hits and a walk later, the nats on the verge of a knock out punch. bag $15 dollars to ride in the bottom of the plane in the dark. no peanuts or nothin'. and then if your bag wants to bring one

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 . >> bob: with a a day for ryan sim are man and everything but a double am and here is the look at the coors light camp. and world's most refreshing beer and great zimmerman slide on the elijah duke hit on the fourth. >> rob: we will freeze it coming through. for the fall.

and gets in there. i don't think they lock it anywhere near where they used to. >> rob: if he is in fronts of the plate. he doesn't score. here is willing ma'am. and a huge third run out there. and willie harris running for adam dunn at first. and we have it. and donnelly balks and the nationals lead 11-8. it is christmas in august. >> rob: remember all that stuff we did earlier in the season. well, the marlins are doing it. >> bob: how about that. yao you won't see this every day. a balk. was he on the rubber when he threw the ball. >> rob: i think his first movement was coming up.

11-8 nationals. >> bob: willingham now with harris at second. and that is just. foul. >> rob: just foul. and he comes in to pinch t and run for adam dunn and gets to walk to second base on a balk. >> rob: i was going to ask you before he balked, did he give up a walk yesterday. >> bob: brendan donnelly. >> yes, sanchez, ayala and gave it up today. and the guy, he gave it up one. avers a couple of more. >> still out in the inning. and willingham took a cut and brandon donnelly. the nats have employed seven. >> rob: i know they have nine guys in the bullpen. and i don't know how much

quality they have. they have quantity.   . >> bob: 0-2 to willingham a walk today. and josh. goes to the center. and diving catch by chris coghlan for the second out. that ball didn't have much hook on it. back to the left fielder and coghlan had to cover that ground himself. >> rob: well, coghlan knows, if i don't catch this, we are in really don't trouble and have to lay out and die to keep it at a three run deficit.

and elijah dukes is next and that was big. and got the ball game tied for the nats and they quieted down. and he is at the plate these days and take the breakers and pack on the heaters. >> rob: it is a great approach. >> bob: if he gets a fastball. he is going to. >> rob: it as breaking ball. >> bob: that's right. willie harris scampering home. the nationals lead 12-8. and the hits just keep on

coming. when you play well. they don't want to take it out right back where it came from. and huge hit. and it is a four run lead. it is on 14 hits. and four run eight, all of it again luis ayala. >> bob: josh bard creams the ball. and amazing eighth inning for

the nationals. two walks. three hits. four runs. and belliard, zimmerman and dukes with robs and the nats by four into the ninth.  

 . >> bob: that pushes ronny belliard over in the ninth. things are smiling in nats town right now. sosa is wrapping up the eighth. frustrating to the marlins and some work left and here is uggla. >> rob: i give credit to to him. get the people out of here and right people in here and give them an opportunity to win games in the last couple of months.

it is his win. he is starting to nail down. he is the pitcher of record. john baker the catcher next and cody ross in the top of the ninth.   uggla, fair ball. right over the bag and the bag girl didn't look at the umpire.

and it is a ground rule double. >> rob: i don't know if she looked at the umpire she would know what is going on. >> bob: it as shot over the bag. and took a good look at t and uggla has the leadoff double. close to being a foul ball. that runner means nothing. three outs to get it. and 25 hits in the game. they have one available pitcher and that is saul rivera. baker one for four with a homer

today. coming up on nats extra, the offense is sizzling. ryan zimmerman is on a 10 game streak again and post game thoughts from jim riggleman. theying about one thing right now. first out. and it is 0-2. >> rob: i would like to hear the nats extra breaking down the starting pitching. because this team deserves better starting pitcher. i don't know if it is in the organization or not. >> bob: they were planning on breaking down all the pitching today. but the show is only a half hour. 1-2 to baker. only run once since moving to

d.c. have they overcome the runs and that was june 7th of '06, june 17th when they trailed the yankees t 9-2. and won the game. 99 ---11-9.   12-8, washington. top of the ninth inning ball two, and it is 4:00 in the nation's capitol. hang with us. 395 is not going anywhere. we can see it from here. traffic is includinged. the bases are clogged with nats all day and it is a 12-8 game that has been in progress for almost three hours and 25 minutes. 2-2 from sosa to baker.

and if you walk, you walk a runner and walk a batter here in the tieing run in the on deck circle. and the marlins are not bad and the they are phenomenal today in running and scoring position. >> rob: this game is a long way from over. you can't use macdougal even for an out. >> bob: hard hit and guzman has it. big out. first of the ninth. and over to third base goes dan uggla. anal the next hitter is cody ross. >> rob: now you are getting to the bottom the order. even if he scores, you have a three run lead.

cody ross with a walk. and the pitcher spot is next. and that's a dad breaking ball -- good breaking ball. and they have ross ross gload in the on deck circle. sosa just missing. >> rob: gload is on the on deck circle and then wes helms. >> bob: we haven't seen him once in the series. >> rob: no, we have not. >> bob: he is always good against the nats. 2-1. and jorge is certainly

making this interesting.

>> bob: ross now in a 2-2 pitch and pop up right side. willie harris. and two outs. and next up will be ross gload hitting for the pitcher. >> rob: if you are jorge sosa, this is the man you have been waiting for all day. >> bob: one guy is standing. ross gload one for five today. and the nationals one away from winning their fifth ball game

in a row. >> rob: you said there was one guy standing. i thought you meant saul rivera. he is back up. >> bob: and it is christian in the bullpen today. and in left field. and slicing and out of play. that is a long strike. 0-2. well, these fans deserve a week like this. >> rob: the marlins deserve a trip to the phillies. they were looking forward to

the series. >> bob: pop up. and the nationals waiting for this one with belliard and they have swept the florida marlins. it is three and a half hours and worth every moment and that is 12-8 and won five in a row and nine of their last 13. zimmerman 4-4. back with more in a myrtle beach. in aminute. each with an average speed of 590 mph... almost as fast as you. nothing's gonna hold you down. grab your bag . it's on™west so our low fares stay low. ( ding ) book now at southwest.com.

 . >> feeling good about them se as come back to the win. >> jim riggleman is masterful and six different guys. not all of them had their stuff and he was able to mix and match. >> what a big day for ryan zimmerman. debbi taylor has him on the

field. >> thank you very much, and we will call you the comeback kids and nice sweep of the marlins and how much of a confidence booster is it. >> especially today and getting done early a good pitcher and coming in and battling am and things are starting to turn around. >> you were 4-4 and this offense is sizzling. >> we are getting big hits and trying to do too much. and lately and last three, four games and we relaxed and let it happen. >> you got the heart and hustle award and the slide into 4th inning and that's what it is all about, isn't it. >> they have to get the hits and it is his rbi and it is fun. fun to win and playing like we are now. >> right now. you are 11 #-11. and playing under jim riggleman. what is the difference with him managing. we are just playing better. realized that it is not any manager out there.

it is us playing. we need to step up our game and hopefully we will to it the rest of the year. >> we will go back up to bob. >> bob: thank you, debbi taylor. and nats, come from 6-0 down and join us friday for masn hd and they will get you distinguishing at 6:30. visit masn sports.com am and this is a presentation of masn. stay tuned. nats extra post game coming up right now with byron and ray from the booth. so long for just awhile. 

 . >> they take down the florida marlins and now five of last 13 and 8-3. another comeback victory, the 20th of the year for the nationals and it feels so good. byron and ray knight with you. you felt that one, ray. you got the tie-in at eight and they started to roll it on on luis ayala. >> they were spectacular. and couldn't put hits together and now, the nationals are in a clutch situation and getting bunts down as nyjer did and jim riggleman has the ball club. every man in the dugout has a role and he is utilizing the roles. double switches and defensive replacements and having guzman on the bench and late in the game to pinch hit and great bunt by nyjer and playing his tail off. >> we will look at what cristian guzman did with the play. huge way to start the inning,

ray. >> it was. and we have been able to do the job lately and guzman throw as walk and pinch hitting in a nice sacrifice bunt and putting pressure on the defense. and byronie belliard. and hustling abettor than i have ever seen and not that he didn't hustle before and little slider and then tripling to the deep right field and third rbi of of the game. and this is a great job between he and dukes and saying seven rbis. and five runs scored. what a day for those two boys. what a day for the offense and the bullpen. defense played well. and the one error. >> look at the line score there. 14 hits. and we talked about it. the marlins pitching all series long. and ronnie belliard a big game and elijah dukes and as ray said.

another outstanding night for ryan zimmerman. eight home runs in the last 13 gameses and he is -- games and he is hitting the ball now. >> we thought dunn was hot and we found the four guys stacked up right there in willingham, dunn and dukes and they are doing damage together. >> dukes is one through sick. we will start it off. 6-0 lead and chris volstad appears to be coming along and couldn't get anything going. >> we were coming off to a rough start. and belliard singles and after an out. and that was his first hit of the day and adams walk to loads the bases and willingham, they get him to a 6-4-3 double play. and that was it with one out. weren't good there. and morgan singled to the center. and after an out. belliard gets a 5-4-3 double

play. and then, and it is interesting how long fredi gonzalez kept volstad in the game and that put seven runs on the board. >> he was teasing him. and teasing fredi. and into the fourth inning, they broke out as we were able to get the single to the center field. big base hit and doubles right here as he doubles over his head and got out the ballpark. and two base hit it is for gonzalez and not hitting often. but at the right time and pitch hard to third. and give him an error. and then zimmerman homers to deep left on what looks like a change-up. and it is like a change-up. and didn't even look at it.

and into the bullpen and then adams and then to the right side. base hit. and gets the bag. and willingham doubles to left. and right into it. and right behind that. and duke sacrificed the fly to centerfield and bard comes up. i am mining al lots of people in the inning and he bard comes up. a lot of the contributors in the line up. and the big home run by elijah. i would not leave the he will verdict coming down. i would see him hit. and i just felt something. >> he had tremendous power and hasn't gotten hold of one and we got to see him hit the ball out of the ballpark. and when he came up from sir cruise. how he was anxious at the plate and he got the singles and then got the home run and working

the pitchers today. >> starting at about mid-june system all through the season. >> drove in a lot of runs and hit the ball hard. and it is just the shuffle. and team getting off to a bad start. and wanting to change things and send him down to send them down. and you know, any time you go down there. you realize what it is all about. >> i know they are glad to have him and one thing he will not do is panic. >> i thought he was a clutch hitter. >> they have lost 10 straight to the florida marlins. this is the first sweep since 2007. and every year they start. and i was talking about it. and then this is a good start when you face the team when you did this week. >> i wouldn't get so far as next year. what it does right now. is all that matters and nationals turned it around.

big win the other night. now they are coming to expect to went and knowing they are capable of coming back when they have a big deficit. we have a special guest in the clubhouse. josh willingham and josh, this has got to be a great feeling. nine out of the last 13. and you guys are coming back and showing a lot of confidence. >> when you come back in a game like this. or it gives i a lot of confidence. we probably don't come back from a 6-0 deficit and give up a lot more runs than we did today. we are blood. >> you were hot for two, three weeks and basically, the last three, four monthses and have you talked about a group and decided that you know, you are going to relax and swing the bat. and have you all conferred a lot. >> we talk hitting all the time. it is not one of of the things we decided as a team that we were going to do anything

different. we swung the bats pet itty much all year and the timely hitting a problem during the course of the season. nothing that we decided to change. or do anything. we decided that we were going to bear down a little bit more. and try to put thing it is together when we have the chance. >> josh, when you are hitting as well as you are and they walk adam dunn in front of you what does that feel like. and say, we rather face josh willingham. >> miguel cabrera was in front of me. it is going to happen. you have someone hitting .280 with 30 home he evers and 100 rbis. they are going to walk him. and that's going to happen. i am used to it. it doesn't fire me up. and makes me want to get the job done that much more. team looks like to me.

just observation that they are playing a little faster. i know belliard is busting his tail. and guzman a step quicker and faster. and i know everyone was playing with a way weight of the world on his shoulders what has jim riggleman many. >> he brought a different approach. and he is more of an out going and likes to talk about stuff and let us now how he is feeling and what he expects of us. and so, having said that. he withdraw a different approach. and it is effective. and as a team we are doing so many of the little things. like catching the ball and not walking the people. >> they are keeping us in the game. and earlier in the year, if in big situations we are doing those things now and it is paying off. >> well earned victory, we appreciate your time today.

>> thanks guys. >> josh willingham joining us on a 12-9 victory. plenty more to talk about as nats extra tens. we will break down what they did as we continue nats extra from nats park after this. so when you said you bring fiber optic all the way to the home, you meant... we bring fiber optic all the way to the home. um... which gives you more bandwidth than cable. so you can upload faster. so it's like comparing a horse and buggy to a sports car.

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 . nats baseball is brough you by: welcome back and taking a sweep from the marlins before arizona arrives and when you have that mean relievers in the bullpen, a key to victory is to get all the guys to hum along.

and as well as anybody. and i managed against them and wrote about it in the blog. and holds the bullpen great. and defensive guy and expects to play well behind him and they have to do their job. and he makes a move and always matching him up with a match up. and settle things down. and belliard came across the bag and ended up walking with johnson again. and it is the pinch hitter pitcher and gets him to pop up and this is what you call a tremendous relief appearance 9th inning. true the order and as you mentioned. and he is pitching well.

and bergmann was. and so, a matter of not letting the guys go too long. very effective. >> hook at the games. three, #, seven, three runs allowed by the marlins. >> it has been unreal and it has been just really a clinic. and thinking like a manager. i am impressed. >> speaking of the manager. jim riggleman. he was asked after the game about the marlins and how they had the nats number and now they turned it around. >> again, timely hitting. and the bullpen is, they are just getting worn down a bit and outstanding. and you know, when someone went in anglian to struggle. they would clean the inning up

and really, you know, bergmann, couple of hitters he faced and it could have gotten out of hand right there. and sosa two day insist a row. throwing multiple innings. and veteran guy. sosa and villene showing what it is to and reliever. >> can you talk about that. >> zim has been on the ball real good. since late in the pittsburgh series and in milwaukee and hitting one track balls and he is just kind of carried it over to being hotter and hotter. and duke says, now, he is a special guy. very talented guy. and he has huge hits for us. and multi talented guy.

and throwing. and power. and you know, the chance to be a special player p and of course guzman gave us great at bat and lead it off with a walk. and set things up and go on. belliard hit. and just, timely hitting. >> with all the runs that were scoring. what is the one that broke the dam for you guys. and tied up. and setting the at all with willingham and. >> guzman, and how was it for him to start off. and always pitching him tough and doing change-ups and he was fouling them off and all of a sudden he got his sites located

and took the pitches and just a greater and nyjer does great things and set it up for belliard. and just, you know, zimmerman hits the triple to right and gives him breathing room and sets it up for sosa to finish it. and another core one. >> i don't know. i don't have any explanation for it. as we kind of alluded to the other day. and when you, you are managing and just kind of looking for results and analyzing and his arm should be here and he didn't do this. and should do this. and this is the pitching coach. i don't kid myself and think i have the answers and got to analyze the results and i know craig stammen is disappointed.

he is a grit competitor. fought long and hard to get here. we need a better outing for him next time. >> you have an update on kearns. >> no, i haven't spoken to him or the trainer about him. the hope is and the trainer this morning did talk it me before the game and did say. that they just got to analyze some things there and tissue and stuff. and that the thought now is he may, they may not have to do anything more to fick him up and it may be a matter now of the wound healing that they opened up. >> could you talk about the trade and what does this mean regarding the second baseman. >> yes. >> and since the all-star

break. gonzalez has been getting most of the playing time and it is tough for a young player whether it is gonzalez or hernandez. whoever, to not get consistent playing time and they really need to play. and it is tough for guy it is like that to sit. and i just didn't feel that it was going to be the best thing for hernandez's game. and we you know, basically. needed a spot on the roster. and just, felt that we are going to put in the waivers. and gonzalez is going to be the second baseman and willie harris can play there. and we fell like we had it covered. and hernandez played good. and great at bats and maybe

going to handle the utility role and put it through waivers. >> that is jim riggleman. 11-11 over the florida marlins and we will talk about the marlins and look ahead to the diamondbacks as they have now won five in a row. 

 . welcome back. they take out the florida marlins and jason bergmann came on to face hanley ramirez and he talked about the key at bat. >> well, no ram for error and can't afford to walk him. he is aggressive like the rest of the team. you have to throw good pitches and really for a guy like that. hope they get it out. slider wasn't the best pitch. >> doesn't get a whole lot easier facing can't tiew.

>> same situation. bases still loaded and still got you know, one out to go. and cantu is aggressive. >> the bullpen is unbelievable in the last week and during the sweep and your thoughts on how they are starting to feel out there. and we are feeding off everybody else and great to see our team come back and score the 12 runs and down six. and that is a major step in the right direction. and these guys, it is exciting to come to the park again. >> a series wine like this. is this a character builder. we came from behind a lot and forged ahead. and everyone pulled their own weight and we have starters doing well and hitting the ball. it is team effort and that's

what defined the series. >> nice victory for the washington nationals as they look to the arizona diamondbacks for a series and a day off before they head to atlanta, georgia to take on the braves. nationals win 12-8. back after this. hey mom i need some minutes. i just gave yoyou some at the restaurant. yea i know. i threw them out. they were old so... old! they are rollover minutes. they are as good as new. ya know not everyone gets to keep their unused minutes. and these days we can't afford to be wasteful. saving minutes...

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 . >> nats extra post game show brought to you by: the in addition boat the marlins led by ryan zimmerman. ray, what a day. 4-4. eight home runs for the last 13 games. >> he is on the baseball and has his batting average up and all the way down to .284 and this guy has it. and he had a tremendous

authority. >> turn the became to the diamond backs and that is balester getting the call against garland. arizona has a good pitching staff and last two outings. only two wrongs and struck out eight and given up two earned runs. and john garland. he is a guy, and 16 quality starts. and his record is not indicative of what he can do. and he has given up only three earned runs in his last one # starts. >> 16 quality starts. and he would love to get one in front of the home crowd. and young career here. and pitching well too. and so, have the nats. they have done a great job. and now, with arizona arriving.

they can go for six in a row and that is the first time since 2008. >> i am going for one more game. one game at a time and playing the way they are. >> a sweep the florida marlins. 12-8 and now the arizona arrives starting friday night. enjoy the night, everyone. ÷÷úúr

the pga major is up for. ÷÷úúr here's what 1st round action at the bridgestone invitational looked like. top of the leader board crowded. padraig harrington, maybe he has his swing back. clark one of the early finishers today. stricker 3 under. as for phil mickelson, he started his day on the back 9. it was a rough back 9. 38 there and started out with a double bogey.

went outututut in 38. came back in with a strong front 9. he is at even par. tigers woods still on the course coming to a close. he is 2 under. strong back 9. opened up with a birdie on the par 5 second. even upped even par. but back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13. here he is at 2 under. 2 shots off the pace. >> coming up: the bus comes to a stop at bears camp. up next chris mortensen will describe the jay cutler era. when your engine's running clean... you feel it. ...and pennzoil motor oil actively cleans out up to 15 percent of sludge the first time you use it. so feel the clean. not just oil, pennzoil.

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♪ he is ripping through the nfc north. chris mortensen's 3rd straight camp stop brings him to chicago where the hype following his tour is only rivaled by the hype for the newest quarterback of the bears who may solidify that position for the first time in decades. how is camp for jay cutler? >> well, the players and coaches are sold on jay cutler. it's inseer. they see a special talent. the offensive coordinator can't say enough about him. urlacher and him have had some really interesting battles. chest matches on the field. he energized the team. jay cutler is not going to make the difference.

it's about their defense. their defense has to step up. cutler energized this football team. they see the talent and see a guy who has a lot of poise. >> the defense in a moment. we have been discussing today what the domino effect of eli manning's big extension might mean to other quarterbacks upon for the bears what is the new value of jay cutler today? >> well, it's interesting because jay cutler smiled about it. he was happy for eli. eli manning, those numbers were not outragous numbers. his contract was up next year. so the next contract with these quarterbacks who won super bowls is always the next biggest contract. phillip rivers and jay cutler, yeah, they are interested. right now if you were doing a jay cutler deal, it would fall between tony romo and eli manning. jay cutler knows for him to get the $100-million contract like ben roethlisberger and eli manning has gotten, you have to go win a super bowl.

that's what he wants to do. the bears are aware of it. they will get it done. the money probably is not as outrageous as you think when you think about the money baseball players make. this is an elite talent and will be a quarterback for a long time. >> winning will have a lot to do with. the plan at receiver putting people around him giving him a shot to win? >> they would thike-- would like to have one more level. the offensive skill talent is much better and jay himself cited that devin hester is more accomplished as a receiver than he anticipated. and bennett his former receiver at vanderbilt who was drafted in the 2nd round lat year looks much better with his old quarterback there. they are loaded at tight end including former 1st rounder greg olsen. and forte can catch the ball.

it's about the offensive line coming together and protecting cutler. they believe they will score plenty of point. >> all right. a lot of positive things on that side of the ball. the bears defense. they are coming off an uncharacteristically down year. they were ranked 21st in the league a year ago. how are they changing that? >> lovie smith their head coach know its. every player on the team does. when you play for the chicago bears, the bear's identity is on defense. when they went to the super bowl a few years ago, it was about their defense. they think the biggest thing they did this off-season was hire rob marinelli to be their defensive coordinator and get the best out of what they think is a talented group upon then urlacher will be what people think is the one of the best linebacker in football. the key is marinelli getting the

defense linemen to play at a higher level like he did everywhere he's been. >> a very competitive division. vikings and packers and bears and maybe lions. one story that broke today. the michael crabtree thing. it's been floated he would consider sitting out the year. how serious do you think that is? >> first it's a little bit early for that. it did not come specifically on the record from parker his agent. however, it's early to make that threat. i covered the league for over 25 years and heard this before. sometimes it's not made public. very seldom does somebody sit out the year. the raiders, you can claim them. they took darius heyward-bey instead of crabtree and paid him more money than you would expect

for the 7th player and that clogged up everything behind. crabtree wants that kind of money. chances are he won't get. it we will see. last time in '87, the quarterback sat out the whole season and the arizona cardinals drafted him in the 1st round and traded him to seattle. he had a forgettable career because of that. >> one more receiver issue. roddy white is holding out. maybe ammunition to get a deal done with an injury to douglas. >> he wants $10 million a year. despite douglas's injury they won't change their negotiations with crabtree. i heard that crabtree dug his heels-- i mean roddy white dug his heels in even more. what you can expect to hear before the end of the day is the falcons will sign a couple more receivers. i don't know who that is.

it could be hackett or terrell or joe horn. they won't give in right now on roddy white's demands. >> all right. chris mortensen at bears camp. thanks. enjoy the bus tour. tomorrow he heads to the colts and then off to the lions. cleveland, pittsburgh and philadelphia on the dockett as mort continues the 21 team bus tour. coming up next on espnews: back to the stadium. jeremy schaap will preview the red sox and yankees.

breaking news from the nba. the league suspended orlando magic forward rashard lewis for 10 games. he tested positive for an elevated level of testosterone. his suspension begins with his first game of the upcoming nba regular season. >> the red sox and the yankees. it's the others that the sox had issue with. despite be 0 for 8 against boston, it's the yankees who own the top spot in the al-east. the series resumes. let's get you dialed into boston radio. >> let me ask you this.

>> tonight's strategy. teixeira. throw right at his head. first you won't hurt him as fast as you are throwing. >> [laughing]. >> joba chamberlain comes back and drills you. it's bounced out of the game. >> nice strategy. that's little league strategy. they have their ace on the mound. how do we get him ejected from the game? seriously,. >> [overlapping talking]. >> [laughing]. >> on a serious note, if i said to you who has the better chance to win their start. >> which pitcher's name ends in z. >> buchholz or smoltz has a better chance to win the start you? will tell me buchholz. >> i don't think so. >> i will take tonight. >> what am i missing here? let's take some calls.

>> smoltz is young and hasn't done well. what are you missing? >> smoltz is not young. you said smoltz is young. >> meant buchholz. >> okay, buchholz is young. >> let's get up close and personal look at what is happening at the stadium. jeremy schaap joins us from in the bronx. have you 2 teams right now. where are they? >> well, the streak is something that neither team is going to harp upon. the red sox say it doesn't matter. the yankees say it doesn't matter. it matters in the standings especially when you have such a close race going on. eventually it won't be about who wins the division. it will be the wild card. right now the yankees, red sox, and the rays and rangers are all right there. so there are 2 spaces for 4 teams possibly. these games are significant. it will matter obviously at the

end of the season when it comes down to it. nobody thinks that because of the red sox won the first 8ings-- 8 meetings that has any impact because these are much different teams. alex rodriguez the last time they played the red sox was not the same player he is now. david ortiz was not the same player he is now. the 2 best players in the line-ups have been hitting much better since that last meeting. >> it's a bizarre streak in baseball. you don't beat somebody every time you play them when you are division rivals. it's been a couple of months. you wonder how this will factor into this weekend's series. >> well, i think certainly from the yankees perspective, it is just even more incentive to go out there and beat the red sox. happened-- find a way to sweep. they would be happy with 3 out of 4 at home. they have been playing so well

since the last time they played the red sox. 31 and 16 if that span. the second best record in the majors behind the angels tied with the colorado rockies. this is a different team playing differently with a lot of confidence. a lot of pieces coming together. especially i was reading something in the papers today about how much the yankees bullpen changed. there were 5 pitchers in the yankees bullpen who are not even on the team now. >> only have 30 seconds. your thoughts, a special moment at yankee stadium. mohammed ali will be in attendance. why? >> he will give an honor to the steinbrenner family. he did fight at the old yankee stadium 33 years ago against ken norton. the only time he fought at yankee stadium. i looked up the box score from the yankee stadium and red sox game that night. it took 2 hours and 22 minutes. we might be in the 4th inning after 2 hour asks 22 minutes

tonight. >> could be. >> jeremy schaap in for what he believes will be a long night. >> bet on it. >> coming up next on espnews: tiger and phil on the course together. first time in a long time. mitchell report and reischea canidate will that.