Nats heart of the order makes an appearance, Nats win 6-3

Nationals fans I would like to introduce you to something that you may not have seen in a very long time. It is a productive middle of the order. I know you may be thinking,

“But shouldn’t the middle of the order combine to go 0-8 with 5 k’s? Shouldn’t we have the number 8 hitter hit walk off homers as our pitching carries us through the game, only to pray for that clutch hit?”

No! Actually teams that go to the, ‘playoffs,’ have hitters who like to produce in the middle of their line up. I know it may sound crazy, but tonight you got to see how effective it is!

Now that you two are acquainted, you two hopefully will become good friends and longtime partners at baseball games. I know the productive middle of the order is shy, but I hope he can stay around a while and you two can have a long meaningful relationship.

Oh..the Nats won tonight 6-3

The Braves own middle of the order

Chipper Jones and Mark Teixiera did a good deal of the damage against the solid Nationals pitching staff tonight. Chipper went two for five with a solo homer in the top of the 6th and a single in the 1st. Teixiera also helped the Braves get on the board with a double in the top of the second which allowed him to score on a Kotsay single.

The heart of the braves order was also the center of the rally in the top of the 6th that took Tim Redding out of the game.

Tim Redding and the 6th inning

Tim Redding the railroad slows down at the 6th inning, and usually can’t get passed it. It is probably due to a lack of endurance and a little bit of age, but for Redding he usually turns a beautifully pitched 5 innings into an average start with an ugly 6th. Today’s 6th for Redding was relatively tame. He allowed a solo homer to Larry Jones, and then after being ahead 0-2 on Teixeira, walked him on the next four pitches. Acta took him out before he could do anymore damage.

Redding’s last three 6th innings.
Against:
NYM- relatively tame, allowed a single to Carlos Betran and was taken out. The Mets did score 3 runs this inning however

FLA- Two hits, a Home Run and a Double, three earned runs let up.

ATL- Three hits; Single, Double and a Home Run, three earned run’s allowed.

Middle of the Order shows Heart

Zimmerman and Johnson came out swinging today and helped put runs on the board early for the Nats, with back to back jacks in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Zimmerman also came up big in the bottom of the 7th with the bases loaded and 2 outs, driving in two runs with an RBI double. Milledge also helped drive in two more with a double to score Zimmerman and Guzman in the 7th.

Zimmerman’s Line: 3-4, 1 single, 1 double, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Johnson’s Line: 2-4, 1 single, 1 hr, 1 RBI
Milledge’s Line: 1-4, 1 double, 2 RBI

Chad Cordero leaves the game

This was a scary moment, and still is a scary time for Nats fans. After allowing two base runners and only one out Cordero waved to the Nationals trainer for help. It was clear what was wrong, Cordero grabbed his arm and immediately tried to stretch it out…he could be out a while.

Box Score