That's more like it

The Nationals beat the Dodgers last night 3-1, as first Tony Armas and then the bullpen shut down the Blue Crew that Tuesday night smashed four home runs. The Dodgers never mounted much of an offensive threat; their only run came on Milton Bradley's solo homer in the top of the third.

It was the Nationals who finally showed some power. Preston Wilson homered with two out and one on in the bottom of the fourth, and Nick Johnson hit a solo shot in the bottom of the eighth. It was only three runs, but that's about as good as it gets for the Nats these days.

It was enough for Armas & Co., who held the Dodgers to six hits. Having thrown 88 pitches, Armas tired and his arm stiffened, so Luis Ayala took over in the top of the sixth. For some reason Frank Robinson had Ayala hit for Armas in the bottom of the fifth, and the odd gambit appeared to work when Ayala singled. Unfortunately, the Nationals again were unable to execute a bunt, this time by Brad Wilkerson, and Ayala was out at second. In any event, Ayala, Mike Stanton, and Gary Majewski allowed only one hit over three innings. Chad Cordero allowed one hit with two outs in the ninth, but then struck out Hee Seop Choi to record his 36th save.

It was a much needed win, and it closed Atlanta's lead to 4.5 games. With Houston winning, the Nats remain two games back in the wild card race. As Robinson said, it's only one game, but with wins so hard to come by recently it an opportunity we haven't had in a while to hope that things are turning around for the Nats.