TODAY'S NATIONALS GAME: 2 - 1

This seemed like one of those wins you win just to rack up more wins. The Pirates are eminently uninteresting, but they were perhaps a perfect proving ground for our new starter Ryan Drese (late of Texas), who blew away the Angels on the 15th, but then gave Nationals fans doubts when, in his 2nd start on the 21st, he performed horribly, allowing the craptastic Pirates to bruise D.C. 11-4. Today, in 8 innings, he allowed 5 hits, 1 run, and no bases on balls.

Drese seems like a really nice guy who's genuinely interested in doing his best. I hope he turns out to be a star for the Nationals.