Ouch.

by Phil Wood

My, that was ugly.

Jason Marquis finally gets to start against someone other than Philadelphia, and fails to retire a batter, allowing 4 hits and 7 earned runs. Miguel Batista comes in and gives up a grand slam home run to Craig Counsell, and before the Nats come to bat, they're down by 10 runs.

It was chilly to start with today - only 50 degrees and breezy at game time - but Brewers' starter Doug Davis won't have to concern himself with working up a sweat. After watching highlights of yesterday's 20-inning Mets-Cardinals game, where fielders pitched and pitchers played the field, this shapes up as the antithesis of that.

I spoke with Nats' skipper Jim Riggleman before the game, and asked him about doing that.- using position players on the mound in very long games or in blowouts - and he said that sometimes you're forced into situation like that. So, who would he put on the mound in an emergency?

"Dunn's already told me he wants to do it," he said, "but I'm not sure I'd be in favor of that. When Jamie Burke was with us, he also said he could throw strikes, but of the current guys, I think I'd go with Wil Nieves."

What about using a middle or left side infielder? "I have no doubt that Zimmerman could do it, but you don't want to risk him getting hurt. I'm sure all of those guys can get it over, but I'm still more inclined to go with a catcher on the mound."

Here's hoping today's game doesn't come to that.