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Tom Milone is out of the game after 5 2/3 innings, and he's in line for his first major league loss after allowing three runs. He probably doesn't deserve to be, but Michael Morse's misadventures in left field haven't helped him.
Morse has misplayed a couple balls tonight, including a Carlos Lee double in the sixth inning that put the slugger in position to score the go-ahead run. He did, on a base hit by Clint Barmes later in the inning, and manager Davey Johnson pulled Milone for Craig Stammen there.
The Nationals are giving Morse time to play left field after a stellar run at first base so they can get him ready for next season when Adam LaRoche comes back. They also want to see Chris Marrero at first base. Morse is likely good enough to be a serviceable left fielder, but he doesn't have the range or the arm to be much more than that. The Nationals will find a place for his bat, but a team that began the year vowing to get better defensively is likely going to keep a better-hitting version of Josh Willingham in left. Morse will do enough damage with his bat to make it worthwhile, but it's interesting to point out the shift in philosophy there.
Anyway, it's 3-2 Astros in the seventh, as the Nationals try to avoid their 13th loss in 16 games.
