Craft Beer of the Week (6/23)

The craft beer of the week comes to you all the way from Maui Brewing Company in Hawaii.  Their Bikini Blonde Lager not only has a really cool looking can, but it is also an amazing summer beer.  It has a great taste, light body, and it is quite the refreshing beverage for all you 21 & over folks who like to have a beer or two out on the deck on a nice summer day.  You're going to need to get your wallet out for this one.  A six pack will run you about $15-20 because all of it comes from Maui, but trust me it is worth a taste every now and then.  Bring it to a party and you will instantly win the respect of your peers, or keep it for yourself and let it be a reminder that you are better than everyone else.  Whatever you do, make sure you crack one open for the Nats who find themselves in first place in the NL East.

Weekly Record: 4-2
Overall Record: 39-35
Standings: 1.5 games ahead of Atlanta for NL East lead

The team ended the week on a huge high note.  The two wins against Houston were hard fought, having to come from behind in one and nearly blowing the lead in the other.  After those games the Nats were in first by 1.5 games, but two consecutive losses to the Braves put them back at square one.  Huge starts from Doug Fister (who has won 6 of last 7 starts and given up two or fewer runs in 7 of 9 appearances)  and Tanner Roark in the next two gave the Nats the split in the series and sole possession of first in the NL East.  Hopefully the two wins give the Nats confidence that they can beat the Braves going forward.  The Nats are still 3-7 against their NL East nemesis this season, and they had dropped five straight to the Braves before these two wins.

It also would not be a complete week for the Nationals if they did not waste another gem from Jordan Zimmerman.  In the Nationals 3-0 loss to the Braves, Zimmerman went 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 K while the Nats could only hit 3 for 28.  For those of you keeping score at home, in Zimmerman's last two starts he has gone 15 IP, 3 ER, 11K, 2 BB while the team has been shutout both times while hitting 5 for 57 (.087).  How about some run support for Zimm, right Jayson Werth? Werth was the main culprit this week hitting 2 for 23 and 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position while striking out 12 times.  Jerry Blevins hopped on the down elevator this week as well, and blemished what was a fairly strong outing for the bullpen.  Blevins went 2.2 IP and gave up 3 ER including the two that would win it for the Braves in 13 innings on Friday.  He has given up at least one ER in his last 3 appearances, so lets hope he can get back on track.

Good news came from Denard Span and Anthony Rendon this week.  Span hit .400 this week with five extra base hits, 3 of 6 with runners in scoring position, three RBI's, and he had three stolen bases.  Rendon went on a tear this week hitting .360 with 8 RBI's (4 RBI's coming with 2 outs), 6 extra base hits including two home runs, one game tying 2 run homer in the ninth inning, and going 4 for 11 with runners in scoring position. These two provide a nice one-two punch at the beginning of the lineup that could be helped by Werth getting back on track.  Also good news that Wilson Ramos is back in Double A and is expected to be back this week.  That is a good thing too when Jose Lobaton and Sandy Leon combined to go 2 for 20 this week.

Ramos will be needed as the Nats are on the road all this week.  A tough three game series in Milwaukee will be followed by a four game series in Chicago that will feature a double header on Saturday, which sounds like a perfect time to enjoy a Bikini Blonde Lager responsibly.  So enjoy the feeling of first place and hopefully the Nats can extend their lead this week.