Loving Honesty, and Nationals Notes

Dear Ian,

Hey buddy, how have you been? How's the new wife, the house, the dog? I would ask you about your job but look Ian, I have seen you pitch this season and I am afraid it is time for a session of loving honesty. You just are not ready for the show yet. I know it's been kind of tough living under the shadow of your buddy Joba, but you need to worry about you. I didn't want to bring this up but the truth is that you are hear and Santana isn't, that means you have a lot to prove. So next week when Cashman asks you to head to Scranton do it with your head up. There is no shame in being sent back to the minors, just make sure you use that time to fine tune everything. Don't get so worked up about the demotion that you lose your ambition. Remember Ian, being a Yankee is a privilege you have to earn.

Your Buddy,
Bruce

Nationals Notes

Manny Acta's man crush on Austin Kearns surprises a lot of people, including me. Sure, he is hard working and he has a ton of potential, but a .194 batting average (even after last night) is still south of the Mendoza line. Well finally for one day Austin gets to have his day in the sun, and Acta gets to pat him on the ass for a legitimate reason. Last night Austin broke a tie with a two out RBI single in the eighth inning putting the Nat's up 3-2 for their fourth consecutive win.

When you think about it the Nationals record really isn't that surprising, nor is it surprising that they are starting to rally now. If you look back at the schedule they have played through April you will see that the have ONLY matched up against the best teams in the National League. Finally they are going to be facing off with teams they can beat. Three more against Pittsburgh and then off to Houston before the Marlins come back next weekend. This is the time they need to win a lot of games, if anything just to build momentum. Hitting is contagious and if just one of these guys really starts to break out I guarantee others will follow.