From GoNats in Manassas:
What the heck happened out there last night? Were the Nats replaced by pod people? Were they suffering from horrible jet lag? The outfielders couldn't seem to catch a routine fly ball; the pitchers couldn't throw a strike to save their lives, and when the offense finally started to wake up, it just wasn't enough. Is this the same team that has been playing in DC the past couple of weeks or did they pull a fast one at the airport?
Mark Zuckerman:
I have no evidence of a complete team swap taking place at Dulles International Airport, though I can certainly look into the possibility. ... Obviously, the team that showed up last night here bore no resemblance to the one that just won 8 of 11 at home. I understand that the bullpen is going to have its off-nights, but the outfield defense (particularly Lastings Milledge in center field) just baffles me.

From Brian in Alexandria:
Good afternoon, Mark. The MLB draft is less than a month away -- has there been any rumblings about who the Nationals are considering with the #9 pick? Have you heard about anyone being brought in for workouts?
Mark Zuckerman:
No specific names to report yet, though Jim Bowden said the other day that he's confident there are at least 10 bonafide prospects in this year's class. Seeing as how the Nats pick ninth, that would indicate the club is guaranteed to get one of those guys. This is an important draft for the organization, though. After having five of the first 70 picks last year (and by all accounts doing a nice job with them) they've got only the Nos. 9, 55, 87 and 121 picks in the first four rounds of this year's draft. They've got to get that first-round pick right.

From Donald in Falls Church:
When should we expect Luis Ayala's arm to fall off? It seems like he pitches every single night!
Mark Zuckerman:
Ayala hasn't pitched every night. He's *only* pitched in 21 of the Nats' 34 games to date. Which means he's on pace for 100 relief appearances this season, a mark I believe last reached by Mike Marshall in like 1980. ... True, Ayala may be getting a lot of work, but Manny Acta and Randy St. Claire pay close attention to these things. They monitor not only how many days a guy pitches, but also how many pitches he throws. No reliever will ever throw four straight days, and if his pitch count is up, he won't be allowed to throw three straight. Ayala may have blown last night's game, but for the most part he's been pretty good.

From Kristin in Fairfax:
When do the Nats give up on the Wily Mo Pena Experience? I'm pretty sure he didn't make contact at the game I went to the other day. Will Elijah Dukes push him for playing time?
Mark Zuckerman:
I don't know that we'll see the Nats completely give up on WMP just yet, though I do think his playing time will be cut into once Dukes returns (which could be this week or next or who knows when?). Pena really hasn't come close to hitting a home run yet this season, and though he did hit a couple of balls hard last night, he's in this lineup because he's supposed to provide power and serve as an intimidating presence at the plate. Anyone out there think he's done any of that yet?

From Barry Prophet in Reston:
I've been to Houston one time and couldn't wait to get out. But is the ballpark at least halfway decent?
Mark Zuckerman:
I've been to Houston more than a half-dozen times, and each time I arrive here I immediately can't wait to get out. Sorry, just not my kind of town. Too spread out, too hot and humid, not enough going on downtown. That said, Minute Maid Park is actually quite nice. The quirks of the actual field -- the ridiculously short porch in LF, the stupid hill in CF -- bother me, but from a fan's perspective (and the media's) it's a great place to watch a game. The press accommodations here are second to none. Press box is right behind the lower deck, providing a great view. Clubhouses are spacious and nice for the players. The food is solid. And the folks here are very friendly.

From Art in Centreville:
Wily Mo and Milledge looked lost in the woods playing in the outfield last night. Did Manny or the players say anything about the misplays?
Mark Zuckerman:
Nothing particularly inflammatory, aside from pointing out the obvious at how costly those plays were. Pena: I think people are willing to give him some slack, because he's a lumbering hulk of a man who isn't supposed to be a strong defensive player (then again, it doesn't help when he can't hit either). Milledge I think is more troubling, because this guy has all the physical gifts to be able to play center field in the majors. He just doesn't seem to have the right instincts -- constantly breaks the wrong way on fly balls, doesn't have awareness for what's around him. I know the Nats are working hard with him on this stuff, but I'm not so sure it's something that can be taught, especially at the big-league level.

From Todd in D.C.:
When will the Nationals finally give on Austin Kearns? Although he hit a HR last night, he has to be one of the NL's most overrated players.
Mark Zuckerman:
Kearns certainly has his detractors. They've been growing in numbers this season, and rightfully so -- the guy's hitting .222 with 14 RBI and only six! extra-base hits to date. But the Nats aren't giving up on him anytime soon. He's making $5 million this season and he's guaranteed $8 million next season. Plus, name me a better option right now in right field.

Looks like that's all we've got today. Talk to you next week from New York...