Nats outlast Peavy, Padres 4-3 in 10-inning thriller OR Jake can't take the fatman

What is it about the Washington Nationals that San Diego Padre ace Jake Peavy finds befuddling?

Peavy, widely considered to be the best pitcher in the National League right now, has a record of 7-2 and an ERA of 1.67, yet those two losses that blemish his record are against the Nationals, the second one coming tonight at R.F.K. in front of 22,000, as the Nationals won 4-3 in 10 innings.

Peavy certainly didn't intimidate Dmitri Young, who went 4 for 4 for the second consecutive night, along with 2 RBI's, or Cristian Guzman, who went 4 for 5 tonight. All told, the Nats piled up 15 hits against the Padres tonight.

Both teams actually seemed very evenly matched tonight, as they battled each other to a 3-3 9th inning stalemate. The entire game just seemed to me to be a great display of small-ball and good little things. No homeruns, just lots of hits into those huge gaps that R.F.K. is known for. If you are like me and you enjoy the details of National League ball, then this was a game for you.

Nats starter, Matt Chico threw 98 pitches with 59 strikes (60%) in 5.1 innings, allowing 7 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. I wonder when Matt Chico will EVER notch his next win. He seems so snakebit. Between low run support and bad weather, Chico is getting several no-decisions, the poor guy.

The bullpen acquitted itself okay, with the possible exception of Winston Abreau's blown save in the 6th. Saul Rivera, Chad Cordero and Jon Rauch allowed 3 hits between them and no runs. Rauch got the win - congratulations, Jon!

Cristian Guzman got his 1,000th career hit tonight in the 5th inning. Guzman was just a singles-machine tonight, it's so gratifying to see hit get those hits.

Ryan Report: Church went 1 for 4, but he had a nice double, and made a killer 7-5 double play at 3rd with Zimmerman in the 4th inning. Zimmerman went 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. Langerhans went 1 for 4 and Austin Ryan Kearns went 1 for 4 with a double.

After Thursday night's thrilling game that I had to miss (damn it all - again!) I was determined to make it this evening. I got there around 7:15 and bought a brisket sandwich and a sweet tea from Capitol Q barbecue and said "hi" to Ellie upstairs. Saw Rico and said hello, and I bought the new program (June/July issue) from him. I met my friend Myron and we got some beers from Howard, and reveled in the nice late-spring weather. All was right with my world, again, at least for another night.