Walker making case to be in bullpen

The Nationals' bullpen appears to be set with Miguel Batista, Jason Bergmann, Brian Bruney, Sean Burnett, Matt Capps and Tyler Clippard.

Walker making case to be in bullpen....

Nats avoid arbitration with four

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

The Nationals took care of four arbitration-eligible players on Tuesday afternoon, when they agreed on one-year contracts with right-hander Jason Bergmann, catchers Jesus Flores and Wil Nieves and outfielder Josh Willingham.

Nats avoid arbitration with four....

This Christmas better than last for Bergmann

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

Around Christmas time in 2008, right-hander Jason Bergmann didn't know where he stood with the Nationals. He was coming off a disappointing season as a starter, going 2-11 with a 5.09 ERA.

After being demoted to the bullpen in '09, Bergmann, 28, took advantage of the situation after the All-Star break, posting a 3.38 ERA. Now, Bergmann goes into this Christmas knowing that he will be a member of Washington's bullpen.

MLB.com caught up with Bergmann in Florida to talk about what Christmas will mean to him this year.

This Christmas better than last for Bergmann....

Nats cut ties with hurlers MacDougal, Olsen

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals decided on Saturday not to tender 2010 contracts to pitchers Mike MacDougal and Scott Olsen, who were eligible for arbitration. But Washington did tender offers to outfielder Josh Willingham, catchers Jesus Flores and Wil Nieves and pitchers Jason Bergmann, Brian Bruney and Sean Burnett before the 11:59 p.m. ET deadline.

Nats cut ties with hurlers MacDougal, Olsen....

Bergmann serves up walk-off blast in loss

By B.J. Rains / MLB.com

ST. LOUIS -- Jason Bergmann gave up a walk-off homer to Albert Pujols in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Nationals fell to the Cardinals, 3-2, on Friday night at Busch Stadium.

Bergmann serves up walk-off blast in loss....


Washington AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Harris, W, CF 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .230
Orr, 2B 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 .333
Zimmerman, R, 3B 2 0 0 0 2 1 1 .302
Dunn, A, 1B 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .281
Belliard, 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .249
Willingham, LF 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .293
Dukes, RF 4 1 3 0 0 0 0 .244
Bard, J, C 4 0 1 1 0 1 3 .236
Gonzalez, Al, SS 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 .256
Lannan, P 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .149
Bergmann, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Totals 32 2 7 2 2 6 12

BATTING
2B: Dukes 2 (18, Hawksworth, Motte), Bard, J (14, Hawksworth).
TB: Harris, W; Orr; Dukes 5; Bard, J 2; Gonzalez, Al.
RBI: Orr (1), Bard, J (24).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Dunn, A; Bard, J; Lannan; Gonzalez, Al.
SF: Orr.
Team RISP: 1-for-8.
Team LOB: 6.

BASERUNNING
SB: Orr (1, 2nd base off Smoltz/Molina, Y).
CS: Harris, W (3, 2nd base by Smoltz/Molina, Y).

FIELDING
E: Zimmerman, R (15, throw).
DP: 2 (Gonzalez, Al-Dunn, A, Zimmerman, R-Dunn, A).


St. Louis AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Lugo, 2B 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .292
Ryan, Br, SS 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294
Pujols, 1B 4 1 1 1 0 0 2 .316
Holliday, LF 3 1 1 0 0 0 2 .310
Ludwick, RF 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 .265
DeRosa, 3B 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .261
Molina, Y, C 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .285
Rasmus, CF 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .249
Smoltz, P 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .143
Hawksworth, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Reyes, D, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-Greene, K, PH 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .215
Motte, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Totals 28 3 5 2 2 2 8

a-Homered for Reyes, D in the 8th.

BATTING
2B: Holliday (34, Lannan).
HR: Greene, K (6, 8th inning off Lannan, 0 on, 1 out), Pujols (41, 9th inning off Bergmann, 0 on, 0 out).
TB: Lugo; Pujols 4; Holliday 2; DeRosa; Greene, K 4.
RBI: Greene, K (24), Pujols (108).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rasmus.
GIDP: Molina, Y; Holliday.
Team RISP: 1-for-5.
Team LOB: 3.

FIELDING
E: Molina, Y (4, throw).


Washington IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Lannan 8.0 4 2 2 2 2 1 3.95
Bergmann (L, 2-4) 0.0 1 1 1 0 0 1 5.86

St. Louis IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Smoltz 6.0 4 1 1 1 6 0 6.71
Hawksworth 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 0 2.86
Reyes, D 1.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.77
Motte (W, 4-4) 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5.76

Bergmann pitched to 1 batter in the 9th.

Pitches-strikes: Lannan 91-62, Bergmann 3-2, Smoltz 93-62, Hawksworth 13-7, Reyes, D 15-5, Motte 14-10.
Groundouts-flyouts: Lannan 17-5, Bergmann 0-0, Smoltz 7-4, Hawksworth 2-1, Reyes, D 2-1, Motte 1-2.
Batters faced: Lannan 29, Bergmann 1, Smoltz 22, Hawksworth 5, Reyes, D 4, Motte 4.
Umpires: HP: Ron Kulpa. 1B: Brian O'Nora. 2B: Scott Barry. 3B: Tom Hallion.
Weather: 71 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 6 mph, In from LF.
T: 2:13.
Att: 40,033.
August 28, 2009