The Nationals made another attempt to solidify their reeling bullpen late Tuesday night, acquiring right-handed reliever Logan Kensing from the Florida Marlins for Kyle Gunderson, their 48th-round draft pick in 2007. 

--RHP Saul Rivera remained with the Nationals on Wednesday after the team added RHP Logan Kensing in a trade with the Marlins late Tuesday night. 

Finally, everything was going smoothly for Cole Hamels. 

The Washington Nationals have played better since their disastrous start, but they're still entrenched in the NL East cellar. 

Apr. 

All the Washington Nationals needed to do to protect a lead was give the ball to a reliever who hadn't saved a game in three years. 

IT WAS ONE of those situations that you might have joked about before the game, given the tough luck Cole Hamels has endured throughout the first 3 weeks of this 2009 season. 

FIRST IT WAS elbow inflammation in spring training. 

The Nationals avoided a sweep with an 8-1 win over the Mets on Sunday, but they have continued to struggle with the same issues that led them to 13 losses in their first 16 games this season. 

The Nationals bullpen has a new configuration, for the third time in as many weeks. 

--SS Alberto Gonzalez made his sixth error of the season in Tuesday's 7-1 loss to the Phillies. 

It's only April and thePhillies already have the drama thing down pat. 

Chase Utley homered twice and drove in three runs, Pedro Feliz added a three-run shot and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 7-1 Tuesday night for their fifth straight victory. 

Giving up home runs has proved Brett Myers' biggest weakness as a starter. 

Cole Hamels had another painful start in otherwise easy victory for the Philadelphia Phillies.