--SS Alberto Gonzalez made his sixth error of the season in Tuesday's 7-1 loss to the Phillies. Gonzalez's defense cost him a role in the major leagues, at least for now; he will be optioned to Class AAA Syracuse (N.Y.) to make room for SS Cristian Guzman's return on Wednesday. "He is a very good fielder," manager Manny Acta said. "He's had a rough time here. (Tuesday), again, that cost us."
--LHP John Lannan struggled after a pair of strong outings, giving up six runs (though only three were earned) on nine hits in five innings Tuesday against the Phillies. Lannan threw only 53 of his 83 pitches for strikes, a low ratio for him, and gave up three homers, two to Chase Utley. "I don't know how many home runs were hit the last two games, but those tend to be the difference-makers," Lannan said. "I'm a groundball pitcher, so this park really shouldn't play into it. But when you leave the ball up and get behind in the count, anywhere those balls are pretty much out." BY THE NUMBERS: 16 -- Consecutive road games the Nationals had lost, all against division opponents, before beating the Mets 8-2 on Sunday in New York. Washington's last road win before Sunday was Sept. 7, 2008, against Atlanta.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think everyone's out there playing hard. We're making mistakes that big-league teams should not make, but we're making them, and that's what's costing us games." -- Outfielder Adam Dunn, on the defensive lapses that hurt the Nationals in two losses to the Mets over the weekend. Washington, which led the National League with 123 errors last season, has committed 18 in 17 games this season.
