--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. Rivera had been optioned to Class AAA Syracuse (N.Y.) on April 19 when RHP Jason Bergmann was recalled, but it was Bergmann who was sent down this time. "Saul was the best middle reliever on this team for the last three years," manager Manny Acta said. "Compiling over 70 appearances during the last two years has to count for something. Saul's having a rough time. We feel we can get him back on track and be valuable again."
--RHP Julian Tavarez allowed one hit in the ninth inning in earning his first save since May 28, 2006, when he was a member of the Red Sox. After Joel Hanrahan blew three of his first five save chances this season, manager Manny Acta decided Tuesday to split the closer's role between RHP Kip Wells and Tavarez, depending on matchups. "I wasn't going to put it in my head that I was in the closer's situation," Tavarez said. "I know Hanrahan's going to come back." --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.
