--LHP John Lannan authored the latest strong performance by a Washington starter, tossing seven scoreless innings Wednesday in a losing effort against the Braves. Lannan, who scattered five hits and two walks, wriggled his way out of a couple of jams but emerged without surrendering a run. He turned in the sixth quality start by a Nationals pitcher in seven games. "We're just building off each other, and hopefully it continues," Lannan said. "Jordan (Zimmermann) came in and threw a great game. And (Scott Olsen) and Daniel (Cabrera) have been throwing great games, too. It just shows that we're young and we're pushing each other."

--LHP Mike Hinckley nearly pitched his way out of a tight jam in the ninth inning Wednesday night but was done in by his own lack of aggressiveness. Asked to come in with two on and two outs in a scoreless game, Hinckley quickly jumped ahead of Braves PH Martin Prado, 1-2. But he threw three straight balls after that, then walked 2B Kelly Johnson on five pitches to force in the only run of a 1-0 loss to Atlanta. Hinckley felt he tried to be too fine in that situation instead of trusting his ability to retire hitters. "My job is to put hitters away, and I didn't do my job," the rookie reliever said. "If I throw anywhere close, maybe I have a shot. But two short breaking balls, that's not getting the job done."

--OF Adam Dunn is applauded for his patience at the plate, but sometimes that can hurt the slugger. Dunn has a tendency to take too many close pitches, as was the case Wednesday night when he watched a 3-2 fastball from Braves LHP Mike Gonzalez nip the zone for strike three in a key situation in the game. Dunn had reached base successfully in all 13 of Washington's games, but he wound up 0-for-4 Wednesday with two groundouts and two strikeouts.

MEDICAL WATCH:

LHP Joe Beimel (strained left hip flexor) went on the 15-day disabled list April 21.

SS Cristian Guzman (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 14. He will go on a minor league rehab assignment but should be back after missing just 15 days.

2B/OF Willie Harris (strained left oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 13. He was set to begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Syracuse during the week of April 20-26.

OF Roger Bernadina (broken right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 19. He had surgery April 18, and he will miss a minimum of two months before beginning a rehab assignment.

1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. Young, who has been working himself back into shape while trying to manage diabetes, will remain at extended spring training in Viera, Fla. The Nationals hope he'll be ready to go on a rehab assignment at some point in late April and perhaps return to the big-league roster soon after that.

RHP Terrell Young (inflamed right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He started a throwing program at extended spring training in early April.

LHP Matt Chico (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2008) went on the 60-day disabled list March 28. He will miss at least the first half of the season.

ROTATION:

LHP John Lannan

LHP Scott Olsen

RHP Daniel Cabrera

RHP Shairon Martis

RHP Jordan Zimmermann

BULLPEN:

RHP Joel Hanrahan (closer)

RHP Julian Tavarez

RHP Mike Hinckley

RHP Saul Rivera

RHP Garrett Mock

RHP Jason Bergmann

RHP Kip Wells

CATCHERS:

Jesus Flores

Wil Nieves

INFIELDERS:

1B Nick Johnson

2B Anderson Hernandez

SS Alberto Gonzalez

3B Ryan Zimmerman

INF Ronnie Belliard

INF Alex Cintron

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Adam Dunn

CF Elijah Dukes

RF Austin Kearns

OF Josh Willingham

OF Justin Maxwell