Tracking the Nats’ historic chase of the ’62 Mets

Current Record: 5-10 (.333, 5.5 GB)

Projected Record: 54-108

Ill-Timed Metaphors Used by Manny Acta to Encourage Jerome Williams to Be Careful When Talking to the Press: 1

Innings Played Last Night: 13

Players on Bench Who Hadn’t Played by Game’s End: 1

Parsing the Win: Nats 5, Phillies 4. Jason Bergmann‘s strong start (6.1 IP, 6 SO, 1 BB) was overshadowed by Chad Cordero‘s blown save in the 9th. Then followed four more innings punctuated by Felipe Lopez‘ sacrifice fly, which brought Chris Snelling home. The Nats are scrappy! (So’s Philly’s manager, but not in the same way.) Oh, and that metaphor? Acta used it while talking to Jerome Williams, who told reporters he’s “not confident” pitching after the Nats lost to Atlanta Tuesday night. From today’s Washington Times:

“I had a talk with him in the middle of the game yesterday about showing his emotions and being so mad out there,” Acta said. “I don’t think being mad helps anybody. I don’t think when people are mad they can think straight. I actually kind of threw a weird example to him that when people commit murder they are not in the right frame of mind. And then, the next day after they get collected, they’re like ‘what have I done,’ but you’re already going away for 30 years.”

Barry Svrluga Adjectives of the Day: “well-played,” “highly unlikely”