2008 Washington Nationals season

March 2026 November 2013 Washington Nationals 2008 National League East Nationals Park Washington, D.C. Lerner Enterprises Jim Bowden Manny Acta MASNWDCA (My 20) WWWT The Washington Nationals' 2008 season was the fourth season for the franchise in the District of Columbia, and the 40th since the original team was started in Montreal, Quebec, in 1969. It also marked the first season the Nationals played at Nationals Park. The team finished in last place in the National League East with a record of 59–102, the worst record in Major League Baseball. Offseason On November 30, 2007, the Nationals traded Ryan Church and Brian Schneider to the New York Mets for Lastings Milledge.baseball-reference.com Trades between Washington Nationals & New York Mets On December 3, 2007, they traded minor-leaguer Glenn Gibson to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Elijah Dukes,baseball-reference.com Trades between Washington Nationals & Tampa Bay Rays and on the following day they traded Jonathan Albaladejo to the New York Yankees for Tyler Clippard.baseball-reference.com Trades between Washington Nationals & New York Yankees Advertising and marketing The Nationals′ marketing slogan for 2008 was "Welcome Home." The slogan welcomed Nationals fans to their new "home" at Nationals Park, where the Nationals began play in 2008 after three seasons at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.Anonymous, "," Washington Nationals press release, March 12, 2008, 8:55 a.m. EDT. Spring training The Nationals held their 2008 spring training in Viera, Florida, with home games played at Space Coast Stadium. Regular season March thumb|President George W. Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch before a sold-out crowd at the Washington Nationals' season opener on March 30, 2008 The Nationals opened the 2008 MLB season by hosting the Atlanta Braves in a nationally televised night game on March 30, 2008. It was the first professional regular-season game to be played at the Nationals' new facility Nationals Park. President George W. Bush threw the ceremonial first pitch to Nationals' manager Manny Acta, and Ryan Zimmerman hit a two-out, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to mark an exciting beginning to the 2008 season. The Nationals also blew out the Phillies 11-6. April The Nationals clinched the series against the Phillies, winning 1-0. However, the Nationals struggled after a promising 3–0 start, losing 16 of their next 19 games to start off 6-16. They improved for the rest of the month, earning splits at Atlanta and at home against the Mets, and winning series against the Braves and the Pirates. Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass at Nationals Park in front of 47,000 people on April 17 while the Nationals were on a road trip. May The Nats started May winning 3 of the first 4 games of the month, earning them a 14–18 record, but lost 2 of 3 at Houston and were swept by the Florida Marlins at home. Then they took 3 of 4 against the struggling Mets at Shea Stadium, but in the first Beltway Series of 2008 they were nipped by the Orioles at Baltimore and lost two of three against the high-powered Phillies' offense. They split a series two games apiece against the Brewers and lost a series to the Padres. The Nats then beat up on the Diamondbacks in the first game of a series. September The team finished 59-102, the worst record in Major League Baseball. Six of the team's coaches were dismissed the day before the final game (a loss to the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies); only manager Manny Acta and pitching coach Randy St. Clair were retained. Season standings Washington Nationals Record vs. opponents WSH +Nationals vs. American LeagueTeamAL Central BALLAAMINSEATEXWashington3—31—20—33—01–2 Opening Day lineup +Opening Day StartersName Position Cristian Guzmán ShortstopLastings Milledge Center fielderRyan Zimmerman Third basemanNick Johnson First basemanAustin Kearns Right fielderPaul Lo Duca CatcherElijah Dukes Left fielderRonnie Belliard Second basemanOdalis Pérez Starting pitcher Notable transactions July 22, 2008: The Nationals traded Jon Rauch to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Emilio Bonifacio.baseball-reference.com Trades between Washington Nationals & Arizona Diamondbacks July 31, 2008: The Nationals traded Jhonny Núñez to the New York Yankees for Alberto González. August 17, 2008: The Nationals traded Luis Ayala to the New York Mets for a player to be named later. The Mets sent Anderson Hernández to the Nationals to complete the trade on August 20, 2008. Draft The 2008 Major League Baseball draft took place on June 5 and 6. With their first pick – the ninth pick overall – the Nationals selected pitcher Aaron Crow. Other notable players the Nationals selected were shortstop Danny Espinosa (third round, 87th overall), catcher Adrián Nieto (fifth round, 151st overall), pitcher Tommy Milone (10th round, 301st overall), pitcher Louis Coleman (14th round, 421st overall), first baseman Tyler Moore (16th round, 481st overall), shortstop Steve Lombardozzi Jr. (19th round, 571st overall), pitcher Cory Mazzoni (26th round, 781st overall), pitcher Chris Heston (29th round, 871st overall), catcher Rob Brantly (46th round, 1,378th overall), and outfielder Alex Dickerson (48th round, 1,432nd overall).baseball-reference.com 2008 Washington Nationals Picks in the MLB June Amateur Draft Crow, Coleman, Mazzoni, Heston, Brantly, and Dickerson all opted not to sign with the team. Moore finally did sign with the Nationals; it was the third time they had drafted him, but he had opted not to sign with them the first two times (in 2005 and 2006). Roster 2008 Washington Nationals Roster Pitchers 56 Luis Ayala 40 Collin Balester 57 Jason Bergmann 47 Matt Chico 19 Tyler Clippard 43 Jesús Colomé 32 Chad Cordero 55 Marco Estrada 38 Joel Hanrahan 41 Shawn Hill 58 Mike Hinckley 36 Ray King 31 John Lannan 36 Charlie Manning 51 Shairon Martis 50 Garrett Mock 54 Mike O'Connor 49,45 Odalis Pérez 51 Jon Rauch 17 Tim Redding 52 Saúl Rivera 22 Brian Sanches 45,49 Chris Schroder 59 Steven Shell 37 Levale Speigner Catchers 23 Johnny Estrada  3 Jesús Flores 16 Paul Lo Duca 23 Luke Montz 53 Wil Nieves Infielders 10 Ronnie Belliard 6,7 Emilio Bonifacio  8 Aaron Boone  5 Kory Casto 12 Alberto González 15 Cristian Guzmán  6 Anderson Hernández 24 Nick Johnson  2 Felipe López  4 Pete Orr 21 Dmitri Young 11 Ryan Zimmerman Outfielders 7,2 Roger Bernadina 34 Elijah Dukes  1 Willie Harris 25 Austin Kearns 29 Ryan Langerhans 12 Rob Mackowiak 44 Lastings Milledge 26 Wily Mo Peña Manager 14 Manny Acta Coaches 27 Rick Aponte (bullpen) 39 Pat Corrales (bench)  9 Lenny Harris (hitting) 28 Jerry Morales (first base) 46 Randy St. Claire (pitching) 18 Tim Tolman (third base) Attendance The Nationals drew 2,320,400 fans at Nationals Park in 2008, placing them 13th in attendance for the season among the 16 National League teams. Boosted by the opening of Nationals Park at the beginning of the season, it was their second-best attendance total in their short history in Washington, exceeded only by the 2,731,993 they drew in 2005, their first season in Washington.baseball-reference.com 2008 Washington Nationalsbaseball-reference.com 2005 Washington Nationals Game log background:#ba122b;color:#FFFFFF; 2008 game log y background:#11225b;color:white; March (2–0) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 1 || March 30 || Braves || 3–2 || Rauch (1–0) || Moylan (0–1) || || 39,389 || 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 2 || March 31 || @ Phillies || 11–6 || Rivera (1–0) || Gordon (0–1) || || 44,553 || 2–0 |- y background:#11225b;color:white; April (9–17) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 3 || April 2 || @ Phillies || 1–0 || Redding (1–0) || Hamels (0–1) || Rauch (1) || 44,986 || 3–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 4 || April 3 || @ Phillies || 8–7 (10) || Condrey (1–0) || Colomé (0–1) || || 25,831 || 3–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 5 || April 4 || @ Cardinals || 5–4 || Looper (1-0) || Pérez (0–1) || Isringhausen (2) || 37,191 || 3–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 6 || April 5 || @ Cardinals || 5–4 || Wainwright (1–0) || Chico (0–1) || Flores (1) || 41,463 || 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 7 || April 6 || @ Cardinals || 3–0 || Lohse (1–0) || Lannan (0–1) || Isringhausen (3) || 41,912 || 3–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 8 || April 7 || Marlins || 10–7 || Pinto (1–0) || Redding (1–1) || || 20,487 || 3–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 9 || April 9 || Marlins || 10–4 || Olsen (1–0) || Bergmann (0–1) || || 23,340 || 3–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 10 || April 10 || Marlins || 4–3 || Hendrickson (2–1) || Pérez (0–2) || Gregg (2) ||24,549 || 3–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 11 || April 11 || Braves || 3–0 || Hudson (2–0) || Chico (0–2) || Moylan (1) || 28,051 || 3–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 12 || April 12 || Braves || 10–2 || Smoltz (2–0) || Lannan (0–2) || || 32,532 || 3–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 13 || April 13 || Braves || 5–4 || Redding (2–1) || Glavine (0–1) || Rauch (2) || 29,151 || 4–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 14 || April 15 || @ Mets || 6–0 || Pelfrey (2–0) || Pérez (0–3) || || 46,567 || 4–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 15 || April 16 || @ Mets || 5–2 || Maine (1–1) || Chico (0–3) || Wagner (2) || 46,106 || 4–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 16 || April 17 || @ Mets || 3–2 (14) || Sosa (2–1) || Hanrahan (0–1) || || 47,785 || 4–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 17 || April 18 || @ Marlins || 6–4 || Redding (3–1) || J. Miller (1–1) || Rauch (3) || 13,279 || 5–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 18 || April 19 || @ Marlins || 6–5 || Gregg (2–0) || Rivera (1–1) || || 18,944 || 5–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 19 || April 20 || @ Marlins || 6–1 || Olsen (3–0) || Ayala (0–1) || || 11,635 || 5–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 20 || April 21 || @ Braves || 7–3 || Hudson (3–1) || Chico (0–4) || || 16,706 || 5–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 21 || April 22 || @ Braves || 6–0 || Lannan (1–2) || Smoltz (3–1) || || 23,482 || 6–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 22 || April 23 || Mets || 7–2 || Santana (3–2) || Redding (3–2) || || 32,780 || 6–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 23 || April 24 || Mets || 10–5 || O'Connor (1–0) || Pérez (2–1) || || 29,750 || 7–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 24 || April 25 || Cubs || 5–3 || Rauch (2–0) || Howry (0–1) || || 35,154 || 8–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 25 || April 26 || Cubs || 7–0 || Zambrano (4–1) || Chico (0–5) || || 35,188 || 8–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 26 || April 27 || Cubs || 2–0 || Lannan (2–2) || Lilly (1–4) || Rauch (4) || 33,795 || 9–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 27 || April 29 || Braves || 6–3 || Rivera (2–1) || Boyer (0–3) || Rauch (5) || 25,285 || 10–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 28 || April 30 || Braves || 3–2 (12) || Rivera (3–1) || Acosta (0–1) || || 29,473 || 11–17 |- y background:#11225b;color:white; May (13–16) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 29 || May 1 || Pirates || 3–2 || Ayala (1–1) || Grabow (1–1) || Rauch (6) || 24,723 || 12–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 30 || May 2 || Pirates || 11–4 || Marte (2–0) || Lannan (2–3) || || 26,001 || 12–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 31 || May 3 || Pirates || 9–8 || Colomé (1–1) || Maholm (2–3) || Rauch (7) || 34,128 || 13–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 32 || May 4 || Pirates || 5–2 || Redding (4–2) || Snell (2–2) || || 30,564 || 14–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 33 || May 6 || @ Astros || 6–5 || Brocail (2–0) || Ayala (1–2) || Valverde (7) || 30,335 || 14–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 34 || May 7 || @ Astros || 4–3 || Valverde (4–1) || Hanrahan (0–2) || || 30,432 || 14–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 35 || May 8 || @ Astros || 8–3 || Lannan (3–3) || Backe (2–4) || || 33,433 || 15–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 36 || May 9 || Marlins || 7–3 || Nolasco (2–3) || Redding (4–3)|| || 23,379 || 15–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 37 || May 10 || Marlins || 11–0 || A. Miller (3–2) || O'Connor (1–1) || || 28,663 || 15–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 38 || May 11 || Marlins || 5–4 || Kensing (2–0) || Ayala (1–3) || Gregg (7) || 25,871 || 15–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 39 || May 12 || @ Mets || 10–4 || Pérez (1–3) || Figueroa (2–3) || || 45,321 || 16–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 40 || May 13 || @ Mets || 6–3 || Maine (5–2) || Lannan (3–4) || Wagner (8) || 46,618 || 16–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 41 || May 14 || @ Mets || 5–3 || Redding (5–3) || Vargas (0–1) || Rauch (8) || 48,529 || 17–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 42 || May 15 || @ Mets || 1–0 || Bergmann (1–1) || Pelfrey (2–4) || Rauch (9) || 51,769 || 18–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 43 || May 16 || @ Orioles || 5–3 || Olson (3–0) || Hill (0–1) || Sherrill (16) || 29,266 || 18–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 44 || May 17 || @ Orioles || 6–5 || Burres (4–4) || Pérez (1–4) || Sherrill (17) || 32,662 || 18–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 45 || May 18 || @ Orioles || 2–1 || Lannan (4–4) || Guthrie (2–4) || Rauch (10) || 33,745 || 19–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 46 || May 19 || Phillies || 4–0 || Redding (6–3) || Myers (2–5) || || 25,394 || 20–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 47 || May 20 || Phillies || 1–0 || Gordon (4–2) || Rauch (2–1) || Lidge (11) || 28,105 || 20–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 48 || May 21 || Phillies || 12–2 || Moyer (4–3) || Chico (0–6) || || 28,055 || 20–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 49 || May 23 || Brewers || 5–1 || Sanches (1–0) || Suppan (2–4) || || 28,007 || 21–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 50 || May 24 || Brewers || 5–2 || McClung (2–1) || Lannan (4–5) || Torres (2) || 30,029 || 21–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 51 || May 25 || Brewers || 7–6 || Rauch (3–1) || Mota (1–3) || || 35,567 || 22–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 52 || May 26 || Brewers || 4–3 (11) || Villanueva (3–5) || Rivera (3–2) || Torres (3) || 28,552 || 22–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 53 || May 27 || @ Padres || 4–2 || Bell (1–3) || Manning (0–1) || Hoffman (10) || 18,744 || 22–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 54 || May 28 || @ Padres || 6–4 || Pérez (2–4) || Estes (1–1) || Rauch (11) || 19,201 || 23–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 55 || May 29 || @ Padres || 5–2 || Bell (2–3) || Rivera (3–3) || Hoffman (11) || 25,021 || 23–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 56 || May 30 || @ D-backs || 7–4 || Hanrahan (1–0) || Owings (6–3) || Rauch (12)|| 25,391 || 24–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 57 || May 31 || @ D-backs || 4–0 || Webb (10–2) || Bergmann (1–2) || || 38,507 || 24–33 |- y background:#11225b;color:white; June (9–18) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 58 || June 1 || @ D-backs || 5–0 || Haren (6–4) || Hill (0–2)|| || 28,249 || 24–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 59 || June 3 || Cardinals || 6–1 || Lohse (6–2) || Pérez (2–5) || || 26,875 || 24–35 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | — || June 4 || Cardinals || colspan=6| Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for June 5 as part of a doubleheader |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 60 || June 5 (1) || Cardinals || 4–1 || Wellemeyer (7–1) || Lannan (4–6) || Franklin (7) || 27,264 || 24–36 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 61 || June 5 (2) || Cardinals || 10–9 (10) || Sanches (2–0) || Franklin (2–2) || || 32,357 || 25–36 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 62 || June 6 || Giants || 10–1 || Lincecum (8–1) || Bergmann (1–3) || || 25,987 || 25–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 63 || June 7 || Giants || 6–0 || Sánchez (5–3) || Hill (0–3) || || 30,652 || 25–38 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 64 || June 8 || Giants || 6–3 || Zito (2–9) || Mock (0–1) || Wilson (17) || 30,224 || 25–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 65 || June 9 || Giants || 3–2 || Cain (3–4) || Clippard (0–1) || Wilson (18) || 26,209 || 25–40 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 66 || June 10 || @ Pirates || 7–6 || Hanrahan (2–2) || Capps (0–1) || Rauch (13) || 12,957 || 26–40 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 67 || June 11 || @ Pirates || 3–1 || Snell (3–6) || Lannan (4–7) || Capps (16) || 15,439 || 26–41 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 68 || June 12 || @ Pirates || 7–5 || Gorzelanny (5–5) || Bergmann (1–4) || Marte (1) || 16,306 || 26–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 69 || June 13 || @ Mariners || 7–6 || Hill (1–3) || Dickey (1–2) || Rauch (14) || 35,941 || 27–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 70 || June 14 || @ Mariners || 5–2 || Clippard (1–1) || Batista (3–8) || Rauch (15) || 32,145 || 28–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 71 || June 15 || @ Mariners || 6–2 || Colomé (2–1) || Lowe (1–3) || || 38,548 || 29–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 72 || June 17 || @ Twins || 2–1 ||Hernández (7–4) || Lannan (4–8) || Nathan (18) || 20,920 || 29–43 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 73 || June 18 || @ Twins || 11–2 || Slowey (4–6) || Bergmann (1–5) || || 23,841 || 29–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 74 || June 19 || @ Twins || 9–3 || Perkins (3–2) || Hill (1–4) || || 24,793 || 29–45 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 75 || June 20 || Rangers || 4–3 (14) || Hanrahan (3–2) || Wright (4–3) || || 30,359 || 30–45 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 76 || June 21 || Rangers || 13–3 || Gabbard (2–3) || Mock (0–2) || Mendoza (1) || 32,975 || 30–46 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 77 || June 22 || Rangers || 5–3 || Padilla (10–3) || Ayala (1–4) || Wilson (15) || 32,690 || 30–47 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 78 || June 23 || Angels || 3–2 || Lackey (5–1) || Rivera (3–4) || Rodríguez (31) || 24,805 || 30–48 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 79 || June 24 || Angels || 8–3 || Garland (7–4) || Hill (1–5) || || 28,531 || 30–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 80 || June 25 || Angels || 5–4 || Rauch (4–1) || Shields (3–2) || || 29,180 || 31–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 81 || June 27 || Orioles || 4–2 || Hanrahan (4–2) || Cabrera (5–4) || Rauch (16) || 35,830 || 32–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 82 || June 28 || Orioles || 9–1 || Olson (6–3) || Lannan (4–9) || Cormier (1) || 39,479 || 32–50 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 83 || June 29 || Orioles || 3–2 (12) || Hanrahan (5–2) || Sherrill (2–3) || || 39,824 || 33–50 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 84 || June 30 || @ Marlins || 6–5 (10) || Gregg (6–2) || Rauch (4–2) || || 10,888 || 33–51 |- y background:#11225b;color:white; July (5–19) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 85 || July 1 || @ Marlins || 9–6 || Balester (1–0) || Hendrickson (7–7) || || 12,166 || 34–51 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 86 || July 2 || @ Marlins || 4–2 || Nolasco (9–4) || Manning (0–2) || || 23,624 || 34–52 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 87 || July 3 || @ Reds || 5–3 || Cueto (7–8) || Colomé (2–2) || Cordero (16)|| 23,259 || 34–53 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 88 || July 4 || @ Reds || 3–0 || Arroyo (6–7) || Bergmann (1–6) || Cordero (17) || 22,626 || 34–54 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 89 || July 5 || @ Reds || 3–2 || Cordero (4–1) || Hanrahan (5–3) || || 37,121 || 34–55 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 90 || July 6 || @ Reds || 6–5 || Vólquez (11–3) || Balester (1–1) || Cordero (18) || 28,814 || 34–56 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 91 || July 8 || D-backs || 2–0 || Webb (13–4) || Pérez (2–6) || Lyon (19) || 26,820 || 34–57 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 92 || July 9 || D-backs || 5–0 || Lannan (5–9) || Owings (6–8) || || 25,862 || 35–57 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 93 || July 10 || D-backs || 7–5 (11) || Qualls (2–6) || Ayala (1–5) || || 27,330 || 35–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 94 || July 11 || Astros || 10–0 || Redding (7–3) || Paronto (0–1) || Shell (1) || 33,653 || 36–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 95 || July 12 || Astros || 6–4 || Rodríguez (4–3) || Balester (1–2) || Valverde (24) || 30,682 || 36–59 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 96 || July 13 || Astros || 5–0 || Backe (6–9) || Pérez (2–7) || || 31,463 || 36–60 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" |colspan=9| All–Star Break (July 14–16) |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 97 || July 18 || @ Braves || 7–6 || Hudson (10–7) || Redding (7–4) || González (4) || 39,861 || 36–61 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 98 || July 19 || @ Braves || 8–2 || Lannan (6–9) || Jurrjens (9–5) || || 43,285 || 37–61 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 99 || July 20 || @ Braves || 15–6 || Pérez (3–7) || Reyes (3–9) || || 29,320 || 38–61 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 100 || July 22 || @ Giants || 6–3 || Zito (5–12) || Bergmann (1–7) || Wilson (26) || 34,813 || 38–62 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 101 || July 23 || @ Giants || 6–4 || Espineli (1–0) || Ayala (1–6) || Wilson (27) || 35,539 || 38–63 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 102 || July 24 || @ Giants || 1–0 || Cain (6–8) || Redding (7–5) || || 36,963 || 38–64 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 103 || July 25 || @ Dodgers || 3–2 || Billingsley (10–9) || Lannan (6–10) || Broxton (3) || 47,313 || 38–65 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 104 || July 26 || @ Dodgers || 6–0 || Lowe (8–8) || Pérez (3–8) || || 42,122 || 38–66 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 105 || July 27 || @ Dodgers || 2–0 || Kershaw (1–3) || Bergmann (1–8) || Broxton (4) || 38,660 || 38–67 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 106 || July 29 || Phillies || 2–1 || Myers (4–9) || Balester (1–3) || Lidge (25) || 34,039 || 38–68 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 107 || July 30 || Phillies || 8–5 || Moyer (10–6) || Redding (7–6) || Lidge (26) || 31,798 || 38–69 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 108 || July 31 || Phillies || 8–4 || Kendrick (9–5) || Lannan (6–11) || || 31,658 || 38–70 |- y background:#11225b;color:white; August (14–15) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 109 || August 1 || Reds || 5–2 || Pérez (4–8) || Bailey (0–5) || || 30,572 || 39–70 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 110 || August 2 || Reds || 10–6 || Manning (1–2) || Lincoln (1–3) || || 30,970 || 40–70 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 111 || August 3 || Reds || 4–2 || Balester (2–3) || Cueto (7–11) || Hanrahan (1) || 32,939 || 41–70 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 112 || August 4 || @ Rockies || 9–4 || Redding (8–6) || Cook (14–7) || || 33,143 || 42–70 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 113 || August 5 || @ Rockies || 8–2 || Corpas (2–3) || Ayala (1–7) || || 27,483 || 42–71 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | — || August 6 || @ Rockies || colspan=6| Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for August 7 as part of a doubleheader |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 114 || August 7 (1) || @ Rockies || 6–3 || Bergmann (2–8) || Francis (3–8) || Hanrahan (2) || 30,448 || 43–71 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 115 || August 7 (2) || @ Rockies || 6–3 || Pérez (5–8) || Jiménez (8–10) || Hanrahan (3) || 30,448 || 44–71 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 116 || August 8 || @ Brewers || 5–0 || Sabathia (6–0) || Balester (2–4) || || 43,209 || 44–72 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 117 || August 9 || @ Brewers || 6–0 || Sheets (11–5) || Redding (8–7) || || 42,974 || 44–73 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 118 || August 10 || @ Brewers || 5–4 || Mota (3–5) (13) || Ayala (1–8) || || 42,423 || 44–74 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 119 || August 11 || @ Brewers || 7–1 || Bush (7–9) || Mock (0–3) || || 42,196 || 44–75 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 120 || August 12 || Mets || 4–3 || Santana (10–7) || Rivera (3–5) || Feliciano (1) || 32,186 || 44–76 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 121 || August 13 || Mets || 12–0 || Maine (10–7) || Bergmann (2–9) || Stokes (1) || 30,814 || 44–77 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 122 || August 14 || Mets || 9–3 || Pérez (9–7) || Balester (2–5) || || 31,058 || 44–78 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 123 || August 15 || Rockies || 4–3 || de la Rosa (6–6) || Redding (8–8) || Fuentes (23) || 27,965 || 44–79 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 124 || August 16 || Rockies || 13–6 || Hernández (1–1) || Lannan (6–12) || || 28,909 || 44–80 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 125 || August 17 || Rockies || 7–2 || Cook (15–8) || Pérez (5–9) || || 31,467 || 44–81 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 126 || August 19 || @ Phillies || 5 – 4 || Madson (3-1) || Shell (0-1) || Lidge (31) || 44,143 || 44-82 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 127 || August 20 || @ Phillies || 4 – 0 || Myers (6-10) || Balester (2-6) || || 45,166 || 44-83 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 128 || August 21 || @ Phillies || 4-3 || Rivera (4-5) || Madson (3-2) || Hanrahan (4) || 41,568 || 45-83 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 129 || August 22 || @ Cubs || 13-5 || Lannan (7-12) || Cotts (0-2) || || 40,513 || 46-83 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 130 || August 23 || @ Cubs || 9-2 || Dempster (15-5) || Pérez (5-10) || || 40,708 || 46-84 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 131 || August 24 || @ Cubs || 6-1 || Harden (9-2) || Bergmann (2-10) || || 40,682 || 46-85 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 132 || August 26 || Dodgers || 2-1 || Balester (3-6) || Derek Lowe || Hanrahan (5) || 26,110 || 47-85 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 133 || August 27 || Dodgers || 5-4 || Redding (9-8) || Maddux (6-11) || Hanrahan (6) || 22,907 || 48-85 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 134 || August 28 || Dodgers || 11-2 || Lannan (8-12) || Kershaw (2-5) || || 26,338 || 49-85 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 135 || August 29 || Braves || 7-3 || Pérez (6-10) || Campillo || Hanrahan || 22,737 || 50-85 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 136 || August 30 || Braves || 9-8 || Shell (1-1) || V. Núñez (0-2) || || 30,326 || 51-85 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 137 || August 31 || Braves || 8-4 || Mock (1-3) || Elmer Dessens (0-1) || || 31,090 || 52-85 |- y background:#11225b;color:white; September (7–17) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 138 || September 1 || Phillies || 7–4 || Redding (10–8) || Kendrick (11–8) || || 28,393 || 53–85 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 139 || September 2 || Phillies || 4–0 || Hamels (12–8) || Lannan (8–13) || || 23,150 || 53–86 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 140 || September 3 || Phillies || 9–7 || Rivera (5–5) || C. Durbin (5–4) || || 23,122 || 54–86 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 141 || September 4 || @ Braves || 2–0 || Parr (1–0) || Martis (0–1) || Gonzalez (9) || 18,708 || 54–87 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 142 || September 5 || @ Braves || 10–5 || Jurrjens (12–9) || Bergmann (2–11) || || 25,064 || 54–88 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 143 || September 6 || @ Braves || 8–5 (10) || Hanrahan (6–3) || Gonzalez (0–2) || Shell (2) || 34,369 || 55–88 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 144 || September 7 || @ Braves || 7–4 (14) || Shell (2–1) || Bennett (2–6) || Hanrahan (8) || 30,753 || 56–88 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 145 || September 9 || @ Mets || 10–8 || Smith (4–3) || Manning (1–3) || Ayala (6) || 50,382 || 56–89 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 146 || September 10 || @ Mets || 13–10 || Smith (5–3) || Rivera (5–6) || Ayala (7) || 52,431 || 56–90 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 147 || September 12 || @ Marlins || 2–1 || Olsen (7-10) || Martis (0-2) || Lindstrom (3) || 12,121 || 56–91 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 148 || September 13 || @ Marlins || 4–2 || Johnson (5-1) || Redding (10-9) || Lindstrom (4) || 16,307 || 56–92 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 149 || September 14 || @ Marlins || 8–7 || A. Miller (6-9) || Shell (2-2) || Rhodes (2) || 12,024 || 56–93 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 150 || September 15 || Mets || 7–2 || Lannan (9–13) || P. Martínez (5–5) || || 21,759 || 57–93 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 151 || September 16 || Mets || 1–0 || Pérez (7–10) || Pelfrey (13–10) || Hanrahan (9) || 24,997 || 58–93 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 152 || September 17 || Mets || 9–7 || Knight (1–0) || Martis (0–3) || Ayala (8) || 25,019 || 58–94 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 153 || September 18 || Mets || 7–2 || Santana (14–7) || Redding (10–10) || || 25,426 || 58–95 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 154 || September 19 || Padres || 11–6(14) || Hampson (2-1) || Speigner (0-1) || || 28,600 || 58-96 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 155 || September 20 || Padres || 6–1 || Young (6-6) || Lannan (9-14) || || 27,474 || 58-97 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 156 || September 21 || Padres || 6–2 || Baek (6-10) ||Pérez (7-11) || || 29,608 || 58-98 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 157 || September 23 || Marlins || 9–4 || Martis (1-3) || Olsen (8-11) || || 20,657 || 59–98 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 158 || September 24 || Marlins || 9–4 || Johnson (7-1) || Redding (10-11) || || 23,299 || 59–99 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | -- || September 25 || Marlins || colspan=6|Cancelled (rain) No make-up game was scheduled |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 159 || September 26 || @ Phillies || 8–4 || Blanton (9–12) || Balester (3–7) || || 44,145 || 59–100 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 160 || September 27 || @ Phillies || 4–3 || Moyer (16–7) || Lannan (9–15) || Lidge (41) || 45,177 || 59–101 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 161 || September 28 || @ Phillies || 8–3 || Walrond (1–1) || Pérez (7–12) || || 44,945 || 59–102 |- Player stats Batting Table is sortable. Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases Pos Player G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI AVG SB LF Willie Harris 140 367 28 92 14 4 13 43 .251 13 CF Lastings Milledge 138 523 65 140 24 2 14 61 .268 24 SS Cristian Guzmán 138 579 77 183 35 5 9 55 .316 6 3B Ryan Zimmerman 106 428 51 121 24 1 14 51 .283 1 1B Aaron Boone 104 232 23 56 13 1 6 28 .241 0 2B Felipe López Felipe López (baseball) 100 325 34 76 20 0 2 25 .234 4 IF Ronnie Belliard 96 296 37 85 22 0 11 46 .287 3 C Jesus Flores Jesús Flores 90 301 23 77 18 1 8 59 .256 0 RF Austin Kearns 86 313 40 68 10 0 7 32 .217 2 RF Elijah Dukes 81 276 48 73 16 2 13 44 .264 13 OF Ryan Langerhans 73 111 17 26 5 2 3 12 .234 2 P Saúl Rivera 72 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 C Wil Nieves 68 176 15 46 9 1 1 20 .261 0 CI Kory Casto 66 163 15 35 10 0 2 16 .215 1 P Joel Hanrahan 65 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 LF Wily Mo Pena 64 195 10 40 6 0 2 10 .205 0 P Luis Ayala Luis Ayala (baseball) 60 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 P Jesús Colomé 58 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 P Charlie Manning 56 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 1B Dmitri Young 50 150 15 42 6 0 4 10 .280 0 UT Pete Orr 49 75 10 19 2 1 0 7 .253 1 UT Paul Lo Duca 46 139 13 32 7 0 0 12 .230 1 P Jon Rauch 44 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 2B Emilio Bonifacio 41 157 26 39 5 5 0 12 .248 6 P Steven Shell 39 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 1B Nick Johnson Nick Johnson (baseball) 38 109 15 24 8 0 5 20 .220 0 OF Rob Mackowiak 38 53 7 7 1 0 1 4 .132 0 P Tim Redding 34 47 2 8 1 0 0 3 .170 0 P Odalis Perez 30 53 4 8 2 0 0 2 .151 0 P John Lannan 29 45 0 1 0 0 0 0 .022 0 P Jason Bergmann 29 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 2B Anderson Hernandez 28 81 11 27 4 0 0 17 .333 0 P Garrett Mock 26 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 OF Roger Bernadina 26 76 10 16 1 1 0 2 .211 4 C Johnny Estrada 23 53 0 9 0 0 0 4 .170 0 IF Alberto González Alberto González (baseball) 17 49 9 17 6 0 1 9 .347 0 P Collin Balester 15 15 1 3 0 0 0 1 .200 0 P Mike Hinckley 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 P Ray King Ray King (baseball) 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 P Marco Estrada Marco Estrada (baseball) 11 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 P Matt Chico 10 13 2 2 0 0 0 0 .154 0 C Luke Montz 10 21 2 3 0 0 1 3 .143 0 P Brian Sanches 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 P Shawn Hill 9 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 P Levale Speigner 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 P Chad Cordero 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 P Shairon Martis 5 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 P Michael O'Connor Michael O'Connor (baseball) 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 P Chris Schroder 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 P Tyler Clippard 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1.000 0 Team totals 161 5491 641 1376 269 26 117 608 .251 81 Pitching Table is sortable. Note: Pos = Position; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts Pos Player W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER BB K SP Tim Redding 10 11 4.95 33 33 0 182.0195 110 100 65 120 SP John Lannan 9 15 3.91 31 31 0 182.0172 89 79 72 117 SP Odalis Perez 7 12 4.34 30 30 0 159.2182 87 77 55 119 RP Joel Hanrahan 6 3 3.95 69 0 9 84.173 40 37 42 93 RP Saúl Rivera 5 6 3.96 76 0 0 84.090 41 37 35 65 CL Jon Rauch 4 2 2.98 48 0 17 48.142 18 16 7 44 SP Collin Balester 3 7 5.51 15 15 0 80.092 53 49 28 50 SP Jason Bergmann 2 11 5.09 30 22 0 139.2153 94 79 47 96 Steven Shell 2 2 2.16 39 0 2 50.034 14 12 20 41 Brian Sanches 2 0 7.36 12 0 0 11.116 10 9 5 10 RP Jesús Colomé 2 2 4.31 61 0 0 71.061 38 34 39 55 Tyler Clippard 1 1 4.35 2 2 0 10.112 5 5 7 8 Charlie Manning 1 3 5.14 57 0 0 42.035 25 24 31 37 Garrett Mock 1 3 4.17 26 3 0 41.037 20 19 23 46 Shairon Martis 1 3 5.66 5 4 0 20.218 14 13 12 23 Mike O'Connor Michael O'Connor (baseball) 1 1 13.00 5 1 0 9.011 13 13 11 4 Shawn Hill 1 5 5.83 12 12 0 63.188 47 41 23 39 RP Luis Ayala Luis Ayala (baseball) 1 8 5.77 62 0 0 57.263 41 37 22 36 Marco Estrada Marco Estrada (baseball) 0 0 7.82 11 0 0 12.217 13 11 5 10 Ray King Ray King (baseball) 0 0 5.68 12 0 0 6.19 4 4 4 1 Levale Speigner 0 1 11.25 7 0 0 8.013 10 10 6 1 Chris Schroder 0 0 5.4 4 0 0 5.06 3 3 6 3 Matt Chico 0 6 6.19 11 8 0 48.063 34 34 17 31 Chad Cordero 0 0 2.08 6 0 0 4.16 1 1 3 5 Mike Hinckley 0 0 0.00 14 0 0 13.28 1 0 3 9 Team totals 59 102 4.66 161 161 28 1434.0 1496 825 742 588 1063 Team leaders Qualifying players only. Batting StatPlayerTotal Avg. Cristian Guzmán .316 HR Lastings MilledgeRyan Zimmerman 1414 RBI Lastings Milledge 61 R Cristian Guzmán 77 H Cristian Guzmán 183 SB Lastings Milledge 24 Pitching Stat Player Total W Tim Redding 10 L John Lannan 15 ERA John Lannan 3.91 SO Tim Redding 120 SV Jon Rauch 17 IP John LannanTim Redding 182.0182.0 Awards and honors All-Stars Cristian Guzmán, SS Washington's top 20 prospects 1. Chris Marrero, 1B/OF 2. Ross Detwiler, LHP 3. Collin Balester, RHP 4. Michael Burgess, OF 5. Jack McGeary, LHP 6. Josh Smoker, LHP 7. Jordan Zimmermann, RHP 8. Justin Maxwell, OF 9. Colton Willems, RHP 10. John Lannan, LHP 11. Jake Smolinski, OF 12. Tyler Clippard, RHP 13. Adam Carr, RHP 14. Ian Desmond, SS 15. Garrett Mock, RHP 16. Stephen King, SS 17. Esmailyn Gonzalez, SS 18. Shairon Martis, RHP 19. Brad Peacock, RHP 20. Kory Casto, OF/3B Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Columbus Clippers International League Tim Foli AA Harrisburg Senators Eastern League John Stearns A Potomac Nationals Carolina League Randy Knorr A Hagerstown Suns South Atlantic League Darnell Coles A-Short Season Vermont Lake Monsters New York–Penn League Ramón Avilés Rookie GCL Nationals Gulf Coast League Bob Henley LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Potomac References 2008 Washington Nationals season at Baseball Reference 53em Washington Nationals Category:Washington Nationals seasons Wash