National League East standings via MLB.com
Washington Nationals
For interleague play this week, the Nats faced off with the New York Yankees, who swept Washington under the rug without a second thought. The Nats had a different kind of luck when they faced, and similarly swept, the AL East ranked-fourth Toronto Blue Jays in a prior interleague match-up. Of course, never forget our new favourite hashtag that sprang from the series, when young’n Bryce Harper was asked in an interview if he would drink beer in Toronto because he is of legal age in Canada… to which he responded: “That’s a #ClownQuestionBro” Brilliant.
Floundering Nats reliever Brad Lidge who went down with the ship in both Friday and Saturday’s losses to the Yanks, was designated for assignment on Sunday, and Ryan Mattheus was activated to take his place.
Read more on the Nationals on Win For Teddy
Atlanta Braves
The Braves also had a tough time playing the Yankees in their interleague series earlier last week. The Yankees took all three games. But we’re talking about the National League here, right? So carry on.
Brandon Beachy was added to the disabled list on Sunday for an elbow injury that he sustained on Saturday in his start against the Orioles. Beachy had a league-low 2.00 ERA, so fans are crossing their fingers that his optimism is well-grounded. Jair Jurrens is returning from the minors and will start for the Braves on Friday when they take on the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
The Braves also called up Todd Redmond, the G-braves all-time wins leader, as backup in the bullpen.
Keep an eye on Atlanta at She Is Out Of Your League
New York Mets
The Mets have had their ups and downs. Like the Nats, the Mets lost three in a row to the Yankees, then swept a series with three wins over the Rays, and then the Mets were subsequently swept by the Reds. For this team, it seems that when they’re good, they’re great. And the rest of the time they a just mediocre.
On Saturday, left fielder Jason Bay was moved to the seven-day concussion list, and infielder Josh Turner was recalled from Triple-A.
Miami Marlins
The Marlins might become a club notorious for rough Junes. The team has a record of 4-11 this month, and their overall average is hanging in delicate balance at .500.
Hanley Ramirez took a ball to the face during batting practice on Friday at the Trop, but despite a small fracture in his nose he played on Saturday night. Also Saturday the Marlins placed Sandy Rosario on the 15-day DL with a quad injury that forced him to exit Friday night’s game. Chris Hatcher, who has shown a great deal of skill, say 1.27 ERA, at Triple-A, was recalled to take his place.
Catch the Marlins news at A Fishy Situation
Philadelphia Phillies
It has been a week of sweeps in the NL East, some teams are dishing ‘em out, some teams are finding themselves with the dust in the wastebin, and some teams are managing to do both. The Phillies were the team that was swept by the Toronto Blue Jays.
For the good news, Placido Polanco is back in the starting rotation after a wrist-injury that is finally tolerable after rest and corstizone shots. Carlos Ruiz was welcomed back to the Phils lineup on Sunday after he left the game on Friday with an oblique strain he suffered while striking out at the plate.
Phollow the Phillies at View From Section 116
