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Nats lose, make changes

By Mark Zuckerman
April 13, 2008

Jason Bergmann was optioned to Columbus after allowing 11 runs in his last three innings for the Nationals.

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It was bound to happen sooner or later, as long as the Washington Nationals kept losing games.

This franchise can preach patience, but general manager Jim Bowden won't let this early season rut continue without making a change.

So there were numerous moves following yesterday's 10-2 loss to the visiting Atlanta Braves, the Nationals' ninth straight defeat — their worst stretch since arriving in the District in 2005.

The team optioned right-hander Jason Bergmann, who has surrendered 11 runs over his last three innings, to Class AAA Columbus.

Washington activated closer Chad Cordero activated off the 15-day disabled list, and he will be available to pitch out of the bullpen beginning today.

And Wily Mo Pena likely will be activated off the DL and start in left field for today's series finale.

Whether the roster shakeup will produce Washington's first victory in 11 days remains to be seen. But at 3-9, Bowden felt something had to be done.

"When you do it at the beginning of the year, it's always magnified, and it's always blown out of proportion," he said. "And rightfully so, because we're all living it. Nobody likes to lose this many games in a row. You've just got to fix it. You've got to start winning."

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