Recapturing The Belt

On Catfish Stew, Ken Arneson has been keeping track of the MLB Heavyweight Championship, a meaningless but fun piece of fluff that pretends that the MLB Championship is awarded the same way it would be in boxing; if you beat the champ, you become the champ.

Unbeknownst to nearly all of us, the Nationals have been on quite a run lately, taking the title back from the Texas Rangers. We are now 6-3 in our 'title' bouts, and keep the belt within the National League -- for now.

In winning the belt back yesterday, the Nationals scored early (which is new) and late (which is old). Sunny Kim pitched effectively, leaving the game in the fifth inning with an arm cramp. He filled in for the sore-necked Esteban Loazia, who is expected to make his next start.

He was replaced on the mound by Travis Hughes, another pitcher the Rangers cast off earlier this year, and one who, despite yesterday's success, Texas probably won't sweat losing.

The game had several heroes. Jamey Carroll filled in for the free-falling Vinny Castilla at third and ripped three hits. Even Gary Bennett chipped in two, contributing to the rallies. Cristian Guzman continued his torrid streak, knocking out a single, and is finally hitting Carlos Baerga's weight: 207. (That's Kilograms)

But, Brad Wilkerson had a Majority-Whip Winning performance, blowing the game open with a bases-clearing double in the eighth.

Road Trip Record:
3-3

Road Trip Goal:
5-4

On to Pittsburgh.