Inexcusable loss

Result: Nationals 13, Cubs 5. The Cubs lead the NL Central by 4.5 games over the Brewers and 7 over St. Louis. Those two teams easily dispatched the patsies they were playing at home.

What happened: Complete breakdown by the pitching staff, specifically Jason Marquis, Neal Cotts and Chad Gaudin. Together, not only could they not hold a 4-0 lead, but they were pummeled and embarrassed by the worst team in baseball. With that four-run lead entering the top of the sixth, Marquis was cruising. But, he quickly loaded the bases on an infield hit and, you guessed it, two walks. After a sacrifice fly, Neal Cotts came on and quickly surrendered the lead on a grand slam by Willie Harris. The Nationals, a ragtag collection of has-beens and never-will-bes (with perhaps the exception of Ryan Zimmerman) pounded the ivy and sent three home run balls into the seats or onto Waveland. This is a team that before Thursday had lost 12 straight games. This does not let the offense off the hook, either. For four straight home games now it has under-performed. On a day when the wind is gusting out, five runs will not cut it. On the bright side, Derrek Lee finally hit another home run. The Cubs had better win Saturday and Sunday, or else this is a wasted homestand. Just wretched.

Up next: Nats-Cubs at noon today at Wrigley. Odalis Perez vs. Ryan Dempster.