Did yesterday seem like a repeat to anyone else?  Bad start, then much more solid work from our starter after the first couple of innings, but too late as our offense can't catch up.  Not a script I'm fond of, let's see something better tonight.

Recaps:

• [dbacks.com] Saunders settles in too late against Nats - "I just tried to minimize the damage and keep us in the ballgame as best I could."  After that rough first inning, he did do a lot better, but our bats just weren't on.

• [azcentral.com] Arizona Diamondbacks drop series opener against Washington Nationals - It was our best outing against Lannan, for all that means- we raised his career ERA against the Diamondbacks to 1.04.

• [foxsportsarizona.com] D-backs fall 4-2 to Nationals - It was Lannan's first win in Washington since August 5, 2009.

• [washingtonpost.com] Lannan gets Nats back in win column - 19,549 in the stands for the game.  Obviously, attendance is a problem across the league.

DBacks News:

• [azcentral.com] Arizona Diamondbacks would give up 2 home games to play in Taiwan - Two home games, two Spring Training games at Chase, and a portion of the regular Spring Training schedule?  This deal is getting worse all the time.  

• [mlbtraderumors.com] The D'Backs' 2011 Rotation - MLBTR takes a look at our starting rotation next season. They figure we'll be in the market for a consistent veteran to help solidify our lineup.

• [mlb.com] Last-minute negotiations surround deadline - The deadline to sign draft picks is Monday night. The article says that the DBacks might still be talking to Barret Loux about a signing, which would be news.

Around Baseball:

• [dodgers.com] Broxton demoted from closer role - Well, that's a surprise. Broxton's ERA since June 27th was a big ol' 9.88.

• [mercurynews.com] Giants, Jonathan Sanchez fall to Padres in series opener - So how did ZOMG!Sanchez back up his proclamation of a sweep of the Padres? Gave up 3 runs, couldn't make it out of the sixth inning, and took the loss on the game. Top notch, Johnny.

• [nbcsports.com] Twins no longer have timetable for Justin Morneau's return from concussion - Head injuries are a worrying, worrying thing. I didn't realize how long Morneau had been out.

• [nytimes.com] Dale Murphy, a Former M.V.P., Takes a Stand Against Cheating - Is there really a lot of concern about Little League players taking PEDs? If there was, that would just be depressing.