Sunday Smorgasbord 9-17

• Nats take two of three from the Brew Crew. Last night, Alfonso Soriano joined the 40-40 club with his 40th stolen base. The ownership today presented Soriano with a plaque commemorating his accomplishments this season. Let's hope they also present him with a worthy contract offer. Now at 65-84 with 13 games left in the season, the Nats are 25.5 games back of the Mets who still can't wrap up the NL East Title. The Nats are 13 games back of the L.A. Dodgers for the NL Wild Card. One Nats loss or Dodgers win and the Nationals will be eliminated from the playoffs. Only the Devil Rays, Royals, Cubs, Pirates, and the B.O.'s have worse records than the Nationals.
• Still no word as to the status of Frank Robinson for next season. The Nats need to make a decision soon. This will allow them time to have a proper send off for Frank should they decide not to bring him back next season.
• Earlier tonight, D.C. United lost their composure and the game to Chicago Fire 1-0. Bryan Namoff and Joshua Gros were ejected and will miss the next game. Now 14-4-10 D.C. still needs just one point to secure the Eastern Conference title. The F.C. Dallas loss to Real Salt Lake last night makes D.C.'s magic number for the MLS Supporter's Shield 6 points. D.C. is still the only MLS team to secure a playoff spot and no MLS team has officially been eliminated from the playoffs.
• The only news out of Caps Training Camp right now is a big Happy 21st Birthday Greetings today to the reigning NHL Rookie of the Year, A.O. For those so inclined, (which I am not), Idiot in the Morning from DC101 will be holding a birthday party for him after the Caps preseason opener versus Tampa on Wednesday night. (I think I'll pass, that's a school night).
• I'm getting this post up earlier than I have in past weeks because of the Skins vs. Cowgirls game tonight. Since the Iggles choked one away to the Jints earlier today (at home too!), the winner of this game tonight joins a three-way tie for first in the NFC East.
• And on that note, the Nats this week welcome the Braves to RFK for a three game set that includes a make up from April 22. After a day off on Thursday, they finish out their road slate in New York vs. the Mets next weekend. D.C. United has all week to heal before the New York Red Bulls come into RFK on Saturday night. And in case D.C. needs any additional motivation/emotional boost, United will celebrate the 10 anniversary of their 1st MLS Cup from 1996 this Saturday night. The Caps open up preseason play by hosting the Ning on Wednesday night at the Verizon Center. The Caps then head to Pittsburgh for a game vs. the Penguins on Friday night. The Skins will travel to Houston next Sunday to face the Texans and the Terps will try to overmatch Florida International on Saturday at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium.
• As always, please send all comments, complaints, criticisms, suggestions, questions, and birthday greetings to "capsnut" over at gmail dot com. If I have some free time, I could read your e-mail, if the weather is comfortable, I could respond.