Nationals fans are once again suffering

Just four games into the season and the Washington Nationals are 0-4 entering play Saturday night in Atlanta against the Braves.

The only other winless team entering Saturday were the Cleveland Indians, also at 0-4. But the Nationals are well on their way to losing 100-plus games once again.

Washington opened the season in south Florida, getting swept by the Florida Marlins, and Friday night the Nats did take the Braves into an extra inning before losing 6-5.

Coming into the season, it was no secret pitching was going to be a weakness for the Nationals and four games in Washington is doing nothing to prove that theory wrong.

Entering play Saturday night, Scott Olsen had pitched three innings, allowing eight earned runs for an ERA of 24.00, while teammate John Lannan has pitched three innings, allowing six earned runs for an ERA of 18.00.

Wil Ledezma has worked 2.2 innings, allowing three earned runs for an ERA of 10.13, while Shairon Martis owns an ERA of 9.00 and Daniel Cabrera an ERA of 7.50.

With the likes of Ben Sheets, Pedro Martinez and others available this off-season through free agency, the Nationals did nothing to bolster their pitching rotation.

And bringing in Adam Dunn to give the offense some pop, well, it is true he has one home run so far this season. But the Nationals needed pitching.

And Mr. Offense, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, is off to a very slow start with a .200 batting average entering play Saturday night.

Zim has four hits -- all doubles -- but he is 4-of-20 with two runs scored and two RBI. He has struck out six times.

Lastings Milledge has a .143 batting average, also with six strikeouts.

After concluding their series in Atlanta today, the Nationals return home to D.C. to play host to the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

This coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Marlins come to town.

Who will win their first game first, Cleveland or Washington?

I'll take the Tribe.

TRAGEDY struck Major League Baseball late Wednesday night with the unexpected death of Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitcher Nick Adenhart, who at the time of his death was the youngest player on a MLB roster.

He was born Aug. 24, 1986.

Adenhart died at an Fullerton, Calif., hospital early Thursday morning.

Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, was charged with three murder counts as his blood-alcohol content was almost three times the legal limit.

Gallo could receive from 55 years to life for his crime.

Adenhart was drafted in the 14th round of the 2004 MLB draft by the Angels. He made his MLB debut on May 1, 2008 and in four appearances had a record of 1-0.

He pitched six scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics Wednesday night, but received a no decision for his work.

Adenhart had a minor league pitching record of 37-28.

The Angels honored Adenhart prior to Friday night's home game against the Boston Red Sox.

A rising star that never got the full opportunity to shine in a business he so dearly loved.

Jeff Christian is a freelance columnist and appears in The News & Messenger each Sunday. He can be reached at christianjeff@rocketmail.com