Baseball’s unbalanced schedule dictates that teams from the National League’s Central and West divisions make only one trip to the District each season.
That forces the Nationals to try everything in their power to get every game in, no matter the weather conditions. The Nationals gave it their best shot Sunday, but a persistent rain would not let up, leading to the postponement of their series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite twice pulling the tarp off the infield in an attempt to get the field playable, the Nationals Park grounds crew couldn’t get a window of clear skies to start the game. After waiting nearly two hours, the club made the postponement official. “Yes, today there’s the extra consideration of them being in [the District] for the last time, but that’s really subordinate,” Nationals president Stan Kasten said before the game was called off. “If you can’t play, you can’t play. And if you can play, we will always try to play.” Tickets for Sunday’s game can be used either at the eventual makeup game or may be exchanged for the same-priced seat at any home game this season, excluding the June 23-25 series against the Boston Red Sox. The Nationals will bump all of their pitchers back a day, so John Lannan will start Monday against the Houston Astros, with Scott Olsen going in Tuesday’s series finale. MacDougal signs deal
MacDougal was designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox on April 21 after posting a 12.46 ERA in five appearances. The Nationals hope the hard-throwing reliever can rediscover the form that made him an All-Star closer with the Kansas City Royals in 2003.