West Allis NATIONALS Baseball

Rumors of recently retired National Alex Franson desiring to return to his old team, or possibly to another Langsdorf team, are apparently 100% true. 

Whispers of a possible comeback began recently after Nationals DH James Herkowski passed Franson for the top spot on the Nationals All-Time Hits list. 

Those whispers became louder after Franson requested that the word "Retirement" be taken off of all official Franson-related Nationals merchandise.  And recently, Franson has been seen doing squat-thrusts in his backyard with his good friend Paul Barno. (At least that's what we think they were doing together.  We hope....)

The rumors became reality today when Franson's brother, Eric, told several local radio stations that Alex had officially demanded his release from the Nationals, so that he could sign with the West Allis White Sox and take a roster spot recently vacated by Jason Socha.

"Alex really wanted to be a National for life," said Eric, "but Steve told him that he would not give him his outright release, and that he could only return to the team as a back-up.  That was unacceptable to Alex.  Then Steve told Alex that the Nationals might consider trading him to a team in The S#*tty League, but who would seriously consider playing in that league?  Who?"

Franson played for the Nationals from 1994-2007.

For updates on this story, please visit http://www.alexfranson.com

Mike Jacobson's pitching debut with the Nationals was impressive and it provided the offense the time it needed to wake up as the Nationals rallied late to put away Burlington 10-2 at Zirkel Field.

Staked to an early 3-0 lead after a three run homer by Jared Stengal, Jacobson attacked the strike zone.   Despite his efforts, an offensive lull between the second and sixth innings kept the game close.   The Nats managed just one hit during that period and Burlington found itself in a close 4-2 game after 6.

Innings 7 and 8 proved to be the difference.   Three consecutive singles in the 7th plated two more runs.  In the 8th, three hits and two walks accounted for four more.

That was all Jacobson would need.  He completed all nine innings with 122 pitches, walking four, striking out four, and allowed just 6 hits.

The offense was led by Danny Putnam, who had two hits, two steals, and two RBI and Stengal with a mammoth three run homer.   8 of the 9 hitters in the lineup produced at least one run.

Next up is a key game on Tuesday the 15th at Zirkel Field.   In town will be the Milwaukee Angels and at stake is a chance for the Nats to get a firm grip on the league's second playoff seeding. 

2008 Nationals All Stars  -  Jared Stengal, Curt Pryal, and Tom Zimmerman

Traveling to Racine to face the Kiwanis on their home turf is always a challenge.

Doing so with 9 guys adds to the fun, and we all know fun and the Nationals go hand in hand.   

The literal local nine barnstormed Horlick Field for a nooner DH after long nights of socializing to take on the young Raciners.   Three surprised starters were in the lineup as the Nats split with the Kiwanis by scores of 4-2 (Loss) and 5-0 (Win).

Tim Spata was handed the ball in game one - his first appearance since May 24 - and was impressive.   Throwing strikes and keeping the ball down, Spata held the Kiwanis to 8 hits and 3 runs in game one, but defense let him down as the team fell.

The only offense the team could muster was a two out, two run double by Matt Soderlund in the first inning.  The team stranded 7 runners in innings two through seven.

Game two produced better results.   Curt Pryal threw 7 shutout innings, walking three and striking out two in an economical 79 pitch performance.   Curt's effort allowed the offense to relax and rake.  Tom Zimmerman, Matt Soderlund, James Herkowski, and Austin James had two hits each to lead the way. 

Next up are the Burlington Barons who will visit the Nationals at Zirkel Field at 7:30pm on Tuesday night.

After struggling for eight innings against the Kenosha Kings last Thursday, the Nationals offense exploded for 4 runs and 5 hits in the ninth.   Unfortunately, it was too little, too late as the team fell 7-4.

What was fortunate, though, was that the team had finally found its offense groove and it carried that vibe into and through Tuesday's game against the White Sox on the way to a 13-7 win.

After a quiet first inning, the team strung together a combination of hard hit balls and walks to tally 5 runs in the second.  

The suddenly big-inning offense did the same in the fourth and eighth innings, posting 4 runs each time.

James Herkowski and Danny Putnam led the way with 3 hits each.   Herkowski's first knock moved him to the top of the Nationals All Time hit list, passing Alex Franson.

Jared Stengal and Curt Pryal added two hits and three runs each.  Tom Zimmerman and Herkowski were the RBI leaders with 3 a piece.

The winning pitcher was Curt Pryal who threw 3.1 innings of scoreless relief for starter Jim Jungbauer.   In picking up his 4th win of the year, Pryal struck out 5.

Next up is a noon DH against the Racine Kiwanis at Horlick Field on July 5.