Owings/Votto/Nats Watch

Arizona starter Micah Owings went 2-3 with a run versus the Giants on Monday. He also moved to 4-0 with another quality start (6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K), which actually raised his ERA to 2.42. For the season he is hitting 308 / 357 / 308 while Giants #4 hitter Bengie Molina is at 279 / 296 / 456. Just wait until Owings gets that power stroke going. Micah has combined with Brandon Webb and Dan Haren to give the D'Backs a very good top of the rotation to go along with their explosive young offense. Right now it looks like they may run away with the division, but I expect the offense to go into a funk sooner or later.

It took 18 games, but Reds' first baseman Joey Votto finally walked. He also homered (his fourth) and is hitting 300 / 314 / 600 for the year. Votto showed a good eye in the minors, so I wonder if this is Dusty Baker's influence. Hopefully he'll get that walk rate up, so that he can contribute fully to the team - he should be a very solid player (though not necessarily a star).

The Nationals dropped to 5-15, and 2-15 since their 3 game win streak to start the season. They got 10 hits against Braves' starter Tim Hudson, but could only score 2 runs. Ryan Zimmerman is hitting 226 / 253 / 345, and the Nats are easily the worst team in baseball right now.