Nats' playoff hopes fading after dismal August

ST. LOUIS - The Nationals ended a disappointing August in fitting fashion, wasting a comeback three-run homer from Ryan Zimmerman in last night's 8-5 loss to the Cardinals.

Washington began the month holding a two-game lead over the Mets in the National League East. But that margin quickly evaporated as the Nats were swept out of New York on Aug 2. Bolstered by several trade deadline acquisitions, the Mets rolled off seven in a row, taking a commanding first-place lead.

The Nationals dropped 17 of 29 games in August while the Mets won 20 of 28. Besides not having Denard Span for most of the month, the Nationals played nearly at full strength with Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth and Zimmerman returning from the disabled list in late July.

Bryce Harper drove in only nine runs over the month, his fewest output in any month of the season. Like most teams in August, the Cardinals pitched around Harper last night, walking him three times to run his total to 24, his most in any month.

Harper still hit .326 (32-for-98) and scored 22 runs during August, but he only left the yard twice.

Meanwhile, Zimmerman was a run-producing machine in August, delivering 28 RBIs, tied for Harper's season-high monthly total in May. The 11-year veteran batted .277 (26-for-94) with seven homers and seven doubles in 28 games.

"It's hard being in and out and off the DL and things like that," Zimmerman said. "Now that I've been back for a while, it's nice to kind of get into that groove and be able to play every day. Just continue to do what I'm doing."

Zimmerman provided high drama with last night's two-out, three-run blast in the seventh inning, but the Nats bullpen could not make it stand up.

"Tough loss," Zimmerman said. "I mean, to kind of come back and get the lead ... that's why (the Cardinals) have as many wins as they have. They're a good team. They came right back after we have that inning."

Trailing the Mets by 6 1/2 games as September begins, Nationals manager Matt Williams was asked if a message needs to be delivered to his team after an emotional loss.

"No, I don't think so," Williams said. "Everybody understands where we're at and what's in front of us."