vs St. Louis Cardinals

RFK Stadium/Nationals vs Cardinals

Pre Game Setup Grounds crew finishing up pre-game preparations of the field before the game.

Jesus Flores Nationals catcher, Jesus Flores (3) warms up before the start of the game vs the St. Louis Cardinals.

Nationals Players Ronnie Belliard (10) and Jose Martinez (87), the Nationals batting practice pitcher chat during warmups before the game.

Ryan Ludwick St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick (47), stretches before the start of the game.

Warmups Nationals Bullpen coach, Rick Aponte (27), and catcher Jesús Flores (3) during pre-game warmups near the bullpen.

Ryan Zimmerman Nationals third baseman, Ryan Zimmerman (11) walks the edge of the infield before the game.

Players Chatting Ronnie Belliard (10) greets St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (5) with outfielder Jim Edmonds (15) looking on.

Pre-Game Chats Ronnie Belliard (10) chats with Albert Pujols (5) of the St. Louis Cardinals before the game starts.

Getting Loose Juan Encarnation (43) gestures while listening to teammate Albert Pujols (5) tell jokes with Ronnie Belliard (10).

Jim Edmonds St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jim Edmonds (15) in pre game warm ups.

Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (5) during pre game warm ups.

Screech Washington Nationals mascot, Screech pumps up the crowd before the start of the game while outfielder Austin Kearns (25) looks on.

Ronnie Belliard Nationals second baseman, Ronnie Belliard (10) prepares to throw the ball in warm ups.

Play Ball! St. Louis Cardinals shortstop and lead off batter David Eckstein (22), gets ready to swing on a pitch.

Scott Spiezio (26) of the Cardinals does a quick practice swing before stepping into the batters box as catcher Jesús Flores (3) and home plate umpire Brian Runge look on.

Quick Swing Scott Spiezio (26) of the Cardinals does a quick practice swing before stepping into the batters box as catcher Jesús Flores (3) and home plate umpire Brian Runge look on.

Batter Up! Scott Spiezio (26) of the St. Louis Cardinals ready for the pitch.

Scott Spiezio (26) of the Cardinals puts on his running gloves after earining a walk during his at bat. First baseman Dimitri Young (21) gets ready for the next pitch.

First Base Scott Spiezio (26) of the Cardinals puts on his running gloves after earining a walk during his at bat. First baseman Dimitri Young (21) gets ready for the next pitch.

Cardinals Dugout L to R: Jim Edmonds (15), Albert Pujols (5) and skipper Tony La Russa (10) watch game action from the dugout.

Juan Encarnation Juan Encarnation (43) steps into the batters box.

Time to Bat! Nationals outfielder Austin Kearns (25) runs back to the dugout as teams switch sides on the field.

Felipe López Nationals shortstop and lead off hitter Felipe López ready for the pitch.

On First Felipe López (2) and Albert Pujols (5) at first base while umpire Mark Wegner looks on.

Ryan Zimmerman Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) at the plate ready for the pitch.

Nationals starting pitcher Matt Chico (47) steps up to the plate while Cardinals catcher Gary Bennett (28) gives the sign to pitcher Adam Wainwright.

Matt Chico Nationals starting pitcher Matt Chico (47) steps up to the plate while Cardinals catcher Gary Bennett (28) gives the sign to pitcher Adam Wainwright.

St. Louis Cardinals Bench coach Joe Pettini (24) and another Cardinals dugout staff member watch game action at RFK Stadium in Washington DC.

Austin Kearns Nationals outfielder Austin Kearns (25) looks on during the game. Relief pitcher Chris Schroder (45) looks on from the bullpen.

Nook Logan Nationals outfielder Nook Logan (7) looks on during the game from the outfield.

Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (5) at the plate.

Foul Ball Albert Pujols (5) reacts to hitting a foul ball.

Albert Pujols Albert Pujols (5) at first base ready to run towards second base.

Third Base Coach St. Louis Cardinals third base coach José Oquendo (11) gives game tips to Scott Spiezio (26) as he stands on the base bag.

Jim Edmonds Cardinals outfielder Jim Edmonds (15) at bat at RFK Stadium in Washington DC.

David Eckstein Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein (22) walks back to the dugout after being called out on a play.

Gearing Up Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein (22) gets his gear together before taking the field during a game at RFK Stadium in 2007.

President Washington President George Washington won the Presidents Race that game!

WINNER! President George Washington crosses the finish line to win the Presidents Race!

Teddy! Racing Presidents Teddy Rosevelt during the Presidents Race.

David Eckstein Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein (22) gets ready for the next batter.

Cardinals Skipper Tony La Russa (10) looks on from the Cardinals dugout at RFK Stadium.

Time to Argue Cardinals manager Tony La Russa (10) argues the previous play with first base umpire Mark Wegner.

Go Sit Down! First base umpire Mark Wegner ends the argument by telling Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa (10) to go sit down in the dugout.

Dimitri Young Nationals first baseman Dimitri Young (21) in the batters box.

Foul Ball Dimitri Young (21) of the Nationals watches as his hit ball sails foul.

Good Crowd Good sized crowd on hand for a late season game in Washington DC.

R.I.T. Alumni were the distinguised guests of the game that day and we were recognized on the scoreboard in between innings. I'm in the RIT Class of 2003.

Distinguished Guests R.I.T. Alumni were the distinguised guests of the game that day and we were recognized on the scoreboard in between innings. I'm in the RIT Class of 2003.

Washington Grays This guy wanted the team to change their name to the Grays after they move into brand new Nationals Park for the 2008 season.

More Arguments Cardinals manager Tony La Russa (10) argues yet another play with first base umpire Mark Wegner.

Wonder if Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa (10) and first base umpire Mark Wegner are really exchanging their favorite music bands to listen to?

Blah, Blah, Blah Wonder if Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa (10) and first base umpire Mark Wegner are really exchanging their favorite music bands to listen to?

Sit Down! Second base umpire Adrian Johnson breaks up the argument by telling La Russa (10) to go sit down again.

Albert Pujols Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (5) stands at second base getting ready for the next batter.

Jim Edmonds Cardinals outfielder Jim Edmonds (15) on the bases.

Luis Ayala Nationals relief pitcher Luis Ayala (56) looks to his catcher for the sign.

Jim Edmonds Cardinals outfielder Jim Edmonds (15) on the bases.

Taking a Breather Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan (16) chats with first base coach Dave McKay (39) during a pitching change by the Nationals.

Pitching Change Nationals second baseman, Ronnie Belliard (10) and Jim Edmonds (15) during the pitching change.

Ryan Franklin St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Franklin (31) in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Nook Logan Nationals outfielder Nook Logan (7) on the bases.

David Eckstein (22), pitcher Ryan Franklin (31) and Albert Pujols (5) gather near the pitcher's mound to discuss a potential defensive play plan.

Game Plan David Eckstein (22), pitcher Ryan Franklin (31) and Albert Pujols (5) gather near the pitcher's mound to discuss a potential defensive play plan.