GM Bowden Steamed by Sloppy Play

VIERA, Fla., March 8 -- One day after a loss that Manager Frank Robinson called "the worst game that I've ever been associated with," the Washington Nationals committed three more errors, including a key misplay by outfielder Marlon Byrd in the 10th inning, a scenario that led to a 7-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals and left General Manager Jim Bowden seething.

"I just don't like to be embarrassed," Bowden said after leaving a 10-minute meeting with Robinson following the loss Wednesday at Space Coast Stadium. "I'm never concerned about winning or losing spring training games when you're winning and losing with players that aren't going to be on your big league club. I understand that. . . . But I don't want to be embarrassed."

The loss to the Cardinals, in which the Nationals trailed 4-0 before scoring four in the ninth, came 24 hours after a sloppy 22-12 debacle against Florida. Robinson said he wasn't embarrassed by the play for much of Wednesday but agreed that the team, which has just one win in eight Grapefruit League games, needs to play better fundamentally, regardless of who's on the field.

"I'm not upset about it," Robinson said. "But I'd like us to be sharper."

Bowden said that after Thursday's split-squad doubleheader -- against Cleveland in Winter Haven, Fla., and here against the Marlins -- there will be "major cuts" involving "drastic numbers."

"It's got to end because we don't want to be embarrassed anymore," Bowden said.

Hernandez Will Test Knee

Opening Day starter Livan Hernandez will make his first appearance of the spring Thursday, the initial opportunity to test his surgically repaired right knee in competition.

Hernandez, 31, drastically altered his motion during the second half of last season, when he threw 246 1/3 innings, the most in baseball. But the knee so hampered him that he lost as much as 5 mph off his fastball, and his breaking pitches were less effective. He went 12-3 with a 3.48 ERA before the all-star break, 3-7 with a 4.58 ERA afterward.

The Nationals also will send newcomer Pedro Astacio to the mound for his first appearance of the spring. Astacio is scheduled to throw one inning in relief of Hernandez against the Marlins.

Eischen Encouraged

Left-hander Joey Eischen, who has not appeared in an exhibition game because of shoulder tendinitis, threw a bullpen session Wednesday and was encouraged. First baseman-catcher Robert Fick returned to camp after having surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow on Monday in Cincinnati. Doctors told him that he could begin swinging a bat by this weekend, but Fick said, "I don't think that'll happen." Even with normal progress, Fick might begin the season on the disabled list.

Progress for Vidro Second baseman Jose Vidro went 1 for 2 with a single in four innings yesterday, making him 3 for 9 on the spring. He said he likely will play six or seven innings today as he continues to rehabilitate his balky right knee. Up Next Today vs. Marlins (ss) in Viera, 1. Today at Indians (ss) in Winter Haven, 1.