Nationals dump three veterans

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The struggling Washington Nationals have waived veterans Paul LoDuca, Felipe Lopez and Johnny Estrada in the midst of a nine-game losing streak.

The players were released shortly after Thursday's 8-4 loss dropped the Nationals' major league worst record to 38-70 with 54 games left on their 2008 schedule.

The three players were having sub-par seasons and Washington failed in its attempt to deal them before Thursday's trading deadline.

"We are going to turn the page," General Manager Jim Bowden said on the team's Web site. "We are going to get younger the last two months of the season and we are going to continue to develop young players. We want players that are going to hustle, play the game hard and play the game right. We just feel we need to give younger players an opportunity. We are going to do that."

Among the youngsters getting more playing time is third baseman/outfielder Kory Casto.