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File photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Digital Domain Park, spring home of the New York Mets. |
Having said all that, I decided to throw in some stats alongside today's lineup against the Mets. Not because they tell the whole story of a player's spring, but because they do give you a little sense of how guys have performed to date.
Jordan Zimmermann gets the ball today in Port St. Lucie, looking to duplicate his strong first spring outing (three scoreless innings against the Cardinals). Among those also scheduled to pitch are Rule 5 draftee Brian Broderick, Sean Burnett and Atahualpa Severino.
If you subscribe to the MLB.tv package, you can watch today's game online. The Mets radio feed is also available to subscribers of XM and MLB Gameday Audio...
NATIONALS AT METS (ss)
Where: Digital Domain Park, Port St. Lucie
Gametime: 1:10 p.m.
TV: SNY (New York), MLB.tv
Radio: Mets radio via XM and MLB Gameday Audio
Weather: Partly cloudy, 78 degrees, Wind 14 mph in from RF
STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS
DH Nyjer Morgan (1-for-16, R, 2 K)
SS Ian Desmond (5-for-16, 4 R, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, BB, 4 K)
3B Jerry Hairston (3-for-14, 3 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI)
LF Michael Morse (6-for-16, 4 R, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, BB, K)
C Wilson Ramos (4-for-10, 3 R, 2B, RBI, 2 K)
RF Jeff Frazier (4-for-9, 4 R, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB)
CF Rick Ankiel (3-for-13, 4 R, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB, 2 K)
1B Chris Marrero (4-for-7, 2B, RBI, K)
2B Brian Bixler (5-for-8, 6 R, 3 2B, 3 RBI, 3 BB, K)
(P Jordan Zimmermann 3 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K)
METS
SS Jose Reyes
RF Willie Harris
3B David Wright
1B Daniel Murphy
LF Nick Evans
2B Justin Turner
CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis
C Mike Nickeas
DH Raul Chavez
(P Chris Capuano)
93 comments:
Yeah, because when I look at Nyjer Morgan's line (either his current one or the career line so beloved by Riggleman) the first thing that pops into my head is "DH".
So if Drew Storen, say, were told to throw 95% fastballs, how long does it take for even would-be Major League hitters to figure that out? Figuring that the first one to do so tells his team?
More site complaints.
Side panels flash with a black background when loading/refreshing.
I get a lot of Malware warnings when I'm at home and at this site.
Hmm, not sure why these problems are occurring. I haven't experienced any (I use Firefox, by the way). If you can avoid using Internet Explorer, that would be my first recommendation.
I'll pass along all the complaints to Greg and see if he can figure out why these things might be happening.
Haven't had any problems with the site. I too use firefox so there maybe some incompatibility with other browsers?
Brian Bixler for the last roster spot! :)
If the Nats could get rid of both Morgan and Riggleman, the outlook for the team would improve dramatically. The Nats have had a mess in CF since they moved to DC from Montreal in 2005 and they seem totally unable to fix it. This is shameful.
Sec 3, My Sofa said...
So if Drew Storen, say, were told to throw 95% fastballs, how long does it take for even would-be Major League hitters to figure that out? Figuring that the first one to do so tells his team?
March 8, 2011 10:27 AM
I hear what Mark is saying and trying to take it in context, but I don't buy it on Drew Storen that he is working on certain pitches that aren't working out for him which is why his stat line looks so bad.
Look at his 3 appearances in Spring Training and look at who he has faced. A bunch of AA and AAA guys mixed in with a few MLB guys who will compete for bench roles. He is missing badly and getting rocked. How long before he starts losing confidence?
I believe more of what Mark was saying to be about Nyjer Morgan where he is working on bunting but even for him when he swings away his contact has been real weak.
Bernadina is working on bunting and has 2 base hits. I don't buy off that Nyjer is bunting to make outs when nobody is on base. He just is not executing well on anything offensively and not doing so well defensively too.
Looking at the xm site, don't see where this game is being carried today? JTinSC
Feel Woood---the first thing that pops into my mind when I see the name Nyjer Morgan is "DFA".
*NEW SITE FEEDBACK*
I also have been geen getting malware warnings (using internet explorer), also could you please make the "nats insider" banner at the top clickable to return to the homepage like it used to be? That was very nice to be able to get back to the front page after reading a post.
By the way great information, keep up the good work... cant wait for opening day!
"If you can avoid using Internet Explorer, that would be my first recommendation."
Easy for you to say, Mark, because you work at home, as it were. But keep in mind that virtually all large-scale employers are in bed with Microsoft and its products. Most of those employers also frown on their employees installing rogue products such as non-IE browsers on the company's network. And from Monday through Friday, I bet the large majority of your readers are checking your site from their office. (Again, a practice frowned upon by employers - but that doesn't stop most of us from doing it anyway.) What that means is that whether you like it or not you should be optimizing your site to work with IE, not telling people to avoid using it. (And by saying that, it doesn't free you from the obligation to also support other popular browsers such as Firefox, Safari, etc.)
Certain spring training results absolutely have to be taken with a grain of salt. I recall reading a story about Glavine getting hammered in his last ST outing and getting asked about it by a reporter. He was using the last start to try to spot one particular pitch on one particular part of the plate. Well, the 3rd pitch into an at bat hitters can figure out what's going on, and then can sit on that pitch. The second I heard that the coaches told Storen to throw fastballs, you could predict what his line would look like.
I'm not saying his first two outings were similarly bad, but we don't know what is said between pitching coach and pitcher all the time; its entirely possible Storen has been working on specific pitches all spring and the coaches couldn't care less what his stat line looks like...
Mark Z. - can you confirm that Storen is only throwing fastballs all 3 appearances?
Bixler has failed to hit the two or three times he was brought up by the Pirates. Is he just briefly hot or is he a late bloomer? Do Bernadina and Ankiel send Morgan to the bench or the waiver list?
I can't avoid using Internet Explorer. I do most of my checking from work, too. I'm getting lots of malware stuff, too. The other complaints about the website don't worry me so much, but the malware and possibility of wrecking my computer is scary. My computer is essential to my work. I hope that part of the new site can be fixed.
Todd Boss said... The second I heard that the coaches told Storen to throw fastballs, you could predict what his line would look like.
Where did you hear this information from?
fwiw, I am not a fan of IE and prefer Firefox. However, the problems tpok place when I was using Firefox. The latest manifestation is that it would not let my posts go through at all. Am trying with IE just to see what happens. Off to lunch now and then back to work (zzzzz).
Well, at least I got through that time (and "took" place, btw). The display is still jumping all over the place in IE, but I did get a Captcha and was able to post. However, I don't wish to continue using IE (see above).
Site Feedback:
Works perfectly fine for me on my 6 year old laptop, while using firefox. My computer has many issues but this site is not one of them. I have not tried using the site on IE since I don't use IE anymore.
I am also worried a little bit about Storen but for once we have options in case Drew continues to struggle.
Nick,
You can click on HOME at the end of the article and get back to the front page
To change the subject: I find it very intriguing that Houston is interested in Flores. I think that we must parlay our riches in the catcher position into some much needed pieces although you have to figure that Flores and Pudge won't get you much in return at this time.
From what I have learned from the various scouting services Norris is our catcher of the future so Rizzo must navigate this situation to our advantage; if Flores comes back strong it really puts us in a good spot.
One question, is there a reason Nationals have only one 'two game' day? Marlins have 2, Braves and Mets have 3, and Phillies have 4 such days. Scheduling, etc could be the issue but I wonder why we not play more SS games than others.
Appreciate all the feedback. Believe me, the last thing I want is for this site to have any technological glitches and certainly anything that would give readers reason to worry about the security of their computers. Greg is looking into all this to see if he can figure out why this is all of a sudden an issue. For those of you using Internet Explorer (and I understand why you have no choice but to use it) make sure you clear your cache and cookies. That will clear out any old settings that may be affecting your use. Can't promise that's going to take care of all the problems, but hopefully that will help some.
If I hear anything more from Greg, I'll be sure to pass it along.
I use Internet Exploer and haven't noticed any problems with the site as yet.
I haven't experienced any issues either (IE at the office as well).
Overall, I prefer this to the WAPO site, as that site has become infested with "fecal matter," if you catch my drift.
Love the site Mark, hiccups and all...
if storen ( or anyone ) is told to use a certain pitch in a certain place, and he delivers it and gets rocked, he's still successful. he's accomplished his objective. if he misses his place and strikes someone out, he fails. it's about learning until 3-31.
and everyone - we need to make our bosses buy macs!
go nats
Haven't had a problem with IE8 at work or with Google Chrome at home. Will be happy when you get back to Fla., Mark for some in-depth stuff.
@IE ... or if you don't want to clear your entire cache and cookies collection, force IE to refresh with F5.
that originally said CONTROL-F5
TimDz said...
Overall, I prefer this to the WAPO site, as that site has become infested with "fecal matter," if you catch my drift.
_____
Yep. That guy gets more disgusting as time goes on, if that's possible. From his terms and syntax, I believe that he is also posting under another name on the Nationals MLB board.
Can I please not have to be reminded in here, too? kthxbai
Yeah MarkMeister, tell your bosses that you need to get back to Florida---the National(s) security depends on it!!!
I'm with you, TimDz. Love this blog!
And that worked in Firefox. Yay!
Nyjer Morgan caught stealing.
Shocker...
Tickets have arrived.
Red box.
Plastic OD ticket
Natsfest ticket in back...also 2 Stars and Stripes passes, Exclusive Event, Free Promo Item and 20% off at team store.
In the letter accompanying the tickets:
1 - "a number of new branded concessions"
2 - Miller Lite SCoreboard Walk has a 15' X 25' HDTV screen
3 - 30 stainless baseballs on north side of ballpark (parking garages)
RCR card to be mailed in March. They're being made in England. Go figure.
Tickets are primarily red with pix of Nats players on them.
Werth gets OD. Other tix go Zimm, Clippard, Desmon and Storen, with this sequence repeating for the remainder of the tix.
So STILL no specific instructions for RCR? What a surprise...
I believe if you look on the Nats STH web site you'll find quite specific details on the RCR program for 2011. At my cursory glance a week or so ago, it looks like we'll be able to buy more with our rewards points than we could last year. Plus they have added separate parking rewards. Looks like I'll be able to get free parking in the $5 lot for every game in my plan, and still have some parking rewards left over. Pretty good deal, I'd say.
Now what I CAN'T remember is if they were offering the NatsBucks promotion for early renewal like they did in 2010. Does anyone know about that? Because if they did offer it, I qualified for it and want to be sure I collect.
Still believe Storen should start and some of these "exercises" to help him keep his fastball viable (50+ pitches?) sound to me like they just might want him to start eventually. With at least 5 guys in camp, (Balester, Kimball, Carr, Ramirez, and Henry Rodiguez) who can throw upper nineties to 100+ Storen looks to be the odd man out. All of these guys have been tried and failed at starter ... but Drew Storen with command of five major league pitches and his can-do attitude? STARTER/STOPPER in training.
Where is it written that Drew Storen has been instructed to only throw fastballs? I have read that on here a few times and would like to know where I can find that information as others have asked the same.
Washington Post's Nationals Journal I think is the source about Storen.
How come no one is talking about the game? How did Zimmermann do? Morgan? etc, etc?
No, no specific instructions for RCR.
Values are the SAME as last year, just more options, some with lower redemption amounts. For example: last year Gold got 41 points per ticket and Lexus seats redemption cost 8 points. This year, 4100 points and 800 points. Field seats 1 point last year, 100 points this year.
Parking is a crappy return on the points, on an already overpriced product, but there is an intrinsic value to each customer.
"We're asking him to throw more fastballs, which is going to get him hit a little bit," Riggleman said. "He's not on top of his game by any means, but it was maybe not as bad as the linescore would say."
That was the quote by Riggleman that people are re-interpreting. They asked him to throw MORE fastballs, not ALL fastballs.
The stuff people write on here sometimes turns my stomach as it gets regurgitated as facts that Riggleman and Storen never said.
Then Storen followed up with this "I didn't like the results, but the way I pitched was a lot better and a big step ahead from my last time out. I used my fastball more, and showed I can do that."
Mark, the browsers are all going through recent upgrades ... from Chrome to Firefox ... and then there's Safari. To support the mobile universe iPad, iPhone ... twitter ... facebook, facetime, skyping, G4/G3 based updates, security.
Still don't agree with black on white background but I notice the light gray that now appears in the comments section ... that does help.
Morse still wants the job. Another hit.
Anonymous said...How come no one is talking about the game? How did Zimmermann do? Morgan? etc, etc? March 8, 2011 2:34 PM
Nyjer Morgan is doing decent today. 1 for 1 with 2 WALKS. Yes 2 walks! 1 caught stealing is his only blemish today.
OMG, Mike O'Connor is pitching for the Mets. I thought he was out of baseball.
BTW, Ramos 2 hits, Morse 2 hits, Frazier 1 for 1 with a Sac Bunt.....
Zimmermann looked good. 3IPs, 1H, 4Ks. Only issue was the 2 walks he had.
Former Nat top left-handed starting prospect Mike O'Connor in now ...
And he overmatches Ankiel? I'm not sure this guy can hit anything but the homer every once in a while? Now hitting .188???? Marerro K's looks to be heading to minor league camp this week along with Harper and others.
JZimmnn 3 innings 0 runs 2 walks 4 K's. Looking good, ready to be stretched out to 5 innings or more ... 0.00 ERA
Broderick 2 innings no runs allowed. The rule five guy has a 0.00 ERA?
Why are they looking at Chad Gaudin again?
PAY TO PLAY said...
"OMG, Mike O'Connor is pitching for the Mets. I thought he was out of baseball."
You've got a serious disconnect going there.
The Nats were up 2-0 in the 5th last time I looked. I would rather look here, but have been going to washingtonpost.com for game updates at Nationals Journal. I really miss the updates here.
Believe or not, Morgan has been on base all three times...
Major problems with this website. No link to a pirated streaming of the game and no way to order pizza and beer. Get this fixed Mark!
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oconnmi01.shtml
I think N.Cognito was trying to be funny on the ace Mike O'Connor.
O'Connor's last sniff of the Majors was in Washington with 5 appearances in 2008.
He has since spent time in the farm systems of the Padres, Royals and now the Mets all of last year in AAA.
I invite everyone to read this article by Tom Verducci at si.com; he is one of the best national baseball writters out there.
I don't like what I hearing, I grew up a Mets fan and spent plenty of days at Shea watching Doc Gooden and he was electric those first two years in the bigs. I said to many, that when I went to Strasburgs first ML start that it reminded me of those early days at Shea watching Gooden. You know what happen next, the Mets wanted Gooden to strike out less guys, they said "a ground ball is the same as a strike out" and he changed the way he pitched. He was still pretty good, but never the same feared pitcher. I hate that they are trying to do this to Strasburg - just stupid. Just like a girl who gets marry to a man nad then tries to change him. Embrace what he is, don't try to change him! End of Rant.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/tom_verducci/03/08/stephen.strasburg.mechanics/index.html?eref=sihp
Is it correct that Eury Perez and Steve Lomardozzi are now in the game?
Watching the Mets is like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
Bixler hits one out of the park. Desmond trade bait, perhaps Desmond, Lannan ands La Roche for Texeira and Gardner.
Steve M. said...
"I think N.Cognito was trying to be funny"
"Trying?" Man, tough audience.
Wait, did Morgan just try to steal home in top of the ninth with game tied? I know this is ST and you try stuff but this is stupid. I hope Riggs was not the one who ordered Nyjer to do so.
The Joker said...
Bixler hits one out of the park. Desmond trade bait, perhaps Desmond, Lannan ands La Roche for Texeira and Gardner.
Is that so the Yankee$ can get Albert Pujols? LOL
maybe it was a squeeze and AG missed the bunt. who knows? who cares?
Anon @ 3:53, I am following along on the internet and think maybe it was a failed Suicide Squeeze as I hoped it wasn't a straight steal but I am not watching on TV
or maybe Nyjer wanted to save AG the embarrassment of not driving in the runner from 3rd with one out?
I'm watching, and it was a failed squeeze. Riggleman ordered a sac bunt to get him to 3rd, then put on the squeeze. The pitch was low and outside and virtually un-buntable; unsurprisingly, AG missed it.
Just got back from a work meeting. .... I know they've been practicing suicide squeezes alot in early spring training that's probably what happened.
Anybody know for sure?
Willie Harris up with the chance at a Walk off winner for the Mets...and he grounds out.
Thanks, Matt....
So Nyjer has a OBP now of .238 for anyone keeping stats. The caught stealing doesn't help. Nyjer's pre-game talk with Willie Harris must have helped.
Then Eury Perez gets his first swing on of the year and singles and quickly steals 2nd. NICE
Eury Perez is Senior Excitacion which I think translates to Mr. Excitement!
The suicide squeeze is a nice play when it works. Gotta practice it to make it work. Would like to see Zimmerman practice the ss with Morgan at 3b. Think he can lay down a bunt? Morgan is the guy you want charging in from 3b. This is good ST work. Didn't work this time. So what?
Morgan on 3rd with less than 2 outs spells SUICIDE SQUEEZE . No element of surprise
I am an old retired guy who can barely turn on my computer and am not sure what all those names and initials mean. I have a macbook and it starts up each day and lets me read all this great stuff and respond each day. I understand most of you are at work but I just wanted to let Mark know his stuff is coming in nice and clear in "retirement land"
As for baseball, I would not be surprised to see Storen sent down (he has options) if he continues his problems (we do have a bunch of bullpen arms) and I would love to see them do the same thing with Nyjer just to see if that might shake him up. I realize most here want him dfa's but the reality is, he is still cheap (around $500,000) and he has an option remaining.
Go Nats!!
I'm sending Storen back to Syracuse.
Hey, all I did was pose a hypothetical.
"The stuff people write on here sometimes turns my stomach as it gets regurgitated as facts that Riggleman and Storen never said."
Storen was honest with his own assessment so let's see how he does in his next appearance. At this point in ST the batters in the 7th inning on are not starters so the upper hand should go to Storen and when it doesn't you can't help but be frustrated.
Zach Greinke hurt his ribs playing basketball, and will start the year on the DL. I am shamelessly, unabashedly, going to root against him this year, as well as against others who rejected the Nats. This is only sports, folks. Feel free to have heroes and villains.
+1/2St.
Zack Greinke has a broken rib.
Are we really to believe Greinke's rib broke in a basketball game or did a Nats or KC fan punch him in a fight?
Another guy who didn't end up in Washington named Derrek Lee is still having wrist problems and saw a specialist today.
The fact that Lee is on the O's will put him on my fail list for the year twice.
BTW- I understand and respect those who want to root for both teams. Please do, and enjoy. Like I said, it's just sports, and there is more than one way to enjoy the games.
It's the voodoo dolls. Just like on that Capital One commercial, with the Goths shopping at Mardi Gras.
Mark Teixeira has been on my bad list and I have added Greinke to it and of course anything Philthies and Whorioles.
The Brewers come to DC on April 15th so will Greinke be pitching by then?
Fri, 4/15 Brewers
Sat, 4/16 Brewers
Sun, 4/17 Brewers
Ian D = 600 ABs and 40 Errors....every year...CF is that only Solution to that equation. 2B is no good...his problem as I have said for all ST and most of last year....he does not have the instinct to charge simple 4 hope balls....I was a SS in College...it is the most basic thing and all SS know it....Ian does not....and if he does not after 8 years of Pro ball....he never will....CF at SYR if he is staying a Nat. I would trade him today if by chance there is still a team as blind as Riggs and Rizzo to this fatal flaw.
My modest hope for this reason: drinkable beer at the ballpark.
Anyone read today's Wall Street Journal comparison od cactus and grapefruit baseball?
JayB... while I appreciate your frustration, I can tell you that one of Desmonds biggest supporters is Davey Johnson. And even he shares your frustration with Desy's inability to charge ground balls. It is something they work on every day.
This will be the last year you will have to suffer with this problem. He will either improve dramatically or Espinosa will move to short.
Where Desmond ends up if he doesn't improve is another question and I'll leave that up to the brain trust, Rizzo, Johnson, and Boone.
So how long will Zim be out with this abdominal strain?
Mark - Is Zim's injury the same one he had at the end of last season?
Seems almost every year he is having something going on.
Any updates on Corey Brown's ankle. I heard he is taking BP again. So much for his injury keeping him out 3 games. I think it is now 8 games and counting.
JayB,
I don't think moving Desmond to the outfield is a practical solution; he has after all been an infielder his entire career.
There are a couple of things to consider:
1) Desmond's range at short is off the charts which mitigates his tendency to boot simple ground balls somewhat.
2) The team really likes his offense/offensive potential; I am less of a fan of his offense because I don't like the fact that he 1st ball hits so often and that he almost never works the count. His OBP is below average.
3) I don't think that the team is completely convinced that Espinosa will hit; if he establishes himself as a bonafide everyday player I feel that he is the better solution at short.
4) If Espinosa is moved to short I am not sure we have a solution for 2nd base; the jury is still out on Lombardozi and he is certainly not the answer for this year.
Having said all of that I agree that Desmond would be on my list of people to trade in a search for front line pitching along with one of the young catchers (Ramos).
Glad we can get the hot morning questions answered by Adam Kilgore. LOL
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2011/03/ryan_zimmermans_oblique_issue.html?wprss=nationalsjournal
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