Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Game 48: Nats at Brewers

US Presswire photo
The Nats and Brewers meet again tonight at Miller Park.
As expected, the Nationals have activated Rick Ankiel off the DL this afternoon. The outfielder, who missed 19 days with a sprained wrist, will be in uniform at Miller Park and available to play. He won't, however, be in the Nats' lineup.

With left-hander Chris Narveson on the mound for the Brewers, Jim Riggleman is going with as many right-handed bats in his lineup as he can. But with Michael Morse now taking over at first base, and with Jerry Hairston taking over at third base, the Nats have no other right-handed-hitting outfielders on the roster. So Brian Bixler, who has 7 1/3 innings of outfield experience in the big leagues, will start in left field tonight.

Livan Hernandez, meanwhile, makes his 11th start of the season tonight, hoping to finally get some support from his teammates. The Nationals have scored one total run over Hernandez's last four starts, losing the last two times 1-0.

I'm not in Milwaukee for this series. As always, enjoy the game and the conversation...

NATIONALS at BREWERS
Where: Miller Park
Gametime: 8:10 p.m.
TV: MASN2
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 183
Weather: Partly cloudy, 51 degrees, Wind 12 mph out to RF
STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS (21-26)
CF Roger Bernadina
SS Ian Desmond
RF Jayson Werth
C Wilson Ramos
1B Michael Morse
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Jerry Hairston
LF Brian Bixler
P Livan Hernandez

BREWERS (25-23)
2B Rickie Weeks
RF Corey Hart
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
3B Casey McGehee
CF Mark Kotsay
SS Yuniesky Betancourt
C Jonathan Lucroy
P Chris Narveson

104 comments:

Anonymous said...

BIXLER!!!!

masnstinks said...

Come on, guys -- score some runs for good old Livo! Bixler - now's your chance to be the player of the game and show your stuff!

Anonymous said...

Eeek. How many times has Bixler played the outfield? Let's just pray there is no Guzman-like meltdown out there. Next we'll see Ankiel playing first in a late inning double switch even though he's never played the postion, ever.

Anonymous said...

"Eeek. How many times has Bixler played the outfield? Let's just pray there is no Guzman-like meltdown out there. Next we'll see Ankiel playing first in a late inning double switch even though he's never played the postion, ever."

Sit down, close your eyes and seriously think about what you posted.

Now, do you still think it really matters?

Nationals Rapture Shark said...

Where is Matty Stairs? Slow, sluggish, plump? And near sighted!
I so long to devour him!

Tim the Enchanter said...

This is Bixler's last chance. If he gets two hits, he stays. If not, he gets a ticket to ride.

Anonymous said...

Psssst, Rapture Shark, time to adjust your meds!

masnstinks said...

If we were lucky,nats rapture shark, Matt Stairs would be on a plane back to Maine. This situation just boggles my mind. There have been posts saying that there is no one to replace him - seriously - I think there are guys in Hagerstown(not named Harper) who could hit better than .100.

The Joker said...

Just to rub it in the mugs of our inept batters, Riggs should bat Hernandez fourth

masnstinks said...

Joker - Great idea! And Marquis can bat for the pitcher in the late innings with runners on!

Cwj said...

The Brewers are well overdue for a thumping in their park.
How about 8-4 Nats?

Eeyore said...

Masnstinks (I agree with the handle, by the way):

I'm the one who said there's no great batters to replace Stairs. Who are you dying to call up from Syracuse? Seriously. Who is going to make an impact by replacing him? Yes in theory anyone is better, but name him. Who? I bet whoever you name is just a late-inning sub who strikes out and stops developing because he's stuck on the bench. I hate having Stairs on this team. But it's not like there's any specific player who is waiting in the wings to save us either. No matter who you bring up, replacing Stairs is essentially a wash.

DFL said...

On a team not dysfunctional, the utility infielder who has rarely played the outfield would play third base and the utilityman who has seen a lot of playing time in the outfield would play left field. But not the Riggs-Rizzo Nats. Wouldn't it be ironic if, on a pop fly down the left field line, Hairston and Bixler ran into each other, allowed a grand slam, and joined Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche on the Disabled List.

Anonymous8 said...

De La Rosa pulled for elbow problems. Not looking good. It seems like almost all those off-season available pitchers have had problems or having problems so far this season.

Someone had a running list of them all, add him to the list!

Anonymous8 said...

This should make JayB happy, Alex Cintron announced his retirement today.

Anonymous8 said...

Facing Greinke tomorrow. Good article.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/705686-kansas-city-royals-are-better-off-without-zack-greinke

Andrew said...

This was the Free Agent pitchers which include pitchers with options.

The list doesn't include pitchers subject to trades like Greinke, Gorzelanny, and Garza

Bronson Arroyo CIN *
Erik Bedard SEA *
Kris Benson ARZ
Jeremy Bonderman DET
David Bush MIL
Chris Capuano MIL
Bruce Chen KC
Kevin Correia SD
Doug Davis MIL
Jorge De La Rosa COL
Justin Duchscherer OAK
Jeff Francis COL *
Freddy Garcia CWS
Jon Garland SD *
Aaron Harang CIN *
Rich Harden TEX *
Hiroki Kuroda LAD
Cliff Lee TEX
Ted Lilly LAD
Braden Looper MIL
Rodrigo Lopez ARZ
Noah Lowry SF
Kevin Millwood BAL
Brian Moehler HOU
Jamie Moyer PHI
Vicente Padilla LAD
Carl Pavano MIN
Brad Penny STL
Andy Pettitte NYY
Nate Robertson PHI
Ben Sheets OAK
Ian Snell SEA *
Jeff Suppan STL
Hisanori Takahashi NYM
Javier Vazquez NYY
Brandon Webb ARI
Jake Westbrook STL
Dontrelle Willis SF
Chris Young SD *

Manassas Nats Fan said...

I feel a 7-2 victory. But then again last night I felt a 6 3 victory.

masnstinks said...

Livo getting big-time props on mlb! Great video of him in his younger days wearing many different unis.

Wally said...

Nice write up on Ramos. It is geared towards fantasy players, but positive.

http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/wilson-ramos-progressing-at-the-plate/

Andrew said...

Wally, nice writeup on Wilson Ramos. He just missed 2 HRs last night and you can see his potential!!!!

I do some work with Wilson and was really impressed with him as a person, and how hard he works at being a catcher. His work and relationship with Pudge is also going to pay dividends.

Anonymous8 said...

How come we don't get this LUNA Flooring commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoN5dOnNlkg

They play that other LUNA commercial about "Free Flooring" it seems between every 1/2 inning!

dryw said...

Ok, we can't get no-hit tonight, now let's work on not getting shut out.....
GO NATS!!

Anonymous8 said...

In the ON NO YOU DIDN'T, Detwiler is spiraling out of control. 6 earned in 3.2 innings today.

CBinDC said...

Game over and I so had a little hope tonight

Cwj said...

I'm just glad Livan didn't throw at the umpire.
He is not a happy pitcher in the first inning.

SCNatsFan said...

We fail with a RISP and the other team scores in the first. Someone get Cerrano a live chicken and lets change our luck.

Think maybe we should stop grooving it to Hart?

Anonymous8 said...

GET THIS FROM LADSON'S TWITTER:
@washingnats
William Ladson
According to #Nats 1B Adam LaRoche, he has a large tear in the labrum and some tearing in the rotator cuff. I'll have more on #MLB.com.

Cwj said...

Wow! According to Bob and FP the Nats have the best fielding pct. in MLB over the past month?
Awesome!
Go Nats!

Andrew said...

MICHAEL MORSE MOON SHOT!!!!!!!!

bgib said...

Morse was hurt coming out of spring training worse than they let on. I'm convinced of it.

Anonymous8 said...

Nats got one in their favor. Braun was safe. I can count on one hand blown calls in the Nats favor.

Wally said...

Andrew - glad to hear that Wilson is a good guy, too. I have been extremely impressed with him this year. He is a monster behind the plate, which would be enough for me to have him be the starter. But the hitting and plate discipline have been impressive, and something of a surprise, given his reports when we got him.

He could be a star in a couple years, if he keeps this up.

Tim said...

Oooooh... That LaRoche news is bad. Done for the year a la Maquis last year. Can you say, "Marrero"?

Wally said...

Anon8 - yes, Braun was safe but that was a great play by Espy. I say leave him at 2b even if Desi can't cut it at SS. He could be something special there for years.

BinM said...

Livo lives down in the zone, so does Hart - it was strength against strength on that one, and Hart won (dammit). Livo just needs to 'dust' him his next time up.

Gonat said...

http://syracuse.chiefs.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=t552&t=p_pbp&pid=446321

Detwiler, 25 earned runs in 24 innings over his last 5 starts. What has happened to him?

Hindsight being 20/20, the commentor who suggested in Spring Training against prevailing thinking that Detwiler should have been a reliever based on his propensity to lose it 2nd time through the order appears to have been on to something.

Now you have a beat-up young pitcher suffering in AAA who could have helped this team in the bullpen. Just hoping Detwiler can pull it back together.

Wally said...

That news on Laroche, if true, makes me admire him for trying to play through all that. Especially when he was hitting so badly.

But, if true, WTF is up with the Nats medical staff? I am no doctor, and I didn't even sleep at a Holiday Inn last night, but it just seems ridiculous.

UnkyD said...

I'm thinking Morse at 1st, as ling as he's hitting. But why not bring Aubrey up, and let Stairs go. Then you have Morse to put in left, or on third, as needed, and keep Pudge rested... Mickey should be fine at first, being an old SS, no?

UnkyD said...

And here's Mickey, gettin' al groovy on us...is this team actually catching a break?

Anonymous8 said...

Here's Ladson's Blog report:

Nats’ LaRoche has major shoulder issues
Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche is in the DC area rehabbing his left shoulder. He is hoping that he can avoid surgery, but that may be hard to do.

Not only does he have a large tear in his labrum, LaRoche also has a small tear in his rotator cuff.

“That’s not what I wanted to hear,” LaRoche said via phone. “I wish it didn’t take me 43 games to figure out something was totally wrong.”

LaRoche said there is a deadline on when he will decide to quit rehabbing the shoulder and have surgery. He did not know the deadline date. LaRoche indicated that he did not want to miss the 2012 season because of the injury.

“I love playing and I want to be out there with the guys, but I’m not selfish enough to stick it out the whole year and potentially miss next year,” LaRoche said. “We are going to give [the rehab] a shot.

“Hopefully a miracle happens so we can get it playable. If not, I’m not going to milk it here and hope for the best. If this doesn’t work, I’m pretty sure I’ll make the decision to get it fixed.”

Right now, the game plan for LaRoche is to rehab the shoulder for two to three weeks without throwing a baseball or swinging a bat.

“[We are going to] really work on strengthening the rotator cuff and the smaller muscles in my shoulder in hopes that I can come back and have it right.”

During Spring Training, LaRoche was diagnosed with a torn labrum, and he’s began to feel this past week that the shoulder was hurting his swing. In 43 games, LaRoche was hitting .172 with three home runs and 15 RBIs.

While the shoulder didn’t hurt when he swung the bat, LaRoche felt it was weak, and the reason he could not generate much power.

The only time his shoulder was in pain was when he threw the baseball. LaRoche was told that he could play the entire season with the injury.

However, by last weekend, LaRoche wanted to get a second opinion on the shoulder and went to New York on Sunday night.

“I know my body well enough to know when I’m feeling good at the plate … and it was not there,” LaRoche said. “That’s the reason I went to New York. I wanted somebody to tell me, ‘Listen, your shoulder is fine. It should not be affecting your swing. Get back out there and play.’ Or ‘There are some Major issues.’ That’s all I wanted to confirm.”

It was confirmed that LaRoche has major issues in the shoulder.

SCNatsFan said...

How guys can sign for so much money but team doctors miss these things amaze me. Its not like you are hiring a cashier for 8.00 an hour (no disrespect to them), you'd think for this kind of money you would hire a staff that could catch these sort of things.

On a bright note, think of the mood in here should we have signed Chapman and he and SS wound up with arm problems in year 2.

Good luck Adam, and good luck to us finding somone to replace him. I fear whoever we put there will make us cringe when we really need a good fielding 1B.

Anonymous8 said...

SCNatsFan, Chapman? How's about Garza or Rafael Soriano who is going to see Dr. Andrews or Chris Young, Jorge De La Rosa or Justin Duchscherer. They are all now on the DL or operating table!

All of those pitchers were considered by the Nationals.

Anonymous said...

I tollll-dddd you guys LaRoche didn't look right. No way was he swinging with no pain as Riggleman claimed. No way.

Anonymous said...

Ho hum waiting for Riggleman to double-switch Morse out for Cora. He loves double-switching Morse out. Even 3 for 3 with a grand slam.

Morse can handle first base without help from Cora. One of many reasons why Riggleman draws Nats fans's ire.

Gonat said...

Anon @10:24, you are basically saying LaRoche has been lying. I think his range of motion and strength was the net loss with the injury. I also think he would be going under the knife immediately if he was getting advice to do so.

While it doesn't all add up, it was a shame to go through so many unproductive games that cost this team in crucial situations.

Nationals Rapture Shark said...

Surging between white cap and trough what do I spy ... a plump, sluggish and slow in his dugout ... let Matty Stairs come out and pinch hit ... he's near sighted so he'll never see me coming ... maybe he tastes like Miller beer?

Anonymous said...

Anon @10:24, you are basically saying LaRoche has been lying.

No, I think one beat writer specifically asked him if it was affecting his power ... he looked funny for a moment and said "we'll see". He was always pretty skittish about it.

This was Riggleman telling you there wasn't a problem, not LaRoche.

Anonymous said...

H-Rod >> Clippard Riggs. How long you gonna take to figure that out?

Boz is near sighted. said...

So ... Morse can't field ... he used to a shortstop?

Anonymous8 said...

The Cardiac Nats are at it again!

Gonat said...

The HR to Weeks hurts but you can't be a reliever and walk old man Craig Counsell.

Mark'd said...

Another night the Nats had opportunities and didn't pile on so now they have to hang on.

CBinDC said...

This is another cycle of this team ....they get a good lead even looks like a big lead and then can not get another run while the other team eats away at the lead ......and this has been going on at least 3 years now

CBinDC said...

This season is over .........well here is looking forward to hockey.

Ernie said...

@Anon 10:41

Keep your day job.

Anonymous said...

The Washington Nationals Circus is coming to town! Don't forget to get your tickets to see these clowns!

Grandstander said...

I'd love to see our numbers against bullpens vs. relievers. Everytime we rough up a starter our offense seems to die when the swingman comes in.

And another looking K. We have to be approaching a record for those.

Anonymous said...

"Turn out the lights
The party's over
They say that
All good things must end
Call it a night
The party's over
And so is this season..."

Ribuld said...

They're not as bad as the anonymous clowns from Wapo over running the blog.

WilliamTells said...

If Rizzo is so concerned about umpires treating us like a joke franchise (as per Boz's chat this week), maybe he shouldn't have assembled a joke team. Ankiel? Stairs? H-Rod? And managed by the guy with the worst winning percentage of any 10 year manager since 1900 whose only credential is working cheap? The joke's on DC. Same old Nots.

Andrew said...

I like the fight in this team at the end.

Anonymous said...

Hey Ribud. You can still buy a season ticket! Of course, by the time the Nots return to DC, you might be the only "fan" in the stands!

Manassas Nats Fan said...

Whatever coaching advise Riggleman told HRod after he struck out the batter for the second out and he just had to come out before Boggs batted, I hope he never gives again. He walks Boggs on 4 pitches (Boggs 1 hit all season). Of course the rest is history,

Clippard same thing 2 outs walks Counsell on 5 pitches. Counsell has no power anymore.

Does McCatty have strategy sessions at all?

Lets win tomorrow (just hate how we give these games away an no one seems to light a fire to stop it coaches or players.)

CBinDC said...

Is Riggleman trying to manage his way out of here ??

This really is the first time this year I can see some really troublesome decisions he has made. I agree with Ray Knight why was it Clippard and H-Rod and not Coffey and Storen

WilliamTells said...

Andrew said...

I like the fight in this team at the end.

---

Did you like the nap they took in the middle?

Nationals Rapture Shark said...

No tasty plump, slow slug of a Stairs tonight?

Grandstander said...

Tough luck loss I think. If Riggs doesn't pull Burnett and he gets lit up, same result. But I just don't know if I trust HRod in that spot. Clipp gets lit up, but, not sure I would've played it different there. Maybe he needs to get more work in? He didn't look so hot tonight.

Upside, there was some offense, Downside, it ended as soon as the bullpen came in. Our inability to build on early has come back to haunt us on multiple occasions now.

Naterial guy said...

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudge

Anonymous said...

"I agree with Ray Knight why was it Clippard and H-Rod and not Coffey and Storen"

Of course, if Riggs brought in Coffey and Storen and they blew the game, you and Ray would be saying, "Why didn't they bring in Clippard and H-Rod."

Cwj said...

I think the Bullpen was used perfectly tonight.
Unfortunately, they simply blew it.
Very tough loss.

Anonymous said...

I really don't understand relievers coming in with a nice lead and gifting batters with walks. They are trying to shave corners with weak hitters and end up giving a free pass to the runners that kill the team. Old Dizzy Dean broadcasting games and saying "Those walks will kill ya'." It was always thus.

This team is a heart breaker.

Cwj said...

There is nothing more frustrating than walks.

Andrew said...

Cwj said...
I think the Bullpen was used perfectly tonight.
Unfortunately, they simply blew it.
Very tough loss.

May 24, 2011 11:39 PM
=============================
I agree. Lucroy's game winning hit was a defensive swing that found the right field line.

The problem tonight for the pitchers was walks.

CBinDC said...

In about 3 weeks it be time to start the AAA merry-go-round because that will be the only thing that gives this season value, will be to try players and showcase trade bait. So I hope you like Shake Shake burgers or Bens Chilli Bowl redhots because that and the beer in the Loft will be the reason to go to the park just avoid any Phillies games if you value your life. So date and time to 100 losses..... place your bets.

Anonymous said...

If they lose tomorrow they project to have the same record as last year.

Anonymous said...

No way this team as currently constructed wins as many games as last year. The starting pitching has over achieved so far. When they play to their true talent level this season becomes really ugly. 100 losses is not out of the question.

Anonymous8 said...

Given the injuries, it is understandable now being short both corner infielders. Luckily Bixler in LF held his own last night and Morse did a great job at 1st base.

The walk by Clippard and HenRod's 4 pitch walk to Boggs were the real difference at crunch time.

Mark'd said...

Boggs is a .158 hitter. That would be like walking LaRoche on 4 pitches. That pushes the tying run to 2nd base by issuing that walk.

Manassas Nats Fan said...

But as I said he struck the guy out before Boggs, and then Riggs goes out there and ruins the momentum. WHy bother him when he just succeeded?

Knoxville Nat said...

"Why bother him when he just succeeded?"

I think it is called "managing".

Maybe Riggs was reminding his young pitcher and young catcher of the scouting report and making sure they understood how they were to pitch to the .158 hitting Boggs who has been on the Brewers roster all of about two weeks.

I have no problem with Riggleman (or McCatty) going out to the mound in that situation. It is incumbent on the pitcher however not to walk a weak hitting batter in that situation. Same thing with Clippard in the inning before, he simply can't walk a weak hitting 41 year old bench player. It is inexcusable.

As for Ray Knight.....his comments about why Clippard and Rodriguez and not Coffey and Storen are okay, as second guessers go, however Clippard has been the go to guy in the 7th inning this season and Ray ought to at least acknowledge that when stabbing the manager in the back. And maybe now the chorus of posters who have been calling for HRod in late inning situations will finally understand why Riggleman has been reluctant to use him in tight situations.

Bottom line is that the bullpen failed to do their job and not that Riggleman somehow mismanaged the game.

Nats_Have_A_Incompetent_Medical_Staff said...

Ok so first, the Nats medical staff allows a boy to die in the DR (of course MLB wil side with a franchise versus a ppor kid's family) and now it took then 43 days to figure out something was wrong with LaRoche's shoulder!? I could have told you that in Spring Training..the medical staff should be fired if not sued by the fans!

NatsJack in Florida said...

As Marks earlier post indicated, "Gut Check Time".... Well the check was made and, at least for last night, no "guts" were up to the task (except for Mike Morse and Livan).

Watching Rigglemans discussion with Bob and FP after the game, he sure looked like a man in the throws of his last exasperating effort to right this thing. I know this is a marathon, but losses like last nite (4 in a row and 7 out of the last 10) can promote major rips in the fabric of this team.

There are just so many non-professional efforts in key moments in every game this team plays. Jerry Hairston's weak pop up with men on first and third in the second inning, the walks to banjo hitters in critical points of each game, the inability to attack hitters when in the lead, and the complete inability to produce runs after knocking out the starter are all examples of a losing culture.

Yes, this team competes much better than any team since 2005 but the results are still the same, if only closer in final scores. Six games under .500, a faltering starting staff, a bull pen that has promise but fails as much as it succedes, and NO cosistent 2 out run producers in the daily line up means if this thing isn't corrected in the next 4 games, another 90 loss team is on the way.

NatsJack in Florida said...

to the idiot 8:30 AM poster on the medical staff, "Get Lost"!

Your comment on the DR situation is libelous and the comment on LaRoche is silly. The staff had the MRI in late ST and everyone was aware of the labrum tear. The "slight rotator cuff tear" was discovered in the lastest MRI and as someone who has experienced "slight rotator cuff tears", no pain was experienced in the shoulder even after having it discovered.

How about going down to Atlanta and pounding their medical staff for toying with Jason Heyward or not discovering Nate McClouths abdominal tear until 44 games into the season?

natsfan1a said...

I didn't see either game of this series, so I can't comment on between-the-line happenings. (I don't stay up to watch if they start at 8 or later, and reading the gamer or box just doesn't cut it, imo.) I also didn't see the Sunday game, as I was away all day. Not sure that work schedule will permit me to watch any of the game this afternoon, but it sounds like maybe I'm better off that way. Heh.

natsfan1a said...

And along the lines of NatsJack's post, not to mention that the initial diagnosis in the DR was made by docs not associated with the team (per Kilgore on the Post site), or that the docs who do work with the team in the DR are likely not the same as the ones who work with the team here. But why let all that get in the way of making a libelous accusation?

estoppel said...

Fire Jim Riggleman.

What did he say to H-Rod right before four pitch walk to Boggs last night?? Why need to go to mound after impressive strike out with 99 mph? I saw H-Rod was shaking his head after Riggleman's visit. We call it "over management".

This is not the first of doubtful management by Riggleman. Say, look back April 26, 27 and May 12. I also disliked overuses of Cole Kimball.

FJR!FJR!FJR!

Feel Wood said...

"Why bother him when he just succeeded?"

I think it is called "managing".

No, it's called OVERmanaging, and Riggleman is writing the book on it. Last night was the second time in recent memory when Riggleman just HAD to scurry out to the mound and impart some pearl of wisdom to a pitcher who was in no trouble at all, followed immediately by something bad happening. The other one was on May 13th against Florida when Riggleman came out to talk with Broderick in the middle of an at bat where he was ahead in the count at 1-2, and on the very next pitch Broderick gives up the double to Volstad that loses the game. WTF is Riggleman saying to these pitchers anyway? Whatever it is, he needs to stop.

HHover said...

Riggleman obviously isn't an elite manager, but these criticisms are getting completely out of hand.

Henry Rodriguez--the Latin reincarnation of the Wild Thing, with 6 BBs in 10IP before last night--can't manage to throw a single strike in 4 pitches, and that's Riggleman's fault?

Um, no.

estoppel said...

>can't manage to throw a single strike in 4 pitches, and that's Riggleman's fault?

That's right.
Didn't you see the face of H-Rod after the visit by Rig? Shaking head with frastration, typical pitcher's reaction when ordered intentional walk. Maybe not ordered intentional walk clearly, but Rig definitely suggested. It is clera cut fact.

Knoxville Nat said...

Only a moron would believe that Riggs "suggested" an intentional walk to a batter hitting .158,first base occupied and two outs in the inning.

erocks33 said...

@estoppel --
Really? Riggs is going to call the "unintentional-intentional walk" to a guy hitting a buck-something with two outs in the bottom of the 8th, moving the tying run to 2nd base so that he could face one of the Brewers hottest hitting batters in Lucroy?

Like the Post says, "if you don't get it, you don't get it."

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

"if you don't get it, you don't get it."

Seems to be contagious, too. There's a lot more of that around here than there used to be.

HHover said...

Thanks, estoppel, for proving my point about how ridiculous this criticism of Riggleman has become.

estoppel said...

Excuse me saying to much. I am too excited after shocking loss. I am going to restroom.

NatsJack in Florida said...

I want to go back when we had to pay for Mark's posts. Seems alot of riff raff has infiltrated.

Manassas Nats Fan said...

He didn't say unintentionally walk him I am sure, but HRod was upset about the visit, and it showed in concentration.

Over managing I believe was involved. Didn't matter what he said it disturbed the young player unnecessarily.

Leave the young players alone.

SCNatsFan said...

NatsJack, I think some of the tone of this forum and the 'riff raff' appearing is due to the Nats recent play. Someone like me, I was convinced that this team was making strides and its tought when you see this year is becoming just like the last years and you're told 'hang on, we had to rebuild the farm system and that doesn't come in a day'; still, you look at our farm and see little hope on the horizon. Sure, there is some talent there and it might pan out but outside of Harper there isn't a player you are looking at that you know will make it to the show and contribute in a meaningful way. My frustration comes with management never showing any dissapproval with current circumstances, you get no sense that they feel anything is wrong other then 'bad luck' and this franchise is right where it should be in terms of development of players and our current roster, save injuries. Just like players get used to a losing culture, fans get used to it too - I mean really, who didn't think the Nats were going to lose last night after Clippard gave up the runs, the surprise was the life they showed in the ninth - and at some point you just want to see real progress for the team you support.

still waiting..... said...

riff raff = non-delusional

estoppel said...

I am back.
>Knoxville Nat
I also don't want to believe there were such a stupid direction. But Riggleman spoke with H-Rod, and we saw his reaction and the outcome. That's everything.

Knoxville Nat said...

SCNatsFan said ".....management never showing any disapproval with current cirumstances,...."

I share your frustration but tell me, what would you have management do? Throw a player or two under the bus by saying something like, "That idiot pitcher should never have walked the number 8 hitter in the lineup when we had a 3 run lead?" or "Why can he look so good striking out one batter and than look so bad walking the next batter, a .158 hitter?".

Is that the sort of disapproval that you want expressed by the team management? I can just imagine what the club house attitude would be like if Rizzo, Riggleman or McCatty ever made such a public observation. These things are best left to be resolved within the team offices not in a public forum such as a blog or the newspapers.

SCNatsFan said...

Knoxville Nat, I don't disagree... but how about some statements like if you aren't producing you won't be on our roster... some statements by a 'veteran' on this supposed character team telling us that he's getting on players... something, anything to let us know they are just as frustrated as us. Firing Riggs, releasing Stairs, they do nothing... how about Rizzo going out and finding us someone that can play centerfield?

Anonymous said...

estoppel.08 said...
"I am back.
>Knoxville Nat
I also don't want to believe there were such a stupid direction. But Riggleman spoke with H-Rod, and we saw his reaction and the outcome. That's everything."

We see your posts. They are astonomically moronic.
That's everything.

Knoxville Nat said...

SC,

Agree, I'd love for Rizzo to find us an everyday CF, preferably one who can lead off, get on base consistently, play good defense and knows how to run the bases. A guy like the Astros' Michael Bourne for example. But who do we have to give up in trade?

Personally I think Rizzo pulled the trigger too soon on the Willingham trade. While Josh was probably not part of the long term plan in DC, trading him for a questionable relief pitcher with no options, and a prospect at best in Brown, didn't make a lot of sense to me. Just the fact that HRod had no options left and no real track record in the majors should have been a red flag to Rizzo. I would have held out for more or simply waited until closer to the trade deadline before making a move.

As for that "veteran" making any statements, well I just don't see it happening....again they are more likely to deal with something in the privacy of the clubhouse, not for public consumption. Now management releasing a Matt Stairs or a Slaten might send a message but again that is up to Rizzo as we saw in the past with Millege, Hanrahan, etc.

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