Friday, July 29, 2011

Game 105: Mets at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Chien-Ming Wang makes his first start in two years tonight at Nationals Park.
Though plenty of attention is being thrust upon the July 31 trade deadline that is now barely more than 48 hours away, there is something taking place on the field tonight at Nationals Park that deserves and is getting plenty of attention itself: Chien-Ming Wang's return to the big leagues after more than two years.

By now, you know Wang's story, how he suffered a major shoulder injury, signed with the Nats in Feb. 2010, missed the entire season, re-signed with the Nats last winter, showed few signs of progress and then finally began a rehab assignment last month.

So, what should you expect from the 31-year-old right-hander? Don't get your hopes up too much. In an ideal world, Wang would be able to spend more time in the minors building up stamina and refining his pitches. Unfortunately, you're only allowed 30 days on rehab before you have to be activated off the DL, so he's here now even though he's probably not 100 percent ready. The Nats will monitor him closely, limiting him to about 80 pitches, and not putting too much stock in this one performance.

The Nationals needed to remove someone from the 25-man roster to make room for Wang, and that someone is Roger Bernadina, who has been optioned to Class AAA Syracuse. Interesting move in that it leaves the club with a 13-man pitching staff (for the moment) and only Rick Ankiel and Jerry Hairston as center fielders (for the moment). Suffice it to say, there's probably more moves to come this weekend.

Updates to come...

METS at NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m.
TV: MASN2
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 183
Weather: Mostly sunny, 96 degrees, Wind 9 mph out to RF
STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS (49-55)
CF Rick Ankiel
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Michael Morse
RF Jayson Werth
LF Laynce Nix
SS Ian Desmond
C Wilson Ramos
P Chien-Ming Wang

METS (54-51)
SS Jose Reyes
2B Justin Turner
1B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
CF Angel Pagan
LF Jason Bay
RF Lucas Duda
C Ronny Paulino
P Dillon Gee
6:53 p.m. -- Chien-Ming Wang's significance to the people of Taiwan cannot be overstated. There are about 40 media members (including 10 different TV stations) here tonight specifically to cover him, and they followed his every move as he walked to the bullpen to stretch and warm up. There are lots of fans here waving Taiwanese flags. And Jason Yuan, Taiwan's ambassador to the United States, was presented with a Wang jersey before the game by Davey Johnson.

7:06 p.m. -- We are underway. Chien-Ming Wang's first big-league pitch in more than two years is an 89-mph fastball to Jose Reyes for ball one. It's a scorching 101 degrees at first pitch, heat index 105.

7:20 p.m. -- Well, that wasn't very pretty to watch. Wang walked Reyes on four pitches, and things got worse from that point on. Allowed four straight singles, including one off the right-field wall. By the time he finally got out of the inning, four Mets had crossed the plate. He threw 24 pitches, though his velocity was pretty good: Consistently hit 90 mph, topped out at 93. Obviously had some jitters out there. We'll see if those are out of the way by the time he takes the mound for the second inning. The Nats, meanwhile, are staring at a big 4-0 deficit already.

7:34 p.m. -- OK, that was much better. Wang retired the side in the second without letting a ball out of the infield and striking out Dillon Gee. He's retired five straight since letting the game's first five batters reach base. Has thrown 37 total pitches, 22 strikes.

7:47 p.m. -- Wang continues to look better with each passing inning. He's now retired eight of the last nine batters he's faced, the only one to reach David Wright on a bloop single. He struck out Daniel Murphy and is keeping the ball on the ground for the most part. Forty-eight pitches (30 strikes) through three innings. The Nats' lineup, on the other hand, has done ZILCH against Gee so far.

8:05 p.m. -- The Nats defense did in Wang in the fourth, with Espinosa and Werth each charged with errors, leading to two unearned runs. Werth's booting of a base hit to right-center, though, actually helped the Nats' cause, but it allowed Ankiel to pick up the ball and gun down Jason Bay at the plate with a beautiful throw. Still, it's 6-0 Mets in the middle of the fourth, Wang has allowed four earned runs on eight hits, and Tom Gorzelanny is warming in the pen. That could be in for him.

8:15 p.m. -- And the Nats are on the board, scoring a pair thanks to Reyes' wild throw on what should have been an inning-ending double play off Nix's bat. It's 6-2 after four, and Tom Gorzelanny is entering from the bullpen for the top of the fifth. So Wang is finished. His line: 4 ip, 8 h, 6 r, 4 er, 1 bb, 2 k, 60 pitches, 39 strikes. Also, Ian Desmond has been replaced by Alex Cora as part of a double-switch.

8:29 p.m. -- If nothing else, the Nats are trying to make this interesting. Ramos doubles to lead off the fifth and scores later on Ankiel's sac fly. All of a sudden, it's 6-3 Mets and this is at least resembling a competitive ballgame.

8:35 p.m. -- By the way, there's nothing fishy going on with the Desmond move earlier. It was a straight double-switch to ensure Gorzelanny could pitch multiple innings without having to bat. Desmond is sitting on the bench right now.

8:43 p.m. -- So much for the Nats making a game of this. The Mets got two runs back in the top of the sixth of Gorzelanny, racking up three doubles. It's 8-3 now.

8:56 p.m. -- Golden opportunity for the Nats in the bottom of the sixth, with the bases loaded, two outs, Ramos at the plate and a tiring Gee on the mound. Ramos smoked a line drive, too, unfortunately right at Pagan in center field. So it remains 8-3 heading to the seventh, with Ryan Mattheus strolling to the mound to the squeals of Katy Perry.

9:08 p.m. -- I don't know what was said on the radio broadcast about Drew Storen, but he's sitting in the Nats bullpen right now. Everyone needs to just calm down. Boy, I can't wait for 4 p.m. Sunday to pass.

9:22 p.m. -- Meanwhile, we've reached the middle of the eighth inning here. It's still 8-3, thanks to two scoreless innings of relief from Mattheus. The Nats have knocked Gee out of the game, but they haven't been able to close the gap yet. Time's running out.

9:40 p.m. -- Things are getting kind of interesting here. The Nats have scored twice in the bottom of the eighth, thanks in part to a pinch-hit single by Jesus Flores. Except Flores was the last of Davey Johnson's four available bench players tonight. Which means either Flores or Wilson Ramos is going to have to play another position in the ninth inning. Before we figure that one out, though, Danny Espinosa is stepping to the plate with the bases loaded and the Nats suddenly trailing only 8-5.

9:49 p.m. -- OK, that wasn't as complicated as I thought. Forgot that Hairston had hit for the pitcher. So he just takes over at shortstop, with Sean Burnett now in the 9-hole. Sorry for the confusion. Meanwhile, the Nats' rally fizzled as both Espinosa and Zimmerman struck out, Zim on a borderline check swing. Still 8-5 going to the ninth.

9:55 p.m. -- Nice 1-2-3 inning for Burnett, who needed that. So we go to the bottom of the ninth, the Nats trailing by three runs, with Morse, Werth and Nix due up.

10:01 p.m. -- And that's your ballgame. Final score: 8-5, as the Nationals drop their sixth straight. You know, if not for the first five batters of the night, this would have been a pretty good game. Alas, they count 'em all at this level.

182 comments:

Sam said...

Ankiel leading off? Oh boy...

NatsLady said...

Just for today and maybe tomorrow, IMO. Bernie should come back when Marquis goes to Detroit or whatever. Meanwhile, Ankiel's been hitting, so, go with it.

Anonymous said...

Have we lost yet?

P. Cole said...

Tough to be our "everyday CF and lead-off man" from Syracuse.

NatsLady said...

Yeah. I was corrected on Bernie being sent down, apparently he has to stay down for a while unless someone is injured. So even if Marquis is traded after he pitches tomorrow, Bernie will have to stay in Syracuse (maybe work on his hitting?).

Anon at 4:13. Check back in about 3 hours (should be right after the 1st inning).

m20832 said...

Anonymous said...

Have we lost yet?


NegAnon is back....

GYFNG!!!

baseballswami said...

Trying to feel hopeful about tonight - glad I still have a few hours to work on it.

Anonymous said...

Nats lose 6th straight film at 11.

Nats give away 1st rd pick Storen because hey we can lose with or without him

Losing state of mind, when will it end?

Anonymous said...

7 years and counting

gonatsgo said...

Actually - I thought things were starting to shape up this season - there was a clear plan, pitching and defense and you could see the pieces starting to shape up. Rizzo's temper, stubbornness, blind devotion to Davey Johnson and washed up veterans has totally wiped away any progress that had been made. Back to square one. We are playing chutes and ladders, folks and we just hit a big slide. These are not honorable people.Why would any team or agent want to deal with a team that doesn't treat it's own people fairly? I am a little stunned by how fast things have fallen apart. I hope I'm wrong and this is a temporary slump for the team and organization , but it feels like a big mess. Wish I could be a fly on the wall and hear what the players are thinking.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by Mr. McP.

baseballswami said...

The kiss of death -- when the Nats FO or manager tell you a job is yours for the rest of the season.

Anonymous said...

"Wish I could be a fly on the wall and hear what the players are thinking."

Based upon the earlier part of your post, I thought you were a fly on the wall in the clubhouse.
But how do you hear what someone is thinking?
You must be another of the clairvoyant ones.

UnkyD said...

EV-RYBODY HAVE FUN TONITE........!!

natsfan1a said...

Gee, who's pitching tonight? I'd try to come up with an Abbott and Costello routine for that, but it's too daggone hot.

What the heck. Let's go, N-A-T-I-O-N-A-L-S!

Wang's friend said...

So far it is BP

Eugene in Oregon said...

I think I understand why we kept an extra long-reliever on the staff...

gonatsgo said...

Calling Gorzelanny - is he up yet? Are there any outs yet? Our offense cannot combat this.

Waddu eye no said...

At inlaws in PA. Surrounded by phillies. Lovin my MLB app.
Too bad I get to hear a start like this

GYFNG!!!

CBinDC said...

Nothing like waiting 2 years for this ......ohhhh never seem to catch a break ......what do you have up your sleeve now Rizzo

Wang's friend said...

JD, so Wang shouldn't be evaluated? This is more Rizzo ego as he paid this guy millions. He did nothing to prove he was ready and clearly is just throwing AA ball quality pitches.

Anonymous said...

How much do the Mets love us right now?

baseballswami said...

4 runs sure looks like Mount Everest about now.

Anonymous said...

Carpenter - "and Ankiel goes up swinging" -- get used to hearing that - it's what you get when you lead off with Ankiel.Oy Vey.

Wang's friend said...

4-0 lead. Thanks CMW. Do you realize that the Nats have a hard time scoring 2 runs?

Mark Lerner needs to seriously consider firing Rizzo for miss managing this team. Everybody he has added this season except for Lance Nix and Hairston has either performed below average or way below average including his Manager Davey Johnson.

Sorry Rizzo, I just don't trust you.

Anonymous said...

WANG??? That went well. game over. Flat out embarrasing. Anyone who is at tonights game should be able to redeem their ticket for a game later this year. Rizzo sucks. I here Taiwan is lovely this time of year.

gonatsgo said...

Wang's friend - agreed. Does it seem to you that they are conceding the game because they were so hot to bring this guy up? And please - how many pitches did we see in the first? Ankiel saw exactly one.Gee is hot right now, the nats are cold - praying we don't get no-hit.

Natty Bo said...

So, it has taken longer than normal to reach this point in the season, but the Nats officially depress me.

Wonder what DJ's orders are for how long to leave Wang in. I would have pulled him already.

Natty Bo said...

gonatsgo,

I agree, the management decided to concede this game by starting Wang.

So, my question going forward, what do you do with this guy? Clearly, the think he is not 100%, because otherwise he would have been canned already. But he isn't capable of facing major league pitching, and you can't send him down? I suggest fabricating another injury.

Scott from Burke said...

Look, I know this is totally beside the point..but it's HEAR..not here...are you a DCPS student?

Gonat said...

Wang's ERA is down to 18.00 WOW

gonatsgo said...

Much better !!! Now - the offense can start climbing uphill. NattyBo - I heard 90 pitches.

Exposremains said...

on the SNY feed the gun says he's trhrowing 91-91mph.What does masn feed say?

baseballswami said...

gonatsgo - getting no hit looks to be a strong possibility here. Hitters looking very ineffective. And now apparently they have been told to swing earlier and be more aggressive so they will not be seeing many pitches.

Anonymous said...

hey steve in burke. Go watch lifetime or something. If you can't comment on baseball then please leave this site. Nobody wants an english lesson from YOU!!

gonatsgo said...

CMW looking much better now, even though the Mets hitters are on fire these days. Now -- come on offense !!!!! You can do it!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

anon 7:44 - it's scott, not steve - an english teacher?

Scott from Burke said...

Let's move on...if that bunt falls you have to pounce quick or it might skip foul.

Anonymous said...

CMW and HRod -- bunting drills needed.

baseballswami said...

Ankiel as lead off - blech. I don't get it, I just don't get it. And now we are talking signing someone on the dl, who has been cleared to play - but i think we all know that concussions are a tricky matter. To Paraphrase Charlie( or is it Dave? ) and this is about Rizzo - where is he going, what is he doing?

Anonymous said...

Ankiel is another minor league player on this team. Sorry Scott if I spelled league wrong.

Scott from Burke said...

It's not a misspelling...not knowing the difference between here and hear is a 2nd grade error...just attrocious

Gonat said...

Wow, what a throw from Ankiel.

Scott from Burke said...

How much worse can it get? After Wang reaches his pitch limit put Ankiel on the mound..what a hose!

Wang's Friend said...

When Dillon Gee is hitting off of you to make it 5-0, it is a clue that Wang is not MLB ready. This whole team will suffer with Rizzo's need to get this guy to play a game for the Nats.

While we are at it, why don't we bring back John Patterson?

gonatsgo said...

Danny Espinosa is really having a hard time. He is such a competitive kid and looks like he is really pressing.Rookie - first full season. Werth is not a rookie - he has made several mistakes in the outfield this year.This team is just playing badly on every front. Remember when our defense used to sparkle? Is this morale, lack of practice, lack of focus?

CBinDC said...

Since the Davy era started the Nats are now committing errors at an epic rate they are now on a pace to go past last years epic total

baseballswami said...

I never said Ankiel didn't have an arm - that's just all he has. This is pretty distressing, no?

gonatsgo said...

CBINDC -- I KNOW!!! ARGGGGGGGH!

nationals7 said...

BaseballSwami.. I've missed some of the game.. which player on DL is under consideration? Looks like missing of this game was a good thing.

Wang's Friend said...

The official scorer changed it back to 4 earned runs so Wang's ERA dropped to 9.00 I counted 5 earned. Oh well, it sucks.

On another note, Espinosa up to 8 errors and as good as we like him at 2nd, I can't imagine how many errors he would make at shortstop.

Anonymous said...

We've got the Mets right where we want them - only 6 runs to go. Remember July 7th - we were up by 8 runs and lost. Time to do it in reverse!

baseballswami said...

Nationals7 -- Denard Span has concussion issues.Cleared to play but struggling. Yeah -- broke up the nono! Zim is the one shining light right now!No - you haven't missed much so far.

Anonymous said...

OUCH -- don't rub it!!

Scott from Burke said...

I hope there's no broken bones.

nationals7 said...

Morse. Broken pinky

Anonymous said...

Come on Laynce!!!

Scott from Burke said...

What a slide...BEAUTIFUL!!

gonatsgo said...

Nationals7 -- he can tape it up and go back out there! We're on the way back now , baby!!!

baseballswami said...

Scott - When Werth has his head in the game you can see why he was brought here.

Exposremains said...

when I see Desmond swing like this' I really dont care if we trade him

Exposremains said...

desmond out of the game? Trade?

nationals7 said...

The Beast is a warrior!

Gonat said...

That is the Jayson Werth we used to hate when he played for the Phillies!

Wang's Friend said...

Desmond out of the game on a double switch. Davey is going retro to Riggleman.

baseballswami said...

Now Gorzelanny is in - what a weird night in Natstown - and that's saying something! My guess is that Desi is getting benched for not hitting. Whatever.

gonatsgo said...

So Gorzo loses his spot to CMW - now he's back in. Hopefully he has a nice chip on his shoulder and wants to show them they were wrong. That looked pretty good.Now -- more offense please!!!

baseballswami said...

Apparently BJ Upton not in the line up tonight -- again, whatever.Can we just get all this crap over with?

Anonymous said...

Fight, boys , fight!!!!!

Knoxville Nat said...

Off subject but I've been wanting to ask this, can anyone tell me why Pat Corrales wears batting gloves while in the dugout?

And Upton not in the lineup and Desi pulled on a double switch in what the 5th inning? Is something up?

Scott from Burke said...

The timing of CMW's start could not have been worse. Because of MLB rules they had to call him up, so they threw him in there. The problem is it came as the Nats are in the midst of losing streak...it's like, ok, we need a win, we're sending our cf down to the minors..team meeting the other day, and, voila, we're starting a guy who is not ready to pitch to major league hitters. Tough situation because this team NEEDS a win.

Scott from Burke said...

I've wondered about the batting gloves..and the double switch was because they wanted Gorz to pitch at least 2 innings and didnt want him to hit..makes sense.

Wang's Friend said...

I am so over the Upton rumors. Rizzo needs to stop this desperation that Buster Olney of ESPN reported. He is embarassing himself with that type of talk begging opposing GMs.

On another note Tom Gorzelanny stinks. Wasn't he another Rizzo acquisition?

Scott from Burke said...

What did Olney say?

baseballswami said...

Scott - you could not be more right - it seems like the timing of everything right now has been cursed by a voodoo priestess - including getting the Mets at their very hottest and trade stuff going on. The planets are not aligned in our favor at all right now. It's uphill both ways in the snow. Feel free to cliche along with me now! By the way - how old is Pat Corrales - is it McKeon old or Davey old? Wish McClaren was still here. Met getting all those runs back right now.

nationals7 said...

Bernie woulda had that

Anonymous said...

"Prediction: Wang 3.1 innings, 8 hits, 3 walks, 5 earned runs"

Actual: 4.0 innings, 8 hits, 1 walk, 4 earned runs

Damn, I'm good!

CBinDC said...

There is that great range in CF ..........what wonderful moves .......what greatness this team embodies

baseballswami said...

Once again - Ankiel has a good arm - and nothing else. I miss Bernie already. He is getting a very raw deal here.

nationals7 said...

DJ said he wanted Corrales so he wouldn't be the oldest guy. Ha ha ha.

gonatsgo said...

What ever happened to the Bourbon and Maalox guy? And does he share the Bourbon and Maalox?

baseballswami said...

Seems like every year we struggle after the all star break and struggle right around the 50 win mark. When was the last hr by Morse? I know it's not possible - or Seattle-like - but sometimes it feels like we are never going to win another game. It's been a week, right?

Wang's Friend said...

Scott from Burke-

•Rival executives tell ESPN.com’s Buster Olney that Nationals GM Mike Rizzo is intent on finding a center fielder. "It's his Holy Grail," a rival GM said. "He's bound and determined to get an established guy.” Denard Span of the Twins is Rizzo’s current target.

baseballswami said...

NattyBo - I feel your pain.

nationals7 said...

We need bourbon & maalox guy.. has he bailed on us? Come back!!!
I liked his wry comments.

Scott from Burke said...

Wang's Friend: you're right..that's embarassing..and FP said he doesnt think anyone in the dugout is used to losing..clearly FP hasn't been around..if there's one team used to losing..it's the Nats

Anonymous said...

And we fold with the bases loaded.

Gonat said...

Wilson Ramos hit that ball at the screws and unfortunately right at the Centerfielder. Oh how nice a hit would have been there!

DC Public Schools Teacher said...

Scott from Burke:

You need an apostrophe: "doesn't" rather than "doesnt"...funny how you can make mistakes when you're trying to type quickly...

NatsLady said...

Is Storen visible in the pen?

baseballswami said...

Yes, I miss winning - but I really miss watching the team with energy and grit that pulled the stolen base, the squeeze, the surprise move - the team that never, ever gave up - the team that seemed to be very united in the fight.Look at the dugout - it's depressing.I hope someone on this team - rookie or veteran , can start pulling these guys together, no matter what Davey or Rizzo do to mess them up. Pudge - come back!

Exposremains said...

and phils get pence. its gonna a long time before Nats get a chance at division

Scott from Burke said...

Typing 'here' instead of 'hear' is not a mistake caused by typing quickly..it's caused by being uneducated (i.e. STUPID). OK?

nationals7 said...

BaseballSwami- my thoughts, exactly.

gonatsgo said...

Stop with the grammar police, ok? This isn't English Class - it's baseball! And calling people stupid is much worse than making a grammar mistake!

baseballswami said...

Did the Phils really get Pence? Is that a done deal? Unfortunately, I think he will fit in well there. More good news for the nats - not.

nationals7 said...

GoNatsgo-- my thoughts, exactly.

masnstinks said...

I have been watching this game tonight as calmly as possible. Even though lots of things have gone wrong tonight, I find myself watching young Danny Espinosa -- baseball, life - growing pains are just difficult. He really needs to go through these things to become a mature player - I happen to think he is a great kid who will recover and become a top notch player. I am an older guy and know that you just can't get where you want to be without taking some hard knocks. It's easy to criticize these kids, but , man , it's tough to watch them go through it.

Anonymous said...

Gee out -- is that a good thing or a bad thing? Or does it not matter at all at this point? Rally, rally , rally!

Strunk and White said...

Scott from Burke,

Ellipses require three ellipsis points, not two.

Also, please note that 'i.e.' should always be followed by a comma.

If you're going to criticize someone for making a mistake (whatever kind it might be), label that person "uneducated" and "stupid," and include a nasty crack at the public schools, you should really be more careful with your own contributions.

nationals7 said...

Right you are, Masnstinks

Another anon said...

I've made decent money as a professional copy editor for more than 30 years, so I know something about grammar. I'm also a decent human being, which is why I can't imagine calling a stranger on a sports blog "stupid" for making a grammar mistake (or a typo, for that matter). I guess it takes all kinds, though. (I also wonder what about someone who equates "uneducated" with "stupid," but that's another issue.)

baseballswami said...

Nationals7 - Remember when we used to complain about all the one-run games with the Kardiac Kids? Those were the good old days. Davey arguing now? Where was he yesterday when the ump was screaming at Clip?

Disappointed said...

This place is becoming Nats Journal 2.0

Policing the grammar police said...

Yes, you really should be more careful.

nationals7 said...

BaseballSwami-- the talk about focus seems dead on. Maybe it's a
change in chemistry... maybe maybe maybe. I miss the first half of the season.. heck, could be karma biting Rizzo for the Riggs
situation.

baseballswami said...

Disappointed - sorry you are disappointed. I would cheer you up if I could - but, I am disappointed, too. My Nats - oh, my Nats. They don't look so good.

Scott from Burke said...

That may have been the most intelligent thing I have ever heard a Nats announcer say: If you come off the bench and get a hit you're in the lineup the next day.

We'll see if it plays out tomorrow.

Boy would a comeback here be sweet.

nationals7 said...

Yay! Rhino!

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

gonatsgo said...
What ever happened to the Bourbon and Maalox guy? And does he share the Bourbon and Maalox?

I invented the bourbon and Maalox (to get through the Chief's ninth innings). I'm so despondent right now. I've switched to straight bourbon. Lots of it.

Much appreciate your concerns, ladies and guys. The Bernie thing just ticks me off. I was a Riggs' guy and Uncle Davey is making Riggs look like Casey Stengel. And I wouldn't trust Rizzo to give me correct change for a $20.

Now, back to the bourbon.

GYFNG...

nationals7 said...

Come ON, Nats!!

nationals7 said...

Hey Sunshine!

Scott from Burke said...

One big swing and bring on Storen. The Mets clubhouse would be like a funeral...classic.

Gonat said...

Bonifacio is 0-4 going into the 9th inning. He was the last batter in the 8th. Hitting streak in major jeopardy.

Scott from Burke said...

No double play...hottest hitter on team up...OK.

Scott from Burke said...

He went...damn.

Gonat said...

Well people, 2 of the best Nats clutch guys up Espy (in a funk) and the HOT Zim and both choke with bases loaded.

When you have the bullpen on the ropes, you have to make them pay.

Disappointing once again.

baseballswami said...

SunshineBobby - I share some of your issues - my drug of choice for the evening is a nice Pinot Grigio - after that missed opportunity I am going for a refill.

Anonymous said...

Jose Reyes - Sean Burnett? Gulp.

Gonat said...

Want to mention how well Ankiel did to shorten up that swing and get a clutch hit.

gonatsgo said...

Here's a thought - if the other pitchers had kept it at CMW's 4, we would be ahead. 8 is a lot to give up.

baseballswami said...

Nice job Sean Burnett - haven't been able to say it much lately - but I will now. Basically, I will grasp at any good thing at all to focus on. Things can only get better??? Yes??? Where is NatsLady tonight - at the game? She usually has something interesting to add.

Scott from Burke said...

gonatsgo: not necessarily...if the Mets only had 4 it's possible they use their bullpen differently...the game plays out differently.

Anonymous said...

Remember when 5 runs for us would have resulted in a laugher because the other team only had 1 or 2?

gonatsgo said...

Scott - true -- but the other pitchers who are not CMW did give up some runs. He got us in a hole, but they dug it deeper.

nationals7 said...

NatsLady must've gotten a tip off about the game! I do enjoy her posts. Stay cool all.
Gnite

Anonymous said...

Oh,the pain. And July started out so well.

baseballswami said...

Until tomorrow - Werth bobblehead night.

Wang's Friend said...

baseballswami, yes Burnett was on for the 1st 2 batters and then went 3-0 to the lefty. Big deal. That is what he is supposed to do.

So sick of giving guys pats on their backs for doing the minimum.

Rizzo should be proud of himself. The Nats went from outside contenders at the end of June to crap.

Scott from Burke said...

gonatsgo: can't argue with that...our starting pitchers have to go deep and be effective...like they did during the winning streak..that was FUN...Zimmermann seems to have hit a wall..Livo looks about done...Lannan is a 5 and 2/3 guy...and Wang? NO..let's see how Marquis does tomorrow...we had bases juiced and Zim up down 3..oh would that have been SWEEEET!

Gonat said...

Put Burnett in with the game on the line and then see what he does or worse than that, bring Burnett in with runners on base.

Anonymous said...

How can anybody defend CMW. He lost this game in the first inning. The team had lost 5 in a row and then you come out and our down 4-0 before you get an out. NOPE!!! And Zimm did not choke. The pitcher made great pitches.

Scott from Burke said...

Did someone say Zimm choked? I certainly did not.

Wang's Friend said...

Anon at 10:10, when you strike out you get to see at least 3 pitches. Its a choke when you have ducks on the pond.

Funny, when Werth strikes out in key situations everyone says he chokes.

If it makes you feel better, Zimmerman made an out in a key spot.

Anonymous said...

No Scott, it was Gonat

Wang's Friend said...

Wow Little Debbie from MASN asks straight up to Davey, "Will he [Wang] get another start Davey"?

Davey responds, "Yes he will".

That was a short and sweet answer. JD must be upset that Little Debbie asked that question.

From Wang, "今晚我吸".

Scott from Burke said...

Well...did he spell it correctly?

Gonat said...

For the thin skinned people that think Zim is above getting criticized, I don't change what I said. He didn't cost the team the game. It was just a choke. No big deal. Werth has done it with regularity this season.

Word is that Marquis should definitely be gone tomorrow night to a contender. I hope Rizzo gets a real prospect for him. After seeing what Pence supposedly was traded for in A ball guys, you have to why the Nats weren't in on Pence. Heck, Rizzo gave up 2 A ball guys for Gomes!

Chien-Ming Wang said...

我感到非常高興,尤其是在遊戲。我覺得我可以做一次。我在康復2年,現在我回來了。我只是希望盡我所能。

Chien-Ming Wang said...

作為一名球員,我只想盡我所能。

CBinDC said...

Chien-Ming Wang said...

我感到非常高興,尤其是在遊戲。我覺得我可以做一次。我在康復2年,現在我回來了。我只是希望盡我所能。

Well not exactly but that was close enough

I hope next year to hear this at a press conference

私はここにワシントンで遊ぶにうれしい - ゆうダルビッシュ

Wang's Friend said...

If Pence has 2 years left under team control and Bourn has one, why would Houston give up Pence for 2 low level prospects?

Shouldn't that mean they should take less for Bourn?

Crabapple said...

CBinDC, did you write that in Japanese?

NatsLady said...

Good evening, people. Nice to be missed, had to work. So CMW had a rough first inning. How did he actually look out there?

Scooter said...

From the 9:08 pm update:
Everyone needs to just calm down. Boy, I can't wait for 4 p.m. Sunday to pass.


Mark Zuckerman, I could kiss you on the mouth.

Crabapple said...

CBinDC, you are a funny man. I'm happy to play here in Washington - Yu Darvish

Gonat said...

MASN reports that the 3 players named in the Pence trade were not rated as Top Prospects in the Phillies system.

What the #^$&?

NatsLady said...

Class A first baseman Jonathan Singleton and Class A pitcher Jarred Cosart are part of the trade.

MLB.com ranks Cosart and Singleton the 37th and 38th best prospects in baseball. They are the organization's top two prospects.


Double-A pitcher Josh Zeid also is in the deal. The fourth player is to be named later.

nationals7 said...

Scooter, now that's something! Hope springs eternal for our team. Lucky you, NatsLady.. tomorrow we'll get after it... to quote Jim Riggleman... who I miss..
we have to remember DJ didn't ask for this. He has been out for ten years. & he ACTUALLY said this is a rebuilding year at the post game press conference. How can we not love being reminded of THAT?

CBinDC said...

Crabapple

Yes I did and as Brian Wilson says Your Welcome

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

CBinDC said...
Chien-Ming Wang said...

我感到非常高興,尤其是在遊戲。我覺得我可以做一次。我在康復2年,現在我回來了。我只是希望盡我所能。

I oersonally think he was misquoted.

Gonat said...

NatsLady said...
Class A first baseman Jonathan Singleton and Class A pitcher Jarred Cosart are part of the trade.

MLB.com ranks Cosart and Singleton the 37th and 38th best prospects in baseball. They are the organization's top two prospects.


Double-A pitcher Josh Zeid also is in the deal. The fourth player is to be named later.

July 29, 2011 10:51 PM
__________________________________

So much for listening to the MASN guys on the Orioles broadcast.

Thanks for the update!

nationals7 said...

我感到非常高興,尤其是在遊戲。我覺得我可以做一次。我在康復2年,現在我回來了。我只是希望盡我所能。

I personally think he was misquoted.
**
I think Davey said that, not Wang.

NatsLady said...

Nats only have one prospect in the new top 50 prospects list. I don't think we are giving him up for Hunter Pence.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110124&content_id=16493480&c_id=mlb

sjm308 said...

Great thing about coming in late is I don't have to read 150 + comments - I am sure some of them were brutal.

Made my spousal equivalent sit in the car for the first 3 batters before our 7:30 play started and it did not start well for CMW - at intermission I found someone with a smart phone and found the score to be 8-3 and that was pretty much all I needed.

Just read Marks recap and it looks like Wang might still be able to get it done as he continues to get better.

I echo Mark's remarks about the trade deadline, just get something done or do nothing but lets get back to just trying to play clean baseball and catch the ball, hit the ball and throw the ball past the other team. It can't be that tough.

Will tomorrow be Marquis' last game as a National? I hope not but if so, I am hoping for a win.

Go Nats

Anonymous said...

I thought Wang looked OK. The place was full of Taiwanese, lots of Chinese flags in the stands. He looked calm, never seemed to get rattled, had a few ground balls that either snuck through or were handled badly. His strike-ball count was about 32-20 last time I looked. One ball was hit off the wall that Werth held to a single. All things considered, I think we can be pleased.

That was the first time in several games that it seemed winnable once we started hitting. Two balls by Ramos and Morse hit a bit higher or a bit lower and it would have been tied.

Danny is in a real funk. I think it could be the rumors surrounding Desi. He's young, and he and Desi have worked together seamlessly for most of the season. So now Danny's thinking, "Am I going to be at second or short?" or "Who's the new shortstop I have to get used to?" I hope this is it, because if it is, by Tuesday (next game for us) that should be over.

sjm308 said...

NatsLady, I am guessing that is Harper. Didn't we have 3 in the top 50 at one time? Guess Norris or Peacock have fallen off.

Gonat said...

NatsLady, that list is from the off-season. Any chance it changed?

NatsLady said...

@sjm308 -- I wasn't here either, but did read back the comments. Wow, one inning of work, four runs, and the folks here are ready to cash out Wang and fire Rizzo.

The man busted his butt for two years, came up early because of stupid MLB rules, and gave up four runs in the first inning of a meaningless game in a meaningless season. Sheesh.

Here's hoping he does better next time and next year.

Scooter said...

sjm, there was one way back in the beginning of this thread that I don't want you to miss. Here's the meat of it:

gonatsgo said...
Rizzo's temper, stubbornness, blind devotion to Davey Johnson and washed up veterans has totally wiped away any progress that had been made. Back to square one. We are playing chutes and ladders, folks and we just hit a big slide. These are not honorable people.Why would any team or agent want to deal with a team that doesn't treat it's own people fairly?


Man, I thought I was good at parody. But this is quite possibly the best I've ever read. I mean, it's got so many of the important elements. And the tone, he's got the tone perfect. The only thing missing is actual flecks of spittle showing up on my monitor.

Truly, it is a thing of beauty.

NatsLady said...

There is a new top 50 list, came out yesterday or the day before, I will see if I can grab it.

BallstonNat said...

So, and pardon me if I am wrong, but no one has brought up the obvious with CMW. He was brought here to sell jerseys in the store, and put "new" Nats fans in the seats. Last year, his jersey was prominently displayed and bought, despite having never stepped foot in Nats Park. If you were at the park tonight, you saw the reason he was re-signed. Because he brings new fans to the seats and gives the Nats a very healthy area for a new revenue stream.

I don't agree with this as he gives us no chance of winning right now. But that is the reason. To believe otherwise is foolish.

Scooter said...

Oh, and NatsLady and a couple others: Wang allowed 6 runs. Only 4 were earned.

I agree totally with the point, that it's just one bad start, mostly just one bad inning. But it was 6 runs.

Scooter said...

And how great to see all those folks excited about getting their Wang out there again*. That was nice.


* Oh, grow up, 1a.

NatsLady said...

Here is the top 50 from Baseball America:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/07/midseason-top-50-prospects-list/

Peacock is at 42. You have to be an ESPN Insider to get Keith Law's list.

sjm308 said...

Scotter - thanks for the recap, I hope other people are taking their blood pressure medicine or maybe the Sunshine Bobby remedy of maalox and I think bourbon.

Natslady - I agree, its a great story that he has stuck with this and I have read his shoulder injury is much worse then the Tommy John surgery. I am hoping/guessing he will continue to improve

Ballston - call me foolish but I thought this was an excellent gamble at the time - they spent one million dollars on a young man that at one time was a dominant pitcher in clutch situations with a winning organization. Were they in a position to then cash in on his nationality and reputation? Of course but I can't believe that was the main reason for the signing. again, call me foolish but that is what I feel. Do I now think the gamble will pay off, hell, nothing we have done lately is working but I still have hope. Remember, I rooted for the 1950 Senators and you can look up how dismal that situation was.

Go Nats and Scooter, I hope you get your screen cleaned off soon and that someone will still deal with our despicable front office no matter what gonatsgo thinks

Gonat said...

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/phillies-acquire-hunter-pence.html

Great pickup by the Phillies because after 2 years they will most likely have a Type A Free Agent to get back more prospects when Pence departs.

The players they traded were a few years away from the Majors if they ever make it at all.

sjm308 said...

Natslady -not to be picky but if Peacock is 42, surely Harper is one or two so we have TWO top 50 prospects - I don't want to trade either but I'm just saying.

NatsLady said...

Fully half the city has No. 37 jerseys. What else is new?

NatsLady said...

Yes, we have two top 50 prospects. Sorry, in another list (by team) we only had Harper, but since different people make different lists, it's a little confusing. And when I said we wouldn't trade ours for Pence, yes, I meant Harper.

sjm308 said...

I will NEVER wear my #1 Eddie Yost Jersey. First its wool and hotter than hell and it actually might be worth something. Second, his name is not on the back because they didn't do that back in the day so no one would know who it was anyway, and third, I think it looks stupid for old guys to wear jerseys. I just keep changing hats as we lose.

nationals7 said...

Sjm308---I'm thinking you're actually Phil Wood (Eddie Yost reference)

Gonat said...

BallstonNat said...
So, and pardon me if I am wrong, but no one has brought up the obvious with CMW. He was brought here to sell jerseys in the store, and put "new" Nats fans in the seats. Last year, his jersey was prominently displayed and bought, despite having never stepped foot in Nats Park. If you were at the park tonight, you saw the reason he was re-signed. Because he brings new fans to the seats and gives the Nats a very healthy area for a new revenue stream.

I don't agree with this as he gives us no chance of winning right now. But that is the reason. To believe otherwise is foolish.

July 29, 2011 11:18 PM
________________________________

Oh, like Yi with the Wizards? Do you really think those fans stick? Not a chance. I hate calling them fans as they only will show up when Wang pitches. This move was about one thing, Rizzo saving face for all of Lerner's money he wasted.

You also don't realize the merchandising revenue that unless they buy it from the Nats team store or the website, the revenue to the team is split in MLB Licensing fees amongst all the teams and your own jersey sales profit is small when bought off-site.

The real money is made from the extra gate and the long term effect is small. They pulled an extra 6,000 fans tonight I would guesstimate.

The Strasburg effect was huge and was quantified however the winning streak the Nats were on earlier this season brought more residual fans then they will get from the Wang effect.

To quote Charlie Sheen "WINNING"

JaneB said...

It was kind of cool to see all the Wang fans in the stands. That first inning was awful, but he got better each inning.

I Am thrilled to know the deadline is 4 on Sunday. I thought it was later.

From where I was sitting Davey sure didn't look like he was arguing hard over that foul ball that should have been a double, and Zimm's purported third strike. My husband, who was out of town, texted me that he doesn't want ti renew the seats for next year. He will lose that argument, but it gave me a bead into how frustrated people are feeling. Grateful for the humor from some of you. I'm not going to the game tomorrow night, and will not be getting a bobble head. But I'll be making a pitcher of mint maalox juleps, if anyone wants to join us.

Scooter said...

You have a point, of course, Gonat, and you don't have to call anybody a fan if you don't want to. But to be fair, they are fans -- they're just fans of a particular player more than the team for which he's playing today.

Cranapple said...

You have to wonder how much Peter MASNgelos profited off of the Wang debut and how much more he will make in future broadcasts.

I remember an interview last year when Angelo$ was quoted when Strasburg came up something like "what's good for the Nationals is good for MASN". Well, the Peter owns about 80% of MASN so he must be a happy Peter about his Wang windfall.

Scooter said...

Jane, did you call out to Johnson: "Once more, with feeling!"?

Gonat said...

Scooter, you are correct. They are Wang fans which is my point. They don't give a hoot about the Nats other than the point one guy made about the lucky Red in their jerseys. Some probably traveled to get here so I am sure the DC Government likes the extra revenue also.

NatsLady said...

Scooter, yes, I know it was six runs. And for the Nats, that is an insurmountable barrier. And if we do get six runs, the opponents get seven.

But it did seem to me that the Wang/Rizzo trashing started when Wang walked a guy in the first inning.

Also, what is up with the Ankiel hate? Didn't he make a great throw, a good catch, and drive in a couple of runs?

Scooter said...

I see, NL: You were talking about him getting jumped on immediately for the four-run first inning.

My bad. As you were.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz said...

Gonat said...
Scooter, you are correct. They are Wang fans which is my point. They don't give a hoot about the Nats other than the point one guy made about the lucky Red in their jerseys. Some probably traveled to get here so I am sure the DC Government likes the extra revenue also.


But you say that as if it were a bad thing. It's a good thing.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

@Jane: What time is the mint Maalox juleps party?

I fear it's Jason Marquis's final start for the Nats.

It's 5 o'clock somewhere...

Post a Comment