Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Game 87: Cubs at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Ross Detwiler makes his first big-league appearance of the season tonight.
It's been a while since Ross Detwiler first joined the Nationals organization (four years) and it's been a while since we last saw the left-hander pitching in the big leagues (Sept. 29, 2010). Tonight, the former first-round draft pick makes his return to Nationals Park, making what was billed as a spot start made necessary by Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates.

If Davey Johnson has his way, though, this may be more than a one-time appearance. The Nationals manager suggested Detwiler could remain with the club, shifting to the bullpen and serving as the long reliever/emergency starter he's been seeking. It's also possible Detwiler could make another start before the All-Star break, because the Nats are thinking about shelving Jordan Zimmermann for a week or two in an attempt to stretch his season out before he hits his 160-inning limit.

First things first, though: Detwiler tonight faces the Cubs, who send a familiar face to the mound themselves. Ramon Ortiz, who nearly threw a no-hitter at RFK Stadium in 2006, is back in the big leagues and starts tonight for Chicago. He'll face a Nationals lineup still missing Michael Morse (who is available to pinch-hit).

One final reminder: First Lady Michelle Obama will be attending tonight's game as part of a promotion honoring military families. Fans are encouraged to arrive at the ballpark early, because there will be extra security.

Updates to come...

CUBS at NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m.
TV: MASN
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 187
Weather: Partly cloudy, 88 degrees, Wind 5 mph out to CF
STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS (43-43)
LF Roger Bernadina
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Laynce Nix
RF Jayson Werth
CF Rick Ankiel
C Wilson Ramos
SS Ian Desmond
P Ross Detwiler

CUBS (35-51)
RF Reed Johnson
2B Jeff Baker
3B Aramis Ramirez
C Geovany Soto
LF Alfonso Soriano
CF Marlon Byrd
1B Carlos Pena
SS Darwin Barney
P Ramon Ortiz
6:55 p.m. -- An update on the NL Final Man All-Star vote: Michael Morse currently ranks fourth among the five candidates. Shane Victorino leads, followed by Andre Ethier, Todd Helton, Morse and Ian Kennedy.

7:02 p.m. -- Nice moment as Michelle Obama takes the field with children of military personnel. The First Lady gave Danny Espinosa (who caught the first pitch) a hug. She appears to be taller than him.

7:07 p.m. -- And we're underway. Ross Detwiler starts Reed Johnson off with a fastball for ball one.

7:11 p.m. -- Another nice double play turned by Espinosa to end the top of the first. Ian Desmond did his part, ranging to his left to get Aramis Ramirez's chopper, then making a backhand flip to Espinosa to get the 6-4-3 going.

7:28 p.m. -- Nice first-inning rally for the Nationals, who have stormed out to take a 3-0 lead. Bernadina, Espinosa and Zimmerman all singled to right to get things started. Nix then caught a huge break when he tapped a tailor-made double-play grounder to second, only to watch as the Cubs' Jeff Baker threw the ball into left field. Never came close to shortstop Darwin Barney. Costly error allowed two runs to score, and brought Werth to the plate with runners in scoring position. And Werth promptly struck out. You know, it's one thing to swing defensively when you've got two strikes on you. But Werth seems to do it no matter the count. Just doesn't look confident up there at all. Speaking of confident, apparently Mike Quade had no confidence in Ramon Ortiz getting Rick Ankiel out, because he called for an intentional walk of the .227-hitting center fielder to load the bases for Wilson Ramos. Who reached on an infield single, scoring another run. It's 3-0 Nats after one.

7:44 p.m. -- The Nats are crushing Ramon Ortiz right now, though they've only got the three first-inning runs to show for it. Tough break in the bottom of the second when Espinosa drilled a liner to first, only to have Carlos Pena snag it and tag Bernadina out to complete the double play. Nothing Roger could've done there. It's still 3-0 after two.

8:00 p.m. -- Another ugly AB for Werth, who strikes out for the second time in as many at-bats tonight. Detwiler, meanwhile, is off to a strong start. He's allowed one hit over three innings, though he did hit a batter and was charged with a tough error on a bunt. Still 3-0 after three.

8:11 p.m. -- Four scoreless innings for Detwiler, who has looked pretty sharp. Of course, we've seen this before from him. The key is how he handles the next time through the Cubs lineup.

8:33 p.m. -- Jayson Werth has come to the plate three times in five innings against Ramon Ortiz. He's 0-for-3, with two strikeouts and a 6-4-3 double play. He's stranded four runners.

8:41 p.m. -- Hmm, the first three batters Detwiler faced the third time around ... Reed Johnson: double to left. Blake DeWitt: flyout to center. Aramis Ramirez: Homer to left. Just like that, the Nats' lead is down to 3-2, and Davey Johnson is giving Detwiler the hook. Winds up going only 5 1/3 innings, allowing only those two runs. Unfortunately, that's pretty much the same guy we've seen here in the past. Todd Coffey sprints in from the pen to finish out the top of the sixth.

8:56 p.m. -- Michael Morse with his first plate appearance in three days. And he grounds out weakly to second base. On the bright side, Rick Ankiel has now reached base safely in nine of 16 plate appearances since coming off the DL. Yeah, I can't explain that one. Still 3-2 Nats heading to the seventh, with Sean Burnett entering from the bullpen.

9:11 p.m. -- And that right there is why Tyler Clippard is worthy of his All-Star selection. Just blew away Reed Johnson with the tying run in scoring position to end the top of the seventh. He's now stranded 26 of 32 baserunners this season. And he'll come back out for the eighth as well. Nats still lead 3-2.

9:23 p.m. -- And with two on and two out in the seventh, Werth grounds out weakly to short. He's now 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and two groundouts. He's stranded six runners, four of them in scoring position.

9:30 p.m. -- Another scoreless, perfect inning for Clippard. So we go to the bottom of the eighth, the Nats still up 3-2. If they don't add to the lead here, it'll be Drew Storen against Soriano, Byrd and Pena in the ninth.

9:40 p.m. -- No insurance for the Nats. Matt Stairs strikes out on three pitches against tough lefty James Russell, then Bernadina grounds out to second. We go to the ninth, still 3-2, and here comes Storen.

9:53 p.m. -- Ballgame. Nats win yet another tight one. They're now 12-3 in 1-run games since June 1. Simply astounding. Detwiler gets the win. Storen gets the save.

87 comments:

Nats1924 said...

lets go dubs!

natsfan1a said...

GYFNG!

Gonat said...

MarkZuckerman on Twitter...Davey says Detwiler could stay on roster after spot start tonight as long reliever/emergency starter. #Nats
48 minutes ago
___________________________

Now that is what SteveM has been saying since the end of Spring Training. I guess what Davey wants Davey gets!

Still has to depend on how Detwiler does tonight.

Gonat said...

Just watching NL ERA leaders.

1) Jurrjens 1.89
2) Hamels 2.41
3) Halladay 2.44
4) Hanson 2.52
5) Karstens 2.65
6) Zimmermann 2.82
7) Kuroda 2.90
8) Lee 2.92

Jordan Zimmermann could have dropped his ERA from 2.65 yesterday if the defense rallied around him which could have put him next to Hansen. That is ACE territory even with his ERA rising to 2.82!!!

JaneB said...

Headed down now but still confused by why we neededan extra slot on the 40 man. But regardless...
GYFNG!

Anonymous said...

JaneB - where are you sitting tonight? I want to warn wavy fat kids....

Mark'd said...

Gonat, yes and yes. Generally the defense steps up for their ace and usually do for JZim. Unexplainable what happened yesterday. Normally it is a case of little run support for JZim.

Andrew said...

http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110704&content_id=21391284&vkey=news_pit&c_id=pit

Nice to see the Manager jawboning for an All Star snub.

The Nats brass should let their voices be heard for Michael Morse as he deserves to be an All Star and Danny Espinosa most likely also. I would throw Jordan Zimmermann's name in there but that W/L record is the issue.

Cwj said...

@Gonat- Yeah no doubt, JZimm is a genuine ace.

Go Nats!
Looking forward to seeing what Detwiler's got.

Will said...

It will be interesting to see how Detwiler fares, but he by no means deserves to be pitching right now. That honor goes to Tom Milone with his incredible 101:5 K:BB ratio. His ERA has been very unlucky, given that batters rarely reach base against him. His FIP is 2.10, by far the best in the Int'l League.

Speaking of dominance, the best pitcher in minor league baseball this season is LONG overdue for a promotion. Brad Peacock now leads just about every statistic there is- wins and strikeouts, 2nd best in opponents' average, and 3rd best in WHIP. And that's for all of minors league baseball Rookie through AAA. It's time to stop giving futureless guys like Arnesen and Martin starts, while Peacock pitches like a big fish in a little pond.

Gonat said...

Will - You have to wonder if Tom Milone will be added to the 40 man roster.

Also, it looks like there will be a couple more pitchers added to the NL roster. Would love to see JZim added to the All Star roster.

pos anon said...

The "ace" language regarding Jordan Zimmermann has been growing. During ST there seemed to be a consensus that Livan earned the Opening Day assignment. I hear the same consensus developing for Zimmermann as the leader of the Nats' pitching staff next year. Doesn't minimize Strasburg's skills in the least. Just a recognition of performance on JZ's part this season. We have quite a staff in the works.

MicheleS said...

JZim has earned next opening day start! Good to know we will have two aces to discuss next year with Stras coming back!

Doc said...

Memo to Rizzo

RE: Davy's request to have Detweiler in the big league BP.

You heard it first on Nats Insider posts---since ST of 2011!

Refer to SteveM for clarification on the matter.

Anonymous8 said...

Doc, if Rizzo gets SteveM Lorenzo Cain for RH outfielder I will fall off my chair.

So much for Detwiler hinges on his start tonight. We all know his problems generally are the 4th inning on and this isn't a AAA team. Take that for what it is.

MicheleS said...

Wow.. good hitting by Zim and LOOK the other team is making the goof ball errors!

Gonat said...

Are you kidding me? The Baker dropped his pie!

pos anon said...

If someone offered me a deal where Detwiler would be as good as Casey Cox but no better, I would sign on the dotted line tonight. Not great; not awful. Just a solid pitcher who could relieve and start as needed. I don't think he is going to be Zimmermann or Strasburg in his accomplishments.

UnkyD said...

Casey Cox!? My 4th grade PE teacher! While still in the midst of his good, but not great career.....

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that Johnson has a more rational lineup. Desmond might at least get an intentional walk where his speed can come into play in the 8 hole. Werth batting 5th, where he has been a lot in his career, is much more logical than him hitting near the top. Nix has raked enough to get the extra AB's and he's as good as we've got at 4th right now, so why not. Ramos down lower too, good idea as the guy is nothing close to being a cleanup hitter.

Anyway, is Rizzo gonna add some pieces (another LH bat, LH bull pen arm) to this club to give it more of a chance, or is he still playing his hand for a run at the 2015 NL East crown?

dfh21

Gonat said...

Uh oh, lead off double in the 6th. Let's not push the luck!

Gonat said...

Told you. Oh well. The Nats still have the lead. Decent performance by Detwiler.

pos anon said...

Thank you for your kindness, unkyd. (-; Detwiler's one-time-around MO remains in effect.

MicheleS said...

On a positive notes...Desi is hitting it hard, but just at people... Good to see Morse pinch hit...

Gonat said...

Davey is learning. Coffey in-n-out in his inning of work. No more of that 2 inning stuff!

Anonymous said...

Thinking Happy thoughts for Sean....

gonatsgo said...

Werth is back to looking bad today, Desi is hitting rockets - right at people, Zim and Espi looking pretty good. BUT -- the three runs aren't going to get it done, boys, unless the bullpen is perfect tonight - and it hasn't exactly been perfect lately. GYFNG!! Seems like the lead off guys are getting on but we have the RISP-itis again.Where, oh , where are the "just in the nick of time" home runs tonight? Or is it just too early? Bang, zoom, please?

Anonymous said...

Anyway, is Rizzo gonna add some pieces (another LH bat, LH bull pen arm) to this club to give it more of a chance, or is he still playing his hand for a run at the 2015 NL East crown?

LH bullpen: Ross Detwiler (plus long relief/6th starter.
LH bat: Stairs. Its why Johnson has been playing him a lot. If not Stairs watch for Michael Aubrey / LH power bat / PH. Although Nix has done
pretty well at first base.

Lombardozzi needs to play every day. Only guy left is Matt Antonelli who now appears to be alternating with Seth Bynum. Bynum has an outside chance he can play various positions in the infield and he hits for power. No longer a prospect, originally drafted by Montreal has never made it to the majors as yet.

Anonymous said...

Sean Burnett scares me a little these days.

Anonymous8 said...

Didn't we all see Campana laying one down to the corners? You have to take his bunt away with nobody on in that lefty/lefty.

Not good defensive strategy there.

Joe Seamhead said...

What a 3rd strike from Clip!

yankish2 said...

Same ole same ole with Werth hitting in the 5 hole. Does this guy hit line drives in BP? This is the worst slump I can ever remember a hitter, with several years of success, having.

MicheleS said...

Wow.. cubs burning through the pen again tonight...

UnkyD said...

Kindness? Thank you, for the memory... He signed my cast, from my left wrist fracture...

Anonymous said...

Okay.. who is with me on this.. Kidnap Jayson over the break (if not later tonight) drop him off on a tropical island (dude needs a vacation) and leave him there for a few days of relaxation (until after the ASG). Give him a drink that has an umbrella on it and let him get some sun and relaxation.

gonatsgo said...

Once again, we force our 23yr old closer to be perfect. Thanks Jayson Werth and Matt Stairs, our highly respected veterans.

Anonymous8 said...

Did you see how far the Cubs 2nd baseman played up on Bernadina to take away the bunt? The good news is Bernadina almost smashed it by him.

Stairs looked way overmatched. I still would have gone Bixler and let them walk him and then get Bernadina then Espinosa up. Not good strategy Davey. Bernadina good have suicide squeezed.

Gonat said...

Well, Bernadina didn't smash it by him so the Cubs defensive alignment worked. Not sure I would call that good news.

Very surprised Stairs stayed in to pinch hit but Davey believes his lefties have to hit lefties.

MicheleS said...

I am sure I am not the first to say this but

Drew Storen = Trevor Hoffman.

Gonat said...

Kardiac Kids do it again! Back over .500

MicheleS said...

Sweet Dreams everyone! I need to go take some tums!

Anonymous said...

I thought this might be a comfortable game. No such luck. All these one-run squeakers give me indigestion.

gonatsgo said...

Who iced it in the ninth? -- storen, ramos and espi -- the rookies! Congrats to Ross D!But aren't we supposed to score our runs in the ninth? Tonight we get them in the first and then stop? You just never know with these guys1

baseballswami said...

These guys are nerve-wracking, aren't they?

pos anon said...

The Cubs' pitching staff may give our offense a jump start. I second the notion of Werth on an island to chill out. He will eventually come around (and someone else will ineviatbly go in the tank). With Johnson, our relievers won't lack for work. Stay loose, guys. A win is a win, of course, of course (even when it's the Cubs).

MicheleS said...

Mark Z.. crowd was kind of quiet.. what was the attendance? Was there a large Chicago contingent?

Gonat said...

Who thinks Stairs should have been called back with 1 out to bring in Bixler instead? That was a golden opportunity wasted.

Cwj said...

44-43!!
I love this team, they can win every game 3-2 for all I care. Winning is winning, but man oh man antacids are always needed :)

I'll need to look it up, but I wonder if Storen leads the league in 1-run saves. He's definitely gotta be up there.
Talk about becoming a closer the hard way, and I have no doubt he'll be a great one for years to come in DC. 3 or even 2 run save opportunities are very rare for this team.

And Clippard? Wow, as Mark Z said he's worthy as an All-Star and then some.
Go Nats!

Cwj said...

MicheleS- The attendance was rather small: 19,181.
I think the Cub fans stopped showing up after yesterday's performance by their team.

Joe Seamhead said...

I sure do enjoy Davey's post game interviews a lot more then the last guy's deadpan.

Cwj said...

@Gonat- I agree, but with this bullpen they can afford a few wasted hitting opportunities it seems :)

Joe Seamhead- Oh definitely. Riggleman was so solemn and depressed in his interviews.

natsfan1a said...

Nice to get the win, along some cardio stimulation. Heh. The margin for the 'pen is razor-thin. I'm just glad that they're hanging in there for the most part.

natsfan1a said...

I'm also glad they changed the scoring on that early throwing error. I was with FP and Bob, it was bogus to hang it on Nix. FP was funny, joking that maybe the official scorer had gotten a visit from Nix. "Did you know that I played football in high school?" Go get 'em, Spuds. We're behind you. Grrrr... :-)

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Michelle, I like him too, but that may be just a tad premature. The baseball gods do not like premature. Just sayin.

N. Cognito said...

Can we PLEASE release the Wonder Hamster.

Joe Seamhead said...

Gosh, Espinosa is just blowing us all away everyday, but that game ending play was just super! And I am so happy for Ross getting the win.
BTW, though the Nats haven't been involved this time,- there have been 14 ejections by the MLB umpires so far in July. Many of these quick thumbs by the blues are just BS. I, for one, don't pay the money, and go through the effort to get to the stadium, to see Judge Judy type entertainers. The commissioner needs to put an end to this tomfoolery.

Cwj said...

Checked Storen's game log. He is 11/13 in 1-run save opportunities. 5/5 in 2-run save opps, and 5/6 in 3-run opps.

masnstinks said...

Our rookies are developing nerves of steel. Ramos and Storen are out there at the most stressful time of the game and Danny is playing in a critical position. Jordan Zimmerman is also a model of composure, young, but not a rookie. I am thinking that this year is toughening them up for the future. Now if only we could get some of our veterans to focus... by the way, who taught Ankiel to hit while he was on the DL? Was he at some private clinic? Must be the facial hair? I don't care who makes contact at this point as long as someone does.It does seem to me that strikeouts are down and, while we are still putting up some serious zeros on the scoreboard, we are making more contact. Can somebody tell the new manager to stop mumbling? He is kind of all over the place in his spontaneous talks.

Drew8 said...

1. Ross Detwiler, the man from St. Louis MO., did enough to Show Me.

I really think Detwiler is good enough to deal Marquis at the deadline. Marquis' career ERA is 4.53. He'll be 33 in August. In 12 seasons he's had two seasons -- two! -- in which his ERA was below 4.00.

Don't you think Detwiler can match or exceed that level of mediocrity? I do. Detwiler is 25. He's lefthanded. His career ERA is 4.67. Who do you think has the bigger upside?

2. Riggleman should have done what Detwiler is doing. If you think they're underestimating you, then shaddap and prove it.

3. Harper, starting in left field, went hitless tonight, but he threw out two runners at second base. "Some bully shot! (Watched "True Grit" over the weekend.)

4. At Syracuse, Lombo was hitless, but Marrero hit his ninth homer.

baseballswami said...

Joe Seamhead -- I think the umpire situation has gotten way out of hand. Joe Torre really needs to address it -- of course, if he is, no one can know about it anyway. Did you hear Chipper's remarks? I think the reason you are seeing such huge reactions is that the frustration has built up so much. Some of these guys are so quick on the trigger they don't even let a manager ask a question even if they aren't being abusive. I am really afraid that someone is going to snap and get charged with assault. Jon Rauch came pretty close yesterday. And he could put a big-time hurt on someone.

Gonat said...

drew8, a 5 inning performance against a lousy Cubs team doesn't convince me. Show Me is doing it over many starts with consistency and getting quality starts of 6 or more innings.

Detwiler certainly made a case for himself to stay in one capacity or another.

Cwj said...

Drew8- I couldn't agree more about Detwiler. Well said.
Not just based on this 1 start of course, but like you said it's his upside and age that I think makes Marquis tradeable* (*I like to invent new spellings :)
Not to mention Peacock and any other young gun in the minors.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Drew, did you watch the sixth inning? Specifically, the first third of it?

Cwj said...

Swami- It's interesting, back in the early 1900s players and umpires would occasionally have a fist fight :)
Ty Cobb was known to challenge umpires (and other players) to fisticuffs after games.
Didn't Babe Ruth actually punch an ump during a game once?

The umps do indeed seem pretty bad lately. You rarely hear of a "great umpire" these days from broadcasters, players, managers, writers, fans etc.

Mark'd said...

Don't fall into instant gratification with Detwiler as he will break your heart. This is a guy that struggled most of May and was decent in June. I am hoping and cautiously optimistic.

Ernie said...

@MicheleS (Re: crowd energy)

I was at the game tonight. Up where I sit (300 level around home plate) the crowd was pretty into it up until the end of the 7th. At that point two things happened:

1. Werth grounded out to end the potential rally.

2. The stadium was filled with the most mellow (Stevie Wonder?) music I have ever heard while Clippard warmed up.

The two things on top of each other drained all of the energy out of the place. I know the "true" baseball fans here never like to talk about atmospherics at the stadium, but the music choices this year have not done much to pump things up.

Tonight was the least energetic crowd at the end of a (winning) game that I've experienced in the 21 games I've attended this season. There have been much worse games in the past, of course, but the place was just dead after that last Werth at-bat.

Cwj said...

Ernie- All of that plus 4th of July hangovers no doubt :)

Drew8 said...

Sure, I saw the sixth inning, as well as the preceding five innings. He gave up four hits and no walks.

Of course folks who say one start isn't sufficient make a fair point. I'd love to see Detwiler demonstrate consistency. Counting tonight he's only had 20 career starts. I think it's time to let the man pitch. Isn't this the year to find out whether you've got a starter or a tradeable commodity?

As for the "many starts with consistency" argument, Baseball Reference.com says the most comparable pitchers to Marquis are Mark Gardner, Rick Helling and Gil Meche -- better known as three buckets of lukewarm spit, seasoned with run support.

Isn't that a low bar? Shouldn't we see whether Ross Detwiler can exceed it?

Navy Nats Fan said...

What was most depressing to me tonight was that between innings they unveiled a new (at least for me) scoreboard game of "which one of three bases is the ball hidden under." I really thought we were beyond that animated scoreboard crap. Although considering we have the pizza toss and sausage catch, I guess it was inevitable.

Concur on the Stevie Wonder "You are the Sunshine of my Life" song selection. Shoot me now. I could also do without Tom Jones and the lip-synching usher. And why is Neil Diamond such a stadium favorite?

Imagine how grumpy I would be if we had lost.

Harumph.

Navy Nats Fan said...

Oh, and JaneB, I forgot to ask if you had to yell at any kids tonight. I was ready to yell along with you, but no one seemed to even think of starting the wave. I think the word is out.

Anonymous said...

Werth will overcome his struggles. Have faith. However, he may need the all-star break and a road trip to do it. But let's cheer him loud and hearty to see if we can help. Don't let the boo birds speak for us.
Whatsanattau

Dave said...

Well, I went and wore my #7 Wilkerson T-shirt, thinking I was special. I saw no fewer than three other Wilky T-shirts on my way out--one worn by a kid who had to have been in diapers when Wilkerson was a Nat.

There were a few Cub fans in 300-land, but they didn't seem to be very vocal. One rather annoying guy right in front of me sprang to his feet every time the Cubs offense did anything. Fortunately, that was only about three times.

One above .500 is good. It would be nice to get two above, and then--be still my heart--three above this week.

Anonymous said...

I looked around the stadium when the PATHETIC Andy Kim's "Rock Me Gently" came on the PA system in the 8th inning. This is an ennervating, worthless, bubblegum trinket. People hate Andy Kim, an empty one-hit wonder.

Everyone in the stadium sat in their seats, still, wondering why this idiotic song was being played. Some wondered why "Chewy Chewy," an equally worthless song, by the 1910 Fruitgum Company, wasn't played instead. Others wished that "Ice Ice Baby" had been played. Or maybe something by Milli Vanilli.

I just wonder who the idiots are who pick the music that kills the mood at Nats Park.

Section 222 said...

I was there as well. It was a nice win with a simply outstanding final play by Espinosa. That guy is truly clutch in the field. Detwiler was sharp, for awhile. I was impressed by Nix at 1B too, particularly when he had to feed the pitcher covering first. That's not easy and he handled those plays perfectly.

Very disappointing to see the two ex-Phillies fail once again in key situations. I fear that having won one game last week, Stairs will be around to torment us for a very long time.

Finally, a program note. If you're going to game on Friday night vs. the Rockies, make sure to get there in time for the National Anthem if you can. I'll be singing it with a barbershop quartet once again. We've received pretty good reviews in the past.

Anonymous said...

Don't mean to make this political, but I think the reason we had one of the smallest crowds of the season, on a beautiful summer night in July, against the team that has drawn many of the biggest crowds in the history of the Nationals, is because Ms. Obama was there.

People are just very tired of being tricked and conned. They stayed away as a statement of their sickness with the con that has been played upon them, at the national level.

Manassas Nats Fan said...

The ejection number is up to 16 as someone on the Tiger bench and Leyland got the heave ho after ESPN announced the 14 number. Not sure what they were all riled up about, as Verlander got the guy out on the play they were arguing about. Then again Hoe West was the ump, so who knows.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

I don't usually lower this blog to whackanons, but 12:28, 3 words: Tuesday.

Anonymous said...

Agree with Sec3, My Sofa.

The illegal war with Libya drew extra fans by the thousands to see Mrs. Obama. People love unconstitutional wars, gigantic debts, and 9% unemployment.

You nailed it Sec3 My Sofa!

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

You forgot the other two words, troll.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

I win!!

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

You are too slow!

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Back to baseball!

m20832 said...

Thank you Sec3, My Sofa!

Winning, even one run games, is AWESOME!!!! Let's keep it going!
GYFNG!!!

N. Cognito said...

Anonymous said...
"Don't mean to make this political, but I think the reason we had one of the smallest crowds of the season, on a beautiful summer night in July, against the team that has drawn many of the biggest crowds in the history of the Nationals, is because Ms. Obama was there.

People are just very tired of being tricked and conned. They stayed away as a statement of their sickness with the con that has been played upon them, at the national level."

Don't mean to make this personal, but you are a BLITHERING IDIOT!

Anonymous said...

I wonder if The First Lady gets such a warm welcome if she is not in DC, which is very liberal. Say she is in South Carolina??

Dave said...

Did somebody just post some kind of noise that sounded like political commentary?

I can't tell if it's that or a smashed mosquito on my screen.

RPrecupjr said...

Section 222 said...

"Finally, a program note. If you're going to game on Friday night vs. the Rockies, make sure to get there in time for the National Anthem if you can. I'll be singing it with a barbershop quartet once again."

You're not in KC for International? I wish I were...was in Philly last year. What chapter are you with? I haven't done much bbs since I moved back to the area, keep thinking about starting up again, used to sing with Masters of Harmony when I was in California. Break a leg Friday night!!

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