Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Game 88: Cubs at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
The Nats look to make it three in a row tonight against the Cubs.
As much as the Nationals have struggled offensively, they haven't been able to field their full lineup since Friday's homestand opener against the Pirates. That's a span of five games. So, if nothing else, Davey Johnson has to feel good being able to pencil out a lineup card tonight that includes Laynce Nix, Michael Morse and Jayson Werth (among others).

With everybody healthy and available, Johnson has dropped Werth to the 6-hole (behind Nix and Morse). We'll have to see if that helps get the right fielder going. You've certainly got to assume he's going to get plenty of opportunities with men on base.

Tom Gorzelanny, acquired from the Cubs over the winter, makes the start against his former team. If you're wondering about the guys the Nats dealt to Chicago to get Gorzelanny ... Michael Burgess is currently hitting .202 with 10 homers and 43 RBI at Class A Daytona, Graham Hicks is 1-3 with a 4.01 ERA at low-Class A Peoria and A.J. Morris has yet to pitch this season due to a shoulder injury.

Updates to come, so please check back...

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 9 mph out to CF
STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS (44-43)
CF Roger Bernadina
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Laynce Nix
1B Michael Morse
RF Jayson Werth
C Wilson Ramos
SS Ian Desmond
P Tom Gorzelanny

CUBS (35-52)
RF Reed Johnson
SS Starlin Castro
3B Aramis Ramirez
C Geovany Soto
1B Carlos Pena
CF Marlon Byrd
LF Alfonso Soriano
2B Darwin Barney
P Randy Wells
5:45 p.m. -- If you haven't seen the recently posted article at the top of the homepage, the Nats plan to have Jordan Zimmermann make his regularly scheduled start Sunday. That means Ross Detwiler will pitch out of the bullpen as a long reliever. In other news: Cole Kimball is headed to New York to have his ailing shoulder examined by a specialist. Click on the above link for more details.

7:06 p.m. -- Tom Gorzelanny fires a fastball over the outside corner to Reed Johnson, getting this game underway.

7:09 p.m. -- A very nice start to the evening for Gorzelanny. He retired the side on 10 pitches (six strikes) and opened things up by striking out Johnson on a 79-mph offspeed pitch.

7:24 p.m. -- Roger Bernadina and Danny Espinosa put the Nats on the board early. After Bernadina beat out a bouncer to short and then stole second, Espinosa crushed a 2-1 pitch from Randy Wells into the right field bullpen for his 16th homer of the season. Nats take a 2-0 lead after one.

7:33 p.m. -- And Gorzelanny gives both runs right back in the top of the second. Carlos Pena belts a two-run homer over the out-of-town scoreboard. Gorzelanny also allowed long flyball to Alfonso Soriano that took Bernadina all the way back tot he 402-foot sign before catching it. Kind of a shaky inning there for the lefty, leaving the game tied 2-2.

7:56 p.m. -- Geez, Bernadina is getting a workout tonight. The Cubs have already hit five flyballs his way in three innings, three of those reaching the warning track. Roger had to crash into the fence to snag Geovany Soto's shot to end the top of the third. Cubs are hitting Gorzelanny pretty hard so far. It's still 2-2.

8:30 p.m. -- I really don't want to sound like I'm harping on the guy, but here was a perfect example of what's wrong with Werth right now. Leading off the bottom of the fourth, he took two straight balls, putting him in an advantageous 2-0 count. So what did he do next? Swung feebly at a 2-0 slider way out of the zone. Then he fouled off a fastball into the first-base stands (way late). Then he struck out swinging at another breaking ball. Just a terrible approach to that at-bat, especially for a player who has always prided himself on putting together professional at-bats. Still 2-2 going to the fifth.

8:41 p.m. -- On the bright side, it looks like Ryan Zimmerman is finally getting his swing together. He had two hits last night, doubled to right-center in his first at-bat tonight and just crushed a two-run homer to left in the bottom of the fifth. Zim appears to be getting locked in, a major positive development for the Nats. It's now 4-2 in the fifth, and after back-to-back singles by Nix and Morse, Mike Quade has yanked Randy Wells. It'll be Chris Carpenter (no, not the Cy Young winner from the Cardinals) to face Werth with two on and nobody out.

8:56 p.m. -- And Werth pops out to short, stranding two more runners in scoring position. Ramos didn't look much better, striking out for out No. 2. The Cubs then intentionally walked Desmond to bring Gorzelanny to the plate with the bases loaded. And you know what? He put forth the best effort of any of those position players, fouling off four tough pitches from Carpenter before finally striking out while falling down. Still, the crowd was on its feet applauding the pitcher for the way he battled through that at-bat. 4-2 Nats after five.

9:02 p.m. -- Oof. Werth takes a bad route on Starlin Castro's line drive to right and it bounces off his glove. Scored a double, but Werth is to blame for that. And guess what happened next? Aramis Ramirez tattoos a first-pitch fastball from Gorzelanny and sends it onto the batter's eye in center field. Two-run homer. Game tied again.

9:12 p.m. -- Again, at least Zimmerman is getting his swing together. Another double, this time down the right-field line. He's got eight total bases so far tonight. Still 4-4 after six.

9:28 p.m. -- Holy moly. With one out, Morse on third and Ramos at the plate, Davey Johnson put the suicide squeeze on. Except Ramos missed the sign, swung away and nearly decapitated Morse as he barreled down the third-base line. So, you figure they just wasted that opportunity. No way you can put the squeeze on again. Except two pitches later, Davey did just that! And Ramos got it down! Perfectly executed, and now the Nats retake a 5-4 lead in the seventh. Crazy stuff.

9:44 p.m. -- Somehow, Henry Rodriguez manages to be both exhilarating and exasperating to watch pitch. He works slow, uncorks a wild pitch per inning and always appears on the brink of disaster. And then he strikes out the side the way he just did in the eighth, protecting the Nats' 5-4 lead.

9:52 p.m. -- And in a shocking development, the Nats will take a 1-run lead into the ninth inning. Haven't seen this scenario too much recently, huh? Drew Storen coming out of the bullpen for the fifth time in six days.

10:00 p.m. -- Well, the Nationals are nothing if not consistent. Ballgame over, another 1-run win in the books. Final score: 5-4. Mattheus gets the win. Storen gets his 22nd save. This is the Nats' 10th straight win by 1 run or in extra innings. And they're now 13-3 in 1-run games since June 1. Just remarkable.

128 comments:

JaneB said...

6 hole is the charm.
GYFNG!

Donny Samson said...

Best line-up they can put out there

Anonymous said...

I like our chances!

What JaneB said.

Canad's #1 Nats Fan said...

I would call that our "A" line-up. I like it!

Joe Seamhead said...

Atta girl, Jane! Let's keep positive. I'm with you. I like the line up, and batting order tonight.
I still wonder about Michael Burgess' future. It seemed like we gave him up kind of cheaply. Maybe Rizzo knew something that we didn't, though I can't imagine that the general manager knew more then the folks on NI.

Mickey Vernon said...

From SB*Nation Chicago: "Wells has had a rough go since returning from the DL at the end of May. In only two of his seven starts since then has he allowed three runs or fewer, and his ERA on the season now stands at 6.59 while his WHIP is 1.63. In his career against Washington, Wells is even worse, at 1-1 with a 7.15 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. Jayson Werth has hit Wells in limited action, going 2-for-3 with a double.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Joe, a halfway decent lefty starter is pretty good return on a maybe guy like Burgess, I think.

David said...

agree. this is the best lineup we've had all year. all can be reasonably expected to contribute except Desmond and Gorzo.

NatsJack in Florida said...

I doubt we would have ever seen this lineup from Jim Riggleman.

And I think this is the kind of lineup Davey was talking about when he said he'd like to establish some consistency in the everyday lineup.

I like it alot.

Nats Outsider said...

"I still wonder about Michael Burgess' future. It seemed like we gave him up kind of cheaply."

Really? The kid has played for 4 years now, and I don't think he has ever made it above Class A. What else do you need to know about his chances to make it to the majors?

PAY TO PLAY said...

Steve M. said...

Let's see what Davey can do with Werth who is pivotal for the 2nd half push. One thing I can tell you about Werth is that he works his butt off. The results aren't there. My observations have been he pulls his left leg towards the outside of the batters box opening himself up and flailing on outside pitches. He can hit and will hit. He just needs to settle into a groove. Luckily Davey pushed him back to the 5 hole and maybe he needs to settle into the 6th hole. I hate to hear any of "our" guys being boo'd as he is trying hard. Just hoping for him to get into a groove and get going.


July 6, 2011 3:14 PM


SteveM, good call on Werth in the 6 hole. Did you peak as Mark was typing?

Anonymous said...

Evaluation continues. All Star Break coming up.

Mickey Vernon said...

Desmond was a decent hitter with pop before this season when he seems to have adopted and exaggerated version on the foot-in-the bucket stance and moved farther fromt he plate. Watching MLB channel, it seems that the stance is being used by a lot of right handed hitters, but I've seen none who stand as far off the plate as Desi.

Mickey Vernon said...

I should have said Desi and Ramos.

Zebulon Pike said...

SteveM, good call on Werth in the 6 hole. Did you peak as Mark was typing?
July 6, 2011 3:51 PM
--------------

Yup, it's all downhill from here.

Steve M. said...

PAY TO PLAY said... SteveM, good call on Werth in the 6 hole. Did you peak as Mark was typing? July 6, 2011 3:51 PM

P2P, nope no peeking. LOL I actually started writing that well before 3pm and glad these time stamp to show I wrote it before the lineup was revealed so had no clue other than the conversation I had with Davey last night.

NatStat said...

Agreed Nats Oursider.

Michael Burgess will never see the inside of a MLB clubhose--unless it's in a job apart from being a ball player.

Four years at A level, or less, in the minors should get him thinking about another career.

PAY TO PLAY said...

Zebulon Pike, gotcha. Peek instead of Peak and not a Peking Duck!

Joe Seamhead said...

Nats Outsider said...
"I still wonder about Michael Burgess' future. It seemed like we gave him up kind of cheaply."

Really? The kid has played for 4 years now, and I don't think he has ever made it above Class A. What else do you need to know about his chances to make it to the majors?
July 6, 2011 3:49 PM

The operative word there was 'seemed" not "seems". At the time of the trade there was grumbling by several folks that felt that Burgess was destined to be a star.

PAY TO PLAY said...

NatStat, the joke goes, the only way he will ever see the inside of a MLB Clubhouse is on a stadium tour.

Mark'd said...

Joe Seamhead, Burgess 3 years ago had a memorabilia deal in place as many had him pegged as a star. That is why High School stars are such a big risk.

The Joker said...

Obviously, the Nats need Adam Dunn back. Trade a marginal prospet like Stephen King for Dunn with the caveat that the White Sox pay $ 25 million of Dunn's salary for four years. We could bat Werth and Dunn 6th and 7th with Nix 4th and Morse 5th. What a wicked, capricious world we live in.

Mark'd said...

SteveM, you always amaze me, in a good way that is!

LoveDaNats said...

I look at this lineup and see so many powerful hitters there. They could be SO good. I can't wait for them to break out. I know they will.

MicheleS said...

JaneB.. I am with you! Werth in the 6th hole will be the charm! Thinking Happy Thoughts for tonights lineup!!!

I did like hearing DJ's comments last night that Werth was taking a lot of responsiblity for the youngsters in the clubhouse early on. Shows he cares, wants to win, and teach!

jd said...

I took a peek at Jayson Werth's fangraphs numbers and I came away with 2 thoughts/questions:

1) How do you pay a guy with these lifetime numbers (.266 .362 .470) $17 mil a year for 7 years at age 32?

2) How can he possibly be having the year he is having this year (.221 .326 .377)?

Steve M. said...

MarkZuckerman on Twitter...Zimmermann will start Sunday, Detwiler to bullpen as #Nats long man. 25 minutes ago

And there you have it! Plan Davey in effect and the way it should have been on March 31st...just sayin'

Again, you have to wonder if Riggleman had the pull with Rizzo as this has been discussed by me a few times and I know Rizzo resisted it as well as some people on this blog.

I felt in Spring Training that Detwiler had to be part of this team and glad he is. Now if I could just convince Davey to turn Stairs into a Coach...

...and to Mark'd thanks, in a good way!

Anonymous said...

I look at the lineup and thik "Rizzo is working his way right out of this job." This roster is lucky as can be to be winning games. Iffy, old bench, role players in key lineup spots every night. Howe many years in Rizzo gonna assemble these awkward rosters before guys like Mark and Kilogre start calling him out? It is pushing that luck to think that the club can keep throwing guys into new roles and expect them to produce.

Rizzo needs to make a move and get a legit every day LH bat with power in this lineup. Nix with 2 hits in 21 AB's againt LHP is not a guy they can really rely upon (the guy has less than 100 AB's versus lefties in the last 3 years; there is a reason for that); and Ankiel is not the answer either. Give Johnson some weapons.

If a trade can't be made, call Harper up and give the kid a roll. No real reason not to do so.

dfh21

Anonymous said...

For those of you that need a good laugh.. Go Over to masnsports and watch Clipp and Store do MTV Cribs! Who knew Clipp had Bieber Fever!

http://www.masnsports.com/drew_storen/2011/07/an-insiders-look-at-the-storen-clippard-household.html

Steve M. said...

dfh21 - Instead of finding lefties who you think can hit lefties, you have a better option of Morse in LF against a lefty starter and Marrero playing 1st base.

After Cora coming in as a defensive replacement in the 9th and dropping the 3rd out of that double play, I think the time is to get Marrero here. He deserves it and would play twice a week and sometimes more. I know a lot of people think he needs to play every day to progress.

This would also allow Nix to rest that achilles and give the team some outfield depth.

Davey also has the ability against RH pitchers to sit Werth and try Bernadina in LF, Ankiel in CF, and Nix in RF and use Werth as a PH.

The team has plenty of LH batters right now as they also have the PH Ace Matt Stairs!

Jason Marquis said...

SteveM - Hey, I can bat left handed too!

Bill Withers said...

I can't write left-handed.

Venus de Milo said...

Me either.

m20832 said...

The team has plenty of LH batters right now as they also have the PH Ace Matt Stairs!

Lordy, I just love sarcasm. Nice one SteveM.!

I can hunt and peck the keyboard left handed.

What an Awesome line up!

GYFNG!!!

Manassas Nats Fan said...

Werth 2 hits from the 6 hole.

Manassas Nats Fan said...

Who is pitching for the Cubs tonight? Randy Wells who is poor at best, or Cy Wells?

gonatsgo said...

I am guessing that since everyone has already decided that the cubs pitcher is the worst pitcher since daniel cabrera, and Jayson Werth from the 6 spot is brilliant-- that the cubs will no-hit us and win 1 to nothing.Playing the game on paper is never a good idea. It hexes the baseball gods and makes them angry. Just sayin'....

Anonymous said...

gonatsgo...

speedy bernadina just made the baseball gods happy!! WOO HOO!!!

goyounatsgo said...

*vexes

MicheleS said...

I LOVE THE KLAXINOSA!!!!! ESPI IS ROY!!!!

Gonat said...

Some conventional runs scored! Finally!

gonatsgo said...

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!!! Keep those hits coming, boys!

Gonat said...

...and just like that it is tied. Can our lefties do that against lefties?

That looked like a Slaten pitch. NOT LIKE

Anonymous said...

Ok - starting over now. Need more hits, please. ARGGGGGGH!

baseballswami said...

I am telling you this - our guys don't know how to pitch with a lead of more than 1 run. They just have to give it back so that they can pitch in a tie or one run game. That's why we have scored so much in the bottom of the 9th or extra innings at home - then the other team doesn't get a chance to match it. It's a disease - adrenaline addiction. Is there a cure?

Anonymous8 said...

Did Gorzolanny know that Carlos Pena is a HR hitter?

He pitched him like a lousy LOOGY.

Gonat said...

The ball is carrying tonight.

Cwj said...

I was wondering if anyone remembers what happened to another high school player they drafted a few years ago...Dustin Hood or something like that?

I can't seem to find his name anywhere.

NatsNut said...

Gorzelanny owes Bernadina a beer

Andrew said...

Destin Hood is finally doing well in High A Potomac.

Eugene in Oregon said...

@ NatsNuts 7:57

Several beers. Premium or imported, not the cheap stuff.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

How many 400-foot pitches is Gorzy going to throw tonight?

Manassas Nats Fan said...

1 for 8 RISP after 3 innings. Johnson says that has to improve, but tonight it hasn't yet.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Make that 1 for 9 RISP.

Bernie seems to have caught Jayson Werth disease.

Manassas Nats Fan said...

1 for 9 RISP. That is exactly what Johnson has been ralking about not swinging at strike 3s.

Where would that ball have to be for Bernadina to swing. It was right over the middle. Obviously Eckstein has coached them to be picky. Not on strike 3.

MicheleS said...

UGH..I need to go to the store for more tums.. It's never easy is it?

TimDz said...

Did anyone else see the shot of Zim grabbing his side and wincing after throwing out Barney?

gonatsgo said...

You know, they really should start selling tums at the concession stands. Gorzo gets a hit and turns over the line-up and Bernie watches a called third strike. This has been going on for over a half a season, if the new manager thinks he has the right words or magic to make it stop, then more power to him. If there was an easy fix, Riggs would have done it couple months ago. I don't care where you hit in the line-up - it's not bad pitches they are getting, it's bad hitting by them. How long will it be before Johnson axes Eckstein the way he axed McClaren and Radison?? OOOOOOO GOOOOO ZIIMMMMMM!!!!!!!

Gonat said...

That helped all of his stats! Way to go Zim!!!!

CBinDC said...

Hi all ...I just wanted to chime in that booing Werth makes no sense at all ......maybe a collective sigh ....booing just does nothing but add to the pain ......but the Zims jack is no pain LOL

baseballswami said...

TimDZ - yes, I saw Zimm wincing. Major abdominal surgery is no joke - he is pushing himself.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

@MicheleS: Tums are fine, as far as they go. But the official late-inning drink here at Nats Insider is bourbon and Maalox.

josh f said...

ARRRRGGGGG Werth and Ramos - those were *bad* at-bats...

Gonat said...

Gorzelanny is hitting better than Werth. Nothing wrong with Ramos. Give credit to the pitcher some times.

MicheleS said...

sunshine.. can i just have the bourbon?

Who knew the best at bat of the night would be Gorzo's?

baseballswami said...

So - Werth and Ramos fold with risp. Desi walked to get to the pitcher -- and the big inning goes "pop". I know it's been said over and over again - but Jayson Werth just looks really bad at the plate.Gorzelanny just put on a fantastic at bat -- better than the guys who are supposed to be hitters. The crowd loves it! That was awesome! But- I hope it didn't tire him too much. I would hate to see those 2 runs get given right back again.

Manassas Nats Fan said...

1 for 12 now with RISP.

Ramos another called 3rd strike. Why? My guess again goes back to Eckstein's style. Not demanding of the players.

Gorzy did what Ramos should have. Foul off pitches until you get one. He swung at a bad pitch to end it, but much more desire than Werth or Ramos showed.

baseballswami said...

Werth - you suck! What did I just say about giving those runs back????? ARGGGGHGHHH!!!!!

Anonymous8 said...

Thank you Werth for fielding that ball from Castro. When you can't hit, you have to play defense.

Anonymous said...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Werth is a fraud!

Joe Seamhead said...

So, Bryce is 1-2 so far tonight,a single, with a sac. bunt advancing runners or first and second, and a SB.
OMG, Jason, you gotta catch that one.Oops, tie game.

TimDz said...

Jinx Swammi?

Joe Seamhead said...

Bryce advanced runners that were on 1st and 2nd.

Gonat said...

I like how Gorzo went after Carlos Pena in the last 2 at-bats.

I am sure he regrets that 1st HR. Not much you can say about Aramis Ramirez. That guy is locked in el fuego.

CBinDC said...

Johnson should consider sitting Jason at least one game he is not acting as if he really thinks in positive out comes

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

@Michele: Absolutely, positively, hold the Maalox. Straight bourbon is fine. And you might want to pour one for Davey while you're at it. He certainly looks like he needs it.

Sunderland said...

A completely random guess. I wonder if Werth had an exemption for ADD drugs the past two seasons. There is definitely something different about the guy this season.

Gonat said...

Shairon Martis with another nice start. 1 earned run in his start in Harrisburg. This guy is back on the radar. Anyone know what has changed with him?

My guess is he finally is getting his pitches down in the zone which was his problem the last 2 years.

Anonymous8 said...

Ryan Zimmerman looks like he is running faster. Maybe it is that aerodynamic batting helmet!

Sunderland said...

And so the theory is that Boras advised to not mention the ADD during free agency or risk diminishing his value. So he's playing this season without it.

I'll stop now.

TimDz said...

Lucky play...
We'll take it....
Just don't let Mattheus back in for the 8th...

CBinDC said...

ADD is not his problem ......depression is ...he looks depressed ......and he is way to measured in his talk I think he is trying to hard to cover up doubt but it shows up in his manner ......the looking at called thirds is the clearest example of the doubt but measured approach

Andrew said...

WOW WOW WOW WOW

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Uncle Davey, playing that Small Ball or Smart Ball, or whatever the hell Riggs called it. Who knew Ramos could bunt?

TimDz said...

THAT took cajones....

Anonymous said...

Rumor has it that Werth may retire and become the caveman in the GEICO commercial.

dj in Fl said...

Davey is learning how to play small ball in a hurry. Good for him, we have proven we can not drive in a runner if our life depended on it.

Andrew said...

Bryce Harper 2 for 3 with a Sac Bunt and a Stolen Base tonight in a 4-3 win

Gonat said...

dj in Fl said...
Davey is learning how to play small ball in a hurry. Good for him, we have proven we can not drive in a runner if our life depended on it.

July 6, 2011 9:33 PM
____________________________

Good point. Unless it is on a HR, it is from SmallBall/BizarreBall/SmartBall.

I think Davey needs to do a MASN commercial. "I don't call it Small Ball, I call it Bizarre Ball".

Andrew said...

Henry Rodriguez is becoming a pitcher before our eyes. What a sequence!

Nice to give Clip a night off in the 8th!

Anonymous said...

you know, one of these days, I want HROD to go all Nuke Laloosh on us and hit Screech.

Anonymous said...

Do you think that Jayson Werth for the Nats = Alfonso Soriano for the Cubs?

Cwj said...

Yesssssss!!!!!!!!!

Go Nats!!!!

TimDz said...

THAT was a 1 2 3 inning!!!

Cwj said...

Mattheus, Clippard, H-Rod, Storen...what a bullpen!

MicheleS said...

SWEET!

Cwj said...

TimDz- To be honest I was worried when Storen came in tonight.
He hasn't been missing many bats lately (strikeouts way down over last 10+ games), so it's great to see him get a 1-2-3 with a K.

Go Nats!
Awesome :)

FS said...

Anon 9:45, I hope not.

Glad to win another one but I fear for Storen. All star break can not come sooner. You know what I hope Clippard is not used in ASG either. Yes, it is a distinction and all but he has been used a lot and ASB will be better than ASG.

Gonat said...

Cwj - Mattheus? That guy groved a strike and got lucky. We will take it but have to call it like it was.

Cwj said...

Mark Z- Actually HRod averages only 1 wild pitch every 4 innings :-)

Cwj said...

Gonat- Yes Mattheus. Luck, good and bad, is part of the game.
Don't kill my buzz :-)

MicheleS said...

A good thing about this game.. We scored 5 runs...

baseballswami said...

Bring on the bourbon!! Nice to see Zim's swing tonight. We seem to need a ton of hits to score some runs. Storen took care of that one pretty quickly , didn't he? HRod was smokin' hot today, too! GYFNG!

natsfan1a said...

Wheeeeee...another one-run game! I called the Gorzy hit, btw. Too bad he didn't get to come around after, but it worked out in the end. Glad that (Vote 4) Morse's head wasn't taken off during the first squeeze attempt.

And nobody can kill your buzz unless you let them, Cwj. ;-)

Another good thing about this game...we won...

TimDz said...

I think the Nats brass needs to make a tee-shirt with Christopher Walken's face with the phrase,
"KLAXON!!!
I need more KLAXON!!!!"

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Maybe the post of the night from TimDz:
TimDz said...
I think the Nats brass needs to make a tee-shirt with Christopher Walken's face with the phrase,
"KLAXON!!!
I need more KLAXON!!!!"

Ring that Klaxon, and GYFNG!!!

Bourbon all around for those who want it. Maalox all around for those who need it.

A DC Wonk said...

Perhaps Z is busting out, eh?

Gonat said...

When a suicide squeeze works, it usually demoralizes the other team plus will get you good press on ESPN!

Dave said...

So Davey Johnson called for, by his own admission, his first squeeze play in his managerial career. Twice. Failed the first time, succeeded the...[sputter, snort]...SECOND time in the same at-bat.

Wow. That was an entertaining game. Good to see that Zimmy seems to be back with us, too.

natsfan1a said...

Only thing with the cowbell theme is that the Rays have already used it.

Gonat said...

Watching the Gorzelanny post-game interview. He made most every question asked sound like a stupid question!

Mark, did you ask the question "....Cubs going through rotation wise, man they could have used me"

gonatsgo said...

Debbie Taylor asks stupid questions - Tom Gorzelanny just made no attempt to help her cover it up. Kind of worried about RZim tonight -- he ran a lot, winced after a throw. I wonder what he's going to feel like in the morning and how much motrin it's taking him to keep going. He's a great guy and has so much passion for the game - but I think he is playing with considerable discomfort. 2 notes : JW the only player that did not contribute offensively -- although he did have a sac fly, so I guess that counts for something, and... no Matt Stairs tonight.

Cwj said...

Gonat- Yeah Gorzelanny didn't sound very enthusiastic. Kinda odd, I thought.
Then again, I can imagine that players would get annoyed when asked what it feels like to leave/face/beat their former team 3 times in one interview (Debbie Taylor, I believe).

Still, would be nice to see Gorzo smile and act like he cares occasionally.

Drew8 said...

Danny Espinosa is on a pace for 29.4 home runs. To put that 2b pop in perspective:

Career highs in homers:

Davey Johnson 43
Rogers Hornsby 42
Ryne Sandberg 40
Jeff Kent 37
Chase Utley 33
Dan Uggla 33
Joe Gordon 32
Bobby Grich 30
Brandon Phillips 30
Robinson Cano 29
Lou Whitaker 28
Bobby Doerr 27
Joe Morgan 27
Craig Biggio 26
Charlie Gehringer 20
Jackie Robinson 19
Tony Lazzeri 18
Frankie Frisch 12


Did I mention that Espinosa is a ROOKIE?

Imagine when he's further insulated by Harper and Rendon. Oh my.

Grandstander said...

I'm going to sneak this in before the gamer but is Espinosa OK? He looked hurt out there, something with his shoulder, but he played out the game. Any word on that?

NatStat said...

Morse needs to take out cajones bunt insurance; or alternately Ramos needs to learn Bo's bunt sign.

The main thing is that MM is still alive--probably lots of nightmares tonight, as he sleeps on his right side.

Drew8 said...

Farm report:

At Hagerstown Robbie Ray threw six scoreless innings, dropping his ERA to 1.75. He has 56 strikeouts and 18 walks.

At Potomac, Destin Hood is quietly putting together a fine season. He's up to 51 RBIs in 75 games.

At Harrisburg, Harper went 3 for 3 with a stolen base and an RBI. In three games he's hitting .500; I don't think he's overmatched.

If you haven't seen it, Harper got skybox treatment on the front page of Wednesday's USA Today, and he was the centerpiece story on the Sports front. I'm looking forward to seeking Harper Friday in Richmond, where the tickets are selling briskly.

In Syracuse, Lombo is showing how rarified an air he was in. Two oh-fers have dropped him from a stunning .424 to a fabulous .373.

Drew8 said...

Grandstander:

They said on the radio that Espy jammed his left shoulder while sliding headfirst into second base.

They checked him out and left him in -- a good sign that it wasn't something serious like a collarbone.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Definitely second the post of the night nomination for TimDz ... Post of the week, at least, maybe month. Brilliant!
I may change my handle to Klaxon Jackson!

Gonat said...

Cwj said...
Gonat- Yeah Gorzelanny didn't sound very enthusiastic. Kinda odd, I thought.
Then again, I can imagine that players would get annoyed when asked what it feels like to leave/face/beat their former team 3 times in one interview (Debbie Taylor, I believe).

Still, would be nice to see Gorzo smile and act like he cares occasionally.

July 6, 2011 10:56 PM
_______________________________

I hope the FO saw that Post Game interview. That is the way you act when you lose. I have seen Sean Burnett nicer in a blownup relief appearance.

BTW, did you all see this past week what Buck Showalter did to his young stud pitcher Brian Matusz?

If you didn't, Showalter announced in his post-game loss press conference that Matusz was demoted to AAA. Then the press ran down Matusz in one of those bad game moments with Sean Burnett.

Showalter showed no class. That franchise is an absolute mess.

Manassas Nats Fan said...

RISP 1 for 16 and still win. It could be a little easier guys.

Anonymous8 said...

Manassas Nats Fan said...
RISP 1 for 16 and still win. It could be a little easier guys.

July 6, 2011 11:41 PM
___________________________

How do you score Ramos suicide squeeze? Is that factored in since it wasn't a hit? Espi got 1 on the HR.

Gonat said...

Mark Zuckerman on Twitter....
Davey claims that was 1st time he's ever called for a squeeze.
1 hour ago
_____________________

Hard to believe. I see a new MASN commercial in his future!

Dave said...

I was trying to imagine Davey doing a MASN commercial this evening. Can't see it, frankly.

JaneB said...

Expect it.

I do, now. I really do.

m20832 said...

These Boys of Summer have a great attitude now because they are winning! Let's get the broom out and sweep the cubbies! So different from last year against the cubbies. The game I went to my daughter and I left in the seventh inning we were so disgusted at the lack of effort and just plain laziness that Nat's team displayed.
It's a different year and boy, it sure is fun to watch these cardiac kids!
GYFNG!!

Manassas Nats Fan said...

The suicide squeeze was ruled a sacrifice no time at bat.

You can score runs without hits. but we didn't even do that except the sacrifice

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