Friday, March 30, 2012

Nats vs. Marlins - 3/30/12

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Ross Detwiler faces Josh Johnson tonight at Space Coast Stadium.
VIERA, Fla. -- If you're going to treat the final week of spring training as a true tune-up for the regular season, tonight's game is about as close as you're going to get. The Marlins have sent all their regulars, including ace Josh Johnson, to Space Coast Stadium.

The Nationals counter with a lineup you very well could see at Wrigley Field on Thursday ... if Michael Morse and Rick Ankiel aren't ready to play. Morse definitely won't be ready. Ankiel, who was just formally added to the 40-man roster this afternoon, hasn't totally healed from a quad strain, and Davey Johnson said he's "a little concerned" he won't be ready come Opening Day.

Don't look for the Nationals to go pick up any new bodies from outside the organization, though. GM Mike Rizzo said "barring something out of the ordinary, I think you're looking at the 25-man roster from inside this camp." Seemed pretty emphatic when he said it.

You can catch tonight's game on TV, as Bob, F.P. and new sideline reporter Kristina Akra have the call. (Clarification: Though Kristina is here, she won't be making her on-air debut until Tuesday.) And, of course, plenty of updates to come here...

MIAMI MARLINS vs. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Space Coast Stadium, Viera
Gametime: 6:05 p.m.
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: None
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 78 degrees, Wind 14 mph in from CF
STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan Zimmerman
CF Jayson Werth
1B Adam LaRoche
LF Mark DeRosa
RF Xavier Nady
C Wilson Ramos
P Ross Detwiler

MARLINS
SS Jose Reyes
CF Emilio Bonifacio
3B Hanley Ramirez
RF Giancarlo Stanton
LF Logan Morrison
1B Gaby Sanchez
2B Omar Infante
C John Buck
P Josh Johnson
6:07 p.m. -- We are underway as Ross Detwiler fires a fastball to Jose Reyes for strike one.

6:11 p.m. -- Really nice top of the first for Detwiler. He got both Reyes and Hanley Ramirez reaching, leading to a soft fly ball to right and a pop-up to third. He also struck out Emilio Bonifacio, leading to a very clean, very quick inning for the left-hander.

6:21 p.m. -- Who says the leadoff man has to take a pitch. Ian Desmond just defied that logic by destroying Josh Johnson's first offering off a light pole behind the fence in left-center. I've said this a few times in the last 7-10 days, but it bears repeating: Desmond has really looked locked in at the plate. ... And then there's Danny Espinosa, who struck out for the 21st time in 61 at-bats. Folks, this is starting to become a concern. 1-0 Nats after one.

6:29 p.m. -- When Giancarlo (don't call me Mike!) Stanton hammered a pitch from Detwiler well foul down the left-field line, you started to wonder whether Detwiler's next pitch would end up on the berm in left field. Instead, Ross came in with a high fastball and blew it past Stanton. Impressive strikeout there. Still 1-0 Nats in the middle of the second.

6:38 p.m. -- There's a giant, inflatable chicken roaming the concourse here tonight for some reason. That's your set-up line, everyone. Have at it...

6:50 p.m. -- Detwiler finally ran into some trouble in the third, beginning with a leadoff double by Omar Infante and continuing with a base hit up the middle by Josh Johnson. Reyes' single past a diving Desmond gave the Marlins their first run of the night, and they were poised to really break things open when Detwiler walked Ramirez to load the bases for Stanton. But once again, the young lefty got the best of the fearsome cleanup man, getting him to loft a high pop-up down the first-base line. Nice play by Espinosa to track that tricky ball down and end the top of the third with the game now tied 1-1.

6:57 p.m. -- Oy, another Espinosa strikeout on an ugly-looking swing. That's 22 Ks in 62 spring at-bats. Obviously, Josh Johnson is a really good pitcher. But this has become a real problem, folks. Still 1-1 after three.

7:13 p.m. -- Three straight base hits for the Nats off Johnson brings two runs home in the bottom of the fourth. LaRoche, DeRosa and Nady all delivered singles up the middle. Good sign for all three. Nats lead 3-1 after four.

7:25 p.m. -- That should be it for Detwiler, who looked very sharp tonight aside from that third inning. His line: 5 ip, 3 h, 1 r, 1 bb, 5 k, 69 pitches, 50 strikes. Obviously he'll be opening the year in the bullpen, but we'll see him in the rotation at some point.

8:06 p.m. -- Back up in the clubhouse after talking to Detwiler, who obviously was pleased with his outing. He also dropped a great reference to Miguel Batista, comparing himself to Miss Iowa for the way he wound up starting on a night Stephen Strasburg was supposed to. Full article on Detwiler coming postgame. Meanwhile, Craig Stammen gave up a run in the sixth. It's not 3-2 Nats at the seventh-inning stretch.

8:26 p.m. -- A scoreless inning from Ryan Mattheus, who at the moment appears the frontrunner to win the final spot in the bullpen. It's actually a tough call between Mattheus, Stammen and Chad Durbin. All have pitched well and merit a spot on the team. In this case, Mattheus probably wins out because he's a power arm who can be used in more of a set-up role, which the Nats will need with Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez filling in as closer. Stammen and Durbin are more long men. Still 3-2 Nats in the middle of the eighth.

8:36 p.m. -- Yes, that was indeed Angelberth Montilla grounding out to short in the bottom of the eighth. Number 33 on your scorecard. Angelberth Montilla.

8:46 p.m. -- Another strong inning of relief from Henry Rodriguez. He did surrender a two-out single to Austin Kearns. No, seriously. But he responded by striking out Jose Reyes to end the game. Nats win, 3-2.

182 comments:

Tcostant said...

Xavier Nady is almost as lucky as tonight's Mega Millions winner. What a stroke of luck, Xavier being in the right place at the right time.

Almost.

oldguyjim waiting for Opening Dy. said...

who is the new guy playing 2B for us? Maybe he will hit better than the other Danny.

Not a bad lineup if X can hit.

natsfan1a said...

hmmm, I thought they weren't going to have sideline reporters. Anyhoo, looking forward to Nats baseball on tv. Even more so for next week, when the games start to count.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Fortune favors the prepared.

natsfan1a said...

Danny likes to switch up the letters depending on which side he's hitting from. Maybe it'll bring him some mojo.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

You realize of course that if he goes 4 for 4 we're going to have start referring to him as Ep-sinosa?

UnkyD said...

Worked for LannEn.....

natsfan1a said...

Abso[McCattyWord]lutely. :-)

Section 3, My Sofa said...

You realize of course that if he goes 4 for 4 we're going to have start referring to him as Ep-sinosa?
March 30, 2012 4:10 PM

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Danny Ep-sinosa... sounds like a song cue.

Maybe Mark can give the lineups as song lyrics?

I think with these teams it could work...

McR said...

Chicago is getting closer, with games like tonight's. Anyway, I was just reading Crasnick's column, on the Nat's, over at the world-wide leader (actually a pretty good read: http://espn.go.com/mlb/preview12/story/_/id/7752863/washington-nationals-believe-legitimate-contender) and decided to roll through the "comments". Good grief the vitriol there, and I thought the WashPost used to be "trolled". Makes me glad to have sites like this with knowledgeable fans, even if it gets chippy sometimes, that make it a good read.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Abso[McCattyWord]lutely. :-)

OOOh, good one! We've been needing an updated expletive euphemism.

Abso[Cat]lutely for short?

natsfan1a said...

That would work, as it is rather cumbersome.

In other news, nice Atlanta newspaper blog item with background on the Braves signing Livo.

Section 3, My Sofa said...

Abso[McCattyWord]lutely. :-)

OOOh, good one! We've been needing an updated expletive euphemism.

Abso[Cat]lutely for short?

Smurff said...

Agreed, McR. I don't even waste time looking at the comments on ESPN (or CBS). Much classier here. Even the Anons have thoughtful input, although I still don't understand why the anonymity is necessary.

Les in NC said...

I make a motion we adopt the Abso[Cat]lutely euphemism.

...and make it a drinking game...?

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Hey, 1a, does it only work as an infix? Or will a gerund do?

natsfan1a said...

I was actually thinking gerund. :-)

natsfan1a said...

Hey, it didn't break the blog, either. :-)

MicheleS said...

If you are following Mark/Amanda/Kilgore, etc, they are tweeting Rizzo's Best 25 Go North (or at least in camp currently)!

Bang! Gulp!
GYFNG!

Anonymous said...

hmmm, I thought they weren't going to have sideline reporters.

That's what Debbi Taylor said they told her when they didn't renew her contract. She must have heard wrong. What they probably told her was "We're going in a different direction with the sideline reporter gig. Namely, a direction away from YOU."

Anonymous said...

Les.. we need more drinking games!

MicheleS said...

In other news.. Did you see we got a new Sideline Reporter? see Mark's twitter feed.

Grandstander said...

You can catch tonight's game on TV, as Bob, F.P. and new sideline reporter Kristina Akra have the call.

Ah, that reminds me of the other upgrade we got this offseason.

Not bad

natsfan1a said...

Mark mentioned her in the post above^

TimDz said...

At the risk of sounding sexist...

I think the Nats went for the upgrade at the sideline reporter gig...

http://www.foxsportssouth.com/pages/secgil_talent_akra

MicheleS said...

1A.. always on top of stuff. I owe you some bon bon's or a Coke!

natsfan1a said...
hmmm, I thought they weren't going to have sideline reporters. Anyhoo, looking forward to Nats baseball on tv. Even more so for next week, when the games start to count

MicheleS said...

Ladies, if the guys start commenting on JUST the appearance of our new sideline reporter (and not her actual job skills) I vote for a Chick Fest. Who is with me?

Feel Wood said...

Kristina Akra sure looks like an upgrade to me!

Golfersal said...

Anything is a upgrade from Debi Taylor.
Can bet that Kristina Akra is young, blond, great looking with a great body and will be very intimidated.
Guess we will see.

natsfan1a said...

Woohoo! And I was thinking the same thing re. a potential Chick Fest. ;-)

MicheleS said...

1A.. always on top of stuff. I owe you some bon bon's or a Coke!

Mark Zuckerman said...

OK, couple of mistakes by your humble beat writer. The starting second baseman's name, of course, is spelled Espinosa. But if he does snap out of his spring training funk tonight, feel free to keep spelling it wrong.

Also, though Kristina Akra is here tonight (and was holding a MASN microphone up to Davey Johnson during our afternoon session with him) she won't actually be appearing on the broadcast until Tuesday.

MicheleS said...

And if you click on ESPN.com righ now, The Nats are front and center with the Crasnick article.

And Boys, close your mouths.. you are going to catch some flies.

natsfan1a said...

Thanks for your understanding, Mark. ;-)

But if he does snap out of his spring training funk tonight, feel free to keep spelling it wrong.

Okay, so you all guys can put your eyeballs back in their sockets now. Save 'em for next week. :-)

Also, though Kristina Akra is here tonight (and was holding a MASN microphone up to Davey Johnson during our afternoon session with him) she won't actually be appearing on the broadcast until Tuesday.

sjm308 said...

Feel:
One of your better links. Go ahead lady's with yor chick fest or whatever. If she asks how someone felt after a game I will mute her just like I did Debbie.

Sec 3: is there a metro near Duffy's? If not what is parking like. I google mapped it and it's only about 35 min from Burtonsville so I am thinking about a visit. Sure would rather have metro get me home after celebrating our first win.

natsfan1a said...

sjm, looks like it's about 1 block from the Metro (Green line).

m20832 said...

http://thebiglead.fantasysportsven.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/kristina-akra.jpg


Awwww....do I have to get my tongue off the floor? The flies do keep sticking to it.
She was a Heat dancer? Lordy, Lordy!

Kind of reminds me of Amber Theoharis.

Definitely an upgrade!

sjm308 said...

Thanks natsfan and that makes it almost a lock! Maybe I can bring my laptop and you can give me a tutorial on links during comercial breaks but NOT when our new on field reporter is on (that is a joke ladies).

MicheleS said...

Hey.. It looks like we are getting a Nats Xtra tonight as well.

And our new sideline reporter is young enough to be your Daughter or in some cases GRAND daughter.

Cwj said...

Hey guys don't forget Nats Extra with Johnny and Ray is on at 5:30.

Cwj said...

MicheleS gets a coke :-)

Cwj said...

Wow, I was a half hour late on that post...

MicheleS said...

CWJ.. just give that coke to 1A.. I owe her one..(or many)

Golfersal said...

In doing a bit of research on this Kristina Akra, you tell me if we will miss Debbi Taylor

http://kristinaakra.com/

Debbi isn't in the same league as this girl

Grandstander said...

Um, hey Ross Detweiler, nice to finally meet you!

MicheleS said...

IAN!!! WOO HOO!!!

MicheleS said...

Drew is HILARIOUS.. We have a new Play by Play guy.

natsfan1a said...

Sure, sjm, would be happy to do that.

Thanks natsfan and that makes it almost a lock! Maybe I can bring my laptop and you can give me a tutorial on links during comercial breaks but NOT when our new on field reporter is on (that is a joke ladies).

gonatsgo said...

Drew Storen is quite a character.A neighbor knocked on my door - by the time I got in the house I saw a 1 on the scoreboard - how fast did that happen?

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

sjm, the s/w here only allows three things: bold, italics, and hyperlinks (which includes email addresses).

natsfan1a said...

Pretty fast, it was on the first pitch.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

about as fast as it can, gonatsgo--Desmond with a first pitch home run. See Mark's post above.

MicheleS said...

From Kilgore's twitter:

Danny Espinosa having what looks like an intense convo with Davey. Espinosa struck out in the 1st, bringing his total to 21 in 61 at-bats.

natsfan1a said...

Or mine. (Glug glug.)

natsfan1a said...

Oh, now he's busting on FP. :-D

natsfan1a said...

(That would be Storen.)

sjm308 said...

Sec 3, I am lucky to type a legible sentence - those other 3 things are above my abilities - its a victory when I get it turned on

natsfan1a said...

DeRosa is all about the Natitude.

MicheleS said...

From Mark's twitter feed:

There's a giant inflatable chicken on the concourse here tonight. Have fun with that set-up line, folks...

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Burnett is talking about the bullpen's catchphrase, "Go sit in the truck!", used when an opposing hitter strikes out. He says he doesn't know where it's from originally. My money is on Larry the Cable Guy.

Anonymous said...

Uh, oh.....

natsfan1a said...

Werth's reply: I got your truck right here. Wait, that's my truck! Dang.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

We should be able to use "Go sit in the truck!" for something in here...

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

1a, POD nomination!

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Detwiler is not the long guy, he's the emergency starter. Or the sixth starter. Whatever.

And he's proceeding to show us why...

gonatsgo said...

This Marlins line-up is no joke. Oh, goody...

Anonymous said...

Whew!

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

OK, the reverse whammy worked on Stanton!

MicheleS said...

Apparantly, if you change your name to Giancarlo you now are an Opera Singer

natsfan1a said...

This, maybe?

sm13 said...

Good to see Ross settle down and get out of the inning with only a run. Now, let's try to string together a few hits....

natsfan1a said...

No love Giancarlo Giannini?

natsfan1a said...

I concur.

sec 3 said: We should be able to use "Go sit in the truck!" for something in here...

MicheleS said...

I think Danny needs to go back to #18

baseballswami said...

A Nats game - on TV - with my imaginery friends and alcohol. Priceless!

Anonymous said...

Did you see Gio in the dugout? He has tons of energy.

baseballswami said...

Way to go, Rossy D!!!

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Werth's beard ... do you think he had that done by a barber? Or just with the Flo-bee?

And would "Werth's beard!" make a good exclamation of surprise?

natsfan1a said...

Looked like he was pantomiming riding a bucking bronco.

natsfan1a said...

Yes, sort of like great Zeus or some such. But what's a Flo-bee?

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

I think Danny needs to go back to #18

Michele, you may be onto something.

MicheleS said...

It's still weird see #7 on someone else, but if DeRo keeps hitting like that I will get over it

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

What's a Flowbee, you ask?

sm13 said...

Seems like everytime the camera lands on Gio he's always smiling and telling stories in the dugout. Rizzo seems to find those players with intangibles about players that the numbers don't reveal.

On the other hand, darn Rizzo just revealed that Stammen is going to Syracuse How can he keep Gorzo over Craig?

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

I want to see the Buffalo get ahold of one here...

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Dang. My bad.

sm13 said...

sorry about the semi-incoherent sentence in the last post -- I was worked up over Stammen!

MicheleS said...

OMG.. I need to send cookies to Det. He STILL looks like a twig up there.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

we were wondering sm13, but we're too polite to ask.

gonatsgo said...

So - the neighbor kid just finished mowing my lawn - I went outside to pay him. Came back to find the score 3-1 -- missed Desi's homerun, missed the rbi's. Do you all want me to go outside again? I have really been looking forward to watching this game all day and I have missed the best two minutes.My lawn looks awesome, however.

#4 said...

Thanks goodness. It's great to hear Rizzo say they'll be more aggressive this year. All the "work the count" stuff last year drove me nuts. I agree with him that it made them defensive early and chase late.

Dave said...

Coming late to the party, but I'm very glad to see the Nats, old and new, showing some offensive life. 3-1 good guys.

Kristina Akra is indeed easy on the eyes, but I'm with sjm308: if she doesn't ask smart baseball questions or say smart things, I'll get over her quick.

baseballswami said...

sm13 I agree totally about Stammen! Gorzy is terrible!

#4 said...

Love the short commercial breaks on ST games too!!!

sm13 said...

Thanks Sec3, I appreciate the courtesy

MicheleS said...

Oh no.. FP is starting to talk about Sprints now (not marathons)

B25GN!
GYFNG!
Gulp! Bang!

natsfan1a said...

Thanks for the link, sec 3. How did I ever get through life without having seen a Flowbee? Awesome.

gonatsgo said...

I forgot how I always felt very confident when ALR was at first. Lots of security there for the infield.

natsfan1a said...

Yes, please. It's not personal, it's baseball.

Do you all want me to go outside again?

baseballswami said...

Ross with five innings, five strike-outs. MicheleS - quick -- get some cookies for him!!!
Maybe some nice Thin Mints!

natsfan1a said...

MicheleS, I'm starting to think they're using those cliches deliberately. Nah.

natsfan1a said...

Oh, I have Thin Mints in my freezer! But they're my only box. Decisions, decisions...

#4 said...

Let's all root for Espi to put it in play here

Anonymous said...

As Steve Lombardozzi watches in the wings....

fpcsteve said...

Detwiler tonight: PFB. Pardon me if that is a repeat. I didn't read all of the posts.

Cwj said...

The way Detwiler has been pitching this spring, maybe he doesn't need any cookies :-)

Anonymous said...

Question:
If I purchase the MLB TV Premium package for $125.00, can I watch all the live home games without dealing with blackouts?

I purchased the $110.00 package three or four years ago, but couldn't watch any of the Nats games when they were at home. (I was upset at that little surprise) So I’ve been sticking with the $20.00 audio package, I would really like the video feed because I work nights. But only if I can get the home games live.

Thanks in advance,
NatFan05

MicheleS said...

1A.. the cliches, I wonder if they know about our drinking/bon bon games

natsfan1a said...

That's what I'm wondering, MicheleS. hmmm... ;-)

Dave said...

Stammen looked like the best of his old self right there, too.

It'd be nice if Ross and Craig would keep this up. Does Stammen go north? (Or Detwiler, for that matter?)

Dave said...

FP is certainly waxing enthusiastic about DC. I'm glad he's still the MASN analyst guy.

Cwj said...

Dave- No doubt about Detwiler going north. He's out of options, and is probably the 4th best starter on the team (ahead of Wang and Lannan, in my opinion)

MicheleS said...

Glad JJ is leaving the game!

baseballswami said...

Hard to believe we don't have a spot for Detweiler. He is truly the sixth starter. We have pitching up the wazoo. Is Josh Johnson their #1 starter or has Ozzie not set up his rotation yet? He looks like a huge guy.He is obviously on a pitch count tonight and is leaving the mound, which is a good thing.

Cwj said...

Dave I agree. I think the Nats have good broadcasters all the way around (tv and radio).

Watching some of the other teams' broadcasts on MLB network the past few weeks, wow some of them are just flat out boring.

sm13 said...

Josh Johnson appears to be fully healed and back at 100%. He is scary good, which is not good news for us.

Cwj said...

I think Johnson may be their opening day starter.
He's definitely their ace.
One of the best pitchers in MLB when healthy.
Very comparable to Strasburg as far as talent.

Anonymous said...

That was actually pretty funny - watching the fielders try to find the ball. Glad it was them and not us.

Dave said...

"It falls like a soft-lobbed wedge, and nobody touches it."

Sometimes even Carp can be eloquent.

Yes, we do have pretty good broadcasters. We carp on Carp, but the crew really is quite decent.

(The pizza has arrived, the wine is flowing, and my spring break as a high-school teacher has just started. I'm sliding into the baseball-maudlin zone.)

baseballswami said...

I think I like this DeRosa guy :)

MicheleS said...

That kid on 2b running for DeRo looks like he is 14. Geesh

baseballswami said...

Hey, Dave, I second that!

MicheleS said...

FP STOP.

Best Shape of my Life..

Gulp! Bang!

I am getting tippsy.. Hiccup!

gonatsgo said...

MicheleS -- some of these guys who go in and run in the late innings really do look like middle schoolers!

#4 said...

Angelberth Montilla

Quite a name

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=501778

Cwj said...

Ugh, I keep thinking to myself how awesome it would be if Detwiler was the 5th starter.
I know its not gonna happen, but it drives me nuts thinking about it.

gonatsgo said...

So - people we don't have a place for : Ross Detweiler- sp, Craig Stammen- sp or relief, Steve Lombardozzi- starting middle-infielder? wow. This is some tough competition.

Anonymous said...

Come on, Danny - just put the ball in play this time.

Jim Kurtzke said...

Any chance Espi goes to AAA?

Cwj said...

Gonatsgo- Yeah it is a good problem to have, but it's also frustrating, I think.

baseballswami said...

I think Danny could use some time in AAA to regain his confidence. It's pretty obvious Lombo could hold the fort.I love Danny's make-up, but he might need a shrink more than he needs a hitting coach.

gonatsgo said...

cwj -makes you wonder if it's bad for morale and if guys would like to be traded so that they can play.

Dave said...

Jim Kurtzke, I have been wondering the same thing myself--especially after hearing about the animated conversation between Espi and Davey in the dugout.

Cwj said...

Jim Kurtzke- Highly unlikely Espinosa goes to AAA.
That would be a huge shock.

I think he'll be fine. He already is a great fielder, has 25 homer power. But probably won't hit for average and will strikeout a lot.

baseballswami said...

Not a fan of Matheus - but I do hope he holds the line here. So - I can't make it up to DC next Thursday. Who will be on NI during the game? Austin Kearns, wow.

MicheleS said...

Swammi..
I will be on NI thursday..I will be developing a Hacking Cough and sneezing heavily on early Thursday so I can work from home on Thursday afternoon. Wouldn't want to get my co-workers sick. :-)

Dave said...

I think I'll either be on NI Thursday or at Duffy's, but more likely here on the blog.

Since I'm at home on my laptop and not on my worthless school computer network, I'll actually be able to comment during a game.

gonatsgo said...

I am way behind and out of the loop on the Nady situation. I need to look him up on Wikipedia tomorrow.Apparently he is a pretty good veteran who was out of the game and now has become a front-runner for the nats 25 man?

Cwj said...

Gonatsgo- Yeah it wouldn't surprise me if Gorzelanny would like to be traded. No doubt the Orioles and Astros would be interested.

But Detwiler and Lombo are young and may end up as regulars by the end of the season. I think they'll be happy to be on the opening day roster.

baseballswami said...

Great to hear that some of the regulars will be on line. I have to work in the evening and so I can't risk going into dc and trying to get back south -- on a Thursday leading to a holiday weekend no less. As much as I love Charlie and Dave, I don't plan on spending the day in my car if I can help it.

Cwj said...

Gonatsgo- Here's some stats for Nady: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nadyxa01.shtml

He's had a pretty good career.

lls45 said...

Noticed that Bob made a slight error. Austin Kearns is not the only National to hit an inside-the-park home run. Willie Harris did it at Nationals Park in 2010. One of the more fun moments to have been there for!

gonatsgo said...

I would love it if Gorzelanny was traded...there never did seem to be a place for him here. I don't feel like he is a good fit. If I met him in person I don't even think I would ask for his autograph - as a fan, I don't feel like he is really a true Nat. I know that's probably mean, but , there it is.

Cwj said...

I'm guessing we'll see Henry Rodriguez in the 9th?
1 run leads aren't always easy to protect. Should be a good test for him.

gonatsgo said...

And thanks, cwj

Dave said...

I'd like to see Hot Rod this evening. Haven't seen him pitch this spring. Kilgore had a piece in which he talked him up pretty well, saying HRod has much better control this year.

Cwj said...

Gonatsgo- Yeah I tend to agree with you about Gorzelanny.
I certainly don't hate him or anything, but I feel he's just taking up a spot someone more deserving should have.

sm13 said...

oksy. in a race between Chad Tracy and Adam Dunn, would anyone win? maybe Teddy?

MicheleS said...

We get Nats Xtra after the game as well.. Also looks like there is a replay at 10 PM of this game so for those ofyou that missed Ian's first pitch homer you won't have to wait long to see it again.

Anonymous said...

So not only do we have the Z names locked up with the 2 zimmermen, we also have the x names now with that guy with the hyphenated name that ends in an x ( he is in the minors somewhere) and now nady. Alphabet soup.I feel so sorry for these guys that have to call the st games. Half the time they have no idea who is playing.

Dave said...

Ouch. That was ugly, watching Chad Tracy lumber around third base and right into the catcher's mitt.

Cwj said...

Here comes Henry for the 9th...

Dave said...

Let's see if Henry looks pretty frickin' bueno tonight.

gonatsgo said...

MicheleS - I think I will turn on the replay at 10 and see Ian's HR -- I am quite sure that no one will knock on my door that late. Can't believe I missed it.

Cwj said...

How was that first pitch not a strike???
Looked right down the middle

baseballswami said...

Dave - I like the way you think.

Cwj said...

Wow Henry looks good this spring. Nasty stuff

Dave said...

Does anybody think maybe Desi should've had that Kearns grounder?

MicheleS said...

The bottom of the 9th has been cancelled!

Woo Hoo!

Cwj said...

And with the tying run on second he Ks Reyes for the save.
Awesome.

Dave said...

Well, that did look PFB, I must say. HRod strikes out Reyes to end the thing.

I'm feeling good--and I haven't refilled my wine in an hour.

Can't wait until Tuesday, when I get to see the boys in Nats Park again.

sm13 said...

Henry -- power, poise, and a heck of a breaking ball. Very impressive for our 6th and 7th inning guy once Drew returns.

Cwj said...

MPH Rod: 1 IP, 1 weak single, 2 big Ks
Get used to many 3-2 wins guys!

Go Nats!

baseballswami said...

MPHRod has a zero era. Really.

Cwj said...

Swami- And a 9/2 SO/BB rate!

gonatsgo said...

Did anyone really see this coming that Henry Rodriguez would have this kind of command in spring training? Did he play winter ball? How did this happen?

Cwj said...

SM13- Very well said indeed.
Although he'll probably be a spot closer as well when Drew needs a break.

Lidge has looked fantastic this spring as well.

Really, I can't understand why Larry Bowa gave the bullpen a 3/5. More like 5/5 Larry!
And he gave the rotation a 3 as well? Uh, ok whatever you say. More like 4.5/5

Cwj said...

Not sure if he pitched this winter, Gonatsgo.
And I certainly didn't expect his command to improve as much.
Whats funny is that even when he was throwing the ball all over the place last year, he was still pretty effective.

gonatsgo said...

And let's face it - the guy has a face only a mother could love - the intimidation factor is way off the charts. We thought the wookie was intimidating - this guy has him beat by a mile. So much to be excited about. I know there are issues, especially with the offense, but overall , I am really excited about the season.

Cwj said...

Me too Gonatsgo!!
I'm very excited!

Cwj said...

Has anyone ever seen Henry interviewed? Not sure I ever have.

Anonymous said...

Does he speak english or does he need an interpreter?

Dave said...

In other news, score one for the old guys.

Jamie Moyer makes the Rockies roster at age 49. (per msnbc)

Mark'd said...

Didn't HenRod have a lousy Winter Ball? Lights out now!

natsfan1a said...

I'm pretty sure H-Rod did pitch in winter ball, but would need to check that.

natsfan1a said...

Watching the late innings (DVR) now, as husband came home and wanted to watch something else after the 6th. (But I already know how it ends, so no worries.)

natsfan1a said...

Winter stats are <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/org.jsp?id=was>here.</a>

natsfan1a said...

Well, there's a nice link coding demo for you, sm13. I left off the closing quotation mark after "was" by accident or it would have been a live link.

Arlington BigFish said...

Over @ the Yanks/Phils game on MLB TV, Yanks announcers (Ken Singleton & some guy I don't recognize but who sounds a lot like Girardi) shooting the breeze. Who do they really like in the National League: the Nats, of course !! They're really impressed w/ our strating rotation -- even flashed pix.

Also, Justin Maxwell "looks like a keeper." 3 RBI tonight, 11 for the spring, .350+ BA. Good for him.

MicheleS said...

Per Mark...Espi having trouble in viera with the small batter's eye, could be the reason he is not hitting at Space Coast.

Gonat said...

MicheleS, yes, but he has accelerated the K's recently on the road also. Remember, he started hot. He is not picking up the breaking ball well.

Hope that's the case as overall his road numbers have been much better.

DATE OPP AB R H HR RBI BB SO SB AVG
03/20/2012 @NYM 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 .258 A 2012/03/20/wasmlb-nynmlb-1 S
03/21/2012 ATL 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .222 H 2012/03/21/atlmlb-wasmlb-1 S
03/23/2012 @HOU 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 .211 A 2012/03/23/wasmlb-houmlb-1 S
03/24/2012 @BAL 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 .220 A 2012/03/24/wasmlb-balmlb-1 S
03/25/2012 NYM 6 3 3 0 0 0 1 0 .255 H 2012/03/25/nynmlb-wasmlb-1 S
03/26/2012 HOU 3 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 .260 H 2012/03/26/houmlb-wasmlb-1 S
03/27/2012 @MIA 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 .264 A 2012/03/27/wasmlb-miamlb-1 S
03/28/2012 @NYM 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 .263 A 2012/03/28/wasmlb-nynmlb-1 S
03/29/2012 ATL 3 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 .250 H 2012/03/29/atlmlb-wasmlb-1 S
03/30/2012 MIA 3 0 0 0 1 3 .238

JaneB said...

What does that mean, Michelle? I just got off a plane and it's fun to catch up with the game and the Desi Dinger but I'm officially worried about Espi now. What is going on there?

sjm308 said...

I think natsfan already answered it but yes, HRod pitched limited innings in Winter Ball and Yes, he needs an interpreter. They were using Blanco but I am guessing that Flores or Ramos can also help with that.

Hmmm... said...

Watchinh the replay w drew talking to bob & fp. Kid is a hoot. Doing play by play. Attitude speaks well to the loose attitude of the team.
So psyched

Gyfng

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