Saturday, April 21, 2012

Game 16: Marlins at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Stephen Strasburg makes his fourth start of the season today, facing the Marlins.
The Nationals own the second-best record in the National League. They lead the NL East. They've gone 7-2 on their first homestand of the season. And today they'll have Chad Tracy hitting cleanup.

Wait, what? Chad Tracy hitting cleanup? Yes, believe it. Davey Johnson has been wanting to give the veteran a start at some point, but he really only plays first or third base. So the manager is giving Adam LaRoche a breather this afternoon and using Tracy in his place. (FYI: Ryan Zimmerman is expected to get tomorrow's series finale off, and Tracy could get another start in his place, unless Davey decides to go with Steve Lombardozzi.)

The Nationals certainly hope they don't need a ton of offense today, not with Stephen Strasburg on the mound. This actually will be Strasburg's fifth career start against the Marlins. He hasn't faced any other club more than twice.

It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon for baseball ... for now. There's a big storm approaching from the south, but it's not expected to hit us until late in the afternoon. So we should be good today. Tomorrow will be another story. Plenty of updates to come...

MIAMI MARLINS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WNEW (1580 AM), XM 183
Weather: Storms late, 75 degrees, Wind 10 mph out to LF
NATIONALS (11-4)
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan Zimmerman Mark DeRosa
1B Chad Tracy
RF Jayson Werth
CF Rick Ankiel
LF Xavier Nady
C Wilson Ramos
RHP Stephen Strasburg

MARLINS (7-7)
SS Jose Reyes
2B Emilio Bonifacio
3B Hanley Ramirez
LF Logan Morrison
1B Gaby Sanchez
RF Greg Dobbs
C John Buck
CF Chris Coghlan
RHP Anibal Sanchez

UMPIRES
HP Greg Gibson, 1B Phil Cuzzi, 2B Vic Carapazza, 3B Gerry Davis (cc)

1:05 p.m. -- Uh, Ryan Zimmerman did not take the field with the rest of the lineup. Mark DeRosa is at third base. Stay tuned.

1:07 p.m. -- Stephen Strasburg starts off Jose Reyes with a 94 mph fastball for ball one.

1:14 p.m. -- Strasburg needed 18 pitches to get through the top of the first, as Emilio Bonifacio battled his way through his at-bat and Hanley Ramirez ran the count full. But Strasburg still retired the side, getting Ramirez looking at a 3-2 curveball that may have been a bit high to end the inning. Hanley was not pleased.

1:19 p.m. -- Well, looks like Greg Gibson is going to have a large strike zone today. Ramirez didn't like his strike three call in the top of the first, and DeRosa didn't like his strike three call to end the bottom of the first. Nothin' doin' for either team so far. It's scoreless after one.

1:30 p.m. -- We are off to a strange start to this one. The latest: Gibson just took a Strasburg fastball flush in the last part of a man's body you'd ever want to take a direct hit. Not sure how Wilson Ramos didn't catch that pitch, and I'm not sure Gibson realizes how it happened, either, because he and his crew members made Logan Morrison go back to first base when it appeared he had every right to advance to second on a wild pitch. Guess they thought it was a foul ball. It wasn't. Anyways, Ozzie Guillen had some strong words for the umps on that one. In the end, it's still a scoreless game heading to the bottom of the second.

1:34 p.m. -- By the way, here's my quick story on Ryan Zimmerman. Don't know much at this point, but I'll update it as soon as I do.

1:41 p.m. -- Favorable umpiring or not, Strasburg is dealing so far today. He's through three scoreless, having recorded four strikeouts already. Only two balls have left the infield: Logan Morrison's single to center and John Buck's weak flyball to right.

1:48 p.m. -- Here's the official Zimmerman update: He was scratched from today's lineup with "mild right shoulder inflammation," according to a Nats spokesman. Full story here.

1:58 p.m. -- Strasburg got into a jam in the fourth, giving up a leadoff double to Reyes and then seeing him take third on a sac bunt. But the right-hander came up big getting Ramirez to hit a sharp grounder right at a drawn-in Danny Espinosa, holding Reyes at third. Morrison then flied out to left to end the inning. It's still scoreless.

2:17 p.m. -- The good news: Strasburg continues to deal. He's scattered three hits over five innings striking out five on 71 pitches (43 strikes). The Nats pitching staff is now riding a 16-inning scoreless streak. The bad news: Their lineup can't do anything Anibal Sanchez, again. Two hits through four innings, one of them an Espinosa bunt that was originally called a throwing error on Sanchez but has since been changed to a single.

2:37 p.m. -- That'll do it for Strasburg. Another strong outing for him, though his high pitch count (94) will only allow him to complete six innings. His final line: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K, 94 pitches, 60 strikes. His updated totals through nine post-Tommy John surgery starts: 1.29 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 49 K, 8 BB in 49 innings. Not bad. Not bad at all.

2:41 p.m. -- And now Strasburg is in line for his third win of the season as Ian Desmond crushes a pitch deep to left for his second homer of the year. The Nats lead 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth.

2:52 p.m. -- A nice, 1-2-3 inning of relief for Ryan Mattheus, who has been hit-or-miss so far this season. The 1-0 lead remains intact as we reach the seventh-inning stretch. Keep an eye on the bullpen the rest of the way. Davey Johnson said this morning he may start leaning more toward Henry Rodriguez over Brad Lidge to close against teams that have a lot of left-handed hitters in their lineup, which the Marlins definitely do today.

2:55 p.m. -- Jayson Werth delivers his first home run of the season, a line drive just over the left-field fence. It's 2-0 as the Nats score an all-important insurance run in the bottom of the seventh.

2:58 p.m. -- Today's paid attendance: 26,745.

3:07 p.m. -- Nice job by Mattheus and Sean Burnett (not to mention Desmond, who went deep into the hole to make a fantastic play) in the top of the eighth. It remains 2-0, and Brad Lidge is now warming in the pen to ostensibly pitch the ninth.

3:15 p.m. -- Nothing happening in the bottom of the eighth, so we go to the ninth. It'll be Lidge looking to protect a 2-0 lead against the heart of the Miami order: Ramirez, Morrison and Sanchez.

3:20 p.m. -- Oh, dear. Logan Morrison into the second deck on a 91-mph fastball up from Lidge. After a leadoff walk. This game is tied 2-2, and there were a good number of boos coming down from the stands after that blast.

3:32 p.m. -- Well, at least Lidge got out of the inning with the game tied. It'll be up to the heart of the Nats lineup to win this in the bottom of the ninth. Due up: Zimmerman, LaRoche ... oh wait, it's DeRosa and Tracy. Oh, well.

3:40 p.m. -- They had a chance to do it in the bottom of the ninth when Werth's little blooper fell right on the right-field line for a two-out double. The Marlins then intentionally walked Ankiel to bring up Nady, but the veteran swung at Edward Mujica's first pitch and bounced it right back to the mound. We go to the 10th, and Tom Gorzelanny is now in to pitch.

3:47 p.m. -- Gorzelanny retires the side. Onto the bottom of the 10th. It'll be Ramos, LaRoche (who has entered on a double switch) and Desmond for the Nats. For those wondering about Zimmerman's availability, I have no idea. Seems doubtful he could pinch-hit, though, and I haven't seen him in the dugout at all today.

3:54 p.m. -- Ian Desmond delivers the game-winner, with a big assist from Gaby Sanchez. After Sanchez made a boneheaded decision to try to turn a 3-6-3 double play without stepping on first base first, he fired high to second and allowed Wilson Ramos to advance all the way to third. Desmond then lofted a fly ball deep enough to center field to score Ramos. The Nats win 3-2 in 10 innings. They're 12-4.

197 comments:

NatsLady said...

For all of you out-of-towners, Nats/Marlins is the free game on MLB.tv today.

m20832 said...

All I can say is: Fry those fish SS!!!

GYFNG!!!

Anonymous said...

Smart move by Johnson. Put Tracy in when Strasburg is pitching. Not sure I would put him at third with Gio though ...

Craig said...

Looks like Gaby Sanchez is going to be pretty busy.

Kevin Rusch, Section 406 said...

Mark, aren't you off duty? QUIT POSTING! LET THE MINIONS HANDLE IT!!!!

Seriously, man. I hate to think you're overworking yourself here.

Anonymous said...

Mark, aren't you off duty? QUIT POSTING! LET THE MINIONS HANDLE IT!!!!

Per previous posts which I guess you didn't bother to read? He is back today.

natsfan1a said...

Go, SS! Go, NATS!! Filet 'em and fry 'em up. :-)

baseballswami said...

Flores is sick? Do we have a backup to the backup? Ramos, be careful, Dude!

Nats in Athens said...

I think today's game is the most important one yet. If we win we get our first series win again what everyone can accept as a legitimately good team. We get to leave on our West coast trip on a high note. And, most important to me, we can win a series against the one team in our division that we have never had much luck against.

waddu eye no said...

hot damn!
first chance to move the tv outside.
gyfng

NatsLady said...

waddu eye no -- are you going to the game tomorrow? Are we going to try to get some musicians/singers together for a NI group?

NatsLady said...

This site ranks the days' starting pitchers. How you like SS ranking #3 above Verlander? And tomorrow, Gio is ranked #1.

ESPN Fantasy Notes

http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/dailynotes?page=mlbnotes120421

Holden Baroque said...

Swami, where does it say Flores is sick? Did I miss something (again)?

The Great Unwashed said...

Speaking of ESPN, they're finally showing the Nats some love. It's the lead story in the carousel (finally!):
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7834237/washington-nationals-quality-young-arms

NatsLady said...

More Nats love from ESPN on Detwiler vs. Lannan (they're eating some Rizzo crow).


/nats-making-all-the-right-moves


http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/23274/nats-making-all-the-right-moves

skidge said...

Sofa, Flores tweeted earlier today: "I'm not feeling well. Mode #Sick : ("

waddu eye no said...

nats lady - no reply from the nats entertainment guy yet. with end of semester coming, and just finishing a gig last week, will wait a few weeks before i pester him in earnest.

but i will.

gyfng

Holden Baroque said...

Thanks, skidge

Les in NC said...

NatsLady, how do I found out if I am in the MLB.TV blackout zone for the Nationals or not (other than the screen saying so when you want to watch the game). I was hoping to buy it this season but if I am blacked out I won't be.

Smatt1001 said...

so Zim is no longer in the line up....
Hope he's ok.

RickH said...

Les,

I was either at Greenville or Greensboro last year and was distressed to find out it was blacked out. Ridiculous!

Anonymous said...

Why zimm Cancelle

Les in NC said...

RickH,
I was able to find out last year where the blackout zone was, but I can't seem to find it this season... at any rate the zone was everything east of I-77 ( I am west).

baseballswami said...

No Zim or LaRoche against Sanches and the backup catcher tweets he is sick. Ok - time to pull a rabbit out of a hat, Nats. At least Stanton is not in the line up - and well, it is Strassie for us.

waddu eye no said...

les in nc - i'm pretty sure there's a way to determine that on their site. it's a ripoff as we all know - the blackouts i mean. the mlv.tv and the mlb at bat app are both really good.

Les in NC said...

I should be in the Atlanta/Cincinnati blackout zone (which is fine with me).

Holden Baroque said...

1:17, FP speculated Zim is sitting today because he fouled a ball off his ankle yesterday.

Anonymous said...

OUCH. HP Umpire just took a 97 mph fastball right in the crotch. The entire male viewing population just winced in sympathy.

Les in NC said...

I would have liked to wince, but I can't see it.....

Anonymous said...

Umpires wear a cup, right? Still.....

Navy Nats Fan said...

Believe me, Les - you didn't want to see it. Reply showed that Ramos' glove hit the bat (should have been catcher's interference) which made him miss the pitch, it went pretty much straight into the ump. Call was a foul tip - Nats got a huge break.

Holden Baroque said...

I think it was fouled, from the replay, but I think FP is right, also, that Ramos's glove was tipped, which should have put the batter on first.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Does anyone know where Charlie and Dave are on the radio today. AM 1500 is running federal news crap. And the Nats' FM "flagship" doesn't appear to be cracking the greater Bethesda air space.
Please help. Otherwise I might be tempted to turn up the sound and listen to Sunshine Bobby (the announcer, not the blogger).

Holden Baroque said...

OOOh, on the replay after Ramos threw out Morrison at second, Ramos ran off the field shaking his glove hand and looking at it. That was definitely interference. Missed call goes the Nats's way.

Holden Baroque said...

@Sunshine Bobby:
"Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WNEW (1580 AM), XM 183"

From Mark's post above

NatsLady said...

If you go to this page (below), scroll towards the bottom there is a green button that says click here and a popup will show you what teams are blacked out for you.

MLB subscriptions

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/index.jsp?&c_id=mlb&affiliateId=mlbMENU

realdealnats said...

Sunshine--I'm in Silver Spring and DC101 is overpowering 106.7, and 1580 is...is...two people talking to each other and laughing vacuously at things that aren't funny. Might have to hit a bar to watch Stras put us on his back and carry us through w/o Zim, and LaRoche, and with Flores sick.

hmmm... said...

our flagship is full of holes. we, and charlie and dave, deserve better.

NatsLady said...

Sorry if my answers are sporadic--students, y'know. Sometimes they actually show up for their lesson.

realdealnats said...

and from what I hear, maybe without the starting HP Umpire...

Scott from Burke said...

Zim shoulder issues...and the dark clouds are rolling in

Scott from Burke said...

great play by the pitcher..barehanded snag and gets throw off..he deserved error because throw was bad but 1B should have come up with it..jp arguing no error...understandable but he fielded it cleanly..once that happened he should have made a better throw..still a heck of a plat

JaneB said...

Zimm was warming up before the game, are there any tea leaves we can read into that?

Holden Baroque said...

Shameless Rumor-Mongering Dept:

Marlon Byrd trade rumors are heating up--to Boston?

Scott from Burke said...

was he throwing? testing his shoulder

running? testing his ankle

this ain't (always) rocket science

Holden Baroque said...

from MLB Trade Rumors

NatsLady said...

FP is a funny guy. Talking about strategy for when the pitcher is on deck, says, "pitching around" [the no. 8 hitter] is not in Strasburg's vocabulary.

Scott from Burke said...

FP is NOT a funny guy to anyone except FP...listening to him is a chore...bad annoue ncing team...otoh the radio guys are fantastic

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

THanks, Section 3, realdealnats and hmmm. I thought it was just me. When/if anybody complains about home attendance, just remind them that the team brings it on themselves. Except for house ads on MASN, this team does no relevant advertising and Class A teams have better home radio signals. Really bush.

Although, to be honest, I actually enjoyed Sunshine's and FP's intv. with La Russa. I'm heading out for a drive, maybe the car radio will reel in Charlie and Dave...

Thanks, all for the 411.

Holden Baroque said...

I like FP. Knowledgeable, interesting, positive but doesn't mind saying when something is wrong. And he is funny.

SFNats said...

Seriously, Scott? I love FP. He was great doing the Giants games out here and I was really glad to see him go to the Nats. Much like Gio, a Bay area favorite that made the right move.

baseballswami said...

I think FP is fantastic and I also think he has made Carp better with their chemistry.

SFNats said...

LaRoche would have made that play...but everyone needs a day off, I guess.

Holden Baroque said...

LaRoche absolutely would have had that, but oh, well. As SFNats said, you can't expect him to play every inning.

Scott from Burke said...

I prefer a guy who talks about baseball, not trying out his comedy shtick...people keep hiring Katherine Heigl to make movies so somebody likes it...those Marlins are a speedy bunch..

Holden Baroque said...

Actually, Tracy is listed at 6' 1". Michael Morse is 6'5", he probably has that, too.

MicheleS said...

Scott watch the replay of the Strasburg debut and you will hear Dibble. And you will hear why some of us really like FP.

The home plate ump is taking a beating today.

Holden Baroque said...

Hey, somebody tell Ramirez to tuck in his pocket.

SFNats said...

That's a tough walk on Ramirez, since Stras struck him out at least once in that AB.

Just wonderin' said...

What is the crud on Ramirez's batting helmet? Pine tar? Tobacco juice residue? Andromeda strain?

Scott from Burke said...

Dibble was horrendous..if those are my choices I would take FP...but if a third option were the radio guys or Sean McDonough (the best announcer in sports), I'll take door #3

Scott from Burke said...

necklaces all over the place..pockets out...batting helmet coated with garbage..manager loves a dictator...ladies and gents it's your Florida Ma...umm Miami Marlins

Holden Baroque said...

SF Nats, yes he did, but then, he walked him on that first K, too.

baseballswami said...

While watching some of the Nats classics on masn during the off season I absolutely hated listening to Dibble. I almost had to mute. I love Charlie and Dave, too! Re: the game on the field -- we need hits :(

Holden Baroque said...

OK, THAT was outside to Roger, by about four inches, according to PitchTrak.

Holden Baroque said...

IAN

MicheleS said...

DESI!!! WOOOO HOOOOO!!

SFNats said...

True, Section 3. And Stras pitched out of it, so it's all good.

SHARK! Need to keep that up with Moore looming.

Holden Baroque said...

SURFACE! SURFACE!

I am liking this "sample size" all right.

SFNats said...

Sorry, Desi. Shark needs to step it up with Moore looming.

UnkyD said...

Desmond's gotta go.... DFA.... I can't stand another AB... He'll never be a MLB SS.... Trade him for Guzman.....

MicheleS said...

So glad DeRosa got that hit.

SFNats said...

LaRusa was on here a while ago talking about how much he loves watching Desi play and how he's just going to get better and better. It's what we've heard before, but people in the game with a lot of baseball knowledge have always thought very highly of Ian, and he's starting to show why.

rogieshan said...

Davey Johnson may not be worried about DeRosa, but he should be with Espinosa.

Holden Baroque said...

So they are averaging >25,000 through this homestand, without any special draw outside of the home opener. Not so bad, probably projects over 2.5MM or better, especially if they keep winning.

SFNats said...

They'll start drawing more during the week after the Caps' season is over and school is out. And attendance is already up. Should be a very good year at the turnstiles. And more TV money coming, too. All good things for the future.

Scott from Burke said...

a rainout tomorrow would be great..two straight off days for the bullpen

Holden Baroque said...

WERTH!

SURFACE! SURFACE!

Scott from Burke said...

a rainout tomorrow would be great news for the pen..WERTH finally

TimDz said...

J A Y S O N

SFNats said...

That Werth guy stinks, too. Maybe we can get a ham sandwich for him.

waddu eye no said...

2-0. that's plenty. another nat style blowout.
go pen!

Anonymous said...

I certainly hope that we don't have to suffer through H-Rod in the 9th inning today.

SFNats said...

Nats were in the bottom of the league in homers coming into this weekend, but that's 3 in two days. And Zim had one Thursday in the loss. So the longball is arriving.

realdealnats said...

Desi & Werth w/authority,yeah man

SFNats said...

Desmond! PFB!

Holden Baroque said...

Huge play there. Great range.

SFNats said...

Good play by Espi, too, to keep his foot on the bag. That's why they're not so worried about his hitting. He's a great defensive second baseman and the bat will come around. He's still adjusting to Major League pitching, after all.

realdealnats said...

LaRusa and Davey saw it in Desi when many of us didn't.W/the confidence Davey's installing in him, looks like he might be getting there...

Eugene in Oregon said...

So have they worked out that blood-pressure meds promotion that someone suggested yesterday? Cause I could use some.

Holden Baroque said...

Eugene, you must embrace the pain. It is the only way.

SFNats said...

Lidge is up in the bullpen. Grab the Maalox.

Holden Baroque said...

Or is that "embrace the 'pen"? I may have that wrong.

Holden Baroque said...

Mark--"to ostensibly pitch the ninth."??

sm13 said...

C'mon Brad!!

Scott from Burke said...

if game gets rained out tomorrow this is for the sweep

SFNats said...

Either way, this is for the series win. Taking the opening series against the Marlins and beating Anibal would be two pretty big milestones for this team.

MicheleS said...

Barkeep make mine a double!

SFNats said...

Damn

MicheleS said...

Darn it.

Holden Baroque said...

ummm, about that pain...

Exposremains said...

you could see that one coming, lidge should not be closing

sm13 said...

Oh Brad....

Holden Baroque said...

Might as well get out in front of it.
Yes, you told us so.

Cwj said...

Exposremains- Yeah I had a bad feeling about Lidge today.
What a terrible way to ruin an otherwise awesome game on a beautiful game.
Damn!

I guess Henry will be the full time closer from now on.

Anonymous said...

Lidge and H-Rod both suck!

FS said...

dang it, that sucks.

I still like Davey's two bullpens.

SFNats said...

Either Henry should be the full-time closer or maybe alternate him with Stammen. Lidge just isn't getting it done in the 9th.

Cwj said...

Ugh, Lidge really ruined my day :(
I feel like I've been punched in the gut.

Holden Baroque said...

Game isn't ruined yet, cwj.

Scott from Burke said...

lidge on 15 day dl after game with elbow soreness/vertigo/something...rodriguez takes over as full time closer

baseballswami said...

This is just awful considering how hard the team had to work today - awful for Strassie, too. Drew must be dying sitting there in the bullpen watching his idol who can't close anymore. Bottom of the ninth - if they don't score anymore - no Zim.

Exposremains said...

lidge really hasn't been good all year, he has been mostly lucky. and here come the Marlins of old

SFNats said...

I highly endorse that plan, Scott.

Holden Baroque said...

Embrace the pain, cwj. It is the only way.

Cwj said...

Anon- When's the last time Henry gave up a hit?
He does not suck and he doesn't give up homers.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Druuuuuuuuu - we miss youuuuuuuuuuuu!

Drew said...

When you enter the 9th with a two-run lead you simply cannot walk the lead off hitter.

Anonymous said...

That is what happens when you cannot score runs. To much to ask for the pitching staf to be perfect all the time.

Anonymous said...

Who is up for us in the 9th?

SFNats said...

It's certainly not too much to ask your closer to protect a 2-run lead. That's what they're there for.

Cwj said...

Sec 3- Yeah I guess I should embrace it :-)
When the Nats were bad I expected things like this. Wins were surprising and fun.
Now that the Nats have a good team every loss hurts more.

Anonymous said...

This ab will probably be the game.

Scott from Burke said...

so Lidge us up for the win..wonderful

Holden Baroque said...

OK, any old kind of a run wins it...
Let's go get 'em!

waddu eye no said...

need some hairy chested bench hitting!

Exposremains said...

really dodge a bullet here, hitters are just waiting for fastball and crush it

Holden Baroque said...

Is Zim available to pinch-hit?

Anonymous said...

Here is where Zim and LaRoche out really hurts us. Maybe LAR will come in and hit?

sjm308 said...

Hate to comment on game posts and did not read any

Just came in from yard work and radio when they tied it - thought I could change our luck and I did!

I won't rant on Lidge but Bobby Carpenter just told us the intentional walk and 2nd runner didn't mean anything. Man he is horrible

Eugene in Oregon said...

Bartender, 10 more miligrams of Lisinopril, please.

rogieshan said...

The bigger question: Do you keep Mattheus/Gorzelanny and move Lidge when Wang comes off the DL? I know Johnson likes having proven veterans around, but...

Holden Baroque said...

And Ray sorta endorses the "pick one" closer plan--and Bob and FP follow suit.

FS said...

exposremains, i think all were hit on sliders. right?

anyways, I believe Chad was Drew's idol. At least that's what I remember reading from one of his interviews.

Holden Baroque said...

sjm, yes, I heard Carp say that, and I cringed, too. Good thing he didn't jinx it with that.

Holden Baroque said...

Remember that Lidge wasn't supposed to be closing. Put Henry in that job and hold on for Drew.

Exposremains said...

what i meant is that with the fastball being slower than it used to be his slider is not as effective. making both of his pitches not effective.

SFNats said...

Holy cow! That works.

Holden Baroque said...

Wha?? Whoa, thank you Marlins!

sm13 said...

I seem to recall us making few of those blunder vs the Marlins in years past

Exposremains said...

where's laroche??

Anonymous said...

Really, Nady? You are 0 for the universe and you swing at the first pitch? Thanks for that and have fun when you are dfa'd when Morse returns.

SFNats said...

In at 1st.

sm13 said...

Grzo-oh-no...

baseballswami said...

GRRRRRRRRR! That is all...

SFNats said...

And Gorzo on the hill. Hope it's not time for him to take another one on the chin.

Anonymous said...

WHAT???????

Exposremains said...

gorzo, thats promising

Anonymous said...

This was just so unnecessary.

SFNats said...

Good thing they brought LaRoche in.

Scott from Burke said...

carpenter is nothing but a blow dried piece of fluff...reads people magazine and watches reruns on nick at night..aahhh he misses the gold old days

Anonymous said...

If they brought LaRoche in for defense, why didn't they bring him in to hit? #confused

Anonymous said...

The total lack of offense by the Nats sooner or later will wipe out the pitching staff.

Holden Baroque said...

OK, good inning for Gorzo. Let's go get a W.

SFNats said...

Yep. Gorzo got it done. Now time to end the game.

Holden Baroque said...

3:46, I was out of the room but I assume that was a double switch with the pitcher's spot.

baseballswami said...

Either that or it will make them as tough as nails, anon at 3:46. I am liking the adversity early in the season ( well, not personally) and I don't mean losing, I mean tough situations. This is the kind of battle testing they need to make it to the post season. Every hard lesson they learn today, even the coaching staff, will come into play later.

SFNats said...

Exactly, swami. Scapping out these tough wins early sets the tone for the season and gets the young guys used to dealing with pressure situations. It's tough to watch, sometimes, but this is a team that's learning how to never say die.

Holden Baroque said...

Jank you THESUS

SFNats said...

Yes indeed. And head's up running by Ramos!

Scott from Burke said...

i dont see how pitchers throwing more pitches is ever a good thing

RickH said...

As someone else said earlier, thank you Marlins!

Scott from Burke said...

did he step on first?

MicheleS said...

That was hilarious!! GYFNG! RAMOS at third

Holden Baroque said...

Hey, it's FREE BASEBALL. Gotta love it.

FS said...

remember, any way we can we must.

sm13 said...

More "old nats" play by the fish

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

If they brought LaRoche in for defense, why didn't they bring him in to hit? #confused

The total lack of offense by the Nats sooner or later will wipe out the pitching staff.



Different managing style from Riggleman anon. Hmmm well let's look at the date .. oh my its only April 21st NOT AUGUST 21st. Do you see the difference?

Davey has 2 or 3 guys in AAA who could come up to help him. He's waiting to see who is going to take the opportunity and run. He is still auditioning for a left fielder and a closer. (See Nady, Xavier) Now, if someone on the major league roster doesn't take the opportunity someone down in the minors will get their shot.

Scott from Burke said...

sorry..tv showed 1 out

RickH said...

Another series win!!!

SFNats said...

PFB. And we've taken the first series of the year from the nemesis Marlins.

Holden Baroque said...

Ian Desmond won't carry the team on his back for weeks at a time like Zim can, but like Ankiel yesterday, he did just that today.

GYFIDG

sm13 said...

Well put by FP, yesterday it was Ankiel, today Ian!

MicheleS said...

Love me some fried Fish
WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!

sjm308 said...

5 series in a row!!

Unbelievable

Scott from Burke said...

did she say it was his 1st hr? enough with the gatorade crap..its bush

Exposremains said...

man this team can be frustrating, but at least this year they win

MicheleS said...

Have we ever won 5 series in a row!? Wow!

sm13 said...

The Gatorade is sign of a loose, happy team. I say keep it up. So, this is Natitude? I can get used to it...

hmmm... said...

gatorade, kookaid. it's all good

Holden Baroque said...

So Reyes makes the mistake (didn't get the error charged to him) that loses the game for his team. Ian Desmond hits a tape measure shot, makes a web gem highlight to create an out and hold the line on defense, and drives in the winning run.

Holden Baroque said...

We'll tell them you said so, Scott. I'm sure they'll quit immediately when they realize that.


Geez. Were you weaned on a pickle or something?

Exposremains said...

just noticed that Lomo kinda flick is bat after his HR, a few ball inside tomorrow would not be a bad thing

UnkyD said...

Desi's sample size keeps expanding.... I wonder how many HRs, game-winning deep sac flies, and rangey highlight-reel putouts it'll take to earn him some consensus love, here.....

SFNats said...

Gatorade bath. Pie in the face. Funny wigs. Whatever works. This team is winning. Don't change a thing!

Scott from Burke said...

expect to win...treat it like it's the norm, not worthy of a huge celebration evrytime you come out on top..show some class...at least wait until youre in the clubhouse..it's the whole thing about not acting like an ass after you score a touchdown..at like youve been there before

MicheleS said...

Last spring training jim Leyland said he loved Desi. The baseball people know something that we don't. GO DESI!

SFNats said...

Time to start the Desmond All-Star bandwagon. Vote early and vote often.

sm13 said...

Lost in the shuffle - nice to see Sean come in and do the job so easil

Holden Baroque said...

act like a human being who's playing a game for a living. Stoicism is way over-rated.

Holden Baroque said...

Embrace the win, embrace the joy. Scarier than embracing the pain, sometimes.

MicheleS said...

Scott i don't think they do the gatorade every tome they win. I think just special wins. Like a walk off or like lombo's bog hitting night.

Scott from Burke said...

and please dont dump gatorade on Davey...george allen was coaching at college when he was older..after a win they dumped gatorade on him..he got sick and few weeks later...no more george allen

UnkyD said...

@Scott: most of them haven't been here... I'm fine with the enthusiasm... Part and parcel of being a young, talented team, getting used to winning....

Scott from Burke said...

btw..fantastic win..deflated after giving up 2 in the 9th..grind one out in the 10th..wondeful pitching in the top of the 10th..great stuff

MicheleS said...

Stupid auto correct. Tome - time. Bog - big. Geesh.

baseballswami said...

Five series in a row to start the season . That is really special. I honestly don't care who we are playing or how tough they are or how easy they are supposed to be, let's just bank these wins and continue to build that total.

Post a Comment