Saturday, April 14, 2012

Game 9: Reds at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Edwin Jackson and the Nationals try to make it five in a row this afternoon.
Fresh off back-to-back, walk-off victories in extra innings, the Nationals return to the field this afternoon attempting to actually win a game, you know, in regulation. Scoring more than one run through the day's first 12 innings would certainly help their cause.

Davey Johnson does get one of his regulars back, with Rick Ankiel officially activated off the 15-day DL and inserted right into the starting center field position. Ankiel's return sends struggling Roger Bernadina (4-for-28, 8 strikeouts) to the bench. Xavier Nady, whose pinch-hit homer in the bottom of the eighth last night made the extra innings possible, gets the start in left field today.

Coming off a pedestrian debut in New York (three runs allowed in five innings), Edwin Jackson will look to continue this superb stretch by the Nationals rotation. Ross Detwiler, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Jordan Zimmermann collectively gave up one run over 25 innings the last four days. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Plenty of updates to come, so please check back...

CINCINNATI REDS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), XM 188
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 74 degrees, Wind 14 mph out to CF
NATIONALS (6-2)
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Jayson Werth
LF Xavier Nady
CF Rick Ankiel
C Jesus Flores
RHP Edwin Jackson

REDS (3-5)
2B Willie Harris
SS Zack Cozart
1B Joey Votto
RF Jay Bruce
3B Miguel Cairo
LF Chris Heisey
CF Drew Stubbs
C Devin Mesoraco
RHP Homer Bailey

UMPIRES
HP Tim Welke (cc), 1B Laz Diaz, 2B Mike Everitt, 3B Paul Schrieber

3:45 p.m. -- Before we get started, I figured everyone would want to see this photo: Brian Zuckerman making his first-ever appearance at Nationals Park. I thought about letting him take over the game thread, but then I realized my laptop would be under 10 inches of drool by the end of the afternoon. So he and Mrs. Z are watching comfortably from the stands.


4:07 p.m. -- We are underway. Edwin Jackson starts off Willie Harris with a fastball outside for ball one.

4:11 p.m. -- A very nice top of the first for Jackson, retiring the side on just seven pitches with a couple of groundballs to the right side and a flyout to right.

4:24 p.m. -- Jackson ran into trouble in the top of the second, giving up a one-out double to Miguel Cairo, then plunking Chris Heisey in the hip and allowing an RBI single to Drew Stubbs. But just when things looked like they might spiral out of control, Edwin got a big 5-3 double play grounder out of Devin Mesoraco. Saved that from becoming a big inning for the Reds. Instead, it's only 1-0 as we go to the bottom of the second.

4:30 p.m. -- Apparently that double (or the sprint around third base to score moments later) was too much for Cairo, because he's been replaced by Wilson Valdez.

4:40 p.m. -- Boy, Jesus Flores is off to an impressive start to the season, especially for a backup catcher who doesn't get to see many pitches. His line-drive single to left with two outs in the bottom of the second scored Jayson Werth and makes Flores 4-for-8 with two RBI on the young season. Nice to see him producing in the big leagues once again after a long road back from that shoulder injury. It's 1-1 as we go to the third.

4:47 p.m. -- Wow, you're going to see that Ryan Zimmerman play on every highlight reel tonight. I'm not entirely sure his barehand snag of Zack Cozart's high chopper was necessary, but it sure looked purty.

5:02 p.m. -- Because you know you're wondering ... Adam LaRoche now has 10 RBI for the season, Prince Fielder has 4. OK, so that's not going to hold up over six months. But seriously, where would the Nats be without LaRoche right now? He's just been huge for them at the plate and in the field. He's produced 33 percent of the Nationals' RBI so far, and his 2-run double just now in the bottom of the third puts them on top 3-1.

5:45 p.m. -- Bottom of the sixth now. I just got back from some time in the stands with Brian and Mrs. Z (who are doing quite well and enjoying the game with only a minor amount of crying so far). It's still 3-1, and Edwin Jackson is cruising. He's only thrown 57 pitches, allowing the one early run on two hits. Jesus Flores continues to rake at the plate; he's now 3-for-3 today and 6-for-10 for the season. He also appears to have overcome what looked like a nasty play at the plate in the bottom of the fourth, which left Flores dazed and limping off the field. But he appears to be fine.

5:59 p.m. -- Boy did Jackson know what his job was today, or what? With the bullpen needing a break following that 13-inning marathon, Edwin has cruised through seven innings of one-run ball. He's now retired 16 consecutive Reds, and his pitch count is a scant 66. There hasn't been a peep in the right-field bullpen yet this afternoon. Still 3-1 Nats.

6:10 p.m. -- Make it 4-1 as Werth delivers an RBI double into the right-field corner, scoring Espinosa from second. (It probably would have scored a fast runner from first. Unfortunately, LaRoche does not resemble that description at all.) Werth, by the way, is now hitting .333 for the season. We go to the eighth, and Jackson is back out to the mound.

6:24 p.m. -- Standing ovation for Jackson as he strikes out three more to wrap up the top of the eighth. He's still at only 85 pitches. Get this: In his career, Jackson has never completed eight innings with fewer than 99 pitches. What efficiency today. Still 4-1.

6:34 p.m. -- And another standing O for Edwin as he gets to hit for himself in the bottom of the eighth. He'll come back out in search of the complete game, the Nats leading 4-1.

6:40 p.m. -- That's it. Jackson goes the distance for the fifth complete game of his career. And the Nats win their fifth straight, 4-1, to remain in sole possession of first place in the NL East.

147 comments:

UNTERP said...

Ejax Zombie coming at you. You can't stop me. You can't contain me. I am a Zombie...


Signed

93 - 69, all season

SonnyG10 said...

Go Ejax, Go Nats!!! Make it 7W 2L today.

Steady Eddie said...

While EJax has not looked especially focused in either the ST outings I saw or against the Mets, I'm gonna do what I don't do -- and predict that inspired by the great performances of the entire rest of the pitching staff, EJax will up his game and pitch a 6 hit, 1 run, 3BB, 6K gem in 6 2/3. Competition and top performance in a team with chemistry keeps everyone on their toes.

And with Ankiel continuing his MiLB tear, the Nats will actually score some runs and win 4-2. In 9.

SweetBlues said...

....from your lips...
~Go Nationals

Anonymous said...

Wind blowing out to CF today? If that is accurate I predict the Nats bats will wake up today and shell Homer with several homers of their own.

8-4 Nats win... with a quality start from EJax.

That is my prediction... Go Nats!

ejs1111

Anonymous said...

Predictions on when the last bobbleheads are claimed?

baseballswami said...

I hope the wind is blowing out because as much as I love Ryan Zimmerman, he just seems to swing for the fences all the time. Perhaps one will fly today.

RickH said...

Let's hope EJax eats some innings so the bullpen can rest!

rogieshan said...

With Ellsbury injured for an extended period, Bernadina would be a good fit as a replacement for the Red Sox. Perhaps Rizzo could also package Lannan along in a deal to clear some budget room.

NatsBrat said...

Yeah, OK, but will the Nats beat the Texas Rangers in the 7th game of the World Series?

baseballswami said...

NatsBrat - NO, they will beat them in the 4th game!!!!!

Section 222 said...

New posted, sorry.

Looking forward to a great time today at the Park. Section 314 is the place to be. Go E-Jax! Show the rest of the K Street Crew you're just as good as they are.

People should lay off the fans who left in the 9th last night (or the 8th or 10th or whenever). Some people have kids with them, or babysitters at home. Some might have to work at 6 am, or have been up since 5 am. Some might have a 1.5 hour drive ahead of them. I can probably think of 10 other good reasons if I try for about 30 seconds more. It's arrogant to assume that they are any less devoted fans than those who stay to the last out every game. If Phil Wood was complaining about them, he should be ashamed. Would you rather they just stayed home?

I'm happy Zim thinks Werth is worth his contract and Desi is a great shortstop. He has no reason not to tell us what he really thinks when he's interviewed about these topics, right?

Ok, negative comments over for now. Back to being in bliss about about being in "sole possession."

Anonymous said...

With Ellsbury injured for an extended period, Bernadina would be a good fit as a replacement for the Red Sox. Perhaps Rizzo could also package Lannan along in a deal to clear some budget room.

Seems highly unlikely to me. Red Sox hang up first.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for speaking up sec 222. My 3.5 year old hung in till 10:00, but we had to take her home.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

And is "Soul Possession" already the name of a rock band?

Manassas Nats Fan said...

I have the feeling E-Jax will perform well today (Like Desmond and Werth have done this season even the haters probably are satisfied with their work).

Ejax 8 innibngs 2 R 5 hiots 3 BB and 9 Ks. Burnett will pitched 9th ina 6-1 win.

Theophilus said...

I'm not saying Bernadina is excess baggage but I wouldn't pay an airline $25 to check him, either. His defense so far as been surprisingly good but his contributions to the offense negligible and his base running sometimes Nyjer-reminiscent.

It's inevitable that someone on this roster will have to go, when Morse comes back, when Harper comes up, etc. And there are fungible spare parts at 'Cuse, such as Brown, who have the flexibility (options) to be sent down and called up as needed.

Does Johnson really want to take a chance on losing LaRosa, Tracy or Nady just to hang on to Bernadina? The answer is almost certainly "no."

So why not trade Bernadina now, just to get something, anything in return?

The Red Sox outfield situation right now looks extremely bleak. I wouldn't want any of those guys starting for my team. So maybe it's possible to fleece them a bit. But don't get greedy and ask them to take Lannan, too. That really might make 'em hang up.

Theophilus said...

DeRosa

Cwj said...

Someone mentioned that no team has ever won 75% of their games.
Actually the Cubs went 116-36 .762! in 1906.
By far the greatest winning pct. post 1900.
Even the 27' Yankees "only" had a .714 pct.

More recently, the Mariners in 2001 finished 116-46 .716.

But no, the Nats are not going to win 75% of their games this season :-)

Cwj said...

Fun Stat of the Day: Nats ERA!
Rotation- 1.89 (1st in MLB)
Bullpen- 1.98 (3rd in NL, 4th in MLB)
Overall- 1.92 (1st in MLB)

Not too shabby :-)

Anonymous said...

It's inevitable that someone on this roster will have to go, when Morse comes back, when Harper comes up, etc. And there are fungible spare parts at 'Cuse, such as Brown, who have the flexibility (options) to be sent down and called up as needed.

Morse won't be back until June. Harper is hitting .231 and still figuring out left-handed pitching (continuation from ST), his ETA is likely September given his current progress.

Tyler Moore already has 10 RBI, 5 XBH four of which are homers. Right now if Davey is looking for a big bat Moore is his man. Brown does not have options and would have to be added to the 40-man.

Finally Bernadina's batting average his higher than DeRosa's. Let me repeat that: Bernadina appears to be hitting better than DeRosa. Johnson is going to continue the outfield competition into the season. I expect they will all get their chances before Morse comes back.

baseballswami said...

I am thinking that we won't see Morse or Storen here until after the all star break. It will be like getting two new players! I honestly don't see the big rush to get Harper here - I think AAA will be very good for him in his baseball training and personally. I foresee a September call- up.

UnkyD said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
UnkyD said...

LOVE that Pic, Mark!!! What a fine , handsome, strapping lad.... How're the switch-hitting sessions going? We can't bring him up, until he can see the slider spinning, can we?

Scott from Burke said...

don' get masn2...damn

baseballswami said...

So cute!!! You know , our offense is so anemic that every single game I worry until that first hit. Even though the season is young, there have been a couple of games where I was sweating it. That's why I kind of like it when Desi goes up hacking. Get that hit out of the way. Matt Cain pitched a 1 -hitter yesterday - the pitcher got the hit. Sounds like our Arroyo situation.

Jim Kurtzke said...

Great picture, proud pappa

RickH said...

Great pic, Mark!

Cwj said...

Awesome!! Flores comes through with a clutch hit to score Werth who was committed to rounding third.

Anonymous said...

What's that thing on Werth's thumb that looks like an elizabethian dog collar (noticed it on the reply after he scored)?

Jim Kurtzke said...

Wonder why the Reds didn't walk Flores to get to Jackson

fpcsteve said...

Great question!

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Excellent baby pic!

and for the record, Heisley took that one on the blousy par of the front of his jersey. No other contact.

Cwj said...

Jim- Yeah I think normally this early in the game you pitch to Flores.
But with both teams scoring about 1 run per game I would have walked Flores to get to the pitcher.

This series against the Reds has been extremely tense and entertaining! Fun to watch, but wow so tense! :-)

Scott from Burke said...

on tv..just said womens lacrosse on the guide but everything is ok..thanks for your concern...Flores and Lombardozzi should start at catcher and 2b respectively....

Ondeck13 said...

Awww, Brian is adorable! Love the Nats jersey :D

JaneB said...

Got on the thread to laud ALR for keeping his foot on the plate while catching the ball from Zimm.

But then I saw Brian in the booth, getting his red on. Best picture of the season so far. The multi-generation aspect of baseball is one of my prime reasons to love the sport. Thanks for posting it, Mark!

Scott from Burke said...

the thumb thing cuts down on vibration and some hitters prefer the feel...has other uses, but thats for another website

JaneB said...

Cool stat, cwj.

And! How much do I love ALR? That's a rhetorical question.

Cwj said...

Clutch hitting today!!!
I like.

SpingfieldNatsFan1 said...

So who's trading ALR at the All-Star game now?????

bups said...

Harper now batting .212 with absolutely no power at Syracuse. We can forget about him giving the Nats offense a jolt anytime soon. Did Rick Eckstein ruin Harper's swing?? Probably.

SpingfieldNatsFan1 said...

We may have to start thinking of Morse as a long term left fielder if ALR keeps this up....

Cwj said...

Nats hitters now have an MLB best 41 walks.
Just in case any one was wondering :-)

Anonymous said...

Remember when the Nats never used to walk? Who is this team?

fpcsteve said...

Werth and LaRoche--two great AB's. Pros at work.

Nats fan in NJ said...

Between the walks we are earning plus the strikeouts from our pitchers...what an amazing difference...

Ondeck13 said...

Love ALR defense we haven't had that since Nick Johnson. Dunn never thrilled me at 1st. I think Desi & Zim are going to appreciate ALR even more

Jim Kurtzke said...

Anyone think Flores is better than Ramos?

Scott from Burke said...

If John Lannan stays healthy and pitches well at Syracuse and does not make any starts this year for the Nationals we are in the playoffs

Anonymous said...

Flores is a much more productive backup catcher than I-Rod would have been.

Anonymous said...

Lordy, a woman sitting in the front row is knitting. Dibble would have a good time with that one.

Cwj said...

Flores was hurt in that slide.
Hope he's ok!!!
He's red hot at the plate as well.

Cwj said...

Looks like it was just a cut on his shin. No doubt painful(!) but he's back behind the plate.

Ugh, injuries are always a threat to every team every season.

fpcsteve said...

Flores will be much in demand by the end of July. That's how I see it regarding Ramos and Flores. Ramos stays, and Flores brings something big and important in the way of a trade. That said, I would love to see them both stay right where they are.

Just sayin' said...

Jackson - 48 pitches in five innings.
Bailey - 79 pitches in four innings.

UnkyD said...

EJax is pitching like he knows the bullpen needs the day off...48 pitches, 37 for strikes, through FIVE....

Quite the weak link...

JaneB said...

ALR is the new Michael Morse. Then THINK about what happens when we get Morse back? Then we have BOTH of them.

Scott from Burke said...

and the team is hitting like they know the bullpen needs the day off...they know johnson isn't gonna pull jackson if he gives up a few runs and they need to plate a few..that they're not gonna be bailed out by the 'pen today

Anonymous said...

Scott -- that's kind of what I am worried about. No matter what - Jackson is staying in this game. If he implodes, that's it.

dj in Fl. said...

Great comments from FP about the confidence Werth showing this year.
I agree JaneB, just wait till Morse is back.
Heck J.Zim might get a win.

UnkyD said...

Werth batting .314.....

Anonymous said...

Harper now at the Mendoza line ... .200.

Scott from Burke said...

if he completely loses it they'll pull him..and he won't go much over 110..but yeah, he's staying in there..and if it costs them the game they'll be 6 and 3 with a rested bullpen..and that's pretty good..if they win it's 7 and 2 with a rested bullpen..and that's happy time..btw Lannan would be moping around looking at davey if he started getting banged around...

Just sayin' said...

Jackson - 57 pitches thru six innings.
Bailey - 97 pitches thru five innings.

Need a couple more hits, runs to get into the Reds' bullpen. Keep them busy, tire them out.

UnkyD said...

EJAX!!! Taking the Nervous Nellies personally!!! What a rotation!!!

UNTERP said...

JaneB said...

ALR is the new Michael Morse. Then THINK about what happens when we get Morse back? Then we have BOTH of them.


It wouldn't have been fair to Baseball to have had Beast Mode all year. The Nats might have gone 162 - 0...


Signed

93 - 69, all season

PS. Looks like I might take a foot in my mouth about Werth, Yea.

JaneB said...

Anon at 5:42, the kid'll figure it out. And Davey will make sure he does before we see him up here.

UnkyD said...

Is Harper really supposed to be hitting .350 right out of the gate? Give the boy a few weeks, for Pete's sake.....

Scott from Burke said...

short compact swing..ala Louis Oosthuizen...I love Louis

Anonymous said...

Scott completely agree - if things go south, it's better to have Jackson eat it and keep the bullpen rested for the next games to come.He is going the distance for sure. I hope he continues to be this efficient.

JaneB said...

It's a completely different game when we're up by two into the seventh. For years, the seventh was my least favorite inning. Not anymore, Another nice development.

Scott from Burke said...

i see him going 8, not 9..that said if he pitches a complete game win that would be such a pick me up for the team..how many of those did we have last year?

Steady Eddie said...

Huge problem with bringing Tyler Moore up -- as far as I know, he only plays first, which is TAKEN!

Anonymous said...

Harper batting .200 and Carlos Rivero is now at .270. Never thought I'd see that. Harper is not having much success against left-handed pitching so far.

fpcsteve said...

I agree with the posters who have been putting Harper in DC in September. Things could change, but he seems to be learning (and needs more time to do that), and our pitching is making up for our offensive deficiencies at this point.

Just sayin' said...

66 piches, 52 strikes thru seven for Jackson.

If Bailey comes back out for the seventh, he'll start from 110 pitches.

dabassguy1 said...

I just keep thinking, "This is our #4 pitcher?".

Amazing performance when needed most.

Anonymous said...

Huge problem with bringing Tyler Moore up -- as far as I know, he only plays first, which is TAKEN!

Competition can't have hurt LaRoche's current approach to the plate. Far more walks, more discriminating fewer strike outs. And he's on the plus side of thirty. He almost led the league in K's in 2010.

Its a good thing if Tyler Moore is breathing down his neck with 4 homers a double and 10 Rbi along with a plus .300 BA.

JaneB said...

dabassguy1 said...
I just keep thinking, "This is our #4 pitcher?"

I know! And the Reds will not even see our best guy! THANK YOU MIKE RIZZO!

dj in Fl. said...

I know we have had many rough years in our history, but this, if things go south mentality is part of our past.
Now have a pitcher looking for a huge payout that feels he got the short end of the deal last off season.
Bet Boros is working on a sign and trade by the deadline.

Scott from Burke said...

dj..who are you referring to?

djin Fl. said...

E.Jackson

UnkyD said...

Standing O, for Werth. Think I'm gonna weep, a little...

Scott from Burke said...

dj, i'm a little fuzzy on what you meant..2nd and 3rd 1 out..get a run in..ankiel not looking good today, but maybe he'll win game with a dart from the outfield

UnkyD said...

Curious. What is EJax status after his year? Can we offer arb? Get a good comp pick if he refuses? Don't see us singing him, with all the almost ready talent... Also can't see us trading him before then....he's here, for the last part of the season, after all.....just curious....

Scott from Burke said...

three complete games last year

fpcsteve said...

Espi, LaRoche, and Werth all get hits in succession. 4 runs--phone it in. The complainers will have to dig deep tonight.

JaneB said...

Isn't it NICE that all the Werth haters gotta shut up now?

Anonymous said...

He may be done....

JaneB said...

I am so happy for all my Imaginary Friends seeing this in person! I know MichelleS is woohooing it up!

Scott from Burke said...

Jane, noone's gotta shut up..last year happened..and would like to see more power for all that money..but a very strong start, which is great to see, especially with an offensively challenged team with last years best hitte ron the DL

dj in Fl. said...

If E.Jackson proves himself during the first half of this season, I expect teams to come calling. We do have Wang coming back.
Boros is not supposed to be shopping his guy, but it is Boros, and he is trying to get his guy a big contract.

JaneB said...

Exactly my point, Scott! Last year is OVER. No fair dinging him (or anyone else) for what's done. It's a new year. Can't change history. CAN root for this team and what it's doing TODAY, in this season.

Scott from Burke said...

dj..got it..my bad..with wang's injury history if they pitch with the same effectiveness this year (and if a baseball season is a person this one just arrived home from the hospital) Jackson is the safer bet...if detwiler is strong tomorrow where would wang fit in? edwin has to at least come out for the 9th...WOW

Scott from Burke said...

I fcourse it's fair for dinging him for what's done...the present never really exists...everything is in the past..i can criticize him for last week but nor for last july? doesn't make sense...want werth haters to shut up..i know one guaranteed way...WSMVP

Dryw said...

I can't even comprehend how much I'm enjoying this. Is this kind of pitching really even possible? GYFNGGGG!!!!!!

ehay2k said...

Oh, we are dealing . Five swinging K's in a row for Edwin.
I heard the new nickname for our rotation may be (and sorry if this has already been posted here): " K Street "

And I am loving the idea of hearing Carp and FP say "Welcome to K Street"

GYFKSNG

UNTERP said...

For one I made observations about Werth, never hating on him. There's no one on the team whom I don't want to succeed. But I calls them as I see them, and sometimes I happen to be wrong. Kudos to Lumbjack so far for a job well done...

Anonymous said...

Do they trade Jackson? With Stras on an innings limit? NO.

This contract is about building Jackson's value as a free agent as some here speculate. He turned down 3 year contract offers (including one by the O's) to join the Nationals.

The contract also has a ton of lucrative incentive bonuses ...

UnkyD said...

Gee whiz, Scott....

JaneB said...

Not only do I love the Nats, and Nats beat writers, and Imaginary Nats friends, it turns out I love all Nats fans, too. I love that they stood for Werth's double, and EJax at the plate!

Scott from Burke said...

needs to get that down..no free passes, that said they let him hit in the 9th..he's gonna have to put 2 runners on before they come get him

Scott from Burke said...

Unky my glass is ALWAYS half empty...that's how I'm comfortable..but I also feel like I know the game

natscan reduxit said...

... it's late I know, but I'm just getting to the website - and WOW!, what a photo! Two beauties there, you and Brian. Might I note for future reference, he looks like a second baseman to me.

... great stuff going with the Nats - on the field and now in the booth.

Go Brian; Go Mark; Go Nats!!

UnkyD said...

The KStreet Zombie Dragons- You can't kill these flamethrowers...

Can you imagine the T-shirt?

JaneB said...

And when I talked about Werth haters, I didn't even mean anyone in particular. I just meant the general trend. Sheesh.

But still, Scott, you have it backwards...all there is is the PRESENT. That's the truth. You never had a flat period in your life? Anyway. Do what you want. Just stay a Nats fan.

Scott from Burke said...

Sundays starting second baseman----Lom Bar Do Seee

UnkyD said...

Scott... I'm the 1/2 full guy (surprise!) there's plenty of room for my yin and your yang, here in Nats Town, brother!

(now c'mon..... Have a sip of this KookAid... Nobody's watching...;-)

Cwj said...

Come on Edwin!!!
1 down...

Anonymous said...

Its all the ground balls and K's that kill Werth. Today, for the first time much better ... you can't rely on "seeing eye singles". Hopefully, he continues to improve.

Scott from Burke said...

flat period? for 12 million dollars? c'mon, get serious..flat period? if he had that contract in new york and played like that the media would have ripped him to shreds and fans would have eaten his soul...it's called being a sports fan..i pay my money and if i don't like what i see i vent...

Cwj said...

Wow! What a game by Jackson!
This Nats pitching is amazing!

JaneB said...

Well, with 5 percent of the season in the books, we are ALONE at the top of the standings. I'm giddy.

dj in Fl. said...

@ ejs1111
They decided to save some runs for the sweep.

All I can say kids "our time has arrived".

WOW

Scott from Burke said...

complete game win...1 run when the bullpen needed it....that was FANTASTIC!!!!!! Bravo

(how's that Unky?)

UnkyD said...

ON MY FEET!!!!!!

Cwj said...

Unreal stuff by the Nats through 9 games!
:-) This is going to be a fun season!
Go Nats!
7-2

Anonymous said...

Even though its early ... if the manage a series sweep mostly all on pitching that would be making quite a strong statement about where the Nats might be headed ...

Now, its up to Detwiler to keep the line moving ...

TimDz said...

Ejax will definitely get the shaving cream...

fpcsteve said...

Werth's contract was based on what he had done in the past. He earned the big bucks (past tense). If he succeeds here, great! So much the better... Go Nats! If he doesn't live up to someone else's expectations, what can you say? He got that contract on the basis of what he did in Philadelphia. Root for him now in the hopes that he duplicates that success. RZ has a big contract. When does the woofin' about his performance begin?

UNTERP said...

93 wins might have been a gross underestimation on my part, but I will leave it alone...

TimDz said...

Ok...gatoraid...

Dryw said...

Someone said it up on the thread, but it bears repeating. This is our NUMBER FOUR guy. Although really, with this rotation, that just means the guy who pitched game 4. Is it possible to have five #1s?????

UnkyD said...

WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's for my imaginary friend, MicheleS!!!

Scott from Burke said...

gonna be taking the metro to navy yard tomorrow

UNTERP said...

Dryw said...

Someone said it up on the thread, but it bears repeating. This is our NUMBER FOUR guy.

I'm telling you I've never seen a better rotation, maybe the Dodgers in the mid-sixties...

Anonymous said...

For those worried about the Nat's hitting according to Byron Kerr:

MASNsports.com has learned that Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs prospect Tyler Moore will switch from first base to the outfield for some games in the "near future."

According to a club source, Moore will play left field. The exact game or games the power hitting prospect will assume his new position is still to be determined and the move to the outfield is not considered a permanent adjustment.

Scott from Burke said...

fcpSteve: Tomorrow

UNTERP said...

JaneB said...

And when I talked about Werth haters, I didn't even mean anyone in particular. I just meant the general trend. Sheesh.

But still, Scott, you have it backwards...all there is is the PRESENT. That's the truth. You never had a flat period in your life? Anyway. Do what you want. Just stay a Nats fan.


JaneB,I'm sensitive, what can I tell you...

UnkyD said...

Nice, Scott.... Love your passion, and being able to respond to by a recognizable handle.... Enjoy ZombieDragon Det, tomorrow!!

Anonymous said...

RZ has a big contract. When does the woofin' about his performance begin?

He's been hitting the ball pretty hard, pretty consistently. As has Espinosa and both have the right approach at the plate.

Zimmerman -0.9 bRAA with a .276 wOBA
Werth 1.4 bRAA with a .352 wOBA
Espinosa -0.6 bRAA with a .283 wOBA

So they are all pretty close even though Werth is sporting a much higher wOBA. This is pretty close to **average** or the median which in stats is the 0 on the z, t or x axis.

Scott from Burke said...

hitting the ball hard? i hate that nonsense...elevate the ball...there's nothing on the back of the baseball card for "hitting the ball hard"

Scott from Burke said...

and the official scorer must have been blind for only giving him 1 error on Thursday

Anonymous said...

And the part of JayB is now being played by Scott from Burke. Please note your scorecards accordingly.

Scott from Burke said...

I have been assigned #41..same as Tom Seaver

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I predicted 8 IP 1 rin 5 hits 3 BB and 9 Ks 6-1 win

In reality he did better with 2 hits the 1 run 1 BB and 9 innings and 9 ks. only 4-1 wim.

Now we can get 6 out of Ross tomorrow, we will be set in the bullpen again.

Jim Webster said...

On pace to win 126. Why not dream?

Scott from Burke said...

Davey Johnson once managed a team to 108 wins..he's not afraid of success

UnkyD said...

Now yer tawkin, Scott!! Take another sip...?

Scott from Burke said...

I'm a huge fan of Davey...have been since he took over the young Mets in the 80's..and he was fantastic with Baltimore..i liked him in LA..not the best strategic manager in MLB (I go with Valentine)..but a great personality

Candide said...

Wonderful photo, Mark.

Just got back from the game. Beautiful day, beautiful conditions, beautifully-played game. Looked at the scoreboard going into the 7th inning and saw EJax had thrown something like 65 pitches, and only 14 were balls. That's just a little more than two balls per inning. Talk about command!

Is it possible that the Nats have hit only four homers in nine games and are still 7-2?

Can't wait for Monday; Cunegonde and I have tix to see Stras pitch against her (semi-)hometown Astros. She'll be wearing her Rice University cap.

natsfan1a said...

Awww, that's a very cute pic. Thanks for sharing it with us, Mark. Now we know how the instant analysis posts get up so fast - Brian types them. :-)

Awesome game and a good crowd today, though some in my section left in the bottom of the 8th, after Jackson had batted. I'm thinking, hello? He's going for a complete game here. It doesn't happen every day, you know. This is going on my list of fave in person games, which included a couple of other complete games (by Patterson and Livo).

ehay2k said...

The Astros' only hope is that Livo is pitching. Oh, wait .....

ehay2k said...

Nice pic Mark Z. Brian sure is growing fast. Seems like only 16 months ago he was just a Zygote. Already grown 100 billion times over. :-)

ehay2k said...

Mark, is Brian's bib Orioles Orange? Sigh, the Angelos influence is everywhere.

SweetBlues said...

Late to post.... But, wow, what a game! What a feeling! The fans stayed & were pumped!! I'm saying... WOW!! you could feeeeel folks BELIEVING in the Nationals... And, the line at the box office for tix AFTER the game...PRICELESS.

Post a Comment