Friday, May 4, 2012

Game 26: Phillies at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
The Phillies are in town this weekend at Nationa... er, Natitude Park.
First things first: Yes, that banner is actually hanging from the scoreboard. And yes, pretty much every mention of Nationals Park in the entire building has been covered up and re-branded for the weekend. I'll let all of you decide how you feel about this stunt. Now, let's talk about some actual baseball...

Stephen Strasburg faces the Phillies tonight for only the second time. The previous outing, of course, represented the low point in his big-league career. Not because of how he pitched -- on Aug. 21, 2010, the rookie right-hander allowed one run on two hits, striking out six over 4 1/3 innings -- but because of what happened on his final pitch: a 91-mph change-up that snapped his ulnar collateral ligament.

Strasburg has certainly come a long way since that night at Citizens Bank Park. He'll enter this game with a 1.13 ERA (second-lowest in baseball). And he'll be charged tonight with leading the first-place Nationals to victory over the five-time NL East champs.

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

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB Network (outside D.C. area), MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 89
Weather: Scattered storms, 80 degrees, Wind 5 mph LF to RF
NATIONALS (16-9)
SS Ian Desmond
3B Steve Lombardozzi
LF Bryce Harper
RF Jayson Werth
1B Chad Tracy
2B Danny Espinosa
CF Rick Ankiel
C Jesus Flores
RHP Stephen Strasburg

PHILLIES (13-13)
SS Jimmy Rollins
LF Juan Pierre
3B Placido Polanco
RF Hunter Pence
CF Shane Victorino
1B Laynce Nix
C Carlos Ruiz
2B Pete Orr
RHP Kyle Kendrick

UMPIRES
HP Rob Drake, 1B Sam Holbrook, 3B Andy Fletcher

6:20 p.m. -- Time for some pregame news ... First up, the updates on Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche. Click on the link for the full article which I just posted.

6:27 p.m. -- Many of you are wondering why Tyler Moore is not seeing any time at first base, especially with LaRoche now out for at least several days. I asked Davey Johnson that question, and here was his full response: "No, the guy over there [Chad Tracy] is the guy I'm playing. I like the heck out of Tyler Moore. He can flat out hit. But he's a rookie, and the other guy's going to be out a few days. This is not the time to be trying to break a young phenom in to a position that the owner's going to come back real soon. ... I mean, [LaRoche] is not going to be out long, and I'm going to get the guys that are going to be here and need the at-bats. I mean, I would think long and hard about [Xavier] Nady after Tracy. I mean, as much as I love young talent and I think he's a good one, to be start, giving, and also it's not something he'd be used to. It's not really fair to him. He hasn't played in five or six days or something. He did get an at-bat 2-3 days ago. I mean, that's not, he's not used to that role."

6:30 p.m. -- Finally, you may have noticed there are only three umpires listed for this game. That's because "Cowboy" Joe West had to be scratched due to an illness. So they'll go with a three-man crew for this game.

7:08 p.m. -- We are underway with a 97 mph fastball from Stephen Strasburg to Jimmy Rollins for strike one. Good crowd on hand. Not a full house, but plenty raucous.

7:11 p.m. -- Know how you shut up Phillies fans? Send Strasburg to the mound and watch as he retires the side on eight pitches (seven strikes). Couldn't have drawn up the top of the first any better than that.

7:25 p.m. -- Well that was quite an interesting bottom of the first. After Steve Lombardozzi singled, Bryce Harper tried to check his swing on a 3-1 pitch from Kyle Kendrick. The Phillies appealed to the third base umpire. Except there was no third base umpire, not with Andy Fletcher over by second base in that situation. So Charlie Manuel was ejected. Now with a chance to get on the board early, Jayson Werth grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, killing the rally. It's still scoreless after a very entertaining first inning.

7:34 p.m. -- A throwing error by Lombardozzi turned the top of the second into more of an adventure than Strasburg would have liked, but the right-hander handled the situation just fine. He struck out both Shane Victorino (on an 89 mph changeup) and Laynce Nix (on an 80 mph curveball) and then got Carlos Ruiz to hit a looooong flyball to the warning track in right-center that was caught by Rick Ankiel. Through two scoreless, Strasburg has thrown 20 of 28 pitches for strikes.

7:49 p.m. -- Another 8-pitch inning for Strasburg in the third. He's now thrown 36 pitches (25 strikes) over three innings, and the lone Phillie to reach base came via Lombardozzi's error.

8:02 p.m. -- Another golden scoring opportunity in the bottom of the third, with Strasburg doubling (for the second straight start!), Lombardozzi singling and Harper drawing a walk to load the bases for ... Werth. Who proceeded to strike out swinging at a 2-2 fastball. He's stranded five runners in three innings, and we're still scoreless here as we go to the fourth.

8:11 p.m. -- Uh-oh, Strasburg just did something he hadn't done in a reeaaaalllly long time: He gave up a home run. Hunter Pence drills a curveball into the Red Porch, a two-run shot. That's the first homer served up by Strasburg in 66 innings, going all the way back to Aug. 15, 2010. Who hit that one? Adam LaRoche, then with the Diamondbacks.

8:26 p.m. -- Wow, how about that? Chad Tracy deposits a ball into the right-field bullpen to lead off the bottom of the fourth. That's hit first major-league home run since Sept. 6, 2010, in Philly, off Vance Worley. The Nats had a chance for more there, but they again stranded men in scoring position as Flores flew out to center, Strasburg struck out and Desmond lined out to right. They've got seven hits through four innings, but only one run. It's 2-1 as we head to the fifth.

8:33 p.m. -- Well this isn't what anyone thought they'd see tonight. Strasburg gave up another home run, this one a laser to center field by Carlos Ruiz off an 0-1 fastball to lead off the fifth. The Phillies take a 3-1 lead.

8:50 p.m. -- Strasburg has given up a lot of long flyballs tonight. Most of them have been caught at the warning track, but the Phillies have hit the ball fairly hard off the right-hander. We go to the bottom of the sixth, the Nats still trailing 3-1 as Kendrick departs and left-hander Joe Savery takes over.

9:05 p.m. -- They got a run back in the sixth on Flores' sac fly, but then came disaster. After Roger Bernadina (pinch-hitting for Strasburg) was drilled on the left knee by Jose Contreras, Desmond roped a hard grounder to the hole at short. Jimmy Rollins had no play at first, but he smartly threw behind Ankiel (who had rounded third) and nailed him for the third out. Killer play there. Strasburg's final line, meanwhile: 6 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 HR. It's only the fourth time in 23 career starts he's allowed three or more earned runs.

9:18 p.m. -- The lack of a fourth umpire has really played a role in tonight's game, especially on plays at third base. Ty Wigginton was denied a double down the line when it was called foul by the plate ump. And then Victorino was called out trying to steal even though it appeared his foot beat Lombardozzi's tag. So it remains 3-2 at the stretch.

9:27 p.m. -- Harper is called out on a check swing in the seventh. Conveniently, there was a third-base ump at that moment, Andy Fletcher, who got a nasty glare from the kid. We go to the eighth in what is still a 3-2 game.

9:51 p.m. -- Wow, this is getting wild now. The short version: The Nats tied the game in the bottom of the eighth on Flores' RBI double to left past a diving John Mayberry. With a golden opportunity to score the go-ahead run, they came up short ... with an assist from plate umpire Rob Drake. With the bases loaded, one out and the infield drawn in, Ian Desmond grounded the first pitch he saw to short, and Jimmy Rollins fired home to get Ankiel. Except it appears Ruiz's foot wasn't on the plate and Ankiel should've been safe. Seconds later, Lombardozzi grounded out on the first pitch he saw, killing the rally. It's 3-3 as we go to the ninth of a wild ballgame.

10:03 p.m. -- Henry Rodriguez enters for the top of the ninth and walks Victorino on four pitches. And somehow gets out of the inning unscathed. We go to the bottom of the ninth, and look who will lead off... the kid.

10:12 p.m. -- Harper takes a mighty cut at a 3-2 pitch ... and strikes out. Werth pops out to short. And Tracy drills a ball to deep right-center, only to be robbed by Victorino. We go extra innings.

10:28 p.m. -- Espinosa leads off the 10th with a single up the middle. And I'm thinking to myself: "How long until he tries to steal second?" Turns out he waited until there were two outs. And then got thrown out with Tyler Moore at the plate. So we go to the 11th.

10:35 p.m. -- A 1-2-3 11th for Ryan Perry. We go to the bottom of the 11th, with Moore up again, followed by Desmond, Lombardozzi and ... Harper.

10:50 p.m. -- Wilson Ramos is your hero. After Lombardozzi singles and Harper and Werth each walk, the last man off Davey's bench lines a single over the shortstop's head. Nats win 4-3 in 11!

284 comments:

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Tcostant said...

Why isn't Moore at 1B, I'm sick of it!

natsfan1a said...

I'll get back to you on Monday morning. Heh.

Go, Stras! Go, Flores! Go, NATS!!

I'll let all of you decide how you feel about this stunt.

joe9 said...

Other than the first one at RFK in '05, I would suggest this is the biggest home series in Nats history. For a lot of reasons.

Tcostant said...

Let get a lead and keep those Phils fans month shut!

Holden Baroque said...

A little early in the the year to decide anything besides planting some further swagger. OTOH, if the Nats should deliver a three game spanking to a still pretty good Phillies team, it might obviate the need for banners next time. The guests do get quiet if they aren't on top.

Marty said...

Guys, I totally don't have Natitude.

Andrew said...

Mark can you offer some insight on Davey's thinking on Tracy?? It's been the biggest issue from commenters the past few games. Thanks!

Donald said...

@Tcostant -- I assume Tracy is in and Moore out to get the rightie / leftie matchup. I'd like to see Moore too, but my guess is that Davey is saving him for left-handed pitching.

DCJohn said...

Let the pennant race begin. Playoff atmospere in May. Tension on every pitch. Can't better than this.

Anonymous said...

I also assume Davey is thinking right/lefty but I'd rather see Moore in there because the offense has been so weak I think you've got to try it now with their best hitter (so far this season) out.

In any case, headed to the park soon. Pray for decent weather. It would be a shame to see a rain delay ruin the atmosphere and drive the crowd away.

DCJohn said...

Let the pennant race begin. Playoff atmospere in May. Tension on every pitch. Can't better than this.

DCJohn said...

Let the pennant race begin. Playoff atmospere in May. Tension on every pitch. Can't better than this.

NatsLady said...

Moore's platoon splits are that bad and Tracey's are that good?

Anonymous said...

The banner is degrading. It looks like there is a high school student promoting the Nationals.

NatsLady said...

Not that I want to tell Davey how to manage, of course. :)

Les_in_NC said...

What are you talking about you wascally wabbit?! I like the banner alot, and at least it isn't misspelled (you know, if it was a word that is how it would be spelled I guess).

Let's get some Natitude, and get those bats heated up!

Scott from Burke said...

The banner is weak...like we're the little brother trying to impress the older sibling...but, unfortunately, the Nats are the little brother trying top impress...how to rectify? i could name a few, but the most obvious is winning in October..with Bryce Harper world series mvp to go with his rookie of the year award

baseballswami said...

Maybe we need to act like we've been there before - oh, wait, we haven't been here before. Familiar with the concept of "hubris"? I hope the baseball gods are not offended. Maybe a little swagger is good right now. We'll see. My Pa. relatives are just waiting to pounce. Honestly - they are just such whiny babies. And they are just bitter from the start of the season. They also are under the distinct impression that they are the ONLY ones in the baseball universe that have beloved, veteran players on the DL. wah, wah, wah. Go Nats Go - and I really, really mean that soooooo much!!!

JaneB said...

I actually like the Natittude thing. Our team is getting better. Time of the fans to step up their game too. Not that I want us to be ugly or boo the other teams, or act in any way like Phillies fans. But step up the love for our guys. Being willing to be in the park with those guys. Standing by our team. Cheering for our guys, and letting the visitors know we don't truck with misbehavior. I haven't braved a Phillies game in a while, but I;m headed there tonight. GYFNG!

SFNats said...

I, for one, embrace the Natitude. This team doesn't have a hundred years of history behind it, so it has to start traditions somewhere. The submarine horn was a good start. Now we've got Natitude. It may seem silly now, but if the games mean something in September, my guess is that you'll see it all over the city. Everyone thought that rally monkey that the Angels had a few years ago was stupid, too. Until it worked.

Anonymous said...

Looking at Kendrick's splits. He has an ERA of 2.70 against lefties and 10.29 against righties. Really not feeling Davey's decision to go with Tracy over Moore.

Anonymous said...

How bad is Moore's defense? I guess that is the other mitigating factor. Is he a major liability at 1st?

Marc said...

Hope Harper interprets the Natitude banner as a "Hit it Here" sign. Getting ready to head to the park!

whatsanattau said...

I like the bravado. It needs to be backed up, but I like the bravado.

As for Moore v. Tracy, i think Moore is only up for a little while. Tracy is here to stay. He's clutch. Don't confuse Moore with Harper. And don't confuse Tracy with Nady. The team brought Moore up out of a mix of necessity and convenience not because they thought he was ready. Davey has managed to 15-9. Trust him.

NatsNut said...

I love the Natitude and the whole weekend promotion. I would feel so powerless at all the other Philly fan-dominated games so this makes me hold my head up a little. Plus, I always liked the idea of a Philly/Nats rivalry more than, say, Orioles/Nats. It was very ballsy of the team to do this.

But it still makes me a little nervous. As I mentioned offline, unprovoked Phillies fans are bad enough, but this is like stickin a hot poker in wasps nest. And what if they do still fill the park? Or win the series? I don't even want to imagine.

At any rate, 1a had a good idea - program the fan assistance number into your phones. I think you're going to need it.

See ya'll there, I hope.

natsfan1a said...

I'm actually okay with the Natitude slogan. It's Take Back the Park on which I'm reserving judgement.

Scott from Burke said...

The angels and that monkey won it all...THAT'S what made it fun..if the Nats don't finish well (ie .500) it's just a sad marketing gimmick people laugh at after the fact..if you DON'T try the gimmick you don't look as foolish after...it's like a kid guaranteeing he gets all A's...he gets two B's he looks dumb..if he doesn't say anything and gets 4 a's and 2 b's it's Good Job!!..in other words don't talk until you've done something, and when you've done something you don't need to say a thing...know what's cool? the Yankees and lack of names on the back of their jerseys...that's old school

natsfan1a said...

May the force be with you, NatsNut. And also with our Nats. :-)

natsfan1a said...

I actually liked the Rally Monkey. (Hides face in shame.)

natsfan1a said...

Not a fan of the Yankees but they do have a lot of tradition. I also feel for Rivera. Seems like a good guy and, of course, a great pitcher.

SFNats said...

On the plus side, I finally get to watch Harper play tonight. Thanks to family and friend commitments, I didn't see either game last weekend. And the games this week have been so short that they've been over before I got home from work. But it's telecommute Friday for me, so I'll be on the couch with a beer in my hand to see Stras take the mound and Harper take the field tonight. Woo hoo!

SFNats said...

Scott from Burke said...
"The angels and that monkey won it all...THAT'S what made it fun..if the Nats don't finish well (ie .500) it's just a sad marketing gimmick people laugh at after the fact..if you DON'T try the gimmick you don't look as foolish after..."

And if you never try, you never succeed.

natsfan1a said...

Cheers, SF.

Scott from Burke said...

Not a fan of the current yankees but Ruth, Gehrig, Dimaggio, Mantle..especially Gehrig...what phenomonal talents and interesting personalities...to walk into Yankee stadium in 1927 and watch a game...oh man

Scott from Burke said...

SFNats said: And if you never try, you never succeed.

I'm not suggesting they forfeit

SFNats said...

Scott, LOL, My point is that the Nats have a good, young team, and the organization is trying to find ways to spark interest in the fan base. Maybe Natitude will work and maybe it won't, but at least they're doing something. Ultimately, it will all come down to what happens on the field, as you said, but it doesn't hurt to try. Goofy stuff that that catches on when the team wins, and if they don't, well, they'll have to come up with something else next year. No harm done.

upperdeck4 said...

I don't know which is worse - the Natitude sign, or starting Tracy.

baseballswami said...

Starting Tracy. You know I am all about letting the future team play. Todd Coffey sighting in the cubs/dodgers game. Didn't know he ended up there. Is the weather going to cooperate?

jeeves said...

Tracy is clutch? He made two clutch pitch hits and nothing since. So that makes him clutch. Okay, got it.

Scott from Burke said...

jeeves: for this offense..yes

Steady Eddie said...

swami -- weather.com says just cloudy until about 9, then 65% chance of thunderstorms, at 10 it's 75% chance, then less.

So I figure if Stras can pitch a no-no and the Nats get their usual 5 hits and 2 runs, we can maybe be out of there by 9:20 or so. ;-)

Holden Baroque said...

Embrace the cheeziness. It is the only way.

The chant for the home fans tonight is "TICK TOCK".

Grandstander said...

No mention yet of both Laynce Nix AND Pete Orr in the lineup for the Phillies?

natsfan1a said...

Is it just me, or has he lost weight?

baseballswami said...

Starting Tracy. You know I am all about letting the future team play. Todd Coffey sighting in the cubs/dodgers game. Didn't know he ended up there. Is the weather going to cooperate?
May 04, 2012 5:03 PM

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

You know what I REALLY like? Pete Orr batting eighth for these chumps. Now, finally, other teams are using are also-rans.

GYFNG!!

Jane B, be careful. Remember, they'll be some Pholks from Phil-thy.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

AND Laynce Nix.

erocks33 said...

Slightly off-topic, but how about this to "Take Our Park Back":

Tonight's President's Race features Abe, Tom and George racing in Philly jerseys. Teddy trots out in a Nats jersey and wins the race fair-and-square (no tackling, no surprise attacks from wolves, no segways, etc).

With Stras on the mound, Harp in the field and (hopefully) a raucous, mostly pro-Nats crowd on hand tonight, wouldn't that be a great way to re-claim our park??

peric said...

T_Mo12 sigh ...

waddu eye no said...

Embrace the cheeziness. It is the only way.
Im down with that
Its silly & childish & i love it.
I always tell my voice students about opera: "this is art! Its to be appreciated, not enjoyed"
Then i expect the opposite.
And as we all know, art imitates baseball.

Gyfng

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

So long as Nady isn't in there.

peric said...

Tick Tock liquors? Mracken rum?

Kirbs said...

Does it hurt anyone else a little to see Nix in their line-up? That was a bad non-sign.

A DC Wonk said...

Embrace the cheeziness.

I like that. After all, what the heck? I've been drinking kook-aid for a month, and lovin' it.

The best part -- came that have that electric "it means something" buzz in May. Even if it doesn't mean so much -- it sorta does. It's going to help prove and/or validate (or not) that the Nats are on the way up, and Phils are on the way down. Yeah, we won four straight from them last year, but, "end of season" yadda yadda.

Not so this weekend.

GYFNG! This is what we play for! Good team, good competition -- and real stars to (hopefully) win it for us. Go Stras! Go Harp! GYNFG!

(BTW, a coupla threads ago, somebody said something like it was like having Strasmas and Harpakuh at once -- I like that!)

Dick Pennock said...

Apropos of nothing, I just sent in my first All Star ballot, including a write-in for Bryce Harper.

Now if Mr. Harper can just keep up something close to this pace through the rest of the season!

A DC Wonk said...

(The best part -- games that have that...)

Scott from Burke said...

Steve Garvey made all star team as a write in..he had his family stuff the ballot box..ended up winning mvp of the game

Scott from Burke said...

teddy wins the race the day after we clinch a playoff spot...gotta be that way..right?

SFNats said...

Teddy wins the day after we clinch a playoff spot? That is one hell of an idea.

SCNatsFan said...

Just saw that the Twins claimed Komatsu from the Cards as they tried to send him down. I thought if the Cards dropped him that the Nats wuold have first shot at reclaiming their rule 5 pick.

Ron In Reston said...

Only if he clears waivers, SC

Steady Eddie said...

Ron -- Re Komatsu, but the Twins have to keep him on their 25-man all year, right? They can't get more rights to a Rule 5 draftee than the Cards have to give.

Anonymous said...

I say, and said before, take advantage of every Philly fan we can while the getting is good. They will phase themselves out. When the keep trecking down 95, paying the bucks for seats, purchase hotel rooms, spend money, AND the Phillies lose.....then you'll see them start to phase out. Why treck down 95 to see your team lose on a consistent basis? It may not be this year or next, but eventually as the Phillies keep losing, their fans won't want to spend all that time and money to travel to their southern home to see their northern team lose. Again, and again. Yep, they will take themselves out of the picture. In the meantime, let's take their money!!

SFNats said...

Good news from Kilgore:

"Ryan Zimmerman hit off a tee this afternoon and felt “no discomfort,” Manager Davey Johnson. Zimmerman will ramp up his swinging tomorrow, which he said will provide more of a “true test” for whether he’ll return off the disabled list Sunday, Monday or later."

Holden Baroque said...

Amen, Rabbit! We will sell them the beer they cry in, at $8 each!

SFNats said...

Steady Eddie, right. It's still the Rule 5 draft. Twins have to keep him on the big league club or make a deal with the Nats, or they'll lose his rights.

Holden Baroque said...

TICK TOCK ... the former champs are aging fast.

Out and about town in the Willie Gandébol jersey tonight, in 315 tomorrow.

GYFNG!

A DC Wonk said...

Steve Garvey made all star team as a write in..he had his family stuff the ballot box

Wow . . . just how big is his family?!?

A DC Wonk said...

Scott from Burke said...

teddy wins the race the day after we clinch a playoff spot...gotta be that way..right?

Agreed . . . I posted that around a week or two ago.

So, hey, ref!, does that mean Scott owes me a coke? Or does this rule apply only when it's the same thread?

Scott from Burke said...

In 88 the Mets had a chance to clinch in Philly..they got swept..Mets fans at the game went nuts, some ripping the seats out of the ground. That's not a knock on Mets fans..I like it..not saying vandalize property outside the stadium, but..you know..

A DC Wonk said...

Seems like everyone's going to tomorrow's game . . . is anyone going to Sunday's? (I'll be there with family in 309)

Scott from Burke said...

DC Wonk..not that big..just BUSY...i think mostly it was his wife Cindy..total babe...she had a relationship with composer marvin hamlish...then two men met..hamlish said they had a conversation and, when it was over, CIndy and Steve were no longer together...Steve is the Dodgers answer to Joe Theisman...loud..abrasive..loves the spotlight..a little 'hollywood'..not loved by teammates..but a heck of a ballplayer..I loved Garvey back then

Scott from Burke said...

can't go to tomorrow's game..have to stay home and watch my NEW YORK RANGERS!!

RickH said...

Here for the first time this season. Brought my NATITUDE!!!

A DC Wonk said...

In 88 the Mets had a chance to clinch in Philly..they got swept..Mets fans at the game went nuts, some ripping the seats out of the ground. That's not a knock on Mets fans..I like it..not saying vandalize property outside the stadium, but..you know..

I was there for one of those games (!!).

I was a big time Mets fan until 2005.

I remember it well, because it was the first game I took my wife to.

It was 1986. It was a Fri-Sat-Sun, and a ton of Mets fans had come for the entire weekend. The Mets were 22 games in first, and had a magic number of 1 with 20+ games to go, so it was no biggie if they won or lost.

My wife and I went to the middle one of the three -- Saturday night -- I think Lenny Dykstra hit a home run on the first pitch of the game -- Mets scored 3 that first inning (big hits by Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter and Ray Knight -- what a team) Mets fans pretty much filled the stadium. But Phils came back, ended up winning 6-5.

But, what I remember afterwards was just feeling annoyed that we had schlepped all that way, and didn't see them win. Nothing bad, no vandalism. (Perhaps it happened Sunday, perhaps it even happened Sat night and we missed it -- but we didn't see anything out of the ordinary).

MicheleS said...

I am here and Nats fans are showing up. I would say 75% Nats fansq

baseballswami said...

MicheleS - have been wondering - can't tell on tv - are they in huge groups or sprinkled around? I will be angry if they figured out a way to do big groups.They are more easily handled and out-shouted if they are mixed in. Keep them in line!!!

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

There's a two-for-one all-you-can-eat buffet at the Ponderosa. That explains Cowboy Joe West's absence tonight.

natsfan1a said...

Thanks, MicheleS. That's great!

I'm afraid that would be same thread only and minutes/seconds apart, DC Wonk. Sorry. :-)


So, hey, ref!, does that mean Scott owes me a coke? Or does this rule apply only when it's the same thread?
May 04, 2012 6:20 PM

natsfan1a said...

Plus, I think he had a gig at some C&W dive later, Sunshine. :-)

SFNats said...

Welcome to K Street

Grandstander said...

Umpiring at second should be great tonight considering Joe West is sick and out of the game.

Marty said...

I like the way this one is starting!

For all the hand-wringing about the offense, 'tis a beautiful thing to let go and watch Strasburg go to work.

SFNats said...

Cry me a river, Charlie.

sm13 said...

Charlie Manuel looked a bit tense. Maybe the Phillies think this series is even more important to them than it is to us.

Anonymous said...

Way to make 'em pay Werth. Go sit in the other dugout.

baseballswami said...

I did not hear Werth getting booed! Was Harper booed? I like the way things sound on tv so far.

Marty said...

@Natsjack - hopefully he'll get a chance there in a few days :)

SFNats said...

Sometimes the ball bounces your way.

SFNats said...

And sometimes you hit into a 3-6 double play.

sm13 said...

A personal challenge to Gio by Stras.

Will said...

It's exceptionally frustrating that a 19 year old with less than 30 career ABs is by far and away our best hitter.

Anonymous said...

This team has to have the most automatic outs in the major leagues...Nady, DeRosa, Ankiel, Bernadina, Tracy, Flores and Espinosa are hitting a combined .163 (54 for 330) and Werthless, whose production could be replaced easily via the waiver wire.

SFNats said...

Dammit, Werth.

Exposremains said...

werth is on the wrong team. So predictable. Its like he always wants to get to 2 strikes.

Will said...

Fear and Ignorance, it doesn't help that there's noticeably better options on the bench that aren't being used for nonsensical reasons (e.g. Tyler Moore).

sm13 said...

And, we're 16-9, go figure. My glass remains half full.

baseballswami said...

So - who is a worse rally killer - Espi or Werth? Jayson finally gets a game where the fans are actually on his side and this is how he responds? Pretty soon it will be the Nats fans booing him and the Phils fans won't have to. They are actually apathetic towards him now.

Exposremains said...

if Werth could actually hit, with all the RBIs opportunity he's had he could lead the NL in RBIs.

Gonat said...

Werth has been doing fine overall. That wasn't a great at-bat. It happens.

Scott from Burke said...

Expos remains..If Werth could hit he wouldnt have as many rbi opportunities...pitchers woudnlt pitch around hitters to get to him, like they did last inning

baseballswami said...

So we strand a whole bunch of runners - they get one on, hit a home run and lead 2-0. Sheesh.

baseballswami said...

By the way - pouring in prince william county.

Anonymous said...

Looks like the Phillies really miss Werthless...lol!!! Pence is so much better that it isn't even funny. And why is Tyler Moore not playing???

Drew said...

You don't tug on Superman's cape.

Anonymous said...

Gonat-Werth is garbage. End of story.

Gonat said...

Ignorance - He's not a superstar, but he's far from garbage. Nady is garbage.

sm13 said...

Well done Chad, digging it off the ground

SFNats said...

Every since they signed Werth, the Nats have gotten better. Just sayin'.

Gonat said...

I know Werth had a Walkoff single and was involved in another walkoff.

Jon Schultz said...

Anyone know why Johnny Holliday is doing play by play tonight?

Growing up in the DC area, he is such a institution, I am glad to hear him doing games.

Scott from Burke said...

holliday called one bloop to ss on a broken bat a line drive..he is senile

SFNats said...

Carp's daughter is graduating college tonight.

Gonat said...

Jon - Carp's daughter's graduation was today

rogieshan said...

Let's just say Werth will never live up to his contract.

SFNats said...

Stras is...irked...that he struck out. You have to love that.

SFNats said...

That depends, John. If they win a WS while he's there and he's the veteran who holds the team together, might be Werth it regardless of the stats.

Scott from Burke said...

i would love it if he got a hit..i can strike out 100 times and be FURIOUS..doesnt help

Will said...

I would love it if Desmond only swung at pitches in the strike zone.

SFNats said...

Scott, seriously, take a Valium. Or have a beer.

Exposremains said...

so many missed opporunities, the Phils are really trying to let the Nats win.

Scott from Burke said...

RUIZ? the kissing RUIZ because the holy one is getting knocked around..i hate that nonsense

fear and ignorance and Nats jack in florida going at it...im going with F&I on this one..werth is trash

Scott from Burke said...

and now sfnats is throwing down...here we go

sm13 said...

Not often Stras gives up two long homers. I guess he might be mortal.

Gonat said...

Someone check Ruiz's PED test.

baseballswami said...

Oy - has SS ever given up 2 in a game? Funny - his command and velocity look fine. Pitch calling by Flo? The nats are hitting the ball very hard and actually stringing hits together. There is just a great big wall between third and home that no one seems to be able to cross.

Gonat said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
Anybody that tags themself as Fear and Ignorance is garbage.

May 04, 2012 8:26 PM
____________________________

It says it all.

Marty said...

Don't you guys have something else you could do other than bicker? Maybe watch a baseball game or something.

Scott from Burke said...

banners...guys getting angry when they strike out...expect to win as a fan..do not accept angry strikeout victims and new banners (davey johnson refused to say the word)...get angry...athletes are paid to win, not try hard

SFNats said...

And Stras bears down and gets it done. Now time for the offense to pick him up.

Scott from Burke said...

sell it feffer...

Gonat said...

baseballswami - I was thinking the same. I think its a combo of pitch calling and setting up to Pence. That pitch to Ruiz was dead red meatball that he didn't miss. That's how I saw it.

I am sure Stras will take all the blame.

Scott from Burke said...

BRYCE COLD HARPER

Scott from Burke said...

pitch calling? stras can shake his head

SFNats said...

What's funny is that our ace has the audacity to give up 3 runs in 5 innings -- which ain't great, but ain't bad -- and we're trying to figure out what's wrong. Him or the catcher?

That's how good he is.

Scott from Burke said...

werth will make an out here..i say a fly to right

Scott from Burke said...

not looking like an ace tonight

i was wrong..fky to left

Gonat said...

Scott from Burke said...
pitch calling? stras can shake his head

May 04, 2012 8:38 PM
________________________

Agreed. That's why Stras will take the blame.

Anonymous said...

NatsJack-Best movie quote ever. I find it hilarious that people on here think you actually know baseball because you hang around Spring Training like Ronnie Woo Woo at Wrigley Field. I would be willing to bet that everybody on that team laughs whenever they see you coming. You are just upset because you know Werth sucks too.

Scott from Burke said...

stick a rusty nail in the can and slurp down the cow piss..nasty

Exposremains said...

the only reason Werth seems better its because we have such low expectations. 2HR and 9RBI for a guy making 126M is not good.

Its just frustrating that they are making Kendrick look like a better pitcher than Strasburg

Scott from Burke said...

i think F&I just got REALLLLLY personal..watch out

SFNats said...

Anyone who thinks Kendrick looks like a better pitcher than Stras isn't watching the game.

baseballswami said...

I thought they said Werth came into this game with a 270 avg. It just doesn't seem that way because he is the opposite of clutch and gets his hits in a vacuum.Feels like the guys are hitting Kendrick pretty good. The phils have 3 hits and 3 runs, we are hitting all over the place with only the solo to show for it. The atmosphere seems pretty good at the park, though. Anyway - it's not the seventh inning yet.

Exposremains said...

I did say look like, Sf Nats.

Harper's attitude I'd like to see more of that from other players

Scott from Burke said...

Ronnie Woo Woo ...that is CLASSIC...

Gonat said...

Ignorance - I think the old saying is NatsJack has forgotten more baseball than you know.

Some of us also know the difference between garbage (Stairs) and gold (Strasburg). Werth is somewhere near a C+ this season IMO

SFNats said...

I know, Exposremains. I meant that it might look like that by the numbers, but not if you're watching the game.

SFNats said...

And Werth gets all three outs in that inning for the Phils.

Exposremains said...

I'm watching, its the same old thing Nats offense bailing out every bad pitcher out there.

rogieshan said...

SFNats, I'll accept your scenario about Werth. I wonder if Angels fans aren't feeling the same way about the Pujols acquisition right about now.

I don't expect Werth to match his Philly career numbers over the life of this contract or carry the team, but I'll settle for a few clutch hits and a championship.

Exposremains said...

gotta to cash in, here. come on!

Scott from Burke said...

combine last year with this year and werth gets a D+..put in his contract and it's a D minus...the good news is he is never hurt..the bad news is he's never hurt

MicheleS said...

F&I
Recovering Cubs fan here. You owe NatsJack an apology. I have had to put up with Ronnie Woo Woo my entire life and no one will ever get to that level.

Just sayin' said...

Fearlessly ignorant: Bull Durham's a great flick with some good quotes, but if you think it contains the "best movie quote ever" you need to expand your cinematic horizons. And while NatsJack can be acerbic, there's no need for the ad hominem attacks. You (and a few other posters) might also note that if you have to add "lol" to your comments they're probably not that funny.

Scott from Burke said...

Pujols..wow...what a scene...if he gets hot it's gonna be scary..i hope he doesn't..bloated AL contracts for 1B/DH..I'm anti DH..although watching strasburg run the bases was kind of sad

Scott from Burke said...

ok..who is RoOnnie Woo Woo? and best movie quote ever is "She's my sister..smack...she's my daughter...smack..Understand?"

Gonat said...

Scott from Burke said...
combine last year with this year and werth gets a D+..put in his contract and it's a D minus...the good news is he is never hurt..the bad news is he's never hurt

May 04, 2012 9:00 PM
____________________________

Can't disagree with what happened last year. It was a "F".

Grandstander said...

Rick Ankiel showing us his Nook Logan impression.

Gonat said...

Can't believe the ending to that inning. Unreal. Couldn't tell. Was Bo Porter sleeping?

Scott from Burke said...

and the best quote from a baseball movie is this poignant exchange in bang the drum slowly (lifted directly from Mark Harris book you philistines and neanderthals) At one point, Bruce Pearson says "Probably everybody would be nice to you if they knew you were dying ." Arthur Wiggins responds, "Everybody knows everybody's dying. That's why people are as good as they are."

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

A Nook Logan moment! To paraphrase Charlie's finest call ever: "What was he doing? Where was he going? What was he thinking?"

Exposremains said...

they really want to lose tonight.

baseballswami said...

Major Leaguers doing stupid sh@#! That would be the caption under the picture.

Gonat said...

Gorzo threw some great pitches to Wiggington.

Gonat said...

Time to walk Ruiz to set up the force.

Gonat said...

Dumb baseball move to steal 3rd with 1 out and your hottest hitter up.

Marty said...

Well if we do end up stealing this game, it'll be thanks to the lack of Joe West.

Anonymous said...

MicheleS-I lived off of Southport and Addison for 8 years. He used to come into Justin's and Schoolyard Tavern all of the time in his uniform. Ronnie Woo Woo is great in small doses...if you are drunk. At least he is a likable guy. NatsJack thinks he is always right about everything...from saying Hanley Ramirez sucks to saying that the Orioles don't have anybody on their team that could even play for the Nationals. He is the one who got personal...not me.

Scott from Burke said...

Johnny Hooliday shows his ignorance..after the out at third ruiz gets a hit and Holliday says that would have scored him..how does he know the same sequence of events would haqve occurred..different strategies might have been used..i hate that

Gonat said...

2 gifts in that inning. That shot over the 3rd base bag looked like a double---and it was called foul.

Scott from Burke said...

GoNat said: Dumb baseball move to steal 3rd with 1 out and your hottest hitter up.

Correct sir (madam?)

SFNats said...

About time the Nats got some calls in their favor.

Scott from Burke said...

Hanley Ramirez would fit in fine for the Nats...

Scott from Burke said...

how can we not blame Ankiel for hetting thrown out at 3rd? ridiculous..making sure he stays buddies with the players..nonsense

Gonat said...

Scott, Ankiel obviously thought the ball got past Rollins. What was Bo Porter telling him to do?

Credit to Rollins for making Ankiel look bad.

Scott from Burke said...

fp pointed out ankiels should have turned his head to see what was going on...3 minutes later saying he's not to blame...which is it?

Gonat said...

Danny Espinosa watching as a spectator on that grounder to Stammen

Gonat said...

Tim Hudson getting smashed by the Rockies. 5 earned over 2 innings....so far.

Gonat said...

I'd like to see Craig throw more of those curve balls to the RH batter. Decent inning as it looked like it could have been a disaster

Gonat said...

If you think Lidge can give it up, Qualls can do the same thing.

Scott from Burke said...

I DOn't know FP? are you blind Johnny Holliday?

jeffwx said...

Ankiel 3-3
Tracey Hr and single

Not bad for so called easy outs

jeffwx said...

Flores...always a good hitter

Gonat said...

Nats get lucky again but what set that up was all the pinch hitters by Philly put in weaker fielders.

Scott from Burke said...

wax..where you been? big inning

jeffwx said...

but isn't there anyone else to ph besides Nady ?

jeffwx said...

Yes!!!!! Nady walks

RickH said...

Flores ignited my NATITUDE!!!

Gonat said...

Glad now that Davey didn't put Ramos in as the pinch-hitter

jeffwx said...

poor scouting by phili

Scott from Burke said...

Hollida just said he wouldnt walk nady..i liked him voicing the opinion...that was good

jeffwx said...

poor umping

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Ladies and gents, it's bourbon and Maalox time.

Gonat said...

Desmond and Lombo both let the Phillies off the hook. Qualls is on the ropes. Work the darn count. Maybe you get a wild pitch or a mistake pitch to drive.

jeffwx said...

Johnny Holiday road...you go guy

Anonymous said...

Bases loaded and our 1 and 2 hitters swing at the 1st pitch. Terrible baseball!!!!!!!

sm13 said...

3 blind mice out the tonight.

Gonat said...

Nats get Strasburg off the hook.

mick said...

Hey ump your a piece of arrogant crap! If I was at the park i would smack that smug ass look off your face. having said that, why the hell is Desmond swinging at the first pitch like a sissy!

Scott from Burke said...

i've been traching him all game but that was cool..put it out there AND basically saying Nady sucks

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