Sunday, May 6, 2012

Game 28: Phillies at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Jordan Zimmermann and Cole Hamels meet on Sunday Night Baseball.
When ESPN announced over the winter it would be televising the first Sunday Night Baseball game at Nationals Park since the place opened in 2008, naturally the execs at the Worldwide Leader expected this game would feature the first-place Nationals shooting for their eighth-straight win over the last-place Phillies. Right? Right?

The Nationals couldn't have asked for better timing to unveil their 18-9 club to a nationwide audience. Sure, they'd love to have Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Morse and Adam LaRoche in the lineup. Then again, the current group has successfully put 40 men on base the last two days. Not wanting to tinker with perfection, Davey Johnson will go with the same lineup tonight, even though left-hander Cole Hamels is on the mound for Philadelphia.

Jordan Zimmermann, meanwhile, gets the start for the Nationals. Here's hoping the right-hander (often the forgotten man of this rotation) gets some well-deserved national attention.

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

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 8:05 p.m. EDT
TV: ESPN
Radio: WWXT (92.7 FM), WWXX (94.3 FM), WTEM (980 AM), WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), WNEW (1580 AM), XM 89
Weather: Partly cloudy, 69 degrees, Wind 7 mph RF to LF
NATIONALS (18-9)
SS Ian Desmond
3B Steve Lombardozzi
LF Bryce Harper
RF Jayson Werth
1B Chad Tracy
2B Danny Espinosa
CF Rick Ankiel
C Wilson Ramos
RHP Jordan Zimmermann

PHILLIES (13-15)
SS Jimmy Rollins
LF Juan Pierre
CF Shane Victorino
RF Hunter Pence
1B Laynce Nix
C Carlos Ruiz
3B Placido Polanco
2B Pete Orr
LHP Cole Hamels

UMPIRES
HP Andy Fletcher, 1B D.J. Reyburn, 2B Rob Drake, 3B Sam Holbrook

8:06 p.m. -- And we are underway with a ball from Jordan Zimmermann to Jimmy Rollins. This will be the least-attended game of the series, but they did sell more than 30,000 advance tickets, so it'll still be a strong crowd. They'll also top the 100,000 mark for the weekend, only the second time the Nationals have reached that threshold for a series in April or May in this ballpark.

8:10 p.m. -- And that's a six-pitch, five-strike top of the first from Zimmermann. Nice way to start this one off and let a national audience know what he's all about.

8:21 p.m. -- Hey world, meet Bryce Harper. What a way for the kid to introduce himself. After getting drilled in the back by Cole Hamels' first-pitch fastball -- on what certainly looked like a purpose pitch -- Harper went first-to-third on Jayson Werth's single to left. Then he stole home. Yes, stole home. As Hamels tossed a pickoff throw to first, Harper took off from third and slid in just underneath Carlos Ruiz's tag. The ballpark erupted. What a moment. I'll tell you what: If Harper can channel his emotions into aggressive play like that ... wow, this could get scary. Nats lead 1-0 after one.

8:34 p.m. -- Nothing happening in the second inning, but this place is still buzzing about Harper's hustle. He got a standing ovation from the left-field bleachers as he took his position for the top of the second.

8:43 p.m. -- There's your retaliation. Zimmermann plunks Hamels in the leg as the opposing pitcher squares to bunt. Plate umpire Andy Fletcher warned both dugouts. Tell you what, that was a gutsy move on Zimmermann's part, putting two on with one out in a 1-0 game. But credit to the right-hander, who calmly pitched his way out of the jam by retiring Rollins and Pierre on groundballs. Guess what, folks: This thing just became a legitimate rivalry.

8:50 p.m. -- And Harper wins Round 2 vs. Hamels, lacing a base hit to left and then taking a huuuuuge turn around first base. Werth did strike out to end the inning, but still Harper is in control tonight. 1-0 as we go to the fourth.

9:06 p.m. -- Uh-oh, things kind of falling apart for Zimmermann in the fourth. He served up a towering, two-run homer to Hunter Pence, one that landed way up in the Red Porch. Pence hit that ball with some serious purpose, almost like he had a chip on his shoulder or something. ... Meanwhile, the Phillies picked up three more hits in the inning, getting singles from Laynce Nix, Placido Polanco (scoring Nix) and even Hamels, who had to take some satisfaction out of that. All of a sudden, the Phillies lead 3-1.

9:19 p.m. -- Zimmermann really needed that. Though he walked Pierre to open the fifth, he immediately got Victorino to ground into a 4-6-3 double play, then got Pence to ground out. On the other hand, Hamels has really been in control for a while now. He's retired 10 of 12 batters since Harper stole home. Still 3-1 as we go to the bottom of the fifth.

9:23 p.m. -- FYI: Harper was the first teenager to steal home in a major-league game since the Angels' Ed Kirkpatrick on May 5, 1964 (according to the Elias Sports Bureau).

9:26 p.m. -- Needing a spark from someone, Desmond delivered a two-out triple to deep left-center. That got the crowd going, even prompting a true, spontaneous "Let's Go Nats!" chant. And Lombardozzi almost brought the house did with his first career homer. Unfortunately, it landed a bit foul down the left-field line. And then he grounded out weakly to the pitcher. So it remains 3-1 through five.

9:35 p.m. -- Oh dear. Werth is seriously hurt after trying to make a sliding catch of a sinking line drive to right. His left wrist got seriously twisted on that play, and he could barely retrieve the ball to throw it back to the infield. He walked off under his own power but was holding the wrist very carefully. Xavier Nady takes over in right. I suppose the good news is that Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche are both expected back on Tuesday. But you've got to assume the Nats will continue to be short-handed for some time with both Michael Morse (and now Werth sidelined).

9:45 p.m. -- Tonight's paid attendance: 33,058. The total for the series was 106,931.

9:59 p.m. -- Craig Stammen has been coming up huge all season, and he just outdid himself. Handed a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the top of the seventh, he escaped. Assists to Harper and Ankiel, who made nice catches and kept Hamels from tagging at third. But then Stammen struck out Nix to end the inning and give the Nats hope. Still 3-1 at the stretch.

10:04 p.m. -- A 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh as Hamels continues to cruise. The Nats are down to their last six outs.

10:19 p.m. -- Harper did his part in the eighth, turning a two-out, little looper to left into a double. What hustle. But new right fielder Xavier Nady (hitting .121) grounded out to end the inning. Still 3-1 as we go to the ninth.

10:44 p.m. -- The Phillies add one ... no, two ... no, four ... no, six big insurance runs in the top of the ninth, in part because Ryan Perry and Wilson Ramos couldn't hold Jimmy Rollins on first base. Despite several pickoff attemps, Rollins timed his stolen base attempt perfectly and swiped second without a throw. That allowed him to score on Juan Pierre's single. And moments later, Pierre also scored on Shane Victorino's triple down the right-field line. Then Hunter Pence delivered the kill shot: a two-run homer to left. And then Freddy Galvis added a two-run single, just for good measure. It's 9-1 and anybody still inside this park probably has spent a good portion of their life in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

11:01 p.m. -- Mercifully, this one is over. Final: 9-3 after the Nats got two runs in the bottom of the ninth. A bad night in NatsTown, to say the least. But perhaps this will cheer everyone up: When you wake up tomorrow morning, the Nationals will still be in first place. And the Phillies will still be in last place.

259 comments:

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sjm308 said...

disappointed that unkyd would call Werth's sliding catches stupid. He has been doing is for years and has caught more balls and stopped others from going to the fence - what do you want him to do, wave at the ball as it goes by?

How great was that relief job by Stammen.

They can move Harper to right and let the other guys play left but this injury hurts.

Too bad Stammen will come out but he is due up this inning.

TimDz said...

Bottom 7....
Otherwise known as...GO TIME

Faraz Shaikh said...

really hope Werth is okay. We can't seem to catch a break on injuries front.
Great to see Stammen escape that jam. Guess having good OF arms really can make a huge difference.

lls45 said...

Another great job by Craig Stammen!!!

Drew said...

Well, if Tyler gets a few more ABs maybe he won't swing at 58 footers. Seriously, his swings looked sharper when he started the game in L.A.

I'm more frustrated with the Ramos at bat. Hamels was at 96 pitches. Go deep in the count! Get him out of the game and give yourselves a chance.

Good job by Burnett.

Tim said...

Bloop and a blast....

D'Gourds said...

UnkyD -- That is exactly how you play that ball -- stay lower than the ball. Keep the ball in front of you. He did it right. Injuries happen. It's too bad -- he was getting his act together at the plate and it looks like he'll be out for a long time.

I love Stammen. He should seriously be considered for closer if Henry imploads. The guy has ice water veins. What a bull dog!

ehay2k said...

Is it just me, or are these ESPN announcers terrible? (I have not been reading the game thread.) Francona is awful , in my opinion. Why they need three talkers in the booth is beyond me.

I am suffering through the game listening to the excellent radio team, then seeing the play happen on TV after Charlie makes the call.

Candide said...

Seems they have the same attitude towards Moore as they did with Morse until last year - he's really not good enough to be a regular, so we won't even give him a chance. Cripes, put Harper in right - he has some experience there - and Moore in left. How much worse could he be than Nady?

Steady Eddie said...

Harp is unbelievable.

Scott from Burke said...

showed up pierre..do i have a problem with it? no..do the phillies? you bet

UnkyD said...

Hamels is tough.

D'Gourds said...

I have never seen such hustle. He is awesome!

Scott from Burke said...

Xavier Nady

Candide said...

It's like watching Pete Rose and Jackie Robinson rolled up into one player.

Steady Eddie said...

Whereas Nady has nothing left. At this point I'd almost rather have TMoore learning LF and MLB hitting with Harp in right than have such a big hole in the middle of the lineup.

Grandstander said...

Harper is as good as Nady is bad. He's really that good folks.

whatsanattau said...

They started it.

Candide said...

Steady Eddie said...At this point I'd almost rather have TMoore learning LF and MLB hitting with Harp in right than have such a big hole in the middle of the lineup.

What do you mean "almost?"

Exposremains said...

One other bad thing about Werth injury, it bought a few more weeks of playing time for Nady. You gottta to get a hit after you see harper do that.

baseballswami said...

Trying to gain perspective -- seemed like ZNN was just awful, walking people, no control -- he gave up three runs -- three runs and went into the 7th. That's a pitching disaster to us this year. that was a stellar performance in previous years. Stammen is a total gem, by the way. Cole Hamels is a stud and everyone knows it -- except Bryce Harper. I think National Tv is going to like the way he looks. The rest of our offense makes me want to avert my eyes. Time for the revolving dl door - Zim and Laroche back, Werth out. Can the merry-go-round stop , please!

whatsanattau said...

Let's play GM.

You know that trade you've been resisting for Wang or Lannan? Rizzo might decide to re-evaluate them now. The Yankees are pretty desperate for a starter. Several other teams as well.

whatsanattau said...

Ramos - get a net.

Exposremains said...

and Ramos can't catch the ball, again.

Grandstander said...

Ramos with another dropped ball...

I think it's sooner rather than later we start seeing Flores in there a bit more.

Exposremains said...

Perry is about as useful as balester, maybe worst

Candide said...

I think Ramos has a case of the yips on incoming throws.

Steady Eddie said...

I was gonna blame that on Ramos but it looks like the ball might have ticked off Pierre's leg or he at least obstructed Ramos' view of the bounce. That's how they bounce on a bad night.

And Perry is only up because both Storen and Lidge are out.

whatsanattau said...

Ramos will be fine eventually. But he needs to be at the park at 10:00am tomorrow morning working on that with Randy Knorr or whoever.

whatsanattau said...

We could see a few roster moves before Tuesday.

Steady Eddie said...

And Perry shows why we traded for him to get his option.

Candide said...

Time for bed. Goodnight, all.

Grandstander said...

First game I've turned off before completion all season.

#natitude

Faraz Shaikh said...

a comeback now would be sweet.

Steady Eddie said...

Rather watch MadMen and follow the game on nice quiet Gameday.

Maybe I should have gone tonight. Went the past three games and they're 8-1 on games I've seen this season.

On the other hand.... I've seen enough Phillies fans for several months. Fortunately the next home series is in the middle of the week at the end of July.

baseballswami said...

It would have to be our biggest comeback ever. Is Hamels going for the complete game? That is, if we ever actually get to the bottom of the ninth?

Steady Eddie said...

And now I'm turning off Gameday.

baseballswami said...

The bullpen era is causing a sonic boom as it rises in to the stratosphere. Ryan Perry and Gorzelanny - gasoline on a fire.

Faraz Shaikh said...

I am kinda worried about Nats inability to put together a sweep.

baseballswami said...

Hooray - three outs!!!

whatsanattau said...

yeah 8 out of 9 series just isn't enough

Faraz Shaikh said...

I am grateful for the kind of baseball they have been playing but why can't we sweep an opponent for a change. that's all.

Scott from Burke said...

faraz...to win the world series you have to win 4 out of 7 games..you dont get more money for sweeping

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

FS, you need to go back and look at some game tapes from, oh, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010...

We're fine. A little banged up, but still with the best pitching in the game. We're going to be in this thing for a l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-n-g time.

Relax. Have a bourbon and Maalox. On me.

Faraz Shaikh said...

Espi's head is still in the game so I will chill a little bit. but seriously, a comeback would top everything that has happened today.

whatsanattau said...

A fair desire, but I don't think it is cause for concern. This team is showing sufficient heart.
This is about injuries, not ability to finish off opponents.

ehay2k said...

FS - you just need to win every series. Sweeps are just icing on the cake.

Agree with baseballswami than Zimnn looked like he lacked control.
It could have been a lot worse had Stammen not worked some magic. But it also looked like a really tight strike zone tonight.

We still need to figure out how to hit. Losing Werth, who was playing well, is a big loss for the Nats. Here's hoping that our depth, and the return of Zimm and ALR will help.

Just remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint.

Faraz Shaikh said...

true, we have had as many injuries to deal with as no other team in baseball but still are in 1st place. Very happy to see that.

Scott from Burke said...

faraz..read pure baseball by keith hernandez...

Faraz Shaikh said...

let's keep it going guys. one hit at a time.

hmm... said...

FS -
from your mouth to God's ears

Faraz Shaikh said...

Scott, reading Willie Mays' bio and RA Dickey's auto. Then I can pick up Keith's book.

anyways tough loss. tougher would be Werth's loss. Many pick on him for not being worth his money but he is very valuable to the club.

baseballswami said...

I love the way the guys just did not give up. If not for gas-can Perry, the game might have been within reach. We still wake up in first - they still wake up in last.

realdealnats said...

Bad game, but how cool was Harper to steal home, and how cool is it no one runs on either Harper or Ankiel's arm. And how cool was Stammen. Best JZmm pitch of the game--nailing Hamels. Hope Werth miraculously skirts what looks like a bad one. Get some rest, juggle the lineup, and sweep the Pirates. Still a PFB team.

Mickey Vernon said...

I've lost respect for Gene Mauch. Hitting Harper had to be his call, and was unprovoked. Low class. Just like most Philly Phans.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Here is my line up for Tuesday assuming Werth is headed for the DL (Just when thought Nady was gone he is still here).

Desmond SS
Harper RF
Zim 3B
LaRoche 1B
Moore LF
Lombardozzi 2B
Ankiel CF
Flores C
Ejax P

I want Harper up as much as possible.Zim will like batting behind him. Lots of RBI opportunities.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Dor anyone keeping track harper 8 for 26 Nady 7 for 59. Nady was all but gone until Werth got hurt. I guess when werth or Morse comes back we finally can get rid of him.

realdealnats said...

Manassas Nats--I just wrote up the same lineup and then thought everyone was asleep by now. So I'm with you 120% Only difference is I had Lombo batting #2 still, and then bumped everyone down a notch.

I imagine we have the same reasons for playing youth:
Need Lombo's bat, and need to see if how he pairs w/Desi
Need TMoore's hopefull 3 run homer bat at the cost of fielding
and
Need more competition at Catcher by moving Flores into the lineup more often. I love Ramos, he just needs to sharpen up the fielding.

I like Espi a great deal too, but we can't go all year w/such a hole in the lineup.

Joe Seamhead said...

Unkyd, I lost a lot of respect for you for your stupid slide comment. Werth had played that ball perfectly, but his mitt snagged on the turf, and his momentum carried him forward, literally snapping his wrist. Then he still got the ball back in.

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