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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baseballswami said...

I am sure that Jordan would rather have run support than national attention.

Holden Baroque said...

I have a feeling Prince Oppo will be feeling the cameras tonight. (That's a good thing--cameras like him.)

Holden Baroque said...

NatsJack, yes it is.
From Friday:
UMPIRES
HP Rob Drake, 1B Sam Holbrook, 3B Andy Fletcher

Holden Baroque said...

That is, yes it is the same crew, with D.J. Reyburn joining them for yesterday's game.

natsfan1a said...

Amen to that, Swami. Harper doesn't seem daunted by the big stage so far, so I'd tend to agree with sec3.

(lol, just realized that "Orr" would fit right in on the all-vomit-onomatopoeia-surnames Phillies roster - as inspired by a Phillies fan comment quoted in an earlier thread. Okay, sorry. Got a bit distracted there. Hope nobody's eating dinner. Ahem.)

Anyway, will try to stay awake for the whole broadcast, but no guarantees, so I've set the DVR as well. Go, J-Zimm! Go, NATS!! Stay hot, NATS BATS!!

Eugene in Oregon said...

Query: I use MLB.tv to watch games from my computer; we don't have ESPN (or a regular tv, for that matter). Am I correct that national ESPN games like this are blacked-out on MLB.tv? Prefer to watch from home, but I'll head for a sports bar if I have to (not a bad thing). Thanks to anyone who can answer definitively.

Holden Baroque said...

1a, in all fairness, Gorzelanny would fit that roster, too.

baseballswami said...

Pujols actually just went yard. Maybe his average will cross the mendoza line now.

Anonymous said...

5pm start here in LA, where I'm visiting family, and I'm committed to a 7pm dinner at a place that I know won't have a TV. Gameday and the DVR will have to suffice. Sweep!

peric said...

'm kind of hoping Jordan Zimmermann is a bit piqued ... he has the best bat in the starting rotation not Gio Gonzalez ... I expect he might be out to prove it tonight ... ;)

peric said...

but I'll head for a sports bar if I have to (not a bad thing).

For what you pay you'd think they would make an exception? Its hard to find a bar like Duffy's that will put it on ...

natsfan1a said...

Yeah, no doubt we could come up with our own, er, as it were. But seeing as how original comment was a Phils Phan saying that "natitude" sounded like someone ralphing (which it doesn't, really), I went with names from their roster.

Eugene in Oregon said...

NatsJack: Yeah; that's what I thought/feared. Thanks for the confirmation. Given how rarely the Nats are on national tv, I don't recall ever having had this problem before. Since we moved West the only MLB.tv blacked-out games have been when the Nats played the Mariners and the Giants, who --along with A's -- are somehow considered to capture Oregon within their respective spheres of influence (or whatever they call it). Oh well, bar food and a few beers shouldn't hurt too much.

natsfan1a said...

Oops, forgot to paste this in to my comment. Context and all that.

Soul Possession, My PFB Hitterish Sofa w/ Unholy Table said...

1a, in all fairness, Gorzelanny would fit that roster, too.
May 06, 2012 5:04 PM

NatsLady said...

Pujols hits a home run, can Danny be far behind???

sk80 said...

I think the game should be on espn3.com no? Or maybe that will be blacked out too. Can usually watch there for free.

UnkyD said...

... And the Unholy Table is set.

Can Gorsehacking be far behind...?

NatsLady said...

Off to the game. See y'all on the other end. GO NATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

peric said...

Worse news. Adam Kennedy will replace him at 3b.

It makes me feel overwhelmed by gratitude ... that Giggleman's Island is now a series in reruns on the Comedy Channel. I can just imagine what this roster would be like and what the record would be with that guy trying to play every washed up AAAA guy form Orr, Harris, Kennedy, etc. instead of trying out a Lombardozzi and even a Harper.

I think many fans do not realize just how fortunate we were when that guy accidentally resigned ...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Nats still have 4 of the top 11 ERA's in the NL. Hard to mess with that rotation. As I said yesterday, things will happen that will change things eventually, but until you have to don't toy with it.

MicheleS said...

Watching BP right now. Its cloudy out. Gio is running on the warning track. Smiling of course.

Will said...

There's a great interview with Harper on ESPN, it's quite long too (10 minutes).

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7897503

It sounds like Harper's had some media coaching. He was better than most politicians with some of those answers. Buster Olney was clearly trying to get Harper to say something like his Namath comment, but Harper played it cool. Amazing that a 19 year old can come across so level-headed and mature.

Holden Baroque said...

... And the Unholy Table is set.
Can Gorsehacking be far behind...?



I LIKE it, Unky!

natsfan1a said...

Have fun, Michele and NatsLady.

Wait, doesn't that sound kinda like...nevermind. Hack. That. Gorse.

UnkyD said...

... And the Unholy Table is set.

Can Gorsehacking be far behind...?
May 06, 2012 5:29 PM

Holden Baroque said...

So I'm watching Cody Ross, and it occurs to my why the Nats didn't get him--there'd be no way they could tell Bryce ixnay on the eyeblack, once he saw Ross on the bench. Though it would have given him someone to borrow from if he ran short.

peric said...

Nats still have 4 of the top 11 ERA's in the NL. Hard to mess with that rotation.

With Wang chomping at the bit and all of Taiwan likely waiting with bated breath?

Davey said it all when he said he'd rather not think about ...

You really can't pull Detwiler it could affect his development. You're not going to pull Stras, Gio, or JZimm ... leaves Edwin as a 1 year wonder and potential trade bait because of it ...

They might get something good for Jackson, lots of teams with a rash of injuries and playoff potential. And if you could package Lannan with him and get a bit more?

But then there's just staying the course which makes abundant sense ... except that Wang's 30-day clock is started.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

So it looks like MLB broke up the umpiring crew that had both Joe West and Angel Hernandez in it. One of the few smart moves Bud Selig has ever made.

natsfan1a said...

I didn't like Cody as a Marlin. Liked him as a Giant. He's what, a Red Sox now? Yech. Nah, he's okay. :-)

peric said...

Congradulations to the Minnesota Twins who have been no hit and 1 hit in the last 5 days for having blasted 3 hits already and it's only in the 6th inning.

Ex Nats and Ben Goessling ... betcha Goessling is the albatross!

MicheleS said...

Mark and amanda chatting with Storen. BP is about to start

peric said...

Can Gorsehacking be far behind...?

Giggleman's Island gives way to Welcome Back Kotter?

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Country Joe West out three straight games. Man, that two-for-one buffet at the Ponderosa must be taking a beating by now.

jeffwx said...

Not sure if the O's game will end before the Nats

UnkyD said...

Peric... Took me a sec....Good One! (grins...remembering Ron Pallilo)

{:^D

Grandstander said...

So it looks like MLB broke up the umpiring crew that had both Joe West and Angel Hernandez in it. One of the few smart moves Bud Selig has ever made.

That actually happened last year around the ASB. And it was Joe Torre, not Selig. I think that crew had something like 17 ejections by June or something ridiculous so Torre finally did what baseball fans everywhere were clamoring for.

jeffwx said...

So Pete Orr and Lance Nix leading the former Nat charge tonight...

Faraz Shaikh said...

so wait, I won't be able to watch this game on ESPN 3 (online) because of blackout restrictions? that sucks.

jeffwx said...

And to the 13th we go in Boston....hitters still can't see the ball in the twilight.
Keepin track of the O's in case of a beltway WS.

baseballswami said...

I really don't like the four letter network. Maybe the mute button? You guys are making me yearn to see Morse hit with all your gorsehacking horseplay. Zim and LaRoche back in Pittsburgh? Hope they are not rusty. Will there be a pre-game show on masn?

natsfan1a said...

Jeff, sure, you can keep track and report back to us in the fall, should the situation in question arise. ;-)

I don't think so, swami, but Baseball Tonight on the four-letter network, I think.

peric said...

Listening to Franconia is like listening to LaRussa it might be educational?

baseballswami said...

FP is on twitter - apparently he is tailgating and attending the game dressed as a fan. I assume that means no tie, no makeup? Does anyone else think this day is just dragging on? This almost feels worse than the west coast games.

A DC Wonk said...

OK, so as I understand it, NatsLady is in 304, SonnyG is 208, and I'll be there in 309. Where will MichelleS be?

Anyone else? (I'm headed out to the game now)

jeffwx said...

1a...If the current O's game ever ends, yes.

Showalter using the last of his pen (Jim Johnson) in the 15th in Boston.

Wonk ti lla ... hopefully Michelle will be on the right field side of the stadium...we're kind of LF heavy
NL said she'd be in 305 I think.

Holden Baroque said...

I may catch it at Duffy's. I think he has a wings special.

baseballswami said...

Cheer loudly for the rest of us - if you have a signal give us some local color. We have no home town coverage tonight. Out boo the Phans!

jeffwx said...

Oh there's buster at the park...I think I see some of you...Say hey to Chase Utley...He's shagging now

jeffwx said...

If you tix from yesterday's game, you can pick up your free wings at Hard Times

jeffwx said...

Harper's in the cage on ESPN

jeffwx said...

And the game goes on in Boston...On to the 16th
Chris Davis, O's DH, warming up in the pen

baseballswami said...

O's going to the 16th in Boston. Oy. Each team has used 8 pitchers already.

UnkyD said...

Sofa....jealous-those are goooood wings!

jeffwx said...

Schilling calling Nats the NL version of TB
Starters Opp. BA = .193,
Schilling/Kruk on our bandwagon...

Holden Baroque said...

Just checking--are there, in fact, NO Hard Times locations in DC?? Except for the park...? Bummer!

jeffwx said...

Swami...Evidenty O's DH, now pitcher K'd 5 times today.

So where is Duffy's ?

Faraz Shaikh said...

Chris Davis is pitching for Orioles.

MicheleS said...

In 131 tonight

jeffwx said...

Davis strikes out 5 times, now strikes out his first batter...unconvential, very compact windup.

jeffwx said...

Play at the plate Jones to Hardy to Wieters...on to the 17th

jeffwx said...

Michele's in the good seats...

Faraz Shaikh said...

i wanna watch this game.

Faraz Shaikh said...

darnell up for red sox now. interesting stuff!!!

jeffwx said...

Yeah....2 position players pitching for each side.
Nice pitch Darnell

jeffwx said...

whoops...3 run hr by Jones...it could end in the 17th

Faraz Shaikh said...

amazing, I love baseball.
I think if ever play a long game like this, we will have a real pitcher (Ankiel) on the mound in 17th inning. that would be fun.

jeffwx said...

yes...we have better position player pitchers ;)

jeffwx said...

What the heck.....Stras don't know who Doc Gooden was ???

JaneB said...

I hope Jordan walks out there with a metaphorical broom, and that the guys give him some run support during the early innings. Time to win one for JZimm!

whatsanattau said...

anybody here mention recently that Schilling is an idiot?

whatsanattau said...

His thoughtful comment on Harper's interview was that Harper shouldn't rely too much on his Dad. A) They set Harper up for that. B) Harper never said he didn't listen to anyone else. C) Schilling is an idiot.

jeffwx said...

Hey....I want that Nats broom.

Candide said...

Heh. I have a couple of whisk brooms. Gotta paint a curly W on one of them...

FP's 5:00 Shadow said...

Man it's good to see the boys on national TV. Now let's get a win and the sweep.

natsfan1a said...

Jeff, just to clarify, I wasn't requesting updates on that game. 'kay thanks. ;-)

jeffwx said...

Got ya 1a...Game over, man.

jeffwx said...

Good idea Candide...I'd buy one, but I have unbridled enthusiasm

Candide said...

Getting tired of hearing how the Phils are in last place because they're missing their big boppers. As if Zimm and Morse haven't missed a game...

jeffwx said...

Sorry 1a, i meant game over, lady.
Actually, I was trying my hand at blogcasting for those at the stadium and to be a general nuisance.

Quick pitchin by Big Z

jeffwx said...

Yes...And they have Lance Nix and Pete Orr to fill in ;)

UnkyD said...

Ok, fellas... The whole country's watching...

Let's bat all the way around, in the first... See how many Philly Phans will just head for the exits..... Shall we?!

jeffwx said...

So Bryce hangs with Jason...He'll be a very rich man too.

jeffwx said...

Wow......BS

Scott from Burke said...

if anyone doesnt think that was on purpose you are wrong

UnkyD said...

WHAT!?!?!

jeffwx said...

Get ready JZ....throw at one of the Philly Geezers

Candide said...

Hershiser as much as said it was deliberate.

Scott from Burke said...

hershiser said? stevie wonder saw it

Candide said...

OMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scott from Burke said...

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jeffwx said...

OH MY G!!!!!
HERE's ONE for YOU....HAMELS

UnkyD said...

EOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

TAKE THAT!!!!!!!!

jeffwx said...

OMG
Here's one for you HAMELS and CRUSTY CHARLIE MANUEL

waddu eye no said...

hit THIS, hamel 1!

pfb

natsfan1a said...

New drinking game proposal for all of y'all who partake. Every time an ESPN broadcaster says "nineteen-year-old" you take a shot. Well, maybe every other time. Enjoy! :-)

jeffwx said...

They'll still throw high and tight at Victorino

Scott from Burke said...

btw pierre has no arm in left

jeffwx said...

Jeez...I wish I didn't give up drinking

Scott from Burke said...

he could have killed ruiz

TimDz said...

Suck on THAT Hamels...

No way that hbp was unintentional ...

jeffwx said...

Did you see how Harper took a look at Hamels after he got up.
Love it.

Faraz Shaikh said...

why would it be intentional?

jeffwx said...

OMG....LOMBO

Scott from Burke said...

FS to tell harper to show respect and he's their most exciting hitter..SENDING A MESSAGE..dont be daft

hmm... said...

jeffwx -

careful what you wish for.

jeffwx said...

Don't nobody F... with our Guy. We got your back

jeffwx said...

Good point hmmmm.
God grant me the serenity to accept the games i can not change ;)

Scott from Burke said...

Zimm hist noone..but ruiz swung like he was nervous...i think he has to hit someone later but 6 up..6 down...a bench clearing brawl would be wild

sm13 said...

If JZimm is going to retaliate, is he going to do it by throwing at Hamels?

Scott from Burke said...

you generally dont throw at the pitcher..bad form

Candide said...

Zimm hasn't allowed a base runner yet. I don't think he's going to do it by plunking someone.

Scott from Burke said...

plus he should be an easy out...mets once threw at roger clemens in houston with piazza itting and missed..piazza was pissed..clemens went on to get a hit

Scott from Burke said...

piazza catching

djinFl. said...

I guess we all know who is not going down on Tuesday.
Wonder if Rizzo fell out of his seat on the steal.

JaneB said...

That plunking had to be intentional, if Hamel only rarely walks anyone. That was a hazing, and The Kid shoved it back at 'em. And on Say Hey Kid's birthday, no less.

I thought I was in the tank for Gio. Now I am in the tank for The Kid.

A DC Wonk said...

At the ball park. First time I've ever seen steal of home in person. The Park is electric after that

What was "on purpose" IMHO is that it looked like it was suppose to be a brush back pitch that got too far inside

Faraz Shaikh said...

I still don't understand how that was intentional. anyways Harper responded well, that's all matters.

Candide said...

Anyone wanna bet that by the time this game is over, we have a new record for number of comments?

Scott from Burke said...

Faraz...they dont like that hes a cocky young kid who shows everybody up and they let him kinow it by hitting him with a baseball traveling 90 mph..it's not a difficult concept

jeffwx said...

Unwritten rule...you don't throw at the other team's pitcher...
but throwin at the Game's star, is just plain wrong/mean for the team, the fans, the game.
I'd throw the ball at Manual

Steady Eddie said...

That's OK, Jane. I'm in the tank for both of 'em, wearing my blue #47 tee and having been described as having a "boy crush" on Bryce....

Faraz Shaikh said...

did anyone read logan morrison's tweet about what Harper can't do?

Scott from Burke said...

one of the most intentional hbp i have ever seen...one that will be more obvious will be later in this game from jordan zimmermann

Candide said...

FS, what's not to understand? Phillies facing a sweep, their pitcher with terrific control hits the talk of baseball square in the back with his first pitch. All that was missing was Hamels yelling at Harper that he was going to hit him.

Scott from Burke said...

here we go

Faraz Shaikh said...

Scott, he didn't do anything to Phillies. that's the part I don't get.

jeffwx said...

You don't play games with the game's 19 year old phenom
and what are the yanks thinking...trying to bring back Pettite.

LOVE IT....I was wrong about throwin at the pitcher

Candide said...

...and there it is...

Steady Eddie said...

Scott, that's what the Phils can do with their "bad form".

And as the commentators said, now it's over.

Candide said...

Dang. Imagine how much more entertaining this game would be if Joe West were behind the plate.

Scott from Burke said...

Eddie..i liked it..a lot...cant wait to see Zimms at bat

Faraz Shaikh said...

is that really a smart move?

LoveDaNats said...

Thanks, JZimm. I needed that.

sm13 said...

I asked, because you hear all the time that the dh gives A.L. pitchers more freedom to plunk batters, but N.L pitchers have to worry about what happens when they come to bat. JZimm and Davey get it.

baseballswami said...

Did JZim really ??? I mean, he usually has good control - is protecting the new guy?

Faraz Shaikh said...

I agree with Kilgore that JZ's may not be intentional.

otherwise he is too smart to setup Hamels to leave the game early by plunking another Nat.

TimDz said...

This team can be special ...
They punched us in the mouth and we punched back...

Steady Eddie said...

FS -- smart is not the point, at the end of the day it's all about performance. Harper took his hit and sent the message right back at Hamels. JZimm said, "I'll take your message and raise you one by putting a runner in scoring position and only one out -- and I'll shove your scoring position right back in your faces by my pitching."

And he did. It ain't boasting if you can back it up.

Scott from Burke said...

Faraz: Do anything to the phillies? he wears a ton of eye black..sprints out every ball hit to the infield, leading to the querstion for phillies Why don't you do that (making them look bad) and heis a cocky young kid playing for a team knocking off the old champs..what exactly do you want him to have done? did he give their manager the finger? no..but they dont like him..and if i was on another team i wouldnt like him either...thats part of what makes him so fun..he annoys the opposition because he plays 100 mph and hes 19..NINETEEN..cmon faraz...drop it

JaneB said...

He SHOULD be protecting the new guy. And now we can all go back to our corners and play an actual game of baseball. Albeit a game in which BRYCE STOLE HOME.
GYFNG!

D'Gourds said...

What I got from it was the amazing confidence Zimm showed putting runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out. Incredible! What a team. This is fun.

sm13 said...

Bryce knows revenge

Scott from Burke said...

faraz: obviously not a smart move..the guy stole home..thats why we're all so happy..it woke werth up and harper raced around the bases..it wasa disastrous decision...thats the beauty of it

UnkyD said...

Before the steal, Dave and Charlie said on the previous P/O attempt, that it looked like Bryce was measuring him, thinking about stealing...(hehe)

Scott from Burke said...

I agree with Kilgore that JZ's may not be intentional.

kilgore gets paid to write about baseball? ridiculous

Steady Eddie said...

The point is that the Phillies have already shown Harper what they really think of him -- which is respect -- by pitching around him in the first two games of the series, walking him 4 times.

So when the national spotlight is on the third game and the Phils are frustrated as anything by the first two losses, THEN they send their message. Says a lot more about them than about Harper.

Scott from Burke said...

unky: a straight steal of home would have been too much...TOO MUCH....hamels would have lost his mind

Faraz Shaikh said...

I am kinda slow on these baseball conventions. I won't initiate something this stupid. I prefer my ballgames clean.

Scott from Burke said...

it says plenty about philly..they are angry and frustrated..also hamels is an elder statesman...hitting harper another hitter (presumably) gets hit...a pitcher has to deal with that...hamels can handle it..he's won a world series and has been a very good starter for years...then Zimm hits Hamels!! i bet all the position players for the phillies were thinking the same thing...better him than me

Scott from Burke said...

Faraz...if the nationals are up by 12 runs in the 8th inning and they steal a base LOOK OUT! the next pitching is coming at the hitter...hitting a batter is part of the game..so are fights...helps clear the air

baseballswami said...

Kind of worried about JZim's command tonight - a couple of 3 ball counts and now a walk. Along with the hbp, he usually has better command.

TimDz said...

Well crap...

baseballswami said...

Not saying I saw that one coming, but JZim just doesn't seem in control after hitting Hamels. I don't really think it was intentional - hoping he doesn't meltdown on national tv. Pull it back together JZIM!!!!!

Cwj said...

Scott- I agree completely. Both were intentional. Jordan was showing Harper that the Nats have his back.
The Nats are indeed playing with a chip on their shoulder. A winning chip :-)

Scott from Burke said...

faraz the only sport that is 'clean' is golf..thats why i like it so much..but sometimes prose get very advantageous drops (ernie els at british open got a doozy the year he won)...sports are dirty..thats why they have umpires out there..to retain order

baseballswami said...

Ramos and McCatty need to calm him down!!!!!

Scott from Burke said...

the hbp of hamels was clearly intentional...i dont understand how you could see it any other way...its like you started watching baseball 2 weeks ago

Scott from Burke said...

not fun being behind 3 to 1..lets see em come back and win...with an off day and zimm coming undone i see some bullpen coming into play

Drew said...

He's a wonderful pitcher, but in this depleted Phillies lineup you can't walk the guy hitting before Pence.

Also, for all the talk on the national broadcast about the Phillies missing Utley and Howard, why no mention of the Nats playing without Morse's 31 home runs?

C'mon Jordan, bear down.

baseballswami said...

Scott who is allegedly from burke but originally from ny - don't start the insults, please.We have enough to deal with right now.JZim is in trouble - FOCUS!!!

TimDz said...

ESPN crew FINALLY acknowledge the Nats injuries ...
Then go back to ramping up the Philthies ...

Scott from Burke said...

swami ..i am from new york but live in burke..should i change it to Scott in Burke?

baseballswami said...

Scott temporarily residing in Burke? Sorry - distraught over Jordan getting shelled like that. Traumatized. Need offense really bad.

Faraz Shaikh said...

umpires are out there to give unbiased decisions, not to ask grown men to behave. whatever happened to sportsmanship! I don't want to argue about this further. we both clearly have different opinions on this.

Should be interesting to see how we dig ourselves out of a tough spot against this particular lefthander. If I am not mistaken, Cole has usually given us lot of trouble in the past.

Scott from Burke said...

sportsmanship? a few more hits and runs can mean the difference in millions of dollars...sportsmanship? please

Scott from Burke said...

umpires are out there to give unbiased decisions, not to ask grown men to behave

Watch a hockey game..without refs it would be a crime scene every night

baseballswami said...

Apparently some of the northern fans are calling Jayson Werth a sell out again. Wait until they see the money Hamels and Victorino get to leave the City of Brotherly Love. The team has way too much money tied up in their old broken down guys to keep them. Don't you love how the espn guys were all about the nats until the third and now they are all kissy butt to the phills?

Scott from Burke said...

Pence is terrific..what did they want from us for him last year?

baseballswami said...

nice recovery!

Scott from Burke said...

The only one who KNOWS is Zimm, but here's Zuckerman's take on the hbp:-- 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

Scott from Burke said...

Not use to seeing a sunday night game go this fast? of course, because youre always showing the yankees..AL games are slower

UnkyD said...

Faraz: you are entitled to your opinions... Have as many as you want. But Scott is just telling you how the game is played. I get that you'd rather it weren't so, but not accepting what you see with your own eyes, is.... I don't know.... It's just how it is....

Scott from Burke said...

taking 3rd with two outs is usually not smart but pierre cannot throw

Candide said...

Scott from Burke said...taking 3rd with two outs is usually not smart but pierre cannot throw

And Desmond was probably thinking, "WWBD?" ("What Would Bryce Do?").

Scott from Burke said...

Bryce would have scored

Candide said...

:-)

Scott from Burke said...

that looks like 6 to 8 weeks

Candide said...

Oh jeeze...

hmm... said...

dumb theory:
zimm was pitching bad after the HBP to make it look like the HBP was a mistake. "but ump! can't you see i can't control nothing?"

kind of how i used to cover lies as a kid

Scott from Burke said...

I hope morse is feeling better..harper to right..ankiel stays barring trade

Candide said...

Great... does this mean Nady is going to be hitting cleanup tonight? Harper won't see a pitch in the strike zone for the rest of the night.

TimDz said...

Rally Call for Jayson!
GYFNG!!!

Drew said...

Oh poor Jayson.

For God's sake, will the key injuries ever stop?

Scott from Burke said...

there's gonna be some angst..he has been disappointing but a solid right fielder with occasional flashes of power...who can have 3 blistering weeks, which is fun to watch...now what? Nady is not the answer...does bernardina get a shot?

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Come back soon, Mickey Morse!

JaneB said...

My stomach hurts, but no where near as much as Jayson's wrist hurts. WTF?

Constant Reader said...

Oh no. That looked so ugly for Werth.

Drew said...

Free Tyler Moore.

Scott from Burke said...

Lombardozzi in right? he's been hitting but does not have an outfied arm..has he played outfield?

Candide said...

Okay, when Znn comes back, Espinosa to Syracuse to work out his hitting problems. Lombardozzi to second. We can't afford to have regulars under the Mendoza line.

sjm308 said...

for those not watching tv - Buster Olney talked about this being the same wrist that caused him to miss an entire season - does not look good

Steady Eddie said...

Scott -- maybe the Shark gets a shot against RHPs but he's been so weak at the plate generally that it'll be Nady against southpaws.... and no one comes to mind as a plausible call-up either.

Triple ugh. That one hurts in MANY different ways.

baseballswami said...

I suppose someone will blame this injury on the nats training staff. I am just sick about all these injuries -- and tired of hearing the phils complain about theirs. Seems like just one someone starts hitting, they get hurt. This just stinks. On twitter they are saying the Phans were cheering that he got hurt- stay classy Philadelphia.

UnkyD said...

I knew it..... Werth had a finite number of those stupid slides!

Paging Mr, Brown.... Corey Brown, please report tithe concierge...

Candide said...

Wow... did I just hear Zimmermann scream the f-bomb...?

whatsanattau said...

Oh for crying out loud. I was just wondering how someone was going to blame this on Werth himself .... Congratulations.

Steady Eddie said...

Swami says stay classy Philadelphia. Sorry, years too late for any hope of that.

UnkyD -- Stupid slides???? How many outs has Werth saved by those "stupid slides"? That's like saying RZim should stop making diving stops. That's what they're literally getting paid the BIG bucks to do.

TimDz said...

Candide....think I heard the same thing ...

Candide said...

YES!!!

Okay, it's hero time. GYFNG!!!

Steady Eddie said...

Craig you da MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

whatsanattau said...

Craig Stammen!

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