Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Game 37: Pirates at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Left-handers Gio Gonzalez faces Erik Bedard tonight at Nationals Park.
The last time Erik Bedard took the mound, the left-hander lasted all of eight pitches before departing with back spasms. That was seven days ago, against the Nationals, who then proceeded to score two runs in eight innings against five Pirates relievers.

Bedard is back on the mound tonight for the first time since that incident, facing the same Nationals lineup, which can only hope to enjoy more success against the lefty ... or whatever relievers end up in the game for Pittsburgh. Davey Johnson is going with a bunch of right-handed hitters, including Tyler Moore and Xavier Nady.

Gio Gonzalez, meanwhile, starts for the Nats, looking to bounce back from a shaky outing in Cincinnati on Friday. Gonzalez was dealing with a sore right hand that evening, the lingering effects of his awkward slide into third base his previous time out.

Updates to come, so please check back...

PITTSBURGH PIRATES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 187
Weather: Partly cloudy, 80 degrees, Wind 7 mph out to CF
NATIONALS (22-14)
SS Ian Desmond
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Xavier Nady
2B Danny Espinosa
LF Tyler Moore
C Jesus Flores
LHP Gio Gonzalez

PIRATES (17-19)
RF Jose Tabata
2B Neil Walker
CF Andrew McCutchen
1B Casey McGehee
LF Yamaico Navarro
C Rod Barajas
SS Clint Barmes
3B Josh Harrison
LHP Erik Bedard

UMPIRES
HP Tony Randazzo, 1B Alan Porter, 2B Larry Vanover, 3B Brian Gorman (cc)

7:06 p.m. -- We are underway on Military Appreciation Night (hence the navy blue jerseys with the stars and stripes logo). Gio Gonzalez starts off Jose Tabata with a fastball for strike one.

7:11 p.m. -- Gio serves up a base hit to Andrew McCutchen -- then again, who doesn't? -- but otherwise is sharp during a 15-pitch top of the first. Struck out Casey McGehee on a 94 mph fastball to end the inning.

7:23 p.m. -- Well, that would've really been something, huh? Bryce Harper came up just short of his third home run in three days, crushing an Erik Bedard pitch off the scoreboard in right-center. He settled for his first career triple, then scored seconds later on Ryan Zimmerman's RBI groundout. So for those keeping track, Harper now has nine extra-base hits in 17 career games, giving him a robust .475 slugging percentage. More importantly, the Nats lead 1-0 after one.

7:31 p.m. -- Stop me if you've heard this one before: A Nats starting pitcher is striking out Pirates batters in bunches. Gio strikes out the side in the second and has now gotten four Ks in a row, all swinging.

7:42 p.m. -- Looks like Gio is on tonight. Retired the side again in the third, striking out Bedard (who actually started walking back to the dugout after strike two before realizing his mistake). Thirty-seven pitches (26 strikes) through three for the lefty. The Nats still lead 1-0.

7:52 p.m. -- Ian Desmond destroys a slow, 1-2 curveball from Bedard into the left-field bleachers for his fifth home run of the season. Yes, his .304 on-base percentage leaves plenty to be desired. But did you know that the only shortstop in the National League with a slugging percentage better than Desmond' .447 mark is Rafael Furcal? Nats up 2-0 through three.

7:59 p.m. -- Seriously, if I'm Gio tonight, I might very well just intentionally walk McCutchen four times and trust in the fact nobody else in this Pirates lineup can touch me. The lefty caught a break in the top of the fourth when McCutchen crushed a ball to the warning track in left, coming just short of a home run. He's the only one who's come close to doing anything at the plate tonight. Through four innings, Gonzalez has yet to allow a run and allowed only McCutchen's first-inning single.

8:17 p.m. -- At this moment -- as Clint Barmes whiffs at a fifth-inning pitch from Gio -- your co-NL leaders in strikeouts are Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez, each with 56. Stop and think about all the pitch-to-contact guys who have come through D.C. over the last eight years and then appreciate what's going on here right now.

8:21 p.m. -- And now Gio takes the lead over Strasburg with strikeout No. 57 on the year. Unfortunately, it came moments after he served up an RBI single to Josh Harrison, who lined a single to center. Harper didn't get a good read of the ball and wound up getting there late, though I'm not sure he would've made the catch even if he took off as soon as the ball left Harrison's bat. Regardless, it's now 2-1 Nats heading to the bottom of the fifth.

8:35 p.m. -- Nine strikeouts for Gio through six innings. He's now tied with CC Sabathia for the MLB lead with 59. And the Nats have needed these tonight, because their offensive production has come to a grinding halt. Since giving up the Desmond homer, Bedard has retired nine in a row. So it remains 2-1 as Harper steps to the plate for the bottom of the sixth.

8:43 p.m. -- Bedard made it 11 in a row, seven via swinging strikeout, until Adam LaRoche and Xavier Nady took matters into their own hands. Back-to-back jacks from the Nationals' Nos. 4 and 5 hitters. LaRoche's shot landed in the right-field stands, his seventh of the year. Nady's landed way up in the left-field stands, his third of the year and second in his last four at-bats. Davey Johnson has been saying he needs to get Xavier's bat going. Well, I think we're seeing it happen before our eyes. It's now 4-1 in the sixth.

9:00 p.m. -- Uh-oh, Gio serves up a two-run homer to Josh Harrison, the Pirates' .188-hitting, No. 8 batter, on his 100th pitch of the night. All of a sudden it's 4-3 as we reach the seventh-inning stretch. If this score holds, I wouldn't be stunned if someone other than Henry Rodriguez pitches the ninth. Davey kind of left that door open earlier today when asked about H-Rod's availability. Made it sound like he might only use him in certain situations tonight (ie. if they're leading by three runs, not one).

9:16 p.m. -- You know what's a REALLY smart strategy right now? Loading the bases on walks for Adam LaRoche. And then leaving a right-hander in to face him. Guess what the result was: three-run double. That was the 1,000th career hit of LaRoche's career, and it earned him a standing ovation from the crowd of 25,942. It's 7-3 now as Tyler Clippard enters for the eighth.

9:32 p.m. -- Hmm, Clippard gives up a run in the top of the eighth, so that trims the lead to 7-4. And that gets Henry Rodriguez warming for the ninth.

9:40 p.m. -- Break out the Maalox and bourbon, everyone! Here comes H-Rod in a save situation.

9:50 p.m. -- See, piece of cake. Despite Barajas reaching on a Desmond error, H-Rod calmly struck out Barmes and got Harrison to ground into a game-ending, 5-4-3 double play to earn his ninth save in 12 tries. (We'll ignore the part where Ryan Mattheus was warming in the pen from the start of the inning). Nats win, 7-4.

103 comments:

Marty said...

The outfield makes me a bit nervous from the fielding side... Davey must have really liked that Nady home-run the other day to put him 5th.

Grandstander said...

Nady and Moore should be switched, but this is the lineup I expected.

Holden Baroque said...

Grandstander, why would you put Moore in right?

Another_Sam said...

I don't like this outfield lineup either, but hey, I'm not the manager. Play ball.

peric said...

I don't think Tyler Moore has ever played right field ...

Nady isn't too bad in right field.

Mayhap Grandstander was thinking of the right handed pull hitters hitting lots of chances to left field against the left-handed Gonzalez?

I think its kind of hard to hide and that side of the field will be vulnerable with newbie outfielders Moore and Harper.

Mr. Doggett said...

I like Harper in center. Give your most talented player the most possible opportunities to make plays. Take the bad with the good because the good is SOOO good.

Holden Baroque said...

No, he has never played right, at least not professionally.

peric said...

Ooops I guess he meant switching Moore and Nady in the batting order ...

Holden Baroque said...

I think its kind of hard to hide and that side of the field will be vulnerable with newbie outfielders Moore and Harper.

OTOH, they are not likely to stand there looking at each other as a popup falls 15 feet in front of both of them. So there's that.

Anonymous said...

Kind of a re-post question for any SABR experts out there:

Does Ryan Zimmerman get in more 1-2 counts than any everyday player in baseball?

I think he does. Can someone tell me?

Thanks

Holden Baroque said...

Ooops I guess he meant switching Moore and Nady in the batting order ...

Oh.
Nevermind.

Theophilus T. S. said...

An "oops" from Peric -- call the National Archives.

All of Harper's adventures in the OF -- left, center, right -- gotta have Davey reaching for the TUMS, or valium, or both.

I do think he can play CF, eventually, but right now it's difficult to watch at times.

A DC Wonk said...

I like Harper batting 2d. But, then -- is Nady the best "protection" for LaRoche available here?

It's time for Flores to suddenly break out.

phil dunton said...

It is time for Ryan Zimmerman to step up and start earning his $100 million contract. His power and clutch hitting have totally disappeared and he's probably hit into more rally killing double plays than any player in the NL.

Gonat said...

Tyler Moore with a rare start. Once they go to the bullpen, I am sure Bernadina and Ankiel will enter the game.

No Lombo, again. Can't Danny get a day of rest even if you think one of the worst slumps is over?

David said...

Zimm was hot before his shoulder injury. give him time. it'll come back....

Steady Eddie said...

Mark -- probably no word on how both of Gio's hands are doing, so as not to tip off the Bucs to anything before it happens.

Guess we'll see by how much of his curve is there, and whether he swings away or just tries to bunt.

peric said...

Hopefully Gio will be careful with the icy hot.

A DC Wonk said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
peric said...

No Lombo, again. Can't Danny get a day of rest even if you think one of the worst slumps is over?

Seems like Lombo started more games in the infield than Chad Tracy or Mark DeRosa. He's already been in a lot? Thanks to the injuries he was playing a lot. Now with LaRoche and Zimmerman back its tapered off some.

A DC Wonk said...

do1teach1 said...

Kind of a re-post question for any SABR experts out there:

Does Ryan Zimmerman get in more 1-2 counts than any everyday player in baseball?


not ignoring you, but have no idea how to compare it to other players, except one-by-one.

Here are the guys on not Nats with the most plate appearances:

(times reached a 1-2 count; plate appearances)

Zimmerman 30 of 104, 29%
Espinosa: 46 of 147, 31%
LaRoche 31 of 126, 25%
Desmond 42 of 166, 25%
Werth 35 of 113, 31%
Ramos 30 of 96, 31%

Amongst those guys, RZ seems average, no?

JamesFan said...

I don't like pushing Harper all over the place in the outfield. He's 19 and struggling in the outfield. If he's the future centerfielder, fine put him there and let Ankiel switch back and forth in right or left. If he's the placeholder for Werth, OK put him there an leave him there. I just don't think it does anyone any good to play a different position every night.

Grandstander said...

Yes, I meant in the batting order, not on the field.

Theophilus T. S. said...

DC Wonk --

re: two-strike counts, one way of looking at it is that Zimmerman, among the group is average. Another way would be that all of them take a lot of pitches. I think Johnson, in a rare moment of candor a few days ago, suggested he thinks they are -- all of them -- taking too many pitches. (If he didn't say it out loud, I guess I imagined it. But he should have said it loudly behind closed doors.)

Bigfish said...

And a shout-out of thanks to those folks who responded to my (very late) post (on another thread) asking for stats on RZim's propensity to hit into DP's. Y'all are cool.

peric said...

If he's the future centerfielder, fine put him there and let Ankiel switch back and forth in right or left.

Perhaps not. Corey Brown is on fire in Syracuse. Already has 7 home runs to lead the team along with Tyler Moore. And he is being groomed to bat lead off.

The competition continues for outfield spots. LaRoche may get to stay at first base until Skole is ready because both bat left-handed. Then there's Tyler Moore and Chris Marerro. Bernadina is still in the mix.

Best to just let it play out and see where everyone lands.

Gonat said...

Wilson Ramos back at Nats Park today. Won't have surgery for 2-3 weeks. Says no chance of returning this year
_________________________

Tough to read those words. His offensive numbers were near the top of the team for OBP and OPS and much better than Ryan Zimmerman. Hoping that JFlores and come close to those numbers or exceed them. That .354 OBP will be hard to get to. Wilson had also just found his power stroke and walk-off stroke. He had a HR on the day he was injured and another HR 4 days before that.

mick said...

I did watch some of the O's game last night. I hate to admit it, we have a tough series coming up. Regardless of what happens, ol Mick aka Francis will be very happy this weekend watching my baby girl graduate college up in the Bronx. She is a sweetheart with one flaw.... her freaking boy friend and family are die hard Mets fans and obnoxious about it!

peric said...

Zimmerman's wOBA is about .320. That's below average the average mean about .340. His pRAA is at the median mark at 0.0.

Long at bats are nice to tire a pitcher but nothing works better than getting big hits, getting on base and putting pressure on the pitcher while creating one huge distraction.

The only better way is by scoring runs. Some pitchers are able to settle down after allowing runs ... but most seem to find a way to get deeper into trouble as the pressure increases.

Batting Zimmerman third is definitely hurting the Nats offensively at this stage. He typically breaks out in big way ... hopefully that occurs around the end of May through a very tough June.

peric said...

Zimmerman's wOBA is about .320. That's below average the average mean about .340. His pRAA is at the median mark at 0.0.

Long at bats are nice to tire a pitcher but nothing works better than getting big hits, getting on base and putting pressure on the pitcher while creating one huge distraction.

The only better way is by scoring runs. Some pitchers are able to settle down after allowing runs ... but most seem to find a way to get deeper into trouble as the pressure increases.

Batting Zimmerman third is definitely hurting the Nats offensively at this stage. He typically breaks out in big way ... hopefully that occurs around the end of May through a very tough June.

A DC Wonk said...

re: two-strike counts, one way of looking at it is that Zimmerman, among the group is average. Another way would be that all of them take a lot of pitches. I think Johnson, in a rare moment of candor a few days ago, suggested he thinks they are -- all of them -- taking too many pitches.

Do they? I have no idea. I know that despite being 11th (of 14) in BA for the NL, the Nats are 7th in OBP, because of walks. They are 7th in walks this year (and 11th last year). I had assumed that was a good thing. But, perhaps Davey thinks we'd have more hits if they took less pitches? I dunno . . .

Section 222 said...

DC Wong -- How were you able to come up with those 1-2 percentages? Very cool. Thanks.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

I don't have hard numbers, but we swing at WAYYYYY too many sliders in the dirt.

Yeah, we're talking about you, Espi.

Holden Baroque said...

Getting on base is better than not getting on, but you can't hit pitches you don't swing at, and walks very seldom become lucky doubles, or move runners from first to third, and maybe induce throwing errors in the process, etc.

Situational hitting--there are times when the risk of making outs doesn't outweigh the odds of doing better than drawing a walk (or bunting, but that's another post, probably).

Steady Eddie said...

Sunshine -- don't forget Ankiel's fastballs at the eyes. That's swinging at them, not throwing them.

waddu eye no said...

RIP chuck brown. 75. Go-go to heaven
Saw him at rfk before the get yoir red on promo when lerner spruced up the park.

erocks33 said...

Concur with the condolences for Chuck Brown. I hope the Nats smack a bunch of HR's in his honor and the PA guys blare "Bustin Loose" each and every time.

JaneB said...

Right on, erocks. Let's heat lots of that this week!
GYFNG!

Wendell said...

http://youtu.be/wwHi10qX8u8

Bustin Loose

Another_Sam said...

To expand on my thought about about this outfield: [It's all about me, BTS] The lineup just doesn't read right or feel right. It looks like they're asking BH to essentially be the captain of the outfield. And he's 19. When I was 19 I couldn't find my butt with both hands.

Someone above commented on RZ's offense. If I'm not careful, Cal Ripken's late career performance at the plate comes to mind. I sure hope RZ doesn't descent to that.

Gonat said...

What is up with Gio? He threw one lousy curveball the entire 1st inning and that was the one McCutcheon smashed between the 5/6 hole.

Gonat said...

Desmond back to swinging at 1st pitches. In his last 5 games, he hadn't swung at a 1st pitching in the 1st inning.

MicheleS said...

Yay Bam Bam

Exposremains said...

I highly dislike it when desmond swings at the 1st pitch of the ball game.

LoveDaNats said...

Gio is bringing it tonight.

Gonat said...

Gonat said...
What is up with Gio? He threw one lousy curveball the entire 1st inning and that was the one McCutcheon smashed between the 5/6 hole.

May 16, 2012 7:13 PM
___________________________

Glad FP takes notice. After the 1st 2 batters in the 2nd inning

Gonat said...

2nd pitch to Barmes was the wicked curve. What a great 2nd inning!

Drew said...

Man, The Kid is fun to watch.

I've been making the case of late that moving Ian down in the order would get better on-base percentage at the top and give Desmond more chances to knock in runs.

Guess who leads the Nats in extra-base hits. It's Desmond with 16, followed by LaRoche with 15.

With tonight's triple Harper already has 9 extra-base hits, tying Jayson Werth for third. How good is Harper already? He has his XBHs in 61 at bats, to 98 for Werth, 118 for LaRoche and 160 for Desmond.

Gonat said...

NatsJack, the tilt on the curve to McCutcheon was too flat. The one to Barmes was wicked. Even when they know his curve is coming, nobody can hit the wicked curve. Most take it hoping it doesn't fall in the zone.

Eugene in Oregon said...

phil duncan: If you assume all GIDPs are 'rally killing' and you're not trying to add some other elements to your definition, then you should be aware that Ryan Zimmerman has not grounded into more GIDPs "than any player in the NL." Mr. Zimmerman -- with five GIDPs -- ranks 6th (tied with nine other players). Among those with more are David Freese (8), Hanley Ramirez (6), and Ryan Roberts (6). Among those who also have five are Jose Reyes and Aramis Ramirez. Among those just one GIDP back (with four) are Matt Kemp, Andre Either, Troy Tulowitzki, David Wright, and Starlin Castro.

MicheleS said...

Ian!!!

Gonat said...

Anyone notice how Zim is topping most of the balls. Can't wait for the line drives to come back. Batting average dropping, now at .225

Drew said...

Make that 17 extra-base hits for Desmond.

He has five home runs and a dozen doubles and triples, but he only has 15 RBIs.

Why isn't he hitting behind LaRoche?

MicheleS said...

1A. Yes i sent FP a tweet about Ripken and the koolaid. FP said he was going to leave a red koolaid pack on his chair.

MicheleS said...

NatsJack he is really good.

MicheleS said...

Yes, yes he is. Sadly i think we would have to give up soooo much to get him.

Gonat said...

NatsJack, he didn't let the bad call by the ump or Bryce's hesitation to cost him a crooked number.

Det and Stras need to learn from Gio and JZim seems better at this compared to last season.

Another_Sam said...

Did Harper misplay that liner to center?

Gonat said...

Another horrible at-bat and Zim walks away even before the appeal. Man-o-man. That reminds me of an at-bat I saw too much of by Espi.

At least LaRoche is swinging the lumber!

MicheleS said...

Seriously. Just loving ALR. Pittsburgh must hate him.

MicheleS said...

Nady too?!!!!,,???

Gonat said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
Gonat... I'm saying Detwiler would have.

May 16, 2012 8:40 PM
______________________

I know you are but I know people tiptoe around Stras and he suffers from "frustration" runs also. Nobody as bad as Det though. I wouldn't be surprised if its not in the other team's scouting reports that once you rattle him you pour it on.

jeffwx said...

Hey Pepcid, these old geezers can hit.

MicheleS said...

Lannan getting lit up tonight. Marlins are beating up the Braves.

Section 222 said...

Just saw Werth giving a congratulatory handshake to Nady. Nice.

jeffwx said...

oh Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudge

Gonat said...

NatsJack on Stras/Det. Well said. Well said. Now lets see what Zim learned in his discussion with Eckstein.

Holden Baroque said...

When was Zimm's last home run? I can't even remember.

Exposremains said...

This has to be the first base clearing hit of the year

Holden Baroque said...

Why, oh why couldn't they get Prince Fielder? This LaRoche guy is a bum!

Swift Eagle said...

IMO this is a better line-up w/out Werth...I know his numbers looked good, but if you actually watch the games, he was not producing runs...and if you watch Pitch F/X, he was unable to hit fastballs down the middle..

Gonat said...

For those that kept saying a healthy LaRoche would return to career norms, you are smart people. I think about 6 posters said that with regularity when others were calling for LaRoche to be traded for a bag of balls.

Exposremains said...

Laroche needs a triple

Swift Eagle said...

NatsJack!! A lot better than the days you and I were watching guys like: P. Orr, R. Langerhans, WM Pena down in Viera!

djinFl. said...

The best shot was of Bo Porter escorting Harper close to home, and then racing back to third wind-milling his arm the entire time to send Zim home.
It is grand to see the progress of the team kicking into high gear. I think they are ready for the coming road trip.

jeffwx said...

They're pitchin to the King

Exposremains said...

Can they put these guys away already.

Drew said...

Adam LaRoche is channeling Wilbert Harrison: "I'm going to Kansas City, Kansas City, here I come."

July 10 at Kauffman Stadium, to be precise.

Gonat said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
Gonat....his head pulled off the 3-0 fastball. If Eck can't get him to see the ball to the bat, Eck needs a new job.

And thank you Adam!

May 16, 2012 9:15 PM
______________________________

A center cut fastball and missed it by a lot. Everything is away and at least Zim didn't chase. Take the walk and tomorrow is a new day.

MicheleS said...

Oy. I need some bourbon and Maalox

Gonat said...

9th inning will be end of the Pirates lineup.

Holden Baroque said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
Gonat....[Zimm']s head pulled off the 3-0 fastball.


Like Anne Boleyn. Over-swinging juuuuuuuuust a teensy bit.

and FP, I'd have let Harper swing on 3-0. What the hell.

Swift Eagle said...

HAHA..We Had better seats than Bowden and Stan for that one!

Gonat said...

Henry warming up. Get me my Maalox

Section 222 said...

So NJ, are you saying that you could tell from the way that Det acted when he talked to you in FL that he has something to learn? Wow. Sounds like GWB looking into Putin's eyes and seeing his soul.

I don't think any of us would say that Det is comparable to Stras. But he's come a long way this year and I think you're dissing him unnecessarily, and too soon. He's not going to lead the league in ERA, but he's a very solid No. 4-5 already. And besides, he doesn't have to be as good as Stras to stay in the rotation, he just has to be better than Wang or EJ.

Gonat said...

Barajas, Barmas, and Harrison. The combo of the 3 is below the Mendoza. He better mow through these 3.

Storen on Henry "I THINK he will be alright"

Swift Eagle said...

Maybe Henry needs a crazy beard or a mullet to be a great closer...The chin strap is so 2006...

jeffwx said...

The Good Henry !!!

jeffwx said...

The Bad Ian

Gonat said...

and here it starts...

Gonat said...

The defense is even nervous

jeffwx said...

The Fluid Flores

MicheleS said...

WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!! E

Gonat said...

Thank the Lord! Zim almost lost the handle on that. Good Henry came back.

jeffwx said...

Henry, Algo grande.
23-14

Gonat said...

7 runs of offensive output sure is nice. Gio got the type of win a good pitcher deserves every once in a while. Gio was kind of unlucky and had good stuff. The offense this time picked up a pitcher.

UnkyD said...

YAAAY!!!

Gonat said...

If Mujica does his job in Atlanta, the Nats will be back in 1st place.

NatsLady said...

Muchas Gracias, Henry.

baseballswami said...

Weak in the knees with relief! Henry affects me that way.

Gonat said...

Its so wierd that we are all excited about a closer with a 3 run lead getting a Save against 3 of the worst batters in the Majors. You have Barajas that you can't throw inside heat to, Barmes in a deep slump and Harrison who you have to get reaching.

Their batting averages sit at .188 .155 .222 The Nats have pitchers with higher batting averages.

Would have been the perfect time to give Craig Stammen an easy one. Yes, happy Henry got it done but tomorrow is another day and more Maalox.

Gonat said...

From Amanda:

--- Washington Nationals catcher Sandy Leon, who suffered a high right ankle sprain Monday night, four innings into his major league debut, is expected to miss about four weeks.

Leon said the Nationals told him in two weeks he will be cleared to return to activity.

Gonat said...

Atlanta just lost. Nats back in 1st Place!!!!

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