Friday, May 25, 2012

Game 45: Nats at Braves

US Presswire file photo
The Nats open a big weekend series tonight at Turner Field.
In his seemingly never-ending quest to find a competent left fielder -- not to mention a competent leadoff man -- Davey Johnson's roulette wheel has stopped on Steve Lombardozzi. The rookie infielder has made a strong case for himself, both at the plate (he's hitting .317 with a .385 on-base percentage) and in the field (he's made a couple of nice plays while learning the outfield on the fly).

So tonight, in the opener of perhaps their biggest series of the season to date, the Nationals will have Lombardozzi in left field and leading off for the third time in four games. It worked twice in Philadelphia; might as well give it a shot in Atlanta.

It'll take a strong offensive performance from the Nats' lineup, top to bottom, to beat Tim Hudson (owner of a 13-3 record and 2.09 ERA in his career against them). And it'll take a strong start from Ross Detwiler (who has allowed 10 earned runs over his last 10 innings).

Unfortunately, I'm not in Atlanta for this weekend showdown, but I will be in Miami starting Monday for the Nationals' first series at Marlins Park. Until then, enjoy the big game and the conversation...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Turner Field
Gametime: 7:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 184
Weather: Partly cloudy, 86 degrees, Wind 1 mph in from RF
NATIONALS (26-18)
LF Steve Lombardozzi
RF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
CF Rick Ankiel
C Jesus Flores
LHP Ross Detwiler

BRAVES (26-20)
CF Michael Bourn
3B Martin Prado
1B Freddie Freeman
2B Dan Uggla
LF Matt Diaz
RF Jason Heyward
C David Ross
SS Jack Wilson
RHP Tim Hudson

UMPIRES
TBA

291 comments:

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«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 291 Newer› Newest»
MicheleS said...

Apparantly the LOMBO in LF Chant worked.

Hope Det pitches 7 strong innings with less than 100 pitches.

SFNats said...

Det gets some help with McCann and Chipper still out of the lineup...I'd rather beat the Braves at full strength, but we're not hurting, too, so it evens things out.

SFNats said...

Sorry...we are hurting too. As if anyone was unclear on that LOL

baseballswami said...

At this point I really don't care who plays where, while the regulars are injured. I also don't really care who hits in what order. I just think constant tinkering is bad for the team. These guys need to read each other in the outfield and get into a rhythm at the plate. I know they needed to try some options, but at some point you have just got to get off the fence, make a decision and stick with it for longer than five minutes. The carousel can be fun or it can just make you dizzy. I hope Det has his natitude going and zim got some rest.

m20832 said...

The chant worked! YAAAAYYY!!! Lombo is playing! If he's playing, he's hitting!

GYFNG!!!

Steady Eddie said...

SFNAts @ 4:28 -- exactly. I'd rather beat whoever the other team puts out on the field the day we play them.

NatsLady said...

Interesting miscellaneous stuff (NNR -- Not Nats Related) for pre-game reading.

According to Stats

http://www.stats.com/emails/AccordingtoSTATS/MLB_ATS_0512.html

Steady Eddie said...

And I had to repost from the other thread --


Letting The Wookie Win is not a lack of mental resilience.

Hahah. Been actually working today so just catching up but Sofa wins the thread with that web gem.

NatsLady said...

ooooh, Krauthammer has a new name for you-know-who: Henry the Wild.

TheManBearPig said...

swami, isn't the tinkering we're seeing mostly just changes based on LHP/RHP? I'm not sure that's a good thing, because I don't think Nady is helping them much against LHP and maybe more tinkering would be better.

JamesFan said...

I'm starting to think of Espi as the Rick Ankiel of the infield. He's great on defense but can't hit and I'm not sure he ever will. The Nats front office is in love with him, but if Lombo was our regular 2d baseman and hitting .317 he could be in contention for ROY or the AS Game. Between the two, I think he will be the best everyday player in the long term.

NatsLady said...

This from Twitter:

Drew Storen ‏@DrewStoren
Another good day of throwing. Everything feels great. So good to be working my way back to join the fun.


Also, Wil Nieves called up to the Rockies, due to an injury to their catcher.

Anonymous said...

JamesFan - I am high on Lombo too, but to be fair, at this point last year Espinosa was in the ROY discussion.

NatsLady said...

Pray for rain on Sunday. Gio wants to pitch in Miami. Says he won't wrestle JZ for the spot because JZ "is a beast."

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

He's 0-for-his-last-20 so he'd fit right in our outfield already. But I'd be tempted to take a chance on this guy:

Nate McLouth has been DFA'd by the Pirates.

SFNats said...

Espinosa has way, way more upside than Lombo. What remains to be seen is if he can live up to his potential. There were similar questions about Desi, but after a couple years, it looks like he's been able to put it all together. Some guys take time. As Tom in AR said, Espinosa got off to a hot start in his rookie season, too.

From everything you read, Espi profiles as an above average second baseman with power and speed -- at least a 20/20 guy and maybe more. Lombo is more in the mold of DeRosa. He doesn't have all of the natural ability, but he's a scrapper, and he should have a good career. Over the long haul, Espi should be better as long as he can play up to his ability. He's got All-Star talent.

NatsLady said...

Guess who is having a good year in the AAA minor-league affiliate of the Pirates?

25.1 IP, ERA = 0.36 WHIP = 0.789 Record 2-0.

Did we give up on Doug Slaten too soon? :) :) Just kidding.

(Actually, the stats are true.)

SonnyG10 said...

Two points to remember regarding Lombardozzi before you decide to give him the 2b job over Espinosa: First, Lombardozzi has a weak throwing arm which hurts on completing double plays and making relay throws home from the outfielders. Second, the league hasn't adjusted to Lombo, yet. We have to see if Lombo can re-adjust to the league as it adjusts to him. (He hasn't had a chance to run into the sophomore slump yet.) I really like Steve but I do wish he had a stronger arm.

NatsLady said...

If you are on Twitter, you NEED to see what the Braves organist is gonna play for our guys tonight. Check out @bravesorganist

He is taking suggestions...

SFNats said...

OMG, NatsLady, that's hilarious. Get ready to hear "Harper Valley PTA". That guy's great.

hiramhover said...

I'd be tempted to take a chance on this guy:

Nate McLouth has been DFA'd by the Pirates.


Another light-hitting, lefty-batting OF? Um, no.

NatsLady said...

And for your daily Kool-Aid (do we even need it any more?)

Here is the final paragraph.
Where they finish: So far the Nats have been able to withstand so many injuries to so many of their important star players with out slowing down, it looks like nothing is going to derail this team. If they can keep up this pace until players like Mike Morse, Brad Lidge, and Jayson Werth get back, then there will be no reason to think this team couldn’t win the division with a record of 94-68.

NL East chatter

http://nleastchatter.com/2012/05/a-quarter-of-the-way-through-where-each-nl-east-team-stands/

Steady Eddie said...

Someone had it wrong, but it's all good either way:

@acomak: Michael Morse hit a homer as part of a 2-for-3 day in extended spring today. He'll play in extended thru Sunday, in Potomac on Monday.

@AdamKilgoreWP: Mike Morse will play a rehab game Monday in Potomac, Davey says. Morse hit two homers today in extended spring training.

Hack dat gorse! GYFNG!

Steady Eddie said...

Potomac, eh? Maybe that's what I'm doing on Monday....

phil dunton said...

Tim Hudson usually shuts down the Nats but hopefully tonight will be different.

JaneB said...

We miss you already Mark Z.

I'm glad Lombo is in tonight. Plus it seems like Danny is better when Lombo is playing. Could be coincidental but still...and Danny really was a ROY candidate this time last year. We ( by which I mean "some of us though not me, and not some others") were wrong about Desi. I'm going with we're wrong about Danny, too.

I am going to be glad to beat the Braves no matter who is on their or our roster. Hoping Ross is scary tonight, in. GOOD, no-bourbon-and-maalox-required way.
GYFNG!

NatsLady said...

Someone suggested Paparazzi for Lombardozzi, so you might hear that.

baseballswami said...

Maybe that's what I am doing on Monday, too. What time is the game - is it a day game? I like Lombo and Espi and Desi and all of the guys. I just want to keep them all like it's September all the time. I want to keep all the pitchers, too. I soooo want to see them do well. I have found that it's more nerve-wracking when they have been winning because I have started to have hope and expectations. The long-term nats fan in me is always expecting the worst, though. Do you think I will ever get over that? I know it's only been since 2005, I can't even imagine how it feels to be a Cubs fan.

RickH said...

Mark ... Lombo is "learning the outfield on the fly?" Heh.

A DC Wonk said...

I just think constant tinkering is bad for the team. These guys need to read each other in the outfield and get into a rhythm at the plate. I know they needed to try some options, but at some point you have just got to get off the fence, make a decision and stick with it for longer than five minutes.

I tend to think the lineup has pretty much settled (until someone returns). #2 thru #8 has been fairly constant -- except we had Espi move to #1 and Nady at #7, but we've pretty much seen this the past week, no?

GYFNG! (I'm away all weekend . . . y'all carry on without me!)

Anonymous said...

It's $1 each for hotdogs and grandstand tix on Monday, I think.

Will miss Mark's game commentary, but good to know that he'll be in Miami. (Hey, maybe he could sabotage the Carmen Miranda Memorial Home Run Sculpture? Kidding. Kinda.)

Yep, ready for some baseball here. Hope that Braves are not too hot after their road trip and sweep by the Reds. Go, DET! Go, NATS!!

Speaking of baseball, played hooky with the hubby today and we saw Men in Black III, which we liked. There was a baseball reference in the movie (the Miracle Mets) and Davey was mentioned. Is that a sign? :-)

Steady Eddie said...

Potomac, eh? Maybe that's what I'm doing on Monday....
May 25, 2012 5:50 PM

Anonymous said...

P-Nats game time on Monday is 6:05, I believe.

Anonymous said...

I'm not on Twitter or I'd suggest "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" for Desmond. (Yeah, I'm that old.)

Maybe National Geographic channel theme for Gio? (Okay, kinda hard to play on the organ.)

jeffwx said...

I like the lineup and with Morse back in...holy cow.
Unfortunately, it appears Ankiel is still a starter even after Morse is back in (Morse/Ankiel/Harper).
Would like to see C. Brown in CF instead of Ankiel.

jeffwx said...

Desmond says to Harper, God, I like your grace, and in the evening, Desmond and Harper go to bat...yeah

Eugene in Oregon said...

JamesFan said "I'm starting to think of Espi as the Rick Ankiel of the infield."
=========================
Like you, I have some doubts about Danny Espinosa (both for the remainder of this year and in the future), but the comparison isn't with Rick Ankiel. Mr. Ankiel, who will be 33 in mid-July, has almost 2000 plate appearances and over 1700 at-bats. Even if you exclude the 100 or so PAs/BAs he had as a pitcher, we -- and the league -- pretty know who he is and what he can do. He plays good defense (with a plus-plus arm) and his career slash line is .245/.307/.421. That's inflated a little from his first two years back from his pitcher-to-outfielder conversion; his Washington stats are a bit below that line. He will occasionally hit a HR or 2B, occasionally knock in a go-ahead run, and very occasionally walk. But no one -- not the team, not the fans -- sees any potential for him to turn into a front-line player who will be Nat for the long-term. There are no still-to-be-answered questions about Mr. Ankiel.

Mr. Espinosa has had fewer than 1000 PAs and just over 800 ABs; he just turned 25. People who know baseball so much better than I ever will -- such as Mike Rizzo and Davey Johnson -- see lots of potential for Mr. Espinosa to turn into a solid starter for the next decade. There are still lots of questions to be answered. Most fundamentally, will that 'potential' turn into reality. And folks can legitimately argue whether the best place to answer those questions is while playing daily in the majors or perhaps back in AAA for a stint (as I suggested a week or 10 days ago citing the Gaby Sanchez example). But he is not equivalent to Mr. Ankiel, meaning no offense to either of them.

SFNats said...

natsfan1a -- You're psychic. That's exactly what the organist Tweeted as his Desi song.

But he's thinking "Rio" for Gio.

NatsLady said...

1a, someone suggested exactly that for Desi. And Rio for Gio.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Would love to see Det pitch 7 innings 4 Hits 1 Run, 1 BB 5 Ks.

98 pitches.

All Nats pitchers have that as the one thing they need to work on. Being more economical with their pitches. However since they are winning it has not been an issue yet, though could be in the future.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, SF and NatsLady. The person who suggested it must be in my demographic. And that was good, Jeff. :-)

baseballswami said...

Isn't it difficult for power pitchers to be more economical? I mean - they are throwing the pitches that they think will get the guy out - if the guy whiffs or fouls it off, well, then - that's what happened. Do we really want them serving up meatballs? I have always heard the opposite comment made about Zim - that he catches too much of the plate and throws too many strikes. Which is it? Our pitchers have been doing a really good job and now we want to fix what might not be broken? My fear is that if you get something like that in a pitcher's head ( a scary place, by the way), then it might really make them overthink instead of pitching in their own style. oh -- and whatnot. I thought teenagers all said " you know" and "like" - but with Bryce it's whatnot. ok.

natscan reduxit said...

... Mark, while I realise the vagaries which exist to affect even the most reasonable of decisions, I can't help but wonder what it might be which causes you to miss this series, considering all its implications for the team.

... I can only hope you (or your supervisors) feel it's necessary to miss a few now in lieu of the very big games to come in October.

Go Nats!

Steve J, Alexandria said...

Once again, I do like this lineup of Johnson's. This lineup scores runs; lineups with Espinosa battting first eeks out 1 or two runs.

Keep lombo in the Lineup and use Nady less, a LOT less, Davey.

Holden Baroque said...

I can't even imagine how it feels to be a Cubs fan.

Swami, so much has been written on this, I should refer you to someone more articulate and insightful, but I will say this: It requires a particular kind of resilience to hold two necessary, but mutually exclusive, futures in your head at all times. One is the certainty that this the Cubs, and they cannot win. They might get close, usually once each generation, but that's just part of the lesson. The other certainty is that they will win, they have to win, someday. You hold these mutually exclusive ideas side by side in on your baseball belief system. So you steel yourself to the certainty of frustration and defeat, and at the same time keep perfect faith in the idea that maybe this is the year. And when that does happen, like it did for the Red Sox, Everything Will Change, and the Cubs will become just another good baseball team.

David said...

the point about Moore and Brown is that you CANNOT use Moore as a comparison to how well Brown will do in the majors. I mean 17 at-bats? Come on people. If Brown comes up and plays LF once ever two weeks and 17 at bats spread over 1 month...he'll also be 2-17 most likely. Both need to play every day. Moore is a first basemen who stinks at LF and is stuck behind ALR who's killing it. Brown needs to play every day, and is stuck behind WHO? Ankiel? Bernadina? a combined .500 OPS while playing LF? Moore is blocked. Brown isn't. He should be here, and that's the bottom line. GO NATS.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I have MLB extra inning package, and one feature I like that some of the broadcast have, it the pitch count. I wish MASN would add that to that graphic.

BY the way the flagship station had very little Nats talk as usualy when I would be listening around 5-530. They were instead talking about Mayo.

Anonymous said...

See, for example, this song.

Swami, so much has been written on this

mick said...

enjoying my third 7 and 7 gang... getting ready to follow it with a several Corona's


GO NATS

baseballswami said...

Game time! Feeling some jitters. Go nats!!!!!

Marty said...

Sounded like a flyout, sorry for the doubt Zimm.

Anonymous said...

Swami-Jitters turn to anger pretty quickly watching this offense fail to get guys in from 3rd with less than 2 outs every night.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Desi...that was HUGE!!!

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Finally, an interesting MASN stat amid the Bobby-FP fluffer-fluck:

Desi is hitting .461 on the first pitch.

jeffwx said...

The Cubs and Chicago ruled baseball at the turn of the last century. They were as cocky then as the yankees and their fans are now.
Trio of bear Cubs, fleeter than birds
Tinkers to Evers to Chance

Desmond to Espi to Moore

jeffwx said...

Not bad 2 out clutch for an ex pitcher

Eugene in Oregon said...

Braves announcers had just noted that Ankiel killed the Braves last season -- four of his nine HRs and 9 of his 30-something RBIs.

UnkyD said...

So..... Just what the heck is going on, down there?!

Marty said...

Sorry Ross, you don't get to hit in the first :)

UnkyD said...

Enjoy the cushion, Det! (no nibbling...)

RickH said...

Great first inning!

Marty said...

FP Telling Story-

"Does it frustrate you as a starting pitcher not to get run support?"
"No"
-blah blah blah about keeping the lead-
"The frustrating thing was if your team didn't get any runs through-out the game."

-and scene-

Joe Seamhead said...

Mick, your 'Check Liver' light is going to come on soon and they won't be able to figure out how to turn it off.
Wow! How about 'dem Nats!

ehay2k said...

Defensively, I'm not impressed with Bourn. He should have had Ankiel's blast, but he seemed to not know where the wall was in his home park.

NatsLady said...

Wait--what--? (Catching up). We got 4 runs in the top of the first??? Ankiel hit a triple?? Is this the Nats?

And Detwiler doesn't give it back!

jeffwx said...

Yes, Probably the only greater starting pitching rotation than the current Nats were the 1907 Chicago Cubs who finished 107-45.
Mordecai Three Fingers Brown 20-6
Carl The Human Icicle Lundrgen 18-7
Orvall Overall 23-7
Big Ed Ruelbach 17-4
Jack The Giant Killer Pfiester 14-9

Compare to
Stephen The Strikeout Strasburg
Gio Smiley Gonzalas (also the Great Gyroscope, or the Slide)
Crossing Jordan EZ Zimmerman
Big Ed Edwin Jackson
Ross The Destroyer Detwiller

UnkyD said...

Humph....28 pitches. CMW may get 4-5 innings, tonight...?

jeffwx said...

Mick...I'm comin over with the big book

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Post of the day candidate:

Joe Seamhead said...

Mick, your 'Check Liver' light is going to come on soon and they won't be able to figure out how to turn it off.

Wherever you are, Mick, don't drive.

jeffwx said...

Maybe Gio "Got Gas" Gonzalaz

A DC Wonk said...

UnkyD said...

Enjoy the cushion, Det! (no nibbling...)


Can somebody please repeat that over and over to him! How many of those guys got to ball 3 in the first inning? Sheesh!

OK, I'm outta here now (for the weekend). Take care all!

GYFNG!!

mick said...

let's see how my man peric's favorite pitcher does with a 4 run lead, hee hee

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

4 pitch inning?

mick said...

my liver is feeling no pain, I do not drive when enjoying my cheer

UnkyD said...

4- pitch inning. Hope Det didn't hafta pee...

Knoxville Nat said...

Peric is so quick to criticize Ankiel when he hits a late inning homer with the Nats up by 4 or 5 runs I wonder if he will be just as quick to give him some love for a 1st inning 2 run triple?

ehay2k said...

And, jeffwx, it's one of those two:

Desi to Espi, LaRoche!

Or Desi to Espi to Morse.

I'm starting to wonder, if Morse is raking when he returns, we don't bring up Brown and then trade LaRoche.

I am not advocating this, just wondering how likely it is.

Your thoughts Peric and NatsJack? I am fine if you cordially disagree, I am looking for well-reasoned, if differing, arguments.

mick said...

ouch

ehay2k said...

NatsJack, I like Ankiel a lot. It was a very good hit, but Bourn got a late jump, then slowed down to check his GPS for the wall position. Ankiel would hav e caught that, even though this is not his home park.

jeffwx said...

ehay2k...you're right for this year....I'm thinking of peric's prospects for '13

Marty said...

Let's hope McCann can keep the cookies down this evening. He looks rough.

ehay2k said...

NatsJack, why do I get the feeling you are baiting people tonight? That is beneath you and the informed commentary and scouting reports you normally bring to this blog.

mick said...

I guess you have to hope Det can go 6? Unless he gets that pitch count down one inning, i don't see how

mick said...

raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaackem lol

phil dunton said...

Detwiler not sharp tonight. He's throwing way too many pitches and could be on borrowed time.

mick said...

why did O's trade Davey? i dont remember off top?

jeffwx said...

Yeah NJ...You are clearly an old geezer O's fan to quote another blogger. oh gawdddddd..

mick said...

phil:

I am not a fan of Detweiler as a starter, middle relief he could be OK

mick said...

Hudson is aback on track, i hope 4 runs is enough tonight. If Strass, Zim or Gio were pitching, I would feel very good. Even Edwin

Swift Eagle said...

Hudson throwing strike 1 and going after guys as if he's ahead 4-0....Ross please take note

jeffwx said...

Darn..the nats are up the hudson river without a paddle for a bat

mick said...

I hear the Mr Softy music in my head when I watch Detweiler. He would fit in well with the Capitals, lol

jeffwx said...

mick...you should be feeling fine regardless.
Bring in hrod

mick said...

jeffwx, lololololo hee hee

ehay2k said...

NatsJack, the baiting was in reference to your ping at peric, and also to me questioning whether I liked Ankiel when I said Bourn should have caught Ankiel's CF shot. Just seemed like a bit of a shot which I don't think I deserved since I was dinging Bourn.

I do note now that Ankiel easily read and tracked Bourn's shot which had Barves fans screaming. :-)

mick said...

Lomb and Ankiel looked like the 62 Mets outfield

Marty said...

Yeah, that play needs a gif to be made out of it.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Well, that was a comedy of errors in left. Mickey Morse, get well soon.

Swift Eagle said...

Keystone Kops routine in left-center...Ross needs to stick with his fastball

jeffwx said...

All's fair in love and peric

jeffwx said...

Or the 72 mets Dave Schneck and Don Hahn collision
what the heck happened to Schneck

mick said...

if we can get out of the 3rd giving up only 1 run, that would be OK. i hope Stammen warms up soon and Davey goes with Wang in 5 days instead of this no confident player in Det

Swift Eagle said...

15 yards for Clipping on Ankiel...

mick said...

jeffwx... forgot about schneck, man we are some old mofos, lol

mick said...

swift, bada bing lolo

jeffwx said...

yes...Ankiel is the nats day tripper
oblah dee

baseballswami said...

Is the Wang-meister warming up? Because he should be. I would be ok with Det for 4, Wang for 5.Or the other way around. He needs time, though, so I hope he's starting.

jeffwx said...

I am guilty as charged too...The only poster without dementia is likely peric i think.

phil dunton said...

Time to warm up Wang.

Swift Eagle said...

Over 70 pitches already!

ehay2k said...

Why in the world did Uggla turn around and curse at the ump? Was he mad his follow through didn't hit him?

mick said...

get this wuss otta here

Marty said...

If Ross can just hold on for three more innings... then Wang will be ready to come in.

jeffwx said...

They heard your blogs...Wang's up tonight

JaneB said...

Yowza....warming up Wang.

Marty said...

Seriously though. McCann literally looks like he is going to vomit and Ross is afraid to go after him.

jeffwx said...

Now Barving, Brian McCann, Atlanta Barves,

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

McCatty needs to chew Det out, way too many balls, and way too many fouls after 2 strikes. Can't pitch 5 doing that.

ehay2k said...

Poor situational pitching - fire McCatty! :-D

Swift Eagle said...

Ross showing us all his good and bad traits tonight..Yes, he's wild, but his best pitches (fastballs) have been very sharp...sure looks like his issues are all upstairs

JaneB said...

Ross knows he's not pitching great. No one needs to chew him out.

Swift Eagle said...

Danny couldn't hit Hudson if you gave him 6 strikes..

Anonymous said...

Why does it look like Espinosa swings a 22 inch bat??? I have never seen a major leaguer's swing look so choppy.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Quit giving away outs. You call a hit run the batter must hit it.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

What a waste. Flores gets the hit anyway. What was the deal with running?

ehay2k said...

Flores could not reach that pitch with h Dunn's bat.

jeffwx said...

oh yeah...hudson couldn't hit danny's bat if you gave him six balls.

Swift Eagle said...

Det at 77 pitches, Wang prob already at 80 in the bullpen...

jeffwx said...

you run to keep out of the double play. you don't run to score runs.

jeffwx said...

Carp retires number 11....now that's fast.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Well if he knws he pitching bad, he is the one who can take care of it.

jeffwx said...

yeah....Wang has already pitched 3 simulated games

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Det with a 1-2-3.

Didn't see that coming.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Det looked better that inning 11 pitches. However had the first two on 5 pitches. Then started pitching balls again.

lets score more runs.

Swift Eagle said...

If he's warmed up by then Jack! Wang is so high maintenance...sure hope he doesn't have to cover 1st tonight

baseballswami said...

Earlier today a lot of posters seemed willing to concede this game to Tim Hudson against Ross. It might be ugly, but he has only given up 1 run. Not much has been pretty this season, folks.

Swift Eagle said...

You're right Swami, I'll stop complaining..Scoreboard is all that matters

jeffwx said...

holy....no decision for det

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Not a lip-reader, but I don't think Det was wishing Grandpa Davey a Happy Holiday there.

Anonymous said...

Where are those people that said Detwiler over Lannan was a slam-dunk. Give me Lannan any day of the week and twice on Sunday over Detwiler. Say what you want about Lannan...but at least he is a fighter!!!

JaneB said...

I feel bad for Ross. I just do. I hope that isn't the last time we see him as a starter this year. And yet I still hope Wang is lights out so we win tonight.

phil dunton said...

If Wang pitches well, Det is toast as a starter.

JaneB said...

Damn.

Swift Eagle said...

Sinker ball up...Great relay to 3rd

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Detwiler has no one to blame but himself. get the three outs he gets the win.

Ankiel took a terrible angle on that ball, looked like to me that should have been caught.

Now when we get up batters need to get off their diuffs and start playing again.

MicheleS said...

OY! Go out to dinner and Det didn't even make it out the 5th. SHEEESH!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I want Det to pitch well too, but you can't be nibbling when you are up 4-0, it makes no sense.

JaneB said...

Wow. Hearing about Tim Lincecum makes me feel better about Ross. I mean, Tim Lincecum!

ehay2k said...

Lucky for the Barves Diaz wasn't on a shift for LaRoche.

hiramhover said...

And now for the really important question - does Wang have highlights in his hair?

He looks like he has black hair over his ears and reddish brown hair in the back.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

For once I will excuse Epsi for striking out as that pitch looked way high. I know nothing Det pitched near there was called a strike.

jeffwx said...

Maybe Danny should try some highlights in his beard

baseballswami said...

Not just Tim Lincecum - Hallady struggling, too. Pitching is not child's play. RossD is still a fairly new big-league starting pitcher. How quickly you forget how good he can be. How about a little more offense? You all talk like Detweiler is some sniveling baby - Wang is supposed to be the experienced veteran and he is so high-maintenance he can apparently only do one thing - and then only when the conditions are perfect. Maybe he needs to start sucking it up. You know, Strassie and Gio are just praying that they have a start with 4 runs in the first. Are our starting pitchers so used to being in trouble that they can't pitch without an adrenaline high?

baseballswami said...

The top of these innings is so fast if you blink you miss it.

Swift Eagle said...

I don't know Jack, too many balls in the air, but I admit to never being a Wang fan...Hope he can bridge the gap to the bullpen

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Stammen seventh, Clipp eighth and you-know-who in the ninth.

I'm going out to stock up on the Maalox and bourbon.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Carp wants them to bat for Wang. I said let him pitch another inning or two unless they need to take him out. He's been pitching at least 5 in minor league games.

JaneB said...

No WAY they put in Wild Henry tonight!

Swift Eagle said...

No way that just happened!

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Wang's was our best at-bat since the first inning.

JaneB said...

Way.

MicheleS said...

CMW walks!!! This is officially a weird game.

JaneB said...

Has CMW ever been on third before?

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Wang runs the bases like a jogger in Rock Creek Park ... with a piano on his back.

jeffwx said...

LOMBO...HARPER

Swift Eagle said...

I'm sure he's been told through one of his people that he shouldn't run hard for fear of a comical trip and fall all over himself injury

ehay2k said...

Wang looked like Fred Flintstone going around second.

Swift Eagle said...

Zim getting hosed by ump tonight, first pitch was way inside per Pitch F/X

jeffwx said...

LOMBO///HARPER///ZIMM

What a lineup

JaneB said...

thank you CMW for starting that!

Smatt1001 said...

Let's go Zimm!

jeffwx said...

7 runs but no wings for me.

Swift Eagle said...

2 out Walk to Wang, and a terrible 0-2 pitch to Zim...worst Hudson has ever looked v Nats

MicheleS said...

7 runs off Hudson! Me like!

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Poor Timmy Hudson. Could fall to 14-4 lifetime against us. Wang's at-bat turned that whole inning around. Now you gotta start Wang ... for his bat!

JaneB said...

Okay. We absolutely cannot have Livan enter the game against us, now or later. I won't be able to root against him.

baseballswami said...

Zim heard about Morse today and decided to do some Gorse Hacking himself!!!!!

Swift Eagle said...

All 7 runs with 2 out hits I believe, Very Clutch

jeffwx said...

All without Morse, Werth, Ramos and Storen

TimDz said...

Zimmerman: "I got your tomahawk chop right here ...

Anonymous said...

Good things never happen when you walk the pitcher...especially one that has an .030 AVG. Nice hit by Zim in a crucial spot there. Good to see him turn on one.

baseballswami said...

Walking a teenager to pitch to Ryan Zimmerman? That could make you a teeny bit ticked off! Quite amusing!

JaneB said...

Our guys are really good. They are.

ehay2k said...

JaneB, if Livo comes in, we can root for him to strike out the side , just as we root for our guys to do the same. Six out each, Nats win 7-3. :-)

Swift Eagle said...

Heeeyyy Kool-Aid... Livo warming in his Red Shirt

JaneB said...

Ok. Ehay. I can do that. Phew.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Walker harper to face Zim. Way to Zim. Hitting with people on base much better tonight. Good kob Eck.

jeffwx said...

I can't contain my enthusiasm....woohoo

And good pitching always beats good hitting...mind blowing team on par with the 1907 Chicago Cubs

Donald said...

So who wants to play manager? Do you bring in Burnett for the 8th and Clippard for the 9th, or do you ride the Wang wagon for another inning? I say, let Wang pitch and keep the bullpen fresh.

MicheleS said...

Swift. LMAO! Hey koolaid!

ehay2k said...

Man, how many posters started the holiday drinkfest early? More typos ( mine included) than a Dan Quayle tweet!

jeffwx said...

not smart to bring livo in....no team knows him better

JaneB said...

Livo is wiley, jeffwx. He was PFB.

jeffwx said...

oh well...better to hit against the livo you don't know

Swift Eagle said...

Jack, I know it's his first outing, but I see lots of balls up

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

That was weird. Mr swing at first pitch walks on a 3-2 count, and the two strikeout kings both hit the first pitch (one for a double play)

JaneB said...

I thought CMW was a ground ball guy.

jeffwx said...

He got around and drilled as Ralph Kiner would say.

ehay2k said...

I just hope there I not a bunt play involved while Livo is in the game - either his bunting or our guys.

hmm... said...

jeffwx

do we have some mutual friends?

sobernats@gmail.com

jeffwx said...

or was it Lindsey Nelson ???
He had the best sports jackets ever

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