Sunday, June 17, 2012

Game 64: Yankees at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
The Nats need a win today to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Yankees.
The outcome of this weekend's series against the Yankees isn't going to make or break the Nationals' season. They were a first-place team when they took the field Friday night, and they'll still be a first-place team when he walk off the field this evening. Still, it would be nice to win at least one game of the most-anticipated series in Nats history, wouldn't it?

The Nationals will attempt to get back on track this afternoon with Edwin Jackson on the mound. The right-hander has become the workhorse of the majors' best rotation, having reached the eighth inning three times this season when none of his teammates have done it once. That durability could prove important today in the wake of a 14-inning loss during which Davey Johnson needed eight innings out of his bullpen. (If you missed the earlier news, Brad Lidge has been designated for assignment and Ryan Mattheus has been activated off the DL.)

This, of course, is Father's Day, and what better place to spend it than at the ballpark? My family will be in attendance today, and I'm going to spend a couple of innings in the stands with my 9-month-old son, Brian, hopefully the first of many Father's Days we can spend together at the ballpark. Hope everyone out there enjoys their day with family and friends!

Updates to come...

NEW YORK YANKEES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, Ch. 50, MLB.tv, TBS (outside D.C. market)
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 176
Weather: Partly cloudy, 78 degrees, Wind 9 mph RF to LF
NATIONALS (38-25)
LF Steve Lombardozzi
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Michael Morse
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Jhonatan Solano
RHP Edwin Jackson

YANKEES (39-25)
SS Derek Jeter
CF Curtis Granderson
3B Alex Rodriguez
2B Robinson Cano
1B Mark Teixeira
LF Raul Ibanez
RF Andruw Jones
C Chris Stewart
RHP Ivan Nova

UMPIRES
HP Jeff Kellogg (cc), 1B Eric Cooper, 2B Marty Foster, 3B Tim Timmons

1:39 p.m. -- We are underway on an absolutely gorgeous Father's Day in the nation's capital. Another packed house here for this series finale.

1:53 p.m. -- On the bright side, that top of the first could have been a whole lot worse than it turned out. A Derek Jeter single off Edwin Jackson's glove and a Curtis Granderson double off first base put the Yankees in business right from the start. And then a one-out intentional walk to Robinson Cano loaded the bases for Mark Teixeira. Teixeira wound up lofting a sacrifice fly to deep center, then Raul Ibanez lined out to center to end the inning. All things considered, Jackson and the Nats have to feel very fortunate to get out of that trailing only 1-0.

1:58 p.m. -- It looked like Bryce Harper might get bounce back from his 0-for-7, 5-strikeout game with an infield single in his first at-bat today. But a fantastic play by Cano foiled Harper's hopes and highlighted a 1-2-3 bottom of the first for Ivan Nova, who needed only eight pitches in the inning.

2:18 p.m. -- Adam LaRoche, the son of a big leaguer, crushes a Father's Day homer, his team-leading 12th of the season, to lead off the bottom of the second. So we are now tied 1-1 heading to the third.

2:35 p.m. -- Jackson has been one of baseball's most efficient pitchers this season, but apparently that doesn't apply against the Yankees (baseball's most patient lineup). Through three innings, he's already thrown 60 pitches, allowing four hits while walking two (one intentionally). It's still 1-1, but it'll be interesting to see how far Davey Johnson lets his starter go after yesterday's 14-inning game.

2:40 p.m. -- Bryce Harper finally records his first solid hit of the weekend, a double off the right-field wall with two outs in the third. He did beat out an infield single on Friday night, but this was his first clean hit to the outfield. Unfortunately, he was stranded in scoring position as Ryan Zimmerman struck out on three pitches, offering up a feeble check-swing attempt at Nova's final pitch. Zim is now hitting .231 for the season. Not good. Still 1-1 heading to the fourth.

2:52 p.m. -- Three errors in three days for Desmond. That's surprising, given the stellar defense he had been playing for quite some time.

3:18 p.m. -- Sorry, folks, my jaunt down to the stands didn't produce the usual positive result for the Nationals. Granderson, however, did club his 21st homer of the season in the top of the fifth, giving the Yankees a 2-1 lead. The Nats had a chance to do something in the fourth with runners on the corners and one out, but Espinosa grounded into a double play. And then another potential rally in the fifth was quashed when Lombardozzi grounded out to second and Harper lined out to short. We head to the sixth...

3:38 p.m. -- Davey does seem to give Edwin Jackson more rope than just about anyone else in his rotation, and that trust paid off in the top of the sixth. With runners on second and third and one out, Davey left his starter (already over 100 pitches) in to face Jeter and Granderson. Jackson got Jeter to fly out to center (with Harper showing off his cannon to hold Andruw Jones at third) and then got Granderson to ground out to first on his 110th pitch of the day. Gutty performance from the right-hander, keeping this a 2-1 deficit heading to the bottom of the sixth.

3:44 p.m. -- The Nationals aren't making Nova work at all today. A four-pitch bottom of the sixth leaves the Yankee starter with only 63 pitches on the afternoon, a staggeringly low total. Ryan Zimmerman has seen only five pitches in three at-bats (all outs) today. He's only taken one pitch (a called strike). Everything else, he's swung at.

3:58 p.m. -- Things are falling apart in the seventh inning. Tom Gorzelanny enters and serves up a homer to Robinson Cano, who has now reached safely in 10 of 13 plate appearances this weekend. A double and a groundball put a runner on third and brought Ryan Mattheus out of the bullpen for his first appearance back from the DL. It did not get off to a positive start: Mattheus walked Andruw Jones, then didn't cover home when the ball got away from Jhonatan Solano and let another run score. So it's now 4-1 at the seventh-inning as the Nats find themselves nine outs from a series sweep.

4:10 p.m. -- Meanwhile, today's official paid attendance is 41,442. That means all three games this weekend were sellouts. And as Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post points out, seven of the 13 largest crowds in Nationals Park history have come this season.

4:36 p.m. -- As the Nats finally knock out Nova in the eighth -- and still fail to score another run -- a question for everyone: If someone told you the Nats would get swept by the Yankees this weekend but still hold a four-game lead in the NL East, would you take that?

4:49 p.m. -- It's over. The Nats lose 4-1 and suffer a sweep at the hands of the Yankees. Here's your stat of the day: They're now 0-6 this season against the Dodgers and Yankees ... and 38-20 against everyone else in baseball.

173 comments:

MicheleS said...

Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers out there! And a special one to Mark! Your first of many with BabyZ at the park!

Gonat said...

Still would be nice to get TyMo in LF and move Lombo to 2nd against the RH pitchers. Time for Espi to step up in a high leverage situation.

MicheleS said...

Oh and Mark.. when you leave the press box, please make sure you do it when the Nats are batting. They could use the mojo for some runs!!!

Holden Baroque said...

I'll predict a big day for Daddy Desmond. Just cuz.

Gonat said...

No Swisher today. That should help.

MicheleS said...

Also, there was an excellent Nats piece on ESPN BBTN on the noon show. I am sure it will get replayed, it's not on the website yet.

Kirbs said...

Does everyone remember the 38-25 typo a couple days ago? Umhum, just saying.....and happy fathers day Mark and everybody!!!

Gonat said...

Can I say a typical 1st inning for EJax. He can't do his typical 3 ball counts in the 1st inning. I am just shaking my head.

m20832 said...

Jackson falls behind the first two hitters and the yanks are finding holes to hit the ball into...Please, can we not have this type of day?

GYFNG!!

Will said...

I guarantee you, as bad as this weekend has been for you guys, I have you beat...I work in Midtown Manhattan, and I'm a Nats fan.

Gonat said...

Jackson is either nibbling or just plain missing. Note to EJax just like to Gio: YOU ARE A POWER PITCHER

Will said...

The upside is, after yesterday, they have stopped telling me how Harper is signing there in 6 years.

Gonat said...

Did you see Jeter hustling home as he saw Cano tagging from 1st to 2nd. That Jeter does everything right.

Gonat said...

FP, are you reading my posts again?

Gonat said...

1 run in that inning. Whew. That could have been much much worse.

This is EJax's typical first inning and it kind of sours the overall performance.

Gonat said...

Ryan Zimmerman first ball swinging on a pitcher he has never faced before. Outside pitch and Zim dips over the plate for an easy flyout to RF.

Nova in the 1st inning and 5th inning gives up his most runs.

1st inning batters slash .385/.415/.615/1.030

MicheleS said...

ALR! Got to love that!

Ps.. I am getting the TBS HD Feed

Will said...

LaLaLaLaLaLaBOMBba.

phil dunton said...

`Johnson needs to send Zim a message to wake him up by dropping to the seventh slot in the lineup. He's killing us in the 3 slot.

Will said...

Also, MLB.tv blacking me out (in NYC) makes me "watch" the game on Gameday. Gameday pitch track makes me want to harm puppies due to bad umpiring.

NatsFan05 said...

Agreed Phil!

Move Zim into the 7th spot and Desi to the 2nd spot. Then drop BamBam to 3rd where he'll have some protection.

Gonat said...

phil dunton said...
`Johnson needs to send Zim a message to wake him up by dropping to the seventh slot in the lineup. He's killing us in the 3 slot.

June 17, 2012 2:12 PM
_____________________________

Don't say that. Someone got attacked for suggesting that last week.

MicheleS said...

Rizzo on TBS

MicheleS said...

I still think Zim is hurt (even though Zim says he just stinks right now). I think the fact that Davey has called out the middle of the line up for the last several days is an indication of Davey's mindset.

NatsFan05 said...

MicheleS,

Then they need to give Zim a few days off. I love Zim, but the DP kid is killing the middle of the order.

Gonat said...

Yankees just hitting it where its thrown

Gonat said...

MicheleS, Davey has called off the middle of the order but lets get real that its a message to Zim.

Michael Morse is rehabbing with the Nats instead of in the Minors so its to be expected.

LaRoche is playing like he has most of his career.

Zim is just not swinging hard and is showing poor mechanics.

Gonat said...

Brandon Beachy to the DL.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120616&content_id=33424534&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

MicheleS said...

Gonat.. I know we as fan have major patience issues with Zim, but I just don't think Davey would panic at this point and start messing with the line up. We are in First. Now granted, Zim is absolutely not performing. And the strike outs and DP's are just frustrating.

MicheleS said...

Like that Strikeout... Come on Zimmy show us that silver slugger

Gonat said...

Gonat said...
Would Davey move Zim back to the 6 hole in the batting order and just move everyone else up?

Is this a slump or a sore shoulder? Last I check, sore shoulders don't look at 3rd strike fastballs over the plate.

I just think he is in a slump.

June 13, 2012 10:44 AM
__________________________________

Phil - This is what I wrote a few days ago.

Zim just left another RISP. Getting hard to watch him, but I endured Espinosa from the Left-side the whole season and that has been worse.

NatsNutty said...

Does it seem weird to anyone else but me that once "franchise" players like Werth and Zimmerman get their $126 and $150 million contracts, respectively, they seem to "fade into the sunset" at the plate?

phil dunton said...

At least Espinosa gets an occasional hit from the right side of the plate and he can throw to first base with a great degree of accuracy.

Will said...

DE6mond strikes again.

Will said...

How much confidence do the Yankees have in getting runners home? They'll bunt, bunt and let Jeter drive the runner in. And it'll work. Wish the Nats could execute like that.

Will said...

Check that. Girardi got cold feet.

JayB said...

Zim is hurting the team....he clearly is hurt or has he head up his Ass or both. Too much security, too much Cash?

He is worse than Werth and cost about the same at this point.

Gonat said...

MicheleS said...
Gonat.. I know we as fan have major patience issues with Zim, but I just don't think Davey would panic at this point and start messing with the line up. We are in First. Now granted, Zim is absolutely not performing. And the strike outs and DP's are just frustrating.

June 17, 2012 2:40 PM
______________________________

The team made a gut-check move with Lidge and it was the right one. They refused to send Espinosa down to the Minors to straighten out his mechanics and that has cost this team. His one hit today was a broken bat blooper. Still below Mendoza from the left-side.

Zim can't be sent down, only put on the DL. Choices are limited. Time to move him down in the order Davey.

Gonat said...

What is EJax thinking? Why would you pitch anything low to Nova with 2 strikes. You have to get him to pop up or foul the bunt off.

Great job by Nova to bunt that inside pitch that would have hit him if the bat didn't hit the ball.

NatsNutty said...

Well, you guys said it better than me. I didn't want to "diss" our "Franchise Player," but until the ZMan starts hitting consistently and, especially, in the clutch, the Nats will be sweating out wins and praying their pitching staff doesn't implode. DFAing Lidge was a good start, methinks.

Gonat said...

Would be a great time for some Beast Mode here!!!!

NatsFan05 said...

The last good hitting day for Zim was when they intentionally walked Harper to pinch to him.

I forget when that was, but it's been a while now. He was pissed and looked like the his old self for the rest of that day.

Nice day for Adam so far.

Gonat said...

Desi gets the job done w/ RISP

Gonat said...

Here is a high leverage spot for Espi. Get it done!!!!

Gonat said...

Squeeze play?

NatsNutty said...

That's why I don't get that excited with extra base hits. The chance they will eventually score is low-to-poor with the Nats' pathetic situational hitting.

Gonat said...

Worst case scenario for the Nats. Espi lays an egg.

Natman said...

No - double play. Figures.

mick said...

I'm frustrated as hell! Zim is terrible and now worthless at the plate and seems dis-interested. Espi is just a so not clutch, that ground ball on 3-1 was just terrible. Desmond may be the worst fielding ss in baseball, but at least eh can hit.

Gonat said...

I put this back on Davey. Why isn't Tyler Moore in LF and Lombo at 2nd and Danny riding the pine?

Desi did his job. Man on 3rd with 1 out. I had no confidence in Espi. Why not do a suicide sqeeze?

mick said...

Zim's at bat was so weak!!! If he is hurt then shame on the nats playing him, if he is not hurt then shame on Davey playing him. Espinoza just annoys me at the plate

mick said...

Gonat... good point

Natman said...

Or make him hit right handed.

mick said...

leadoff double, you have to get that runner in with zero outs!!!!!

baseballswami said...

I am just getting so tired of the obsession with how many pitches a given pitcher is throwing per inning and the conversation from the end of the first inning on about how deep the pitchers will go. It's getting so that it's hard to watch the game without that number being in the forefront every single inning. We have a bullpen - that's what it's for. The pitchers will throw exactly how many pitches it takes to get the hitters out. If you want them to throw less they could surely oblige -- they can just serve it up and it can end up in the seats. I have listened/watched games of many other teams and the other broadcasters rarely mention it and only late in the game if it becomes a factor. I could happily watch a game sometime where that number is not the be all and end all. Can we just let them pitch? Our pitchers are usually taken out for a pinch hitter or because they give up a walk or a single --ooooh - danger ahead. Again, let them pitch and watch the game without the little counter in your hand. I am sure that Steve McCatty is all over it. Do we have to be?

Natman said...

If there's a bright light it's that all four of our division rivals are also losing so far.

mick said...

had a bad thought here... we may seeing what typical playoff baseball under Davey would be like. With the exception of the 86 Mets, Davey has stunk as a playoff manager with O's and Dodgers. Even if we get in post season, it will be short. Davey may get us there, but he may be like Bruce Boudreau and the Nats may need a higher caliber manger. Davey is being out coached period this series by a winning manager. His moves, his lineups make zero sense.

mick said...

on a bright side, our young players are quite good

Gonat said...

mick said...
Desmond may be the worst fielding ss in baseball, but at least eh can hit.

June 17, 2012 3:06 PM
_________________________________

Very surprised that Desi is 2nd to last in Fielding Percentage as I didn't think he was that bad. The good news is he is 9th best in UZR. Worst in UZR is that Jeter guy.

Will said...

Oh good. We sacrificed a runner to second. I wonder who will get to strand him this inning. I bet Harper or Zimmerman.

NatsNutty said...

On the brighter side, the Nats have a day off, tomorrow, to regroup.

mick said...

Gonat... so FP is right, lol

Will said...

If you bet Harper, you win. And lose, if you're a Nats fan.

Gonat said...

Bryce with see it hit it and hits into bad luck. Jeter didn't have to move.

mick said...

It really hurts to lose 3 in row at home in front of sell out crowds. Rizzo and the Lerners gotta be ticked off and its clear we are not even close to being a real contender. You can not lose all 3 at home and sit idle. If we do lose today, Davey better kick some ass starting with Zim and Morse. Both of them are DOGS!!! right now

mick said...

I am so glad Lidge is gone, what a flop

Natman said...

Now if only we can do the same with Nady

mick said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
phil dunton said...

The amazing thing arout the Yankees is that they field good teams mostly with players developed by other teams. The only home grown players in their lineup all weekend long are Jeter and Cano.

mick said...

Natman, lol

Gonat said...

EJax can't walk the leadoff man. Especially a .220 hitter like Andruw Jones.

mick said...

typos, try again
Bobby C and FP stated it perfectly, our starting pitching has been very good this series. Offense has let us down, Hughes is very good and Petite is still a beast. But, the Nats had 7 innings after Petite to get one lousy run and they could not, no excuse!!!

mick said...

Davey is getting schooled by Girardi this series.

phil dunton said...

Mick, I hope Rizzo and the Lerners get ticked off enough to bring in a real hitting coach. That is long over due. Frankly, I am tired of Rizzo coddling the incompetent Eckstein. He has had at least three seasons to prove himself and he's failed miserably.

Gonat said...

Look at Stewart flicking the ball out there as he shortened up. That is what Espi should have done with runners on 1st and 3rd and 1 out.

This is what Davey had promised us that Espi would shorten up his stroke. I haven't seen it.

NatsNutty said...

As this weekend series with the Spankees comes to an end, it is beginning to appear more and more that the best team in the MLB is on the field, and it ain't the Nats. The "Power Rankings" should reflect this on Monday.

Gonat said...

mick said...
Davey is getting schooled by Girardi this series.

June 17, 2012 3:28 PM
___________________________

Sort of. I give Girardi credit for always going with the matchups.

The matchup on Friday said you go with the hot-hand in Tyler Moore and Davey sat him and again today.

Davey used double switches yesterday while Girardi kept his main bats in. Davey took out Tyler Moore and Morse.

mick said...

Phil... agreed!

Gonat... very good point

Natsnation... that is for sure

Gonat said...

Do you see how EJax has caused his own problems today? He walks the light hitting Andruw Jones to leadoff.

mick said...

nice play by Bryce!

Gonat said...

Solano whiffs on that throw. Luckily EJax was backing up perfectly.

mick said...

I agree about Ejax but he needs more than 1 run.

Gonat said...

Umps screw the Nats again.

mick said...

Bryce made an adjustment at plate today he has smacked the ball hard. Why cant Morse and Zim do the same. i am sick of thesr umpires they SUCK and should be fined!!!

mick said...

ah guess who 3rd base ump is... that CREEP Timmons who was HP ump yesterday, it figures

mick said...

what a jerk

Gonat said...

Glad EJax got it done. The biggest no-no of these Nats pitchers is leadoff walks.

Tegwar said...

Timmons is off my Christmas card list.

mick said...

more about Desmond at ss.... i realize now if it was not for LaRoche at first Desmond may be the all time worse ss. Yesterday, his horrible throw to Moore would have been caught by Laroche. That is scary

mick said...

The Fox, lol

mick said...

this is waterloo time for Zim and Morse

NatsNutty said...

F.P. Tangelos thinks this has been a "great series." I'm sorry to inform him that WINNING games always means more than how good you look LOSING them!

rogieshan said...

Rome to Selig: "Is it fixed?"

mick said...

tel me Zim did not just swing at first pitch????

MicheleS said...

Outside of the pitching staff and Bryce. Is there anyone on this team you guys would actually keep? I mean really? The last 3 days you all have wanted to shred every position player except Bryce?

Do you recall that we won the previous 6 games?

Gonat said...

Nova thows Zim a 1st pitch curveball to the outside and Zim pulls it on the ground. If there was someone on first, guess what, a double play.

PChuck said...

Something is wrong with Ryan Zimmerman. Why won't they address this?

jeffwx said...

Lot of runs lost with this lineup. Really need Tyler Moore in the lineup to provide more pop.
Lombo on infield, TM in leftfield. Something wrong with Zimm, I'd sit him once in a while or at least move him down in the order.
LOB percentage must be fairly high.

Will said...

Jeez. I would trade Zimmerman in fantasy at this point because he's even clogging up a spot on my bench, only I can't get any value for him. I suppose I'll have to cut him.

Gonat said...

MicheleS said...
Outside of the pitching staff and Bryce. Is there anyone on this team you guys would actually keep? I mean really? The last 3 days you all have wanted to shred every position player except Bryce?

Do you recall that we won the previous 6 games?

June 17, 2012 3:42 PM
______________________________

I will say what I have said for over a month. Espinosa to the Minors to figure it out. If he has to come back batting only RH, then so be it. He is killing this team.

Zim. He isn't going anywhere except maybe pushed back in the order.

Morse will be back and fine. This is his Spring Training.

No other issues.

Gonat said...

Should have said Espinosa is killing this team from the Left-side. His RH approach is much better. If you don't send him to the Minors, hows about only batting him against LH pitching?

Doc said...

Against a pitcher with a 5.00 ERA, the Nats' hitters still can't hit!

jeffwx said...

I'd keep everyone but use Moore more..
got to adjust to your oppponent esp an offensive team like the yanks (and next weekend O's).
Lombo/Espi/Harper/ALR/Desmond/Morse/Moore/Flores

Get zimm checked out...shoulder likely needs a rest

TimDz said...

Message to Tim Timmons...
Umpires are called "blue" and NOT "Yankee Blue..."

mick said...

I agree with Gonat except I really wonder what long term value Zim has here? If he continues to play like this, why not consider trading him in 2013 and unloading his contract, if that is possible. If Anthony Rendon is every healthy, you would have a 3rd baseman who can hit, why not deal Zim?

Gonat said...

mick, I truly believe Zim is slumping and will definitely come out of it.

phil dunton said...

Nats draw 125,000 for the three game series and end up puking all over themselves.

jeffwx said...

Still hard to make a good lineup with LH Espi, Morse, Zimm not hitting well. One should sit from day to day and folk around to make room for Moore.

mick said...

message to Timmons... your a bum and nobody goes to the park to watch you destroy a game!

mick said...

gonat... i hope your right

Gonat said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
MicheleS.....it's these nonsensical in game comments that keep the majority of us silent.

June 17, 2012 3:50 PM
______________________________

Do you think Espi should be playing against RH pitchers when you can move Lombo to 2nd and get Tyler Moore some at-bats and put him in LF?

The problem with this team isn't pitching, its offense.

mick said...

phil dunton said...
Nats draw 125,000 for the three game series and end up puking all over themselves.

glad you posted it instead of me, lol

mick said...

I hope this is not 2005 again, lol

rogieshan said...

phil dunton: "Frankly, I am tired of Rizzo coddling the incompetent Eckstein."

Davey Johnson prides himself as a players manager and I just can't see him humiliating the Franchise just to shake things up. Eckstein wouldn't be here if he and the manager aren't on the same page with regards to the team's hitting philosophy. Patience has never been virtue with this lineup, and it has gotten worse since Werth went down.

jeffwx said...

Gonat, on 2nd thought agreed...Moore in left, Lombo at 2nd, and in the meantime, pray for an Espi that can hit Right handers.

MicheleS said...

Gonat..
From Baseballreference.com
Danny's line the last 28 days:
.256/.348/.462

Lombo Last 28 days:
.219/.269/.301

Mick.. Rendon has to prove he can stay healthy for a full season and you may not know that until 2014.

mick said...

rogieshan... I have a theory about why Eckstein is still here... and it originates from Edwin Edwards,who was Louisiana Govorner 20 years ago. When asked if there was any way he could lose to David Duke, Klansman, Edwards said, yes, if I'm caught in bed withva live boy or dead girl. Perhaps Eckstein has some photos of Rizzo, lol

mick said...

Matthues... another winner, lol

Will said...

Clown franchise, bro. I don't even want to set foot in Manhattan for work tomorrow.

djinFl. said...

You called it right NatsJack!

mick said...

Will

this is painfull

Will said...

Mick - You don't have to work in Midtown surrounded by Yankee fans.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack. I agree as there is too much emotion in the comments during the games which is why I prefer not to post in-game.

I don't necessarily disagree with some of the posts but Davey isn't sitting Zim and Rizzo isn't sending Espi to the Minors.

mick said...

Will, that I don't, my prayers go out to you, lol

Gonat said...

Michelle, it isn't Lombo vs. Espi. It is using the strengths. Espi doesn't hit RH pitching well and Lombo does and vice versa. The key is getting a hot hitter like Tyler Moore into the lineup.

Its also the quality of Espi's at-bats with RISP. Yes, he will get hits in low leverage situations.

rogieshan said...

I agree with Gonat, but Lombardozzi isn't going to unseat Espinosa at 2nd, unless the latter turns into a Chuck Knoblauch or Steve Sax on defense. Johnson is clearly not willing to sacrifice his glove and on-field chemistry with Desmond for the sake of a few extra hits a week. This is a manager who admired the value of a Mark Belanger and Doug Flynn of this world.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack, isn't that what I said to the Lombo lovers at the beginning of the season that he could be exposed if he played everyday.

Scouts do their jobs and find the weaknesses.

m20832 said...

Do they all look tired for some strange reason?

Natman said...

Braves, Mets and Phillips lose. Miami down 3 - 0 in the 8th.

Gonat said...

Atlanta lost and the Mets lost. Nats won't lose any positioning to the 2nd and 3rd place teams should there be a L today.

Gonat said...

Solano with another nice at-bat. Just not lucky.

Natman said...

Phillies

mick said...

whats scary is that no Rivera with Yankees

Bernadina is a BUM!!!

mick said...

when i watch Roger B it just reminds me of 100 losses and frankly Zim reminds me of it too

Gonat said...

mick said...
whats scary is that no Rivera with Yankees

Bernadina is a BUM!!!

June 17, 2012 4:15 PM
____________________________

Give him a break. He has been playing banged up with the hammy and knee. Shouldn't have played at all this weekend.

baseballswami said...

Maybe it's the losing this weekend - I usually like bob and fp, but about now, Bob Carpenter is working on the last nerve that I have. Nats hitters looking pretty ineffective again today - maybe they need a week with no parties to go to. Dear Yankees - just go away.

MicheleS said...

swammi.. flip over to TBS. I have the TBS HD feed on FIOS in Loudoun

MicheleS said...

Gonat.. if you are twitter check your account for me.

baseballswami said...

Thanks MicheleS - forgot about that. Bryce looks better today - hit the ball hard a few times. Looks better than most of our hitters who are supposed to know better.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack, most Rookies get exposed quicker than that. It's a game of adjustments and I really thought he made some good adjustments. I think Lombo is in a slump but as I told people don't believe his Minor League stats. He is probably a .260 to .280 hitter.

mick said...

this is really bad

mick said...

Bryce made adjustments and that is why he is going to be great. Hey Zim and Morse and Espi, learn from a 19 year old ya stiffs, lol

mick said...

How can anyone defend Zim???

Gonat said...

Now Zim takes the 1st pitch and doesn't swing as Nova makes a mistake and throws a center cut fastball.

rogieshan said...

The injuries to Brandon Beachy and Jayson Bay could prove huge for the Nats.

Gonat said...

All other teams in the NL East have alredy lost today.

mick said...

I'm sorry, Davey and Nats should be a ashamed of themselves this weekend at HOME! No excuses to lose all 3. If the Lerner's ever complain about a lack of attendance, all they have to do is remember this weekend. This town was ready to embrace them like the Skins and they blew it! If the Nats do not win 2 of 3 verse Rays, i will predict now the Nats will fold and not even match 80 wins! remember where you heard it first!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack, I love the short-term gain with rookies before the league can figure them out. I love what I have seen from Tyler Moore but fully understand it may not last long.

Smatt1001 said...

With Zim at this point I have to wonder if the shoulder is still bugging him or if this slump is now in his head as it looks like he's been pressing badly.

mick said...

You all can jump on me if you like, but Davey and several of the very over rated players on this team have been exposed. what quality hitter can not adjust after 20 at bats and deliver at least one hit???

mick said...

Tyler Moore should play every day period!

Gonat said...

The Nats get Andruw Jones instead of Nick Swisher which should have been a huge gain for the Nats.

DJB said...

Can Zimm be traded? I would do it as soon as possible. The problem is that the other GM's would think he's injured. Or you could do what the Yankees do, and shell out some coin for a proven hitter in the prime of his career. The lack of hitting may cost Rizzo his job if this season goes South rapidly.

MicheleS said...

NatsJack/Ghost.. taking your advice will not be doing this again.

Gonat said...

Smatt1001 said...
With Zim at this point I have to wonder if the shoulder is still bugging him or if this slump is now in his head as it looks like he's been pressing badly.

June 17, 2012 4:40 PM
______________________________

The slump is in his head and his mechanics are totally out of whack. As has been said, a guy with an aching shoulder is swinging big at a center cut fastball. A guy slumping thinks its a slider and will drop for a ball.

He's not seeing the ball well and add in the bad mechanics and you have a bad slump.

mick said...

Smatt1001 said...
With Zim at this point I have to wonder if the shoulder is still bugging him or if this slump is now in his head as it looks like he's been pressing badly.


Look at what a rookie, Bryce Harper did after striking out 5 times and going 0-7 yesterday, he adjusted. If anyone had a right to have a slump in there head it would have been Bryce! Zim simply is awful!

mick said...

Next 3 games will determine the 2012 season for Nats, they win 2of 3, they will be fine, they lose 2 of 3 they are toast and if they lose all 3, we will be talking about whether or not Nats can match last year's win total

DJB said...

Oh, yes, move Zimm to the bottom of the lineup, and then put Moore in third for the time being, while we shop for a hitter in his prime before the end of the deadline. We needed Fielder. But, on the bright side, I'm impressed with Bryce's adjustment today. It will be nice to have him for a couple of years before the Yankee's get him. The Yanks know how to build teams, got to grant them that.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MicheleS, yep and with Mick's 4:38 comment, talk to you all tomorrow.

mick said...

DJB... if this team can not win 90 games this year or by the time Harper's contract is up, he won't be the only one leaving DC, Strass and any other good player will want nothing to do with a culture of losers.

rogieshan said...

Three rookies in the starting lineup, two at the top of the batting order. 3rd and 5th place hitters mired in a power slump, the latter just recovering from an injury.

In retrospect, loss weekend to be expected against a hot team.

Gonat said...

Keep in mind that if Tyler Moore is called safe at home. Nats WIN yesterday.

mick said...

True Gonat, ut even so, without Petite, we had 6 innings where all we had to do was produce 1 single run

Gonat said...

rogieshan, good perspective. I saw turning point today on Espi's doubleplay in the 4th.

Next batter faced at the top of the 5th inning gets a HR off of EJax.

Its a game of momentum.

mick said...

hard to believe we are still up 4 in East

baseballswami said...

Not a fun weekend. Gold stars to most of the pitchers. Failing grades to the hitters who were easy outs and looked like they had no hint of a clue or plan at the plate. Especially Zim - what can I say? At least he plays defense. I am very glad to see that Bryce recovered. What a level headed kid. I think this was the best series played against us this season - this is what it takes. Maybe they will learn from this and see what they still need to do. Rest tomorrow and come out strong against the Rays. Move on - the rest of the division seems to be staying right with us.

mick said...

Davey needs to level about Zim.

mick said...

AL may just be superior to NL, plain and simple

Gonat said...

Davey on Zim, "Only thing that concerns me is we have to get Zim going. In a happy place....will sit down him and try to figure it out."

Gonat said...

Davey is far from stupid. Glad he said it clearly. Zim isn't right. Killing the team in the 3 hole especially with Morse going thru what is essentially a rehab.

SonnyG10 said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
MicheleS.....it's these nonsensical in game comments that keep the majority of us silent.

June 17, 2012 3:50


Amen to that NatsJack

MicheleS said...

Gonat. Thanks gor the Davey report on zimmerman

Smatt1001 said...

Thanks Gonat. Didn't catch the post game.

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