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US Presswire file photo The Nats try to bounce back tonight in Game 2 of 4 at Coors Field. |
Make no mistake, though: The Nats need to start hitting. They know this, and they know they've been presented a great opportunity to start clicking offensively this week in the mile-high air of Denver, against a Rockies pitching staff that owns the majors' worst ERA (5.29) by leaps and bounds.
They couldn't make a dent into Jeff Francis or Josh Roenicke last night. They'll attempt to do it tonight against rookie left-hander Christian Friedrich (who has lost his last three starts) and whatever reliever Rockies manager Jim Tracy plucks from his bullpen around the fifth or sixth inning.
Gio Gonzalez, meanwhile, seeks to accomplish what Stephen Strasburg could not last night: Earn his 10th win of the season. As you know, I'm not in Colorado for this series, but please continue the conversation below, and I'll even attempt to chime in with some of my own thoughts during the game...
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at COLORADO ROCKIES
Where: Coors Field
Gametime: 8:40 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 189
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 91 degrees, Wind 10 mph LF to RF
NATIONALS (41-30)
2B Danny Espinosa
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Michael Morse
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
LF Tyler Moore
C Jesus Flores
LHP Gio Gonzalez
ROCKIES (28-44)
CF Dexter Fowler
3B Jordan Pacheco
LF Carlos Gonzalez
RF Michael Cuddyer
1B Todd Helton
2B Chris Nelson
C Wilin Rosario
SS Jonathan Herrera
LHP Christian Friedrich
UMPIRES
HP Chris Conroy, 1B Ed Hickox, 2B Mark Carlson, 3B Angel Hernandez (cc)
9:20 p.m. -- Hey everyone, I'm watching tonight's game on TV like the rest of you. Thought I'd share a thought or two. How about the top of the second and third innings for the Nats? Adam LaRoche smokes an opposite-field homer to left. Ryan Zimmerman smokes a base hit to left-center. Michael Morse smokes an opposite-field double to right-center, nearly clearing the fence. That's three really hard-hit balls by the Nats' 3-4-5 hitters in a span of only two innings. When's the last time you could say that? Talk about encouraging developments, not to mention a 3-0 lead for Gio Gonzalez.
9:39 p.m. -- And Gio gives all three runs back in the bottom of the third. Not that his defense helped, especially his rookie left fielder and center fielder. Tyler Moore didn't look real comfortable trying to track down Carlos Gonzalez's RBI double to deep left. And then Bryce Harper slipped and fell trying to pick up Todd Helton's RBI single to center, then made matters worse by airmailing a throw wide of the plate. He had no reason to throw the ball there in the first place, let alone miss the target so badly it allowed another run to score. That was a big-time costly mistake, turning this into a 3-3 game.
10:23 p.m. -- So, everyone who was calling for Rick Eckstein's head this morning is now calling for the Nationals to give him a long-term extension, right? Good lord, what has gotten into the Nats' bats tonight? They just plated five runs in the top of the fifth (this after getting the lead back in the top of the fourth on Gio's RBI single). Where to begin? How about Ryan Zimmerman's 1,000th career hit, also his fifth in 11 at-bats since getting that cortisone shot on Sunday? And how about Ian Desmond's two-run double to deep left after fouling off several two-strike pitches from Guillermo Moscoso? But really, how about Tyler Moore's complete destruction of a Moscoso pitch way back into the left-center field bleachers for a three-run homer? What a bomb. And what a performance by the Nats' lineup, which in only five innings has produced nine runs on 13 hits and staking Gio to a 9-3 lead.
10:47 p.m. -- Barkeep, a round of cortisone shots for all my friends! Seriously, how good does Zimmerman feel right now after homering to make it 10-4 in the sixth? He's now 6-for-12 with two doubles and a homer since getting that giant needle stuck in his right shoulder. ... Wait, now LaRoche goes deep for the second time tonight. It's 12-4 as the Nats score runs faster than I can type.
11:14 p.m. -- The Nats' record for hits in a game is 21 (set on July 11, 2009 at Houston). They've got 19 hits through seven innings, so they've got two more innings to rack up at least two more hits to tie that mark.
11:40 p.m. -- And there it is: Mark DeRosa doubles down the left-field line for the Nats' record-tying, 21st hit of the night.
11:49 p.m. -- That's your ballgame. The Nats win a rare laugher, 12-5. Thanks for following along, everyone. I'll have an analysis post up first thing in the morning.
302 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 302 of 302 Newer› Newest»450 might be a bit much, but then again, I think he shorted Tyler a few rows on the telestrator, so maybe not. Wind has to be at least 20 knots to move those flags like that.
Mark, I know you're filling in the updates on top, but as long as you're "sitting in the bleachers" tonight, come on down and kibbitz? We'll behave. Really, we will.
MicheleS - go to bed. As you pointed out, Slaten is in AAA toight.
Drysdale had his regular game--the kind of game he has against everybody else.
GooooooooooooNats!
Go Tyler Moore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what a ballpark...hot air a mile high and ball flys
We need an inning where we hit the middle of the baseball with the middle of the plate alot. We need innings like this 2 to 3 times a week, plus a few 2 and 3 runnings a week would help to. the 1 at a time method is tough to swallow.
9 runs?!?! Just don't anybody wake me up....
The fielding is killing us tonight, for once it is the offense carrying the team. as the pitcher and defense are slacking off.
Gio is painting the outside corner against lefties. Pretty sure I saw a fan in the front row say WOW after one slider/slurve.
Ok, gnite all. 6:00 taxi to the airport. Still need to pack.
GYFNG! And take the series!
OK, for Michele, and probably 1a: after you left, Zimm nearly got Espinosa killed at second on a shoulda-been double play when he couldn't quite get a handle on the throw, but the 4-6-3 mooted that.
Still 9-4, Nats, after five.
Fire Eckstein.
Just looking to stay consistent folks.
Zimm's hit #1001 just makes the first row for his fourth HR of the year. Yeah, it's Colorado. Nevermind.
10-4 Nats, alto 6.
That's it!
I'm going to get a cortisone shot tomorrow, see if I can feel as good as Zim.
The cortisone shot worked wonders! Why did they wait so long?
OK, that was just silly. LaRoche hit that, and I reflexively pointed up--that's a popup.
11-4.
Although, to be fair, LaRoche did hit the bottom of that ball.
Excuse me, 12-4, and you KNOW they're getting shut out tomorrow, right?
Hey, can I get some of that cortisone stuff. Wow!
So is part of the deal with this 4 starter piggy back thing that they have to leave the second pitcher in the game no matter what happens? This is ridiculous. I feel for the Rockies' fans. Can you imagine what their Rockies Insider type blog is like tonight?
So Moscoso came in with a lead, and it's now 12-4, and he still only has ... ok, now he has 3 outs.
That has to be the biggest hairball EVER.
Eckstein for President.
Section 222.
Come on...when was the last time we scored more then 4 runs. Wish this would happen every night. It would make life a little nicer...hehe
17 hits in 6 innings ....
Rick Eckstein sure is a failure.
Barkeep: A round of cortisone shots for all my friends!
OK, I figure it's safe to duck my head in here now, right?
Wait, you're bringing cortizone shots, and worried that YOU aren't safe??
Welcome to NI In-Game Thread Mark!!! Home of the Over Reaction Theater, the Fire Eck Orchestra, and the We'll Never Stay in 1st Place Dancers....
Welcome, Mark!
Still a tad early for "Oh happy Days!', but getting closer...
Over-Reaction Theater! I like it!
We'll need a script soon.
Good one Swift Eagle
Welcome Mark, nice to have you comments on such a fun night.
OK, Bryce--get a hit here or you're buying the donuts all next week.
Does Davey even remember how to manage with a 7-run lead?
OK, Bryce owes Flores a dozen donuts.
All together now: Where Was Jesus Flores Going?? What Was He Thinking??
Don't blame Jesus, blame Bo.
With the way the ball is flying out, Jesus must have figured he was at the Little League park in Williamsport...only 60 ft between bases there
Geez. Michele is expecting a recap...what are we going to tell her about that??
Jesus Flores went about 70 feet up the line on a couldabeen, but not-to-be, sac fly from Zimm. Bo was giving him the hold sign, if it's any consolation, tho it probably isn't.
Why not Wang to pitch?
Just tell her Zim hit into a DP, she'll believe it. (Sorry Ryan)
Wow, this is like extra innings, but without all the extra innings.
Oh, [stuff]--please don't let this become extra innings.
Oooh, 05, that's cold. True, but so wrong. I like it.
ALL TOGETHER: WHO??
Mark, not everyone was calling for
Ecksteins head
Somebody help me out: WHO is this guy pinch-hitting for the Rockies?
A Wil Nieves sighting! Cool. I liked that guy.
Now strike him out.
Ghost - the only one not calling for his head was Mrs. Eck and Davey.
I wouldn't have minded if Wil had gotten a good knock. We could afford it and I like him that much. I'm glad he is still playing.
But more glad....way way way more glad... That the guys are kicking butt tonight! Whatever the ate or wore today, they have to repeat for ever.
Wasn't he Odalis Perez's personal catcher? Ah those were the days..
Now, SCNF, to be fair, I have always been agnostic on the hitting coach. I believe "sow's ear" was the phrase I used.
All right, were going for our all time hit mark.
One more tie it.
I don't think I've ever called for Eck's head because I just don't think a hitting coach makes any difference. But for those of you actively defended him to say that tonight proves you were right is kind of silly. The Nats have had big offensive nights before. They scored 17 runs or something once last year in Baltimore. Does that mean that critics of Eck are wrong? Does the fact that Zim got three hits tonight mean he is out of his slump? Of course not. Let's see some consistency before we start proclaiming all the problems solved.
Not that I'm not enjoying this big night. :-)
It's fun to have Mark in the sandbox, even though he's not in the press box,
Did they bring in a Slump-buster???
Thanks for the 21-hit record heads-up, Mark. That bloop by Morse was #20.
Here's a semi-serious question for the insider Insiders: Generally, you don't stretch stuff like that into a double when you're up by five after the fifth. But in some situations, like, say, playing in Colo., or Wrigley with the wind blowing out, is there a multiplier for that? Like, up 7 after the 7th?
on the camera shot over the Nats' on-deck hitter's shoulder, there's a kid with the best mohawk I've seen outside of Toronto or SF since the 1970s.
Steve M: I know a lot of you weren't calling for Eckstein's head. Just seems fitting that at the end of a day when so many others were, the Nats would go out and put together their best offensive performance in years.
Sec 222
You are correct about tonight. But the slumps aren't on Eck either. MLB hitting coaches are advisers and provide info on pitchers and feedback on mechanics...they don't have the authority to demand a certain approach by the hitters, it's just not their role..Eck is not the offensive coordinator...
Everybody's a critic.
Just an odd graphic, but they should be more careful. MASN posted a graphic on the screen about "the last 5-hit game for the Nats was..."
Looking up from the laptop, what I saw and did a doubletake on: "the last 5hit game for the Nats..."
OK, this is worth revising:
Home of the Over-Reaction Orchestra, the Fire-Eck Theater , and the We'll Never Stay in 1st Position Dancers ...
And if I win a dinner with Rizzo, I'm going to talk about Ponce baseball the whole time.
for the record, it was a joke. =)
NatsNut said...
I've been saying this all along - Eckstein needs to be extended.
Holly cow Batman!
21 hits!..Where did that come from!
Peric has to be scratching his head how DeRosa got a double and a walk. So much for your 1 for 11 in A ball.
Well, they tied the 21 hits. That's pretty fricken bueno, I guess. Right?
MicheleS said...
Adding Unknown@7:05 to beverage list... (Wonk you are always on the list...)
MicheleS -- good call -- that Unknown@7:05 _was_ me!
(Technical difficulties made it "unknown")
Aww, c'mon, Gonat. It's 12-5 in the 9th, you gotta poke him with a stick now?
What a great night had by all!
Agreed! Fricken Bueno!
GYFNG!
And speaking of PFB---heeeeeeere's Henry!
My nomination for best post of the thread:
Swift Eagle said...
Home of the Over Reaction Theater, the Fire Eck Orchestra, and the We'll Never Stay in 1st Place Dancers....
seconded, Wonk, with enthusiasm
Maybe while waiting for tomorrow nights game to start we could have a spirited discussion on why an Eck coached team can not get passed the 21 hit mark.
Oh Happy days!
You are too kind....Someone please do Michele's line...
Thanks for following along tonight, everyone. I'll be up for a little bit longer writing an analysis piece for the morning.
MarkMeister, even when you're not there,you're there!
Finally the Nats hitters are listening to Eck and Davey!
Ghost Of Steve M. said...
NatsLady, I'm not in panic time. I'm not firing Eckstein yet because I think he is playing with wounded guys. Best thing he can do is pump them up and encourage them.
Morse carried this team on his back last year, I'm hopeful he will do it again.
June 26, 2012 12:34 PM
_________________________________
Ok Steve, you said you aren't firing Eck yet.
Morse with the big 2 run double to put the Nats up 3-0 and a 4 hit night.
I thought Morse's and Desi's hit in a 2 strike count with bases loaded were the biggest hits of the night and credit to all the Nats.
10 Curly W's for Gio is a nice Welcome to the Nats.
My math says Nats BA went from .238 to .242 with this game leapfrogging Miami and Milwaukee into 12th spot in team batting.
Mark Zuckerman said...
Thanks for following along tonight, everyone. I'll be up for a little bit longer writing an analysis piece for the morning.
June 26, 2012 11:50 PM
___________________________
Nice to finally finish a laugher!
Ok, I'll do it..
"WOOO-HOOO!!!"
(Copyright, MicheleS, 2011)
Zim says we've been doing better over the last week. Like when we scored 5 runs in three games against the O's?
Sorry, I really don't mean to be negative. This was a great win, and hopefully the start of a run. I just wish guys wouldn't say stuff like this. Some of us actually follow this team and know what happened in the last week.
NatsJack in Florida said...
So that "crack" I mentioned this morning concerning Eck just got completely sealed by Davey.
Sorry Eck bashers.
June 26, 2012 7:19 PM
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It's the students. I really am liking TyMo's approach. Working to his pitch. Working to his zone.
Zim and Morse with breakout games. Now they need to get Harp jumpstarted.
Congrats to Ryan Z. for 1000 hits as Nat!
It's been a tough season for you, tear it up Ryan!
Section 222 said...
Zim says we've been doing better over the last week. Like when we scored 5 runs in three games against the O's?
Sorry, I really don't mean to be negative. This was a great win, and hopefully the start of a run. I just wish guys wouldn't say stuff like this. Some of us actually follow this team and know what happened in the last week.
June 27, 2012 12:03 AM
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Yep, unless he was counting this game 3 times since they more than tripled their runs output in 1 game.
This was so much fun I actually went back and read all 290 comments!!
MichelleS - we need to buy you whatever you need for sticking up for the Nationals just about every day in every way.
Funny but once we got way ahead I did not see posts from JayB, Peric, Phil etc. Do we only have to do poorly for some people to pontificate?
Love that DeRosa had the 21st hit and was on base both at bats tonight. Seems like lots of the younger players are glad he is back but of course JayB wants Juan Pierre who is hitting a robust .208 and probably would be pouting about not getting playing time here.
OK, no more piling on, just enjoying that 3.5 game lead and the fact we are 12 games over .500 once again.
Mark, thanks for the updates in the actual post and how great to see you playing along with the "littles" here as well.
Go Nats!!!
I think if the Nats gave those Gloom and Doom NI fans gold bars, they'd complain about them being too heavy...I bet they'll be on here bashing the design of the Nats World Series rings one day...
Eagle, that goes without saying. I mean, really, a Rally Napkin on the rings?
Swift Eagle, sure, there are Doomy Gloomy people and some outlandish comments but there are also some well thought out ideas and observations and some may seem negative. It has been a tough 10 days.
Its easy to be complimentary after a 12 run barage and Wednesday is a new day. The hope I think we all have is that this is a start for Morse and Zim as the 3, 4, 5 guys can carry this team.
Probably silly to be posting on something that I will not come back and read comments on, and probably no one will comment anyway but I just looked at attendance for the night. After selling out 2 of 3 and going well over 40,000 for the 3rd game against those FIRST PLACE Washington Nationals, the O's only draw 24,000 against Albert Pujols and the Angels. Also Colorado had 36,000 for those FIRST PLACE Washington Nationals tonight so even though there are certain NI's who see gloom and doom for our plucky lads, they are now a big draw in major league baseball. I am expecting huge crowds when we return home, and I have used Red Carpet to go the 5th, 6th and &7th (actually the 5th is part of my 20 game package)
Go Nats!!
Go Nats!
Lol..Awesome NatsLady! I'm waiting for the day JayB is on here questioning the route of the Nats World Series Victory Parade...
"How could they go down Constitution Ave, when other more prominent streets are avail? It's not my job to mention them here, but they're out there"
Swift Eagle, now that is funny.
Nevertheless, SJM, it's a good point. Strasburg, Gio, Harper, and the rest of the Nats are packing them in. Which is good, since the visiting team gets a cut of the gate.
Well said Gonat...the well thought posts (and Mark's coverage) are what keep me coming back...
https://twitter.com/#!/RallyNapkin is already a NatsTown Twitter sensation.
Swift Eagle said...
Well said Gonat...the well thought posts (and Mark's coverage) are what keep me coming back...
June 27, 2012 12:25 AM
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Even Davey got in on it saying the Nats batters make a lot of pitchers look like Sandy Koufax. Davey should know.
Trivia - Davey Johnson got the last hit off of Koufax in his career which happened in the 1966 World Series.
Well now - I made a vow to watch the game and just enjoy it. Wasn't hard at all after the first couple of innings. I rather enjoyed it a lot. Nothing to it. No stress. My goodness, though, Tyler Moore hit that ball a mile. What a night. Hope Jordan is not expecting this tomorrow. He usually doesn't even get 3.
Lannan allowed 1ER for Syracuse for 5th time in last 6 GS. Quality MLB pitcher in AAA. How many AAA pitchers started in #MLB tonight? #Nats
And said agent failed to tell you why Michele now didn't he? It turns out the reason the Nats pitching staff (and especially AAAA pitcher John Lannan) have suddenly dramatically improved while the offense continues to rake? From right out of the movies ... a journeyman, but very professional, extremely competent defensive catcher named Koyie Hill. Given the rave reviews and his movie script story is it any wonder Johnny boy decided to shape up? How can act like a schmuck and look this guy in the eye? He can't. ~smiles~ Kudos to Rizzo for picking up a guy who may be right up there with the best defensive catchers the Nats have and a very good reason why Sandy Leon will be returned to Harrisburg.
The Chiefs have a 10 game winning streak and it started when he became their catcher.
I have used Red Carpet to go the 5th, 6th and &7th (actually the 5th is part of my 20 game package
Hmmm, strongly suggest that Natsfan1a, NatsNut, and MicheleS and too many others avoid sitting behind the visitors dugout. Because a certain newer fan but famous DC sports fan named Robin Ficker might be there ...
I wouldn't mind sitting next to him at all at all ... but some of you folks? ~smiles~ Ha!
The interview Davey Johnson gave today defending Eckstein brought back shades of his vigorous stance to keep Bill Robinson as his batting coach with the Mets.
The boys proved two things tonight: One, they're firmly behind their embattled hitting instructor. Two, yeah, they do have a lot of talent.
Somebody on the radio broadcast team has a sense of humor. After Tyler Moore's epic blast, the bumper leading to the commercial was "More, More, More" the awful 1976 disco number by The Andrea True Connection.
I see peric crawled out from under his rock when he felt safe.
Wait--I'm so confused. I thought the hitters were raking in 'Cuse and that's why they were on a streak.
The Chiefs have a 10 game winning streak and it started when he became their catcher.
Aw, I shouldn't make fun of peric. We're all ~smiling~ this morning...
...teams are averaging a major league-leading 12.75 runs and three homers a game at Coors Field.
OK, I guess we shouldn't get too excited. Still fun, though.
isn't zimmerman supposed to be injured? geez, someone tell him that.
man if going to sleep early means I get to see this kind of box score, I am all for it. Very happy!!
Thanks for the game update!!! It was great to go back and read all the comments. Especially since it was a rare laugher.
Peric, if you read my post from Lannan's agent (and didn't cut out my part of the comment), you would see that my comment was the Agent was getting involved - again. Who cares how Lannan won the game or who you think is responsible for it.
Seconding the thanks for the game updates from Mark and sec3.
(Re. peric's comment on the fancy-schmancy seats near the heckler, no worries there, as I tend to frequent the upper deck at Nats Park. I'll leave the seats behind the dish for the swells. ;-))
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