Friday, July 6, 2012

Game 81: Rockies at Nats

File photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Stephen Strasburg faces the Rockies tonight at Nationals Park.
After feasting on what was supposed to be a daunting pitching trio from San Francisco -- Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain -- the Nationals now get to spend the weekend taking their hacks against a Rockies staff that boasts an MLB-worst 5.36 ERA. Look out.

Speaking of looking out, Stephen Strasburg will have to be careful dealing with extreme weather conditions yet again. After suffering from hat exhaustion in Atlanta on Saturday, he'll get only a slight reprieve tonight, with the forecast calling for a reading of 97 degrees at first pitch.

Though there are still three games until the All-Star break, tonight marks the official halfway point of the season. A victory would leave the Nats at 49-32, on pace for 98 wins. A loss would leave them at 48-33, still on pace for 96 wins. I would think everyone out there would have taken that on Opening Day, right?

I'm off this weekend; heading out of town for a family event the next two days and then heading to Kansas City on Sunday in advance of the All-Star Game. Never fear, though, because Chase Hughes of CSNwashington.com will be here all weekend and will post updates...

COLORADO ROCKIES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 185
Weather: Mostly clear, 97 degrees, Wind 5 mph LF to RF
NATIONALS (48-32)

2B Danny Espinosa

CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman

RF Michael Morse
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
LF Tyler Moore
C Jesus Flores
RHP Stephen Strasburg

ROCKIES (31-51)

CF Dexter Fowler

2B Marco Scutaro
LF Carlos Gonzalez
RF Michael Cuddyer
1B Tyler Colvin
3B Jordan Pacheco
C Wil Nieves
SS Jonathan Herrera
LHP Drew Pomeranz

UMPIRES
HP Jim Joyce
1B Mike Dimuro
2B Jim Reynolds
3B James Hoye

6:55 p.m. -- Ryan Zimmerman received the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award before the game for his charitable work with the ziMS Foundation and Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, and Ian Desmond were given their 2012 N.L. All-Star Game jerseys.

7:14 p.m. --
Strasburg sets down the Rockies' 1-2-3 capped by an eight-pitch strikeout of Carlos Gonzalez. Stras through one has thrown 16 pitches (10 strikes).

7:21 p.m. -- Three up, three down for Nats in first inning as Zimmerman flew out to first to end the inning. Pomeranz is touching 95 with his fastball and throwing strikes.

7:27 p.m. -- Tyler Colvin popped up behind the plate but Jesus Flores muffed the catch at his waist for an error. Two pitches later Colvin crushed his 12th homer of the year into the right field upper deck.

7:31 p.m. -- Strasburg strikes out the next two batters (Pacheco, Nieves) to end the top of the second. Pacheco whiffed on a 96 mph fastball and Nieves chased a curve way out of the zone. 1-0 Rockies as the Colvin run goes down as unearned.

7:37 p.m. -- Nats go down in order in the bottom of the second. Through two they are hitless and yet to hit it out of the infield. Pomeranz wasn't quite as sharp commanding the zone in the second, but just as effective overall. He has thrown 22 pitches (15 strikes) so far.

7:56 p.m. -- Jesus Flores reached base on an errant throw with one out in the third inning. Strasburg placed a nice sacrifice bunt to get Flores to second, but a quick fly out to the shortstop by Danny Espinosa sends us to the fourth. Pomeranz has thrown 34 pitches, 24 of them strikes. Strasburg starts the fourth having thrown 49 pitches through three with five strikeouts.

8:07 p.m. -- Tyler Colvin strikes again, this time on a full count and the tenth pitch of the at-bat. Colvin lined a two-run homer (13th of the year) right over the right field scoreboard to make it a 3-0 game. Carlos Gonzalez came in to the score after walking to lead off the inning.

8:18 p.m. -- The Nats go without a run in the fourth, but did get their first hit with a shallow single to center by Bryce Harper. Pomeranz has been strong despite defensive mistakes by his teammates. Through four he has thrown 47 pitches (34 strikes), allowed one hit, and struck out four.

8:31 p.m. -- Strasburg gets through the top of the fifth after two men get one base. Herrera singled to right to lead off and Fowler worked 11 pitches before singling to right with one out. Scutaro then grounded into a double play to end the side. Strasburg has thrown 89 pitches (61 strikes) in five innings of work (5 H, 1 BB, 5 SO).

8:39 p.m. -- After getting Desmond and Moore to quickly fly out, Pomeranz looked shaky in walking Flores on four pitches. He threw two balls to start off against Strasburg, but then settled in with three straight strikes. He got Strasburg to whiff on a 92 mph fastball to end the inning. Still 3-0 Rockies heading into the sixth.

8:52 p.m. -- Three Rockies singles loaded the bases with one out off Strasburg in the sixth as the Nationals' ace eclipsed the 100 pitch mark. He got out of the jam with a double play turned by Ryan Zimmerman and Jesus Flores who got Wil Nieves at first for the inning-ending out. Strasburg with 107 pitches through six (75 strikes). Rough day but still a quality start (2 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 6 SO, 2 HR). 3-0 Rockies in the bottom of the sixth.

9:02 p.m. -- Bryce Harper drew a one out walk in the sixth, but both Zimmerman and Morse flied out deep to end the inning. Tom Gorzelanny is in to replace Strasburg in the 7th.

9:07 p.m. -- Dexter Fowler takes a 2-1 pitch to right-center for a solo home run, his 11th of the year. Rockies now lead 4-0 in the top of the seventh on three total homers in the game.

9:17 p.m. -- Reliever Matt Belisle enters the game for Pomeranz after LaRoche strikes out to lead off. Pomeranz exits after 6.1 with 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO. He threw 81 pitches (53 strikes) in an all-around solid start. He could have had a no-hitter if it weren't for a misplayed fly ball by Herrera in the fourth to let Harper aboard.

9:31 p.m. -- Carlos Gonzalez led off the eighth inning with a blistering double to center field over Bryce Harper's head. Ryan Matheus entered the game and let Gonzalez steal third after noticing him running late. Michael Cuddyer then hit a deep ball to right field to sacrifice Gonzalez home. 5-0 Rockies.

9:46 p.m. -- On to the ninth inning as Henry Rodriguez takes the mound for the Nats. He will face Nieves to lead off.

9:57 p.m. -- Ryan Zimmerman leads off with a 1-1 home run to left field. 5-1 Rockies now.

10:03 p.m. -- Morse doubled to deep right and then LaRoche shanked a single to move Morse to third. Rafael Betancourt enters the game for Colorado in attempt to stop the bleeding here in the ninth. Two men on and no outs, still 5-1 Rockies.

10:11 p.m. -- Ian Desmond strikes out, a pinch-hitting Bernadina lined out, and Flores popped out to end the rally and the game. 5-1 Rockies over the Nationals.

96 comments:

Ratiocinational said...

Don't get me started on hat exhaustion...I've had it and it's no fun! ; )
Have a good vacation!

baseballswami said...

Bryce on MLB. Great kid but a walking, talking , cliche machine. Conducts himself well.

Kirbs said...

This is my fave line-up...missing lambo tho. Should we petition for 4 outfielders like slow pitch softball?

SonnyG10 said...

Have a good weekend off Mark.

Speaking of heat exhaustion, I'm going to chance it myself and go to the game tonight. Hope our boys put on a great show for me. I wouldn't mind a laugher tonight. I'm in the PNC Diamond section so if it gets too hot, I'll just duck into the a/c.

Oh, and Stephen Strasburg will get shut down after his inning limit is hit.

Positively Half St. said...

It seems that the trade rumors are starting to include the Nats, and that will certainly feed our conversations pretty well. We have to steel ourselves to lose someone or a few people that we are pretty attached to. For instance, we will need to be realistic and not overly emotional if Tyler Moore leaves as just one part of a trade, or if we never see Alex Meyer in DC. Unlike in 2005, when the team gave up pretty much nothing to get nothing (Preston Wilson), the team is honestly looking to win this year, and might have to make a deal that only looks at the short term.

+1/2St.

Steady Eddie said...

walking, talking cliche machine

I would be stunned if his Dad didn't show him the scene of interview training a la Crash Davis about 15 times by the time he reached Southern Nevada CC.

Or if he didn't, his coach at SN did.

Or Scott Boras.

Or the locker room attendant at Hagerstown.

Most likely all four.

baseballswami said...

He actually said that he should have told the reporter "That's a clown question, MEAT" like in Bull Durham. I love this kid.

Steady Eddie said...

swami -- did he REALLY say that?

That's awesome.

To quote my 11 year old daughter, "I LOVE this TEAM!"

NatsNut said...

Waaah. I hate this part.

Positively Half St. said...
...We have to steel ourselves to lose someone or a few people that we are pretty attached to...

Anonymous said...

One final note on the Giants series. This from today's San Francisco Chronicle:

EXCERPT:

In three days, the best team in the National League gave the Giants a lesson in how to play postseason-quality baseball.

"We played Texas and Anaheim," second baseman Ryan Theriot said. "Those are two really good teams. In my mind, these guys are right up there."

END OF EXCERPT

Man that was fun to read. Post-season quality baseball! Right there with the Rangers and Angels. Look out!

baseballswami said...

Steady Eddie- he absolutely did.And he handled that subject well, of course. He loves playing baseball, his teammates, DC and the fans very,very, much. So sincere.

NCNatsie said...

What a lineup!

2B Danny Espinosa - Unstoppable right handed

CF Bryce Harper - Will own the record book someday

3B Ryan Zimmerman - FoF and red hot again

RF Michael Morse - Now as good as last year (when he hit .303 w/ 31 HRs - only 2 NL players did better in both stats, Braun and Kemp, who finished 1-2 in the MVP voting.)

1B Adam LaRoche - On pace for 100 RBI

SS Ian Desmond - On pace for 30 HR

LF Tyler Moore - Hitting .328, Clutch hit last night

C Jesus Flores - Everything you want in a catcher

RHP Stephen Strasburg - Best hitting pitcher in the NL, but hope he doesn't get on base at all tonight. Too hot to waste energy because he's also the best pitching pitcher in the NL.

baseballswami said...

I hope Stephen has a very calm night. I feel that both he and Gio tend to waste some energy out there emotionally. I love their passion, but if they can keep it in check and channel it, they might both be better off.

natsfan1a said...

Have a good weekend, Mark. Will look forward to some Kansas City dispatches.

Jayson Werth may have schooled him as well, Eddie.

Speaking of Preston, and of nothing from nothing. (Was that deliberate, PHS? :-))

Last but not least: Go, Stephen! Go, NATS BATS!!

natsfan1a said...

(btw, no disrespect to Wilson. I just like that song. :-))

Doc said...

Good stuff NCNatsie!

I'm a big fan of JFo's old style catching too--just wish he'd lay the outside breaking stuff at the plate.

Hey MarkMeister, it's not too late to revise your predictions of 84 Nats wins this season. So far I think I've got you beat with 92. With any luck they'll win 96-97.

Of all the action last night, I really enjoyed Espi's HR. He's go a bit of a hitting streak going.

GooooooooooooNaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaats!!!!

peric said...

So, who is going to volunteer to be the PNat's mascot for the rest of the season replacing Uncle Slam?

peric said...

Meanwhile, its high time T-Mo broke out with one of his patented multi-home games ... I think @CBrown83 might need some inspiration from above.

NatsLady said...

So they are reviewing possible NL MVP candidates, and they run through Votto and McCutch and David Wright (using WAR) and they get to the Nats, and lo, there is NO STAR. Desi, ALR, and Harper are all sitting at 1.7 WAR. This is a true team... it's great to see.

BTW, love for DJ as MOY. Considering what this team has been through, and the expectations before the season started, and where we are now, you have to feel that is a possibility. He sure out-coached Bochy (among others).

peric said...

the team is honestly looking to win this year, and might have to make a deal that only looks at the short term.

+1/2St.


@1/2 Street,

I firmly believe ownership has bought into the notion of not making any dramatic moves unless they are both for the short-term (this year) AND the long-term.

That means you aren't going to see the Nats doing what that nut Chris Needham seems to espouse: trading prospects from a 35+ year old slugger and I don't really care if its Pujols. It would NOT be the right move for this team; the strategy (Werth being the unfortunate exception) IS working and we are seeing the results are we not?

So, why change the strategy? The only reason might be because the new CBA has cut an enormous hole in one major thrust of that strategy: acquiring high-ceiling, young talent no matter what the cost in the draft and then developing them internally.

But, again, I only see them trading for young to very young prospects that they were unable to acquire in the draft. And from the looks of things ... so far ... the 2012 draft could end up marked as a close to complete failure ...
we'll have to see what Stanford's Brett Moneyham is like. Hopefully, he is money like his name.

baseballswami said...

So we started the season with airtight pitching and scoring a paltry few runs per game. Now our pitching has "relaxed" a little and the guys are smacking the ball around the park. The team seems to change personalities every so often. Late inning heroics? Early runs scored? Starting pitching? Bullpen? No predictability here. So exciting. Must see TV.

baseballswami said...

and NatsLady - I completely agree with you on this team being a true team where everyone is a star and no one is a star. I love it that way.

peric said...

Desi, ALR, and Harper are all sitting at 1.7 WAR. This is a true team... it's great to see.

I expect Desmond's, Zimmerman's, Morse's, Moore's and yes, Espinosa's WAR to rise quite a bit in the second half.

Right now the overall bRAA sits at -18.4 and the wOBA at 0.315 which is still WELL BELOW average as predicted and expected ... UNTIL the young prospect hitters start to "get it". That appears to be happening as we watch. They've managed to cut the bRAA deficit more than 1/2. Which indicates that the WAR's should rise.

On the other side the rotation sits at +42.1 pRAA. That's enormous! But, I'd expect that to drop significantly with the loss of Strasburg.

On the other hand the bullpen's pRAA sits at +18.0 which is superlative. It could potentially get better with the return of Storen.

So, right now I expect to see the bRAA rise closer to MLB average as the season progresses but the rotation pRAA to drop from its lofty levels with strong improvement to the bullpen pRAA in the 2nd half. That barring a trade say for someone like Grienke. If they bring Grienke in one could expect the rotation pRAA to push into the stratosphere statistically.

peric said...

To demonstrate what I've been saying about Harper's effect:

Top players in terms of wOBA and bRAA:

Bryce Harper: 0.385 wOBA +12.6 bRAA
Adam LaRoche: 0.358 wOBA +8.6 bRAA
Ian Desmond 0.343 wOBA +5.6 bRAA
Tyler Moore 0.390 wOBA +3.0 bRAA
Danny Espinosa 0.322 wOBA -0.1 bRAA (average)

As you can see the top hitters are all young recently former and
current prospects. Except LaRoche. That is an excellent sign.

Have to expect Morse and Zimmerman (with cortisone) to rise up
to those levels reasonably soon.

Right now Morse is at -5.3 bRAA and Zimmerman at -6.3.

Jim Webster said...

94 wins? 96? Heck I'm hoping for 100.

Drew said...

Peric: You keep suggesting that this year's draft is a washout if Giolito doesn't sign. How can we possibly know that?

This team got Tyler Moore in the 16th round, Lombo in the 19th, Rosenbaum in the 22nd and Peacock in the 41st.

I have faith in the Nats' bird dogs. We have no idea what gems they've unearthed.

peric said...

Now looking at the pitching:

Adjusted defense/park neutral tRA and pRAA (used to calculate the WAR)

Gio Gonazlez: 2.28 tRA, 19.0 pRAA (superb / All Star)
Stephen Strasburg: 2.50 tRA, 18.0 pRAA (superb/ All Star)
Ross Detwiler 2.99 tRA, 9.2 pRAA (excellent)
Edwin Jackson 3.83 tRA, 4.9 pRAA (very good!)
Jordan Zimmermann 4.49 tRA, -2.1 pRAA (somewhat below average)

I'm expecting Zimmermann to improve dramatically in the 2nd half. But they lose Stras in September. Couild J. Zimmnn make up for Stras's loss?

Bullpen

Tyler Clippard: 0.85 tRA, +13.4 pRAA (superb)
Sean Burnett; 2.40 tRA, +5.8 pRAA (very good)
Craig Stammen: 3.05 tRA, +5.7 pRAA (very good)
Michael Gonzalez: 2.84 tRA, +1.3 pRAA (average to good)
Tom Gorzelanny: 4.34 tRA 0.0 pRAA (average)

peric said...

Peric: You keep suggesting that this year's draft is a washout if Giolito doesn't sign. How can we possibly know that?

Pretty much the consensus of all the scouts, Fangraphs, NFA_Brian, NationalsProspects ... need I go on? The Nats intentionally went "frugal" (read cheap) to save funds in the top 10 rounds in a risky move to attempt signing Lucas Giolito who may be the top pitching talent in the draft.

Right now Renda doesn't look like much in Auburn and he was the 2nd round pick.

Look at this way @Drew ... where did Brian Goodwin start off this year? And Alex Meyer? In Hagerstown right? Where did Anthony Rendon and Matt Purke start out? Purke in the AZ Fall League and then A+ Potomac. Rendon in A+ Potomac.

How many of the college choices in this year's draft have started above Auburn? How many do you think will graduate to Hagerstown next season?
Sparse few unfortunately ... this year's draft will be a huge challenge for the Nat's player development folks. HUGE.

baseballswami said...

Giolito has no financial motive to sign - his family is extremely wealthy. He may just want the college experience. I think we actually drafted Tyler Moore 3 times? By the way , I love stats but the alphabet soup above is starting to make my eyes glaze over. Go Nats!

peric said...

Giolito has no financial motive to sign - his family is extremely wealthy. He may just want the college experience.

Unless precluded by the CBA I expect the Nats will throw in the whole college education experience: unlimited just like McGreary. Of course doubtless they will be reluctant about him attempting what McGreary did: major league baseball and a tough school like Stanford all at once.

peric said...

Giolito represents a case where Ted Lerner and the Lerner's must step in to try to bring the kid on board somehow, someway.

Giolito's Hollywood parents may have money but its peanuts compared to what the Lerner's have.

JaneB said...

Half way through! It's going sooooo fast and I'm enjoying every minute of it.

We shouldn't make any trades. We are good to go. Trade one of our guys and you tilt the apple cart. And may I say how glad I am that we HAVE to be past the point of ever trading Desi. Phew.

peric said...

We shouldn't make any trades. We are good to go. Trade one of our guys and you tilt the apple cart. And may I say how glad I am that we HAVE to be past the point of ever trading Desi. Phew.

Do you option Lombardozzi back to Syracuse or trade him for prospects or a part of a package to get a Grienke? Strasburg will be shut down. And Wang does not look like a solution more of a problem.

peric said...

Someone has to go when Werth comes back and I wouldn't part with T-Mo. He is better than Werth over the long-term offensively ... defensively is another matter :)

Methinks its Lombo since Davey isn't going to part with DeRosa.

Drew said...

Last year's bonanza draft haul was a bit of an anomaly as the Nats spent big to get out ahead of the CBA changes.

It's very unusual to get a haul like the Nats' got last year -- with Rendon, Meyer, Goodwin, Purke, Skole in one draft.

The point is they always find players like Milone in the 10th round and Stammen in the 12th.

baseballswami said...

Does anyone see us going the distance with Nady? I just don't see enough value for him to hold down one of those valuable spots. I don't want to part with anyone!

peric said...

The point is they always find players like Milone in the 10th round and Stammen in the 12th.

That's just the point. They didn't do that this year. Look up Nate Karn's bonus in the 12th round in 2009. It was $225,000; third highest that year.
Sure looks like he was worth it. He looks a lot better than Silver Spike's runner up AJ Morris at the level he is at. Rizzo, Clark et al know their stuff.

The 2nd and 3rd round picks in 2012 didn't even get close to that high. And the talent level is significantly lower. The only player who is at or exceeds the talent level of most of the 2009 top 15 pitchers is Giolito. Same is true in 2010. Same is true for 2011.


Things are different now.

peric said...

Let's see we've had the rally napkin, the rally carp. What's next the rally hydrant after FP? :)

Holden Baroque said...

FOR TOMORROW'S PUPS AT THE PARK: 'DON'T'--WHS

The Washington Humane Society is recommending folks do NOT bring dogs to the game.

Note to July 7 Pups in the Park Ticket Holders: DUE TO THE JULY 7 HEAT ADVISORY, PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG TO THE GAME AND FOLLOW OUR HEAT SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

Holden Baroque said...

The Rally Hydrant would be perfect for this weather! Good call.

peric said...

Bottom line: They absolutely MUST find a way to sign Lucas Giolito. Losing him is not an option. But it may still happen and it would be somewhat catastrophic organizationally. And anyone who tells you it isn't is lying.

baseballswami said...

Rizzo coming up on MLB to explain yet again , for the millionth time, that Stephen Strasburg will not pitch a full season. I wonder if he will ask them to read his lips.

Holden Baroque said...

I think Drew meant something more like Mike Piazza, Ryne Sandberg, Jorge Posada, Keith Hernandez, Jeff Conine ... I could go on and on and on (can I ever!).

Lots of very solid major leaguers get drafted late and don't show much at first; pretty much nobody saw them coming, including experts, who's predictions are better than mine, usually, but are still only predictions, not facts. Good guesses are good, but they're still guesses.

Holden Baroque said...

That said, if they don't sign him, they get a supplemental pick next year. They wouldn't have drafted him if they didn't meant to sign him, and I'm confident they will (FWIW), but if it doesn't happen, they're still a very good team.

Holden Baroque said...

In other words, it wouldn't be trivial, but nobody would lose their jobs over it, except maybe Giolito's agent.

natsfan1a said...

sec3, was just looking at my calendar for this weekend and noticed that it was pups tomorrow, then wondered whether they'd be brought out in that weather. (Not that I have a dog in that hunt, so to speak, being more of a cat person myself. :-))

baseballswami said...

I saw some warnings put out by the humane society that people should not bring their dogs tomorrow .

MicheleS said...

Does this mean we get to pick on Chase this weekend? ;-)

baseballswami said...

We could, Michele - but where is everyone? At the game?

UnkyD said...

Ratiocinational: would you, perchance, be acquainted with Ms. Peabody...?

baseballswami said...

Who is doing the catching for the Rockies?

Gonat said...

Flores drops the ball in front of Mark Lerner and that error turns into a long HR

Gonat said...

Flores drops the ball in front of Mark Lerner and that error turns into a long HR

Gonat said...

baseballswami, I think it's WHO

baseballswami said...

I think you are correct Gonat!

baseballswami said...

And perhaps it's our catcher who needed and iv?

MicheleS said...

Yup... i am at the game tonight!

Gonat said...

Yep, can't give hot hitters 2 outs

waddu eye no said...

swami - about the alphabet soup:

i think praa is where players in san juan go to get sober.

Gonat said...

Nats defenders not helping their pitcher. Morse on a bad read on a bloop that hung up.

baseballswami said...

Waddu eye no - so it's going to be one of those nights? I certainly hope so. Sometimes during Nats games I need an iv sense of humor. Flores and Morse both with makeable outs already. I hope this doesn't come back to bite them.

waddu eye no said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
waddu eye no said...

swami -

fear not. think of how we bit back at cain last night in the seventh.

btw - anyone at the game - did they turn the "entertainment" back on or are they letting the crowd enjoy the game? i'm sure the team has heard plenty of the thank yous for staying out of the crowd's way last night. it was such a pleasure

Gonat said...

These 1st pitch swings are not good. Morse and Espinosa! You have a starter on a low pitch count. Don't help him, please.

peric said...

Looks to me like they really do need the #RallyHydrant ... really hot!

baseballswami said...

Gonat. Totally agree. Short pitch leash, only Tyler Moore worked him at all.

Gonat said...

Can I say again how leadoff walks always bite you in the ...

peric said...

4 change ups in one at bat is 1 to many.

Doesn't want to get yanked followed by IV and 3 bags. I think he's pacing himself ... mebbe a little too much?

peric said...

Morse: hamstring is bothering him big-time you can tell ... #DL time. He doesn't heal playing.

baseballswami said...

Is there some kind contest going on to see who can make an out the fastest?

Tim said...

Looks like we came out flat tonight. Low energy. Last place opponent. Quiet crowd. We need a Bryce boost to get us goin.

baseballswami said...

Justin Christian of the Giants and Tyler Colvin of the Rockies - hitters extraordinaire and Nat killers. Who saw that coming? Definitely appears to be a let down going on after the big series vs the Giants.

baseballswami said...

Super quiet here, too. Three runs is not so much with three innings to go. IF Gorzelanny doesn't give up any more and IF the Nats can hit the next pitcher.

NatsLady said...

Morse bad in RF. Need Werth. Sorry, peric.

waddu eye no said...

gorzo on defense!

peric said...

Morse bad in RF. Need Werth. Sorry, peric.

Seen this in 2010. Hamstring is bothering Morse ... seems like he needs the #DL.

As for Werth, after another injury to the same wrist? Kind of like your predictions about how well CM Wang would pitch? No way Werth is going to be the same ... especially on defense but also on defense.

In other words don't ask you might get your wish and rue the day.

NatsNutty said...

Nats playing DOWN to the level of their opponent... and losing. Not good.

baseballswami said...

Did I say IF Gorzelanny doesn't give up any more ?

peric said...

Stammen can't pitch every night ... and he had a bad night as well as I recall #justlastnight

peric said...

Its time for the #RallyHydrant.

NatsLady said...

So, Gorzy, every other outing (at least), Gorzy gives up a run. Also looks like he's put on a few, right in the midsection.

baseballswami said...

How is his era not terrible? Must be that he gives up inherited runs because it feels like he always gives up runs. Stammen did last night, but not usually. Still, with no offense at all. I mean one hit in seven innings? Has our offense ever gone that deep with only one hit?

Secret wasian man said...

Worst game I've seen in years. I'll stay home from now on. In the words do bob ueker kin major league. One hit, that's it one:::::::: damn hit

baseballswami said...

Really. It's not the 5 runs scored by the Rockies that bothers me , we know they can hit. It's the one lousy hit and the terrible at bats. It's back to the getting out on 1 and 2 pitches. Just awful.

NatsLady said...

Morse must have heard me. That was much better. :-):-)

baseballswami said...

So how about a few hits just to save face a little bit?

baseballswami said...

So Harper and Lombardozzi with the only hits - 2 of the least experienced hitters in major league baseball. In the context of this last couple of weeks, I guess we should just find this one game humorous?

waddu eye no said...

1 down, 4 to go

baseballswami said...

NIIIIICE! Way to erase the zero, Zim!!!

waddu eye no said...

news - the germans just bombed pearl harbor.

waddu eye no said...

sigh....

mick said...

One of those games. I have no problem with it. My only negative comment pertains to Gorzo... he ALWAYS gives up a run. I hope he is the one Storen replaces.. i know he is a lefty, but i would rather have Stammen and perhaps HRod as the middle relief

mick said...

Davey a little edgy with media...

mick said...

we should take 2 of 3 against Rockies, i think Mets lost tonight, Braves will win so 4 and 1/2 up on both

Bigfish said...

"7:31 p.m. .... Nieves chased a curve way out of the zone."

So glad he's doing that for some other team & not the Nats. He used to drive me to distraction with his inability to lay off pitches in the opposite batter's box.

natsfan1a said...

I nominate Teddy.

So, who is going to volunteer to be the PNat's mascot for the rest of the season replacing Uncle Slam?

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