Saturday, July 14, 2012

Game 85: Nats at Marlins

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Lefties Gio Gonzalez and Mark Buehrle square off tonight at Marlins Park.
MIAMI -- Mike Rizzo sat in his suite at the Winter Meetings on Dec. 7 and expressed optimism the Nationals were going to sign Mark Buehrle to a three-year contract. The free agent left-hander and the Nats met in person and Rizzo believed "there was a connection there."

Within the hour, Buehrle signed a four-year, $58 million contract with the Marlins, leaving Rizzo and the Nationals to acquire a starting pitcher from somewhere else. Turns out that pitcher came from Oakland. His name was Gio Gonzalez, and he cost the Nats four top prospects in a trade.

Seven months later, the Nationals have no complaints about how the situation resolved itself. And tonight, they'll send Gonzalez (an All-Star with a 12-3 record and 2.92 ERA) to the mound against none other than Buehrle (8-8 with a 3.25 ERA) in a juicy twist of fate.

Plenty of updates to come, so please check back...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at MIAMI MARLINS
Where: Marlins Park
Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 184
Weather: Indoors
NATIONALS (50-34)
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

MARLINS (41-45)
SS Jose Reyes
2B Omar Infante
1B Carlos Lee
RF Justin Ruggiano
3B Hanley Ramirez
CF Emilio Bonifacio
LF Donovan Solano
C John Buck
LHP Mark Buehrle

UMPIRES
HP Eric Cooper, 1B Marty Foster, 2B D.J. Reyburn, 3B Jeff Kellogg (cc)

6:30 p.m. -- Some pregame news to pass along: Sean Burnett says he's been dealing with tightness in his left elbow for about six weeks. He doesn't believe it's anything serious and says it actually feels better when he pitches, but Davey Johnson didn't rule out the possibility of a DL stint. Full story here.

7:05 p.m. -- Pudge Rodriguez is here tonight being honored by the Marlins for his role in helping them win the 2003 World Series. He and Jeff Conine just re-created the final out of the NLDS from that year against the Giants, with Conine firing a pretty decent throw from shallow left field to the plate. Sadly, J.T. Snow wasn't here to plow over Pudge, because that really would have made the whole thing authentic. I chatted for a few minutes with Pudge, who seems to be adjusting to retirement quite well. He did acknowledge that the Nats called him in May after Wilson Ramos tore his ACL to see if he'd have interest coming back to D.C. "I told my agent to tell them: Leave the old man alone!" Rodriguez said with a laugh.

7:10 p.m. -- And we're underway with a quick strike from Mark Buehrle to Danny Espinosa. Get used to that; Buehrle is one of the fastest workers in baseball.

7:15 p.m. -- See what I mean? Buehrle was all business in the top of the first. He did surrender a two-out double to Ryan Zimmerman, who continues to rake at the plate. But he still needed only 13 pitches (10 strikes) to get through the inning, and that included strikeouts of both Danny Espinosa and Michael Morse.

7:24 p.m. -- What a battle between Gio Gonzalez and Jose Reyes to kick off the bottom of the first. Reyes kept fouling off everything Gio fired up there. Finally on the 13th pitch of the at-bat, he popped up to first base. Gio breathed a sigh of relief, then set down Omar Infante and Carlos Lee on five pitches, giving him a total of 18 for the inning.

7:34 p.m. -- Six up, six down for Gio, who has his "A" curveball going tonight. Caught both Justin Ruggiano and Hanley Ramirez looking at it in the bottom of the second. It remains scoreless as we head to the third.

7:40 p.m. -- Mark Buehrle, doing what Mark Buehrle does best. He's needed a total of 26 pitches (20 strikes) to face 11 batters so far over three innings. The Nats even have three hits off him. The guy just throws so many strikes, they can't afford to take pitches and fall behind in the count.

7:46 p.m. -- Nine up and nine down for Gio, who is in complete control tonight. His curveball is simply devastating, producing five strikeouts. We go to the fourth, still a scoreless game.

7:56 p.m. -- And there's the first hit of the night for the Marlins, a solid single up the middle by Reyes to lead off the fourth.

8:04 p.m. -- And there's the first run of the night as Carlos Lee sends an RBI single to center, scoring Reyes from second. Gio seemed really preoccupied with Reyes on the bases and may have paid the price for it. That said, his curveball continues to be devastating, and he's benefiting from a wide strike zone from Eric Cooper. If Gio can keep getting the pitch called a strike ... look out. Marlins 1, Nats 0 after four.

8:19 p.m. -- And the Nats strike right back in the top of the fifth, thanks to Ian Desmond's baserunning. He beat out a bunt down the first-base line, diving to elude Lee's tag. Then he appeared to be picked off by Buehrle, only to veer to his left and get in the way of Lee's throw to second base. Honestly, Desmond should have been called out for obstruction on that play, but he caught a break. It paid off, too, because he proceeded to get a great jump on Jesus Flores' broken-bat single to left, scoring the Nats' first run of the night. They could have had more after Buehrle loaded the bases for Ryan Zimmerman. Turns out Zim is human, though, because he struck out on a 2-2 breaking ball in the dirt. So we go to the bottom of the fifth of what is now a 1-1 game.

8:29 p.m. -- And the Marlins retake the lead thanks to some well-executed small ball. Emilio Bonifacio (remember him?) beat out a drag bunt, then took second on Donovan Solano's sacrifice bunt. John Buck's single to right-center then brought him home and put Miami back on top, 2-1, as we head to the sixth.

8:46 p.m. -- Looks like Gio is done, as Davey gives him a pat on the back following the bottom of the sixth. He's at 93 pitches and has struck out nine without walking a batter.

8:55 p.m. -- Eric Cooper gave Gio the outside corner all night, so it's only fair he just gave it to Buehrle as well on a borderline curveball to Espinosa in a big spot in the top of the seventh (two outs, tying runner on third). The Nats can't push across their second run of the night, so it remains 2-1 Marlins at the stretch.

9:09 p.m. -- Craig Stammen comes through with a big double-play ball off the bat of pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs to end the seventh. More importantly, the Nats managed to get Buehrle out of the game. So they'll have a chance to rally against the Marlins' suspect bullpen.

9:21 p.m. -- Nothing doing in the top of the eighth. Bryce Harper struck out against Randy Choate for the second straight night. Steve Cishek then entered and got Ryan Zimmerman to tap a comebacker and Michael Morse to watch strike three on the outside corner. Three Ks tonight for Morse, who has not looked so good. The Nats are down to their last three outs, still trailing 2-1.

9:33 p.m. -- Stammen pulled off the high-wire act again, stranding the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth. So we go to the ninth, and Cishek will remain in the game in search of a five-out save. He'll face LaRoche, Desmond and Bernadina.

9:43 p.m. -- That's your ballgame. Bernadina sent a two-out single to center and then stole second, but the Nats can't get anything else going in the ninth and they wind up falling 2-1 to the Marlins. And because the Braves beat the Mets earlier today, their lead in the NL East is down to three games.

182 comments:

Doc said...

This will be fun to watch if the goofballs at MLB internet TV have gotten their technical act together. Both the Nats' game and the Braves/Mets game was AWOL thanks to their incompetence.

In other news, Buehrle is doing better than I thought that he would. But he's still no Gio!!

GoooooooooooGioooooooo! GoNaaaaaaaaaaaats!!!!

Kirbs said...

Giooooooooo!!!!!! Hoping for some Tmoore pop tonight.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Hope to see more Gio 11 pitch no run innings like the All Star game!!! Also its TyMo time!!!!

SonnyG10 said...

Fry the fish again! Go Nats!!!!

NCNatsie said...

Just watched the Cubs beat Arizona on WGN. Dempster went six scorless to run his streak to 33 innngs. OTOH Greinke got shelled last night - 5 IP, 5 ER.

I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.

NatsLady said...

Wild one in Toronto! You would think the Indians were getting blown out at 11-4. It's now 11-9...

peric said...

Just watched the Cubs beat Arizona on WGN. Dempster went six scorless to run his streak to 33 innngs. OTOH Greinke got shelled last night - 5 IP, 5 ER.

Hmmm, well one guy is 35 years old. Say it slowly Jason Marquis. Ring a bell?

The other guy figures he's just about to get traded. That can't be easy for him, given how sensitive he is to where he goes. Nevertheless his pitched Runs Above Average ranks at the same level as Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg which indicates he is a true #1 top-of-the-rotation starter at age TWENTY EIGHT.

peric said...

Maybe we'll see Stammen pitch 2 or 3 scoreless? Last I looked he had a better pRAA, tRA and ERA than Dempster and he is under 30 last I looked?

peric said...

Both the Nats' game and the Braves/Mets game was AWOL thanks to their incompetence.

Some sort of cascading Internet storm ... likely due to the Indians running MLB and other sites not believing that Russians had put up faux DNS nodes that the FBI just shut down after a year of leaving them up but routing packets them to the right places ...

natsfan1a said...

Clap-clap, clap-clap-clap, clap-clap-clap-clap - GIO!!

ehay2k said...

peric - you know a lot about baseball, but after that last post, I can't shake vision of you with aluminum foil on your head as you use your computer.

Stick to baseball. ;-)

NCNatsie said...

Peric, if we see Stammen get to 33 scoreless, I'll start listening to your argument. I'm just talking about this year, so I don't care how old Dempster is. I say he can help us after Stras goes down, help us clinch the pennant and win the world series.

I bring up Greinke only because some have been saying he's the guy we should go get, and I'm totally against that because RIGHT NOW, he's not as good, and also he's an egotistical head case who will cause trouble with the chemistry.

So you've got 3 sides that have been talked about on this blog: 1 - go with what we've got, 2 - Get Grienke, 3 - Get Dempster (me).

So let's see what the FO decides.

Until then, lets fillet some more fish!!!

peric said...

So let's see what the FO decides.

They'll go for Grienke, unless a Gio-like deal appears (admittedly preferable)

Gee, its why they risked it all for Giolito!Ddoh (claps back of NCNatsie's head with why didn't you see that!) which is why I predicted that pick, right there on the spot!

I can't shake vision of you with aluminum foil on your head as you use your computer.

Oh, ho hum, look up the name of the guy the FBI arrested and charged in that case. Oh he's Russian ... doh. Yep, they seem to think since they are better than most in Mathematics and by osmosis, Computer Science they can commandeer the Internet for their purposes. A lot of resentment and bitterness over how it all started here ... the Internet is kind of a very cool recent rendition of a Jungian archetype ... a very ancient desire telepathy ... in fact a deeper more profound empathetic sort ... better than canals, railroads, highways etc. Far more personal ...

As for the Indians they believe they are smarter and better than us. Which is funny. They typically ignore warnings from the National Computer Security Center e.g. the NSA. And the NSA? They wouldn't be able to even come close doing their job without the the "brainiacs" from Princeton who resided at the IDA Communications Research Division. But I digress ...

Aluminum foil ... hmmm ... better carbon paper ... since according to Brit Physicist James Burke, led eventually, to the moonshot.

ehay2k said...

Except peric, and this is pretty amazing since you are normally a stickler for facts, that the DNS hijacking was quashed months ago, and the shutdown of the whole thing that caused some user's PCs, and not servers, to lose internet access happened a week ago. So last night's MLB Gameday issues had nothing to do with it.

This is actually my space, from NightDragon to Stuxnet to Flame. You know not of which you speak.

Stick to baseball.

NatsLady said...

Braves getting Greinke, according to Twitter.

peric said...

that the DNS hijacking was quashed months ago, and the shutdown of the whole thing that caused some user's PCs, and not servers, to lose internet access happened a week ago. So last night's MLB Gameday issues had nothing to do with it.

Again, up until very recently the packets were re-routed by the FBI. Then a couple of days ago (not a week) they finally shutdown the placeholders assuming everyone had listened and expunged the bad DNS records.

And whooooaahh suddenly yesterday MLB goes down. Half of Europe can't see photos or manage their Facebook accounts? Lots of strange "coincidences" wouldn't you say.

Not everyone listened ehay2k. Don't trifle with Guru's ehay2k, for you are crunchy and taste good with peanut butter.

peric said...

You know not of which you speak.

And unless you know which organization Don Knuth, Bob Sedgwick, and billionaire hedge fund founder Jim Simons worked at, or alt.flame?

You know nothing about computing by comparison.

Nats Fan in Brazil said...

Is this a CSI blog now? tought it was a baseball blog:)

MicheleS said...

NatsLady? Who on twitter had that? I saw the trade with the Reds for a SS, but didn't see any of the Greinke talk.

Ehay2k.. it's not worth it...

NatsLady said...

Adam Kilgore ‏@AdamKilgoreWP
Despite Burnett feeling unconcerned, Davey says DL is a "big consideration." Too valuable to take a chance, he says.


So now we know what roster move will happen when Storen is ready.

MicheleS said...

NatsLady.. Called it this morning.. when Kilgore posted that about the arm tigthness. I hope I am wrong, but it pushed the tougher decisions down the road.

NatsLady said...

MLB Sports Report ‏@MLBSportsReport
Sounds like Randall Delgado and Jose Constanza might be going to the Brewers for Greinke. Looking to confirm. #Braves

MicheleS said...

Thanks NL. hadn't seen that.

NatsLady said...

Greinke said all along he liked Atlanta.

Anonymous said...

Will the shuffeling of the rotation allow Stras to pitch later into the season?

MicheleS said...

NatsLady, what is odd, none of the big National writers have that yet. Haven't seen a peep on their twitter accounts

MicheleS said...

Mark Zuckerman‏@MarkZuckerman

Pudge Rodriguez here to be honored by Marlins. Said #Nats called him in May when Ramos got hurt...

Wow.. that's all I can say

NatsLady said...

Yeah, Michele, you have to take it with a dome of salt--Twitter rumor.

MicheleS said...

and more..

Mark Zuckerman‏@MarkZuckerman

Pudge told agent to tell #Nats: "Leave the old man alone." Says he's keeping busy in retirement.

NatsLady said...

Dan Kolko ‏@masnKolko
RT @ChiefsRadio: 1B Chris Marrero was placed on the DL today. The Chiefs also activated IF Josh Johnson from the restricted list.

NatsLady said...

Yes, Pudge was never coming back. Not when you retire with the kind of fanfare he got in Texas. Said so at the time, and also at the time Ramos got hurt.

UnkyD said...

LOVE the x-files stuff, guys!!!

MicheleS said...

Unkyd.. Sadly, no Mulder on this blog... ;-)

OOO lookey at that.. Mets are leading the Braves now...

peric said...

Ehay2k.. it's not worth it...

And so the other dolt falls.

peric said...

If the Braves get Grienke that could mean wildcard for the Nats.

UnkyD said...

More sadly.... No Skully ;-)

peric said...

Ho Hum MicheleS ... yawn ...

The Braves acquired infielder Paul Janish from the Reds Saturday in exchange for pitcher Todd Redmond. The Braves have been trying to acquire a shortstop since Andrelton Simmons broke his right hand last Sunday.

Janish, who will report to the Braves Sunday, played all season at Triple-A Louisville and hit .237 in 49 games. He played 114 games with the Reds in 2011 and hit .214.

“In evaluating after Simmons was hurt and talking to our scouts, we felt Janish was the best defensive shortstop out there that we could acquire,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said. “He was the number one guy on our list. … He is a proven defensive talent and we felt for our club that was the most important aspect of the acquisition.”

Tim said...

See ball. Hit ball.

peric said...

@jasonbenetti: R.A. Dickey last pitched against Syracuse 8-15-09. 7IP, 11H, 7ER, 2BB, 3K. HRs for Michael Morse and Pete Orr. #timeschange

peric said...

I like this one.

@Kevin_Goldstein: Let's not start making up Ryan Dempster trades. Analyze the deals after they happen.

baseballswami said...

Who is more of a challenge. Braves or Mets?

peric said...

@grantpaulsen: Stephen Strasburg on @MLBNetworkRadio this weekend: "They're going to have to rip the ball out of my hands." Alright, Mike Rizzo. Your play.

peric said...

Who is more of a challenge. Braves or Mets?

Braves.

With Grienke they could be like the Fish for the Nats the last half of a decade.

baseballswami said...

If Greinke can get comfortable and pitch outside of Milwaukee . And not get kicked out of games. And bring his own coffee on the road. Etc. etc .etc.

MicheleS said...

Looked back at the day of the Gio Trade. Some interesting stuff.. but a shout out to Sunshine in particular

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...
I'm in the minority, I'm sure, but I think it's great. Rizzo's best deal since he got Mickey Morse for Ryan Langershlang. A legitimate ace to go along with Jesus and Z'mmnn. This staff is built to take on the Phillies, Marlins, Braves, ace for ace. I really like it. Five years from now, after we've raised the flag, and if Milone et al strike it rich, you can say I was wrong.
Rizzo 1, Moneyball 0.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...
And to all those people who think Rizzo got fleeced, I have one question:

When was the last time Billy Beane won a World Series?

NCNatsie said...

Amen, Swami.

NatsLady said...

Really cool graphic (the secret is out):

which surprise team will win?

https://twitter.com/nextyeardc/status/224247817277947904/photo/1

MicheleS said...

A Definite Read on last night's Hanley/Reyes Gaffe. Read the comment.


Marlins Gaffe!

peric said...

If Greinke can get comfortable and pitch outside of Milwaukee . And not get kicked out of games. And bring his own coffee on the road. Etc. etc .etc.

Don't underestimate Grienke. It would be like the Phillies' acquisition of Oswalt or Roy Halladay. Except Grienke is a lot younger. And Atlanta can't do this unless they, like the Nats would, extend him immediately and thus avoid impending free agency. If all of that happens watch out!

NatsLady said...

600 tickets for Gio's close family and friends? And he warms up with headphones on!!! Gotta love me some Gio.

peric said...

Really cool graphic (the secret is out):

Harper and Strrasburg might be bigger names in Cali. And then there's Gio who got his start with Oakland. If Rendon had somehow made it up it would be 75% Nats I bet.

MicheleS said...

NatsLady, I saw that and I thought the fact that PA went for the Nats was hilarious!!!

Good to know we have a large Nats rooting section for Gio. NatsJack has tweeted some pics as well.

Holden Baroque said...

Michele, thanks for the link, and the comments section. A great steaming load of schadenfreude!

MicheleS said...

Sofa, I can only imagine what the blogs look like for the Marlins sites.

BTW.. if this is a sell out, even the season ticket holders don't show up.

mick said...

great stuff gang, i just read through all of them

mick said...

great stuff gang, i just read through all of them

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

@MicheleS: Woman, I love you! Thanks for the pub!

Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then.

But thanks for remembering. I loved the Gio trade then. I love it even more now. And now we have Little Gio in the future.

Let's go, Gio!

Holden Baroque said...

It's sold out, but it's not attended out.

Holden Baroque said...

Actually, Sunshine, that is the post I remember from that day, too. You nailed it, bro. Take the curtain call.

Candide said...

Cunegonde and I at the Aberdeen Ironbirds tonight. Roderick Bernadina at the plate for the birds - The Shark's 19 year old brother.

Holden Baroque said...

Yanno, in all fairness, that five-color M is starting to grow on me. Sorta like the old Houston jerseys.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Thank you, Firm. I'm bowing to the Nats Insider nation.

But I liked Nook Logan for awhile too!

MicheleS said...

I realize that Carlos Lee owns a cattle ranch, but I didn't realize he ATE the cattle ranch. Wow.. He has gotten really big.

Holden Baroque said...

Candide, is he as ripped as Roger, or is it more of a Jose-Ozzie thing? Not that I'm implying anything about Roger. I'm not.

Holden Baroque said...

Michele, he's not an athlete, he's a baseball player.

Holden Baroque said...

I still like Nook Logan. I just don't want him on the Nats.

Swift Eagle said...

Nats need to mess with Buehrle's fast pace...Step out, take a walk around the plate, ala Jeter, who is the master of playing the game at the pace he wants (not the pitcher)

Can't let Buehrle dictate like that...

baseballswami said...

Meta imploding. No relief pitching.

MicheleS said...

Awww.. Pudge...

baseballswami said...

That would be the Mets. Who are now losing.

NatsJack in Florida said...

MicheleS.....several Fish fans were complaining about there 255 lb. singles hitter that's strictly a remtal.

NatsJack in Florida said...

their

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Post of the day candidate from MicheleS:
I realize that Carlos Lee owns a cattle ranch, but I didn't realize he ATE the cattle ranch. Wow.. He has gotten really big.

I believe Carlos Lee has his own ZIP code now.

He's still a few pounds below Todd Coffey, who I believe is the only D-cup in the majors.

Swift Eagle said...

MLBtv giving subscribers 40% off at MLBShop.com b/c of last night's fiasco...May be time for me to buy the throwback jersey from a few weeks back...

MicheleS said...

Swami which is why the Mets will slide. I don't remember who said it, but Games are Won or Lost in the bullpens.

Holden Baroque said...

OK, they just replayed the Conine throw. Mark, with all due respect, that was a weak throw if I had been in left, and I'm ... ummm, a lot older than Conine. And I never had much of an arm. It got in on, like, five hops, from about 200 feet. He was a fine major league ballplayer, no need to gild the dandelion.

MicheleS said...

Swift.. That is an AWESOME DEAL. I had the 20% when I bought my Alternate Blue/Stars & Stripes Harper Jersey. (I am going to cringe when I open that charge bill - My Nephew got the Harper replica jersey that week too)

Swift Eagle said...

LaRoche is fabulous at first...already 2 difficult plays that he has made look routine. I don't know if there's a Saber-Stat for that, but it's important

NatsLady said...

Eagle, where are you seeing that discount?

Mark Zuckerman said...

Mr. Sofa: Come on, Conine's 46 years old! All things considered, not a bad throw. Plus, he's one of my favorite players I've ever covered, so I couldn't throw him under the bus... :)

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Two Ks on curveballs. Imagine that.

MicheleS said...

Stinkin Mets lost

Swift Eagle said...

Wow, that is a big bill Michele..The Harper Blue Stars and Stripes is $251.99!! "Only" $180.99 for the Stras throwback.

Might as well use the 40% off on a big purchase right?

Holden Baroque said...

At 46, he's two years from qualifying for the league I play in. But I respect your deference, absolutely. And honestly, if I were in your shoes and able to be there, I'd totally be "MR. Conine." ; )

Swift Eagle said...

NatsLady...they sent me an e-mail today at 6:10pm with an apology and a discount code...

NatsJack in Florida said...

Buehrle has thrown 26 pitches through 3 and 20 of them for strikes. You can't take pitches, you have to swing.

Candide said...

Sofa - baseball reference says he's 6'1" 162 pounds. Cunegonde says, "He looks small."

MicheleS said...

O my.. Gio is a dealing. Now the Nats need to get him some runs.

realdealnats said...

Good to see Gio going strong to the curve for his out pitch again.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Two Ks on curveballs and one on the changeup. That's what he was doing in April.

NatsLady said...

TY, Eagle. Got the coupon. Doesn't seem to have an expiration date. Can think of stuff I might want to buy...

MicheleS said...

It's the 4th inning and they are doing the wave.. blah

Anonymous said...

I wonder where Morse will be delt? Same place as Werth?? I sure hope the Nats luck holds out. I still don't like their hitting. But, they're in first place so I guess it isn't needed! Go nats.

Holden Baroque said...

where to begin?

Swift Eagle said...

Whoa..a belt high fastball to Hanley...used to be a HR when the Nats threw him that pitch...Got a little lucky there...

NatsLady said...

Boy, Desi with some SPEED!

Swift Eagle said...

With the white uniforms, it looked like Desi was avoiding an Iceberg to get to 1st on that one..

If only the Titanic had moved like that

MicheleS said...

LFMAO!!! TOO FUNNY. Way to go IAN.

Swift Eagle said...

That was a balk anyway!! Buerhle stepped towards home big time

Holden Baroque said...

Swift, I'll have to go back and look for that. I thought he stepped off, but I wasn't paying that much attention.

MicheleS said...

Ian is just great! he read that bloop great! and we are tied here in the 5th!

Swift Eagle said...

Another Bloop RBI for Jesus! Very nice, but wow is Reyes fast, almost had it

Swift Eagle said...

Come on Bryce, hit the Centerpiece like Ryan did yesterday

MicheleS said...

The O's/Tigers game is still going on..

Joe Seamhead said...

Gio's bunt was not very good, but Tyler Moore got a poor jump from second. The combo of the two mistakes cost us big time.

peric said...

Flor-IDA - Kristine Ankra picked up quite the nice tan.

Holden Baroque said...

OK, I watched the pickoff again. I didn't see a balk, but he didn't step off, either. Blown call, Desmond should have been out. Nats catch a break.

Holden Baroque said...

TyMo did not get a good jump, Joe, indeed.
The Marlins seem to be wanting to tire Gio out with making him field bunts. Hmmm. It's a strategy, I guess.

Swift Eagle said...

Where was Espi playing?? He was in...Don't understand

Holden Baroque said...

He was holding the runner close to second.

Holden Baroque said...

Ironically, if he hadn't been doing that, he probably catches that ball.

Swift Eagle said...

I know Sofa, but with #8 and #9 coming up, get the hitters...imo..

Swift Eagle said...

So strange to see the Marlins having to play Small-Ball to score on the Nats

Used to be like watching HR Derby...

Holden Baroque said...

I didn't say *I* thought it was a good idea. I'm not that fond of disrupting the defense to hold a guy on second, personally.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Holden Baroque said...

Wow, when your year is going down the tubes ... that "strike 3" to Ramirez was about six inches outside.

Holden Baroque said...

Or should I say, "When it's your year, it's your year."?

Anonymous said...

Gotta love the 4 pitch lead-off walk to the fastest guy in the NL.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Have I mentioned lately how much I can't stand Emilio Bonifacio?

baseballswami said...

So are we not hitting, stranding runners, looking lost, hitting it right at people? How does it look to those of you watching it? Don't want to wait for Mark's nutshell.

mick said...

I hope nobody blames Gio, he pitched very well.
Stammen keeps it 1 run

game may have been lost with Zim's at bat in 5th, we will see. At least he swung teh bat on 2-2.


Every time I want to accept Espi, he does something to really tick me off. that NO SWING at bat last inning is unacceptable!
What the heck was he doing?? Fast ball right down the middle of the plate and he looks at it like a deer in the headlights

mick said...

overall, a well played game

mick said...

btw... what is up with Morse???

NatsJack in Florida said...

Morse is in that proverbial slump where he has no clue. Way too much thinking going on and not enough bat swinging.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

@Swami: Doesn't look bad at all. Nats ran into a buzzsaw with Buerhle, who was a beast. Total command. We've still got a shot. It's the late innings and it's Davey vs. Ozzie. Whom do you like?

Anonymous said...

SWING THE BAT!!!

Holden Baroque said...

Swami, Buerhle was pitching well, but there were a few ABs that could have turned it--Zimm with the bases loaded most obviously, but Gio forcing Tyler Moore at third on a would-be sac bunt didn't help.

MicheleS said...

Swami, Buerhle.. he is pretty good, we just got into the bullpen. Choate just got Bryce to K (one borderline pitch that Bryce wasn't happy with). And hopefully we can get that bullpen to cough up some runs

Holden Baroque said...

Honestly, they look a little flat at the plate.

Holden Baroque said...

Morse looks uncomfortable from here.

Anonymous said...

Morse for Dempster. Morse for Dempster.

MicheleS said...

Hmm Morse needs to swing at that pitch. I wonder who comes out in the top of the 9th for the Fish.

NatsJack in Florida said...

MicheleS....nobody is warming up and everybody around me is hoping it's Ceshak.

Holden Baroque said...

Michele, I'm pretty sure it won't be Bell.
Seriously, no reason not to leave Cishek in, is there?

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

I'm hoping it's anybody but Cishak. Doesn't he have a plane to catch, or a class to go to, or something?

Holden Baroque said...

How many teams do you know where you HOPE they bring in their closer in a 2-1 game in the 9th?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Morse appears to be on all star break still. His 8 at bats in this series have been extremely weak. What happened over the break that he has come out so weak.

NatsLady said...

Do the Nats EVER throw out a runner stealing?

Swift Eagle said...

Opponents are 55-67 stealing v the Nats now...need to fix that

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Davey obviously belongs to Optimists International:

He has MPH Rod warming in a one-run game.

Holden Baroque said...

Wow. Davey. Henry?

To borrow a line from The Magnificent 7, "Mister, I admire your sense of fair odds."

Swift Eagle said...

Make that 57 of 69

Holden Baroque said...

Wow. Carlos Lee just stole second base on you. Granted, a double steal, but still.

NatsJack in Florida said...

Derek....and it's the total inability to hold runners.

So to borrow a phrase from our buddy JayB......Thats's a McCatty fail.

Swift Eagle said...

Id still walk Hanley here, he's cold, but seen him beat us too often

phil dunton said...

Bonofacio kills the Nats.

Swift Eagle said...

The go ahead run tonight was scored b/c the Nats were trying to hold Bonafacio, when there was no chance of ever throwing him out anyway..

Holden Baroque said...

So that K of Ruggiano was huge, after all. Nice job, all things considered.

NatsLady said...

Stammen--nerves of STEEL... Let's win this one for him.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Hanley Ramirez vs. Toothpick Bonifacio?

All of life's choices should be as easy.

mick said...

Gio deserves better

mick said...

why why did that g damn ball not get out

mick said...

starting to like the Morse for Dempster trade

mick said...

it just would figure if Desi is hurt

NatsLady said...

Desi not looking good.

mick said...

I guess our offense decided to take sat night off? Can't believe Morse had the nerve to look at the ump and that called strike!

Swift Eagle said...

3rd strike to Desi was a great pitch, lots of late movement...tip your cap there

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

C'Mon Flo!

Cameron said...

How many looking strikeouts have been called in that exact same spot today? Their pitching has just dominated the Nats today.

mick said...

just a hit Jesus... please!

Swift Eagle said...

Charlie keeps saying "Chisek Sets" try that one 5 times fast...

mick said...

of course...... typical Flores at bat with a runner in scoring position

mick said...

pathetic, swing teh damn bat you stiff!!!

mick said...

Jesus, that was a swing, are you joking???

Cameron said...

Flores has 3 RBIs the past two games. Calm down Mick.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

@Swift: I can't even say it once.

mick said...

Gio was awesome! I don;t mine losing but when your star players are looking at third strike FAST BALLS down the middle of the plate, it really hurts

Nattering Nat said...

You will soon learn, I am a master of the obvious.

The Fish are the bane of our existence. The Nats need to at least split the next two, lest they give the FIsh confidence.

A tough loss, a few key missed opportunities, Marlins had everything go right in their few. I hate for Buerhle to get the win, since he spurned us, though I will forever be grateful he's responsible for Gio getting here, so that's something be pleased about, anyway.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Flores swings at one 12 inches outside? being a catcher he should understand what the pitcher is doing and lay off sliders that start outside in the first place.

mick said...

like I said, the game was over when Zim KO with bases loaded, at least Zim swung the bat.

why not Morse for Dempster, whoever posted that is on to something

mick said...

Nattering Nat

I will take Gio over Buerhle any time

Swift Eagle said...

True, pitch recognition is a problem for Flores at times, a bit odd for a catcher...

mick said...

swift, this is where we miss Ramos

mick said...

overall, a well played game

mick said...

I thought Adam had tied it.... damn!!!

mick said...

if Zim takes the ball in the dirt it is 3-2 and Buerhle has to throw fast ball on 3-2

mick said...

agree with FP, Desmond may be hurt bad, i hope NOT!

mick said...

also, why DeRosa???

Secret wasian man said...

bryce and espi killing us at 1 2.

Secret wasian man said...

Stras tommor. Hope its not above 80 degrees. Here come the Braves.

mick said...

Secret wasian man

unfortunately you are right.

Bryce still struggles against lefties, he will work it out. Espi, I hate to say it is just too inconsistent and what hurts, he was batting right handed tonight and STUNK up the place

mick said...

I also think the Marlins are just one of these teams we can not beat 2or 3 times period. just one of those weird things.

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