Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Game 89: Mets at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Jordan Zimmermann faces Chris Young tonight at Nationals Park.
It's another scorcher on South Capitol Street, with the temperature (as I type this at 3:30 p.m.) reading 101 degrees and the heat index a very comfortable 109. There are, however, some serious thunderstorms approaching from the west, and the grounds crew is already preparing the tarp to be rolled out over the infield.

As this is happening, Jayson Werth and Chad Tracy are taking batting practice, the first such round for Werth since he broke his left wrist on May 6. Tracy, meanwhile, is getting close to returning from his groin surgery.

As for tonight's game, it'll be Jordan Zimmermann making his second start of the second half of the season, looking to build off a fantastic outing in Miami on Friday. Chris Young gets the nod for the Mets, who have now lost five straight to fall seven games back in the NL East.

I'm back at the park tonight, so look for plenty of updates and analysis throughout...

NEW YORK METS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv, ESPN (outside D.C. and N.Y. market)
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 186
Weather: Thunderstorms, 95 degrees, Wind 8 mph out to RF
NATIONALS (52-36)
2B Steve Lombardozzi
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Michael Morse
LF Tyler Moore
SS Danny Espinosa
C Jesus Flores
RHP Jordan Zimmermann

METS (46-44)
SS Ruben Tejada
2B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
1B Ike Davis
RF Lucas Duda
LF Jason Bay
CF Andres Torres
C Josh Thole
RHP Chris Young

UMPIRES
HP Mark Carlson
1B Chris Conroy
2B Tim Timmons
3B Angel Hernandez

7:09 p.m. -- And we're underway on time after a storm passed through during batting practice. The good news is the temperature has cooled considerably -- it's a very nice 82 degrees as Jordan Zimmermann starts this game.

7:15 p.m. -- A solid top of the first for Zimmermann, who did allow a two-out double to David Wright (though Michael Morse's plodding approach to field the ball didn't help) but otherwise sparkled. He struck out Ike Davis to end the inning and bring his teammates to the plate against Chris Young.

7:23 p.m. -- That looked awfully familiar. Ryan Zimmerman roped a two-out double but was stranded there after Adam LaRoche grounded out to first. Scoreless through one.

7:42 p.m. -- Two more hits for the Nats in the bottom of the second, yet they still only sent three batters to the plate. Michael Morse led off with a single but was erased on Tyler Moore's 6-4-3 double play. Danny Espinosa then beat out a dribbler down the first-base line but was extinguished when he tried to steal second. Still scoreless as we go to the third.

7:56 p.m. -- Zimmermann cruising along as he always does. Three innings in the books, one hit allowed, 50 total pitches. And as has often been the case as well, the Nats haven't given him any run support. It remains 0-0 as we move to the fourth.

8:11 p.m. -- Not a good read on the basepaths by Harper in the bottom of the fourth. He had just singled to lead off the inning, then was off an running on Young's pitch to Zimmerman. Zim sent the ball on a line to the right of center field, and it appeared up here in the press box it would be caught easily. Harper, though, turned it up into fifth gear and rounded second before he realized the ball was indeed caught. He slipped and fell and could only watch as he was doubled up. Tough break there. Still 0-0 as we head to the fifth.

8:26 p.m. -- So who out there is shocked Jordan Zimmermann is involved in a scoreless game in the fifth inning? This must be like the seventh time it's happened this season already. Credit to Tyler Moore for a nice catch along the railing in left field to end the top of the fifth. Moore is looking more and more comfortable out there, and he's made two nice plays tonight.

8:47 p.m. -- Death, taxes and six innings for Jordan Zimmermann. He's done it again, the 19th time in 19 tries this season. There was a brief scare when Moore couldn't quite snag Young's drive to left, resulting in a leadoff double. But Zimmermann buckled down and got out of the inning, getting Wright to line out to Harper to end the sixth. We are still scoreless.

8:59 p.m. -- There's your run support at last. Adam LaRoche with a two-run, opposite-field blast into the Red Porch to give Zimmermann and the Nats a 2-0 lead. LaRoche's 16th homer of the season is a big one, and it ends Zimmermann's night on a high note. That's Jordan's 17th quality start in 19 tries, and he now sports the fifth-best ERA in the majors at 2.35. Tom Gorzelanny in for the seventh.

9:16 p.m. -- Uh-oh, there goes the shutout. Gorzelanny gave up a one-out double to Duda and then a two-out, RBI single to Torres. On the bright side, Torres strayed too far around first and was gunned down to end the inning. But the lead is down to 2-1 as we reach the seventh-inning stretch.

9:26 p.m. -- And the Nats get the run right back, plus another one for insurance as Lombardozzi belts a two-run double off the wall in right-center. Just missed his second career homer. The Nats up their lead to 4-1, and that's got to be a comfort to Davey Johnson ... and Tyler Clippard.

9:39 p.m. -- Sean Burnett navigates his way through the eighth unscathed, pitching around a one-out double by Scott Hairston to keep the Mets from scoring. So it remains 4-1 heading to the bottom of the eighth as Clippard starts getting loose in the pen.

9:54 p.m. -- We go to the ninth. And here's Clippard. The good news: He has a three-run lead. The bad news: Jordany Valdespin is still available on the Mets bench.

9:57 p.m. -- Yikes, Clippard serves up a leadoff homer to David Wright on his very first pitch. It's 4-2 now.

10:00 p.m. -- Yikes times two. Jason Bay crushes one off the left-field foul pole. It's now 4-3 with two outs and Valdespin stepping to the plate.

10:05 p.m. -- Nothing to worry about. Clippard finishes off his 15th save and the Nats finish off a 4-3 victory. They now lead the Mets by eight games.

177 comments:

original Nats Fan said...

A thunderstorm is building here in Rappahannock County, roughly 60 miles from DC. No rain yet, but lots of thunder. I'm praying the electricity stays on for all.

hiramhover said...

Thanks for the update, Mark. Good to hear about Werth.

A question, tho--isn't 3:30 unusually early for BP? I thought it usually started later, around 4:15 or 4:30 for the Nats when they have a 7:05 start at home.

Is this just to beat the storms--or maybe to beat them opening the stadium gates at 4:30, and the fans pouring in to watch?

Diz said...

If the storms maintain their energy and path, it looks like it'll be at the park right around 7 pm.

Marty said...

I think this one might get postponed.

Tcostant said...

Don't forget that Wang is starting for the P-Nats tonight. BTW - Did everyone see that P-Nats finally got their new stadium deal

JaneB said...

Maybe just delayed, not postponed. Jordan is going to get another win notched tonight.

A separate question: In a Wild Pitch, why doesn't that count as as error? Why is it's it's own category of scoring?

Go Nats said...

When Werth and Tracy come back, what roster moves get made?

Assuming they stay with 5 bench player I'd say get rid of DeRosa and Ankiel (either another convenient "injury" or cut them). This would leave our bench as:
- Lombo (OF/2B)
- Moore (OF/1B)
- Bernadina (OF)
- Tracy (PH/3B)
- Solano (backup C)

Lombo/Moore/Solano seem like locks to me. Bernadina v. Ankiel is closer call, I'd stick with Bernadina because he is hitting better right now(Ankiel has proven to me at this point he cannot hit at the MLB level) being younger, cheaper, faster (pinch runner purposes) and still a solid defensive OF (sure Ankiel has a better arm, but +arm doesn't help all that much as a backup OF in my opinion). Based on how well Tracy was playing at the start of the year, I'd vote to give him a shot over DeRosa at this point.

Just my opinion, but will be interesting to see how the Nats manage this!

natsfan1a said...

Tconstant, yes, I did see that. It will be closer for us, which will be nice. That said, I'll believe it when I see it, because they've been talking about a new ballpark forever.

Nice about Werth's BP.

On a game note: Go, Jordan! Go, NATS BATS!!

Section 222 said...

Thoughtful analysis GoNats. I fear that Davey might not be ready to give up on DeRosa yet, but I sure am. Ankiel definitely seems like one of the odd men out at this point. He's given us some thrills, but his arm just can't overcome his lack of offensive production.

Faraz Shaikh said...

if not mistaken, I don't think tomorrow's weather is any better.

Unknown said...

I think it is imperative that the Nationals have someone like Rick Ankiel on the bench for the postseason.

Tyler Moore is going to be a very good player, but he sure didn't look good in that at-bat in the 9th last night when he struck out on three curve balls with the winning run on third and two out. Also, as I recall, wasn't he at the plate with two strikes in the 10th and two out, only to be saved by that wild pitch?

I want Moore there, but I think the team needs veteran bats and defenders if they play in October.

Farid @ Idaho

bobfromalexandria said...

Hey Mark -- check the headline. You've got "Nats at Mets." Not as bad as "Dewey Beats Truman," but still ...

baseballswami said...

New ball park ( if it ever actually happens) will be about 2 miles from my work. Pfitzner is an absolute hole and needs to be replaced. Lots of things still need to be worked out - hope it happens. It will definitely be a much better location and a parking garage will be great. As it stands now, on a crowded night it takes an hour to get out of there.

Tcostant said...

Pfitzner is just bad, although the new park will be further from me. I was already looking forward to seeing lower level baseball by Dulles Town Center (Hounds?) but I don't see any construstion there.

Pfitzner is so bad, that once a year we take the treak to Bowie, which is a great place to see a game, despite their team affilation.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Go Nats said, "Based on how well Tracy was playing at the start of the year, I'd vote to give him a shot over DeRosa at this point."

Based on DeRosa's performance at this point, I'd vote Nook Logan ahead of him.

Theophilus T. S. said...

Turned off last night's game at 3-2 top of the 9th so pleasantly surprised that they salvaged a win in the 10th. What was bothering me most as I went to bed was the idea that a Zimmermann-G. Gonzalez-Strasburg three game winning streak was the best I could hope for, into a weekend in which the family will be going to the Saturday night cap. Now I see five in a row, maybe six before someone (he who must not be named) lights a stink bomb. The Nats need several five game (winning) streaks; the Braves just will not give up. Every time they lose to someone (Mets) they ought to beat could cost them the lead. This stretch against the NL East (29 games from the All-Star break through the end of August) is where the division must be won.

JD said...

Farid,

You are hyper analyzing Moore's at bats last night but in the same sentence you claim that we need Ankiel?

Are you kidding?

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

I'm a Bob Ryan-Wannabe: I just checked the radar. There's a storm over DC at the moment, but it's moving out. There's nothing north of Richmond to worry about. There was a big storm over Frederick earlier but it's moving Eastward.

Blue skies, nothing but blue skies, from now on.

Plus, we're still in Soul Possession.

natsfan1a said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
natsfan1a said...

Never saw the sun shining so bright,
Never saw things going so right,
Noticing the days hurrying by,
When your team wins, my how they fly

(Just had to finish that thought. What can I say? My dad was a would-be crooner. :-))

natsfan1a said...

tcostant, yes, that would be the Hounds.

I was already looking forward to seeing lower level baseball by Dulles Town Center (Hounds?) but I don't see any construstion there.

natsfan1a said...

The gremlin of the Mets headline continues. Wait, didn't we win the last time that happened? I can't recall but I'm going to go ahead and say we did. :-)

bobfromalexandria said...

Hey Mark -- check the headline. You've got "Nats at Mets." Not as bad as "Dewey Beats Truman," but still ...
July 18, 2012 4:18 PM

DHamm said...

Has long as someone mentioned the Hounds...

What I don't get about this whole thing is that Hagerstown wants a new stadium. Winchester tried to get the Hagerstown franchise to move, but wouldn't build them stadium. Hagerstown won't build a new stadium. There is already plans, albeit seemingly failed, and certianly delayed plans, to build a new stadium in Loudoun.

At this point, I can't imagine that the Atlantic League isn't telling the Hounds to go fetch something after all of the delays.

Seems like a perfect fit to move the Hagerstown franchise to Loudoun, but I never hear it being discussed. The shroud of secrecy looms large. Or maybe it's just ambivalence.

Sure would be great to have two minor league affiliates so close, though.

Go Nats said...

Unknown - I agree about the veteran presence on the team for the postseason (awesome to mention playoffs!). From the MLB site "From September 1 through the end of the season the entire 40-man roster is eligible to play for the Club at the Major League level"

So I take that to me the post season rosters are continue to be expanded to 40? If so, does that mean veterans on the team (Ankiel, DeRosa, Nady), could continue to have convenient "injuries" or accept to go to the minors during the month of August so they could be back on the team Sept1 thru the playoffs?

Go Nats said...

source from above comment:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/about_mlb/rules_regulations.jsp

MicheleS said...

So I will be out of town for the next several days. All Copyright/Trademark (or whatever) are released if you know what I mean.

GYFNG! I want a win for Jordan tonight! (Plus I want to give my Mets loving co-worker a ton of grief! That was a great thing to do at 9 am this morning!)

MicheleS said...

Sounds like the onion has been bitten by the oblique bug, hate to see him go on DL, but happy if Leon gets called up. Kid deserves more than a couple of innings in the majors this year.

Holden Baroque said...

It is HAMMERING down here now in Shaw, big thunder and very dark, strong winds.

Twinbrook said...

so does anyone think they'll play tonight?

natsfan1a said...

Safe travels, MicheleS. If memory serves, you were going to Santo's [imo too late] HOF induction? If there's any of his family there, give them an extra loud cheer for me.

natsfan1a said...

Evidently there's a severe thunderstorm watch for the entire metro area until 9 PM.

Twinbrook said...

Downtown DC is getting hammered right now

Holden Baroque said...

So I take that to me the post season rosters are continue to be expanded to 40?

Go Nats, no. The postseason roster is the 25-man roster AS OF midnight, Aug. 31, EXCEPT if there are injuries (or "injuries") the team can replace that player before a given series starts with any player who was in the organization, anywhere, as of Aug. 31, provided they add them to the 40-man if he wasn't on it already, and provided the MLB Commissioner's office OK's it. If the injury is mid-series, they can only replace "like with like"--a pitcher for a pitcher, or a position player for a position player. The injured player who was replaced is then ineligible for the rest of that series, and for the following one, if they advance.

Holden Baroque said...

Twinbrook, I'd say it's even money, but I don't think they can start on time.

Anonymous said...

It's more than two hours to first pitch, people. The hourly forecast shows the chance of precipitation dropping to 15% at 8 PM. So lt's not get ahead of ourselves, although it would sure be nice if we didn't have to use Lannan in the weekend series against the Braves.

Section 222 said...

On the weather, anything that cools things down even a little bit for Strasburg is ok in my book. Is he going up against Dickey tomorrow?

And boy is the weekend looking nice -- high of 79 for the Saturday doubleheader. Sweet! Too bad it's day/night and not "traditional."

baseballswami said...

In PrinceWilliam and I hope we get se rain here. None yet. It's so hot and dry. Go Nats!!!!!

Doc said...

Yeah, I think that NIs should develop a list of ailments and pseudo-injuries for Nady, Ankiel, and DeRosa....and pass them along to Rizzo, he's probably looking for ideas!

RJD said...

Nats at Mets? Have they moved the game to NY due to the rain?

Steady Eddie said...

222 -- No, it's Gio against Dickey tomorrow.

Stras starts Friday night, with an expected high of 82 -- BELOW the magic number of 90 degrees!

NatsJack in Florida said...

Gio against Dickey tomorrow.

Holden Baroque said...

There's a line of storms over the mountains now that might steer toward DC and the game. They should know more about where that winds up by gametime, but if it does line up right at us, they won't get this one in.

Steady Eddie said...

All the nervous weather Nellies -- we had a 10 minute downpour in downtown but it's now eased off to light rain (in which people without umbrellas are not dashing for cover).

Twinbrook said...

question: Does First and Third Base Club seats include Stars and Stripes admission?

MicheleS said...

Twinbrook if you are in 206-221, yes, you have access to the Stars & Stripes club

Go Nats said...

Thanks Sec.3, My Sofa for the clarification. Your explanation was significantly better than anything I found on the MLB site.

I'd feel very good going into the postseason then with the bench of: Lombo, Moore, Bernadina, Tracy and a backup catcher (preferably Solano based on his solid hitting, so hopefully he is healthy).

Gonat said...

Twinbrook, if you walk inside the double doors on the club level you have access to the Stars and Stripes.

Holden Baroque said...

A separate question: In a Wild Pitch, why doesn't that count as as error? Why is it's it's own category of scoring?

Because it's not a fielding play, it's the pitcher's fault. A passed ball is treated like an error for the purpose of scoring. The winning run last night, e.g., was earned, but if that had been scored a passed ball, it would have been an unearned run, since passed balls aren't the pitcher's fault, technically.

peric said...

Assuming they stay with 5 bench player I'd say get rid of DeRosa and Ankiel (either another convenient "injury" or cut them). This would leave our bench as:

That's probably not going to happen GoNats. They'll likely option one or both of Tyler Moore and Steve Lombardozzi. They'll be back with the September call-ups. With Morse, Werth, and Tracy they would have their full complement of veterans again. Given Desmond's lingering injury Lombo probably has the best chance of keeping a spot. Moore would almost need an injury/trade of LaRoche to get regular playing time.

Steady Eddie said...

Weather map now shows very light rain through 6:45 or 7, then nothing at all inside the Beltway until 10:30 at the earliest.

Not gospel, YMMV, but I suspect at most we'd have a 30 minute delay to start. Bring an old towel to the park to dry off your seats!

JaneB said...

I know DeRosa's stats are, umm, in the basement. But he manufactured one of the "we can keep playing till we win" runs last night. And he has done it before. I'm just saying'...

JD said...

Here you go. Moore against a righty; it's about time.

JD said...

JaneB,

One can always find instances to make such a case both negatively and positively. Nady has one or 2 big home runs as well. But when making roster decisions one must look at the entire body of work and when everyone is healthy I don't know how you justify keeping a roster spot for DeRosa.

Holden Baroque said...

Yanno, this may be a quibble, butI don't think that's quite it, looking at "the entire body of work." I know what you mean, but I think you look at the likelihood of his being able to produce in the situation he's going to be in, and the entire body of work might not always be relevant to that, nor predictive.

Holden Baroque said...

Looks like the storms coming off the mountain may be breaking up some, but there's still a mess o' stuff between here and Columbus, Ohio. I'm guessing 65-35 they play tonight, personally.

#natitude said...

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/bowden-on-padres-tigers-indians-royals-pirates.html

Morse for upton? ehh... idk what do u guys think

Bigfish said...

"I was already looking forward to seeing lower level baseball by Dulles Town Center (Hounds?) but I don't see any construstion there."

"tcostant, yes, that would be the Hounds."

Wouldn't the Cowboys be better? Dulles Cowboys?

JD said...

#natitude,

That's an old rumor from last year which Bowden is regurgitating.It's not a crazy idea especially with Moore establishing himself but I don't know if it has any merit.

Steady Eddie said...

Sec 3 -- look at the moving weather map. While it's only a projection, it shows the stuff west of the mountains dumping everything on the Blue Ridge and not getting east of there. A phenonmenon well known to my daughter who went to a summer camp in WV just west of Winchester and frequently had storms that never made it to DC.

I think this is getting even sillier on both our parts than speculation on whether there would be an innings limit for Stras if he hadn't had TJ!

baseballswami said...

I think Upton messes with the team chemistry big time. I can't see him and Werth working together and I can't see Upton being good for Harper. Not a fan.

Holden Baroque said...

Eddie, that's the one I look at, on Accuweather. Seems to be breaking up, looking good.

Holden Baroque said...

Bigfish FTW.

"Wouldn't the Cowboys be better? Dulles Cowboys?"

JaneB said...

Okay. After Kristina's interview with roommates Lombo and Tyler Moore -- I'm officially in the tank for both of them, too. I love that they came up together and have been best friends for years. Another true benefit to the long term Lerners/Kasten/Rizzo homegrown talent plan. Better change through (team) chemistry. #Natitude.

natsfan1a said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
natsfan1a said...

Funny you should mention that, NatsJack. I happened to click over to the MASN sports report earlier, and they had a graphic showing that the Nats lead the league in inducing blown leads (for the opposing team, heh), with 16, I believe it was. Also, the walk-off tally was 8, I think.

Faraz Shaikh said...

I believe Chris Young has some serious numbers against us. Let's see what we can do.

baseballswami said...

JaneB - missed the interview. Any chance they will have it on the masn site?

Holden Baroque said...

SO, like I said, no chance this gets rained out. Perfect weather. Nothing to worry about...

Faraz Shaikh said...

kemp walks off and ends Phillies winning streak. :D

phil dunton said...

Morse for Upton is dumb. You don't trade a .300 hitter with power for a .240 hitter with less power.

Holden Baroque said...

Justin or BJ? BJ is more like .250, and Justin about .275, which is less than Morse's, when he's playing, but Justin is always out there.

phil dunton said...

The trade being discussed is BJ for Morse. If it was Justin, I would make the trade in a heartbeat.

phil dunton said...

Nats need a catcher who can provide some offense. Flores isn't producing.

Holden Baroque said...

You mean discussed by Jim Bowden? Ummm. Ok.

Holden Baroque said...

Davey doesn't think they do. Davey is happy with the defense from Flores, and getting the hits elsewhere.

phil dunton said...

Bowden, yes.

Holden Baroque said...

They could try the Time Machine Josh Gibson, but the Time Machine Willie Mays in center didn't work out.

Holden Baroque said...

D'OH! Floppy glove hit.

hiramhover said...

I like Harper's speed, but not always his judgment on the base paths. I'm assuming that will come with age, tho.

Tim said...

Did I hear Bob Carpenter say that Lannan might be pitching an upcoming game? I just walked into the room when I thought I heard that? Anybody heard anything?

Holden Baroque said...

Tim, Lannan is starting one game of the split doubleheader, announced Monday.

Holden Baroque said...

Is it just me, or is Andres Torres a bowler?

Holden Baroque said...

Hiram, I don't disagree, but he was stealing second when Zimm lined out to center. I don't know what he could have done by that point.

Marty said...

Chris Young looks like Randy Johnson at the plate. How tall is he?

Holden Baroque said...

Marty, he's listed as 6' 10".

Holden Baroque said...

OK, get Murphy, and pitch around Wright.

JaneB said...

I Iiked Davey's plan better, Sofa!

Holden Baroque said...

Another thing I like about Harper: he two-hands fly balls.

Holden Baroque said...

I know he's not as good as Espinosa at second, but scares you? Why?

Holden Baroque said...

I'm going to guess you'll say he's slow to get rid of the ball, and doesn't always charge slow ones? Am I close?

hiramhover said...

Sec 3

Yeah, I give him credit for the steal, but I think as soon as Zim made contact Harper decided he was getting to 3B, at least. He looked to the outfield bwn 1B and 2B but seemed to misread the fielder's play on the ball and ran thru 2B at full speed.

Holden Baroque said...

So, yes. I'll count that as close enough.

Holden Baroque said...

I agree, Hiram (with you and Mark) that he didn't get a good read at all.

Holden Baroque said...

" And it isn't something I've seen from anyone else anywhere. "

You mean you've never seen anyone else comment on it?

Holden Baroque said...

77 mph. Cortizone won't help you now.

Holden Baroque said...

On Lombo, I've been noticing that he's slow to get rid of the ball--I wouldn't call it deliberate, so much as just slow--but I've only noticed the plays getting close, rather than turning into hits. Just anecdotal.

Joe Seamhead said...

Adam!

Holden Baroque said...

ALR, OTOH, not slow to get to that! The Buck Stopped there!

Anonymous said...

Bryce keeps getting on base; sooner or later something good will happen.

Holden Baroque said...

You mean the blown call. The Nats overall got lucky.

Holden Baroque said...

Morse's legs are so long, I think it's deceptive how much ground he covers. That was a nice catch.

Joe Seamhead said...

Nice catch by Morse! Tom
Gorzelany, please give us a couple of shutout innings.

Holden Baroque said...

I wouldn't mind seeing the Mets' pen give up a six or two.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

@MicheleS: Travel safely and enjoy Cooperstown. We will protect all Copyrights and Trademarks (TM) until your safe return. We've GOT to do a game together when you return.

Holden Baroque said...

ummm, Mick, if he didn't just homer.

Holden Baroque said...

OH, yes... MICHELE, go there, have fun, return safely!

Holden Baroque said...

83 games.

sm13 said...

It's not Gorzo if he doesn't give up a run. We really can't afford these types of outings.

Holden Baroque said...

I think if Harper is in right, he has a good chance at the plate. Morse, no play.

Holden Baroque said...

Give the Mets some credit, though; even if this holds up, they don't go away.

sm13 said...

Great play by Morse to hit the cutoff man -- Roger might want to watch the video of that play.

ehay2k said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I am so sick of Davey pulling the starters early and watching leads go away. This is starting to become too common.

ehay2k said...

Who waxed the infield dirt? Looks like a sock hop out there with everyone slipping and sliding.

Holden Baroque said...

Jesus Flores is starting to look, when he runs, too much like Carlos Baerga. Just sayin.

ehay2k said...

F&I, he is taking care of his starters. Think back to Riggleman and he had a quick hook. Detwiler went seven full last night.

Flores!

Holden Baroque said...

FINALLY! A ball off the pitcher that does NOT bounce right to a fielder.

Holden Baroque said...

NO WAY! Lombo!

ehay2k said...

Ouch - after that bruising hit, Miss Iowa will not be able to participate in the swimsuit competition.

joemktg said...

Serious backspin on the Lombo drive to the scoreboard.

Wang finished up 4 innings at the Pfitz. 3 hits, 3 ER. But no flyouts and 10 groundouts: sinker working. Timing couldn't be better for good showcased performance.

Nattering Nat said...

Batista, you almost failed us!

Thank goodness for the Mets relievers.

Holden Baroque said...

As I was about to say, what quick hook? It's 2012, Double-Duty Radcliffe is resting in peace, well-deserved peace. The guy went six innings. That works.

ehay2k said...

Defensively, Lombo makes you realize just how good Espi is. Unfortunately, the reverse is true for offense.

Holden Baroque said...

So, Jack, does that count as a bullpen implosion?

Holden Baroque said...

Espinosa is hitting now.

ehay2k said...

Sec3 - small sample size. :-P

Holden Baroque said...

I got yer small sample size right here...

wait, that isn't what I meant...

ehay2k said...

Burnett looks to be not quite as sharp as he was earlier in the season. Hope his arm is just tired.

ehay2k said...

Whew!

ehay2k said...

Lol Sec3

sm13 said...

Jon Rauch had fluid drained from both knees todsu. You gotta give him credit for guts to be out on the mound tonight.

Holden Baroque said...

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

ehay2k said...

Good point Einstein. We have some guys who are probably better tree-climbers than hitters.

Holden Baroque said...

Wookie just isn't the same since he had that wax.

Holden Baroque said...

OK, granted I turn the sound off for commercials, but I Do Not get that Verizon Xfinity commercial with the two women tanning in the back yard. I just don't get it.

hiramhover said...

Just so I can mark my calendar - when is it ok to start worrying about Clip?

ehay2k said...

Uh oh, Clippard not looking comfortable out there.

Holden Baroque said...

OK, so that's four (?) consecutive outings for Clippard that didn't exactly go as planned.

Juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust a little outside.

Just wondering, how much, if any, Storen's imminent return is affecting him. Or is he just tired and hot?

phil dunton said...

Clip looking like H-Rod!

sm13 said...

The epic battle between the unholy change up and the killer slider begins Saturday, when both Drew and Tyler get save chances.

ehay2k said...

I think Clip has been in a lot of games.Most likely tired. Drew returns soon.

hiramhover said...

Hey - look! There's that note on my calendar, right here.

Faraz Shaikh said...

is he tipping?

Holden Baroque said...

Yanno, the Mets are impressing me here. Better get one more out here, Clip. These guys ain't beaten yet.

mick said...

OK, this can not happen

NatsFanSinceStart said...

Clippard: KaBoom - KaBoom!!!!!

Can Valdepsin make it a Trifecta??

mick said...

I have kept my cool tonight via sjm's advice.... but thi is ridiculous

NatsFanSinceStart said...

Clippard: verge of a head trip.

mick said...

ok, all is well

NatsFanSinceStart said...

Phew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holden Baroque said...

If the situation were reversed we'd be ranting about how good the Nats hitters were, not how bad the Mets bullpen was. The other guy gets paid a lot of money, too. Deal with it.

sjm308 said...

There you go!

Bang Zoom (oops) Whooooo Hoooo!

Dryw Loves the Nats said...

The only way Clip resembles Oh Henry is that they both make us nervous. Bad Henry walks and WPs his way into trouble, but pretty much nobody ever really hits him, even when he's bad. (why would any professional hitter swing at a ball that bounces 20 feet in front of the plate or that goes behind his back?) Clip is just getting bombed lately.

Faraz Shaikh said...

WOW we won.

ehay2k said...

But that was a filthy pitch.

hiramhover said...

Ridiculous, but done!

Holden Baroque said...

Woooooooooo Hooooooooooooooooooooo TM Michele

mick said...

I will take 2 of 3, i really do not expect us to beat Dicky tomorrow , i hope Braves can lose too

NatsFanSinceStart said...

Hey Section 3: Who died and made you King Crank?

People have opinions that are very valid.

Deal with it, dude.

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

Mark this down: We will rock Dickey's world tomorrow.

Hold me to it.

Cant wait to see it.

mick said...

This is OK now, we just need to go into weekend up 2-3 games over Braves if we can take 3 of 4 over them that would be huge the rest of the way

NatsFanSinceStart said...

that's smart that you removed that, dude.

sm13 said...

Seconding that wooo hoooo (TM Michelle). Recipe for tomorrow's matinee is more Gio, less drama.

mick said...

NatsFanSinceStart

hope you are right... if that happens then Mets are done and it is Braves - Nats the rest of the way

NatsFanSinceStart said...

If only, Mick.

I remember the miracle Mets of '69 who were 10 down on August 1.

Long time to go.

sm13 said...

Giants have tied it up 1-1.

ehay2k said...

Our bullpen was fine, because we got the win. It's not like they can pitch no-hitters every time out. They call them averages for a reason.

Another win against a division opponent, young players contribute, starting pitching was again great.

mick said...

NatsFanSinceStart

that was a solid Mets team in 1969 my friend. what was more impressive was the 1973 Mets who were in last place 10 back in August, they finished 83-79 and beat the Big Red Machine in NLCS, Rose got his ass kicked by all of New York, but unfortunately the Mets lost in seven to the A's in the WS.

That was the year the sign You gotta Believe" began

man i love this game!!!

mick said...

yes sir sjm go Giants!!

waddu eye no said...

Faraz Shaikh said...
is he tipping?

clip tip?
just a blip.
don't flip.
could hurt his WHIP.
but not his hip.
minor slip.
he'll get back his zip and let er rip.
and right the ship.
kook aid? take a sip.
what a long strange trip.

natsfan1a said...

it's been

Holden Baroque said...

NatsFanSinceStart said...
that's smart that you removed that, dude.


I decided I was out of line. Not sure how smart it was. It's not as if I'm at risk of anything.

Holden Baroque said...

I mean, seriously. What's the worst that could happen if I left it?

Holden Baroque said...

For those who missed it, I criticized Mick for showing up late, and negative, but I was necessarily harsh about it.

Holden Baroque said...

UN necessarily. UN.

Holden Baroque said...

Perhaps I haven't entirely internalized the lesson. I'll work on that. Penance in the bleachers tomorrow.

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