Sunday, July 22, 2012

Game 94: Braves at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
The Nats try to salvage a series split and increase their NL East lead to 3 1/2 games.
What was the significance of last night's 5-2 win over the Braves? Well, instead of showing up at the park today in danger of getting swept and losing first place in the NL East for the first time in two months, the Nationals know they have an opportunity to salvage a split and get their lead back to 3 1/2 games, where it was when this series opened on Friday. Pretty big difference.

The Nationals will attempt to do that without Ian Desmond or Jesus Flores in their lineup. Desmond's oblique strain acted up again during last night's game, so he's getting a rest. For now, the team doesn't believe the injury is getting worse or that a DL stint is going to become a possibility -- "I don't really want to go there," Davey Johnson said this morning. Flores, meanwhile, still is bothered by a stiff back, so Sandy Leon gets another start behind the plate.

Bryce Harper, on the other hand, is back in the lineup, fighting through a bruised left ankle after fouling a bunt off himself during yesterday's opener. He certainly looked fine coming off the bench during last night's win.

The skies appear to actually be clearing up after a long weekend of rain and gray. Plenty of updates to come, so please check back...

ATLANTA BRAVES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS (Game 2)
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, Ch. 50, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 185
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 80 degrees, Wind 6 mph RF to LF
NATIONALS (54-39)
2B Steve Lombardozzi
RF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Michael Morse
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Danny Espinosa
CF Roger Bernadina
C Sandy Leon
LHP Ross Detwiler

BRAVES (52-42)
CF Michael Bourn
LF Martin Prado
RF Jason Heyward
3B Chipper Jones
1B Freddie Freeman
C Brian McCann
2B Dan Uggla
SS Paul Janish
RHP Jair Jurrjens

UMPIRES
HP Alfonso Marquez
1B Tom Hallion (cc)
2B Dave Rackley
3B Chad Fairchild

1:39 p.m. -- And we're underway as Ross Detwiler fires a fastball high and outside to Michael Bourn for ball one. Seventy-nine very comfortable degrees at first pitch.

1:42 p.m. -- An 8-pitch top of the first for Detwiler. Good stuff from the lefty.

2:00 p.m. -- Wow, looks like the Nats brought out the whupping stick today against Jair Jurrjens. They just exploded for four runs in the bottom of the first. Ryan Zimmerman -- cortisone shots for everyone! -- hit another home run, this one an opposite-field shot to right-center. Danny Espinosa added another big hit from the left side of the plate, an RBI double to right-center. And Roger Bernadina did it yet again, roping an RBI single for his sixth hit in 24 hours. This place is rocking as the Nats take a 4-0 lead after one inning.

2:25 p.m. -- It's been a very efficient start to the afternoon for Detwiler. He's thrown only 38 pitches in three innings and allowed only one batter to reach. He's working fast, he's throwing strikes and the only man in the building happier about that than Detwiler, I'm sure, is Steve McCatty. Still 4-0 as we go to the bottom of the third.

2:42 p.m. -- Cortisone shot! Make it a double! Zimmerman goes deep yet again, his second of the day. I'd say just hand him NL Player of the Month honors for July, except Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates has been playing out of his mind, too. A comparison of July stats for the two: Zimmerman is hitting .418 with nine homers, 19 RBI, a .910 slugging percentage (.910?!) and a 1.399 OPS. McCutchen is hitting .483 (.483?!) with seven homers, 14 RBI, an .883 slugging percentage and 1.427 OPS. Can't go wrong with either choice, I guess. Meanwhile, the rest of the Nats keep on hitting as well. Morse doubles. Espinosa strokes another RBI single. Bernadina beats out another infield single. It's 6-0 after three, the Nats have compiled 10 hits and Jurrjens is done.

2:51 p.m. -- I was about to point out that we should remember the Nationals blew a 9-0 lead to these guys less than 48 hours ago, just as Detwiler had loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fourth. But I won't bother, because Ross immediately got McCann to ground into a 1-2-3 double play to snuff out that rally and keep this a 6-0 game as we head to the bottom of the fourth.

2:59 p.m. -- Zim lines out hard to right field for his first out of the day. What a bum.

3:18 p.m. -- Not to be totally overshadowed by Zimmerman, Danny Espinosa is on fire himself at the plate. He's 3-for-3 today with two doubles, and over his last 16-plus games, he's now hitting .365 with six doubles, two homers and eight RBI. During that time, he's raised his batting average to .250. As my colleague Amanda Comak of the Washington Times points out, that's the highest Espinosa's average has been since April 2011. Wow. Oh yeah, Sandy Leon almost hit a grand slam but had to settle for a two-run double off the fence. It's now 8-0 as we go to the sixth.

3:30 p.m. -- So much for the shutout. The Braves plate two runs in the top of the sixth, with one scoring on a Leon passed ball and another coming across on an RBI groundout. So it'a 8-2 as we go to the bottom of the sixth.

3:50 p.m. -- Roger Bernadina can do no wrong. Seriously. He's now 8-for-10 over the last 26 1/2 hours, his infield single in the sixth scoring Zim from third to make it a 9-2 game. Bernadina is now hitting over .290 for the season. Remarkable.

4:01 p.m. -- Job well done by Ross Detwiler: 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 98 pitches, 64 strikes. That's exactly what the Nats needed. And most importantly, he attacked hitters, not messing around once he had a lead. Detwiler went to a three-ball count only five times. And his season ERA is now down to 3.01 in 14 starts. Yes, a 3.01 ERA for the Nats' No. 5 starter. Remind me again why this team needs to acquire another arm by the end of the month? Still 9-2 at the stretch.

4:17 p.m. -- Craig Stammen navigates his way through a scoreless eighth. Davey Johnson said this morning he preferred to stay away from both Sean Burnett and Tyler Clippard today. Looks like he'll get his wish.

4:29 p.m. -- Ballgame. Stammen finishes off a thoroughly satisfying 9-2 win and the Nats split the series and increase their lead over the Braves to 3 1/2 games. Right back where they started on Friday.

185 comments:

MicheleS said...

Up at the HOF ceremonies. GYFNG! GO NATS GO DET!

mick said...

Flores must be hurt

JaneB said...

I'm worried about Flores too. Who is the back up to the back up to the back up to the back up catcher we can call up if we need to? I've lost track.

GYFNG!!! Leaving for the stadium now.

Mr. Doggett said...

Taking my 2 year old to his first real game today. So pumped. GYFNG!!!!

Kirbs said...

Dogget I'm jealous!!! I have a 2 and a half and have yet to do it...let's get this split!!

Holden Baroque said...

Michele, does it get any better than that? Watching a win from Cooperstown! And Little Doggett gets baptised into the Church of Baseball--GYLDG!

Holden Baroque said...

Jane, I'm guessing Koyie Hill would be next. On the half-full side, I believe he homered the other day for Syracuse. Flores's back is understandably balky--he might not need two weeks, but he sure needs a few days.

MicheleS said...

Sofa. If you can,please post updates.

baseballswami said...

Go Nats!!!!!

Faraz Shaikh said...

GO Nats and RD!!

A DC Wonk said...

Is anyone else as unsettled as I am about Ian's not starting? After all this game is kind of important, no?

Swift Eagle said...

Assuming Desi is out for a while, who would play 2B or SS if something happened to Lombo or Espi?

Swift Eagle said...

Davey said last night Desi was unlikely for today, and Flores has a bad back...going to need a team effort today

UnkyD said...

Not too much, Wonk. Every games important, if he wants to play through, rather than take 15 days off, I reckon he'll miss 1or 2 a week, and it's not like we can schedule them. At least we're learning that, while Lombo's value is good, as a utility man... we'll be looking for a stronger back up MI, next spring, I would think?

Swift Eagle said...

Thanks Jack. I've never seen Johnson..that's what happens when I miss Spring Training!

Holden Baroque said...

Michele, I believe Mark is in the booth today doing updates. Low-grade coal to Newcastle, me posting.

Dr Trea (formerly #werthquake) said...

what does gyfng mean? "Go You F~ Nationals Go!!!!!!" ?

NatsJim said...

Clip - yep, supply your own F... I choose to read it as "Fantastic"!!

SonnyG10 said...

You got it Clip&... with the f being freaking or you expletive of choice.

SonnyG10 said...

Fantastic is a good one NatsJim.

Section 222 said...

I wouldn't say Harper looked fine last night. He didn't plant his foot the way he usually does on that single to left, was kind of tentative as he rounded first, and limped back to the dugout after scoring. On the other hand, he stole second and raced home from 2nd to score, so he wasn't slowing down too much. Still, I'll be holding my breath every time he runs today.

NatsJack in Florida said...

Derek.....It's one of the problems with the 40 man as it's constructed right now. Aside from what's on the active roster, there are no middle infielders. Carlos Rivero is an iron handed third baseman who needs alot of work defensively.

NatsJack in Florida said...

Of course there are those that might tell you Anthony Rendon could be considered a middle infielder but I believe otherwise.

Swift Eagle said...

I was at the 2nd game last night, did I actually see Clippard throw 3 or 4 breaking balls? Didn't think he had that...or maybe they were just moving change-ups?

Swift Eagle said...

Uggla just missed that...maybe if his shirt weren't so tight??...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack, I say what I said about Rendon over the Spring, a Lombo type on defense and will get a permanent spot if his bat is as good as we hope. I think 3rd or LF.

Holden Baroque said...

Eagle, the announcers were commenting on Clip's going to the changeup several times.

Swift Eagle said...

Zim is so dialed in...Made that look easy...Great start

Holden Baroque said...

In the Zone--the Corti-Zone!

What a smooth, easy swing! As if he just swatted it.

Swift Eagle said...

Yes Jack! And that X-Mo replay of his swing was Textbook!! They should show that to every RH hitter...

Swift Eagle said...

And I don't see a loop in that LH swing by Espi either...another good sign..and Roger is so hot it's crazy...4-0!

Holden Baroque said...

This looks like the game Detwiler could get his dinger. Jurrjens isn't missing any bats at all.

Swift Eagle said...

Yep, head was down through contact, front foot down early, back foot solid, and a little foward lean...looked like an instructional video!

Swift Eagle said...

Haha Sofa, I'd just be happy with a quality start and a W for Ross...but I'm ok with a dinger too...

natscan reduxit said...

… so today, I'm relegated to following the game on GameDay. I don't mind really, but I was thrilled - well, happy - to have had access to Atlanta's Peachtree station for the past three games.

… I say happy, not thrilled, because as wonderful as it was to get the live TV game, I had to endure the disreputable Joe Simpson. He is simply a disgrace to the Atlanta Braves. First, even with the game in DC, he went to great lengths to find a few Braves fans doing 'the chop'. Forget that it should have been banned long ago, here he was finding it where it really ought not to be. Then yesterday, when Bryce fouled up his ankle, Simpson went on and on about how he was out of the box and should have been out. He was still at it three innings later but failed to notice - even with a replay - that Jason hayward did the same thing.

… really, I understand that announcers paid by the team can be expected to be 'homers'. But someone should tell Simpson being a homer does not mean denigrating the other team at every opportunity.

… anyway, good to see the boys getting their groove back on again this afternoon.

Go Nats!!

Holden Baroque said...

Is it raining there? Looks like it might be, on TV, but it's not raining here in Shaw.

mick said...

what is scary and impressive about the Braves is that with the exception of Janesh, is their 6 and 7 hitters would be 3,4, or 5 hitters on most teams

Holden Baroque said...

True dat, Jack. He's already stayed healthy longer than I thought he would.

Section 222 said...

Det is getting outs, but it looks like he's leaving the ball up. Hope the Braves don't start centering on his pitches.

So nice to see line drive hits. Espi's and Bernadina's hits were solid line drives.

Swift Eagle said...

I actually listen to the Braves radio for these games...maybe it's just me, but I always liked Don Sutton...he's very complimentary towards the Nats by the way

MicheleS said...

For our Expos friends. Excellent tribute to Gary Carter before ceremony starts.

Holden Baroque said...

FP, if you're reading this, can you please tell Bob that a foul tip is when the catcher hangs on to the ball, otherwise it's a foul ball. Foul tips aren't foul balls.

Swift Eagle said...

I've learned to ignore the comments of several in-game posters Jack...made this a lot more fun LOL..

mick said...

Uggla may be hitting around 214, but he is dangerous

Swift Eagle said...

Sutton just said Bowden asked him to watch video of Detwiler before they drafted him... Sutton claims he told the Nats not to draft him if they were going to change his delivery, but they did both anyway...

He also says Det is back to his more natural motion and is doing better

Holden Baroque said...

Wow, Lombo must have been paying attention to us yesterday--got rid of that slow bouncer quick enough on Bourn to end the third.

mick said...

Is Det really the #3 pitcher when Strass is shut down and Lannan comes back?

Holden Baroque said...

I don't understand how that could be, Jack--foul tips are defined that way by rule.

Swift Eagle said...

Oh My

Holden Baroque said...

I took it the umpire is signalling it was indeed fouled, and is a dead ball, not a foul tip.


OMG. Zim-Zone!

Swift Eagle said...

Just making it look easy, Stay Hot Ryan!

mick said...

Does Zim own this guy or what!!!

Joe Seamhead said...

Yeah,that Rizzo guy really screwed up by making sure that Ryan Zimmerman will spend his whole career here.

Holden Baroque said...

So, building up another nine-run lead, and then holding it, would be a nice bookend to this series, wouldn't it?

Steady Eddie said...

Zim is so locked in it's unreal... I could see him with a 4 hr game looking like this. Of course, having Jurrjens to hit helps, but Zim is driving big time.

Section 222 said...

Mick, nope, he's #4 after Gio, Zimnn, and E-Jax. I would expect in the post season he might get a start, depending on the schedule, but would mostly be a lefty long reliever or LOOGY if needed.

mick said...

that makes sense sec 222

Swift Eagle said...

Another short LH swing by Espi

Holden Baroque said...

Sure, he's driven in about 50 runs in the past six weeks, Joe, but he still throws the ball funny once in a while, so the HR argument is invalid.

mick said...

Strike 3 sign by ump is strike 3 on foul tip, called strike or swinging

Swift Eagle said...

I also see a little different look on their faces than when it was 9-0 Friday...They're still happy, but not quite as silly as they were after the Morse and Zim HRs on Friday

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Winning teams brush off adversity. Davey needs to pile it on. Pedal to the metal!!!!

Steady Eddie said...

Also looks like, a month later, that cortisone shot is NOT wearing off, which is really good news for Zim's durability the rest of this year.

Boy, two and a third innings for Jurrjens is not going to leave the Barves' bullpen in good shape.

Even assuming a split of this series (with my fingers crossed after being at that Friday night game), the Barves will bear the marks of this series in wear and tear on their pitching staff, while we get to go and face the totally beaten up Mets' pitching.

Swift Eagle said...

The Nats did not have 1 swing and miss v. JJ...

Swift Eagle said...

Yes Jack, there's no reason Danny can't keep improving at a similar pace as Desmond...As we know, Davey has never doubted that...

Steady Eddie said...

Boy the Nats are really perfecting that impossibly high infield bouncer, ain't they? First Det and now Shark.

Joe Seamhead said...

Now, Braves, how do you like that tomahawk chop?

Holden Baroque said...

I'm just saying that the ump makes that sign on strike 3's whether caught or not. Caught equals k and not caught equals foul tip not caught.

That's true, and with a runner on base, he should be indicating a foul ball in all cases, one way or another. I was complaining about Carp calling balls "foul tips" that are not foul tip, they are just foul balls. It's a term of art, it means something specific. Regardless of the count, if it tips off the bat, and is caught directly by the catcher, it is not a foul ball, it's still live, which is a significant difference.

I know you know all that, but that was my point.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack, I was concerned after his HR off of Kimbrel that he would lengthen his swing and luckily not. Much better and its showing.

Steady Eddie said...

Also nice to see us take advantage of another team';s pitchers' slow delivery to the plate, especially with two of our speed burners out there.

joemktg said...

Double steal up six runs in the third in an important game: that's the foot on the throat. Superb.

Swift Eagle said...

Correction...1 swing and miss (by Morse) v. JJ...still not too shabby

Holden Baroque said...

Meanwhile, Edwin Jackson has fired Scott Boras. I wonder if that is a tip-off toward his likelihood of staying here?

Joe Seamhead said...

Section 3, My PFB Hitterish Sofa said...
Sure, he's driven in about 50 runs in the past six weeks, Joe, but he still throws the ball funny once in a while, so the HR argument is invalid.
July 22, 2012 2:33 PM
------------------------
Okay, I'm a little slow sometimes. Please tell me that you are being facetious .

NatsNut said...

Yes!

joemktg said...
Double steal up six runs in the third in an important game: that's the foot on the throat. Superb.

Holden Baroque said...

The Nats did not have 1 swing and miss v. JJ.

Wow, I said he wasn't missing bats; I didn't think it was literally true. And yes, they look a lot more businesslike about this beatdown so far, don't they?

Holden Baroque said...

Joe, I'm being faceious.

Steady Eddie said...

Good catch, Sofa!

And good news for us. Suggests, as I've thought all along with EJax, that he's not into pure $ maximization but at that level of income, has the good sense to know that settling down with a team with great chemistry and likely continuing contention is more important than the biggest $ and potentially ending up with a team like the Marlins.

A DC Wonk said...

Pedal to the medal? Does a double steal when up 6-0 count? ;-)

A DC Wonk said...

EJax firing Boras. Wow...

Joe Seamhead said...

I knew that,Sofa.

Holden Baroque said...

And the Braves, since they are the Braves, have no intention of going quietly.

Swift Eagle said...

1-2-3

Joe Seamhead said...

1,2,3 double play.Gotta love it!

NatsNut said...

NatsLady,
I meant to mention last night, this box score you posted is HILARIOUS!

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_07_21_chnmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=box

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Love the 2 for 1 special!!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

DC Wonk, wonders never cease!

Holden Baroque said...

1-2-3! It's so easy...

Holden Baroque said...

Wow, Avilan doesn't look even remotely interested in hitting that target over the plate to Zimmerman in the 4th inning with 2 outs and nobody on.

Swift Eagle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Ten pitching inning by RD. Start of the 3rd time through the order. Big for him to get thru the 6th quickly

djinFl. said...

Wasn't it Jane who said
"don't poke the un bear able.

Steady Eddie said...

Nats Jack@2:46 and Eagle @ 3:01: You are correct, sirs!

Ain't it nice?

MicheleS said...

Is it a Cookies for Det day?

Swift Eagle said...

So true DJ, just removed it!

Holden Baroque said...

Mark, however, is gamefully trying to pick up the slack, pointing out what a bum Zimm is after flying out.


And yes, he is being faceshu... fasec... ironic.

Steady Eddie said...

Morse is now back over .300, and Zim is creeping towards .280.

Now if only ALR could get back on track, best he's done lately was that groundout to advance Morse to third...

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Yes, MicheleS, many, many cookies for Det. He might even weigh 175 after today. But the tray full of double chocolate chip with Craisins in them goes to Zimm. He's on fire. We should all get a shot of Cortisone, if these are the results.

Careful driving back home! How was the Coop?

Holden Baroque said...

But can we poke you?

Holden Baroque said...

Morse chugs into third with his best "PLEASE don't make me go home from first again!" look at Bo.

Steady Eddie said...

And Det is at only 63 pitches after 5 innings.

And and Danny is red hot, 3 for 3 today and now hitting .251!

What was that from the rock dwellers about the season being over after Friday?

Swift Eagle said...

Braves have had enough of Roger!

Steady Eddie said...

R-E-S-P-E-C-T for the Shark!

Holden Baroque said...

Does that mean the Braves bullpen has jumped the Shark?


Man, I kill me.

Swift Eagle said...

Oh Bo, let Roger run!! Lol

Holden Baroque said...

Don't jump the Shark to get to the Lion's Den!

Steady Eddie said...

And Leon goes long!

Thought Danny's and Sandy's doubles were both going out...

Joe Seamhead said...

Me? You wanna walk a guy to get to me?

Holden Baroque said...

Ok, Ross: it's your time, boy.

Holden Baroque said...

Or not.

djinFl. said...

@ Sunshine
Michele will have to wait for her tears to stop before driving. Gammons called Vicki Santos speech the most touching and inspiring HOF speech he has ever heard.

Swift Eagle said...

Does FP's shirt double as a table cloth?

Steady Eddie said...

And now this looks uncomfortably like the top of the 6th on Friday, especially with Chipper up.

This is Det's biggest challenge, especially without a DP to get.

Swift Eagle said...

See ya Chipper

Steady Eddie said...

Big Daddy goes down swinging. Impressive, that.

Now Freeman and McCann to get.

Swift Eagle said...

Is it possible to erase an unwritten rule?

When it comes to playing with a big lead, I think Friday's game actually did that

Grandstander said...

Just moved up to 417 to escape the crowds and sun and look who I see to my left, why it's Mr. Zuckerman and the beat writers! Man you guys are high up! Hi Mark.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack, really like what I am seeing from Det on 5 days rest. As I said before, RD is really soaking it all in like a sponge from the Three Amigos.

NatsNut said...

Sofa, I just watched the replay of Morse chugging around the bases. LOL! His arms were going but his legs looked like he had 10 lb weights on them.

Steady Eddie said...

NatsJack -- not during ST, but I did see him pitch an inning for the Senators at Bowie in early April during a rehab game for Morse and Ankiel.

He made quite a first impression -- I saw this huge (what is he, 6'7" or 6'8" at least?) dude warming up before the inning throwing junk in the 70s and 80s, then during the inning he's throwing mid to upper 90s under control almost every pitch. Very interesting.

Gonat said...

3 run Jack time by the Beast would be nice!!!!

Steady Eddie said...

Ghost -- your key words there were "on 5 days rest". Was at the Mets game last Tuesday where he was complete shutdown, but that was his first start after the ASbreak, and remembered all his quality long rest starts back in September. If he can get NJ's clean 7th, he'll have reached another level.

And Morse gets punched out on ball 4.

Joe Seamhead said...

Porter, really?

Holden Baroque said...

Steady, PitchTrack had it on the corner, FWIW.

mick said...

good time for ALR to hit, agree with Bobby C and FP, why did Bo Porter send Bryce, verse a solid RF arm and Bryce still favoring his ankle?

Swift Eagle said...

No place to put Roger now...

mick said...

Det has really pitched well

Steady Eddie said...

Nats Jack -- The warmup junk he was throwing was nowhere close to 86, unless the gun was off. I suspect he was just funnin' with the Baysox.

He did look impressive.

Holden Baroque said...

Bo isn't afraid to make them make a good throw, with a lead. I'd hate to see Harper get hurt, there, though, which is the problem with that philosophy: it's riskier.

Steady Eddie said...

Along with Zim's two dingers and Det's quality start, the best thing about today is all the respect for and performance by Danny and the Shark. Varvaro wanted no part of giving Danny anything near the zone.

Swift Eagle said...

Haha...3 hits for Roger

Joe Seamhead said...

Mick, I actually agree with you. Harper was flying in spite of his ankle. Bad call on Bo's part.

mick said...

The Shark bites em again....

Holden Baroque said...

So that wasn't so different from the ball McCann hit back at Detwiler, but Ross caught his.

mick said...

Braves need Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dryfuss, lol

Joe Seamhead said...

17 hits at the end of the 6th. Every starter for the Nats have at least one hit.

Swift Eagle said...

Europe called...thinks Uggla's shirt is too tight

Holden Baroque said...

He's what, 6', 200+?

Holden Baroque said...

Fair crowd today. I'd say >25K.

Swift Eagle said...

Prado is about .600 v Ross, so this should be it no matter what

Holden Baroque said...

Wow, I'm way off, 34,917.

Holden Baroque said...

DING DING DING...Jack wins the Internetz!~

djinFl. said...

Glad to see Det have such good games back to back, and enjoy himself.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Great outing by RD. Not drinking Kool-aid.

Joe Seamhead said...

Stand up and give that man a hand! Way to go Ross Detwiler!!!

Steady Eddie said...

Nats Jack -- and so it was. Det deserves the standing O he just got.

I'm sure your numbers on Garcia were accurate. I was just talking about what I saw on the Bowie pitch speed board during his warmup, which don't necessarily have anything to do with what he does in the game.

Holden Baroque said...

FP gets the Line of the Day, I think, for saying about Bernadina being 8 for his last 10: "It's hard to go 8 for 10 at a *softball tournament*!"

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Det was throwing free and easy...and efficiently!

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Thanks, DJ, for the Coop update. MicheleS, don't drive while weeping (That's a DWW!).

You'd have been proud of Det. Many cookies for him. He's out after 7: two runs (one earned). Seven hit, struck out three, walked one. One passed ball (Leon, giving me slight case of indigestion back there) leading to the unearned run. Nats are going to be 4-1 in his six starts since replacing CMW in rotation on June 24.

Holden Baroque said...

Kool-ade for Detwiler, extra sugar.

Holden Baroque said...

Maybe Uggla can give him some pointers on filling out the doubleknits.

Swift Eagle said...

And the Braves still don't like lefties...Nats should set it up so Lannan, Gio, and Ross, pitch against them every series...

Holden Baroque said...

Harper with the gold bat... seems to be lucky.

Swift Eagle said...

Freddie felt the pressure on that one...Harper forces another error...Where's the stat for that one???

Holden Baroque said...

I think ROE covers some of that, tho not the "forced" part.

Holden Baroque said...

So if not for the fairly avoidable CMW starts, since Detwiler was healthy the whole time, they've gone through the whole season so far with basically the same rotation.

Holden Baroque said...

OK, I thought Lombo charged that one well...and just as I type that, FP mentions it, too.

A DC Wonk said...

Where are all those guys who were so sure that Friday night's loss was too devastating. And that playoff teams just don't lose 9run leads at home?

(oh wait. Hi mick ;-). That's actually a compliment to you. You're way too gloom and doom during a loss, but at least you're here with cheer during wins. As opposed to the other doom and gloom guys who never show up during wins)

Nats 128 said...

Jack, now that Ross Detwiler's day is done I can say it. Both Ross and Roger Bernadina came out to help Chad Cordero and our group at our camp on Friday. I told Ross just like I said to Roger, "you have 75 new fans plus their families which will bring good Karma". Ross got a big smile.

I don't think its a coincidence that the Shark had a great weekend just like Ross today.

http://www.facebook.com/DcEliteBaseball

NatsJack in Florida said...

He did Sofa. That play against the Mets was embarassing. A right handed hitter on a routine ground ball.

He'll charge and get rid of the ball quickly ever time now.

A DC Wonk said...

Marlins lost

Swift Eagle said...

Funny how nobody over-reacts to 1 game on the positive side...

If these were "must wins" does that mean the Nats have clinched the East??

NatsJack in Florida said...

Thanks for the info Andrew. Both Ross and Roger have matured alot in the past year. Iy goes with having quality people through out the organization.

Holden Baroque said...

And yet, here we are getting close to the 200-comment flip. This has been a lot more enjoyable, agreed Wonk.

Swift Eagle said...

One more shot for Roger v the Braves pitchers...

Holden Baroque said...

Stammen going to finish, then. Cool.

NatsJack in Florida said...

Derek... Friday two of my Brave fan buddies wanted to bet on the series and I told them all I wanted was a split. No bets.

I told them check with me in September when the outcomes arfe magnified. Then I'll bet.

Swift Eagle said...

Great play by Freeman

Holden Baroque said...

The Braves get the Marlins next. Let's hope Ozzie &co. is ready for some dramas.

Holden Baroque said...

Dodgers up 3-2 in the bottom of the 9th.

ehay2k said...

I wonder what Barves fans will be thinking? Two huge wins to start the series, then fall flat and fail to pick up any ground on the Nats. Even worse, their BP is spent going into their next series. Ours is quite a bit more rested, thanks to our SPs going deeper the last two games. Today, in particular, had to hurt them a lot.

The next series for both teams will say a lot about them.

Nats 128 said...

Jack, we spoke about pitch selection and his power sinker which he is starting lower in the zone and mixes in that 4 seamer. Ross showed the kids his grips and a nice circle change grip. Check out the photos and some of the videos. Just a great smile and he is working hard.

This is one of my favorite pictures: http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/559327_342895815784905_1322101599_n.jpg

ehay2k said...

I have to laugh at that last play by the Shark - he looked up for the wall well before he even got to the warning track. That's a clown glance bro. :-P

Holden Baroque said...

Andrew, thanks for that and the info. Great program.

A DC Wonk said...

The good thing about a split with the Braves, of course, is that while the Braves leave town with the same deficit (3.5), they now have four fewer games to make it up.

Yeah, it's a marathon and not a sprint, and we're not even up to August, but still, we've knocked four games off the magic number over four games. I.e., a split here favors the Nats

NatsJack in Florida said...

200 comments ans "self anointed site genius" comment free.

Poke-poke-poke.

Holden Baroque said...

WooooooooooooooooooooooooHoooooooooooooo!

TM Michele

ehay2k said...

OK,who thinks that after that performance, Davey might actually pronounce Stammen's name correctly?

(Full disclosure, I'm taking the under on that one.)

Joe Seamhead said...

Yowsa! How nice to win this game without all the fear and ignorance that has been spewed out the past couple of days!
We are in first place. We have the best record in the NL.
We go to the Mets with pretty, pretty, pretty good pitching matchups, and a reasonably rested bullpen.
I like it!

Swift Eagle said...

Someone explain to me the "fans" who only show up here when things are going bad so they can complain about, well, EVERYTHING

If they hate the Nats so much, why do they follow at all?

Do they every actually enjoy the good stuff?

Smatt1001 said...

Just because it needs more emphasis:

WooooooooooooooooooooooooHoooooooooooooo!

TM Michele

Great recovery by the Nats after Friday and Saturday morning.

DaveB said...

PFB to have our #4 5 6 pitchers all go 7 innings with the Braves, all giving up less than 3 runs. WOW!

A DC Wonk said...

DaveB: good point

Eagle: beats me. Some are probably infantile O's fans. But others aren't. I can't figure what drives their behavior

Swift Eagle said...

Wonk, I believe you once referred to it as "footbal fan mentality" which describes it as best as possible...

NatsJim said...

"A DC Wonk said...
DaveB: good point

Eagle: beats me. Some are probably infantile O's fans. But others aren't. I can't figure what drives their behavior
July 22, 2012 4:46 PM"

Don't overanalyze it - they are LOSERS with a losing mentality.

Post a Comment