Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Game 123: Braves at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Stephen Strasburg takes the mound tonight at Nationals Park.
And we're back at Nationals Park for game two of this pivotal series. Feels like we just left here following last night's 13-inning, rain-delayed marathon.

The good news is, the sun is mostly shining and there doesn't appear to be any serious threat of rain tonight. So that should remove one possibility for a long night, not to mention one deterrent for fans to come to the park.

Also, Stephen Strasburg is making what will almost certainly be one of his final starts of the season in the District, so there's that. (His innings count entering tonight is ... drumroll please ... 139 1/3! So we're probably talking about at least three more starts, probably no more than five.)

Left-hander Paul Maholm, one of the Braves' trade deadline acquisitions, gets the start for an Atlanta club that desperately needs to win tonight or else fall seven games back in the division.

Updates to come...

ATLANTA BRAVES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv, MLB Network
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 183
Weather: Partly cloudy, 78 degrees, Wind 3 mph in from RF
NATIONALS (76-46)
RF Jayson Werth
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Michael Morse
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Jesus Flores
RHP Stephen Strasburg

BRAVES (70-52)
CF Michael Bourn
LF Martin Prado
RF Jason Heyward
1B Freddie Freeman
2B Dan Uggla
C Brian McCann
3B Juan Francisco
SS Paul Janish
LHP Paul Maholm

UMPIRES
HP Kerwin Danley
1B Paul Nauert
2B Dana DeMith (cc)
3B Doug Eddings

7:07 p.m. -- We are underway with a 96 mph strike from Stephen Strasburg to Michael Bourn. Looks like a much larger crowd here tonight than last night, which is nice to see.

7:14 p.m. -- Good stuff from Strasburg in the top of the first. He struck out Bourn on a filthy, 91 mph changeup and finished off the inning by snagging Freddie Freeman's comebacker. Threw 19 total pitches, 11 strikes.

7:21 p.m. -- Nothing happening from the Nats in the bottom of the first against Paul Maholm. Bryce Harper struck out looking at an 89 mph fastball right down broadway, an absolute creampuff. Not sure what he was thinking.

7:31 p.m. -- Two innings in the books for Strasburg, with two hits allowed and three strikeouts recorded, two on changeups, one on a curveball. He's got good movement of his offspeed stuff, though he has thrown 39 pitches already.

7:40 p.m. -- So it's raining pretty hard right now, much harder than it did at any point during last night's delay. But they're playing through it. Then Ian Desmond launched a ball to left field that may have brought more rain from the sky. For the second time in as many nights, Desmond homered into the stands beyond the bullpen. Impressive power. The Nats take a 1-0 lead after two.

7:46 p.m. -- Oh goody, we're in a rain delay! Seriously, where did this come from? If you look at the radar map, everything in the area is clear except for like a 1-mile radius around Nationals Park. ow the question becomes whether the Nats will bring Strasburg back after the delay. If this lasts for any length of time, I've got to think they won't.

8:25 p.m. -- OK, the tarp is being rolled up, Strasburg is playing catch and apparently will return to the mound. The game is scheduled to resume at 8:35 p.m.

8:34 p.m. -- And we're back after a 51-minute delay, with Strasburg back on the mound. My guess is Strasburg threw a couple of simulated "innings" during the delay to stay warm. And he sure looked fine coming back out, striking out Prado on a nasty curveball to end the third.

8:55 p.m. -- Yeah, I don't think that rain delay affected Strasburg one bit. He's struck out three of five batters faced since the resumption. And he's got seven strikeouts overall through four scoreless innings. Just froze McCann on a 97 mph inside fastball to end the fourth. He's at 68 pitches. Nats still lead 1-0.

9:00 p.m. -- Not sure what Zimmerman was thinking trying to stretch his rocket off the left-field wall into a double. He never had a chance, and Prado's throw beat him by so much, Uggla almost did a double-take trying to make the tag. Trent Jewett should've had a good view of the whole play developing. Wonder if he tried to hold Zim up at first.

9:07 p.m. -- Sweet Fancy Moses, is Strasburg locked in tonight or what? That's 10 strikeouts in five innings, including six of the eight batters he's faced since the rain delay. He's painted the corners with a 97 mph fastball. His curveball is falling off the table. And his changeup is absolutely devastating. Maybe the best I've seen his full arsenal all season. He's at 81 pitches through five, the Nats still leading 1-0.

9:19 p.m. -- Jesus Flores gets Nationals Park rocking. Sends a three-run homer into the flower bed atop the left-field fence to give the Nats a 4-0 lead. That's Flores' first homer since June 29 (off the Braves' Randall Delgado). His previous one before that came on June 2 off the Braves' Brandon Beachy. So his last three homers have all been on Atlanta pitchers.

9:30 p.m. -- Everything's coming up Flores tonight! Just threw out Heyward trying to advance to second on a ball in the dirt to end the top of the sixth. Strasburg reacted with two fist pumps and a point in the direction of his catcher. Good stuff. That will do it for the right-hander. His final line: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K, 94 pitches. It's 4-1 as Drew Storen enters for the seventh.

9:40 p.m. -- And Storen needs only four pitches in a 1-2-3 seventh. Tonight's paid attendance, by the way, is 33,888. Very lively crowd here.

9:50 p.m. -- Another pinch-hit for Steve Lombardozzi, who come off the bench cold twice in as many nights now and delivered a single. Onto the eighth, with Sean Burnett entering to protect a 4-1 lead.

10:03 p.m. -- And Burnett gets out of a jam with a 1-6-3 double play and walks off the mound with a huge fist pump of his own. Crowd goes nuts. They're three outs away from another win over Atlanta.

10:07 p.m. -- The one negative to this game tonight: Bryce Harper is wearing a red curly W golden sombrero on his head after striking out four times. Yikes.

10:11 p.m. -- Here comes Tyler Clippard. Up three runs. Heyward, Freeman and Uggla due up in the ninth.

10:23 p.m. -- Ballgame. Clippard finishes off a 4-1 victory and records his 28th save (though he brought the tying run to the plate after committing an egregious fielding error). Strasburg improves to 15-5 (4-0 in August with a 1.50 ERA). The Nats are 77-46, seven games up on the Braves and going for the sweep tomorrow.

138 comments:

Knoxville Nat said...

Was quite surprised to see how low the attendence was last night. Was that a function of the weather or what? I had thought there would be 30K plus for last nights game.

Being here in the south I get blacked out from watching the game on MASN and have to watch it on the Braves network. Carp may not be the next Vin Scully but let me tell you he is much better than Chip Carey. Little Chip (as I call him)is a better sleep aid than anything you can buy at the store.

GYFNG!!

JaneB said...

One of our kids is representing tonight. We are having (non-baseball and very dear) friends in from out of town, so my dilemma is how to watch game day without getting caught. Lots of heading to the kitchen, I think.
GYFNG!

baseballswami said...

Go back to the last post for a thorough discussion of said attendance. I flipped to 980 espn today since I was in the car a lot and 106.7 was making me want to commit crimes. They have this big commercial with a huge, echoing type voice saying - "We will be there for the SHUTDOWN and be following the final countdown" or some such BS.Seriously - it was very, I don't know, maybe Vegas? Tacky and silly.I see on twitter today that CHipper is not up to playing today - I thought as much. Our guys are just so young and have extra energy to spare. I usually think that gives us an advantage as it gets later. They really get more hyper as the other team tires. I noticed that in Milwaukee. I like they way they are fouling off more pitches and running off of first a lot. That must be hugely annoying to the other team :) A plus!

Uncle Atom said...

I'm going, trying Sec 209 for the first time. I'm looking forward to Stras being extra angry tonight. GYFNG!

m20832 said...

GYFNG!!!!!

Tcostant said...

I think will see a much better crowd (30K) tonight, but it will be for Strasburg and 2 for 1 hot dogs. The city is still learning. I'm looking forward to being there for one of Stras last startat Nationals Park this year.

Doc said...

Yeah, Knoxville Nat, Chip is a chip off the old Skip block. Now that guy, may he R.I.P. was really soporific. Granddaddy, Harry on the other hand was, for me anyway, was always entertaining.

F.P. (Is he on vacation or something??), Ray, and Carp are fine by me.

Lets add on to our over .500 by 30 games tonight!

terpman33 said...

What an EPIC game last night! 30 games over .500? Who would've thunk it!We could very well sweep this series. And considering the Braves have to fly to the west coast and play SF (with no off day), we could get our lead over them to double digits by the end of the weekend. My only pet peeve has to do with the Lerners not wanting to pay metro to extend the service for extra inning games. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? The Lerners got a 100% tax funded stadium. The least they can do is pay the extra $300,000 it cost(can't remember where I saw that figure). Im thinking more along the lines of the playoffs, when we may have a game(s) go into extra innings. We Nats fans (who catch the train)should not have to choose between watching the end of the game, or going home and missing it. This is truly PATHETIC, and needs to be resolved ASAP!! Having said all that, GYFNG!!!!

natsfan1a said...

No Chipper in the lineup but I would guess he might be available to pinch-hit off the bench.

I think there was a Tuesday ticket special as well, tcostant.

Doc, FP said that he'd be staying in SFO for a break after the series there. Can't recall when he was supposed to be back, though.

Go, SS! Go, NATS!!

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

There was indeed a ticket special--more than one, in fact. We'll be there tonight on that basis.

Holden Baroque said...

More discussion on keeping Metro late in the last post.

baseballswami said...

Watching some DVR of last night- watched it, just going back over some innings. Drew also had repeated mound meetings with Suzuki and they did not seem to be in sync. Drew got out of his inning but is still struggling. Morse looked awful at the plate. Maybe that means he will be the hero tonight.

Section 222 said...

Anyone else notice that the Nats, the team with the best record in baseball, are also one of the only teams that didn't try to make a serious upgrade at or near the trade deadline? The Braves got Maholm. The Dodger got Victorino and Hanley. The Giants got Pence. We got . . . . Suzuki. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't think the Reds went looking either.

We did get Werth and Tracy, but they were already ours. Just amazing what this team is accomplishing.

sjm308 said...

How great that we can insert Flores after a tough game last night. Reading lots between the line about posters not really happy with Suzuki but its still just a short time for him and he has not faced most of these NL teams. I think everything will work out for both our catchers.

TV tonight but I will be back at it again tomorrow.

Go Nats!!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

I questioned whether Chipper ans McCann would play. No Chipper. More surprised about McCann.

Section 222 said...

Looks like Harper the blogger weighed in on Fredi not using Kimbrell last night too. Good company for us, NL and Ghost.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

King Felix promising he isn't going anywhere. I don't think he has a no trade clause so its all feel good in Seattle.

Marty said...

So I suppose if you want to plan accordingly-ish:
If Strasburg is currently @ 139 1/3
Tonight goes 6 2/3 (for simplicities sake): 146
8/28 @ Marlins - 6-7: 152-153
9/2 vs Cards - 6-7: 158-159
9/7 vs Marlins - 6-7: 164-165 - Maybe we should all buy tickets for this game and bring "Rizzo is Right" signs

Doc said...

Thanks for the update on F.P. natsfan1a!

Get a knock tonight, JFlo!!

31 over .500 tonight!!!!!!

Steady Eddie said...

Marty -- like your general scoping out but Rizzo has for some time been saying 160 to 170 or so, so he could well squeeze another start out. One thing I'm sure both Rizzo and Davey are hoping is that Stras doesn't threaten to pitch a no-no which would force them to leave him in for more than 7. Give up a single in the first or second and then make it a 7-inning gem. As post-TJ folks are inconsistent game to game (and Stras has been showing that the second half of the season), maybe he'll take out his anger at the July 20th game against the Barves tonight.

baseballswami said...

In boz's interview on 106.7 today, he spoke for 96 seconds ( they had allowed only 90 for the topic), he guessed that it would be on the lower end of the 160-180. He talked about how the scouts are seeing mechanical signs of fatigue already. Not a surprise to those of us who watch every pitch. Davey was just on mlb, boras has weighed in. Will cooler heads begin to prevail or will this continue to be Strasmaggedon?

Section 222 said...

Serious downpour downtown. My exit for the park is delayed. Any reports on game starting time so far?

Gonat said...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
King Felix promising he isn't going anywhere. I don't think he has a no trade clause so its all feel good in Seattle.

August 21, 2012 5:12 PM
_________________________________

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/21/felix-hernandez-im-not-going-anywhere-i-promise

Felix said “… you guys [will] be happy, “I’m not going nowhere … I promise.”

From HardballTalk.com: "That part comes around the 6 minute mark. For what it’s worth, promises made on talk radio regarding a negotiation that won’t take place for two years is not legally binding."

Gonat said...

Section 222 said...
Serious downpour downtown. My exit for the park is delayed. Any reports on game starting time so far?

August 21, 2012 6:13 PM
_____________________________

I can tell you that the Braves BP just ended abruptly!

Gonat said...

Game on time. No tarp.

-Dan- said...

It rained for actually two minutes, just enough time to put an end to the Braves BP, the field seems to be okay.

Gonat said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kspOLPspV0&list=UUtNUW3JVnHIOf2fU42uEclA&index=1&feature=plcp

Video of Anthony Rendon's 1st HR in Harrisburg!

NatsLady said...

The Reds added an excellent relief pitcher (Broxton, I believe is the name).

Gonat said...

Wang starting tonight in Harrisburg

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Go nats lets get 7 up.

Strasburg please be economical with your pitches. Hitters get us runs ealry. I did buy a new bottle of Maloox for the game, as last night's game finished my last bottle.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack, the key I believe is frustrating Maholm and take pitches and work the count. The Braves bullpen has to be tired. Get to them early and often.

Old Wino said...

Let's see if Stras can pitch another great one tonight. Pitching for contact may be the way to go, shorten that count.

Old Wino said...

I wasn't being sarcastic.

Like my new avatar? Just changed it.

Go Stras! Pitch strikes.

-Dan- said...

The key for Strasburg is limiting the walks, The Nats need him for 6 innings tonight after yesterday's marathon.

Let's just put another quality start and a Curly W in the books! Go Nats!

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Not going out tonight -- didn't get home until 2:20 this morning, what with my 1-mile trek up New Jersey Ave. to Independence to catch the 36 bus to Friendship heights, then caught a cab to Grosvenor subway, where my car was parked.

Hey, Lerners, how about chipping in to keep the Metro open til 1 a.m. so I don't have to act like a sherpa to get home after at 13-inning game>

baseballswami said...

Is Thursday an off day? After 35 games in 34 days, off days are just odd.

MicheleS said...

GYFNG! I am in a box tonight so seeing how the other half lives!

NatsLady said...

Re: Metro. Almost cheaper for the Lerners to pay your cab fare. $30K per hour to keep Metro open (less the no. of people who ride).

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

19 pitches the first inning. At least 6 too many It is the area Mccatty needs to wrok on next season.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Manassas, you beat me to it. 19 pitches with 8 balls is not a great average as they aren't chasing anything but the good change off of the fastball.

-Dan- said...

Stras has already fallen behind 2 hitters 3-1, good thing Prado grounded out to Desmond

phil dunton said...

Harper can't hit left handed pitchers and he is playing tonight. Lombardozzi is in the midst of the hottest hitting streak of his major league career and he continues to rot on the bench. Makes no sense to me.

Gonat said...

Another 3-1 count. Efficiency starts with a quality 1st pitch strike.

-Dan- said...

Yeah, as many people say, the first pitch is the most important pitch in baseball, gives you a huge edge for the rest of the atbat

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

19 pitches in the second inning too. 38 total.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

@NL: It's really a question, I believe, of whether the Lerners want to be perceived as major league or not. Right now, this is akin to Davenport. It figures some suburban shopping mall developers wouldn't give a hoot about people who use mass transit. But in case the Lerners haven't noticed, gas is $4 a gallon.

$100,000 an hour, or whatever it costs to keep Metro open, is chump change to these guys. It's the equivalent of 2,000 fans (figuring $50 a head, which may be light, counting concessions.

But it's the perception of being small time that will stalk this guys as the national media discovers this crowd for the first time. Plus, the national media may need a ride after they file their stories and videos too.

-Dan- said...

Ian simply crushed that ball, and just like that the Nats are on top

Jim Webster said...

Sure glad I never posted that I was beginning to question Davey putting Desi in the lineup instead of hot-hitting Lombo. Desi's 2 HRs have quieted my fears.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

radar almost cleared though the area. 8 pitches so far this inning.

Gonat said...

I guess Davey was right on Ian. Glad Ian is still here since one poster proposed trading him for a case of sunflower seeds last year.

-Dan- said...

Let's just hope this delay won't affect Strasburg that much, Davey can't afford to rely on the bullpen for another 7 innings tonight.

-Dan- said...

Actually, the last time something like this happened to Strasburg was in that shaky start in a day game against the Padres, right?

baseballswami said...

I understand that there is one random rain storm just parked over nats park. At this point Stras needs to come back out. Hope he didn't use any warm substances that could run into the wrong places.

Gonat said...

Wang is blowing up in AA. 3 earned over 4 innings.

ehay2k said...

This just in:

Immediately after the game, Strasburg is boarding a plane to head west where he will be used to summon rain to drench the raging wildfires.

ehay2k said...

BTW - Mark Z - did 1st base coach Trent Jewett talk to Zuki about his options in that situation, or was that just all on the wily catcher?

RickH said...

My daughter and I were aghast that so many people were leaving right before the 9th inning last night with a tie ballgame. Then we found out they announced the last car for the subway. Good thing we didn't take Metro, since we missed the announcement.

baseballswami said...

3 days in a row. sheesh.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

NatsLady said...

Re: Metro. Almost cheaper for the Lerners to pay your cab fare. $30K per hour to keep Metro open (less the no. of people who ride).


Also, like Peking Duck it must be ordered 24 hours in advance. Who knew on Sunday night that it would be needed on Monday?

ehay2k said...

Swami - it's August, but it's DC, so there just HAS to be a paradox: August is one of the drier months of the year in DC, but there seem to be an abundance of nightly showers somehow.

Gonat said...

Wang just gave up his 5th run in 5 innings. Yikes.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

12 pitches 51 total. {Prado looked not ready.

Gonat said...

Rendon's BA down to .138 He needs 3 or 4 straight hits to boost that BA quickly

ehay2k said...

I'd rather Rendon gets his BD up first.

BD - bone density.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

jad a phonecall so I might be off 1 pitch 15 pitches 66 total. Too many to freeman after being 0-2.

Gonat said...

Nice job Stras. WHIP it WHIP it good!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

I suggest Bryce just not swung at anything and take his walk.

-Dan- said...

According to MLB.com, Strasburg is at 68 pitches, 43 for strikes

ehay2k said...

68 pitches for Stras, according to MLB gameday. (43 strikes)

Gonat said...

Nice single Zim. Did Trent really send you?

ehay2k said...

Coke owed to TheDC.

Gonat said...

Here's what frustrates me with Bryce. The book is Left-handers pitch him away away away and he keeps expanding the zone and swinging at balls 6 inches off the plate.

I always thought he was a quick learner. Apparently not.

ehay2k said...

Oh My goodness, is Stras pitching a gem so far tonight!

mick said...

Gonat...

Bryce needs Mr. Miyagi.... wax on wax off, eye, always look eye, lol

Gonat said...

Fun watching Stras tonight.

mick said...

Strass at 80 pitches, does he go 7 or not, what do you all think?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

81 pitches 13 that inning. that is the max I like in an inning (but for a K pitcher they usually avcerage like 17

ehay2k said...

Oh, he goes 7 if he deals like he's been dealing. That was a 12 pitch, 3 strikeout inning!

mick said...

Manassas Nats' Fan

does Strass go 6 or 7 or more?

mick said...

ehay2k... that does make sense

ehay2k said...

Uggla's lack of range means the Barve's shift on ALR is less effective.

mick said...

Desi ba ba looooooooo


ehay2k said...

Uggla's vertical handicap means he can't reach Desi's liner. Again - tight shirt, no reach. Just sayin...

ehay2k said...

So happy for Flores!

mick said...

Oh my!!!!!!

-Dan- said...

Flores is surely earning some more playing time tonight, isn't he?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack, small sample size on Maholm but that ERA just skyrocketed!

Gonat said...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
NatsJack, small sample size on Maholm but that ERA just skyrocketed!

August 21, 2012 9:15 PM
______________________________

Still need to get that pitch count up and get back into their bullpen which will help for tomorrow!

ehay2k said...

LOL - My son, age 12, just said - "Maybe Flores didn't need to put his gear on." He knows the Nats with 2 outs know how to keep the line moving!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

TheDC, Flores just can't handle more than 3 to 4 games a week. I wouldn't be surprised to see JFlo catching JZim next start.

-Dan- said...

And Werth is on again with his third XBH in 2 games, let's hope Harper finally makes some adjustments against left handed pitching

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

when is Eck going to teach harper to hit a curve or not swing one or the other.

Gonat said...

Gonat said...
Here's what frustrates me with Bryce. The book is Left-handers pitch him away away away and he keeps expanding the zone and swinging at balls 6 inches off the plate.

I always thought he was a quick learner. Apparently not.

August 21, 2012 9:02 PM
________________________________

Come on. This isn't even funny anymore.

Anonymous said...

I detect a pattern here: 3 curves, 3 swings, 3 misses.

Doc said...

My boy JFlo did it!

Take that KSuzk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Perfect pitch to Prado. Tip the cap to the batter.

ehay2k said...

In fairness to Bryce, besides only being 19, he also gets some calls for strikes outside that are just not fair. That has to be in his head when he swings at those. Plus, there have been a number of ties he has been caught looking. I'm happy to let him develop. He'd be having similar issues in the minors, only we wouldn't care. We'd just hear he was ready to come up and start learning the LB game. But doing it this way, OJT in the Show, once he makes the adjustments in MLB, he's DONE. That is something to think about with a smile.

ehay2k said...

**times he has been caught looking.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Doc, I've tried to tell you all JFlo is productive when he's rested. Just doesn't have the stamina to be effective playing 6 games a week.

Gonat said...

ehay2k said...
In fairness to Bryce, besides only being 19, he also gets some calls for strikes outside that are just not fair. That has to be in his head when he swings at those. Plus, there have been a number of ties he has been caught looking. I'm happy to let him develop. He'd be having similar issues in the minors, only we wouldn't care. We'd just hear he was ready to come up and start learning the LB game. But doing it this way, OJT in the Show, once he makes the adjustments in MLB, he's DONE. That is something to think about with a smile.

August 21, 2012 9:24 PM
________________________________

The strike zone has been excellent tonight. Can't use that as an excuse unless the ump has a wider zone. Those balls have been in the right-handers batters box.

Gonat said...

JFLo gets a caught stealing! That's big!

-Dan- said...

I agree with you Ghost (can i go with Ghost? That's the first name that came to my mind), but right now Flores isn't playing 4 games a week, he's barely playing 2 in a 7game span. I was thinking more of something like what Pudge and Ramos were doing at the beginning of last season. But Davey is surely doing what he's doing for a reason, and there's no point in complaining for such a small thing.

djinFl. said...

Doc-
you just do not get it that Davey is making JFlo this good by playing him only a couple days a week. Go back and read the threads when JFlo was playing everyday and see how his production fell off.
And I really do not understand this hate toward Suzuki you spew. His heads up base running, or lack of, following his hit won last nights game.

ehay2k said...

Flores was so beat up - his body absorbed a ton of balls - that I'm not sure how he was even still playing. The rest clearly did him good.

As for Bryce, he has gotten a LOT of bad calls outside this season, so one night with a tight strike zone may not change his approach, given his lack of experience.

-Dan- said...

As for Harper, I just hope this game won't affect his offense against right handed pitchers too, which surely got better during this homestand. That's what happened after Pettitte owned him.

djinFl. said...

DC- I expect Werth to spend some time with Harper before tomorrow night and help with the adjustments he needs to make.

Gonat said...

Storen owes RZim a steak.

Gonat said...

Thank you Drew Storen.

NatsLady said...

I think RZ just threw overhand to get that out. I thought he couldn't do that. :)

MicheleS said...

Good crowd tonight! And Druuuu looked good

Gonat said...

djinFl. said...
DC- I expect Werth to spend some time with Harper before tomorrow night and help with the adjustments he needs to make.

August 21, 2012 9:37 PM
______________________________

I was thinking the same thought but LaRoche as a lefty can maybe help more.

-Dan- said...

Finally a nice 1-2-3 inning for Drew, he certainly needed that

ehay2k said...

Hey, there are the rest of my imaginary friends!

ehay2k said...

Ouch - that was "Injurious Jammage"

NatsLady said...

We need Drew. Burnett is showing signs of wear.

ehay2k said...

That was a HUGE DP - keeps Heyward off the plate with 2 runners on base.

Drew said...

Yea baby!

The pitcher's best friend -- mine, too!

ehay2k said...

Natslady - Drew already pitched tonight. Or did you mean in general, we need him to pitch more to take pressure off Burnett?

-Dan- said...

HUGE double play there with the potential tying run at the plate, Sean had done his job again tonight.

NatsLady said...

ehay2k, meant need Drew at full strength. Yes, to take pressure off Burnett. Nice DP, though. All that time in PFP was NOT wasted!

NatsLady said...

At least Bryce didn't smash his bat.

ehay2k said...

@TheDC - I guess we are even on cokes.

-Dan- said...

Well now i guess i owe you a coke too ehay2k

ehay2k said...

Hmm.. I may be up one now! ;-)

ehay2k said...

These are the kind of game-time posts we see when the Nats are playing well and winning.

-Dan- said...

Not the greatest of starts for the top of the ninth, but we believe in the goggles.

ehay2k said...

Natslady - is Bryce still borrowing someone else's (Werth's ?) bat? If so, the bat breaking has probably been banned by the owner.

ehay2k said...

Two HUGE outs! Great pitching by Clip. Nice commentary by Ray-Ray.

ehay2k said...

Cue MicheleS please!

Candide said...

WOO-YFN-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

"WOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOO!"
(Copyright, 2012, MicheleS,
All rights reserved. Void where prohibited.

31 games over .500. Seven-game lead over the Barves.

Hey, Fredi, there's always the wild card.

-Dan- said...

Great job by Clippard escaping the jam! And a curly W is in the books!

Gonat said...

Braves are dealt a 4 game losing streak now making the Nats lead in the East at 7 games.

Still the Nats had to make it a Kardiac Kids ending.

Gonat said...

As Carpenter called Fredi Gonzalez by the name of Freddie Freeman, why wouldn't you bring in Chipper in that situation to PH for Franisco?

ehay2k said...

Freddie might actually manage the game better than Fredi.

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

Great pitching performance and great win. Thought it might be another late night but got to watch it all in real time, despite the freak rain delay.

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