Thursday, August 2, 2012

Instant analysis: Nats 3, Phillies 0

US Presswire photo
Jayson Werth congratulates Adam LaRoche after his second-inning homer.
Game in a nutshell: Perhaps needing a pick-me-up after two frustrating losses to the Phillies the last two nights, the Nationals got one late in the afternoon when they learned Jayson Werth would be activated off the disabled list and appear in his first game since he broke his left wrist May 6. Werth was solid in his return, roping a base hit in his first at-bat and adding an RBI groundout in his second. But the real pick-me-up came from the left-hander on the mound: Ross Detwiler, who turned in seven scoreless innings to out-duel Cole Hamels and improve to 6-4 with a 3.02 ERA for the season. Adam LaRoche's 20th homer of the season (plus some well-timed defensive gaffes by the Phillies infield) provided all the run support Detwiler needed, and Sean Burnett and Tyler Clippard closed out a much-needed victory to avoid a series sweep and maintain at least a 2 1/2-game lead over the Braves.

Hitting highlight: Remember those fears about a month ago that LaRoche's season was careening off the rails? Well, he's certainly gotten things back on track. Since June 30, the veteran first baseman is hitting .333 with five homers, six doubles and 16 RBI. With a three-hit performance tonight -- including a second-deck bomb in the second inning -- LaRoche raised his season average back to .271, his home run total to 20 and his RBI total to 64. Combined with his stellar defensive play and his calming clubhouse influence, he's been invaluable to this team.

Pitching highlight: Detwiler's night actually started off a bit shaky: He put six men on base over the first three innings and seemed to be playing with fire. He sure doused those flames in a hurry. The left-hander proceeded to retire the final 14 batters he faced in succession, getting stronger and more efficient as the night progressed. Detwiler ended the seventh inning with only 88 pitches and probably could've been sent back out for the eighth for only the second time in his career. But Davey Johnson decided to play it safe with his No. 5 starter, who now boasts a 2.55 ERA in seven starts since rejoining the Nationals' rotation.

Key stat: With only 26, the Nationals are tied with the Cubs for the fewest unearned runs allowed in the NL this season.

Up next: It's supposed to be a beautiful evening Friday, maybe they should play two! Actually, they will. John Lannan returns from Syracuse to face Marlins lefty Brad Hand at 4:05 p.m., then 25 minutes after the conclusion of that game, Gio Gonzalez and Josh Johnson take the mound for the nightcap of the single-admission doubleheader.

89 comments:

Secret wasian man said...

Great job Ross. Tyler needs to stop walking people. my nerves can't take it. Looking forward to 6 hours of baseball tommor.

djinFl. said...

What a great performance from Detwiler. so glad he has come roaring back from the bullpen.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Detwiler with extra rest pitched a gem and no help from.the ump. Great use of the fastball and changeup.

He has looked like a different pitcher since he rejoined the rotation.

MicheleS said...

Really happy for Ross! Great job by him tonight. Crisp well pitched, settled down and the game was around 2.5 hours

Wasian Man.. agree on Clipp, stomach can't take that.

waddu eye no said...

22f?

MicheleS said...

Candide, in case you didn't hear the post game with Ross, he credited JZ's influence for his pitching performance. So maybe JZ was in Ross' uni tonight :-)

MicheleS said...

Waddu.. 22Fresh. Those are the guys that do the Beast Mode shirts.

Gonat said...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Detwiler with extra rest pitched a gem and no help from.the ump. Great use of the fastball and changeup.

He has looked like a different pitcher since he rejoined the rotation.

August 02, 2012 9:46 PM
______________________________

As you said a couple of weeks ago Ross just said that he has been learning from the other starters and took on Jordan Zimmerman's pace on the mound.

Its the little things.

waddu eye no said...

MS
Tnx

Darin H said...

Peric,

Suck on that. I'm sure you hate to see a win like that. Nothing to hate on huh?

You're a stinking Braves fan.

Hater.

Troll another board and stop boring us with your mindless, non-sensical ramblings. You dont know the game of baseball and don't know the Nats. Nothing you do can prove otherwise. Loser.

peric said...

Troll another board and stop boring us with your mindless, non-sensical ramblings. You dont know the game of baseball and don't know the Nats. Nothing you do can prove otherwise. Loser.

Boy talk about piling on ... dude you know nothing about this team betcha you don't even know who Matt Chico is or Brad Wilkerson is? Do you?

Go suck on an egg Johnny come lately Ori'holes fan. Babe Ruth's soiled diapers await in you in the depths of the innuh habbah.

#4 said...

Darin H,

Please tell me that you are a friend of peric's poking fun at him.

#4 said...

Take two -

Daren H and Peric - Please tell me you two are friends having some good natured fun.

peric said...

Great win! Great pitching by the "National Det". Looks like he just clinched the #4 starters spot in the playoffs making Rizzo's soon-to-come decision that much easier. That's really the guy Ross is picking up with these performances while justifying the first round pick in the 2007 draft.

peric said...

Please tell me that you are a friend of peric's poking fun at him.

No he's an Orioles troll ...

peric said...

Darin H == Poopy_McPoop probably ...

mick said...

very nice win tonight... Werth played solidly

mick said...

lets take two from fish and get 22 over!!

Gonat said...

Davey shook it up tonight. Werth back in really helped the offense.

Much needed win going into 4 with the Fish.

mick said...

#4, I am sure my son has played against your teams, small world!

Gonat said...

By the way, Dempster lasted 4 2/3 and gave up 8 earned runs. ERA skyrocketed by 60 points.

mick said...

Darin...chill out man, Peric has some very good insight and just wants to win

mick said...

I thought the only Oriole troll was Angelos... don't cross that bridge arghhhhh! lol

peric said...

Davey shook it up tonight. Werth back in really helped the offense.

Two wrist surgeries ... waiting to see if the power comes back ... which is why Davey asked about lead off ... put him in front of two guys who don't really hit for much power in Leon and Lombardozzi. Like Morse's, very late spring training, it may take him some bit of time to get that back ...

Something to watch for.

What helped the offense was LaRoche again. Morse hit a couple of rockets but they were at people. Zim came back and was getting on base almost every single time.

Again, possibly fewer runs due to Bo's aggressiveness but with the pitcher due up that's why he sent LaRoche but that was a sure out. I'm not sure I like this strategy. Three runs wasn't much and Detwiler pitched too well not to have as much run support as they could muster.

BigCat said...

I have been leery of Det ever since I saw him get bombed in his minor league debut. I saw him more than once get pummeled in Potomac. But I will take my hat off to him. His velocity is up which helps his movement. He also seems more mature on the mound. I'll tell you what, this was a HUGE win for the Nats.

And also....I've bashed Werth....but...but...its good to have him back. Kinda like in Band of Brothers when that fat sargent who smoke the cigars came back after getting wounded. Everyone rushed around him and gave him a hug.

#4 said...

Yes it is, Mick. I noted a few weeks ago your comment about Buddy Burkhead - the first root of the NW DC coaching tree.

SCNatsFan said...

Boy Lannan has another chance to stake his claim as SS (super) lite once he gets shut down. Lets hope he's up for the outing, mix in the good (great) Gio and could be a great night against the Nats killers

mick said...

#4 you know it, Buddy is struggling a little right now, he has good days and some bad days.

peric said...

Darin...chill out man, Peric has some very good insight and just wants to win

He's a troll possibly someone from Orioles land ... possibly someone who posts with a different identity here. As we've seen its pretty easy to make up new identities and use them to denigrate and humiliate people. pRAA may be Darin H. It would be pretty easy to do the same but everyone made such a big deal about anonymous posts, etc. etc. and Mark came out with his "rules". ~laughing~ but if it continues I might have to drag out the rapier again. :)

BigCat said...

Also....Jason. That was a great ground out to second base to score the 3rd run. In the old days you would of struck out.

mick said...

Peric... I would hate to be an O's fan right now, the inevitable is happening again to them, it just occurred a month later, lol

mick said...

Bigcat... agreed on Werth, he gives fresh legs and energy to a team that needed a burst of energy.

I am really impressed with Lombo at 2b

peric said...

Boy Lannan has another chance to stake his claim as SS (super) lite once he gets shut down.

No one may want to hear this but Yunesky Maya had another fantastic outing in AAA. He is on the 40-man and also a possibility. I am liking it he's make a statement about not wanting to get released and making himself a viable trade possibility. His numbers in AAA are clearly superior to Lannan's well most of the current rotation generally has superior numbers.

Earlier I made a faux pas and forgot to mention third baseman Carlos Rivero as a sure call up on September 1st. Rizzo took a risk claiming him on waivers from the Phillies. He hit another home run in AAA tonight and his power numbers are starting to rise as some advanced statistics predicted they might. The Philly Phans made that prediction not me by the way.

They'll have plenty of backups into October if Davey chooses to use them.

baseballswami said...

I have been trying to tell you all day- Lombo is a really nifty little ball player. Some here thought he couldn't be an everyday player. Oh, yes he can. Love that kid.

peric said...

I am really impressed with Lombo at 2b

That's his natural position. Its just hard to see it because Danny Espinosa is such a great athlete. I think he's proven that he is a better shortstop than Ian Desmond. I personally believe Espy could play any non-pitching position on the field up to gold glove levels excluding catcher.

That's who continues to impress me ... he's pretty friggin' awesome!

natsfan1a said...

That, or an Internet sock puppet show? Nah.

In other news, great game, although the bottom of the 9th gave me a bit of heartburn as well. Agree with Big Cat that Detwiler really seems to be coming into his own. Great to see Jayson back as well.

#4 said...

Take two -

Daren H and Peric - Please tell me you two are friends having some good natured fun.
August 02, 2012 10:07 PM

mick said...

peric and swami... I think Lombo compares to a BJ Surhoff type of player

#4 said...

Mick -

You're right. I see Buddy almost every day.

Peric -

I don't know about Maya. Do you think he's missing enough bats down there to really impress anyone? His K/9 is pretty weak. I know it's comparble to Lannan's, but soft-tossing righties don't tend to last long in the big leagues.

peric said...

peric and swami... I think Lombo compares to a BJ Surhoff type of player

If ONLY Espinosa could get rid of the confidence monkey and hit consistently! If ONLY ... he may makes most of the starting shortstops look like sock puppets in the field. And they also have Desmond? Nats fans have no idea just what a huge stroke of fortune that truly is right there! Then you throw in Lombardozzi who could start for a lot of teams to the mix? Rivero at 23 who looks like he is coming to his own and Anthony Rendon at close to the same age? The Nats could be the wealthiest team talent-wise in the infield next season.

But I guess we are supposed to be watching this season ...

But it is easy to understand why Rizzo and the FO might be looking out a window that shows them the Nats a year hence and finding it hard to look at what's going on now?

SonnyG10 said...

Besides JZ, Ross learned from Mike Gonzales about having a more aggressive manner when he's on the mound (per interview of MG shown on TV tonight).

BigCat said...

Jason brings a calming influence to a lot of greenhorns in a pennant race. He also can give Harper a much needed rest. Do I cuss Werth? Yes. But he is a pro who has been to the series and he can really help us. But boy, Det really really stepped up tonight. We get swept by the dreaded Phillies, then
the doubts start creeping in, you start looking behind you. How many games to go? 60? Lets get it on.

peric said...

I know it's comparble to Lannan's, but soft-tossing righties don't tend to last long in the big leagues.

Somehow he lost the ninety four to ninty five mile an hour heater he had in the World Classic for Cuba. Have to wonder if he didn't suffer an injury right after that ... hard to know since he was in Cuba. But he has all of Livo's tricks he just throws them harder.

Lannan is the same kind of pitcher from the left-side. If Maya learned the knuckle ball ... nah ...

I don't know Mick ... but you have to assume Maya gets called up on September 1st and he has no problem whatsoever pitching in relief.

NCNatsie said...

Nat'l Det does seem to be outstanding with an extra day's rest. So if Lannen does well again, how about a 6-man rotation? Keeps Stras going longer...

Gonat said...

BigCat said...
I have been leery of Det ever since I saw him get bombed in his minor league debut. I saw him more than once get pummeled in Potomac. But I will take my hat off to him. His velocity is up which helps his movement. He also seems more mature on the mound. I'll tell you what, this was a HUGE win for the Nats.

And also....I've bashed Werth....but...but...its good to have him back. Kinda like in Band of Brothers when that fat sargent who smoke the cigars came back after getting wounded. Everyone rushed around him and gave him a hug.

August 02, 2012 10:21 PM
_________________________________

We have all been hard on Detwiler and for good reason as he wasn't progressing and doing the things he needed to get better. As said a few weeks ago, he took tips from the Aces and really has progressed. Still concerned about him in consecutive starts on normal rest. Remember, extra day of rest this week.

One correction to something you said, extra velocity doesn't usually help movement, it usually hurts it when someone is overthrowing as they sacrifice movement for velocity. That was one of the changes that Verlander made. Higher velocity does take away batter reaction time. Velocity with movement is the key or as they say, late life.

Detwiler's movement is usually good at the beginning and slowly his ball flattens as he gets tired.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Davey was either a moron or a genius when he demoted Detwiler to the bullpen. At the time, I would have said moron, but given the way things are going now, I am sure the prevailing opinion will be that the demotion somehow put Det back on track, even though I don't think he was off tract to begin with.

peric said...

Velocity with movement is the key or as they say, late life.

Or killer velocity with location combined with a filthy change and/or slider/or curve. If a pitcher can control all of those he is unhittable. Doing it consistently over an entire season ... or entire seasons is the tough part. Not many manage it.

Its why they are so bound and determined not to give up on H-Rod. He has all of that yet he only needs to manage it for 1 or two innings 20 or so pitches max. While starters must try to master it for 6 or more if they can.

sjm308 said...

I am very interested in LannEns start tomorrow and wonder if Det and Strasburg would benefit from the 6 man situation. It won't happen but when we reach Sept. 1 you can bet that Davey will stretch Detwiler out and we could see Maya as well. so happy with this win. Not sure why but it just seems like this keeps us in a situation where we control our own destiny.

Go Nats!

#4 said...

Peric:

I'm asking a serious question here, not crticizing. What makes you enamored with Rivero? He seems to be a corner player with limited pop who doesn't walk much. He probably translates to a .260 BA .310 OBA with about 10 HRs in 500 ABs at the big league level. For a corner player, that's not very exciting. He MIGHT be a serviceable back-up corner player, although I wish he hit LH. He turned 24 in May although you're right that technically this is his 23 year old season.

peric said...

Davey was either a moron or a genius when he demoted Detwiler to the bullpen.

Davey said it was veteran's preference at the time ... Wang was a veteran who had pitched in playoffs ... but a part of it was Davey's insistence that they bring Wang back this season. Davey likes to look right ...

BigCat said...

Gosh.....Peric....I can be negative...but you are just a black cloud all the time. The Nats are in first place in August. Pop a beer...have a cigar, maybe a Perdomo, smell the roses mf......Cause our Nats are in a PENNANT RACE!

Gonat said...

NCNatsie said...
Nat'l Det does seem to be outstanding with an extra day's rest. So if Lannen does well again, how about a 6-man rotation? Keeps Stras going longer...

August 02, 2012 10:47 PM
_______________________________

It helped all the pitchers in September, especially Wang and Detwiler and consider they had many off days in August which they also used. Consider Wang's shutout game was on an extra days rest and 1 of his 1 earned run games. When Wang had 2 extra days rest he did worse.

I think Rizzo got the wrong feedback on Wang from all those starts on extra rest.

baseballswami said...

I am still processing Ross's incredible performance tonight. Retiring 14 in a row? Man, when he learns to stay calm all the time and be consistent, he is going to be silly. It just gets better. After 2 lackluster games, a good day. Jordan gets a well- deserved honor, jayson is back, Zim in the line up again and beating Hamels!

natsfan1a said...

Looks like they finished it out at Turner Field. Old Man Twitta's team just keeps rolling along, but they're still 2.5 games behind. Maybe the Fish will be dragging their fins a bit tomorrow what with the rain delay and all.

BigCat said...

....and ya know what Peric..who is better than us? Come on big boy....put up or shut up.

Gonat said...

William O. Douglas Loeffler said...
Davey was either a moron or a genius when he demoted Detwiler to the bullpen. At the time, I would have said moron, but given the way things are going now, I am sure the prevailing opinion will be that the demotion somehow put Det back on track, even though I don't think he was off tract to begin with.

August 02, 2012 10:52 PM
__________________________________

Davey did what he had to do and it was finally Detwiler who decided to get serious and learn and take notes. Call it a wake up call, call it divine intervention, call it luck, call it what you want, but its working because of Ross.

Once he gets into an off-season program that strengthens his glutes and legs, he will really see the results. Both Lannan and Stammen changed their off-season workouts and while it may have helped Lannan marginally, it changed Stammen.

This has the chance next year to be the best rotation in baseball in decades.

peric said...

He probably translates to a .260 BA .310 OBA with about 10 HRs in 500 ABs at the big league level.

He's only 23. That's almost the same age as Rendon who is just getting started. He is still learning and every year the advanced stats show marked improvement. This is his best year yet. I other words he could have a much higher ceiling than you are suggesting.

Right now he is batting around .300. Look at where he was at the beginning of the season. Last season.

He goes to the Arizona Fall League then back for another year in AAA and then the idea will be to make him into a valuable trade chip if they can.

A case study in International Signings : Carlos Rivero

Jane Elizabeth said...

Stras is unlikely to have much of anything to do with this team's success this year. He is currently 11-5. Let's say he goes 4-2 the rest of the way. What effect is that likely to have on the team versus, say John Lannan going 3-3?

I guess if you could string Stras out to 9-30-12 and have him available for some do or die game, maybe that might be good, but is he really the guy you want in that game?

I am a big fan of his, but let's face it, pitchers are often given too much credit, both for winning and losing. The last time the Nats won it all, Walter Johnson lost both of his starts in the World Series, in spite of being the top pitcher in baseball that year in the AL.

Remember when Hershiser broke the record that Johnson and Drysdale formerly held for most scoreless innings in a row? As I recall, he pitched for LA in the deciding play-off game that year, with Lasorda all but declaring victory and a trip to the World Series.

This isn't like a QB getting hurt in football or a point guard in basketball. I realize there is only so much to discuss sort of actually watching the games, but it is difficult to find many instances of a great pitcher carrying a team to a victory in the World Series. Maybe Bob Gibson in 1964 is the best example. Mickey Lolich won 3 games in 1968 but he was a very good pitcher, not a great one.

If you want to think good thoughts about the Nats winning it all, think of Bryce and Werth catching fire, with Desmond coming back healthy and better than ever. The rest of the staff is good enough as it is provided we hit.

NatsLady said...

Interesting quote:

Thomas Harding ‏@harding_at_mlb
Some catchers who don't block unless playoffs on the line. A Gold Glover told me, "one run is not worth the DL."


Angels and Rangers are at it again. I know it's not real baseball, but they sure are acting like it is.

Doc said...

As quoted on MLB Nats-Phils game: The Nats infield leads MLB in RBIs!

The infield is 2nd to the Yanks in HRs.

Tegwar said...

Just got back from the game and all I can say is it the best game I've seen Detwiler pitch. I was actually sad to see Davey pitch hit for him after 7 innings and I don't think I've ever thought that before.

I understand why he brought Burnett in but I really wanted to see him pitch the 8th.

I think there is a real chance that Detwiler might of turned a corner here. Yes he will still have a bad game now and then but I think he is now a starting pitcher the Nationals can count on.

The Marlin's game just ended in Atlanta and I can't see them getting into their hotel before 3 am. to play a double header that starts at 4 pm.
That's got to give us a slight advantage for tomorrow.

#4 said...

Not to put too fine a line to it, but BR lists him as 24. I did go back and look at his stats. He's been in pro ball for seven years - six more seasons and about 3000 more plate appearances than Rendon. That matters a lot. His stats this year are almost identical to last year's. He doesn't appear to be learning any plate discipline. His power numbers per AB are the same. His average is a higher, but 30 points can simply be a blip in the BABIP numbers.

Tegwar said...

Natslady is not old.

Jane Elizabeth said...

The guys on the field have a better perspective in terms of a pitcher's movement and how he looks in practice, so you have to grant that. On the other hand, it is hard to see how Detwiler had had a significant number of innings or pitches upon which to make the decision to demote him.

The other thing is that if you look at the stats of the former Yankee Wang who took his place, they were far from great, even when he won in double figures and even accounting for his being in the AL. His whips his two best years were pedestrian. His era+'s were good, but hardly great for a guy who went 38-13 over two years. He was basically Dave McNally, except not as good.

It is the same old thing with Jordan Zimmerman. We all think that with sabermetrics that management will stop being impressed by glittering 38-13 records over two years with the Yankees, while Jordan has a losing record, but somehow there always seems to be a disconnect and we impute something better to a guy who actually wins, i.e., gets credit for, the wins.

NatsLady said...

NJ, if you are thinking of peric, he has been on very good behavior and put up some excellent and thoughtful posts today. That is just my opinion.

Thank you, Fox. :)

Kirbs said...

Why is gio going instead of ZimnN tomorrow? Did I miss something?..don't get me wrong, I havnt seen a gio game in person. And I'm stoked for 2 tomorrow!!

NatsLady said...

Zim'nn had a slight shoulder inflammation, being treated. Davey decided to give him an extra day of rest. Quote-unquote "not serious." I always worry, but there you are.

#4 said...

In LA watching the Angels game. Man does Takahashi throw some melons up there.

Gonat said...

Kirbs, Davey wanted JZim to rest his sore shoulder an extra day.

Kirbs said...

Thanks, I worked extra to make up for going tomorrow so I've been out of the loop.

NatsLady said...

Did Leon look OK? Only saw a bit of the game.

NatsLady said...

Clip made me nervous, but maybe he just wanted to get to Howard and show his stuff. Naw, he would never do that, right? :) :)

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack, I am rolling in laughter. It's a same old story. Same narrow minded opinions on guys like Werth and Lannan while touting certain minor leaguers.

Gonat said...

NatsLady, Leon had a great game all around. Caught the bounce on the Harper throw which was a turning-point in the game.

Gonat said...

Most of us spend time acknowledging others with positive remarks.

A few others will cut and paste selectively to tear someone up with negativity, and if you are going to do that, you better be right.

Tegwar said...

Clipp did uncork one and hit the bull so to speak.

Leon caught a nice game and I'm a little suspect of rookie catchers. The last 4 innings Det pitched he hit the glove most of the time. It really was a thing of beauty.

Leon also smoked a double just fair down the third base line, so I'd say he had a very good game.

BigCat said...

GoNat...I agree that with a natural sinker baller like Derek Lowe, velocity might be a bad thing. There is a very fine line with a guy like that. Either its high...and too hard.. or its down in the zone and too easy. When its high, it gets hammered, when its low its ball four. When its just right it means a W in the book.

What I mean with Det is that it looks like he has got the ball with 2 seams and is on top of it even if his arm slot is 3/4 and throwing it 94-95 and saying "hit it" I love it. I wish that guy from San Diego State would do that.

When MacDougal was her it was amazing. His ball moved so much that the catcher just sat in the middle of the plate and Mac threw as hard s he could. His ball moved so much it was unbelievable.....and normally about 97 mph

JaneB said...

The Nats won. Werth contributed. Colbert lost lost lost. And
Harper has an amazing arm. Leon I'm glad we have you. Naysayers ... Nothing to say nay about.

I love my Nationals.

Joe Seamhead said...

Nats Jack, I'm in total agreement with you.The superior attitude gets old.
I work construction, have been pretty busy the past few days,and have come home pretty exhausted from the heat. I haven't posted much, though I have read the threads and I agree with you regarding the one mysogynistic individual that bogarts this blog in such a way that it takes the fun out of it for a lot of other folks, I guess almost every internet open blog has one. Most of the time I try to glaze over his posts.
Great win tonight! 10 games ago we were 2 & 1/2 games up on the Braves, and now 10 games later we're still 2 & 1/2 games up. I'm looking forward to a heck of a race over the next 58 games!

Gonat said...

BigCat, I agree with that. Compare his PitchF/X charts and you will see much more 4 seamers and less 2 seamers. Its getting his 4 seamer away from the middle of the plate.

He gave 2 really good post-game interviews. He credited his new pace to Jordan Zimmermann and talked about Leon calling for more fastballs.

Thrilled. Nats needed that. Det is the #4 and EJax is the #5 now. Next step is Det making another great start in 5 days.

Anonymous said...

Might be worth noting that Texas and the LAA have scored 75 runs in the last 4 days. Interesting pitching for two teams fighting for first in teh AL West.

Tegwar said...

BigCat that is a very good observation and I think it helps explain Det's new dominance.

As for who is a #4 or #5 I don't think it matters JZNN, Stras, Gio, Det and even EJax all have the ability to dominate a game and now we have seen each of them do this. EJax is the only pitcher on the staff that has a CG. I'm not selling any of them short.

fresh2death1997 said...

Do you guys know when Desi will be back?

Gonat said...

BigCat, got the count. 56 four seamers, 22 two seamers, 5 changeups, 5 sliders, 0 curveballs.

Contrast with his 2nd start of the season: 27 four seamers, 34 two seamers, 8 changeups, 12 sliders, 0 curveballs.

Can you imagine if he learned Gio's curveball?

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/location.php-pitchSel=446321&game=gid_2012_08_02_phimlb_wasmlb_1&batterX=0&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=3.gif

baseballswami said...

Game in 16 hours. Nice of Det to get the guys out of there fast tonight, right? When he is in a rhythm he is something special. Zim looks fine to me, Jayson looks motivated and hungry. I hope Bryce realizes that he is contributing to the team even when he isn't getting hits. Jayson will help him. Even without Desi, our middle infield was fantastic tonight. Danny has a howitzer for an arm ( wish he could hit) and he and Lombo look like they been doing it for years. ALR - he can pick anything at all. I still keep thinking - 14 in a row - unreal.

Joe Seamhead said...

I loved the pea that Harper threw to the plate to help Det out. That was huge, and well timed! Also, I am very happy for ALR and I am very glad that he's our first baseman. He not only makes the other infielders look better, he makes our pitcher's ERAs look better. Though he's not exactly an un- sung hero, he is a major part of why we're in first place, IMO.

Eugene in Oregon said...

Didn't get to watch the whole game live, but just finished the condensed version; good pitching and defense, a few choice hits, a nice win. Will be interested to see how the Nats-bane Marlins handle themselves post-fire sale. Despite the two initial losses, this can still be a winning home stand. And the Braves, I note enviously, get three at home against the Astros.

Anonymous said...

Make that 76. Dempster gave up a bucketfull.

Laddie Blah Blah said...

Isn't this the 2nd shutout that Leon has caught in the past few weeks? He and Det really seemed like a battery, the way they clicked last night. Detwiler's stretch delivery to the plate was very quick. No one even tried to run on him and Leon last night. And Leon can hit.

ALR is living up to his rep as a 2nd half guy. He is on pace to hit 25-30 HRs and knock in 90-100. He looked like he owned the $144 mn man. Great to see Jason back. He and ALR are like a pair of platoon sergeants teaching the greenies how to survive combat, and kill the other guys.

They need the killer instinct to take out the Marlins and the Astros in their next 8 games. No mercy. Time to fatten up on the weaklings before going to Arizona and Frisco. No time off on a tough road trip, and then have to come back here and face the Mets and Braves.

By the end of the Braves series, we will know what this team is made of. And the Braves, too.

Donald said...

@fresh2death1997 -- I think Desi's slated to be back around the end of August.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/nationals-watch/2012/aug/1/ian-desmond-worked-out-first-time-going-dl/

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