Friday, August 17, 2012

Instant analysis: Nats 6, Mets 4

US Presswire photo
Ross Detwiler allowed three runs over six innings to earn a quality start.
Game in a nutshell: After an 8-2 road trip, the Nationals returned home to a fired-up crowd and a healthy Ian Desmond, who made his first appearance in nearly a month. There was some early tension in the air when the Mets pounced on Ross Detwiler for two runs in the top of the first and Johan Santana set down the first nine batters he faced. But then the suddenly deep Nationals lineup went on a rampage. The first four batters to step to the plate in the fourth all recorded hits, capped by Morse's grand slam. One inning later, Bryce Harper launched a two-run bomb to pad the lead. Those two extra runs proved important, because Detwiler gave one back in the sixth and Craig Stammen gave one more back in the seventh. No worries, because Drew Storen bounced back from a rough outing in San Francisco to toss a scoreless eighth, and Tyler Clippard finished off the ninth to start this homestand off in impressive fashion and catapult the Nationals to 29 games over the .500 mark.

Hitting highlight: Though Harper's home run might have been a more significant development in the big picture -- perhaps that was the blast the rookie needed to get his season back on track -- how can we not highlight Morse's grand slam? Like so many of his previous blasts, this one was hit to the opposite field, over the out-of-town scoreboard in right-center. Unlike all the previous ones, this one came with the bases loaded, the first grand slam for the Nationals this season. And it sparked another rarity at Nationals Park: a curtain call. Morse lumbered up the dugout steps and offered a double fist pump to the adoring masses, quite a moment for the slugger and the crowd of 34,827.

Pitching highlight: Detwiler's evening did not get off to a strong start. He allowed three consecutive, two-out hits in the top of the first, then walked Ronny Cedeno on four pitches to bring pitching coach Steve McCatty out of the dugout for a chat. Whatever McCatty said must've hit home, because Detwiler was extremely effective and efficient after that. He wound up retiring 13 of the last 16 batters he faced on only 62 pitches, though he did give up another run in the top of the sixth. At 84 total pitches, Detwiler could have returned for the seventh, but Davey Johnson decided not to take any chances and pulled his No. 5 starter after that. All in all, it was solid outing for the left-hander, who now sports a 3.25 ERA for the season.

Key stat: Since throwing a 134-pitch no-hitter on June 1, Santana is now 4-7 with a 6.98 ERA over his last 11 starts.

Up next: The series continues with a Saturday night tilt on South Capitol Street. Edwin Jackson faces left-hander Jon Niese at 7:05 p.m.

48 comments:

MicheleS said...

WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!

Now everyone go root for the Dodgers to finish off the Barves tonight!

Gonat said...

Case and point, there is no such thing as an easy win with the Kardiac Kids!

Gonat said...

MicheleS, you are on your game!

MicheleS said...

Gonat.. we have to be on our game we are in the HUNT FOR OCTOBER!!!!

NatsFanSinceStart said...

haha fans are getting aaaawfulllly excited

peric said...

JamesWagnerWP: beat Mets, 6-4. Morse hits first grand slam. Harper goes 2 for 3. Detwiler with 6 solid. Nats now 29 games above .500.

One more and its 30 games over .500. Truly unbelievable.

Exposremains said...

Braves tie it and Chip Carey yells so loud, he almost breaks the mic.

peric said...

@patriotnews_gmo : Will #HbgSens Ryan Perry be allowed to go for the complete game? Thru 8 IP, he's at 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 95 pitches, 3 DP grounders.

Your dark horse starter in September other than John Lannan, CM Wang and Yunesky Maya. He's certainly the younger.

TheManBearPig said...

GYFNG! Now, go Dodgers!

mick said...

Bryce will sit tomorrow... I like what Davey is doing keeping guys who have contributed involved. However, Bryce had 2 hits tonight... not sure I would sit him

mick said...

a win tomorrow Nats would be 30 over 500!!!

are you kidding me, lol

mick said...

3-3 in 9th... oh shooooot

Gonat said...

MicheleS, Dodgers need your help!

sjm308 said...

Davey has been pushing the right buttons pretty much all season. Love to see Tyler Moore crush one tomorrow. Also, pretty sure Bryce won't be missing the cutoff man again.

Go Nats!! Go Playoffs!

mick said...

Braves tied it

Gonat said...

mick said...
Bryce will sit tomorrow...
August 17, 2012 10:13 PM
____________________________

Why, is his niese pitching?

mick said...

Gonat.... Davey wants to play Tyler

mick said...

Davey said Lombo will play Sunday for desi

mick said...

Right now, Nat and Braves are NL best, yet they could meet in first round

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Exposremains said...

Braves tie it and Chip Carey yells so loud, he almost breaks the mic.


Chip Carey doesn't need a mic. He needs a leash.

mick said...

extra inning in Atlanta 3-3 top of 10

Secret wasian man said...

Mick. I would be in total cruise mode if the wild card was the old way. But the fact that there is a chance that after 162 games there is only a 1 game wildcard playoff keeps me up at night.

Exposremains said...

Ya Sunshine,

I can't stand that guy.

Secret wasian man said...

Braves are like your in laws coming to visit. They just wont go away.

SonnyG10 said...

Way to go Nats!!! 29 over .500

John C. said...

Braves are going to win tonight. The Baseball Gods have decreed that the Nats and Braves will have an epic pennant race. So it is written, and so it shall be.

SonnyG10 said...

Going to top of 11th 3-3

mick said...

Secret wasian man said...
Braves are like your in laws coming to visit. They just wont go away.


lololol

great post, ha ha ha

mick said...

NLCS should be Nats and Braves, but the way its set up, one will have to win a one game playoff then play in the best of five verse each other.... and whose on first, etc...

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Even if Barves win -- and I wouldn't bet on that considering Michele's still got the hex on -- they're burning through their bullpen. Good. Get 'em tired for next week. C'mon, Fredi, lefty-righty, play the percentages, brother. C'mon, burn 'em out.

Faraz Shaikh said...

Nice win. I wonder if Morse should be extended this off-season. Even if he becomes expendable, having him under control can be useful in trading him. Of course the deal has to something reasonable. maybe a 3-4 year deal worth about 40 million or less.

Also someone mentioned that Werth being lead-off helps. True that. Basically we don't have to consider the option of ALR leaving. We can keep him and leave the OF as it is. Werth and Harper can switch between CF and RF, to make sure neither gets too tired playing that demanding position.

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

Tyler Clippard continues to walk a tightrope every time he goes out for a save. Unfortunately, his middle name isn't Wallenda. I looked it up.

sjm308 said...

Just watched Hanley Ramirez go at about 50% on a ground ball to SS as the Braves pull a double play in the 11th. He didn't even try to slide or do anything to disrupt the double play.

Braves have 1st & 3rd for the 2nd straight inning.

Wasin man is right, they just won't go away.

Kinda neat watching all these games on the mlb channel. Just saw Milone give up a grand slam.

Already excited for tomorrow.

Go Nats!!

Section 222 said...

Darn, Braves win. Well, they can't catch us if we keep winning.

Nattering Nat said...

So, was at the game tonight. Great atmosphere, almost full, despite the attendance figures. I figure that must be a lot of season ticketholders who get to use points to get extra tickets that must not count in the attendance figures, since the extra tix are free.

I'm very superstitious, so in all immodesty, I will take credit for the win. I was glued to my seat the first 3 innings, during which the Nats had zero baserunners. I then went to ShakeShack, where I was able to watch three straight singles, then both a Grand Slam and Harper's blast--all on on the big screen there. Back in my seat, I saw all of one hit by the Nats all game. As for Clippard, fortuitously, my friend's cardiologist happened to be sitting four seats down from us, same row, tonight. How convenient! I got up and walked to the concourse when the second baserunner walked to first. That tipped the balance.

Join the JuggerNats Express!!

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Barves win, but they burn four relievers in the process. Plus, they had to sit and watch the Nats' winning score the entire 3:36 of their game.

ehay2k said...

Great win! Was in sec 109 tonight. Guy sitting next to us says, after Zimm loads the bases - Morse is just the guy to hit a grand slam. Then Bang Zoom, sound the Klaxon!

Next inning, we are looking at Harper and I say, "Good time for Harper to break out and hit a dinger." Bang Zoom, Klaxon time again!

So, if you ever sit in row JJ in section 109, feel free to predict HR, because it seems to work!

What's our magic number now? (Hey Mark Z. Can we get a counter soon?)

baseballswami said...

Just returning home from a social engagement where it would have been socially gauche to be checking scores. Missed it all. I read on twitter that Morse was unavailable after the game. Everything ok? So happy for Bryce - I was hoping that playing ball with the kids would perk him right up. Watched a couple of video replays on the computer, but didn't get to my dvr- will have to wait until morning. Sounded pretty loud at NatsPark!!! Desi look ok?

Gonat said...

ehay2k said...
What's our magic number now? (Hey Mark Z. Can we get a counter soon?)
_______________________________

I think there is some unwritten rules on when you start the magic number counter. Thinking 10 games to start the counter sounds right and the number is at 40 now I believe.

Swift Eagle said...

Just read the Wise column in W Post about Shutdown-Gate..Boras not only supports. The shutdown, but basically claims he was the one who put the Nats roster together ....wonder if hes going to want a WS ring and playoff share too....

NatsLady said...

I heard him on the radio this afternoon. He made some good points about Boras clients, but then he went over the top (Wise, I mean).

DWS said...

Don't mention or annoy the BB Gods. A counter would put a smite on the Nats. Shhh.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

baseballswami said...

Just returning home from a social engagement where it would have been socially gauche to be checking scores.

My dear swami,
We here at Nats Insiders are nothing if not socially gauche. In fact, I had that socially gauche ailment a few weeks ago. Took a few aspirin, couple of Tums, elevated my feet, turned on the Nats game, I was fine in a couple of hours. I think it was something I ate. You'll be fine.
Miss Manners
Vice President, Gauche Division

Joe Seamhead said...

I got home from the stadium a little while ago. Great crowd. It looked to be near capacity. The game was a lot of fun. Highlights start with the dingers by MM and the Kid.Clip's going to give me a coronary. Zimmerman had one great play after another, though his throws are rainbows. Werth? 2-4 with 2 runs scored and a very nice catch in right. Harper has got to stop trying that throw home. Davey said he sits tomorrow.

For the first time I met a couple of other folks from this blog. Stopped in and met NatsJack and Steady Eddie and his daughter came around at the same time. All very delightful folks. Had some wonderful conversation.Jack seems like a good guy, and good luck to Steady Eddie as his daughter's getting married.

zregime said...

These are the days
These are days you’ll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you

These are days that you’ll remember
When May is rushing over you
With desire to be part of the miracles
You see in every hour
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you are touched
By something that will grow and bloom in you

These are days
These are the days you might fill
With laughter until you break
These days you might feel
A shaft of light
Make its way across your face
And when you do
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning
It's true
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
Hear the signs and know they’re speaking
To you, to you

10,000 Maniacs, of course. Hereby nominated as theme song of our Nats Insider fam and 2012 season.

GYFNG!

MicheleS said...

Zregime! That is one of my favorite songs

zregime said...

MicheleS, you're our Natalie Merchant. Sing girl, sing!

peric said...

....wonder if hes going to want a WS ring and playoff share too....

Mike Wise asked Boras that ... I think at the beginning. Boras said that honor belongs to the players in the clubhouse.

Of course they were pretty much all a "twitter" about Boras veiled law suit threat connected to his anger over how Steve Avery was handled versus Smoltz and Glavine who went on to have long careers. ~740 innings seem like a great deal more than ~400 innings for the Smoltz and Glavine. Seems like Mazzone and the other pitching coaches in the system made some serious errors in judgement.


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