Sunday, September 16, 2012

Game 146: Nats at Braves

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Gio Gonzalez seeks win No. 20 tonight at Turner Field.
ATLANTA -- It's Sunday night, and the Nationals and Braves have the entire national stage to themselves. Well, aside from whatever NFL game is being played in primetime, which I'm sure we'll find out tomorrow drew 4,862 times more viewers than this pennant race ballgame. But I digress...

ESPN gets a good one tonight, with the Braves trying to sweep the series and pull within 5 1/2 games of the NL East lead. The Nationals, of course, came to town knowing they just needed to win once to keep the lead at a comfortable 7 1/2 games, so now the pressure's on them to salvage tonight's finale.

Davey Johnson will send his de facto ace to the mound in Gio Gonzalez, seeking to become the first 20-game winner in the majors this season and boost his increasing Cy Young Award hopes. He'll be opposed by fellow left-hander Mike Minor, who owns a 4.42 ERA for the season but hasn't given up a run in his last 12 2/3 innings.

Plenty of updates to come live from Turner Field...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Turner Field
Gametime: 8:05 p.m. EDT
TV: ESPN
Radio: WWXT (92.7 FM), WWXX (94.3 FM), WJFK (106.7 FM), WTEM (980 AM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 89
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 83 degrees, Wind 4 mph out to LF
NATIONALS (89-56)
RF Jayson Werth
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
LF Tyler Moore
C Kurt Suzuki
LHP Gio Gonzalez

BRAVES (83-63)
CF Michael Bourn
LF Reed Johnson
RF Jason Heyward
3B Chipper Jones
1B Freddie Freeman
2B Dan Uggla
C David Ross
SS Andrelton Simmons
LHP Mike Minor

UMPIRES
HP Marvin Hudson
1B Tim Timmons
2B Fieldin Culbreth (cc)
3B Marty Foster

8:07 p.m. -- And we're underway as Jayson Werth breaks form and hacks at the first pitch of the game, flying out to left.

8:12 p.m. -- A pretty quick top of the first for Mike Minor. He allowed a two-out single to Ryan Zimmerman, who stroked a line drive to right field, but got Adam LaRoche to fly out to end the inning. Onto the bottom of the first.

8:26 p.m. -- Gio Gonzalez didn't give up a run in the bottom of the first, but the Braves sure made him work: 21 total pitches, including 10 during a long at-bat by Reed Johnson (ending in a flyout). Chipper Jones, meanwhile, got a standing ovation when he stepped to the plate for the first time tonight. The last time I remember any player getting this kind of love every time he moved was Cal Ripken during his final weeks with the Orioles in 2001. Remarkable.

8:33 p.m. -- On the bright side, Danny Espinosa managed to put the ball in play in the top of the second. He popped up to first base. Thus ended his streak of eight consecutive strikeouts in this series.

8:37 p.m. -- More good news: Because the Cardinals-Dodgers game ended in anything other than a tie -- St. Louis won in 12 innings -- the Nats' magic number to clinch a playoff berth is now down to 3.

8:50 p.m. -- Two scoreless innings for Gio, but he's already up to 50 pitches as the Braves keep fouling off whatever he throws up there. 0-0 as we move to the third.

9:19 p.m. -- And after 83 pitches, Gio Gonzalez has finally completed the third inning. Boy, are the Braves working him or what. He went to a three-ball count on eight of the first 14 batters he faced, and finally was scored upon twice in the bottom of the third, with Chipper Jones working the count full before lacing an RBI single to left-center. Freddie Freeman then worked the count full himself and lofted a sac fly to left, making it 2-0 as we move to the fourth.

9:28 p.m. -- Oof, just when it looked like the Nats might have something cooking in the top of the fourth, with two on and one out, Espinosa grounded into a 6-4-3 double play on the first pitch he saw to end the inning. The two hitting strategies tonight could not be more disparate. The Braves' strategy against Gio: Make him work. The Nats' strategy against Minor: Try to pounce on him early. Which one seems to be working so far? Still 2-0 Atlanta moving to the bottom of the fourth.

9:49 p.m. -- What a recovery by Gio. After throwing 83 pitches through the first three innings, he needed only 20 to get through the next two. You have to assume that'll be it for him, and this won't go down as a quality start by any stretch of the imagination. But it was a pretty gutty effort from the left-hander, who winds up allowing two runs on three hits and keeping his team in this game. Still 2-0 as we go to the sixth.

10:03 p.m. -- The Nats get on the board at last. Harper leads off the top of the sixth with a double to deep left-center. It looked like he really wanted to go for three but was forced to hold at second after the ball bounced over the fence. No worries because Desmond roped a two-out, two-strike base hit to center to bring home the Nats' first run of the night. Ian did then get picked off first base to end the inning, but it's now a 2-1 Braves lead as Gio retakes the mound for the bottom of the sixth sitting on 103 pitches and with a steady rain now falling.

10:19 p.m. -- That may have been a bad idea to let Gio come back for the sixth. He immediately walked Chipper, then served up a towering, 390-foot double to Freeman. With the right-handed Uggla due-up, Dave Johnson decided to bring out the hook right then and summon Craig Stammen to try to pitch out of the mess. Which he somehow did. Despite falling behind 3-0 to Uggla, Stammen induced a pop-up for the first out. He then struck out Ross and got Simmons to ground out. So remarkably it's still 2-1 Atlanta as we go to the seventh and the grounds crew comes out to clean up the infield and mound as the rain intensifies.

10:50 p.m. -- The bullpen walked the tightrope again in the bottom of the seventh and paid the price for it. After Stammen issued a walk and Zimmerman was charged with an error on a chopper to third, Sean Burnett entered in a big spot: runners on the corners, 1 out, Heyward at the plate. He got a sharp grounder to first, at which point LaRoche had to make a decision. He ultimately chose to step on first and try to nab Bourn at the plate, but his throw was a bit wide and Suzuki couldn't make the tag. Should LaRoche have tried a 3-6-3 double play instead? I'm not so sure they could've turned it. That play loomed even larger shortly after when Burnett plunked Freeman and then served up a two-run single to Uggla. All of a sudden, it's 5-1 Atlanta and the Nats are six outs from being swept in this series.

10:57 p.m. -- Three outs from getting swept now.

11:04 p.m. -- OK, last chance for the Nats. They trail by four in the ninth. It'll be Zimmerman, LaRoche and Desmond against Chad Durbin.

11:12 p.m. -- That'll do it. The Nats fall 5-1 and get swept in the series. What was an 8 1/2-game lead when they arrived in town has turned into a 5 1/2-game lead as they leave town.

244 comments:

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peric said...

Big game ... they need this one because everyone is going to start beating on everyone associated with the Nats for the Stras shutdown if they lose. Pressure is decidedly on.

Doc said...

This one's ours!!!

No more Golden Somberos for Espi---at least for this game!

Let's bang this guy around guys!

GooooooooooooooooNats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

peric said...

Remember Desmond last season ... next year Espinosa will be a lot better ...

Hopefully, Tyler Moore will be amenable to the idea of playing winter ball to hone his outfield skills this offseason.

Scooter said...

Grr. I should have a taped game to watch by now!

I guess I'll muddle through somehow. Spend time with my family, or some [darn] thing ...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Astros just beat the Phillies. Unreal. Took 3 of 4.

NatsLady said...

Look at the Pirates. That is a wild one. You would think 9 runs would beat the Cubbies. Think again.

NatsLady said...

Can't say I'm sorry. Marlins just clinched their third straight losing series, and---

coolstandings ‏@coolstandings
HOU 7, PHI 6. #Phillies playoff chances now 1.2%. http://www.coolstandings.com/baseball

NatsLady said...

Bobby V just put in a pinch hitter in the middle of an at-bat.

bobby-valentine-goes-to-pinch-hitter-with-2-2-count

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/16/bobby-valentine-goes-to-pinch-hitter-with-2-2-count/

sm13 said...

The team needs to play smarter and looser tonight. Both losses this weekend can be blamed on nerves. A win tonight and they'll be poised for a big home stand, with a chance to clinch the division at home. Go Gio!

MicheleS said...

Go GIO!!!!! GYFNG!!!

Another_Sam said...

Here's my first [and I hope the final] thought on the bad call. I'm watching the 'Skins, passing time until the real contest of the day. The rules of that league are so arcane, the replay and review procedure so esoteric, and so on, that the guys in the booth can't figure it out, the referees can't figure it out, the coaches can't figure it out, and certainly the fans can't figure it out.

Over the season, the Nats have benefitted from a number of er, blown, calls and I'm fine with the way things are. May the NFL scheme never invade our elegant game.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Philthies back under .500 After they quietly got back into the playoff race they crumbled under the recent pressure.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsLady, what was the outcome of the pinch hitter appearance for the Red Sox.

Melissa Rabey said...

It's interesting, the Phillies have been the ones getting all the attention for "making a late-season surge." But at this point, I think the Brewers have a much better chance of sneaking in. Right now, they're tied with the Pirates, two back from the Cards and the Dodgers for the second wild card.

Isn't it funny how two or three weeks ago, we looked at the stretch starting with the upcoming home stand and said, "Only the Cards and maybe the Dodgers are in contention--we'll close things out." Oh, how things change.

NatsLady said...

That’s what he did in the seventh inning of a scoreless game today against the Blue Jays. Valentine opted to stick with a .071-hitting Jose Iglesias with a man on first and two outs in the top of the frame. However, after Pedro Ciriaco stole second base, Valentine had a change of heart, inserting Daniel Nava into the game with a 2-2 count on the hitter.

Nava, predictably, grounded out to end the frame, and the Red Sox went on to lose 5-0.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsLady, thanks. Valentine will get heat for that one.

NatsLady said...

Rooting for mega extra innings in Cards-Dodgers. Even though they have the off-day to travel here, let 'em be tired...

NatsLady said...

Which hitter gets the ding on his batting average?

NatsLady said...

RG3 lookin' good (even with a pick) but the D, not so much. Watching two baseball games and a pointyball game...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

I'm doing the same at a sports bar NatsLady. I'm a Skins fan. Many years of frustration built up.

NatsLady said...

Gotta love Davey.

Amanda Comak ‏@acomak
Asked Davey if he'd recruit both sides to pick up Adam LaRoche's mutual option: "We need him back more than they need me back."

Scooter said...

NatsLady, I think it's whoever ends the at-bat, but that's just off the top of my head.

NatsLady said...

Valverde, BS + Loss. Guess his luck has run out.

Bigfish said...

Note that the Philthies' loss today eliminates them from winning the NL East. I know that was a foregone conclusion -- but it still feels good to say that.

NatsLady said...

Bigfish, I just love love love that Fillies "E" in the standings.

FP's 5:00 Shadow said...

Leave it up to the baseball gods, Hudson has the plate tonight.

Knoxville Nat said...

Sam,

For the most part I agree with you regarding limited replay in baseball, however I would like to see a rule that would require the umpire to seek help from the other umps when a manager challenges his call. The only reasons I can think of that Hudson didn't ask for help last night was sheer arrogance on his part and him not wanting his bad call reversed.

SCNatsFan said...

C'mon Gio, grab that #20 and end this streak. And let Espi go 4-4 with a game winning RBI.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Redskins once again rip out my heart.

NatsLady said...

Stupid way to lose a game. Guys--KEEP YOUR COOL!

MicheleS said...

8 pm starts: too long too wait for a game. Come on Gio.. go get #20.

MicheleS said...

I don't ever want media to complain about Nats attendance. Look at those empty seats in Atlanta.

Eugene in Oregon said...

Let's go Gio!

blovy8 said...

friggin johnson is a one man pitch count killer

JaneB said...

I am already needing the Maalox... That's how much I want Gio to win this. Now set down the Say Hey kid, Gio. GYFNG!

blovy8 said...

nice wiffle ball curve there

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Espi's K streak ends at 8. I expect Danny to get that RH swing going.

blovy8 said...

Gotta say I like Francona more than Joe Morgan during these ESPN broadcasts.

blovy8 said...

Still miss Jon Miller a lot though.

FP's 5:00 Shadow said...

After a long inning by Gio, Ian and Danny make two outs on two pitches. Sure wish they would have worked the count a little.

Secret wasian man said...

Ghost. As a long time skins fan I am done with football. Too much thuggery and selfishness in the sport anymore. That guy who threw the ball at the defender at the end should be cut tomorrow. These guys only care about themselves.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

blovy8, yah I got sick of Joe Morgan's favorites. Lacked impartiality.

JaneB said...

I'm with wasian man. Though I WAS watching today, first time in years. Strikes me that football is for impatient people who can't sustain a long season with many, many games. Mostly I was watching because what else was there to DO before baseball tonight? I'm going to be useless the next few weeks. I can see that now.

blovy8 said...

lots of good baseball games with playoff implications, the cards/dodgers game was good. Tampa made the Yankees sweat a bit in the end of that game too.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Secret, all true but still bleed burgundy and gold on the weekends just won't blog and waste time on stating the obvious as they played stupid to lose that game.

blovy8 said...

Gio's not getting past the fifth at this rate

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Too much nibbling to Minor and everyone else. Be a power pitcher Gio just like you did on the K pitch to Minor.

Another_Sam said...

JabeB, Wasian - I've watched so much baseball and so little football this season that today the contrast between the two games was ever so striking. To me, at least.

JaneB said...

Ayck! We need Gio to get some 1-2-3 innings so he can notch the 20th win for us AND him. His stuff looks good. Are the Braves just better? What's up?

Swift Eagle said...

I actually think the Braves are the better overall team..Davey's edge over Freddie has been a big part of the reason the Nats are in 1st...But as for the rosters, I'd give a slight edge to Braves on talent...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Swift, if I go position by position I think you're smoking whacky weed.

blovy8 said...

3 friggin 2 to everyone, he'll have 100 pitches by the fourth

blovy8 said...

This looks like Oakland Gio

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Braves strategy seems to take multiple pitches and drive up the Gio's pitch count but Gio isn't helping himself. THROW STRIKES

Secret wasian man said...

I agree with swift. Braves are better. They are proving it in this series. I think the nats are in big trouble.

blovy8 said...

bourne would be crazy not to run here

blovy8 said...

The nats are better than the better braves. The Braves are playing slightly better this series. One run games with a couple of mistakes and a big blown call by the ump doesn't make the Braves all of the sudden better than 7-10. All the games count

blovy8 said...

ugh, the mouse pad betrays me

Swift Eagle said...

It's close Ghost, I'm not talking stats, just on who you'd take on your team...Freeman, Heyward, Medlin, Kimbrel, Simmons, are all under 25 and really good already...Add McCann and Prado, that's a lot of good players...

It's close

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Braves better in comparing positions with Bourn and Kimbrel and when McCann is healthy. Not sure I would take any others as I actually like Werth better than Heyward right now and I would take Medlen over EJax.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Yrs, add Prado.

Swift Eagle said...

LaRoche has been great this year, but I'd still take Freeman...The Nats seem to have loaded up on the young arms, and the Braves have the young bats...

Either way, these 2 teams are going to be having a lot of big series in the next few years

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Swift, Now you got one Legion of Doom member in a frenzy.

Grandstander said...

At this rate, Gio won't even be able to qualify for the win even if he doesn't give up a run.

Swift Eagle said...

Haha..My bad! There I go ruining it for everyone again! Lol...I'll go back to my corner now

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Swift, their infield next year is just Freeman with problems at their other 3 spots unless Prado moves to 2nd.

blovy8 said...

there's your run. he would have walked one in eventually tonight.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Leadoff walks.

ehay2k said...

What's with our pitchers and big pitch counts early these last few games? Just seems like we get into so many three ball counts. LannEn is the exception.

SCNatsFan said...

Once again the Nats pitchers inability to get ahead in counts is killing them. At this rate Gio is going to have to throw about 300 pitches to get a complete game.

Bad time of year for the team to turn flat. Need that breakout game.

blovy8 said...

never throws inside, these guys are too comfy in there

Swift Eagle said...

I think Simmons is a player at SS...Prado will fill in at 3B or 2B I guess? You're right, they'll still have some holes...But they're still going to be tough..

blovy8 said...

lousy throw

phil dunton said...

This is no surprise, the Nats always play poorly on network TV.

Secret wasian man said...

1 0. Braves. That should just about do it. The sweep is complete. And legion member 5 is going to bed.

SCNatsFan said...

I didn't realize Moore's arm was that bad

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

ehay2k, Braves are using the Yankees strategy on working the pitchers although Det did a good job.

blovy8 said...

2 isn't going to be enough. But they'll probably get more off the bullpen.

NatsFanJim said...

I smell a choke.

Nats look intimidated again.

Someone better teach these kids how to close the deal.

NatsFanJim said...

I've stated the obvious here before.

Moore is a country boy slugger - that's all.

He stinks at First Base -- horrible in Left -
and his arm is a noodle.

Let's move this one dimensional chump.

Joe Seamhead said...

The outfield doesn't come natural to Tyler Moore. Bo needs to teach him how to crow hop. That throw was pretty weak.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

2-0 and some of you are throwing in the towel? Sad

ehay2k said...

Gio did well against Uggla to throw strikes. May be the first batter out on a one ball count.

blovy8 said...

i'm out. They never seem to win when i post here.

NatsFanJim said...

Ah, I feel better now that I know the Forum Police are here -- Swift.

Everyone be sure to have your posts filtered, edited, and approved by Swift.

Swift Eagle said...

Nice to see 2 hits to right by Ryan tonight after the 0-8 start to the series

ehay2k said...

Werth showed how the Nats were going to attack Minor tonight with his first-pitch ambush attempt. Seemed an odd tactic for Werth. But it appears that was the team's strategy - attack Minor early.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

A 2 run jack here is needed.

Swift Eagle said...

I think you're right ehay...when guys are striking out as often as the Nats have lately, they're reluctant to take a lot of strikes..afraid to fall behind

NatsFanJim said...

Thank You, Espinosa --

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Kinda wished Espi had just fanned there instead of eating that DP pill.

ehay2k said...

Or another first pitch hack. Sigh.

SCNatsFan said...

THe black hole of the lineup

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Espi killed that mini opportunity quicker than I could write BE PATIENT ESPI

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Maybe Espi just has to start bunting.

Swift Eagle said...

Haha..he's actually not a very good bunter either!

Secret wasian man said...

Maybe Espinoza should start sitting.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Hey folks I have a poll question for you all.

Would you rather poke yourself in the eye with a sharp stick than listen to to Orel (If there was ever the right name for this guy) Hershiser?

Myself, pass me the sharp stick.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Secret, read what I write this morning on Espi.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Bobby, it's bad but others worse than Orel....like Joe Morgan.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Yeah, Uncle Joe was bad. But Hersh is just so condescending. Must've graduated from the Don Sutton School of Broadcasting and Ego Enhancement.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Nats lineup so different without Morse. Espi in the 6 hole is bad.

SCNatsFan said...

secret you are a liar, you said you were going to bed.

The Braves look like the confident team right now (and why not) which I guess you get from years of winning.

ehay2k said...

Good - didn't want Gio on the bases.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Bobby, true and Orel is better behaved than usual. Letting Francona talk more.

SCNatsFan said...

And I'll take the ESPN team over the Braves announcers any day. According to them they are building a new wing on to the Hall of Fame for all of their roster.

feelanau said...

EPPN guys way better than the morons yesterday on fox. Actually giving the Nats some props.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Uggla positioned perfectly for Werth.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

In 1982 or so heard an interview with Jim Palmer. He at the time averaged 1 BB ever 40 innings. He said someone at Elias stats people told him that a leadoff walk scored 70% of the time. A leadoff hit including home runs only scored 40%of the time.

Tonight we have 2 leadoff hits Bourn in first, Zim's in the 4th. Neither scored. Bourn leadoff walk in third scored.

Section 222 said...

Dan: So who would you pick for Cy Young, right now?

Orel: Gio.

Dan: Why?

Orel: More wins. Winning team.

Brilliant.


Gonat said...

Finally at a computer. My how things got negative around here. Just don't understand how a 2 run deficit brings out the turncoats.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

40% Chance Hsrper scores

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Zim trying to hit it 500 feet

Section 222 said...

ESPN announcers totally missed the Bryce was pissed the ball bounced over the wall. He wanted a triple, and would have had it. To left center!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

No one on Zim gets hit man on and he cant advance him. What has gone on last 3 games.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

The non advanced runner did score on laroche'S ground out.

Gonat said...

They were pitching Zim inside so tough to move him to 3rd but the lack of contact on Zim's part has been the problem all weekend.

Section 222 said...

Hey, no complaining about so-called Legion of Doom when the number one complainer (Swift) said the Braves are the better overall team. :-)

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Thank desi good to see 2 people execute this game

espi you are due. homer please

NatsFanJim said...

Espi: can you produce some thing in this series?

Section 222 said...

If Danny can hit a dinger here, Gio can get the win!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Desmond gets contact. Keep in mind Desi is deadly with 2 outs and runner on 3rd.

NatsFanJim said...

Espi's head flies wild -- long bat -- slow swing.

he will K

NatsFanJim said...

Thats two strikes on Espi

NatsFanJim said...

that's the way to use your head, Desi. Good read; good job.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Espi gets to start next inning

Gonat said...

Section 222 said...
Hey, no complaining about so-called Legion of Doom when the number one complainer (Swift) said the Braves are the better overall team. :-)

September 16, 2012 9:59 PM
__________________________________

Just reading through the posts. What's up with that?

Swift, seriously? Its comparing them today to the Nats today, not what it looks like in 2013 plus the Nats rotation will be even better next year.

NatsFanJim said...

Ha it took the great Espn announcers to the 4th inning to tell us that Gio was going for his 20th win.

To make up for it, we've heard it 4 more times since.

Give me FP and Bob any day of the week.

Gonat said...

NatsFanJim said...
that's the way to use your head, Desi. Good read; good job.

September 16, 2012 10:03 PM
__________________________________

Really? Its called going on first move. Atlanta was just smarter. They obviously guessed right.

NatsLady said...

Good thinking, Desi! Espy won't K. :)

Gonat said...

Gio gives another leadoff walk.

Swift Eagle said...

Yeah, I said it was close, but I think the Braves have more overall talent on the roster...The Nats have better starting pitching, and I think Zimmerman is the best player on the field...but the Braves have a lot of talented guys under 25...I agree that that could change by this time next year

NatsFanJim said...

Here we go: A leadoff walk scores 70% of the time. We shall see.

What is it with Gio. He can pound the zone -- then he nibbles, nibbles and nibbles. Just throw strikes, Gio.

ehay2k said...

Rain kept that ball in.

NatsFanJim said...

That leadoff walk is now at 3rd -- no outs.

Gio is fried, cooked, baked, and cooked.
Get him the Frig outta there.

NatsFanJim said...

Good boy, Davey. Next time, Gio, Man Up and throw strikes. What a waste of talent.

NatsLady said...

Well, Davey gave Gio a chance. Can't argue with that, made it hard on Stammen, though.

Gonat said...

Gio with a quick meltdown. That leadoff walk is just beyond horrible. I can't stand it. Give up a single, fine, but a free pass is unacceptable.

Swift Eagle said...

Obviously not the dominate Gio, but he's kept them in the game...Going to be days like that sometimes...

ExposedinDC said...

No way Gio should have started that inning

NatsFanJim said...

Right now, our Forum Policeman, Swift,might be right.

The Braves starting pitching is stronger than our/s -- and hands down, their bullpen is stronger.

If we meet them in the Playoffs, well, good luck to us.

NatsFanJim said...

This game will be delayed in about 4 minutes.

Swift Eagle said...

Haha..Lots of wet dogs!

NatsFanJim said...

Interesting year: Both Gio and Jax have done extremely well. But both of them melt down immediately and suddenly.

Edwin especially.

Throw strikes, dude.

NatsFanJim said...

I dont like stadiums that dont have fans directly behind the plate.

NatsFanJim said...

Good job, Stammen!!!

NatsFanJim said...

At least Davey didnt bring in Gonzo.

Gonat said...

NatsFanJim said...
Throw strikes, dude.

September 16, 2012 10:12 PM
____________________________________

Rizzo got 5 hard throwers for the Opening Day roster where they could be aggressive and throw to contact.

Gio goes too often on the corners. I don't get it.

Be aggressive and attack the strike zone. Frustrating.

Section 222 said...

NFJ, they led off the broadcast talking about Gio going for No. 20. They did call Espinosa Uggla once, and had Jesus Flores coming up to bat at one point. Plus, it took until this inning for them to notice that it was raining. Plus, they love Chipper way too much. But let's not go overboard on the criticism.

NatsFanJim said...

He went!!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Well said Gonat at 10:15

NatsFanJim said...

Awesome, Stammen, awesome.

ExposedinDC said...

Very nice...possible momentum shift

NatsLady said...

Great job, Craig Stammen!!!!

Look, Gio was great in the 4-5th innings. There was nothing wrong with sending him out for the 6th. Maybe should have taken him out after the walk, but just shows you how much Davey trusts Stammen.

NatsFanJim said...

Ha ha yep, 222 let's not go overboard. You forgot to mention that they called Stammen 'Staymen' -- hmm now that I think about it, Davey does that too. But Davey is nearly 70 so thats his excuse.

Nats Fan in Brazil said...

How hanson,medlen,minor,hudson and maholn are better than strass,gio,zimm,det and e-jax?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Uggla popped up in a 3-0 count. How bad is that!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Escape that leadoff walk.

Still 5 days sober of Maloox. Though this poor batting exhibion contines I am afraid I will fall off the wagon

Drew said...

Great band name:

Craig Stammen and the precipitation extrication.

NatsFanJim said...

Uggla is perhaps the most overrated player in mlb.

Swift Eagle said...

2 inning game right now...Probably not scoring in the 9th

ExposedinDC said...

Get em this inning boys or we are looking at o flayerty, venters and kimbrel

Gonat said...

Nats Fan in Brazil said...
How hanson,medlen,minor,hudson and maholn are better than strass,gio,zimm,det and e-jax?

September 16, 2012 10:19 PM
___________________________________

Agreed and how is:

Simmons better than Desi
Freeman better than LaRoche
Chipper better than Zim

I'm not even sure stone hands Uggla is better than Espi although I pass on both. Werth has a better OBP than Heyward.

I only take Bourn over Harper since we're comparing today's lineup.

NatsFanJim said...

Drew: I dont know about that band name. Say it fast and with a couple of beers in you and you could really get in trouble.

NatsFanJim said...

Inside they know where to pitch this rube.

Gonat said...

ExposedinDC said...
Get em this inning boys or we are looking at o flayerty, venters and kimbrel

September 16, 2012 10:22 PM
___________________________________

Kimbrel may have the day off.

NatsFanJim said...

Seeya Espi -- low IQ chump.

I would bet your money that Espi's IQ is in the middle 80's.

NatsFanJim said...

Here's another dumb player, Moore.

Drew said...

Well, Lancelot Link led the Evolution Revolution.

Gonat said...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Uggla popped up in a 3-0 count. How bad is that!

September 16, 2012 10:19 PM
___________________________________

It was awful. He really helped Stammen as he couldn't throw a strike to that point.

NatsLady said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Stammen's momentum immediately gone with Espi K.

notice he couldnt bunt either.

Moore swings at a ball then didnt run until way to late.

The execution is bad, but starting to wonder about focus for some of the hitters. Ball hit right at pitcher and batter thinks he foyled it. Seems odd.

SCNatsFan said...

545 ABs, 174 Ks in 2012. Career 1286 ABs, 369 Ks. You do the math.

Swift Eagle said...

Gonat, I didn't mean today's line-up, and I agree the Nats have the best rotation...But I think the depth of talent is a little better...If there were a draft of the Non-Pitchers, I'd take Zimmerman and Harper in the top 5, but most of the top 10 would be Braves...Heyward, Prado, McCann, Freeman, and i think Simmons is good...I think the Nats have the better young arms, the Braves the better young bats...Going to be some great battles...

Nats Fan in Brazil said...

Natsfanjim To u criticeze moore and espi só badly u got be An amazing ball player! Good Luck for u when u start playing in The majors

NatsFanJim said...

In fact, we have lots of dumb players or low IQ's playes who have trouble learning the game. Lets list them.

Dumbest Nationals
Bernadina
Espinosa
Moore
Desi
Henry
Strasburg
Flores
Burnett



smartest Nationals
Werth
RZim
Suzuki
Lombo (smart at baseball, doubt he reads much)
LaRoche
Stammen
Storen
All the starters except Stras

Not sure
Morse
DeRosa
Clippard

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

A double in the 9 th last Tuesday last hit by Espi.

NatsFanJim said...

NatsFanin Brazil: Your'e right, I do. Tell me where I'm wrong.

SCNatsFan said...

NatsFanJim that's a lot of wunderlics you have administered

NatsFanJim said...

NatsFanbrazil: I was an amazing ballplayer.

And the older I get, the better I was!!!!

hahaha

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

For the series so far Nats 18 for 90. .200

second series in the last few weeks against Nl east team we hit like crap.

NatsFanJim said...

SC: the wonderlic is an apptitude test. I would give one to every player.

NatsFanJim said...

Oh Criminy -- Please Lord, don't let them bring in Burnett!!!

If so, the game is O-V-E-R

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

As good Stammen was last inning he starts this one awful.

McCatty needs to focus next year on eliminating leadoff walks and. how to get starters to pitch less pitchers per batter. Weakest part of pitcher's game withou a doubt.

Gonat said...

Zim whiffed on that ball. Unreal.

NatsFanJim said...

Burnett enters game fresh off yet another Rzim Error.

This game is O-V-E-R -- My guess: three runs will cross.

Gonat said...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...
As good Stammen was last inning he starts this one awful.

McCatty needs to focus next year on eliminating leadoff walks and. how to get starters to pitch less pitchers per batter. Weakest part of pitcher's game withou a doubt.

September 16, 2012 10:37 PM
_________________________________

That was actually a one out walk but still bad.

NatsFanJim said...

Lead off walks drive me Nuts. Nibbling at corners and giving up walks after going 0-2, drives me even more Nuts.

We do that too often.

NatsFanJim said...

Lets consider trading Rzimm ande getting something good, get rid of his huge contract and his countless errors -- get rid of his injury plagued seasons --

and hope rendon can do the job.

SCNatsFan said...

NatsFanJim - from what I know about the test it shows your ability ot learn; I'm not how smart you have to be to learn how to hit a ball if you have natural talent.

Bourn safe, Nats can't catch a break right now

NatsFanJim said...

Burnett didnt fool Heyward one bit. a rocket to first.

NatsFanJim said...

ADD stricken La Roche goes Brain dead

SCNatsFan said...

Rendon will be our second baseman. What you are seeing with Espinosa is all he will be.

NatsFanJim said...

Sorry SC: I dont think you're smart enough to discuss this topic.

hahaha (joking)

SCNatsFan said...

What is with the Nats relievers just giving bases away

NatsFanJim said...

SC I think he can get better, (espi) but 200 K's a years is absolutely Unacceptable!!!!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

My mistake. But goes to my relief pitcher rule. never walk anyone as a reliever.

Of course Zim allows Bourn to third. One thing to make error but to allow some one to go 180 feet on a ball hit 80 feet no excuse. 5 errors on Zim in 2 weeks

Gonat said...

Hit in the wallet. That's great. Orel's comeback, "Wallets are big here too, Dan"

NatsFanJim said...

Burnett update:

lets a run score
hits a batter

typical

NatsFanJim said...

No Christian Garcia in to pitch to Uggla.

Davey, you are either nuts or Lazy or just old

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