Friday, September 28, 2012

Game 157: Nats at Cardinals

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Edwin Jackson faces his former Cardinals teammates tonight at Busch Stadium.
ST. LOUIS -- The Nationals weren't able to clinch their first NL East title in Philadelphia this week -- which had more to do with the way the Braves played than the Nats -- but perhaps there would be some symbolism should they manage to clinch this weekend in St. Louis, where one year ago the Cardinals celebrated their 11th World Series championship.

There's no chance of a champagne celebration tonight, not with the magic number at 3, though the Nationals can put themselves in position to do it tomorrow if they can win this series opener. (Or, of course, if the Braves lose their series opener to the Mets, on Chipper Jones Night in Atlanta. Probably best not to count on that happening.)

Edwin Jackson, owner of a 2011 Cardinals World Series ring, gets the start for the Nationals, looking to become the fifth member of this year's rotation to win 10 games. He'll be opposed by Adam Wainwright, whose first season back from Tommy John surgery hasn't quite been up to his pre-surgery standards.

Updates to come, so please check back...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Where: Busch Stadium
Gametime: 8:15 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 187
Weather: Partly cloudy, 64 degrees, Wind 6 mph in from LF
NATIONALS (95-61)
RF Jayson Werth
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
LF Michael Morse
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Edwin Jackson

CARDINALS (84-72)
CF Jon Jay
3B Matt Carpenter
LF Matt Holliday
1B Allen Craig
C Yadier Molina
RF Carlos Beltran
2B Daniel Descalso
SS Pete Kozma
RHP Adam Wainwright

UMPIRES
HP Bill Welke
1B Cory Blaser
2B Chris Guccione
3B Jeff Nelson (cc)

8:15 p.m. -- We are underway on a beautiful, 65-degree night in the Gateway City.

8:25 p.m. -- For the second straight night, Bryce Harper scores in the top of the first to give the Nats the lead. This time, he roped a double down the right-field line, then scored later on Adam LaRoche's two-out single to center. That's Harper's 95th run of the season and LaRoche's 99th RBI. The Nats lead 1-0.

8:50 p.m. -- Wow, that was ugly. The Cardinals didn't just get one run back in the bottom of the first. They didn't just get two. Or three. Or four. They got five. Edwin Jackson failed to retire any of the first six batters he faced. He issued two walks. He threw only 14 of 30 pitches for strikes. The only outs he recorded were on a flyball to the warning track that was 10 feet shy of being a grand slam and on a 6-4-3 double play by the pitcher. To be fair, Jackson wasn't helped by some sloppy defense (Ian Desmond and Ryan Zimmerman, who was charged with an error) and a couple of the hits weren't well-struck. But he still didn't make big pitches when he needed them, he fell behind just about everyone and he put his team in a huge early hole. This is nothing new, of course. Jackson's ERA in the first inning this season is now 7.20. His ERA in every other inning is 3.09. The Nats better hope that trend continues the rest of this night, because they're down 5-1 and can't afford to give up anything more.

9:20 p.m. -- Well, the season-long trend did not continue for Jackson. The only trend that continued was his night-long trend: an inability to get batters out. He faced 15 batters in this game. He retired three, one on a double play hit by the pitcher, another on a 380-foot bomb to the warning track. He walked three, uncorked two wild pitches, threw only 25 of 56 pitches for strikes, served up a two-run homer in to the bullpen to Yadier Molina and saw his season ERA jump from 3.77 to 4.13 in the span on 1 1/3 innings. It's not easy to raise your ERA 36 points in your 30th start of the year. Jackson just did. Tom Gorzelanny is now in from the bullpen, and the Nats trail 9-1 after two innings.

9:34 p.m. -- Hmm, Gorzelanny has faced four batters and recorded five outs. Jackson faced 15 batters and recorded four outs. Still 9-1 after three.

9:35 p.m. -- In slightly happier news: Lucas Duda just launched a three-run homer to put the Mets up 3-1 on the Braves in the seventh inning.

9:38 p.m. -- In not-as-happy news: Homer Bailey just no-hit the Pirates and pitched the Reds to a 1-0 victory. So, barring a stunning turnaround by the Nats tonight, they and Cincinnati will be tied for the best record in the majors at 95-62. (Though remember they hold the tiebreaker based on head-to-head record, so they'd still be the No. 1 seed.) The Pirates, however, just lost their 81st game, guaranteeing another non-winning season. Hey, if you're going to clinch your 20th straight losing season, might as well get no-hit in the process, right?

9:55 p.m. -- Since there really isn't much detail about this game worth providing right now -- it's still 9-1 in the fifth -- we'll just update the Braves, who down 3-1 in the eighth decided to intentionally walk Daniel Murphy to load the bases for David Wright. And got away with it, inducing a double play. So it remains 3-1 Mets in the bottom of the eighth.

10:02 p.m. -- OK, one update from the Nats game: Down 9-1 in the fifth, Davey has pulled Zimmerman, Werth, Harper and Suzuki. Live to fight another day.

10:10 p.m. -- Middle of the sixth now. Still 9-1. Truthfully, the only drama left here tonight is to see if Sandy Leon makes an appearance. Preferably at shortstop.

10:16 p.m. -- Well, there it is. Tonight will go down as a positive night for the Nationals. The Braves just lost to the Mets 3-1. The magic number is down to 2. The Nats will have a chance to clinch the NL East tomorrow night.

10:25 p.m. -- Roger Bernadina. Bleachers. It's 9-2. All the Nats need to do now is score seven runs before they hit into seven outs.

10:36 p.m. -- More good news for Nats fans: The Phillies were just officially eliminated from postseason contention.

10:51 p.m. -- 10-2 Cardinals in the eighth. Is anyone out there still watching?

10:52 p.m. -- 12-2 Cardinals in the eighth. I would certainly hope nobody out there is still watching now.

11:06 p.m. -- Mercifully, it's over. The Nats lose, 12-2. But you know what? They have a chance to clinch the NL East tomorrow night. So life could be a lot worse.

246 comments:

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Faraz Shaikh said...

great to have you there, mark. thanks.

natsfan1a said...

Yeah, I wouldn't count on that. :-)

On a game note: Go, EJ! Go, NATS!! (And make us proud, MicheleS. Of course, we know you will. :-))

(Or, of course, if the Braves lose their series opener to the Mets, on Chipper Jones Night in Atlanta. Probably best not to count on that happening.)

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Knock the number at least to 2,

Eugene in Oregon said...

Knocking on imitation wood grain as I write this, as nice as it would have been to clinch in front of the Philly fans, the St. Louis fans understand and appreciate good baseball and respect the history of the game. While they would never cheer a Cardinal loss, I could easily imagine them treating the Nats -- and their first division championship -- with the appropriate degree of respect (much more than the Nats might have received in the City of Brotherly Love). The key, as always, will be scoring early and often and keeping the pressure on throughout the game. GYFNG!

natsfan1a said...

Agreed re. Cardinals fans, and re. scoring early and often. Go, BATS!! :-)

Tcostant said...

I have to tell you, last time we saw the Cards I was very impressed with Jon Jay. That kid can play.

Section 222 said...

It's very comforting to see the same lineup night after night as we head to the post season.

Steady Eddie said...

Actually, tonight is probably the best chance of the Braves' losing one in the Mets' series, as Niese has been pitching pretty well and they may carry some momentum into tonight from last night's Dickey win and the team's recent play -- sweeping the Fish and taking 3of4 from the Bucs.

Which isn't to say that I'd count on a win. Just the best chance in this series.

Re the Cards series, we did pretty well against all three starters last time around, and the Cards have been "hot" against the Cubs and Stros, which along with 5 bucks will get you a latte against a real team. Against the last two of those they played, they split with the Dodgers and lost 2 of 3 to the Brewers.

I like OUR chances to take 2of 3 just fine.

Steady Eddie said...

Also EJax seems to give a little something extra against the Cards. Gee, wonder why that is?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Beltran batting 6th. Did he bat 6th when they were in DC?

Section 222 said...

Steady, I agree. With all of our fear of our end of the season schedule against good teams and our supposed slump, we've taken 2 of 3 from the Dodgers and Phillies, and split with the Brewers. Those other teams needed to beat us to make progress in the WC race and they didn't. I'm sure the Cards fear they will suffer the same fate. After all, we have the best record in the National League.

Theophilus T. S. said...

Observation from some articles has been that other than Wright and a couple of pitchers the Mets are pretty much mailing it in. I'm thinking no help from the Mets and the Nats probably will have to clinch next week against Philadelphia. Blecch. Maybe Niese will surprise.

Section 222 said...

Ghost, nope. In the 3 games he played, he batted 2nd.

Steady Eddie said...

Ghost -- Beltran hit 2d against us in the three games he played in last series, and sat out (ironically) the Saturday game they won and scored 10 (8 against JZimm).

Steady Eddie said...

Theo, observation from actual box scores indicates that Tejada, Murphy, Hairston and Davis have been hitting almost or as well as Wright in their last two series. You don't score six runs in four straight games if all your hitters but one are mailing it in.

peric said...

Thankfully, no Berkman.

Section 222 said...

Berkman had knee surgery on Sept. 11. This quote is from an article on Sept. 25: "Berkman’s odds of returning are better, but Strauss reports that he’s yet to swing a bat since undergoing a second knee surgery and has toned down his recent optimism about potentially coming back."

Don't think we'll see him this weekend.

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

Dave said...

I'm quite concerned about that delivery schedule for playoff tickets.

If they are not mailed until Monday, they could conceivably be delayed until Thursday, if the delivery guy comes with a note on Wednesday. (Signature required? No idea.)


Yes. Signature will be required. And if they send them FedEx rather than UPS, pickup spots in NoVA are rather remote. I'm in Falls Church and have to go all the way to Eisenhower Ave in Alexandria for FedEx, while there's a UPS Store within walking distance of my house.

Thus, in the unlikely event the Nats were playing a tiebreaker game, and it were a day game, a season-ticket holder might not have received the actual paper tickets by the day of the game.

Exactly. Especially since most STH have day jobs, and are likely to be at the games Mon, Tues and Wed which precludes going to a remote FedEx or UPS spot to pick up tickets that they can't sign for at home because they're not home.

Yes, I know they're available online in MyNationalsTickets, but doesn't it cost some money to transfer them to other people (such as ticket-plan partners)? If that were the case, I would find myself having to spend money getting tickets to people because the Nats ticket office was slow on the uptake.

I don't know if it costs anything or not, but until they activate the transfer option in MyNationalsTickets you can't transfer them anyway. Last time I looked, it wasn't activated yet.

And even if no transfer were involved, can one print tickets out from MyNationalsTickets? I'm not sure that's possible.

It would have to be possible. How else would the recipient of the transfer get the ticket?

This is annoying, or maybe even worse than annoying.

I suggest all STH affected by this call their reps on Monday and raise holy hell if they don't have tickets in hand by then. I know I plan to do this. These tickets were bought and paid for over a month ago. There's no reason they couldn't have been shipped the very day we ordered them.

SonnyG10 said...

Go Ejax, go Nats! Magic # => 2 or 1.

Dave said...

Thanks, Feel Wood. Glad to know I'm not the only one who feels this way about this.

They had our money long ago. I truly expected the tickets to be here three or four days ago.

JaneB said...

I see Edwin being brilliant tonight against his former team. GYFNG!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Jane, key is that quick 1st inning with no runs for EJax.

peric said...

This will be interesting with EJax, Zimmnn, and Wang ... them home to Detwiler, Lannan, and ???? [Duke perhaps?]

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Peric, Nats site says Detwiler in Sunday.

Dave said...

Mark explained in the last thread that Wang was never on tap for Sunday. He'll only start if the Nats have clinched the division.

btharner said...

I apologize if this has discussed before, but has anyone thought of the possibility that, given the way the Braves are playing of late, the Nats and Braves could wind up with the two best records in baseball and have to play each other in the divisional round. Yikes!!!

Eugene in Oregon said...

If anyone's a bit bored waiting for the game to start, this offers a 12-minute video reprise of last September 28...

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120927&content_id=39125938&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

MicheleS said...

St Louis I am in you! Go Edwin! GYFNG! I am behind the Cards dugout by 12 rows.

JaneB said...

We will look for your Nats gear, MichelleS! Hex Yadi.

JaneB said...

Fun clip, Eugene! I'm rooting for a lot less excitement this year. At least as far as we go.

NatsNut said...

Have fun MicheleS! Represent us well!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I hate to put a cart in front of the horse, but a friend asked.

is the tie breaker between 2 division winners.head to head?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Good job Harp and LaRoche

Dave said...

@btharner, the Nats will face the Braves if the Braves win the wild card play-in game. That assumes the Nats end up with the division and the best record. If the Nats take the division but Cincinnati has the best record, the Nats will okay San Fran in the division.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Ejac they give you alead. Don't give it bavk.

Also quit flying open. McCatty send Suzuki with message

Dave said...

Will play San Fran. Stupid autocorrect.

Exposremains said...

Come on. Whats this..

JaneB said...

Ghost, looks like Edwin forgot what the key is.

Warm up HRod.

NatsNut said...

If we're tied with the Braves for the Division, the tie-breaker game would be played Thursday in DC (because we beat the Braves for the year). Then the loser of that game plays the Cardinals (I assume) for the Wild Card.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Damn it get the maloox out.

Mccatty pissed me off why wai til trouble alreay done. Be proactive.

2 terrible defensive plays already. Desmond had no chance at second. halliday nowhere close easy out. zim kicks the ball.

Why he flying open on pitches. mccatty allowed that.

NatsNut said...

Edwin is just faking them out, getting their hopes up like Gio did last night.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I dont trust EJAX. get the bullpen going. Zack Duke get ready.

Between the poor play of Desmond and Zim and 2 WALKS. this is pathetic.
execution.

mc catty didnt do anything and try and stop this

Unknown said...

Ughhh

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

What is going on get him out this is malpractice

Unknown said...

EJ needs to forget that inning and pitch a gem the next 5-6

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Now the Bravrs lead. Wjat aterrible 20 minutes

Joe Seamhead said...

Well, now, that just sucked. Maybe we should get somebody warming up?

-Dan- said...

This reminds me of that crazy game in Colorado...

Jane Elizabeth said...

3 game lead with 5 to play is pretty safe.

Theophilus T. S. said...

Rizzo's chances of Executive of the Year just took a big hit; Lannan's chances of pitching in the playoffs oughta go up.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Zimmerman and Desmond are just as much to blame for that inning as Jackson. Terrible fielding by those two on key plays.

Secret wasian man said...

What disgusts me is that it's Sept and these games are very inconsistent. Just a despicable performance in the first inning. The braves aren't playing like this.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

They added fuel to the fire for sure.

now get the runs back immediately

Jane Elizabeth said...

The Nationals are crazy if Lannan isn't on the play-off roster and I am not talking about replacing Jackson. He is better than Clippard and probably a couple of the other relievers.

Secret wasian man said...

William o it's not a safe lead. Not when you are capable of playing like the Astros at any given moment. Blahhhhhhhh

Jane Elizabeth said...

Zimmerman made a mental error by thinking about going home. The proper play was to first. That said, the Cards were incredibly lucky that inning. 2 walks and three soft, soft, soft hits. The hard hit ball was an out.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Hey, the Strohs took three of four from the Phils ten days ago.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

My key to the game at 6:21 clearly didn't happen.

Secret wasian man said...

I am not surprised by Jackson performance. It's Zimmerman and des that upset me.

Jane Elizabeth said...

The main problem with the Braves' opponents is not the players. It is the jerk-off GM's and managers who bring in guys like Mike Dunn to pitch the 9th inning. Why? Why was Mike Dunn pitching? Probably just to prove that he wouldn't be back next year.

The hitters and fielders generally are always playing their hardest.

NatsLady said...

Ejax needs to hold them now. We can get to this guy. He is already tired.

JaneB said...

I'm glad Edwin at least made Wainwright work some there. Now let's pray he has discovered his stuff somewhere.

Secret wasian man said...

Why does Carpenter get excited about a long fly out. That ball not even close.

hiramhover said...

The braves aren't playing like this.

If by "playing like this" you mean "playing against decent opponents," then no.

The Braves have had the luxury of playing the Marlins in 6 of their last 9 games before tonight. The other 3 were against Philly--whom they played exactly like the Nats, winning 2 of 3.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Espinosa swinging at 1st pitch trying to hit a 6 run homer.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

William o. Did you forget both Braves and Sox had 3 game lead with 5 to go and neither could finish?

Nats need runs wasted the second inning

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

William o. Did you forget both Braves and Sox had 3 game lead with 5 to go and neither could finish?

Nats need runs wasted the second inning

Secret wasian man said...

Doesn't matter how good or bad the opponent is if you throw more balls than strikes and have errors.

Exposremains said...

I kept myself from saying it all year but I see why Jackson plays for a different team every year. You never what you gonna get. There's a reason his w-l record is 9-10.

Joe Seamhead said...

MAKE IT STOP!

Jane Elizabeth said...

I guess I did because I don't know what you are referring to, Manassas Nats' Fan. I mean, the Majors have had races for over 110 years and since 1995, we have had these ridiculous Wild Card races, so I am sure that pennants have been blown. The Nats have close to a 99 percent chance of winning the division but that ain't 100....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

What has to happen for Davey to get message.

going home for Zim was a good play with a force. Throw would not have to be perfect

Secret wasian man said...

Gross. Put in jimmy Hoffa.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Jackson is a decent pitcher and an excellent athlete. He knows that he is no more than that but he is also a good clubhouse influence. Strasburg has had some horrible games this year, and Gio has had some where he couldn't find the plate. There is no reason why Lannan couldn't come in and pitch here.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Some one wake up Davsy. Bring in Dukes.

Jane Elizabeth said...

I don't think Zimm was going to get that guy at the plate. They gave the cat who hit the ball an rbi. It looks like the Nats have a travel hang-over.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

2 Wild pitches helps another run

Exposremains said...

only hope for tonight is to root for the Mets.

Jane Elizabeth said...

I mean, we pitched Wang on Sunday, so obviously Rizzo and Johnson are sure we have got this.

No competent manager or GM would have pitched Wang if they had any fear whatsoever of losing the divisional race.

Secret wasian man said...

I guess if the braves had to play the cards they too would walk everybody, have wild pitches, make errors.... It's just not fair. thanks ejax. Big loser.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I dont agree with the scorer runner was about half way. i think out was easy til he kicked.

someone wake up Davey. He must be taking a nap

Joe Seamhead said...

You gotta yank him.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Sayanora!

NatsNut said...

ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME!?!

Jane Elizabeth said...

Why would you yank him now? It is 9-1.

NatsNut said...

At least Suzuki didn't have to block that one.

phil dunton said...

Someone wake up Davey from his nap.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Wake up Davey I had him pulled after 3 runs and you didnt care to even to start the bullpen.

Total malpractice.

Kick him to the bench

hiramhover said...

Wasian

You need to find a way to separate your frustration with the way a particular game is going from your understanding of the bigger picture.

Yes, these 2 innings are gawdawful, and if they were perfectly representative of how the Nats play, then the team would end the season with 162 losses season and a negative, 9 digit run differential.

But they're not, so they won't.

Exposremains said...

Well done Edwin. Nats pitcher not handling playoff pressure so well.

Secret wasian man said...

Not fair to the rest of the team. Despicable. Get him the hell out of there. Put him on a plane, send him home and trade him.

Jane Elizabeth said...

I mean we pitched Wang on Sunday. We have this. They obviously would not have let Wang go out there if we didn't have this.

Exposremains said...

Lets go Mets.

phil dunton said...

Davey could learn a lot from Frank Robinson about the art of pulling a pitcher who clearly doesn't have it.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

That just was ugly.

Joe Seamhead said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jane Elizabeth said...

Jackson has been decent all year. That is ridiculous to criticize him and say nothing about Wang, who has been horrible all year and probably cost us several games.

Jane Elizabeth said...

For some reason people on this site are in love with Wang.

Joe Seamhead said...

EJ, right about now Scott Boras is happy that he's not your agent anymore.

mick said...

glad to see Gorzo... correct move. I hope Ejac gets to pitch on Wed, we need him ad he needs to get his confidence back. Just one of those games

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Games like this will really skew the stats. It may have also sealed EJax fate for the postseason with Lannan pitching much better.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Don't forget that the Lerners want to sell out all three games next week. We obviously have no financial interest in clinching early.

Nats Fan in Brazil said...

E-jax is a great pitcher when he is on and a terrible one when he is off, Thats why his carrer record is .500 , cant see he coming Back next year, unless he is The WS MVP

NatsLady said...

Don't forget how much the Mets hate the Braves. Just, don't forget that.

mick said...

My concern with Ejac is that there is obvious a reason he is playing on his 5th team in 5 years. A 500 pitcher, having said that, we need him in post season

Jane Elizabeth said...

You have to work hard to give up 9 runs on only 7 hits. Jackson's ERA is going to take a huge hit there.

Secret wasian man said...

Hiram hover. It is quite possible for the nats to slip and only get a wildcard. The wildcard is only one game. Therefore it is quite possible for them to come out and lay an egg like they have tonight. That is not frustration.THAT IS REALITY.

mick said...

This was all mental with Edwin and not physical so that is a good thing

Jane Elizabeth said...

The thing is, if somehow we do lose the divison, we know we were better than the Braves anyway, with Strasburg on the roster, so why sweat it? Rizzo and Boras aren't, so why should we peons be worried?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Took the lead coyldnt hold it. Big Cat called said the game is not over.

mick said...

here is a good contrast between Gio and Edwin and FP alluded to the point last night that a 500 pitcher would not have been able to come back like Gio, and that is why Gio is a 20 game wiiner. Tonight, FP's point was very well taken, unfortunately.

phil dunton said...

Don't count on Davey ditching Jackson. Look how long he stuck with H-Rod and Wang. He even threw Detwiler under the bus to get Wang in the rotation.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Like I say, Wasian, why do you care if Boras and Rizzo don't? We either do it or we don't, but it isn't worth losing sleep over.

Rizzo still thinks Wang is a solution for us.

Jane Elizabeth said...

That was an important game on Sunday and Wang had no business even being out there as a starter.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Carpenter, get your facts straight before you say things. Damn!

Joe Seamhead said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Drew said...

Ghost et al:

While Jackson was a car wreck tonight -- and this won't help him get $50 million over four -- John Lannan has not had a better year.

Lannan's ERA is 4.23. Even with this abomination Jackson's is 4.13.

mick said...

frankly the only issue for Nats s whether or not they will be #1 or #2 seed. I actually would rather play Giants in first round

Secret wasian man said...

Excellent point mick. I recall a game in Colorado when ejax gave up 9 in two innings. My point is teams trying to win a division in late sept are not laying these eggs. I haven't seen the os or yanks or cards... Put themselves out of the game by inning two. GIO proved why he is so good last night.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Damn. Hairston struck out.

Exposremains said...

S. Hairston vs Nats=HR
Hairston vs Braves= K

mick said...

Secret wasian man we will win East, worse case is with five to go we are 3 up if Braves win tonight, I like our chances

Jane Elizabeth said...

That is not really a fair comparison. Lannan has probably won three of the four most important games of the year. He had one outlier out of five.

NatsLady said...

Wait, didn't the Yankees lose last night? Oh, yes, they did. They lost to the, er, LAST PLACE Toronot Blue Jays, 6-0.

Secret wasian man said...

I like our chances too mick. Just getting anxious

mick said...

Its 9-1 in o's game also, but O's are up. As I said Yankees are just unstoppable right now

NatsLady said...

Toronto BLue Jays.

mick said...

Cards have won 8 of 11 and after tonight 9 of 12.... I could see them knocking the Braves out. I would rather play Giants in first round gang

NatsLady said...

mick, if you are unstoppable, you don't get shutout by a last place team. As the Yankees did last night.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Doodah!

Secret wasian man said...

Nats lady 6 to 0 after 9 innings. Not 9 to 1 after 2. Big difference.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Camptown races run all day long!

mick said...

Natslady... that was Yanks first loss in almost 2 weeks, tonight they are up 7-1

Jane Elizabeth said...

DooDah!

Joe Seamhead said...

Sorry, WODL.

phil dunton said...
Davey could learn a lot from Frank Robinson about the art of pulling a pitcher who clearly doesn't have it.
September 28, 2012 9:14 PM
-----------------------------------------
Phil, I like Frank Robinson, and all, but I don't think that Davey Johnson needs to ask a guy with a 680-757 record as a manager a darned thing about how to handle pitchers.

Exposremains said...

DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDDAAAAAAAAAAAAA. YES>

NatsNut said...

Mets!

mick said...

Secret wasian man good point

Jane Elizabeth said...

Oh, Da Doo Da Day!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Make up time. Nats lost after leading 9-0.

Tonight is the time. Win after losing 9-1.

Seems like a plan to me. Anyone object?

Kirbs said...

Ahhhhh thats a 3 run shot!!

NatsLady said...

mick, I like our chances, too. Just have to win 3 games. Not 6 games. 3 games.

mick said...

Lets go METS!!!! ha ha ha

BigCat said...

Here is the thing....have you ever seen a veteran, professional, very good, big league pitcher be left in a game to give up 9 runs in 1 and 1/3 innings. I think this has as much to do with Boras as it does with Jackson. I think the Nats are trying hard to sign Jackson behind the scenes, but as usual, Boras wants the world. Davey is a players manager. And don't tell me Gorzo wasn't ready. Gorzo should of been warming up 3 batters into the game. I'm tellin ya, this was a message to Boras.

And yes Manassas, this one ain't over yet. I could hit the Wainwright guy. Just don't chase his crap....make him bring it over the plate.

Exposremains said...

DUDA is my new favorite player, bar none.

mick said...

your off the hook Ejac if Mets score holds, lol

Steady Eddie said...

Duda! How I love ya, how I love ya.

Now can that terrible bullpen hold on?

Jane Elizabeth said...

Camptown races run all day long, oh de doo da dey....

Drew said...

Lucas Duda's 3-run jack off Hudson puts Mets up 3-1 on Atlanta!

NatsNut said...

BigCat, Boras is no longer EJ's agent.

Jane Elizabeth said...

How much of an idiot is the Braves' manager leaving Hudson in to face Duda in a situation like that?

mick said...

Big Cat... that sounds sinister, but i hate to admit it, you may be on to something

mick said...

William O. Douglas Loeffler I hope he can be an idiot for a few more games, lol

NatsLady said...

BigCat, I don't understand your post. Jackson let Boras go a while back.

Jane Elizabeth said...

If I were a pitcher in MLB, I would want Wang's agent....

mick said...

Bigcat... I forgot that Boras is no longer his agent... that makes your theory less plauasible

hiramhover said...

Wasian

Could it happen? Yes. Is it likely to happen? No. That's the bigger picture.

One reason it's unlikely to happen is that if the Nats do end up the WC, there's no way EJax starts. We can agree on that, at least.

NatsNut said...

NatsLady, I'll take a diet Dr. Pepper, thanks. =)

mick said...

hiramhover oh darn I was hoping Ejac could start and Hrod could close, lol

BigCat said...

And yes Mick......5 teams in 5 years for Jackson. Teams get sick of Boras and they move him along.

Secret wasian man said...

Hang on mets.

Joe Seamhead said...

NatsNut is correct. Boras is no longer Jackson's agent. What's you point, Big Cat?

Drew said...

Duda, where's my car?

Anonymous said...

Miami just beat Philly 2-1. Phils eliminated

NatsLady said...

My system is so slow, I just saw Duda's 3-run jack. Tried to tell you the Cards and Nats are not the only players in this game. Now, we have to root for the Mets to hold on.

Jane Elizabeth said...

I am not a baseball man, but what is it exactly that someone in the Nats' organization sees that makes them think that Wang should be starting games during our stretch drive. There was a rumor that they wanted Wang to pitch this weekend!

How could that possibly be true? Wang wasn't even good when he was with the Yankees. Anybody could have won games with the Yankees. I just don't get it.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Come on, no conspiracy theories. Boras isn't Wang's agent, now is he?

NatsLady said...

I love how Gorzy pitches great when we are down 9-1.

NatsNut said...

Wang pitching this weekend could possibly be true if we had clinched before tonight.

NatsNut said...

See, Nats are losing hard and now there are TWO reason for a happy dance.

sjb said...
Miami just beat Philly 2-1. Phils eliminated

Jane Elizabeth said...

Why did Wang pitch on Sunday? Weren't we nervous then, or something? Use him as a pinch-hitter or a mop-up guy, but please, he has no business pitching in any inning that matters. He has not earned it.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Miami can .... my ....

Mike Dunn, you of the dopiest goatee in history, good luck in your future profession.

Secret wasian man said...

Yes nats lady imwouldmhave liked to see gorzy after the first inning. We may have still had a chance. Poor gorzy always has to mop up the puke in the cafeteria.

Jane Elizabeth said...

WFAN coming in pretty well right now, for those that care to listen, 660 AM.

NatsLady said...

OK, so maybe Gorzy not great... LOL.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Mets robbed of a run by a ground rule double. Runners on 1st and 3rd with one out.

BigCat said...

Hmmmm...guess I'll go back in the basement

Jane Elizabeth said...

It is interesting watching the ESPN Gamecasts. Zuckerman, of this site, plays things pretty fairly, with both good and bad news about the Nats. The Braves only tweet or whatever, good news, which I think is pretty sleezy, in a journalistic sense.

Drew said...

I'm the Duda, so that's what you call me, you know. That, or His Dudaness, or, uh, Duda-er, or El Dudarino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.

NatsLady said...

See, here's the thing. Gorzy needs to keep it 9-1 because we can easily have three 3 run innings if the hitters don't give up. And he does. Don't give up, boys!!!!

Jane Elizabeth said...

Braves get a double play to retire the side, with no runs. Ground-rule double rule is one of the least fair rules in sports, but the Red Sox love it.

Theophilus T. S. said...

mick said...

This was all mental with Edwin and not physical so that is a good thing


That's not a good thing. If it was physical they'd put him on the shelf until he becomes a free agent. They keep sending him out there because they think that maybe, just maybe, this time he'll get somebody out.

There was a reason LaRussa wouldn't start this guy at the back end of the 2011 series.

Jane Elizabeth said...

I am not sure that I even want our hitters wasting a huge amount of mental energy trying to come back from 9-1 at this point.

NatsLady said...

Kid never gives up. Love that Kid.

Exposremains said...

Acosta..What?? 6.80 ERA

NatsLady said...

Theo, Jackson had a great game the last time out. Clip blew it. I love Clip but Jackson really should have had that one. I don't know why Jackson wasn't "there" today, really, I don't. But I'd take him back on this team in a minute.

Steady Eddie said...

Whether the Mets win or lose, Nats fans should be appreciative that they are going out for the win and not being indifferent. After Manny Acosta with his 6+ ERA K'd Prado on 3 pitches, Collins immediately put in a LH reliever to face Heyward.

Jane Elizabeth said...

I think I heard La Russa say the Cards needed Jackson to win it all last year.

Homer Bailey faces 28 batters in one game.

Jane Elizabeth said...

2 outs in the 8th in Atlanta with Jones hitting.

Jane Elizabeth said...

I think Jackson came in wired to face his old team. He had a tough first, what else is new, but Zimmerman and Desmond blew plays they could have made and a bunch of lucky hits squeaked through. It happens. Who cares? I am less mad about Jackson's performance than I am about Clippard's where he blew a huge come-back against the Dodgers.

NatsLady said...

Well, Davey is giving it to the 2nd string. Let's see how they do. Step 1, Garcia, good job.

Exposremains said...

love what collins is doing.

Jane Elizabeth said...

If the Mets hold on here, then the NL will be over, in a de facto sense, if not de jure, as opposed to the AL.

Jane Elizabeth said...

On to the bottom of the 9th, Mets 3, Braves 1.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Braves have the middle of the line-up coming to bat.

JaneB said...

Need our bats to wake up some. Or a lot. We've lost a game, even being up as much as the Cards are. We can still do this.

Drew said...

Freeman, Uggla, Ross.

Hold on to your hats, kids.

JaneB said...

Go METS! We need you now.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Mets can guarantee the Marlins finish in last place with a victory here. I am so sick of Freddy Freeman.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Freddy bites the dust!

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