Friday, September 14, 2012

Instant analysis: Braves 2, Nats 1

US Presswire photo
Roger Bernadina slams into the fence robbing Jason Heyward of a fifth-inning hit.
Game in a nutshell: In the opener of a weekend series that could decide whether the Nationals run away with the NL East or whether the Braves make this thing interesting again, a big crowd at Turner Field was treated to a well-played, well-pitched ballgame that had a playoff feel to it. Ross Detwiler churned out six innings of one-run ball, pitching his way out of some jams. Kris Medlen, meanwhile, blew away the Nationals lineup, striking out 13 over seven spectacular innings. Bryce Harper finally broke through against the fast-emerging ace of the Atlanta staff, clubbing a solo homer to left in the sixth inning to knot the game up 1-1. It remained that way until the bottom of the ninth, when the Braves got a couple of one-out singles off Sean Burnett, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Burnett got pinch-hitter Tyler Pastornicky to hit a sharp grounder to short, and Ian Desmond had a play at the plate. But Desmond's throw sailed way wide, and Andrelton Simmons slid across with the winning run, dropping the Nats' lead in the NL East to 7 1/2 games.

Hitting highlight: They didn't do much of anything at the plate against Medlen and the Braves bullpen, but Harper's performance certainly stood out. He singled in the first inning, drew a walk in the third and then belted the first pitch he saw in the top of the sixth to left field for a solo homer. That was Harper's 19th of the season (second-most ever by a teenager, trailing only Tony Conigliaro's 24) and his seventh over his last 20 games. During that span, Harper is also hitting .360, raising his season average up to .266. This surge may just be getting the 19-year-old back into the NL Rookie of the Year race.

Pitching highlight: He wasn't as dominant as Medlen -- that would've been difficult to pull off -- but Detwiler was just as effective. He attacked the strike zone from the start, made some big pitches when he had to and was helped by some stellar defense behind him (especially Roger Bernadina in left field). In the end, he gave the Nationals exactly what they needed: a big-time outing in a big game. If this was a preliminary test for Detwiler in advance of a potential postseason start, he passed with flying colors.

Key stat: Ryan Zimmerman failed to drive in a run tonight, snapping his streak of consecutive games with at least one RBI at nine (a franchise record).

Up next: The series continues at 4:05 p.m. Saturday when Edwin Jackson takes the mound in his hometown, facing right-hander Tommy Hanson. Fox will televise the game to a regional audience.

96 comments:

JaneB said...

Of course I wish we'da won. But we're okay anyway.
Go EJax. Go Nats Bats. Glad Tim is off the homeplate tomorrow. Hope the next guy calls it fair.

Joe Seamhead said...

Sean gave us a perfect double play ball. Desi chose to go home. Bad decision. We' ll get 'em tomorrow.

Nats Fan in Brazil said...

Man, Burnnet is really strugiling, that is The fourth time in a row that he blowns it! Hope he can recover his early form or Garcia will take his playoff spot!

Swift Eagle said...

Desi didn't "choose" to go home...When the manager plays the infield in, he is telling the fielders to throw home on a grounder...

Desmond made a bad throw, but the decision was correct...Exactly who would have been covering 2nd on a double play? (Espi was in too)

peric said...

Throwing errors have come in droves of late ... Detwiler might be ready but Burnett doesn't even look close. Davey could have yanked him for Chirstian Garcia ... but I guess he figures he needs pitchers for the final two games.

Swift Eagle said...

Blaming Burnett for this loss is like blaming a kicker who misses a FG at the end...He was part of it, but 17 Ks, and only 1 run was an even bigger part..A team loss...

It shows how good the Nats are that they are 7.5 up on the Braves, b/c they are really good

Gonat said...

Joe Seamhead said...
Sean gave us a perfect double play ball. Desi chose to go home. Bad decision. We' ll get 'em tomorrow.

September 14, 2012 10:27 PM
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It was a perfect doubleplay ball if Desi wasn't playing in on the grass. The play was home. He didn't make the play.

1 loss. Onto tomorrow.

feelanau said...

This is not a tragedy. Way more important to Braves than Nats. Burnett didn't pitch badly. Let's all calm down. Still 7.5 ahead with only 18 to play. Pressure on Braves to sweep. We only need to win one.

Nats Fan in Brazil said...

Swift, im not blaming Burnnet, im actually worried, he was a big part of this team early in The season and now he is not getting done(fourth in a row). We need him in top form for The playoffs

peric said...

Yup he made the right play just threw the ball in the dirt.

Exposremains said...

My point is that since Burnett has come back from his rest, he hasn't shown anything that's encouraging.

peric said...

Blaming Burnett for this loss is like blaming a kicker who misses a FG at the end...

I'm not blaming Brunett. He didn't look good in his last appearance and had to be bailed out. Burnett doesn't look right ... regardless of the score. He is having problems getting hitters out. He is looking like he did last year.

Swift Eagle said...

Nats Fan in Brazil said...

Swift, im not blaming Burnnet, im actually worried, he was a big part of this team early in The season and now he is not getting done(fourth in a row). We need him in top form for The playoffs
September 14, 2012 10:35 PM
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Totally agree. Burnett is still not quite right since the injury, and I'm assuming Davey feels he needs to pitch in order to get right...He gave up an infield hit and a bloop, didn't exactly get crushed...

baseballswami said...

Swift Eagle - the Braves are a good team, not really good. Medlin is really good.It's not like they beat us 10 to nothing. The Braves just got swept by the Brewers - Medlin didn't pitch against them. They scored one run against everyone but Burnett. Ross is the real deal.Bryce is the real deal. Impressive. I find myself thinking how ridiculous the NL East is going to be next season. Pitching, pitching and more pitching. Back at it tomorrow. I dread the Fox and ESPN coverage.

Nats Fan in Brazil said...

Im with you on this one peric, Garcia might get his spot in The playoff roster

Nats Fan in Brazil said...

Without Burnnet, we only get gorzo and gonzalez as LHP in The bullpen, do u guys think Thats enough?

Secret wasian man said...

We really only need one win this weekend. That way it is 7.5. Can't get swept though. Terrible throw by Desmond. No excuses.

Swift Eagle said...

Swami- Do yourself a favor, listen to the Braves radio broadcasts..they're very good..Not as funny as Charlie and Dave, but very detailed

I honestly think the Braves are the best team the Nats have played this year. They've been cold offensively lately, but have Lots of power (and Mccann sat tonight) Prado is a Nats-killer, and the Simmons kid at SS looks like a good one...Their rotation and defense hasn't been as good as the Nats, and with Kimbrel they are basically playing an 8 inning game

Joe Seamhead said...

Great job by Det. We disagree about whether there was a dbl. play possibility, but if you.re going to throw home, you got to make the throw to the plate accurately.the result was the same, as we lost on the last play.. Like I said, we'll getting 'em tomorrow.

peric said...

Without Burnnet, we only get gorzo and gonzalez as LHP in The bullpen, do u guys think Thats enough?

Probably are good enough. Neither are soft-tossers.

That has to be considered a huge need going into the offseason though.
Left handed back of the bullpen with velo.

John C. said...

Wait a sec. Burnett got the first out, then gave up an infield hit a jam shot bloop over second base and a grounder to SS. Just what the heck was he supposed to do?

Desmond made the right play; it would have been very difficult to turn the DP and the runner on third is the guy that beats you. As was pointed out, playing the infield in tells you that your play is to home.

Hard to see how there is any mention of the unreal strike zone that Medlen and Kimbrel were getting. As soon as they realized they didn't have to throw the ball over the plate, they took full advantage. FP said Medlen reminded him of Maddux; the strike zone sure reminded ME of Maddux!

Tough loss, get 'em tomorrow.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Burnett'd pitch to Bourn a foot above the target. on target a 4-6 fielder's choice. That would be his fault.

when espi is on grass no way Desi get a double play.

throw on target probably out.

real problem was poor effort by almost all batters. What does Harper see tonight others couldn't.

peric said...

I honestly think the Braves are the best team the Nats have played this year.

I still think the Philthies are better. But they got off to a horrid start. They're back at .500 though.

Swift Eagle said...

When the infield is in, there is NOBODY covering 2B...the DP is not an option...

Now, if you want to say Davey should have had the infield back in that situation, you can make an argument....But there was no way Desmond had any other option, it was a bad throw, although I'm not 100% a good throw would have had him...

Swift Eagle said...

Yes, when the Phillies have all their guys they certainly have a better rotation than the Braves...I still prefer the Braves line up, but it's close...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

If I was a reporter on duty I have only 1 question at this point that interest me and I know for fact not One reporter will bother to pursue.

Why Harper tossed for throwing helmet down when mad at himself and Hayward not ejected when tossing when mad at ump.

AS I said no One will pursue. Would love corner Joe Torre as I Di believe umps have it in fir Harper.

Gonat said...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

real problem was poor effort by almost all batters. What does Harper see tonight others couldn't.
_________________________________

That is the real problem. Zimmerman and Espi looked silly all night and there were RBI chances out there.

Gonat said...

Swift Eagle said...
When the infield is in, there is NOBODY covering 2B...the DP is not an option...

Now, if you want to say Davey should have had the infield back in that situation, you can make an argument....But there was no way Desmond had any other option, it was a bad throw, although I'm not 100% a good throw would have had him...

September 14, 2012 10:50 PM
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The book calls for infield in for that situation. Have to make sure you don't let the winning run score.

The other choice was walking bases loaded to have the force at home and possibly turn the doubleplay 6-2-3.

Swift Eagle said...

In post game interview, Desmond pointed out that the Braves got those infield hits by putting the ball in play and not striking out...

and it's not a "poor effort"...anyone who questions the effort of this team is watching different games...They have several guys (Espinosa, Bernadina, Zimmerman, Desmond) who strike out too much, but it's not b/c of a lack of trying...Total Nonsense..

mick said...

I like Desi and the teams demeanor, they will bounce back.

A few points down the road... Burnett should only be used in 7th or 8th inning in post season, if at all. I really think he lacks confidence at this stage... he will be very good one day, right now, I think he is shaky. Shark is solid in the outfield but since the Marlins series one can see why he is not an every day starter, his bat has not been good in the clutch of late. I am not referring to tonight's game, it was great pitching, I am referring to both Marlins and Mets series with Shark

Phil Wood says that the MLB rule is if you throw your equipment, you are out... the 1st base umpire should have thrown the player and manager out of the game, if not the umpire in Astros game owes Bryce and apology. Frankly, i think he had an attitude about Bryce. I am sick of the inconsistency with these clown umpires!!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

What was Burnett to do was the question. Simple answer strike the batter out. Any One of the last three. That is what their pitchers did.

mick said...

tonight was very well played game by both teams

Swift Eagle said...

Gonat said...

The book calls for infield in for that situation. Have to make sure you don't let the winning run score.

The other choice was walking bases loaded to have the force at home and possibly turn the doubleplay 6-2-3.
September 14, 2012 10:56 PM

_______________________

You're right Gonat. I wasn't advocating playing the infield back, I agree with how they played it. I was just pointing out that Desmond had no other option but to come home once he was told to play in.

I would have liked to walk the bases loaded, but not with Prado On Deck...

Gonat said...

Swift, do you sometimes feel like you are watching a different game than some of the others?

People saying there should have been a doubleplay when the infield is in. Others that say Burnett pitched lousy when he induced the grounders while making 1 poor pitch to Bourn.

mick said...

Desi made the right play, the throw was just off... unfortunately, Burnett put the team in that situation... it is good to learn these things in regular season rather than post season

Swift Eagle said...

Haha, Yes I do! Imagine what Davey must think when he read all this! I'm just grateful to have you and several others on here who seem to watch the same games as I do..

I just get a little salty when people question effort and decision making of guys when they make a Physical Mistake...Bad throws, walks, and strikeouts are not a lack of effort or intelligence...

As you said, Burnett made 1 bad pitch, and the rest was bad luck...

Anonymous said...

Not going to win many games striking out 17 times

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Looked it up last 10 games 8 IP 20 HITS 5 earned runs. at least 1 unearned runs.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

MLB Network all over Ian for terrible throw. Harold Reynolds saying infielders have quit practicing throw home. Says coaches have quit coaching.

Gonat said...

Swift, the one negative point I agree with is the poor approach at the plate by several batters and especially Zim. I expected adjustments in his other ABs.

Oh well, just 1 of 162 games.

Swift Eagle said...

looks like the Phillies are going to pick up another game on Pitt and Mil, and the loser of the StL v LA game...LA up 4-1 now

mick said...

it was simply a physical error, that is all. it shows that the national baseball pundits do not follow most teams at all. Harold Reynolds knows better

mick said...

Swift...I called it a month ago, i posted that we should not count out the Phillies, they are scary and playing great ball

mick said...

Gonat... I agree, however Medlen was on fire tonight

mick said...

tell you what gang... there are some great series this weekend! Cards and LA, O's and a's Rays and Yanks.... this is baseball heaven!!!

Swift Eagle said...

Gonat said...

Swift, the one negative point I agree with is the poor approach at the plate by several batters and especially Zim. I expected adjustments in his other ABs.

Oh well, just 1 of 162 games.
September 14, 2012 11:11 PM

--------------------------------

At least Ryan forced the guy to make quality pitches to get him out..

As much as I like Danny, he drives me nuts b/c pitchers literally do not have to throw the ball in the strike zone to get him out....He really goes through funks where he gets himself out. But Ian did the same thing last year, so there's help....As you pointed out the other day, the "bag of sunflower seeds" trade would have been a mistake! lol

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Harold showed Ian and the 2b player for Seattle. Both didn't square and said lack of practice.

displayed what was wrong. Ian's was simply poor throw

Gonat said...

mick said...
Swift...I called it a month ago, i posted that we should not count out the Phillies, they are scary and playing great ball

September 14, 2012 11:13 PM
___________________________________

I honestly don't recall you saying that but I'm sure you did. Ghost of SteveM a couple of weeks ago was pointing out their remaining schedule and even predicted what the Phillies record would be on September 20th. So far its almost exactly as he laid it out.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Dodgers were never 4-1 Dirtier just homer to reduce deficate to 4-3.

mick said...

Manassas Nats' Fan good point, Ian said he felt he had no time to square and throw, it looked like he did have time to square, but alas, he is the one making the play and quick decision. I think Ian may have hesitated one moment in that before the ball was hit he forgot one important lesson.... know what your are going to do if the ball is hit to you. It happens at all levels

mick said...

Ghost is spot on about Phils. If they get in, they could roll

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

According to Reynolds middle infielders pretty much no longer practice throwing home and that is the real problem. Not enough practice

Swift Eagle said...

Harold Reynolds is at Nats infield practice? Didn't know that

mick said...

Swift Eagle said...
Harold Reynolds is at Nats infield practice? Didn't know that


lol exactly my point too

Gonat said...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...
Dodgers were never 4-1 Dirtier just homer to reduce deficate to 4-3.

September 14, 2012 11:20 PM
______________________________________

Deficate? Dude, you really need to read over before you press the publish key.

Dirtier?

NatsLady said...

Well, even if Ian had got the guy at the plate it's still 2 out with 2 on. Have to get another out, plus play extra innings on the road and use more relievers. Hoping EJax will give a nice effort in his hometown and Gio will get his 20th on Sunday, wouldn't that be sweet?

Shark must be OK because Davey could have left Corey Brown in.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Not just Nats he says no team Di much infield practice at all. Heard Ray Knight mention that previously last year or maybe 2010

mick said...

If Gio gets 20, it will be the first 20 game winner in DC in my lifetime!!!!

Gonat said...

Definition of Deficate: To void feces from the bowels.

Maybe you did mean to spell that.

NatsLady said...

It is true that most teams don't take infield any more. Don't know about the Nats, if Reynolds knows what the Nats do or is just speculating. I am not worried about Desi as he made other very nice plays.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Still checking out other sites for a comment from Marty Foster

mick said...

Gonat,,, its Friday, lol

NatsLady said...

He meant deficit. It was 4-1 for a while...

Swift Eagle said...

Most teams (Nats included) rarely take infield...But the guys take hundreds of grounders and throws...does Harold think Ryan's throwing problems are from a lack of practice too? Just total TV BS...Ian practiced enough to make a great throw about 3 minutes earlier to get the first out...He made a bad throw, I seem to remember Harold Reynolds did that sometimes too

NatsLady said...

Gonat, if you want to give a definition, spell it correctly: defecate.

Manassas fan explained he is practically blind and has ADD or whatever. Be kind.

Gonat said...

NatsLady, I checked the spelling on spellcheck and Urban Dictionary has it both ways, but you are correct on the Webster spelling. That's how deficit becomes deficate.

Swift Eagle said...


Urban Dictionary has it both ways, but you are correct on the Webster spelling. That's how deficit becomes deficate.
September 14, 2012 11:34 PM
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Hmmm..That's not how it happens at my house

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I finally explain last night. I am dyslexic and mix letters all the time. I am sorry you can't handle that. I finally decided I was not going to remain a hermit on social media just because people make fun of people with dyslexia.

NatsLady said...

Urban dictionary:

2. deficate 81 up, 33 down
Yet another mis-spelling of an English word by an under educated public. Of course, the word they're struggling for is 'Defecate'.

I deficate (sic) on your poor use of the language!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Still looking for report on Marty Foster.

Besides not spelling or typing well I could never be the press as things I want to know never are pursued. Though I know I can't be the only One interested.

NatsLady said...

We all make typos, Manassas. Please don't worry about it... Keep posting! Your insights are excellent.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Reynolds said plenty of practice throwing to first and second,but not home

NatsLady said...

Eagle. LOL!

Gonat said...

Manassas, I know you were taken to task a few days ago by someone. Its just difficult to make sense of that sentence.

Not making fun of you, rather trying to make sense of it.

NatsLady said...

Probably true. Doesn't happen that often, SS to home, compared to pitcher throwing home or other infielders throwing home, so on a priority basis they probably don't practice it as much.

Gonat said...

Watching Tommy Milone pitch. He's gotten 3 doubleplays tonight and 1 earned run. Milone is off his game though as he has issued a few walks.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Mine rarely typos. it is how see the letters in order. that is what dyslexia is about.

most people assume we are lazy when in reality I can look at the same word 4 times and see same word 4 different ways. That is why you might see my typing have weird spelling.

on top this auto correct is terrible.

I have not figure out how to turn it off.

Gonat said...

That's the problem is the auto-correct.

NatsLady said...

I can't read a map. No sense of direction at all, can't tell left from right. My grandmother was the same. On the good side, I'm ambidextrous.

Gonat said...

NatsLady, had to look up this one too.

am·bi·dex·trous ( m b -d k str s). adj. 1. Able to use both hands with equal facility. 2. Unusually skillful; adroit. 3. Deceptive or hypocritical.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I am watching Cards vs. Dodgers


NatsLady said...

Fillies still a long longshot.

coolstandings ‏@coolstandings
PHI 12, HOU 6. #Phillies playoff chances now 4.1%.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Phillies with any shot ticks me off.

I think I found out how to turn off auto. correct off.

NatsFanJim said...

Davey blows another one.

Storen, who is all the way back, is allowed to pitch .1 of an inning. Big Woo. throwing 96, Storen was obviously sharp. But was Storen allowed to pitch the ninth? Of course, not. He brings in a stuggling and sore Burnett -- and we lose, of course. Davey gave this game up.

NatsFanJim said...

Final Thought: With the world burning and our government do NADA -- baseball and the Nationals are pretty much Trivia.

Americans getting killed in the MIddle east, and Israel antsty to bomb Iran, and meanwhile we talk about fastballs and sore arms? I'm as guilty, if not more so, than everyone here. I am not proud.

Holden Baroque said...

Of course we talk about fastballs and sore arms. Life doesn't stop when people die.

Holden Baroque said...

I think I found out how to turn off autocorrect off.

Yay, Manassas!

Seriously, did someone bring up Urban Dictionary as a reference??

Holden Baroque said...

Burnett got three ground balls to short, and one solid hit. Yeah, he lost. On a bad throw by Desmond. Hang the bum.

Holden Baroque said...

am·bi·dex·trous ( m b -d k str s). adj. 1. Able to use both hands with equal facility. 2. Unusually skillful; adroit. 3. Deceptive or hypocritical.

That's from "The Free Dictionary", isn't it? You get what you pay for, I figure. Anybody who defines "ambidextrous" as "adroit" is automatically suspect, IMO.

Joe Seamhead said...

I was wrong. Just watched the last play with a clear, sober head. Espy was going to 2nd to cover, but Desi was too far in, and too committed to go anywhere but home.Before the pitch I was saying to myself, "Come on Sean, get us a ground ball double play," so I was wishing double play, saw the groundball, and was hoping we'd turn two. Beer induced contribution to exhaustion after a long day. !Still, it was a close game, Braves got a great pitching performance and still barely won.17 K's ain't going to win many ball games.

natsfan1a said...

Haven't read the in-game comments, but how about Zuke nailing George, uh, Jose Constanza when he tried to steal second? As I said to my hubby at the time (and to quote FP) "that fires me up." :-)

Great game and, as someone noted, it shows the importance of home field advantage (humph - stupid division series schedulers).

natsfan1a said...

Reference note re. some comments about: If you're going to look things up in an online dictionary, try this link rather than Urban Dictionary. NatsLady was correct about the spelling. Also, as she noted, MNF has stated that he has vision problems and dyslexia.

natsfan1a said...

The fact that we don't discuss it on a baseball forum doesn't mean that we don't discuss it. No need to self-flagellate, imo.

NatsFanJim said...

Final Thought: With the world burning and our government do NADA -- baseball and the Nationals are pretty much Trivia.

Americans getting killed in the MIddle east, and Israel antsty to bomb Iran, and meanwhile we talk about fastballs and sore arms? I'm as guilty, if not more so, than everyone here. I am not proud.
September 15, 2012 12:26 AM

Section 3, My Hitterish Sofa said...

Of course we talk about fastballs and sore arms. Life doesn't stop when people die.
September 15, 2012 12:57 AM

natsfan1a said...

Sigh. Yes. And the Free Dictionary. But I see now that you and NatsLady had it covered, so I won't go into my rant about the Interwebz and the decline of critical thinking skills. On to the next thread for me. :-)

Section 3, My Hitterish Sofa said...

Seriously, did someone bring up Urban Dictionary as a reference??

Section 3, My Hitterish Sofa said...

am·bi·dex·trous ( m b -d k str s). adj. 1. Able to use both hands with equal facility. 2. Unusually skillful; adroit. 3. Deceptive or hypocritical.

That's from "The Free Dictionary", isn't it? You get what you pay for, I figure. Anybody who defines "ambidextrous" as "adroit" is automatically suspect, IMO.

September 15, 2012 1:08 AM

natsfan1a said...

Okay, I'm sorry. The pinch-lipped editor in me can't let it go. Urban Dictionary is okay if you want the latest slang terms and neologisms, but it's not a spelling authority. Okay. I feel better now. Moving on. :-)

SonnyG10 said...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...
I finally explain last night. I am dyslexic and mix letters all the time. I am sorry you can't handle that. I finally decided I was not going to remain a hermit on social media just because people make fun of people with dyslexia.



September 14, 2012 11:37 PM


Thanks for sharing that, Manassas, and I'm glad you're willing to post in spite of your handicap. You certainly get a free pass from me.

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