Sunday, April 21, 2013

Game 18: Nats at Mets

Zimmermann gets his turn against the Mets. (Photo by USA Today)
The Nationals got the win yesterday to even up the series against the Mets, but they did it despite a rough start by Gio Gonzalez. After Stephen Strasburg's forgettable outing on Friday and Gio's long Saturday afternoon, Washington will hope for something better out of Jordan Zimmermann in the series finale.

Zimmermann has already earned three wins on the season after allowing just six earned runs through his first 22 innings pitched. He has 11 career starts against New York with a 3.00 ERA across 60 innings. Last season against the Mets he went 1-0 with a 1.96 ERA, 0.957 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts.

Facing the Nationals' lineup will be right-hander Dillon Gee (0-3, 8.36 ERA) who has traditionally fared well against Washington. In six career starts vs. the Nats he is 3-1 with a 3.36 ERA.

The Nationals will look a little bit different with the addition of top prospect Anthony Rendon to the roster. He was called up on Saturday to replace Ryan Zimmerman who heads to the disabled list. We'll see what the kid has in store for his major league debut.

Enjoy the game...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at NEW YORK METS
Where: Citi Field
Gametime: 1:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, WUSA-9, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM)
Weather: Cloudy, 57 degrees
NATIONALS (10-7)
CF Denard Span
RF Jayson Werth
LF Bryce Harper
1B Adam LaRoche

SS Ian Desmond
3B Anthony Rendon
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Jordan Zimmermann

METS (8-8)
CF Jordany Valdespin
2B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
1B Ike Davis
C John Buck
LF Lucas Duda
RF Mike Baxter
SS Ruben Tejada
RHP Dillon Gee

UMPIRES
TBA

250 comments:

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«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 250 Newer› Newest»
Gonat said...

Rendon in the 6 hole!

Gonat said...

http://www.hittrackeronline.com/hrdetail2.php?id=2013_488

The wind shift yesterday may have knocked down Bryce Harper's HR which was measured at 433 feet.

It was a blast and it appeared the wind was blowing in from RF in a crosswind.

SonnyG10 said...

Rendon in 6th hole. That answers my first question from yesterday.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Lets win the series.

to keep the balance of lrft right. Desmond and LaRoche could flip flop.

On the other hand LaRoche homered in the 4 hole so maybe that is better for him

Nats 9-0 in Multi hit datys for Harper 1-7 in games with 1 hit or less. Sample size keeps growing.

Doc said...

I figured that Davey would have our new rookie batting 6th or 7th.

GoooooooooooooooooooNats!!!!!

NatsLady said...

Big font for Desi==> I like it! ;-)

Gonat said...

A DC Wonk said...
Do I remember correctly, that Rendon is yet another product of the non-re-signing of Adam Dunn?
April 21, 2013 9:57 AM

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Wonk no, that is Meyer and Goodwin.
April 21, 2013 10:04 AM
_________________________________

Adam Dunn = Denard Span + Brian Goodwin

Rendon = 69-93 record in 2010 and 5 teams passing on him

Secret wasian man said...

Gotta win today. Harren pitching Tommorow.

Gonat said...

Add one more Scott Boras client to the Nats starting 9.

Doc said...

My sentiments exactly, wasian man!

Secret wasian man said...

I don't follow our farm teams or players much. I'm counting on good things from Rendon. Everyone has played him up big.

Gonat said...

Secret wasian man said...
Gotta win today. Harren pitching Tommorow.

April 21, 2013 12:27 PM
_____________________________

Don't laugh but Haren's style may work well against the Cardinals as they are dead red fastball hitters and Haren could more be described these days affectionately as a junkball pitcher.

Unknown said...

Sooooo excited to see Rendon at 6th in the lineup as soon as called up yesterday!

EmDash said...

True, Gonat, facing the Cardinals seemed to have worked for the current version of Roy Halladay...

MicheleS said...

EmDash/Gonat,

WaPo had a story the other day that Haren was looking at tape of his last few starts vs his starts from late last year. Thinks he may have found something. Let's hope he did.

I really hope that the pitching can settle in. We have Det/JZ doing really well, the other 3 have been okay or just bad. The bullpen has been up and down with little consistency established.

natsfan1a said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
A DC Wonk said...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Wonk no, that is Meyer and Goodwin.
April 21, 2013 10:04 AM

_________________________________
Gonat added:

Adam Dunn = Denard Span + Brian Goodwin

Rendon = 69-93 record in 2010 and 5 teams passing on him


Gonat, Ghost: Thanks!

natsfan1a said...

From the Department of Eats, Shoots, and Leaves, editing for misplaced punctuation mark.


Just for you, Unk.

My trusty Dickson Baseball Dictionary (which also has Tony Gwynn's "5.5 hole" among its definitions, btw) offers the following etymology notes on "rake": "Probably related to sweeping or traversing a length of a position or body of troops with gunfire, and influenced by winning at gambling."

It gives first use as 1990, in reference to the hitting of Prince's dad, Cecil Fielder.

UnkyD said...

I'm curious... Where did the term "rake" come from? I get its meaning, but what's the derivation?
April 21, 2013 11:15 AM

natsfan1a said...

From the Rooting for the Laundry Department,

GO, NATS!!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

At least Haten's looking for flaws.

peric said...

My trusty Dickson Baseball Dictionary (which also has Tony Gwynn's "5.5 hole" among its definitions, btw) offers the following etymology notes on "rake": "Probably related to sweeping or traversing a length of a position or body of troops with gunfire, and influenced by winning at gambling."

It gives first use as 1990, in reference to the hitting of Prince's dad, Cecil Fielder.


Thank you natsfan1a I couldn't find anything on it!

It seems rather obtuse especially given that there are lots of baseball idioms associated with raking the infield base paths etc? And they never mention "to rake" or "raking"? For example I think raking in the dough might come from baseball.

Gonat said...

Did we ever find out if Chad Tracy missed a sign, straight stole, or it was a missed hit & run?

peric said...

Goooood ... I love it when a plan comes together said the Colonel.

LaRoche is going to hit like there's no tomorrow ... these guys need stiff competition to get going ... and LaRoche doesn't want to get benched and neither will Danny ...

Bringing up Anthony Rendon hopefully will spark a very, very long winning streak!

peric said...

Did we ever find out if Chad Tracy missed a sign, straight stole, or it was a missed hit & run?

Or Espinosa ... I guess because its Fox we didn't get the MASN crew asking those tough questions ... or Amanda in the post-game interviews.

JaneB said...

No way Chad just stole. That would have been bad baseball plus he isn't fast and he knows it. Had to be missed hit&run.

WELCOME ANTHONY! May you have a glorious few weeks up here and make it hard for them to want to send you back. That would be awesome on so many levels.

peric said...

Maybe Danny goes to shortstop soon?

Gonat said...

LaRoche has to make that. Sorry. It was a lousy throw but come on.

Faraz Shaikh said...

did they say werth has a better arm than harper?

SCNatsFan said...

Wow another out we give another team

peric said...

LaRoche has to make that. Sorry. It was a lousy throw but come on.

The sore back makes that kind of tough Gonat. Believe me I know it affects everything ... of course I am older with double scoliosis.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

terrible throw catch it and the guy is only on first. Fielding all season terrible at SS and 3b

Faraz Shaikh said...

agreed gonat. lousy throw but ALR could have gotten it.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

look like strike 3

Gonat said...

MicheleS said...
EmDash/Gonat,

WaPo had a story the other day that Haren was looking at tape of his last few starts vs his starts from late last year. Thinks he may have found something. Let's hope he did.
________________________________________

Let's hope so. He was going well in his last start for 3 innings and then the wheels came off. Kind of sounds like Gio yesterday.

Faraz Shaikh said...

nice catch

Gonat said...

What a play like Rendon! Welcome to the game!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Now that is fielding. much harder play then Desmond's

peric said...

One can see why they must keep Danny. He is at least as good as Desmond at shortstop ... well probably better if the minor league stints provide any comparison. Davey picked Desmond for shortstop, the organization I think picked Espinosa. Life is schweet when you have two.

Gonat said...

Goon squad tried to assist Rendon so he didn't fall into the bullpen.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

suzuki had him, but again fielder bobbles ball.

Gonat said...

Suzuki bobbles the ball on the steal. That's 2 defensive screwups already. SMH

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

come on get one more and bail out Desi.

Gonat said...

Mannasas, where's that link I owe you a drink!

Faraz Shaikh said...

Good job JZ.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Good job Jordan.

David Proctor said...

That's how you pickup a teammate. We haven't done that at all this year so far.

Faraz Shaikh said...

David, I think RD and JZ have done that.

Gonat said...

JZim bent but didn't break. Not sure how he got through that.

This team has to start picking up their pitchers with the fielding. They did pick up Gio with the bats yesterday. Need to see it more!

peric said...

WaPo had a story the other day that Haren was looking at tape of his last few starts vs his starts from late last year.

To quote FP: Nate Karns call him up he's ready.

Gonat said...

Wow, FP said the Nats finally listened to him to callup Rendon after 2 years.

So FP DESERVES THE CREDIT!

Faraz Shaikh said...

alright I am out of here. I just wanted to see Rendon's first at bat. Go Nats!

Gonat said...

Danny looking like Danny. Quick K.

Gonat said...

2 HR swings by Rendon and Suzuki that become F7s.

peric said...

If the Chiefs could get to this guy the Nats ought to be able to get to him eventually. They just have to hold the fort until they get those hacks in.

peric said...

So FP DESERVES THE CREDIT!

Yeah I love it when he does that ... love it when they bring up prospects or guys like Gattis and Morse who deserve a real shot.

Gonat said...

Center cut and missed his spot and Buck didn't miss it.

SCNatsFan said...

Like he hit it off a tee

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

You cant in the middle to most major leaguers

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

you cant misss in the middle to most major leaguets.

Gonat said...

Good bounce back by JZim.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

our balls die in left theirs didnt

Gonat said...

Dillon Gee started the day with a 8.36 ERA and the Nats are swinging for the fences and coming up with a lot of air.

Gonat said...

Bob: Gee missed his spot. He loves saying that.

Section 222 said...

The NIDO spreadsheet is here. :-)

Nice debut by Rendon so far. Sounds like he's not just a good bat. I wonder what Harper will do to amaze us today...

I guess the Nats haven't sold 20K season tix yet, despite Mark Lerner's entreaties to fans. Still available according to Charlie and Dave.

Gonat said...

Bryce missed that one by "that" much.

UnkyD said...

Ahhh... I hadn't thought of the naval usage of "Rake". From the age of sail, to fire in sequence, at an opposing vessel, lengthwise, from stem to stern, or the opposite, causing the maximum amount of damage. One pass, like this could dismast a ship, and kill many sailor, on deck.... A nasty business... Thanks for the help!!!

Gonat said...

Sect222, thanks for the link. I added Manassas Nats' Fan for their first drink!

Gonat said...

The Gattis report. Just K'd. Batting average to .240 They threw him 4 sliders and he K'd on a swing & miss.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

,
Hitting the ball in the air is not working need to swing just a tad higher to hit more line drives instead of flies the wind knocks down

SCNatsFan said...

Making another guy who has been getting pounded look like Cy Young

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

pitch track had 2 of the balls as strikes. What is ump looking st?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

lead off walks are a pitchers worse nightmares

SCNatsFan said...

I hate thing team s struggling against the freaking Mets. We should be pounding them.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Espi swinging at lots of balls again just like 2012

SCNatsFan said...

Mr Espinosa, look over to third base. That is what we hoped you would become. Your spring training improved swing stayed in Florida. At least you have he shoulder to blame things on and continue to give hope to those who believe in you. I am not among hem.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

the one that Suzuki K on was just as bad.

Alphabet Soup Erik said...

Please get rid of Danny Espinosa. I am so unbelievably sick of watching this guy try to hit. Enough already. He can't hit. He will never be a good hitter...EVER.

Unknown said...

Our hitters are making Gee look like a Cy Young candidate.

SCNatsFan said...

Not a candidate the actual Cy Young

Drew said...

John Buck is having quite a day.

Secret wasian man said...

This team will be under .500 by next weekend. And somebody tell Rendon when you make a error, it's not funny.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

FP is wrong. Had the ball got got away go. He caught it and Span left late. Harper the younger runner waited until it got awsy. Who needs experience.?

Secret wasian man said...

Scnatsfan. I agree Danny couldn't hit his way out of a bag. But let's not make Rendon Brooke's Robinson just yet.

Secret wasian man said...

Booooooring.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

if it close enough to call a strike and is a fast ball no reason to let it go.

Unknown said...

Way to take advantage of those walks guys...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

single E7

Unknown said...

Is that 17 errors in 18 games?

realdealnats said...

Wow. Bad news when even Bryce gets casual.

Secret wasian man said...

How long do we say its early? How many times we gonna say don't panic? This team is no where near where it was. And there is no signs of encouragement. I think we are looking at a long season. But I'll keep rooting.

Secret wasian man said...

C'mon ump way outside

Secret wasian man said...

0 for 3 and an error. Not encouraging.

Secret wasian man said...

Time to go pick dandelions. Yuck

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Prototypical Espi at-bat.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Mets last in ERA despite Harvey, and we hit like crap against Gee who is terrible.

Big Cat and I have called for a real hitting coach 3 years now. What needs to happen for him to go The ROSP is not ggod has not been during Eck's time here.

peric said...

Henry is next ... could be better than Drew at this point in the season.

David Proctor said...

Great outing by Duke.

Secret wasian man said...

Walk here and Bryce hits a ding ding

nwells2 said...

okay can someone PLEASE tell me why Lombardozzi is not starting everyday? Espinosa needs to be coming off the bench or traded

peric said...

They don't want to bring in Edgin to face Harper again.

peric said...

okay can someone PLEASE tell me why Lombardozzi is not starting everyday? Espinosa needs to be coming off the bench or traded

You can't trade him he's got the detached rotator cuff. He's the superior fielder. Lombo isn't the best UTL since he isn't the best at shortstop, left field or third with the weak arm.

But you know? He seems to be a great pinch hitter.

Secret wasian man said...

Did I say Bryce? How about WERTh.

MicheleS said...

It was good to see Duke have a nice outing. He needs the work too.

David Proctor said...

Why in the world would you swing at that Jayson?

Secret wasian man said...

Are you Sh. Ing me. Holy crap that's awful

Unknown said...

Amazing swing on 3-0 for a double play. Well done bats.

phil dunton said...

Werthless!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Werth never wings at 3-0. What was that all about. We had him on the ropes and hits dp.

Drew said...

What are you doing?

That makes no sense whatsoever.

Alphabet Soup Erik said...

What a Werthless loser. That was the stupidest thing I have ever seen. That is not a leader...and that right there is also why Davey is the most overrated manager in the big leagues. I would take Buck over him any day of the week.

Unknown said...

Only the nats would have two on with no one out plus a 3-0 count, but not score a single run.

Secret wasian man said...

That's one of the worst baseball things I've ever seen. UNBELIEVABLE. Did davey call that? What a disgusting baseball team. They deserve to lose.

peric said...

Bryce trying to go for the fences plays right into the pitcher's hand.

peric said...

Davey gives his veterans the green light to swing typically Secret Wasnian. Its up to Werth to make that call.

Secret wasian man said...

Alphabet you are soo correct. Not an os guy. But they are much more fun then the Nats. Hard to support a team that makes decisions like that.

Secret wasian man said...

Then shame on WERTh. He's usually the guy who will take a lot of pitches. I don't mind a double play on 3 1. But 3 0 is terrible

Unknown said...

Yet again, the offense shuts down unless they take an early lead. Every single at bat they're trying to hammer it out of the park. No adjustments whatsoever and the team looks totally average unless they're hitting home runs.

nwells2 said...

peric

Lombardozzi simply gets on base and puts the ball in play and is not a guaranteed strikeout like Espinosa. Lombo has a nice compact swing that can give you consistent line drives. Did you see how he got hosed on that strike call and still stayed back with two strikes to poke one to the outfield? That's a guaranteed strikeout for Espi. Lombo made the most of his starts last season and in baseball you simply need to get the consistent hitter in the lineup.

Espinosa is great defensively, but Lombardozzi is pretty damn good too. Lombo is also another switch hitter and great baserunner. If you ask me it's and easy call

Unknown said...

Wrong peric. Lombo is the better fielder by fielding percentage.

Secret wasian man said...

Danny has to go. Take Davey with him.

nwells2 said...

Espinosa has had some of the worst at bats I've ever seen from a major league baseball player. I mean he KNOWS he's going to get off-speed and still hacks at everything. He swings for the fences every pitch with that stupid upper cut. He had all of the second half of 2011 to make corrections, and all of 2012 and STILL makes the same stupid mistakes at the plate every time

Unknown said...

Yet another series lost. When is it going to stop being "early"?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

The mets have the worse ERA despite having Harvey. Yet we make them look great.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Hitters take the blame this time.

peric said...

Wrong peric. Lombo is the better fielder by fielding percentage.
No one uses fielding percentage Scot Margenau. Poor counter argument.

EmDash said...

Not a great outing; that Werth double play was the dagger. Defense again terrible (Desi night need a day off) and offense lethargic. But Jordan performed well, and the bullpen is showing signs of improvement, which was nice to see.

Heading to the roughest part of the season, and I'm not looking forward to tomorrow's game. Please be good, Haren!

Secret wasian man said...

Dan strong. It's not early. It's getting very very late. This is a bad baseball team. 10 and 8 record with Real teams coming in now. I expect a 12 and 13 record this time next week.

peric said...

Espinosa is great defensively, but Lombardozzi is pretty damn good too. Lombo is also another switch hitter and great baserunner. If you ask me it's and easy call

Lombo is another banjo bat like Span. No power. Espy features decent power and a better OPS last season. They have too many table setters right now and not enough run producers. Therein lies the problem. Pitchers aren't afraid of the Nat's lineup.

peric said...

And last season? Because Lombo NEVER walks (see Guzman, Cristian) his OBP was about the same as Espinosa's. But Danny had 37 doubles and close to 20 homers.

Secret wasian man said...

Yes PERIC that's why morse should have stayed

Unknown said...

I do. It matters. And Lombo is way better. Period. End of story. He's a baseball player. He makes things happen. Difference maker.

Figure it out. It's not hard.

Secret wasian man said...

We can argue Lombo or Danny all day. With Davey at manager it doesn't matter.

Unknown said...

OBP???!! In majors lombos is much higher.

peric said...

I do. It matters. And Lombo is way better. Period. End of story. He's a baseball player. He makes things happen. Difference maker.

No one in their right mind who knows anything about baseball would ever say that Lombo is a better fielder than Espinosa. You lose all credibility with that statement. Sorry but you are dead wrong.

peric said...

Uh last year Lombo's OBP was .317? His SLG was .354?

EVEN WITH the rotator cuff injury Espinosa still managed a .315 OBP which is pretty damned close to .317?

BUT his SLG was .402 and that is a lot higher than Lombo.

Wrong dude. Just wrong.

Unknown said...

This homestand is not going to be pretty. I expect 2 wins at most over the next 7 games.

EmDash said...

I say it's never time to panic as fans, because what does us panicking accomplish? Nothing, just adds stress for something you can't control. But they haven't been encouraging thus far.

Daylos said...

Pitching was good enough to win, but the defense pathetic and the offense was even worse. I've reserved judgement on Werth the past 3 years, but that AB just takes the cake. Rice couldn't through the ball in the East River and he felt the need to swing away trying to be the hero he isn't. Very discouraging.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I expect to go 5-2 on homestand.

we are not a bad team. We are just playing poorly.

natsfan1a said...

Agreed. That said, looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue. ;-)

EmDash said...

I say it's never time to panic as fans, because what does us panicking accomplish? Nothing, just adds stress for something you can't control.
April 21, 2013 4:22 PM

Unknown said...

It seems like some of you were secretly unhappy with the team and now at the first sign of trouble you hate this and that and fire davey etc etc... With fans like this who needs enemies

Drew said...

I'm fond of old friend Michael Morse, but let's not overstate the case.

His current slump has dropped his batting average to .219.

His OPS is now .793, which is lower than Lombo's .801 -- and Lombo doesn't have a single home run.

phil dunton said...

The sad truth is--this team has no offense when Harper doesn't hit. If this continues, opposing pitchers will start pitching around him.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I am not new to fire Eck club. My third on that.

Harper multi hit games 9-0. Less then 2 hits 1-8.

Sample size is growing.

It is shame to put it all on one person to produce, the productionis going around 1 prrson as others are not carrying their weight.

DJB said...

Lombo is not a better fielder than Espi, but he will have a better OBP and contact rate. That is what is important now. Harper needs protection badly. If not this year, then we need to get it in the offseason. Again, the Zimm contract makes this difficult. The only hope, in the short term, is that either Zimm alters his long-term decline, or Rendon picks up the slack.

EmDash said...

As an aside, there's an interesting contrast between reaction to Atlanta's and Colorado's start when they have the same record. Us: oh no, Atlanta's too good, season over! Fans of NL West teams: hahaha, Colorado, yeah right, pull the other one. It's a little funny, you have to admit. *g*

EmDash said...

And on the plus side, the bums lost.

Rabbit34 said...

.500 won't take much longer. Really, boring games. Too predictable. Like I said many times, .500 this year will be good. I wish it was NOT so.

DJB said...

This team needs an enema. Next 7 games could be very ugly. We have two tough as nails teams coming into town and they're smelling blood. I think at that point we can dissect what went wrong with the season. If the team does well, then we could actually build momentum. This town is unlikely to forgive a collapse.

SonnyG10 said...

Well, fooey! I thought we would win this game when it just started and I thought we would win until the eighth inning. I then saw the writing on the wall. No hit disaster. Werth blew our best chance by trying to be a hero on the 3 and 0 count. Oh well, we'll get on a hot streak soon. I am confident we'll get it going soon. Remember, when we get hot, it doesn't matter who the opponents are. We'll take them out.

natsfan1a said...

Also on the plus side, the 'pen has had a couple of pretty good games, for the most part.

natsfan1a said...

Nice deployment of "fooey," Sonny. :-)

peric said...

I am not new to fire Eck club. My third on that.
Harper multi hit games 9-0. Less then 2 hits 1-8.
Sample size is growing.


Too many table setters not enough consistent run producers with the high SLG + OBP making the high OPS. Davey sounded pissed at Jayson for swinging on 3 and 0 and Jayson admitted that he caught up and thought he had to do something to push the issue.

Its come from having only a single bat that pitchers really have to worry about: Harper's. It may be why Rendon is here beyond the obvious injury problems Zim has had dating back to last season continuing in spring training ... NO BAT BEHIND Harper since there's no Morse. So we now have Jayson Werth in the 2=spot acting like a leader trying to make up for it.

Span DOES NOT REPLACE MORSE. That' should be Tyler Moore's job because Adam LaRoche is not enough. He had what may be an outlier, a better year at the plate last season now he's regressing to his mean.

Rizzo is going to have to make some hard decisions come May and June.

peric said...

And fielding and defense to aid pitch-to-contact was why there is Span. And Espy at second instead of his better position shortstop. There's really not much of any excuse or explanation for poor defense given how well they did last season. BHarp might have the closest thing since this is what his second or so year playing the outfield in toto in his baseball life?

peric said...

Lombo is not a better fielder than Espi, but he will have a better OBP and contact rate.

You call .317 to .315 better? That's where they ended last season? And Danny had a pretty serious injury he was playing with? Color me unimpressed by Lombo's OBP. He doesn't walk. He's like Cristian Guzman; same kind of hitter. Its a big reason why he isn't leading off and Span is.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

This week 5-2. Haren i actually play well both starts

I got the feeling.

Gonat said...

Is it safe to come out yet?

peric said...

This week 5-2. Haren i actually play well both starts
I got the feeling.


I know its bad but I have mixed feelings. Danny Rosenbaum continues to have year like the one he had when he was the system's pitcher of the year. It would be nice to have another left-hander in the rotation albeit the Braves have resolved their issue of not enough right-handed hitters.

And Nate Karns continues to dis the skeptics who claim he is a reliever disguised as a starter.

As for me I prefer the home grown.

realdealnats said...

The funniest, most unpredictable things turn teams in slumps around. This team is a good team. The cream will rise to the top over time. It's just a weird start. And we try our best to describe it: entitled, casual, etc--Davey's right: just out of sync right now learning their new role as targets. We'll be in a dog fight all year, but It'll all come together and we'll look back on this and realize how early it still is and how paniced we all got. In fact Stamen looked good yesterday, and Duke and even Henry looked good today. They're pressing, and that's causing errors with Desi and problems with parts of the order.

Gonat said...

This was a protypical Jordan Zimmermann start. No pitched well enough to win but gets the big 0 for run support.

When the Nats get into the bullpen and have the Mets on the ropes the veteran Jayson Werth goes swinging on 3-0.

How does that happen with no outs, 2 men on base, the pitcher struggling?

realdealnats said...

Maybe Haren pitching a no-no tomorrow would turn it around. Hey we kid cuz we love.

SonnyG10 said...

natsfan1a said...
Nice deployment of "fooey," Sonny. :-)
April 21, 2013 5:22 PM


Thanks, 1a. That was my cleaned up version of what I was really thinking! :)

peric said...

Is it safe to come out yet?

That may be what Jayson Werth is saying ....

Looks like Chris Young might be replacing Tanner Roark in the Chief's rotation? They used Roark in relief today and he got hammered.

peric said...

How does that happen with no outs, 2 men on base, the pitcher struggling?

Veteran and team captain trying to push the issue to pull the game out at the end before it was too late. That's the gist of what I got from what he said. I can't criticize him for that.

MicheleS said...

Werth took the loss on himself. He knew it and stepped up.

mick said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
realdealnats said...

If Werth had taken a couple strikes, everyone'd be on him for being passive. I think he sensed it was the right pitch to swing and guessed wrong. I've no problem with Jason this year. He's been great. Can't lay it all on one pitch. That's like the desperate guy who starts asking the Magic 8 Ball questions.

mick said...

I have quite a bit to get off my chest after today. First the positive, the pitching and bullpen did very well today. My concern with bullpen is consistency. If they blow every other game then it is a serious problem. J Zim was very good, so was Hrod again.

Team is 10-8 not 2-16. It is still early.

Now the negative and I think I am fair with the following.... Davey coached poorly today ... having Werth swing on 3-0 from a pitcher on the ropes is bad managing period. He needs to own up on it.

Bryce had a bad play, but he is allowed to make a mistake. Ian Desmond, I am done with at short stop. Either move him to OF, C, have him pinch it, something, get him outta here for now, he is killing this team. Maybe send him to minors and have him field 500 ground balls and throw 500 times to first base, I dunno, but 18 errors in 18 games would be unacceptable at the youth level!

I am also tired of this almost sick mindset the club has towards Lombo and with insisting on Espi batting left handed. I would do the following... bench Desmond, move Espi to short and tell him to only bat right handed. Lombo at 2b, have Zim platoon with ALR, stick with Rendon at 3rd and work Tyler Moore in when need be.

natsfan1a said...

From the Department of Nice Gestures by Former Nats, a Jonny Gomes Boston tribute bat.

realdealnats said...

Mick,

With you in sentiment. But didn't you like Desi last year? He was great all round. He just needs to play through it to get to it, yeah, even though he and Zim are costing us games on the front end. Just keep showing up and it will work out. Now Espi--I agree in the sense that we should platoon him and Lombo to keep both fresh. Don't think you can move Zimm to 1B in mid-season. And as for Zim, he is always hurt and always hitting around .290 ultimately when he's not. So what are you gonna do? Hey, if Rendon gets hot, keep Zim on the DL for a bit to rest and stretch out.

Question to All: why is Davey pinch hitting Shark more than TyMo? Is it situational and I'm just not remembering--like holding man on first?

mick said...

These next 7 games will determine if every thing is OK or, if the Nats are in for a long season. If Haren gets rocked tomorrow, Nats really should let him go and perhaps Stammen can be a 5th starter.

How many more errors until Davey deals with this????

natsfan1a said...

Well, just in case, here you go...

realdealnats said...

If Werth had taken a couple strikes, everyone'd be on him for being passive. I think he sensed it was the right pitch to swing and guessed wrong. I've no problem with Jason this year. He's been great. Can't lay it all on one pitch. That's like the desperate guy who starts asking the Magic 8 Ball questions.
April 21, 2013 5:48 PM

mick said...

realdealnats... I love Desi, I just think he should and could play another position like the outfiled, maybe catcher. His bat is importnat, but he is not a short stop. He is the best athlete on the team and maybe in the NL so a conversion to a less stressful position could be all he needs.

I am with you on Moore. I am STUNNED as to why Davey PH Shark who is simply hitting like a minnow

mick said...

gang... i am not down on Werth as I am with why in a 2-0 game any player would be given the hit sign on 3-0 to a pitcher who s struggling. That was a bad decision

SonnyG10 said...

mick said...
Now the negative and I think I am fair with the following.... Davey coached poorly today ... having Werth swing on 3-0 from a pitcher on the ropes is bad managing period. He needs to own up on it.


mick, don't you dare lay this on Davey. He is as pissed as we are that Werth swung on the 3-0 count. Jayson did that on his own, and realizes that he made a bad mistake.

mick said...

did not know that sonnyg, OK

mick said...

but SonnyG... fair enough about Werth, but my wrath on Davey extends to his handling of Lombo, who seems to hit every ime he bats

Gonat said...

Mick, you assume Davey gave the hit away to Werth on 3-0?

Werth has to be smart enough that the situation didn't call for being overly aggressive being behind in the game with the heart of the order coming up. You draw a walk and the bases are loaded with no outs with Bryce up to bat.

Nobody on base and a tie game or ahead early in the game, swing away on 3-0.

Gonat said...

Mick, I wasn't trying to pile and have no idea what happened but generally the 3rd base coach isn't giving a veteran like Werth a "take" sign. The player has to be smart enough to know.

Again, you just games had the rewind do-over button.

JZim and the Nats deserved a better fate today.

mick said...

Gonat... I know

NatsLady said...

I will wait to see when pitchF/x goes up to see what Werth swung at. Yes, I didn't like him swinging on 3-0 when the pitcher had lost the zone--BUT, he had to be pretty sure he was getting something to drive. Sometimes you just get fooled, even by a bad pitcher.

Gonat said...

SonnyG10, I didn't see Davey after the game. Do you know he was pissed at Werth for swinging away or are you thinking that would be the case? I just never like to assume even though I agree it makes no sense for a Manager to ever put on a sign to swing away in that situation but also not to treat a veteran like Werth to put up a "take" sign as you have to have confidence in your player to think for themselves in those situations.

We all know if Jayson smashes a 3 run HR we are celebrating with him.

Secret wasian man said...

I expect 7 to 2 loss tomorrow.

SonnyG10 said...

mick said...
but SonnyG... fair enough about Werth, but my wrath on Davey extends to his handling of Lombo, who seems to hit every ime he bats
April 21, 2013 6:12 PM


Ok, that's a reasonable assertion. I happen to disagree up to this point because last year Lombo went into his own slumps when he got to play regularly when Desi was on DL. If Espi continues to hit poorly, then Lombo may get more starts.

mick said...

Secret Wasian... I hope you are wrong. If Haren gets rocked, Nats may have to cut their losses with him and move Stammen in as the 5th starter

peric said...

Do you know he was pissed at Werth for swinging away or are you thinking that would be the case? I just never like to assume

Gonat,

Got to MASNsports.com and click on the media at the far right and select Nationals from the drop down menu. Then select the photo box below that has Davey discussing the game.

As Kigore put it Davey NEVER attempts to side-step any question he's known for putting his foot in his mouth because he is such as straight shooter whereas Rizzo is often inscrutable and close-to-the-vest. When asked about the 3-0 pitch Davey gruffly responded, "I'm not going to go into that." HE NEVER does that ... at least as long as I've seen his interviews with the Nats. Maybe Mark can remember another time but I can't.

Yeah he's pissed.

Both things Davey being pissed, and Werth attempting to do, again, what he did in his first year under Riggleman ... take on too much ... are signs that this team is indeed struggling ... when they start floundering then they are going to be in trouble.

Gonat said...

In 2012, I don't think there was ever a game that Werth did something boneheaded. He is always into the game, always thinking, and always helping his teammates.

This seemed out of character and he probably thought he would ambush the pitcher.

The team is piling up fielding errors and errors of judgement.

I truly believe instead of 10-8 this team could be as good as 14-4 if the game changing errors and errors of judgement didn't occur.

mick said...

SonnyG... I just think Lombo needs to play more, he also can play OF. Espi at short is solid and I really can not remember Lombo making errors at 2b

Gonat said...

Thanks Peric, I'm almost nervous to watch as this is serious for the team chemistry. First all the Ryan Zimmerman errors now this error of judgement.

Again, there are times for aggressiveness and then times to take what the game gives you. Making the Mets look good, that's bad.

peric said...

Secret Wasian... I hope you are wrong. If Haren gets rocked, Nats may have to cut their losses with him and move Stammen in as the 5th starter

They might just go to Rosenbaum and put Haren on the DL. Stammen looks too valuable in his current slot ... again ... BUT Nate Karns is also doing extremely well and unlike Danny Rosenbaum he is on the 40-man roster. But adding Rosenbaum wouldn't be a problem since they have two slots available.

It'll likely all unfold just as it did with Brad Lidge.

SonnyG10 said...

Gonat said...
SonnyG10, I didn't see Davey after the game. Do you know he was pissed at Werth for swinging away or are you thinking that would be the case? I just never like to assume even though I agree it makes no sense for a Manager to ever put on a sign to swing away in that situation but also not to treat a veteran like Werth to put up a "take" sign as you have to have confidence in your player to think for themselves in those situations.

We all know if Jayson smashes a 3 run HR we are celebrating with him.
April 21, 2013 6:22 PM


Gonat, yes you could tell Davey was pissed because a reporter asked him about Werth swinging on a 3-0 count and Davey angrily said "We won't go into that." You could tell he was angry by his tone and facial expression. I don't know if he said anything to Jayson or not, but Jayson knows he screwed up. You also can know that Jayson was acting on his own because in his aftergame interview a reporter asked him about swinging on the 3-0 pitch and Jayson admitted he got caught up in trying to win the game. He said he figured after 7 straight balls the pitcher would try to groove one and he could do some damage. He said he realized his mistake and takes the blame for losing the game.

mick said...

peric... good insight. Is Rosenbaum ready. NatsJack who has watched him says he is not ready. your Lidge analogy is a good one Peric

Gonat said...

For Rendon's debut, he got to watch the Nats meltdown but still so much better than what Harper had to endure for his debut.

If this is anything like that, good times are ahead for the Nats.

Whynat said...

Fielding errors, errors of judgement, team is really pressing. They read too many preseason forecasts.

peric said...

First all the Ryan Zimmerman errors now this error of judgement..

Last season Desmond had 15 errors at shortstop. 20-25 I guess isn't too bad for a shortstop. This season Desmond already has 7. He's regressing to his mean.

Mick is right in thinking that Espinosa may be the better, almost flawless shortstop ... he probably is even if he doesn't quite have the range that Desmond has.

I don't agree about Lombo. His OBP is too low for a banjo hitter. Last season it was only .317. He is like C. Guzman our former switch hitting shortstop who never saw a pitch he didn't want to take a hack at. He hit for high average but his OBP was low because he never walked.

And that is a big reason why we have Span in CF instead of Harper because Lombo is unable to take walks and get on base.

Gonat said...

SonnyG10, thanks for the summary. Way to go Jayson. Glad to hear he owned up to it.

Also a WTG to the reporter who had the &@77$ to ask Davey the question! That's New York style and Davey gave the appropriate answer to which you have to read between the lines.

The Nats made the Mets look good this series. Go back to the old saying that you have to beat the bad teams and while I think the Mets are slightly better than bad, they are still a bad team when Harvey and Niese aren't pitching.

peric said...

NatsJack who has watched him says he is not ready.

Well I did get the impression that Natsjack agreed that Tommy MIlone was a better choice than Lannan. The same is true for Rosenbaum. He has an offseason (for him) last year. But right now Rosenbaum is the AAA Syracuse Chief's ace in that rotation. They've already demoted their opening day starter to the bullpen possibly in expectation of Chris Young's addition. I guess we'll find out. I don't think Young will out-pitch Rosenbaum.

Gonat said...

We have people hear suggesting Espi should be benched while other think Espi should be the starting shortstop.

Bizarre.

peric said...

We have people hear suggesting Espi should be benched while other think Espi should be the starting shortstop.

I haven't looked it up but my impression from last season was that Espinosa hit far better playing shortstop when Desi went down than he did when playing second base.

Espinosa clearly seems to prefer shortstop.

And then he suffered the separation of the rotator cuff.

There's a lot going on with Danny he's got a lot of drama and maybe some bad karma.

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