Thursday, April 4, 2013

Game 3: Marlins at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
The Nationals go for the three-game sweep this afternoon.
Last night, the Nationals became the 13th team in MLB history to record back-to-back shutouts to begin a season. Today, they'll try to do what only one other team (the 1963 Cardinals) has ever done: Throw three consecutive shutouts to begin a season.

It may sound like a ludicrous notion, but the combination of Jordan Zimmermann on the mound and a highly suspect Marlins lineup taking their hacks against him is about as favorable of a matchup as you're likely to find. (Miami, by the way, could become the first team ever to be shut out in its first three games.)

Left-hander Wade LeBlanc gets the start for the Marlins, but if you were thinking Davey Johnson might use that as an opportunity to get somebody like Tyler Moore a start, you were wrong. Davey's going with the same lineup as he used in Games 1 and 2, with Wilson Ramos back behind the plate. As we said all spring, it's going to be a challenge to keep everyone on the bench fresh, with few regulars who need (or want) to take time off.

Updates to come, so please check back...

MIAMI MARLINS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 184
Weather: Cloudy, 51 degrees, Wind 9 mph out to LF
NATIONALS
CF Denard Span
RF Jayson Werth
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Wilson Ramos
RHP Jordan Zimmermann

MARLINS
LF Juan Pierre
3B Placido Polanco
RF Giancarlo Stanton
1B Greg Dobbs
CF Justin Ruggiano
C Rob Brantly
2B Donovan Solano
SS Adeiny Hechavarria
LHP Wade LeBlanc

UMPIRES
HP Paul Schrieber
1B Chad Fairchild
2B Jeff Kellogg (cc)
3B Eric Cooper

4:05 p.m. -- And we're underway on a gray, 47-degree afternoon in the District. Jordan Zimmermann fires strike one to Juan Pierre.

4:11 p.m. -- Let's see ... pitch to Giancarlo Stanton or pitch around him and take your chances with "cleanup" hitter Greg Dobbs? Kind of a no-brainer there. Zimmermann did issue a free pass to Stanton with two outs, then calmly got Dobbs to ground out to second to end a scoreless first on 18 pitches (12 strikes).

4:24 p.m. -- The good news: Jayson Werth, Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman all roped base hits off Wade LeBlanc in the bottom of the first, with Zimmerman's double to center scoring both teammates. The bad news: Harper, while sliding across the plate, got a face full of catcher Rob Brantly's elbow. He was down on the ground for a moment but quickly popped up and trotted back to the dugout, although with a grimace. Looks like he's OK, but that couldn't have felt good. The fact the Nats now lead 2-0, though, will help ease the pain.

4:30 p.m. -- Well, the shutout streak is officially over. Justin Ruggiano blasted Zimmermann's first pitch of the second inning over the right-field scoreboard for the Marlins' first run of the season. So much for that. It's 2-1 Nats.

4:49 p.m. -- Hey, what do you know? The Nats decided to walk Stanton in the top of the third, then retired Dobbs and Ruggiano to close out the inning. What's the over-under on times Stanton walks this season? 150? 200? 500? Really, why would you ever pitch to him, given the lack of protection behind him in this lineup. Still 2-1 Nats as we go to the bottom of the third.

5:03 p.m. -- This just in: Bryce Harper is pretty good. He singled again in the third, bringing home Span (who beat out a nifty bunt single down the first-base line and then advanced to second on a wild throw by LeBlanc). That makes Harper 6-for-10 this season. Not bad. Not bad at all. On the other hand, he made a terrible decision to try to steal third base with one out and Zimmerman at the plate. Can't be doing that. No rookie mistakes allowed anymore. Nats lead 3-1 after three.

5:14 p.m. -- Zimmermann is actually getting hit around a bit here in the early going. He's allowed five hits through four, including two singles in the top of the fourth to the Marlins' No. 7 and 8 hitters. He's avoided allowing any more runs thanks to some timely big pitches (and a nice play on LeBlanc's sac bunt attempt) but he's at 67 pitches, not a particularly efficient number. Still 3-1 Nats.

5:37 p.m. -- Things have quieted down considerably here the last couple innings, neither team able to put any more dent into the opposing starter. Zimmermann is through five innings on 79 pitches, having allowed five hits and two walks. He's only recorded one strikeout. LeBlanc, meanwhile, has settled down and tossed a couple scoreless innings, having retired 7 of the last 8 batters faced. So it remains 3-1 Nats as we move to the sixth.

5:53 p.m. -- That'll do it for Zimmermann. His final line: 6 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 89 pitches, 60 strikes. Not his best stuff, but he made big pitches when he needed them. So it's still 3-1 as we go to the seventh, and heeeere's Henry Rodriguez for his season debut. Hang on, folks.

6:00 p.m. -- Wow, a 1-2-3 debut inning for H-Rod. He threw 12 pitches, 7 strikes, and struck out Stanton looking at a nasty slider to end the seventh. Interestingly, his velocity was down, in the low-to-mid 90s. Maybe easing off the gas pedal helped a bit. Still 3-1 at the stretch.

6:15 p.m. -- There's some valuable insurance for the Nats. Three runs of them, as a matter of fact, after Werth clobbered a 1-1 pitch from lefty Mike Dunn over the left-field bullpen in the bottom of the seventh to put the Nats up 6-1. Seriously, that was a bomb from a guy who supposedly is still getting the strength back in his surgically repaired wrist. Looked fine on that three-run homer. Tyler Clippard on for the eighth, with his team now comfortably ahead.

6:33 p.m. -- Onto the ninth, and here's Craig Stammen for his first appearance of the season. That leaves Zach Duke as the lone member of the bullpen who has yet to pitch this season.

6:39 p.m. -- That's it. The Nats win 6-1 and sweep the Marlins by a combined score of 11-1 to open the season 3-0. Onto Cincinnati for a big weekend series with the Reds.

151 comments:

The Retired Journalist said...

Wade LeBlanc? That guy from "Friends" is pitching for the Marlins now?

NatsLady said...

Here is my post looking at the thirty pitchers who started on Opening Day. Since I don't play fantasy baseball (other than the fangraphs thingie ), my plan to keep up interest in other teams is to track these guys and see how they do.

Opening Day Starters

http://ladyandthenats.blogspot.com/2013/04/off-to-races.html

NatsLady said...

It's going to be harder when we get to Cincinnati. Choo just hit a HR... Oh, and don't pitch to Votto.

Section 222 said...

Davey likes a set lineup, and I think he wants to see what this group can do during an extended stretch. With another off day on April 8 and again on the 18th, it wouldn't shock me to see him go with this lineup (with the alternating catchers) through the 17th.

But then we play 17 games in 17 days (April 19-May 5), and I would expect him to start resting guys, maybe one or two at a time, during that stretch.

Unknown said...

Expecting to not leave as many runners stranded today..

.. peric is annoying

MicheleS said...

Looks like we got Chris Young on a minor league deal

NatsLady said...

Poor, poor technique on the part of the Cin. catcher. Couldn't get the tag down, on a great throw, plenty of time.

A DC Wonk said...

Hey all -- here's a belated eye-witness report from last night's game (my excuse: I've just finished thawing out)

First off -- after I posted I was going to be in Sec 309, a number of other posters told me where they were going to be -- but I never saw them till after the game -- my office lost its internet connection! I'll have to catch you all later on this month.

Other random tidbits:

- Daughter-Wonk and her friends left us in the fourth inning -- and popped up shortly afterwards sitting just five rows behind the Nats dugout.

- They did play Take On Me. And, for Werth, they played Werewolves of London for his third at bat.

- There were a few shots by the Marlins that looked like potential trouble, but Denard Span looked speedy and smooth. Man, he covers a lot of ground. He glides. He made those catches look easy. Me like the new CF (not to mention his getting on base his first three at bats). So, I've only seen him in 9 innings, but, frankly, he looks like the best defensive outfielder the Nats have (if we exclude Bryce's arm).

- Attendance over 26K?! That's outstanding. Did I mention it was f-f-f-f-freezing? I had my best ski jacket on, but I needed a down blanket for the rest of me.

- Matheus looked solid.

- Before the 9th, Soriano and HRod were warming up. I was thinking with a three run lead, Davey might go for HRod (saving Raf-So for this afternoon in case of close game), and I was having a "bourbon and maalox" moment. When Soriano came in, and the first two got on, I was wondering if HRod had switched uniforms with him ;-) (But, yeah, he had it all the way (gulp)). I think Stammen got up to warm up after the second guy got on.

- LaRoche saved at least two (possibly three? I can't remember) throwing errors. (I don't want to re-hash the Morse trade thing, but, I gotta say: a lesser fielder at 1st or CF would have completely changed the game last night).

- Zuk made a great inside-the-baseline throw. Also, I was surprised at how much Pierre was thrown out caught stealing. Wasn't even close, even though he got a halfway-decent jump.

Great time was had by all.

I think my biggest takeaway was how great Span looked patrolling CF -- it was the first time I saw him in person. Last night he was looking like he could cover every square inch from the right of Harper to the left of Werth.

Impressed with Gio, too -- he clearly had some trouble with control (cold weather), and as I learned later, with a bad head-ache, but he gutted it out got the job done.

Remember how just a very few years ago the Marlins completely had the Nats' number?

Let's sweep those fish, guys!! GYFNG!!

NatsLady said...

Hard to imagine playing 17 games in 17 days in late April-early May. It's raining in the ATL, by the way.

Any details on Chris Young--does he have an opt-out? I always had the feeling he might go to Syracuse rather than a non-contender like the Mets. He kept hinting, but Rizzo is one tough cookie, just ask Adam LaRoche.

Unknown said...

Hey, anyone, does anyone know who started those three shutouts for the Cardinals?

A DC Wonk said...

NatsLady -- I've been meaning to say, your blog (http://ladyandthenats.blogspot.com/) is great for stat-heads! (Like me). It looks like it takes a lot of work -- and I appreciate it. (You should see if you can guest write for FanGraphs!)

NatsLady said...

Mark, some of those blogs look pretty dead. If you have time, can you put mine on the blog roll? (Sent email a while back, but you might have missed it.)

peric said...

Timothy Folk is a broken record.

peric said...

Any details on Chris Young--does he have an opt-out?

He already "opted out". Now he and his agent are parsing through their opportunities. He still has an invitation to pitch in SYR but as of now they aren't including him in their depth chart.

NatsLady said...

DC Wonk, yes, it is a lot of work... Even a short post like today's, where I already had the idea, took me several hours, between researching, formatting the tables, and proof-reading. Also, I went back and updated the previous post based on a request from a commenter.

I don't have the bast tools because my desktop computer crashed and I haven't replaced it yet (maybe today, but I had a fender bender with some IDIOT yesterday... grrrr, it's always something). I've started on my Reds Review, which I will try to get out BEFORE game time. :) I also would like to learn how to incorporate more GIFs and videos--remember Livo tying his shoelaces in Cincinnati and then laying down a perfect bunt?

NatsLady said...

peric, the Nats announced Young signed a minor-league deal. He could still (I assume) have something like a June opt-out, which is why I'm asking.

peric said...

Mark, some of those blogs look pretty dead.

Nationals Fan Girl, the Nats blog, and Positive Mental Natitude are a waste of space in the left-hand gutter.

A DC Wonk said...

Hey, anyone, does anyone know who started those three shutouts for the Cardinals?

Game 1: Ernie Broglio, 9 IP, 2 H, 8 K's.
Game 2: Ray Washburn, 9 IP, 4 H.
Game 3: Curt Simmons, 9 IP, 5 H.

First two game were against the hapless Mets (who went on to lose 111 games that year -- 9 *fewer* than the year before). Third game was against the Phillies.

While I'm at it, I looked at their sixth game. The Cards started off throwing 5 more shutout innings before the Phils scores. Which mean they started the season throwing 27+5=32 scoreless innings.

I hope that becomes relevant after today! ;-)

peric said...

He could still (I assume) have something like a June opt-out, which is why I'm asking.

I missed that. In all likelihood he does ... perhaps even earlier. I expect that if a contending team has injury issues and calls his agent the Nats would give him his release.

3on2out said...

NatsLady:

You definitely should be up there. Number one with a bullet, in my view. There's a lot of great stuff you are putting up. I got you bookmarked!

peric said...

(Sent email a while back, but you might have missed it.)

Mark and Chase are anti-any-kind-of-controversy. Would never make it in the old WaPo days of Watergate ... and doubtless they never read the comments sections on the various WaPo article sites ... ~smiles~

I'm still surprised Nats Enquirer is still there?

peric said...

Yes, Natslady would be a consistent poster hopefully more like NatsGM which I do enjoy reading. Along with Nationals Prospects and Patrick.

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

Whoops -- I meant to add: Zuk's throwing Pierre out was even more impressive because it was off a slow 75-mph curve.

Well done, Zuk!

EmDash said...

Glad Chris Young is back. I wonder if Johan Santana's returning injury hurt Young's chances for a team to take a chance on him in their major league rotation? I believe they both had the same still-fairly-rare type of shoulder surgery.

NatsLady said...

So far I haven't posted anything controversial--that I know of--unless you count the Espinosa post. I've stayed away from stuff like Biogenesis and the MASN TV deal. I try to stick to stats and personal observations (like games I've attended).

My idea is that it's a combination of (1) random thoughts and (2) continuing threads (like the lefty contest, Nats in the WBC and, now, the Opening Day starters). I feel you can get game summaries and player interviews here!

Faraz Shaikh said...

Good that Cy is signed with us again.

peric said...

So far I haven't posted anything controversial--that I know of--unless you count the Espinosa post.

They're not fond of any kind of bickering or back-and-forth on this site. They tend to show this when it comes to the fan questions they decide to use. Seems very much Washington Times - like.

I'd prefer you and perhaps 222 on the left-side to some others who are currently there ... how long ago was it that Teddy won a president's race?

peric said...

Whoops -- I meant to add: Zuk's throwing Pierre out was even more impressive because it was off a slow 75-mph curve.

Its obscured perhaps but Suzuki was the A's face of the franchise. And that is why his contract is so lucrative. He is the real deal as much as Ramos is.

Just to show how much they missed Suzuki Oakland supplanted former top Nat's prospect Derrick Norris at catcher with the Mariner's starter from this past season John Jaso, a left handed hitter. He had a break out year at the plate where he was the Mariner's best hitter. And it cost the A's all of those pitching prospects the Nats collected for their farm system. Jaso is much cheaper than Zuk salary-wise. We'll see if he is as good behind the plate.

A DC Wonk said...

So . . . it seems like a steal -- it was Frietas for Suzuki at a time we were desparate for a catcher. Why'd the A's do it?

(Credit, and big win, for Rizzo on this one, no?)

Theophilus T. S. said...

Am not surprised by the new Young signing. I think he and scouts for 29 major league teams realized he wasn't ready for the major leagues. Except MLB Rumors I don't see the announcements in any of the usual places. So, in addition to wondering about a possible opt-out date, I wonder whether they are sending him to Syracuse immediately or to XST.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Great news on Chris Young! Welcome Back!

peric said...

So . . . it seems like a steal -- it was Frietas for Suzuki at a time we were desparate for a catcher. Why'd the A's do it?

Salary dump at the behest of ownership. Clearly not what Billy Beane wanted. And Suzuki had some injuries and a poor year at the plate at that point.

Albeit Beane has now also dumped Bradley Peacock who is in Bo Porter's rotation now. All that is left of the big trade is Tommy Milone who is in the A's rotation. In the end that was the guy he really wanted the most it seems.

peric said...

And Norris but now Norris is a backup to Jaso ...

peric said...

I think he and scouts for 29 major league teams realized he wasn't ready for the major leagues.

He's throwing at Livo speeds ... which seems scary.

EmDash said...

I think Suzuki was coming back from a hand injury last year, and hit very poorly while with the A's - he hit only .218/.250 OBP/.286 SLG before he was traded. On a team with as low a budget as Oakland that needs to really make the most of it, paying that much to Suzuki for that batting line must've been untenable.

His numbers here were .267/.321/.404, which is pretty insane as far as improvements go and so probably not sustainable. But I do think he'll be better than he started off in Oakland, and his defense will be great for us.

Also, apparently Nats Park is getting a Paul McCartney show in July 12? Wow. Hope he can make it without passing out as crazy-hot as it's likely to be here then. *g*

Drew said...

Glad to hear Young's back. That's great peace of mind.

As for the Cards' three shutouts in 1963:

Ernie Broglio's other claim to fame (or infamy) is that St. Louis dealt him to the Cubs ...

For some kid named Lou Brock.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MLB Network just announced the Chris Young signing.

peric said...

2 or 3 catchers ahead of Freitas. But he bats left like Jaso so ... they might be very patient with him.

UnkyD said...

"Game 3: Curt Simmons, 9 IP, 5 H."
---------
The signature on my second baseball glove (a Regent...pretty nice glove). For no particular reason. It was Dads...he gave it to me before a minor procedure I had, at about 10 years of age. IIRC, he bought that glove (and a little one for me... Bill Mazeroski!), specifically to play catch with me...

Section 222 said...

Kudos to Rizzo and Davey for treating Young well and helping him decide this was his best option. I never thought it would happen. Any details on how much they are paying him and when the next opt out is?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Sect222, great question as it's a new deal. They coaxed him originally with $2 mill if he made the Opening Day roster. I'm guessing he now gets a veterans MiLB deal and a prorated $2 mill deal if he makes the MLB roster.

Tcostant said...

Mark tweeted this:

Chris Young does not have an out clause in new contract with #Nats. Rizzo said he should report to AAA in 10-12 days.

peric said...

Young still has to prove he can pitch well against the National League before he gains fifth starter status. They've got Rosenbaum back plus Bradley Meyers working his way back to the rotation on the youth side of the equation. Plus Jeff Mandel. It'll be interesting to see what happens in Syracuse this season.

Adding Young basically gives the Nats a close-to-major league team in AAA once Rendon gets promoted. The outfield in SYR will be as good as most fielding wise and if they hit as they potentially can? The infield with Rendon, Rivero, Walters, Kobernus, and Marerro will feature speed and hitting. At catcher Solano and Maldonado aren't too shabby even by major league standards. They might be better than the Mariner's catching tandem in terms of their ability behind the plate.

And pitching with Ryan Perry, Chris Young, Daniel Rosenbaum, Tanner Roarke, eventually Bradley Meyers and perhaps Christian Garica? And Jeff Mandel? Forget Ohlendorf and Maya. This could truly be a pretty damned good rotation!

It would seem to be a weaker bullpen except Cole Kimball will eventually be there. Along with JC Romero, Erik Davis, Patrick McCoy, Abad .... better balanced lefty versus righty than the major league club.

Its seems a bit like old-school Yankee-like depth. It'll be interesting to watch SYR this season. Beasley will have a lot of pressure on him. He has a much better than average AAA roster.

Mark Zuckerman said...

NatsLady: Email me your RSS feed link again, please, and I'll add you to the blogroll.

A DC Wonk said...

So, folks, what's the scouting report on LeBlanc?

UnkyD said...

Yay, NatsLady!!!

A DC Wonk said...

atta boy, JZ. Staying away from Stanton is ok.

19 straight shut out innings.

Faraz Shaikh said...

Yay Zimm!!

A DC Wonk said...

That's all the runs the Nats pitching needs, right? ;-)

(Here's hoping)

baseballswami said...

I really like Harper and Zim back to back.

Another_Sam said...

I'm among the many who gasped at that collision at home plate. Does he seem okay?

Another_Sam said...

I'm thinking Brantly will see a few inside pitches this game.

Faraz Shaikh said...

me and my cousin wondering the same thing. stop mentioning ruth, musial, williams in the same sentence as harper.

Joe Seamhead said...

That is a good example of what Denard Span brings to this team.

Holden Baroque said...

Is this thing on?

Back for the replay ... Harper was out by ten feet if Brantly comes up with that chest-high one-hop throw.

A DC Wonk said...

Werth swings at a first pitch?!

And misses?!

Holden Baroque said...

Faraz, I know what you mean, but then again ... using it as a teaching moment has its benefits, too.

baseballswami said...

Rant of the day. Beat writers and broadcasters talk about the pitch count constantly. I mean, I get it that it's a factor and that it could shorten an outing. Really. But it 's just constant. After every inning every beat writer on twitter immediately posts the pitch count for that inning. It's really annoying. Do they not have anything else to say?

A DC Wonk said...

Back for the replay ... Harper was out by ten feet if Brantly comes up with that chest-high one-hop throw.

Really?! Wow. I'm "watching" on Gameday. Had no idea!

Holden Baroque said...

Wonk, yes, Brantly tried to swipe-catch-and-tag instead of waiting for the ball into his mitt, and he had time. It was a pretty good throw from the relay (Hechevarria, I think).

Holden Baroque said...

OK, that's a run Werth hitting leadoff does not score.

djinFl. said...

313 Chant is coming through clear on the Miami broadcast in Fl.
Keep it up!!! Makes us proud our seats were there for two years

A DC Wonk said...

Wonk, yes, Brantly tried to swipe-catch-and-tag instead of waiting for the ball into his mitt, and he had time. It was a pretty good throw from the relay

Uggh, I hate when that happens (on defense).

That's kinda what Ramos used to do (but no longer, if I remember the comments here)

A DC Wonk said...

Nice to see Harper get his batting average back up to .600 ;-)

Faraz Shaikh said...

yeah, he was easily out had the catcher hold onto the ball.

nice hit by Harper.

sofa, I don't know about teaching moment but my ego would be off the charts if someone did that to me.

A DC Wonk said...

Harper out stealing third? Was it close? Did he have a good jump? Or: too much youthful exuberance?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

HR 4 for Morse

baseballswami said...

Which do you think? Adrenaline.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the Cards info, D.C. wonk.

Faraz Shaikh said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Faraz Shaikh said...

Another home run by Morse.

Ishmael said...

Looks like Mr. Morse just hit his fourth HR of the young season. I still think Rizzo did the right thing, however.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Faraz, you owe me a drink!

Holden Baroque said...

Wonk, out by a mile, not a great jump, everybody in the park knew he was going on that pitch.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

IKN also.

Also, congrats NatsLady.

Faraz Shaikh said...

Haha, yes I do, GoSM.

Ishmael said...

Why do I owe you a drink? I'm happy to buy you one, mind you, but I don't follow the comments here closely enought to know what you mean!

Faraz Shaikh said...

Have you guys checked what Chris Davis is doing for Orioles? 11 RBIs in first 3 games and third game is not over yet.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Faraz, I have several games on. Saw it live.

Mark Z @ 5:30 with good stuff on Bryce Harper. Yep, can't treat stealing 3rd like it's 2nd base.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

IKN, don't worry, I'm not collecting.

Holden Baroque said...

IKN8, it's a custom here, entirely optional.

Nats Insider Drinks Owed.

A DC Wonk said...

IKN -- house rules -- if you make a comment immediately after someone else makes the same comment, you owe them a drink.

BTW -- JZ up to 67 pitches after just four innings. Stammen and Clippard in our near future?

Holden Baroque said...

Maybe we should add an explanation in the glossary?

Faraz Shaikh said...

why do Nats hitters love down and away? why?

Candide said...

Cell C22 pretty much explains it.

Holden Baroque said...

BTW, Wonk does not owe me one, technically, for that, since he explained it, and I merely linked to it.
; )

A DC Wonk said...

Whoops -- do I owe Mark Z a drink?!?

TimDz said...

IKN8, it's a custom here, entirely optional.

__________________

IKN8: It is an Insider INSIDER thing...only the elite insiders play...

Holden Baroque said...

Candide, that's true; maybe we could separate it from the explanation of "kitty" there.

Because it's really important enough to smith it like that. ; )

A DC Wonk said...

Hmm . . . I didn't click on the link. I should have. (OTOH, I can't reach google docs from work!)

I'll split it with you -- I owe you half a drink. Add it to my tab.

(Hey -- lightbulb -- idea -- let's keep tabs on the drinks in a spreadsheet, too! ;-) )

Ishmael said...

I'll have to refresh more quickly in the future!

A DC Wonk said...

... and LeBlanc up to 84 pitches after just four.

A DC Wonk said...

IKN8wxU2 said...

I'll have to refresh more quickly in the future!


That's the spirit!!

(speaking of spirits... ;-) )

Holden Baroque said...

OK. I left C22 alone, but added a Forward tab.

Gonat said...

Ramos and JZim really tiring LeBlanc out.

Gonat said...

The ball is carrying today moreso than Game 1 and 2.

A DC Wonk said...

Well, that's nice. A 12 pitch fifth inning from JZ, even though there was a single.

Gonat said...

I'm going to beat you all to the Michael Morse 4th at-bat update. He K'd him in a 12 pitch AB

Gonat said...

Funny, JZ had a 12 pitch innings and Morse just had a 12 pitch AB.

Faraz Shaikh said...

He being Sean Doolittle.

A DC Wonk said...

Jayson Werth -- swings at first pitch _again_?!

When's the last time he's done that twice in a game?!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Wonk, not often.

A DC Wonk said...

... and the Nats help out LeBlanc and go down in the fifth on nine pitches.

baseballswami said...

The Nats have some nifty defense. Not just the obvious things, but preventing guys from advancing into scoring position. Pretty sophisticated stuff. Bodes well.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

That's it for JZim. A lot of unlucky BABIP but made the pitches when he needed to.

SCNatsFan said...

OMG Henry is up

peric said...

Here comes Henry for his debut ...

SCNatsFan said...

Well this will be interesting

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

I can only find Tums and Bud Light.

steveK said...

looks like Davey's going to the 'C' bullpen

Grandstander said...

I'm guessing that Davey's thinking is his 7/8 will alternate between HRod/Clip and Mattheus/Storen. Then keep Duke and Stammen as your long men. Glad to see someone else warming up in there though. This is a divisional game.

Gonat said...

Breathe in, breathe out and get 3 quick outs.

Holden Baroque said...

Carp, on the first pitch being high: "He throws it upstairs."

Am I the only one who had to look to see whether he meant that figuratively?

baseballswami said...

For all the pitch count howling, he gave up one run, went six at a rate of about15 per inning. Surely not anything terrible for a first outing. Gio only went six. Sheesh. Now HRod. Bourbon and Maalox time.

Holden Baroque said...

Any chance Henry can learn to play a position?

Drew said...

Alert the Carpathia.

Holden Baroque said...

"Bourbon and Maalox time."

I wonder, would that work?

I mean for Henry.

Holden Baroque said...

Pretty Fricken Bueno.

Gonat said...

Henry almost squeezed the laces off of that baseball as tight as he was gripping that ball in the first 2 pitches to Polanco. Nice recovery on getting him to rollover the grounder.

Then he gets Stanton and looks like a closer! All in all, nice inning Henry!

Grandstander said...

Just as everyone predicted!

SCNatsFan said...

I can't believe how nervous I was for that

Another_Sam said...

Love that Henry.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

SC, I had heart palpitations. All in all, B+ Just needs consistency.

Joe Seamhead said...

Well, let me get back in line for some patience because I had finally given up on Henry. I'm very happy for him, and for us if it's an indication of things to come.

Gonat said...

Feel bad for Cat. I think he ages a few months on every Henry appearance.

Joe Seamhead said...

Hey folks, be sure to read Mark' Zs next post all the way through and get Davey's take on Morse's start and what Denard Span brings to the Nats.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Like button! JDub!

Holden Baroque said...

BOOM! No doubter over the Nats bullpen.

Gonat said...

Lefty, righty, lefty config worked well there as the righty got his pitch!

SCNatsFan said...

Werth's wrist looked pretty good there

Joe Seamhead said...

Well, lucky thing for the rest of the league that Werth doesn't have any power left because of his wrist.

Holden Baroque said...

Now it's almost too bad he can't leave Henry in.

Holden Baroque said...

NOW they're doing the wave. That's OK.

Gonat said...

Keep pouring it on. Let's go LaRoche!

Joe Seamhead said...

I guess I owe you one, SCNatsFan!

SCNatsFan said...

Finally I earn one

Joe Seamhead said...

Yeah,we'll, I haven't been keeping up with it. Maybe someone can put one up for you on my tab.
Congrats to NatsLady.
Where is MicheleS today?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MicheleS is probably at the game.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

The wrist. Jayson's secret weapon as he let's the competition know it's weak.

Also, 2 years ago Jayson was bad against lefties.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Danny fans on the long swing. Oh boy.

SCNatsFan said...

Good thing about Danny and ALR is we are going to be 3-0 with them having as many hits as me. Funny how Danny's spring training swing is gone.

peric said...

Tough games start tomorrow night ...

peric said...

BTW, after Danny the depth chart probably looks like Lomboardozzi followed by Kobernus. After Desmond? its Danny and then Walters.
Until Rendon gets promoted after Zim its Rivero.

Candide said...

Nats Win! Woo-HOOOOOOOOO!!!! (copyright 2013 MicheleS)

Joe Seamhead said...

Tough job, but somebody had to do it. Thanks,Candide.
peric, agreed that the schedule starts getting tougher tomorrow, but a sweep is sweet no matter the opponent.

Gonat said...

SCNatsFan, "Funny how Danny's spring training swing is gone." I don't think Rizzo, Davey, or Eckstein are smiling. He looked good in Game 1 even though he went hitless and as yesterdays game progressed the old Danny started to appear. In the last 2 ABs, it was Bad Danny.

A real shame.

The good news is the Nats WIN!!!!

Candide said...

BTW...

Based on their currents runs scored/runs allowed ratio, the Nats' projected Pythagorean winning percentage for the season is .992.

Gonat said...

Candide, I like that. Bryce Harper is on pace for 107 HRs this year.

Candide said...

As long as I'm compiling stats, JZimm has the worst ERA on the entire Nats' staff.

natsfan1a said...

Yay, Good Mr. Henry! Have we ever swept the Marlins in a three-game series? Dang, I like it!! Er, do we untuck if we win but there's no Soriano save?

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