Sunday, April 7, 2013

Game 6: Nats at Reds

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Stephen Strasburg faces Johnny Cueto in today's series finale.
CINCINNATI -- This was billed as a big-time series when the Nationals arrived in town on Friday, and through two games it's certainly lived up to its reputation. The Reds steamrolled the Nats, 15-0, in Game 1. The Nationals won a wild, 7-6, 11-game yesterday. Now comes the decisive finale, with a big-time pitching matchup: Stephen Strasburg vs. Johnny Cueto.

"Two of the best teams in the National League, and we've got our aces going in the rubber match of the series," right fielder Jayson Werth said. "This is what it's all about. This is why you play. This is why people pay to see us play."

The latest Adam LaRoche update: He's out of the lineup again, but he said he woke up this morning feeling "a lot better." He was thinking about trying to convince Davey Johnson to let him play today, but at worst he fully expects to be in the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox.

Full story on LaRoche's status coming up, and plenty of updates and analysis on the game right here...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at CINCINNATI REDS
Where: Great American Ball Park
Gametime: 1:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, Ch. 9, MLB.tv (free today)
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 185
Weather: Partly cloudy, 66 degrees, Wind 14 mph out to LF
NATIONALS (4-1)
CF Denard Span
RF Jayson Werth
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Chad Tracy
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Stephen Strasburg

REDS (3-2)
CF Shin-Soo Choo
LF Xavier Paul
1B Joey Votto
2B Brandon Phillips
RF Jay Bruce
3B Todd Frazier
SS Zack Cozart
C Ryan Hanigan
RHP Johnny Cueto

UMPIRES
HP Jerry Meals
1B Marvin Hudson
2B Jordan Baker
3B Tim McClelland (cc)

1:11 p.m. -- And we're underway on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati. 70 degrees as Johnny Cueto delivers a ball to Denard Span.

1:16 p.m. -- A couple of sharp singles from Denard Span and Bryce Harper off Cueto in the top of the first, but they were countered by a couple of groundballs to short from Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman. The Werth grounder resulted in a 6-4-3 double play, so the Nats weren't able to really get anything going there. Scoreless top of the first, here's Stephen Strasburg for the bottom of the inning.

1:28 p.m. -- Well, that didn't go quite as Strasburg would've hoped. The Reds touched him up for three runs in the bottom of the first, even though only one base hit left the infield. He hurt his own cause by trying to snag Xavier Paul's chopper to his left. Had he let it go through, Danny Espinosa would've made an easy play. But by deflecting it, Espinosa had no chance. A walk to Joey Votto put two on, then Zimmerman made a great diving stop of Brandon Phillips' hard smash ... but couldn't get the ball out of his glove. So now the bases were loaded with one out, at which point Jay Bruce poked a Strasburg curveball into left-center field for a two-run double. Throw in an RBI groundout by Todd Frazier, and just like that the Reds lead 3-0 after one, and Strasburg has already thrown 23 pitches.

1:47 p.m. -- I guess Wilson Ramos isn't the only Nationals catcher capable of posing a power threat at the plate, huh? Kurt Suzuki absolutely destroyed a 1-1 pitch from Cueto into the left-field bleachers for a three-run homer in the top of the second, tying this game right back up 3-3. So much for a pitchers' duel here: 11 of the game's first 18 batters reached base safely. Sheesh.

1:57 p.m. -- As a general rule of thumb, you probably don't want to give up a two-out single to Xavier Paul and then take your chances with Joey Votto up and two men on base. Strasburg, though, somehow did it in the bottom of the second. After putting himself in a huge jam, he took on one of the game's elite hitters and struck him out on an absolutely devastating, 88 mph changeup. Seriously, that might've been the single best pitch Strasburg has ever thrown in his life. It broke like a left-hander's slider. Unreal. 3-3 after two very entertaining innings here.

2:14 p.m. -- The Reds are really making Strasburg work here today. He's put nine men on base through three innings, and his pitch count is already up to 60 (40 strikes). He's avoided any more damage since the bottom of the first, but he's not anywhere near as efficient today as he was on Opening Day. Still 3-3 as we move to the fourth.

2:29 p.m. -- Now Suzuki doubles, so he's got six total bases in two at-bats today. And Span drew another walk. Sure, Michael Morse may have five homers in the season's first week, but Span already has seven walks, so...

2:37 p.m. -- Strasburg strikes out Votto again in the fourth, though this time on a 95 mph fastball. He's through four innings on 73 pitches (46 strikes). Meanwhile, Desmond appeared to hurt his left hand while trying to tag Paul out on a stolen base attempt. He stayed in, but that hand clearly is barking. Still 3-3 after four.

2:55 p.m. -- Strasburg has settled down nicely since the first couple of innings, but he's still at 92 pitches through five innings. He's due up fourth in the top of the sixth, and there does appear to be some stirring in the Nats' bullpen. Interesting decision here for Davey. Still a 3-3 game.

3:07 p.m. -- Well, Strasburg was allowed to hit for himself, with two outs and a man on second. (He struck out.) So Davey is letting him top 100 pitches today. Onto the bottom of the sixth, still 3-3 here in Cincy.

3:33 p.m. -- That did not go well at all. The Reds scored three times in the bottom of the sixth even though they only got the ball out of the infield three times. The big play came with runners on first and third, nobody out and Paul at the plate in what was still a 3-3 game at the time. Paul roped a hard grounder right at Espinosa, but rather than take an easy 4-6-3 double play, he tried to get Derrick Robinson at the plate. His throw was a bit offline, and the speedy Robinson scored the go-ahead run, leaving two on, still nobody out and Votto at the plate. Bad decision by Espinosa. In that situation, especially still in the sixth inning, it would've been much better to just give up the run and take the easy double play to clear the bases with two outs for Votto. That really backfired, because Phillips followed with an RBI single to left, ending Strasburg's day at 114 (second-most he's ever thrown). Ryan Mattheus entered and allowed another run to score on an infield single. So after all that, the Nats now trail 6-3 with three innings to go.

3:54 p.m. -- Nice job by Mattheus to pitch out of a jam in the bottom of the seventh, striking out Phillips with two on and two out. So it remains a 6-3 game, and the Nats are down to their last six outs. Jonathan Broxton on the mound now for the Reds, with Aroldis Chapman looming large in the bullpen.

4:01 p.m. -- A 1-2-3 eighth inning for Broxton. Nats first basemen are now a collective 1-for-22 with seven strikeouts this season. If the Nationals are going to win this one, they're going to have to score at least three times off Chapman in the ninth. That's a tall task.

4:08 p.m. -- Here we go: It's the bottom of the order against Chapman, who enters to a thunderous roar here.

4:18 p.m. -- Game over. The Nats lose 6-3 and lose the series, two games to one. There's no shame in dropping a road series to the Reds, but they won't be happy with the way they played today.

178 comments:

NatsJim said...

I hope Adam doesn't talk his way into the lineup, rest it until Tuesday - no need to turn what is hopefully a short-term problem into a lingering issue.

Series win today - Let's Go Nats!!

sjm308 said...

OK with LaRoche taking another two days off. Surprised not to see Tyler Moore in the lineup. Guess Davey is not channeling Peric.

Wonder how many other great pitching matchups we will see this season. Kershaw, Cain, Lannan (oops)

Really want to see us keep winning series.

Go Nats!!

Doc said...

Looks like the game will be on MLB Network. Hope so, getting tired of being blacked out so Selig can keep his cold dead hand on his $18 million/yr.

Listening to Charlie & Dave is good, but suffering GameDay graphics is about as exciting as watching paint dry!!!!

GooooooooooooooooooooNats!!!!!

mick said...

thank you Natsfan1 great to be back

should be a good one, I bet score is 2-1 either way today

Faraz Shaikh said...

Was Marvin Hudson HP umpire in Strasburg's debut? Just wondering.

Steady Eddie said...

Sjm -- TMo isn't in because Cueto is a RHP.

mick said...

Eeddie, I would still like to TMoore get a shot as I do Lombo

mick said...

Reds are tough, glad to get them over with early

MicheleS said...

GYFNG.. Let's take the series boys!

mick said...

Charlie and Dave are great, they are updating scores around MLB more frequently, it seems.

mick said...

Hiya Michelle!!!!!

NatsJim said...

IIRC Tyler had better splits against RH'ers last year, but not all RH'ers are created equally... probably best to let him get his first start against someone other than Mr. Cueto.

mick said...

I agree NatsJim, Mr Cueto, I will not miss

perspective dweeb said...

Ramos should be playing today.. stick w the hot hand

mick said...

perspective dweeb said...
Ramos should be playing today.. stick w the hot hand

this what Phil wood and Mike Wallace discussed before opening day. This is one of the good problems to have. Both Phil and Mike felkt that at some point in the summer and down the stretch, Davey will have to pick one if one is hot but not now in April or May. Also, Kurt will always catch Gio.

Coolhandbane (formally Bob Saget) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

I'm staying out of the game thread -- I hear it's a dangerous neighborhood -- but I'm making my 2013 seasonal debut on NI today. The bourbon and Maalox supply has been restocked after going completely empty the past couple of games. Cheers!

Alphabet Soup Erik said...

Either play Tyler Moore or send him down to play. This is ridiculous. Chad Tracy should not be hitting 5th for the Astros or Marlins, much less the Nats.

Faraz Shaikh said...

for more knowledgeable folks, what is the difference between HRod and Marmol?

MicheleS said...

MICK AND SUNSHINE! It's going to be a good day.

Sunshine, Add Soriano to the list of Bourbon/Maalox Relievers.

Off to a late afternoon Brunch. I hope I can convince the Hostess to put MASN on.

NatsJim said...

Soup, Tyler's doing the job the organization needs him to do right now - he's the RH power guy off the bench. If you asked him I guarantee you he'd rather be doing that than playing every day in AAA. And Chad Tracy is a professional hitter and under-appreciated defensively - the stretch he made on the DP yesterday saved the Nats a run. Tyler will get some ABs, but throwing him out there against Cueto for his first start of the season isn't really fair, especially with that funky wind-up.

Joe Seamhead said...

I'm glad to see mick and Sunshine back on the team even if they're not in the game thread lineup! Welcome back, guys.

NatsJim said...

Freddie Freeman to 15-day DL, MLB just reported... won't mind missing him next weekend.

D'Gourds said...

Faraz, Marmol can at least hit the side of a barn.

Great game by Det. He turned around the momentum of the previous day. He's awesome!

So far the $13 million for Haren and $14 million/year for Soriano isn't looking like too good a deal. We'll see

Coolhandbane (formally Bob Saget) said...

Hello everyone. I am a long time lurker. I decided to start posting every now and again. I am Nationals fans and I am trying to increase my knowledge of them and baseball in general. But with school and work, it is hard.

Anyways, go nats.

NatsJim said...

Welcome Bob!

Doc said...

Welcome Bob!

I think that from your 'lurker past' you may have discovered that there are lots of fun girls and guys here.

peric said...

Guess Davey is not channeling Peric.

Because if he starts hitting like Jay Bruce ... then what? Who do you take out of the lineup? Someone will have play poorly enough that they remove them and put them on the DL thus saving face. Let's face it every one of these guys will have some injury before the season is done.

Part of this is that Moore really isn't the backup 1st bagger Tracy is. This season Moore is an outfielder. And why is he an outfielder? Because he's too good, the Nats look at the same stats that I do. Zimmerman is moving to first base so that Anthony Rendon can play third base. Outfield slots should open up in the next two years plus there will be injuries.

But, as Natslady will tell you, Tyler Moore isn't the best fielder out there and he still needs some time to become, like Josh Willingham, reasonably decent out there. He probably needed to spend some time in AAA working on that but Davey wanted him on his 25-man.

Moore is basically still a prospect with some interesting potential. At some point he is going to play and he will take advantage of the opportunity.

JaneB said...

Hi there, Sunshine! I am now going to START the bourbon and Maalox as soon as I see Soriano head for the mound. It was a killer yesterday. SO GLAD TO SEE YOU.

I'm going to try to stay off the game thread today, today. Catch you on the other side.

GYFNG!

Coolhandbane (formally Bob Saget) said...

Yes sir doc.

Like JaneB, I am going to watch the game and stay off the game thread. It is time to make lunch and watch the game.

peric said...

And yes. then there's Rendon ... and Kobernus is up in Syracuse hitting like an All Star. I think he's hitting .700. I guess he liked the idea of being in the major leagues while he was with the Tigers.

There are going to be LOTS of prospects pushing at guys like LaRoche, Werth, and Span as well as younger guys like Desmond, Espinosa and Lombardozzi over the next 2-3 years.

After that, unless a miracle happens, the minors will have some pretty bare cupboards position prospect wise. But there should be plenty of pitching.

Rizzo, Clark, et al are going to have be fairly clairvoyant over these next two seasons. Some really tough decisions are on the horizon. I hope that will include Davey either managing or as a part of the FO.

Depot Master said...

Hey folks - figured this might be a good forum to ask the following - anyone in this group a Rotisserie Baseball aficionado? It looks like my league (AL only, so you don't ever need to root against a Nats player - well, OK - interleague, maybe) has an opening. I am posting here because I know there is some baseball IQ in this group and those are the most fun people to have in a rotisserie league...

Go Nats! Shut down that Little Red Toy Model! (OK, YOU come up with something more opposite of Big Red Machine!)

peric said...

Oh and by the way peric detractors ... (like NJack in the box). Guess who's doing really well in Harrisburg so far? Trevor Holder. That's right the guy everyone claimed was a sign-ability pick from the Georgia Bulldogs. Their ace and college world series veteran.

Ah yes things are going exceedingly well ...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

the defense ahgain anotger poor inning.

Firsthad Stras just let the ball go it was an easy out for Espi.

Second Zim's dive and throw to Votto three out recorded.

Instead plays are not made. 3-0.

On tge otger tgey turn a nice double play and fielded well.

In general our fielding all 6 games has been mediicre at best. Closer to poor.

Smatt1001 said...

Right back in it!

PDowdy83 said...

Manassas kind of hard to get on Zim for the diving play. If he doesn't snag it at all the Reds score a run on that play.

How awesome are our catchers with the bats so far?

sm13 said...

Nothing like a little friendly competition among catchers. Zoook!

PDowdy83 said...

I don't think I have seen Span swing at a bad pitch yet this year. He has a really good grasp on pitch recognition.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Good hit Suzuki. I have seen Zim make that play time after time. What I am saying would make the play not "just miss it" we would be fine. Too many " just miss it " so far this year.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

much better hitting. Harper's ground out first softly hit ball.

BigCat said...

Take a deep breath manassas. We are 4-1 with only loss being tagged to your boy Haren. Things are gonna be ok

NatsLady said...

Hello, Depot. Sorry, not a real fantasy player. Maybe next year.

NatsLady said...

Found the game on WUSA, so I can watch in high def! MLB.tv may be free, but it's blacked out.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

bigCat you know i am all about 100%

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Harper said he wanted to hit as well as Votto this year. That second inning he did better grounded to second vice striking out.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

how on earth did Zim not beat that out. Has h
e slowed or was that throw that hard from short.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

third inning hitters took the inning off.

Lets hope their hitters do the same.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

another error. and to many mnot made plays. Fielders are making way to many stress innings.

Ielders need to shape up. in this park you cannot field like this.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

desi tried to cause a heart attack

Unknown said...

Tmoore needs to be playing. Chad Tracy a prof hitter? Really? I guess I don't see their strategy here? To groom him as a RH pinch hitter ?

With him in the lineup I feel we are much more dangerous. But that's Justus oppinion.

Unknown said...

Get off Zuki!!

Unknown said...

Ok. I don't get how anyone doesn't love Span

Joe Seamhead said...

I really don't like the advantage the ump gave the Reds on what should've been strike 3 Choo.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

How do umps miss balls clearly in the zone. I bet you they miss about 10 a game between both teams.

Home umps have it .

Arg another missed play Desi catches the ball a Choo is out. another "just miss play"

Nattering Nat said...

So isn't it nice to have two, genUINE, starting catchers!! I can't make up my mind who I like more--and I don't have to.

Helps take my mind off the off-kilter fielding by the infield so far this season. Hope they tighten it up soon.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Outside of Suzuki rest of the team put their bats away after the second inning. Bring them back boys.

My goal each series is to win it. We need to shape up.

phil dunton said...

The Beast hits 5th homer in first at bat. Now has 8 RBIs.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

In 24 innings of pitching (5th now). We have not had a 3 up 3 down inning yet.)

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

home plate ump clueless of a low strike.

Unknown said...

What's with this ump -- he can't see a ball at the knees?
Why isn't Moore playing? As a poster said yesterday: Moore is the future -- Tracy is just a fill in pinch hitter whose lucky to be here at all. Two days in a row now. All for Davey's silly penchant for L/R combos. Boy, I am, not a Davey fan.

BigCat said...

Ok. Gonna be a battle of the bullpens. Does davey dare go to hrod ?

Unknown said...

Go beast. Keep showing Rizzo what he literally gave away.

Natstown said...

I understood protecting our pitcher last year with the innings limit. But how about protecting our pitcher by not having him throw 40% curves and breaking stuff. That is way too high a percentage.

Unknown said...

Span is definitely getting on base -- that's his job, and he's doing it very well. Now, let's hope Tarasco can improve his basestealing skills. If he does, we have a good one there.

Secret wasian man said...

We got mets 18 times and marlins 15 more. We will be fine. Where is zimms hitting

NatsLady said...

OK, someone on Twitter asked when was the last time Votto struck out twice in one game. Here ya go.

Joey Votto Strikeouts

http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/game_finder.cgi?type=b#gotresults&as=result_batter&offset=0&match=basic&suffix=&min_year_game=2007&max_year_game=2013&series=any&series_game=any&WL=any&team_id=CIN&team_lg=&opp_id=&opp_lg=&bats=any&throws=any&HV=any&game_site=&temperature_min=0&temperature_max=120&wind_speed_min=0&wind_speed_max=90&wind_direction_tolf=1&wind_direction_tocf=1&wind_direction_torf=1&wind_direction_fromlf=1&wind_direction_fromcf=1&wind_direction_fromrf=1&wind_direction_ltor=1&wind_direction_rtol=1&wind_direction_unknown=1&precipitation_unknown=1&precipitation_none=1&precipitation_drizzle=1&precipitation_showers=1&precipitation_rain=1&precipitation_snow=1&sky_unknown=1&sky_sunny=1&sky_cloudy=1&sky_overcast=1&sky_night=1&sky_dome=1&pos_3=1&exactness=any&GS=anyGS&GF=anyGF&lineup_position=&orderby=date_game&c1criteria=SO&c1gtlt=gt&c1val=2&c2criteria=&c2gtlt=eq&c2val=0&c3criteria=&c3gtlt=eq&c3val=0&c4criteria=&c4gtlt=eq&c4val=0&c5criteria=&c5gtlt=eq&c5val=1.0&c6criteria=&firstgames=&firstteamgames=&ajax=1&submitter=1

Unknown said...

You're right Natstown -- seems that Citizens Park dimensions literally changes a pitcher's strategy and tactics

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

home plate hates low. strikes.

Unknown said...

Damn good catch Xavier P

Secret wasian man said...

Dang it.

Unknown said...

Yeah, Manassas -- there is no excuse for any ump to miss a thigh high pitch -- makes them look incompetent -- which many umps really are

Secret wasian man said...

This ballpark is a joke. Way to go ball boy. What a crock of poop.

Unknown said...

What the hell is this? the ball boy stays in play and snags a potential trip????

Get the F out of the way, kid

Unknown said...

haha this ballpark is a joke

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

ballboy decides he wants camera time.

Unknown said...

Cueto pooping out??

Secret wasian man said...

Big time home cooking today.

Secret wasian man said...

Time for a line shot right at the ball boy

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Big Cat I have 2 goals. One reached other not yet.

1. Win. 4 games each week. check.

2. Win every series. Series 1 check. Series 2 still possible.

Secret wasian man said...

Is Cueto related to RG3

Unknown said...

Stras gives the vibe of getting on base --

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

One of our bugaboos from last year is showing up. 1 for 6 RISP.

Unknown said...

As hopeless and helpless as Tracy has looked today, do you think this manager might play the boy a little more?

Unknown said...

By 'boy' I meant Moore

Unknown said...

Good day! We're in the 6th and the Haters in this forum have yet to show up -- or they're not talking because they hate new people and think they own the place

BigCat said...

You think that ball boy would of caught that ball if the Reds had been batting? That cost us a HUGE run. That should be an automatic triple to the opposing team in the future!

Unknown said...

Stras should pay attention to this runner

Unknown said...

he heard me

Unknown said...

Would Robinson have gone to third if Harper or Ankiel were playing CF?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

for the season 8 for 45 RISP. was my number 2 pet peee last year still around.

Now 25 straight inning no 1-2-3.

I used to be pitch to contact, but for Stras I want strikeout especiaaly with 2 strikes.

Unknown said...

me thinks the Stras is done

Unknown said...

Espi throws to wrong side of plate -- run scores
Nats have made 7 errors and are playing shoddy defense.

Everyone still happy with the laid back Spring Training of Davey's where Veterans got to chill more than work on skills

Unknown said...

Davey did not get the Nats defense ready for the season

and to the haters: Yes, I am not a Davey fan. No, I am not attacking him personally., just his managing skills or lack thereof

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

lets see choice. Throw terrible ball home and lt the run score. Or get the double play and let the run score.

Not batting for Stras comes back to haunt. I predicted that on a text. I was hoping I was wrong.

happy 2 pylon said...

gabby's back. 18 posts in 22 minutes

Unknown said...

But you were right -- another Manager's decision gone awry

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Not sure who is the fielding coach, but they are just not prepared.

Unknown said...

Stras is cooked -- Davey, you don't make sense with whimsical decisions

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

thehjust missed plays are killing us the last 2 days

Unknown said...

The hates are back -- personal attacks already -- truly pathetic

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Steve you are watching this like me. We should be out of inning already. Fielders mis plays are too abundant.

Unknown said...

Now the old man comes out -- good job, Davey

Unknown said...

Johnson lets Stas bat when he should have batted for him -- Sras K's sends him out and is obviously cooked, and then leaves him in to ruin his game. Not even a mound visit, Mr. manager?

He'll tell us after the game that he wanted Stras to get a Quality Start -- watch

Unknown said...

Your Right Manassas -- the baseball Gods do not allow for 4 and 5 out innings.

Sloppy, even embarrassing play

Unknown said...

... and the Baseball Gods are smiling on the Reds today!!

Unknown said...

one swing away from a blow out

Unknown said...

I'm to steamed to post. But really frustrates me...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Espi decision cost 2 runs.

Fielding needs to improve.

Eckstein's coaching on RISP situation back to normal.

Now Eckstein get your players playing.

Unknown said...

haha Scot! Manassas is right -- Stras should have been lifted for ph -- not pretty

Unknown said...

lets get two on and bring up Suzuki

no lets get three on and bring of Suzuki

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Reds 4 for 15 RISP

Unknown said...

Werth back to his "swinging gate in the wind swing" -- you're out!

Unknown said...

Hey, Harper took a pitch!! good boy

Unknown said...

Harper wants that curve back

Unknown said...

The big Uncle Charley gets 'The kid"

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

For series 12 for 42. RISP for the Reds. Our pitching great against Marlins poor against Reds.

Unknown said...

Looking in the White Sox game, with the crowd all in black it looks kinda creepy.

Ever seen a White Sox nightgame? Everyone in black -- very somber looking

BigCat said...

Harper right on the first curve then it looked like Marshall changed speeds. Gave him the old mike quellar slow one. See ya

Unknown said...

Hey Manassas: what are the Nats RISP against the Reds?

Unknown said...

Yeah, Big Cat - Marshall dropped in a nice one in on Harper

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

As bad as hitting is, fielding decision are much worse and pitchers not very good at all this series.

BigCat said...

Finally got ol two chew out

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Steve 2 for 16. Way not attempts compared Reds.

Been calling for new hitting coach 4 years now. Obviously that will never happen.

Our hitting if not a homer is wortless. 5 runs not driven in by homers. 16 runs driven in with homers. Over 75%. That is poir hitting.

JaneB said...

I've just gone straight to the bourbon.

Secret wasian man said...

Nats lucky to be 4 and 2. Not a good team right now. Gotta blame the manager.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

26th straight inning no 1-2-3 for pitchers. NcCatty needs to work too.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

i would blame players but would fire hitting coach.

DJB said...

Beginning to worry about the Nats. I'm hoping its a good team in a friendly ballpark, and not a predictor of things to come. Have they gotten over Game 5?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

bribg in HROD for 8th

Secret wasian man said...

The marlins are awful. The reds are not. We are not ready for the big boys yet.

Secret wasian man said...

Cortisone time for zimm

Secret wasian man said...

Braves in first place

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

batting slots 4 and 5 have been awful this series

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Why is Tyler Moore not playing. Tracy has looked cluess gese 2 games. 1 dinky hit.

Secret wasian man said...

Djb. I haven't gotten over game 5

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Eckstein quit writing in the book. 2 hits in the last 6 innings. Do some coaching and less writing.

DJB said...

Pathetic series Nats. Zimmerman close to useless, and pitching highly disappointing. Reminds me of the bad old days. Don't bring me back there.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Good Henry today.

Drew said...

On the radio broadcast, the bumper music heading into the last commercial was the intro to "Gimme Shelter."

With HROD coming in it should have been "Sympathy for the Devil."

Yes, Henry, what's troubling me is the nature of your game.

Unknown said...

You know what Henry is? Henry's a mop up pitcher. He does well when there's no pressure and the game isn't on the line. With a game on the line, Henry goes to pieces.

He's a mop up pitcher -- and who needs one of those?

Secret wasian man said...

Totally agree DJB. Good thing we played the marlins

Unknown said...

DJB: don't worry, we wont bring you back, but Davey might

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

we need hitters now. That is what we need.

Joe Seamhead said...

I just dropped in. Beam me up, Scotty.

Unknown said...

Yeah, Zim still can't throw well. I still think his throwing is more a product of Mackey Sascer and Steve Sax disease -- has nothing to do with the shoulder.

I couldn't help notice that each if position has bobbled as least one ball today --

Secret wasian man said...

Steve Hayes. The way we played this weekend we surely need a guy to MOP UP after the team vomits all over itself.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

how come they knock down they still can throw us out? We knock it down they score 3 runs because we get no outs.

Unknown said...

I do like it that Espi really does appear to have gotten rid of the hole in his swing. While not hitting a ton for avg, he is making good contact and striking out a lot less

Unknown said...

Secret Wasian: haha uh Yep

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Suzuki gets an A today everyone else D or F

Unknown said...

Hey Moore finally gets an Ab

Unknown said...

How does espi not stetch that pit? That's silly

Unknown said...

Out

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Steve you sre right Espi making better contact. RISP time now.

Unknown said...

Denard Span vs. Chapman

Rabbit34 said...

I still say .500 this year. When we were 3-0 I was still saying that, not here, but still saying it. We need consistent batting and stop bone-head plays. Well, we are still in a learning curve. Go Nats.

Unknown said...

you know Span is gonna watch two go by first

Secret wasian man said...

Nats so bad today I've actually switched to watching NBA. Oh my.

Well guys talk to you Tuesday

Secret wasian man said...

I blame the ball boy

Unknown said...

Can span deliver?

Unknown said...

Ok. Maybe this is the reality check we need. Bad play except zuke - bad managing. That's just facts. Bums me out. Davey = shannihan

Secret wasian man said...

I wish he would deliver me a pizza

Unknown said...

Span is just not up to the challenge.

Stat of Day: in Espn Fantasy leagues

Span is 9.9% owned what does the fan know that somehow got by Rizzo?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

did Moore orSpan watch Espi. and Suzuki?

RISP 1 FOR 8. now 8 for 46. for the season . Eck still never has been a favorite of mine.

DJB said...

Rabbit, we had the best record last year. Going to .500 is regression, not learning, or was last year a one-off? If so, then why the hell did we sit Stras? The idea was we'd be back again. Early in the season, so I'm not ready to say the sky is falling. But damn, I'm in a sour mood right now.

Unknown said...

Yep see you all Tuesday we'll try again

Unknown said...

8/46 not so hot.

Yeah, I don't think the sky is falling either, but we just did not play well this weekend. Our defense was embarrassing -- infield defense that is.

And that is the way they worked in March.

Unknown said...

The Nats need to steal more bases. Span, where are you?

They are missing the slugging Morse in the middle of the lineup.

The defense is porous in the infield.

Hitting with RISP is very bad (thanks Manass)

Bullpen was weakened this winter.

The Nats have got some work to do.

The best team in the majors? Not right now!

Unknown said...

Wait until Atlanta gets a hold of us next weekend. Although we lucked out with Freeman going on the DL

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

win the next series. my goal every series. We failed today.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

At least The Nats lost to a good team unlike Os who lost 2 of 3 to the Twins

Ansellblog said...

Everyone needs to calm down. It's early in the season and the nats are 4-2. I like the way the nats bounced back after Friday. Some good signs, Espi looks much better at the plate, and Suzuki looks good. Stras will bounce back after a sub par performance. Upshot: way too early to be getting gray hairs.

Unknown said...

Jane pass the Woodford

Unknown said...

Davey:

"I thought he had another inning or two"

Shani:

"I thought RG3 has another 2 quarters left"

Umm. No.

Unknown said...

On the bright side:

No more WB Mason commercials.

But Luna and Rodney are driving me to drinking.

Secret wasian man said...

Haha. Good work Scott. Funny funny.

Secret wasian man said...

Watching the Phil's getting ready to pull off their second 9 th inning miracle in a row. Ughhhhhhhh

Mark Zuckerman said...

Steve Hayes and Manassas Nats Fan (and everybody else, for that matter): If you don't mind, could you try to condense your thoughts into fewer posts? Instead of posting one line every 60 seconds, maybe wait five minutes and string together several thoughts? I think everyone would appreciate it because it makes it easier to read and keep up with what everyone is saying.

Thanks!

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