Thursday, May 30, 2013

Game 54: Nats at Orioles

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
The Nats and Orioles face off for the fourth time in four days.
BALTIMORE — Chase here for Mark as he is on Baseball Show duty. Be sure to watch him tonight at 11 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet, of course.

Tonight the Nats look for a split of the four-game series between them and the Baltimore Orioles. They failed to pull out the victory last night after going up 6-2 early in the game.

Tonight Dan Haren (4-5, 5.43 ERA) takes the mound to face the Orioles, a team he's pitched against 11 times in his career. Through those matchups he is 5-3 with a 4.02 ERA in 69 1/3 total innings.

Pitching for Baltimore will be Freddy Garcia (1-2, 4.61) who is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA with one career start against the Nationals.

There is one change in the Nats' lineup from yesterday with Adam LaRoche filling in as the designated hitter and Chad Tracy playing first.

Check back for more updates and enjoy the game...

BALTIMORE ORIOLES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN 2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), WTEM (980 AM), XM 177
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 92 degrees
NATIONALS (27-26)
CF Denard Span
RF Roger Bernadina
3B Ryan Zimmerman
DH Adam LaRoche


SS Ian Desmond
LF Tyler Moore
1B Chad Tracy
C Kurt Suzuki
2B Danny Espinosa
(RHP Dan Haren)

ORIOLES (29-24)
LF Nate McLouth
3B Manny Machado
RF Nick Markakis
CF Adam Jones
1B Chris Davis
C Matt Wieters
SS J.J. Hardy
2B Ryan Flaherty
DH Steve Pearce
(RHP Freddy Garcia)

UMPIRES
HP Mike Estabrook
1B Phil Cuzzi
2B Tom Hallion (cc)
3B Ron Kulpa
7:17 p.m. -- The Nationals went down in order in the top of the first. Span struck out, Bernadina flew out to deep center after attempting a bunt early in the count, and Zimmerman grounded out to second base. Garcia threw 15 pitches (9 strikes).

7:25 p.m. -- Things started off interesting for Haren who allowed a leadoff double to Nate McLouth. Machado then bunted McLouth over to third, setting up a bit of a dangerous situation. Haren, however, was able to get both Markakis and Jones to fly out and got out of the inning unscathed. He threw 13 pitches, ten of them strikes.

7:38 p.m. -- The Nats began the top of the second with two quick singles, one by LaRoche into center field and another on a really nice bunt down the line by Desmond. Tyler Moore grounded out to second, but moved both runners into scoring position. Tracy flew out to LF, but not deep enough to score LaRoche. Suzuki then popped up to end the inning. Garcia is at 33 pitches (20 strikes).

7:43 p.m. -- Dan Haren needed just nine pitches to get through the bottom of the second. He got Davis, Wieters, and Hardy all to fly out to left field. Moore made all three outs. Haren at 22 pitches (15 strikes).

7:48 p.m. -- Another fruitless inning for the Nationals who went down 1-2-3. Span almost made something happen with a line drive to the gap in right-center field, but a spectacular diving catch by Markakis took care of that. Garcia has tossed 40 pitches (25 strikes) through three.

8:02 p.m. -- The Orioles strike first in the bottom of the third off a Markakis RBI double. Flaherty began the inning with a single and scored two outs later off the big hit. Haren struck Jones out to end the inning after 20 pitches to end the frame. He's at 42 in the game, 27 of them strikes.

8:09 p.m. -- Another crisp inning for Garcia who hasn't allowed much of anything thus far through four innings. He struck out Zimmerman to get started, got LaRoche out on a hard grounder to first base, then got Desmond to whiff. He's thrown 53 pitches, 33 strikes.

8:19 p.m. -- 1-2-3 inning for Haren who is at 59 pitches (37 strikes) through four innings of work. It's still a one-run game, can the Nats get something going on offense?

8:23 p.m. -- Another inning where the Nats go down in order and Freddy Garcia has now retired 12 straight batters since allowing two leadoff singles in the second. Garcia is shutting down the Nats convincingly, he is at 66 pitches through five scoreless innings.

8:31 p.m. -- Haren puts in another solid frame, allowing only a single to McLouth. He faced four batters and needed just 13 pitches. Through five innings he's thrown 72 (59 strikes)

8:40 p.m. -- After retiring 14 straight batters, Garcia finally gave up a base hit with a two-out single off the wall in right field for Roger Bernadina. Zimmerman worked a 2-2, fouling off pitches, but the grounded out to end the inning. Garcia has 81 pitches (52 strikes) through six. Still 1-0 Orioles.

8:49 p.m. -- Haren let another guy on base with a single by Jones, but once again lets no runs score. He got Chris Davis to ground into a double play to end the frame. Still 1-0 O's as Haren has thrown 84 pitches (56 strikes) through six.

8:57 p.m. -- It's the Freddy Garcia show tonight as the Orioles' pitcher is now through seven scoreless on 94 pitches. He has six strikeouts, zero walks, and only three hits allowed. On to the bottom of the seventh.

9:12 p.m. -- After another solid inning by Haren in the top of the eighth, the Nats once again failed to get anything going against Garcia. The Orioles' starter is having a spectacular night with zero runs allowed through eight innings. He has needed 113 innings so far, we'll see if Jim Johnson is up next to close this thing out. Haren is back for the bottom of the eighth with Pearce, McLouth, and Machado due up. Still 1-0 Orioles.

273 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 273 of 273   Newer›   Newest»
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 273 of 273 Newer› Newest»
Manassas Nats' Fan said...

NatsJack do you think a vision check could help?

mick said...

NatsJack in Florida

so are the scouts responsible for this along with Rizzo if thats the case?

baseballswami said...

Espi had seen two pitches and made two outs. On what planet is that professional?

mick said...

so much for RZimm heating up,lol

Unknown said...

mick at 8:31pm, please do me a favor...copy, paste & post your comment for the next 20 times Espinosa comes up to bat...it will be applicable in at least 19 of them.

David Proctor said...

Zim is hitting .340 in the month of May. He's shown he has power. He's not always going to go 3/4 with 3 HRs. He is heating up, that's not up for interpretation or opinion. That's fact.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Have patience do not swing at balls.

He is pitching junk and we are helping and swinging at so man non hittable pitches.

So many balls we could walk in a run if we only swung at strikes

jeffwx said...

noone can hit the great garcia, not even Freddy himself.

mick said...

remember, last night everyone was saying the positive was Zim's hitting and his bat was hot

I am a big believer that a teams best players have to play like the best players, that is what has not happen at all this season so far. That was a chance for Ryan to show he was a best player

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Mick you have not watched Zim in April then May, if youthin he has not heated up.

Your sample size of one game is poor statistically.

baseballswami said...

Could this game be any more different than last night?

mick said...

paul brandt LOLOLO

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Swami I was just thinking, why in hell didn't Jzim pitch like this last night?

mick said...

your right he has heated up significantly since April

David Proctor said...

Nice 6-4-3.

Jim Webster said...

Is it just me, or are the MASN Orioles announcers more blatant homers than our guys?

mick said...

maybe Haren's best game under pressure?

David Proctor said...

Right up there with the Detroit game. I thought that game was great, he just threw that one bad pitch.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Haren is doing fine. Now hitters get off your duffs and start playing like you wish to win.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Werth done in Potomac. sinle and flyout.

Still swing crap in BMore

baseballswami said...

Grrrrrr! Hit the ball !!!!!!!!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Ray noticing what I have said throwing more balls.

Take the balls guys

baseballswami said...

New drinking game. Drink every time their guy says. " gold glove". You will be under the table soon.

Unknown said...

Ray sounds like he may just fall over...hope Bob has a good hold of his collar...yikes...why can't we hit Freddy F-ing Garcia???

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Hanging slider and TyMo just tips it.

Come on if your in the majors hit like it. i could strike out for a lot less money.

jeffwx said...

so what's the doom squad batting now.

phil dunton said...

Don't even think about Eckstein being replaced by a real hitting coach because it is not going to happen, Rizzo loves Eckstein.

mick said...


Manassa fan....agreed on Zim. You mention sample size... overall
we now have a 54 game sample size, and the fact that half the lineup hits under 200 is depressing. I am sure the frustration level has to be ready to explode in the front office

David Proctor said...

Chad Tracy another 0-fer.

mick said...

no depth at all when starters are out... this game clearly show it

mick said...

I know, I know...Nats hitters ran into a hot goalie, lol

jeffwx said...

so Tracey now at 160 below the Espinosa line, currently at 164

David Proctor said...

I actually thought Espinosa may have gotten that one. Popped it up.

jeffwx said...

espinosa line at 162, you're a nats hitter if you can maintain an average above it.

Knoxville Nat said...

Another horrible AB for Espinosa. If DJ isn't interested in Lombo play Kobernus. Danny is what he is, a lifetime .230 hitter or so at best.

David Proctor said...

LOL! A friend just sent me this:

My mama doesn't listen to baseball much (although she tries to keep up with the nats) or watch it much, we were listening in the car on the way back to my brothers house, and she asked:

"If Espinosa is a switch hitter, why can't he switch to hitting again instead of what he's been doing?"

jeffwx said...

haren's night against the number 2 offense is impressive.
Garcia's outing against baseball's 2nd to last offense if not

Knoxville Nat said...

Turn out the lights the party's over!

SCNatsFan said...

Can't wait to read about all the good things that will come from tonight's loss. Just a nice 10 game losing streak or so and we will have everyone right where we want them.

Keep playing guys who can't hit and keep losing. Doesn't take a genius to know that.

Wish we hadn't made te playoffs last year because I might think what I am seeing is progress.

Unknown said...

nice outing by Haren regardless of the outcome. We are just too inconsistent right now but Zim should have been playing the line there...oh well, chalk it up to another poor offensive showing and some guaranteed outs care of #8...something needs to change but not sure it will.

Joe Seamhead said...

Haren gets one atta boy and a loss on a very well pitched game.

David Proctor said...

Wow. That's unacceptable by whichever one of Shark/ Bernadina screwed that up.

David Proctor said...

Sounds like Bernadina is responsible. Bad bad play.

Drew said...

Oh for crying out loud ...

mick said...

I am speechless, i will not explode, i will keep my cool, but, i am totally disgusted!

Drew said...

Soriano's 4-year-old could have caught that ball.

David Proctor said...

Wow what a play by Espinosa. That just earned him another day in the lineup (by Davey's logic).

jeffwx said...

wow...Espi will be a permanent fixture now. that was pretty special, in any case.

mick said...

one night we pitch,one night we hit....result 27-27 after 54 games...what will change??

Knoxville Nat said...

"....whichever one of Shark/Bernadina screwed that up"

I'm sure you meant to include Espinosa in there somewhere so I'll give you a pass. But I've seen better play than that in youth leagues.

jeffwx said...

one night we won't pitch or hit

Drew said...

That was a nice kick save by Espinosa to save a run.

Exposremains said...

I hope someone wakes them up and tells them its almost June 1st and if they keep playing like .500 team, they will finish at .500.

mick said...

now off to Atlanta and we ain't General Sherman in this situation

jeffwx said...

we aint whistlin dixie either

mick said...

lol jeff

baseballswami said...

Ok so Dan Haren was very, very good.

jeffwx said...

oh way down south in the land of cotton, land o land that's not forgotten
look away, look away, Nats fans.

Exposremains said...

and Span the OBP machine rolls another one

mick said...

jeff..... ha ha ha ha

Joe Seamhead said...

This just sucked.Starting with the starting lineup.

mick said...

I remember Davey clearly on Monday saying the Nats were going to roll

jeffwx said...

yeah mick
roll over and played dead tonight

mick said...

When will Ted Lerner have a Jack Kent Cooke moment??

Secret wasian man said...

another non comeback. Another loss. A .500 record. 5.5 back. And headed to Atlanta. Is it football season yet?

baseballswami said...

One of these nights the Nats are going to come from behind, rally, or walk off. And I am going to be shocked beyond belief. One of the many things that makes he sad is wasting individual performances.

mick said...

baseballswami well said, like R Zim last night

Knoxville Nat said...

A third of the way through the season and I can't get over how underperforming this team is. For all the hype given to the Nationals this year, including the "world Series or bust" line, this team is just very difficult to watch. So many deficiencies, so many mental mistakes and no sign of corrective actions or change coming from the Rizzo/Johnson team.

mick said...

Knoxville Nat to be fair he did say "or bust"

lol

Almazar80 said...

It's apparent that Davey and Rizzo assembled a non contender. Or the coaching is lacking Or both. In any case, the Nats are going nowhere this year. Looks like the glory days lasted one year and now it's done. Oh well. The Nats, clearly, are not a good team. No matter what Boz at the Post wants people to believe, this is not a winner by any means.

Unknown said...

So called Danny 'defensive' Kspinosa errors in tight situation two games in a low.
Time to call your cable provider to cancel your plan to minimum package because we not gonna need MASN anymore, probably after this weekend.
Stay away from anywhere near the NatStadium, this coaching staff have no idea how to manage game without the MLB's worst hitter who's name is Kspinosa(he's elligible for disabled parking permit), how to teach pitchers when they should pay attention to baserunner(it won't be improved forever), how to teach batters strategical approach depends on the situation(consuming pitch counts, making compact contact to hit the ball behind the runners when runners on), how to teach 21 years old rookie left-fielder to adjust the right field of the stadium where he never played before.
It's not the injuries, the way how to cope with the bad situation and the way how they fix the
"Known Problems".
Hey Davey, Bust or World Series?

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

Today's Nostradamus Award Goes to Do1Teach1 for this post at approximately 4:54 this afternoon:

Tonight's lineup comparison of position players reminds me of 2008-2009, when we were out-gunned at most positions on the field, except third base, every game.

CF: Adam Jones is way better overall player than Span.
RF: Markakis vs. Bernadina. No comparison.
3B: Advantage Orioles, even after Zimm's heroics last night. I wonder what % of people on this board would swap Zimm for Machado right now? Would be a fun poll question.
DH: LaRoche beats their DH.
SS: I take Desi over Hardy.
LF: McLouth huge advantage over T-Mo.
1B: Chad Tracy vs Chris Davis. Hilarious.
C: Wieters over Suzuki, without question.
2B: Espi is playing. Enough said.

Note on leadoffs: McLouth, their leadoff, has 17 steals with one CS; Span, our leadoff, has 6 steals with 3 CS.

Holding runners: 19 men have attempted steals against Wieters and he nailed 10 of them. 40 men have attempted steals against Ramos and Suzuki and they nailed 5, repeat FIVE, of them.

The last two points--on McLouth and holding runners--means that, essentially, a walk or single against the Nationals is equal to a double, because stealing is so easy against our pitchers.

We are highly unlikely to win tonight's game. But if Haren can keep the Orioles from reaching base tonight, we'll be okay.

«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 273 of 273 Newer› Newest» «Oldest ‹Older   201 – 273 of 273   Newer› Newest»

Post a Comment