Saturday, June 1, 2013

Game 56: Nats at Braves

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Gio Gonzalez faces Tim Hudson tonight at Turner Field.
ATLANTA — After a crazy Friday night that saw Stephen Strasburg get hurt and the Nationals somehow pull out a 3-2 victory, they're back at Turner Field tonight for the second game of this big weekend series with the Braves with more injury news to report: Bryce Harper has officially been placed on the 15-day DL with bursitis in his left knee. The move is retroactive to May 27, so he's eligible to return June 11 against the Rockies.

Erik Davis takes Harper's spot on the roster, adding another right-hander to a bullpen that was taxed last night because of Strasburg's early exit with an oblique strain. Neither Craig Stammen nor Tyler Clippard are expected to be available tonight, so the pressure's on Gio Gonzalez to churn out a quality start and not force Davey Johnson to turn to his bullpen early again.

It would also help if the Nationals can get something going at the plate against Tim Hudson, never an easy task. Though he's 4-4 with a 5.37 ERA overall this season, he's 2-0 with a 1.27 ERA against the Nats (16-5, 2.55 ERA in his career against the franchise).

A friendly reminder that tonight's game is on Fox. Dick Stockton and Tom Verducci have the call. Here's the coverage map (and note that parts of Virginia will not be getting this game).

Updates to come...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Turner Field
Gametime: 7:15 p.m. EDT
TV: Fox (coverage map)
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 89
Weather: Partly cloudy, 84 degrees, Wind 7 mph out to LF
NATIONALS (28-27)
CF Denard Span
LF Steve Lombardozzi
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
RF Roger Bernadina
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
LHP Gio Gonzalez

BRAVES (32-22)
SS Andrelton Simmons
RF Jason Heyward
LF Justin Upton
1B Freddie Freeman
C Evan Gattis
3B Chris Johnson
2B Dan Uggla
CF B.J. Upton
RHP Tim Hudson

UMPIRES
HP Larry Vanover
1B Brian Gorman (cc)
2B Manny Gonzalez
3B Tony Randazzo

7:17 p.m. — And we're underway as Tim Hudson fires strike one to Denard Span. Both clubs are wearing some pretty sweeo Negro League throwback uniforms tonight. Though I suppose they look better on some than others.

7:22 p.m. — A 1-2-3 top of the first for Hudson, though Ryan Zimmerman did smoke a line drive to right field to end the inning. Only 13 pitches for Hudson, 10 of them strikes.

7:30 p.m. — And a 1-2-3 bottom of the first for Gio Gonzalez, who struck out Jason Heyward on a 94 mph fastball and Justin Upton on an 81 mph curveball. Good stuff from the lefty, who threw 10 of 16 pitches for strikes. Scoreless after one.

7:44 p.m. — Hudson: 6 up, 6 down. Gonzalez: 6 up, 6 down. Suffice it to say, we've got a nice little pitchers' duel brewing here. Scoreless through two.

7:49 p.m. — Who else but Gio Gonzalez would you expect to record the first hit tonight for either team? He's now 5-for-17 this season, a cool .294 batting average! Unfortunately, nobody else in the Nats lineup has been able to touch Hudson. So it remains scoreless as we move to the bottom of the third.

8:04 p.m. — Oh, those leadoff walks. They'll get you every time. And one got Gio in the bottom of the third. He put Dan Uggla on to begin the inning, and the set in motion a chain of events in which Uggla ultimately scored from third on Andrelton Simmons' slow roller to short. So the Braves take a 1-0 lead, moving into the fourth.

8:13 p.m. — And Fredi Gonzalez's night will last only three innings. The Braves manager just got the heave-ho from plate umpire Larry Vanover after arguing balls and strikes with Zimmerman at the plate. Can't do that, Fredi.

8:21 p.m. — And the Nats get the run right back in the top of the fourth. Steve Lombardozzi reached on Freeman's throwing error, then put on a fantastic display of hustle going first to third on Zimmerman's slow chopper to short. That set the stage for Ian Desmond, who hit a slow roller down the third-base line that looked like a sure hit only to make an abrupt left turn at the last second. Would that freak roll cost the Nats a run? No, because Desmond followed by roping a base hit to center, scoring Lombardozzi. It's 1-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth.

8:31 p.m. — Impressive stuff from Gio so far tonight. The Braves' Nos. 2-5 hitters (Heyward, Upton, Freeman and Gattis) are now 0-for-8 with five strikeouts. Still 1-1 after four.

8:49 p.m. — Gio had to battle his way to escape the fifth unscathed after Chris Johnson led off with a double. He managed to keep Uggla in the ballpark (barely) and then got B.J. Upton to pop out (drawing boos from the crowd) and Hudson to ground out to third (with a pretty good throw from Zimmerman to end the inning). Still 1-1, moving to the sixth.

9:00 p.m. — A chance for the Nats in the top of the sixth after Zim beat out a grounder to third and LaRoche drew a two-out walk. But Desmond went after Hudson's first pitch and lined out to right. So this remains a 1-1 game. Something's got to give eventually.

9:12 p.m. — Big-time performance from Gio tonight. Now, if somebody else could just push a run across... Onto the seventh.

9:20 p.m. — So, there have been nine total baserunners allowed by Hudson and Gonzalez tonight. What a duel. Seventh-inning stretch now.

9:27 p.m. — Another dominant inning from Gio, who retires the side and has now completed seven innings of one-run, three-hit ball on 105 pitches. That'll be it forhim, with Jeff Kobernus pinch-hitting to lead off the eighth in what still remains a 1-1 game.

9:38 p.m. — The good news: Hudson is out of the game. The bad news: The Nats still can't get anything going against the Braves bullpen. Luis Avilan gets Span and Lombardozzi to end the top of the eighth. Drew Storen in, trying to keep this a tiegame.

9:47 p.m. — A really impressive bottom of the eighth from Storen, who struck out a pair and got a groundout. He's been really sharp his last couple of times out and seems to have turned a corner. So it's onto the ninth, and here's Craig Kimbrel to face the heart of the Nats lineup in a 1-1 game.

9:52 p.m. — Golden opportunity for the Nats in the top of the ninth. Zimmerman led off with a broken-bat single. LaRoche followed with a double. So, second and third, nobody out ... and they still didn't score. Desmond struck out looking. Bernadina grounded into a 5-2 fielder's choice. And Espinosa flied out on the first pitch he saw. Unbelievable. It's still 1-1 as Fernando Abad enters for the bottom of the ninth.

10:06 p.m. — Holy moly, Abad strikes out Justin Upton and then gets Freeman to rope a liner right at Espinosa, who starts a 4-3 double play and send this game to extra innings.

10:12 p.m. — Bottom of the 10th now. It's Henry Rodriguez time, folks.

10:24 p.m. — Nats lose. Rodriguez issues two walks, allows a stolen base without a throw and then B.J. Upton(?!) delivers the game-winning single to right. It's a 2-1, 10-inning loss as the Nats fall back to the .500 mark and back to 5 1/2 games behind Atlanta.

315 comments:

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Nats 128 said...


"Rendon has played only five professional games at second base, all this season, but the feeling is that he can pick up the position quickly. It can't hurt that Syracuse manager Tony Beasley was a second baseman in his playing days."

Michelle thanks for that linkage. Knobler made good points. Again where were all of these people in the offseason calling for a Nats change at 2nd base.

David Proctor said...

Not surprisingly, Rendon is playing 2B in his first game at Syracuse.

Another_Sam said...

NatsJack - how do you get the radio play by play in Florida?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I want Rendon to get the standard stuff down at second before call up. By All star break, the routine stuff should be done.

Hardest part will be turning 6-4-3 and 5-4-3 double plays

MicheleS said...

GO GIO!!!! GO BATS! GYFNG! Everyone stay healthy!

Steady Eddie said...

In answer to some folks' question in the previous thread as to why they didn't want to give Rendon more time at 2B before this, it's a developmental thing. Due to his injuries last year, he had never played professional baseball for any extended period of time before this season, and they reasonably wanted to give him a comfort level at a familiar position for that first extended stint. Plus, coming out of ST, 3B seemed to be a bigger question mark as to health than 2B, especially given Danny's decent ST numbers.

Plus it was somewhat disruptive of that development calling Rendon up in April, thus the "let's let him settle back in Harrisburg with most of the time at 3B but start him with one out of every four or five games at second.

EmDash said...

Here's hoping Gio makes an adjustment tonight; the Braves really seemed to have his number the last two times. He should definitely not give Simmons anything he can hit out on the first pitch. *g*

Would've liked to see Suzuki get the night off since he'll probably be needed for Karns tomorrow. I know he's tough, but with Ramos out they need to avoid wearing him down.

Secret wasian man said...

Another Sam. I would guess Nats Jack has XM radio or he's doing the Internet thing.

baseballswami said...

I think Rizzo saw no need to train Rendon at second because he always has thought that Espi was going to have a break out year and become an allstar second baseman. He thought maybe Zim would not regain his form at third. Zim looks pretty darn good these days and the hitting power is returning, too. If this team had performed the way we all thought it would, and if everyone was healthy, Rendon would not be up until September. Issues have been forced.

Another_Sam said...

NatsJack - thank you.

TimDz said...

Looking at the coverage map....
The majority of VA gets the Yanks/Sox game.

How are these decisions made?

original Nats Fan said...

I listen to C&D anyway, as I did for the Nats-Os series. I like Bob and FP [or Ray], not those other nguys

baseballswami said...

Anyone who usually gets our game on masn should get the game on fox. I hate their AL baseball bias, as well as their thinking that everyone in the universe cares about the yankees or the red sox. Our game has nl implications.

TexNat said...

In other news, the Braves are now publicly speculating about sending BJ Upton to the minors. First, so glad the Nats didn't sign that guy (or trade for him in the last few years when Rizzo was rumored to be enamored).

Second, if the Braves can even think about sending a veteran with a huge contract down, why is Espinoza sacrosanct?

MurrayTheRed said...

FYI if you don't have mlb.tv and want to listen to the home radio broadcast.
http://tunein.com/radio/1067-The-Fan-s29821/

Secret wasian man said...

Nats jack how much a season is that MLB TV. Is that direct tv?

Holden Baroque said...

"How are these decisions made?"

I'm guess the local affiliates have some input, but maybe viewer feedback over time gets in there some, too.

Anonymous said...

Nats 128 - "Again where were all of these people in the offseason calling for a Nats change at 2nd base."

Uh, me for one. I've been a big Espi supporter prior to this year, but the insane number of strikeouts in particular made it obvious where the weak link in the infield was assuming Danny did not continue to elevate his hitting. With Zim assumed to be at third for years, Rendon looked like the difference between having a solid player at 2B and potentially having a perennial All Star at the position.

And had Danny broken out this year as many of us had hoped, the Nats would have had an embarrassment of riches at the position instead of a yawning black chasm in their lineup at a time when they are in real danger of the season going down the tubes.

Holden Baroque said...

if the Braves can even think about sending a veteran with a huge contract down, why is Espinoza sacrosanct?

Because they have alternatives in the outfield that Rizzo doesn't think he has in the middle infield, would be my guess. Because B.J. Upton is an FNG in Atlanta, and Danny came up thru this system, so there's more loyalty there. Because they both get paid regardless, so it's really a sunk cost in any case. Just guessing.

Anonymous said...

@TexNat - great point. Espinosa has in no way earned the demotion-proof status of a long term veteran. He should have been sent down a month ago to see if he could fix whatever the heck is ailing his hitting. The reluctance to do so is baffling.

Holden Baroque said...

Uh, me for one.

There's no virtue in being right, too soon. Just because it didn't work out does not mean it was a foregone conclusion that it couldn't. Even if it was a longshot, Rizzo felt, apparently, that it was worth taking the shot.

Sometimes, the cards ain't worth a dime if you don't lay 'em down.

TexNat said...

Loyalty should have nothing to do with it. Danny would be better served in the long run getting healthy and getting himself together in the minors.

And as long as he performs as he currently is, the Nats do have plenty of options to replace him in as much as anyone is a viable replacement at this point.

David Proctor said...

Kolko: Ross Detwiler (oblique) being brought along very slowly. Doing light tossing but told to shut it down if he feels anything. No timetable set

I don't at all have a problem with Ross being brought along slowly, given how we've rushed people. But it is scary to think that he had a "Very slight" strain and he's been out this long. Imagine how long Strasburg could be out for...

David Proctor said...

The Tigers just went back-to-back-to-back against Hammel. Wish we could've done that.

David Proctor said...

Wow Hammel just hit a Tiger after giving up the home runs and got ejected.

Anonymous said...

@Sec 3 - the guy sitting in the seat next to you at the games is a better option at the plate than Danny at this point. I've been watching baseball for 40 years and cannot recall seeing a hitter perform this poorly for this long without being removed from the lineup.

Fun fact: Adam Dunn's BA is EIGHT POINTS lower than Danny's right now, but of course he has 9 more HRs and is leading his team in RBIs. If he picks up his production even slightly he has a chance to go 30-100 while being well below the Mendoza Line. At least Adam makes his few hits COUNT.

David Proctor said...

Think he can play 2B, karlkolchak?

That thought is hilarious. Adam Dunn trying to play 2B.

baseballswami said...

I guess I need to start watching the O's Tigers game - sounds eventful. And I agree that there is nothing wrong with Danny going down for a bit. I don't care how confident he is, this has got to be wearing on him. If he just get out of the limelight, he could rebuild his hitting and get a re-set.John Lannan was our number one starter - once he went down to AA to get his mechanics together, last year he spent in AAA. I don't understand the hesitancy. I don't think it's the wrist or shoulder, though -- it really seems like he does not have a good sense of the strike zone.

natsfan1a said...

Not sure why that didn't occur to me but, brilliant (although I don't mind Verducci, generally).

original Nats Fan said...

I listen to C&D anyway, as I did for the Nats-Os series. I like Bob and FP [or Ray], not those other guys
June 01, 2013 4:40 PM

Steady Eddie said...

DP -- and on an 82 mph slider.

Was just listening to the Tigers radio guys marveling at how terrible a call that was, that NO ONE intentionally hits a batter with a breaking ball.

Little as I like the Os (though I do like Bucky). The umps seem to be reaching new and downright irrational lows this year.

David Proctor said...

Bases loaded, 0 out for Miguel Cabrera. Yikes.

MicheleS said...

David P.. the Big Donkey at 2b.. that would be a scream.. still love the big gallute, glad Rizzo didn't listen to some of us (raises hand) and keep him.

David Proctor said...

Cabrera Grand Slam.

MicheleS said...

GRAND SLAM BY MIGGY

Steady Eddie said...

Muggy gets a granny. Tigers 9-1.

Steady Eddie said...

DP -- Yikes indeed.

baseballswami said...

Yeah - that's kind of why I hesitate to be too adamant about those kind of things. Once we saw how Adam could really play..... So I noticed that the Barves fans boo BJ Upton! I heard some fans here booing Zim one day -- I wanted to punch them in the face. I agree with most of you that I will only boo lollygagging. So Miguel Cabrera just hit a grannie off of the O's. Should have just walked the run in. Four homers in this inning, 9 to 1, no outs.

MicheleS said...

DP.. owe you one

baseballswami said...

Oh -- and it's at Camden Yards, too -- that is just too priceless. Karma is a female dog.

David Proctor said...

8 runs, 4 home runs in that inning. Jeez.

baseballswami said...

And Verlander is pitching against them..... It just gets better.

David Proctor said...

Davey says MRI on Strasburg revealed a slight strain to his back/right side. Unclear whether he'd need to miss a start or not.

David Proctor said...

If Strasburg does need to miss his next start (which could be pushed back to June 8), Davey says Craig Stammen would get the ball.

David Proctor said...

Werth scheduled to play 9 innings tonight at Potomac. All goes well, takes tomorrow off and activated Tuesday.

baseballswami said...

Is five days really enough for an oblique strain? Even slight? OY - enough with the hamstrings , obligues and knees.

David Proctor said...

Because of off days, Strasburg's day can be pushed back until June 8. So that's 8 days. Still not a lot of time though. I think he probably misses that start. If we're lucky, that's the only one he misses.

baseballswami said...

Buck showalter looks like his head is going to pop off.

SCNatsFan said...

We are stuck by the mediocre start; you can't rush these guys yet we need them now.

As for Espi having no value I a trade, I can not disagree more. If he were to get healthy, go down and post reasonable numbers and show he can learn then there will be a good market for him. Trick is getting him to learn or he will be the best hitter in his local beer league.

Exposremains said...

Does anybody here thinks that if Stammen wasn't needed in the pen, he would probably do better than Haren as a starter? I'm not sure he would give as many innings.

David Proctor said...

Stammen's a stats as a starter indicates otherwise. He begins to wear down the second and third time through the order.

Exposremains said...

But he hasn't been a starter in a few years. He's more mature now. I bet he'd love to get another chance.

Get Your Re(n)d On said...

Buck Showalter always looks like his head is going to pop off.

Drew said...

Rendon, batting second at Syracuse, walks in his first plate appearance and scores on Rhymes' double.

Love it. This is exactly what the Nats need between Span and Harper.

David Proctor said...

Well he will get one in Strasburg's absence.

baseballswami said...

I think Stammen's stats as a starter are moot at this point. That was too long ago and he has remade himself as a pitcher. I am betting he could do better than Duke did. You wouldn't go seven with him, but he could probably go five or six. Seriously -when he pitches now he does not look anything like that pitcher from several years ago.

Section 222 said...

This weekend I'm in the part of VA where for some reason they think people are more interested in the BoSox than the Nats. Grrr. Hoping Gio can get it done tonight. Guaranteeing a series win before Karns takes the mound would be very nice indeed.

And I don't even mind seeing Espi in the starting lineup, knowing his days are numbered. It's like a dark cloud has lifted.

David Proctor said...

Maybe now that Espi knows his days are numbered, he starts producing? It's not likely but let me hope.

blovy8 said...

Yep, if you get a lineup of Span/Rendon/Harper/Zim/LaRoche/Werth/Desmond/Suzuki going the offense could be fine.

Drew said...

Rendon just singled to left.

1-1 with a walk.

baseballswami said...

Who is Syracuse playing? Who is pitching - is it an old veteran or a prospect? Hard to judge whether or not he can hit at this level without knowing that. Would like to know what kind of stuff he is facing. Good fastball? Breaking stuff? Anyone know how to find out?

Theophilus T. S. said...

Much as I would look forward to Bloy8's lineup, I would worry about running Suzuki into the ground. I haven't heard a whisper about when Ramos might be back so I'm guessing at least two-three weeks. Johnson seems to forget Solano is on the bench except when he needs to waste a PH.

David Proctor said...

He's facing Allan Webster. Not sure about his stuff, but he's 4-0 with a 2.52 ERA this year for AAA Pawtucket. He's the #4 prospect for the Red Sox.

baseballswami said...

I am seeing tweets that he has ungodly breaking stuff and struck out Marrero, Eury Perez and Corey Brown. This is good news that Rendon can hit that stuff.

David Proctor said...

Here's a scouting report on Webster, Swami:

"Webster features a robust arsenal of pitches, including three that offer plus potential long term. His fastball sits in the low-90s with heavy sink, and he can run his four-seamer up to 95-96 mph when he needs a little extra. His size and arm angle allow him to generate excellent downward trajectory, accentuating the natural sink on his fastball and allowing him to induce plenty of ground balls. His changeup shows as a true plus-plus offering and allows him to be effective against left-handers.

Webster’s slider has taken a large step forward over the last year, now showing consistently as a plus pitch and earning even more substantial praise at times. Webster also mixes in a below-average curveball that is not a significant part of his arsenal. Control and command have never been strong points for Webster, but he has developed to the point where he can throw enough strikes to be effective. His wide arsenal of pitches suggests bigger projection than the actual package allows, but Webster should end up a solid no. 3 starter with a chance to surpass that if his command suddenly comes around."

David Proctor said...

Corey Brown just homered again.

Dave said...

MurrayTheRed at 4:52, I don't think you'll have any luck at all with TuneIn Radio and the 106.7 feed. MLB blacks out Internet feeds of the games except through their subscriptions.

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure you have to have MLB Gameday Audio or MLB.tv to hear Charlie & Dave on the Internet.

baseballswami said...

Corey Brown is hot and can play the outfield really well.

David Proctor said...

Hey Swami, Corey Brown's looks have nothing to do with it!

baseballswami said...

Very funny!!!

baseballswami said...

Soooo hoping for good Gio today!!! And bad Upton brothers.

baseballswami said...

Only two guys with BA under 200 today, and Bernadina's is on the way up. Sure beats 4 players under 200.

David Proctor said...

Why does Tim Hudson pitch like Cy Young against us?

waddu eye no said...

Lets go grays!

Drew said...

Our new second baseman just grounded out to third.

The bad news is, his average dropped 500 points.

The good news is ...

He plays with Lajoie de vivre.

baseballswami said...

Nice unis!!!!

EmDash said...

No walks, Gio.

EmDash said...

Does Gio seem uncomfortable to anyone else? Maybe last night with Stras is making me paranoid.

David Proctor said...

Looks like we have good Gio today!

David Proctor said...

Gio looks fine to me. I'll pay closer attention this inning.

David Proctor said...

That was a very nice inning for Gio.

EmDash said...

Less so this inning. There was just a certain amount of grimacing in the first, which I'm a wee bit sensitive to at the moment.

EmDash said...

Announcer chastising Nats for not being aggressive enough as hitters. Don't hear that every day.

This is the second or third time Gio has broken up a no-hitter himself, I think.

David Proctor said...

Gio shouldn't have tried to grab that. That was a double play ball.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Ball off the glove makes it center. Wow.

This inning started with my favorite thing for a pitcher to never do a lead off walk.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Double bad for Gio.

Walked scored. Second mistake. No glove on the grounder probably at least gets guy at second and maybe double play.

Gio obviously forgot NATS needed to score first.

Exposremains said...

and the leadoff walk scores.

SCNatsFan said...

Ugg lead off walks lets hope we take advantage of the error

David Proctor said...

"That's weird. Jayson Werth was expected to play 9 innings tonight at Potomac. He's out after 5"

UGHHHHHHH

Drew said...

Rendon greets Pawtucket reliever with a 9-pitch at bat, but pops out to first. He's 1-3 with a walk.

David Proctor said...

What great baserunning by Lombo.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Lombo hustle. Too close at third.

Nats 128 said...

Lombo showing that he wants to start every day! Running like that other leftfielder guy.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Damn it ALR. elevate ball. Don't hit the top of it.

Nats 128 said...

Lombo got the situational hitting last night with a runner at 3rd and less than 2 outs. Laroche rolls one over. Darn.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

What terrible luck.

Exposremains said...

Great job by Lombo. Big fail for Laroche. That shows you how amazing it was that Lombo got 2 sac flies

Holden Baroque said...

Almost Harperesque! Think the old-timey unis are having an effect?

Those Atlanta unis are particularly sharp.

Gracious that was bad luck.

blovy8 said...

make a break here, the ball is not cooperating

blovy8 said...

big knock

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Desmond over comes bad luck.

Exposremains said...

Great job by Desmond. This is a big factor in this game.

Holden Baroque said...

There's no "close" in baseball.

Nats 128 said...

Desi did it! Like that! Hudson throwing a lot more pitches.

Nats 128 said...

Desi also picked up Adam Laroche. This poor situational contact isn't just the young guys. Lombo actually got it done twice yesterday.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Could someone please tell The Shark we are playing the Orioles not the Braves

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Nice inning Gio.

Nats 128 said...

"NatsJack in Florida said...
Tough play by Rendon making a nice stop up the middle and hot throw to first."

How would you rate him so far.

Holden Baroque said...

Gio is still looking sharp, but I gotta say, that uni is just hanging on him. Not a good look. They need to fire the uniform coach.

Nats 128 said...

Espy got robbed.

David Proctor said...

Poor Danny. He finally made good contact and got robbed.

Holden Baroque said...

Yeah, you'd think if anybody understood how much Danny needed that one, it'd be B.J.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Now if Danny would hit that hard all the time we would not be on his case at all.

Hardest hit in almost 4 weeks.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Did Gio strain obique swinging? Grimaced.

David Proctor said...

Gio was smiling, not grimacing.

David Proctor said...

James Wagner ‏@JamesWagnerWP 55s
So, there had been a miscommunication on game times. Jayson Werth played 5 innings tonight so he can play close to 9 in tomorrow's day game.


Whew.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Now if Espi goes 7 for 7 he will batting .198.

Watch for bunt from BJ

ehay2k said...

Just turned on the game - is this Pajama Night? WTH is up with those unis? I love the Grays, but the unis have to FIT. The Barves, in comparison, have some crazy pockets going on, nut unis look like they fit.

Nats 128 said...

"NatsJack in Florida said...
In the words of FP Santangelo....."he's ready, bring him up".

Not really. It's going to take 10 games or so to really judge. But he'll be fine.

Espinosa has to know his days are numbered."

Ha! Thanks for the update and yes his days are numbered.

ehay2k said...

"but unis look like they fit"

Nats 128 said...

Where was that pitch ump!

Nats 128 said...

They are booing Upton!

Holden Baroque said...

I understand they've been booing B.J. for quite some time.

David Proctor said...

Good job Gio!

Nats 128 said...

BJ Upton is laughing in the dugout. Sure he has $12,450,000 reasons this year to laugh and $75 million over the total contract.

Exposremains said...

I confess, I held my breath when Zim made the throw

Holden Baroque said...

Is it wrong of me that I still flinch a little when Zim has a more or less routine throw to first?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Gio stretching like a little tweak, but recovered after double.

Zim though arm not as strong as previously has become more accurate last few weeks.

It is June after all.

EmDash said...

Hudson looked back at the umpire pretty long after that strike 2 call. Half-expected we'd see another ejection.

ehay2k said...

Does FOX not have a pitch track?

Holden Baroque said...

Jack, you think he should consider buying in Gwinnett, not renting? That's cold.


Didn't see him laughing, btw.

Nats 128 said...

Desi, make them pay!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Fox announcers says 2 of 3 Nats hits are of the infield variety.

Which hit was the other infield hit? Gio's or Ian's?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Desi liners not flies please.

David Proctor said...

Neither. Gio's was to left field and Ian's was to right center.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Fox has pitch track on their regional broadcast, but never see on national broadxcast.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
Re: BJ Upton....one can live pretty large on 12 mil a year in Gwinnett, Georgia.

Maybe, maybe not. Let's not overlook the pinhead factor at work with this guy.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

On Monday Jason Hammels looked like Cy Young today looked like me.

Secret wasian man said...

As tough as things have been there are opportunities. Needed a hit desi.

phil dunton said...

This "small ball" is extremely boring and painful to watch, night after night, but Rizzo loves it. That's why he keeps Eckstein around because he hates offense.

David Proctor said...

Dick Stockton scared me. That wasn't even to the warning track.

EmDash said...

To be fair, even last year when they were hitting much better they always had a lot of trouble with Hudson.

Nats 128 said...

Way to come back Gio

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

We have trouvle hitting many pitchets

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

phil dunton said...
This "small ball" is extremely boring and painful to watch, night after night, but Rizzo loves it. That's why he keeps Eckstein around because he hates offense.

Like we're supposed to wait around for the three-run home run barrage against Mr. Hudson? Let's be real. The guy is 16-5 lifetime against us. Play for a run; we're not getting four.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

No one got the message I requested to the Shark

ehay2k said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ehay2k said...

Eck says they hit his pitches just fine, can't figure out why they can't do it in games.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

The old swing at a pitch above the strike zone and not coming close to making contact trick.

Holden Baroque said...

So, my problem was that I had the wrong hitting coach all those years?? Dang. If only I'd known.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

They Eck's pitches because he throws strikes, he needs to throw junk to get them to lay off them.

SCNatsFan said...

Wonder if Rendon gets an apartment he can sublet to Espinosa

Secret wasian man said...

Sunshine yes. Is there nobody we can find that can hit a baseball. Ughhhh. It's so boring. They are so anemic.

Holden Baroque said...

Davey said he'd know when somebody was not going to turn it around, if they looked like they had given up. That K by Danny there, that last swing ... man.

ehay2k said...

A good hitting coach won't help a bad hitter much, but a bad hitting coach will hurt a good one. Chipper Jones was more helpful to ALR in a couple of hours than Eck was all ST and into the regular season.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Not sure we can look it up, what is the highest Espi's average been at any moment this season

Secret wasian man said...

This will be another loss due to NOOOOOO hitting. again

David Proctor said...

Around .200 I think, MNF. For like a day.

Less Platu said...

haha Espinosa hasn't a clue.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I know he was 2 for 14 after 4th game, having gone 0 for 10 in first series.

Nats 128 said...

What a play by Desi and Laroche on the other end.

Holden Baroque said...

Did the Braves get matching batting helmets for tonight? Seems like they match.

Too bad the Nats don't. They do use those Grays jerseys from time to time.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

.182 after game 6

Less Platu said...

Gio is such a gamer. I wonder if he wonders what happened to the team he played for last year. Don't see him smiling and laughing quite so much anymore.

Side note: I used to say (before last year), any team with Bernadina as a starter is no high caliber team. And Lo and Behold, Bernie's starting again. What happened to Corey Brown?

Nats 128 said...

I really enjoyed listening to George Brett talk about his hitting philosophy. A Charlie Lau disciple in many ways and everything just makes sense. Not sure if its on video. I saw it on MLB Network.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

.200 after game 8

Less Platu said...

Desi's play was rather routine by major league standards -- his throw was terrible -- laRoche bailed him out. I remained, not impressed with the left side of our rather porous infield.

David Proctor said...

Gio is still always smiling and laughing. Heck he was laughing pretty hard while swinging the bat his last time up.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I have said forever, Chsrlie Lau knew what he was doing and said ever hitter is coachable.

ehay2k said...

Just lookd at MASN and they are replaying an O's "classic" where Albert Belle hits 3 Hr against Anaheim in 1999. REALLY? Angelos must have picked that game himself - Albert "Mr. Oriole" Belle.

Blech!

Less Platu said...

I understand Rendon is playing 2b in AAA. Question: What is wrong with Lombo at 2b? this management team has blind spots for people -- which is very bad. they had a blind spot for Morse and determined he wasn't a good fit; and they obviously have that same blind spot for Lombo -- Lombo just isn't one of Davey's guys. And if you're not one of Davey's guys, you are persona non grata on this team. Very bad Very Bad

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Gio had one bad batter, his walk, and one unfortunate ball touch on a possible dp ball that would have rrased the runner who scored

Nats 128 said...

Surprized Davey didnt let his great hitting pitcher hit for himself.

SCNatsFan said...

Fantastic effort by Gio but once again he wasn't perfect so not good enough.

Less Platu said...

Proctor: we must watch different games -- or better stated: we both watch these games with completely different eyes and perspectives -- judging from your many comments

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

New to the team, but swings at balls just Espi, hope he atually better.

David Proctor said...

I mean the announcers even pointed out Gio laughing during his at-bat...

Less Platu said...

Just for the Record: Charlie Lau was and is a great hitting coach -- alas, he was not a good hitter. His lifetime average a cool .250

Less Platu said...

Ah yes, whatever announcers say is truly gospel. haha

Less Platu said...

I do like the Grays uniform. like the Braves too!

Less Platu said...


a nod to proctor -- just saw Gio smiling

Less Platu said...

Natsjack from Fla speaks the Way Davey thinks -- which is scary.

Lombo has good range a decent arm -- hits when he plays -- and at this point, better than a rookie.

EmDash said...

Span' s change in approach over the last month would suggest he's been told to be more aggressive, I'd bet.

EmDash said...

Drew vs. a a power-hitting lefty. Oh boy.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Lau was great, wish he had someone like him, but alas we do not.

Noticed LOMBO did his Espi imitation too swinging at one way inside snd way low.

Why do not recognize pitches as a team well.

Braves terrible too,but have great power compared to Nats.

Nats 128 said...

Where has this Storen been all year.

ehay2k said...

man, desi made that look easy

Nats 128 said...

Hard to believe anyone could say Espi is a better defensive SS than Desi. 3 plays tonight showing amazing range.

EmDash said...

Yay Drew! Never doubted him for a second, honest...

Exposremains said...

How can human beings keep singing that stupid tomahawk chant over and over?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Good job Drew, solid play Desi.

Kimbrell coming in.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Humans cannot do Tomahawk chops. Brave fans can.

David Proctor said...

I'll take a hit however I can get it against Kimbrel.

ehay2k said...

Who is Ryan Anderson? Looks like he plays 3b for the Nats. (Stockton is losing it)

Nats 128 said...

Brian McCann not available as a pinch hitter tonight again.

David Proctor said...

3 shots to get a run in. Come on Desi. Sac Fly works.

Exposremains said...

I like that. Get them in and I'll love it.

Knoxville Nat said...

Storm coming through Knoxville has not out my DirectTV! This stinks!

Nats 128 said...

Desi needs to do it here.

Exposremains said...

Kimbrel always get the low ball call.

Knoxville Nat said...

Uh, that should read "knocks out my DirectTV".

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