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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Gio Gonzalez faces Tim Hudson tonight at Turner Field. |
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:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 315 Newer› Newest»"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.
Not surprisingly, Rendon is playing 2B in his first game at Syracuse.
NatsJack - how do you get the radio play by play in Florida?
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
GO GIO!!!! GO BATS! GYFNG! Everyone stay healthy!
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.
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.
Another Sam. I would guess Nats Jack has XM radio or he's doing the Internet thing.
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.
NatsJack - thank you.
Looking at the coverage map....
The majority of VA gets the Yanks/Sox game.
How are these decisions made?
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
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.
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?
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/
Nats jack how much a season is that MLB TV. Is that direct tv?
"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.
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.
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.
@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.
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.
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.
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...
The Tigers just went back-to-back-to-back against Hammel. Wish we could've done that.
Wow Hammel just hit a Tiger after giving up the home runs and got ejected.
@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.
Think he can play 2B, karlkolchak?
That thought is hilarious. Adam Dunn trying to play 2B.
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.
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
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.
Bases loaded, 0 out for Miguel Cabrera. Yikes.
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.
Cabrera Grand Slam.
GRAND SLAM BY MIGGY
Muggy gets a granny. Tigers 9-1.
DP -- Yikes indeed.
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.
DP.. owe you one
Oh -- and it's at Camden Yards, too -- that is just too priceless. Karma is a female dog.
8 runs, 4 home runs in that inning. Jeez.
And Verlander is pitching against them..... It just gets better.
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.
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.
Werth scheduled to play 9 innings tonight at Potomac. All goes well, takes tomorrow off and activated Tuesday.
Is five days really enough for an oblique strain? Even slight? OY - enough with the hamstrings , obligues and knees.
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.
Buck showalter looks like his head is going to pop off.
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.
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.
Stammen's a stats as a starter indicates otherwise. He begins to wear down the second and third time through the order.
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.
Buck Showalter always looks like his head is going to pop off.
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.
Well he will get one in Strasburg's absence.
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.
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.
Maybe now that Espi knows his days are numbered, he starts producing? It's not likely but let me hope.
Yep, if you get a lineup of Span/Rendon/Harper/Zim/LaRoche/Werth/Desmond/Suzuki going the offense could be fine.
Rendon just singled to left.
1-1 with a walk.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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."
Corey Brown just homered again.
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.
Corey Brown is hot and can play the outfield really well.
Hey Swami, Corey Brown's looks have nothing to do with it!
Very funny!!!
Soooo hoping for good Gio today!!! And bad Upton brothers.
Only two guys with BA under 200 today, and Bernadina's is on the way up. Sure beats 4 players under 200.
Why does Tim Hudson pitch like Cy Young against us?
Lets go grays!
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.
Nice unis!!!!
No walks, Gio.
Does Gio seem uncomfortable to anyone else? Maybe last night with Stras is making me paranoid.
Looks like we have good Gio today!
Gio looks fine to me. I'll pay closer attention this inning.
That was a very nice inning for Gio.
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.
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.
Gio shouldn't have tried to grab that. That was a double play ball.
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.
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.
and the leadoff walk scores.
Ugg lead off walks lets hope we take advantage of the error
"That's weird. Jayson Werth was expected to play 9 innings tonight at Potomac. He's out after 5"
UGHHHHHHH
Rendon greets Pawtucket reliever with a 9-pitch at bat, but pops out to first. He's 1-3 with a walk.
What great baserunning by Lombo.
Lombo hustle. Too close at third.
Lombo showing that he wants to start every day! Running like that other leftfielder guy.
Damn it ALR. elevate ball. Don't hit the top of it.
Lombo got the situational hitting last night with a runner at 3rd and less than 2 outs. Laroche rolls one over. Darn.
What terrible luck.
Great job by Lombo. Big fail for Laroche. That shows you how amazing it was that Lombo got 2 sac flies
Almost Harperesque! Think the old-timey unis are having an effect?
Those Atlanta unis are particularly sharp.
Gracious that was bad luck.
make a break here, the ball is not cooperating
big knock
Desmond over comes bad luck.
Great job by Desmond. This is a big factor in this game.
There's no "close" in baseball.
Desi did it! Like that! Hudson throwing a lot more pitches.
Desi also picked up Adam Laroche. This poor situational contact isn't just the young guys. Lombo actually got it done twice yesterday.
Could someone please tell The Shark we are playing the Orioles not the Braves
Nice inning Gio.
"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.
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.
Espy got robbed.
Poor Danny. He finally made good contact and got robbed.
Yeah, you'd think if anybody understood how much Danny needed that one, it'd be B.J.
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.
Did Gio strain obique swinging? Grimaced.
Gio was smiling, not grimacing.
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.
Now if Espi goes 7 for 7 he will batting .198.
Watch for bunt from BJ
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.
"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.
"but unis look like they fit"
Where was that pitch ump!
They are booing Upton!
I understand they've been booing B.J. for quite some time.
Good job Gio!
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.
I confess, I held my breath when Zim made the throw
Is it wrong of me that I still flinch a little when Zim has a more or less routine throw to first?
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.
Hudson looked back at the umpire pretty long after that strike 2 call. Half-expected we'd see another ejection.
Does FOX not have a pitch track?
Jack, you think he should consider buying in Gwinnett, not renting? That's cold.
Didn't see him laughing, btw.
Desi, make them pay!
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?
Desi liners not flies please.
Neither. Gio's was to left field and Ian's was to right center.
Fox has pitch track on their regional broadcast, but never see on national broadxcast.
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.
On Monday Jason Hammels looked like Cy Young today looked like me.
As tough as things have been there are opportunities. Needed a hit desi.
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.
Dick Stockton scared me. That wasn't even to the warning track.
To be fair, even last year when they were hitting much better they always had a lot of trouble with Hudson.
Way to come back Gio
We have trouvle hitting many pitchets
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.
No one got the message I requested to the Shark
Eck says they hit his pitches just fine, can't figure out why they can't do it in games.
The old swing at a pitch above the strike zone and not coming close to making contact trick.
So, my problem was that I had the wrong hitting coach all those years?? Dang. If only I'd known.
They Eck's pitches because he throws strikes, he needs to throw junk to get them to lay off them.
Wonder if Rendon gets an apartment he can sublet to Espinosa
Sunshine yes. Is there nobody we can find that can hit a baseball. Ughhhh. It's so boring. They are so anemic.
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.
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.
Not sure we can look it up, what is the highest Espi's average been at any moment this season
This will be another loss due to NOOOOOO hitting. again
Around .200 I think, MNF. For like a day.
haha Espinosa hasn't a clue.
I know he was 2 for 14 after 4th game, having gone 0 for 10 in first series.
What a play by Desi and Laroche on the other end.
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.
.182 after game 6
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?
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.
.200 after game 8
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.
Gio is still always smiling and laughing. Heck he was laughing pretty hard while swinging the bat his last time up.
I have said forever, Chsrlie Lau knew what he was doing and said ever hitter is coachable.
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!
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
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
Surprized Davey didnt let his great hitting pitcher hit for himself.
Fantastic effort by Gio but once again he wasn't perfect so not good enough.
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
New to the team, but swings at balls just Espi, hope he atually better.
I mean the announcers even pointed out Gio laughing during his at-bat...
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
Ah yes, whatever announcers say is truly gospel. haha
I do like the Grays uniform. like the Braves too!
a nod to proctor -- just saw Gio smiling
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.
Span' s change in approach over the last month would suggest he's been told to be more aggressive, I'd bet.
Drew vs. a a power-hitting lefty. Oh boy.
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.
Where has this Storen been all year.
man, desi made that look easy
Hard to believe anyone could say Espi is a better defensive SS than Desi. 3 plays tonight showing amazing range.
Yay Drew! Never doubted him for a second, honest...
How can human beings keep singing that stupid tomahawk chant over and over?
Good job Drew, solid play Desi.
Kimbrell coming in.
Humans cannot do Tomahawk chops. Brave fans can.
I'll take a hit however I can get it against Kimbrel.
Who is Ryan Anderson? Looks like he plays 3b for the Nats. (Stockton is losing it)
Brian McCann not available as a pinch hitter tonight again.
3 shots to get a run in. Come on Desi. Sac Fly works.
I like that. Get them in and I'll love it.
Storm coming through Knoxville has not out my DirectTV! This stinks!
Desi needs to do it here.
Kimbrel always get the low ball call.
Uh, that should read "knocks out my DirectTV".
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