Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Game 58: Mets at Nats

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
The Nationals are back home at last, needing to get healthy this week against a couple of struggling opponents (the Mets and Twins) and happy to be welcoming back one of their key lineup members and clubhouse presences. Jayson Werth is coming off the disabled list (though the move hasn't officially been announced yet) and is expected to be in the lineup for the first time in a month.

Werth's return will help, but the Nationals will need better offensive production up and down their lineup, trying to escape the MLB basement in on-base percentage. They drew six total walks over their last seven games, a rate that simply cannot be sustained.

Jordan Zimmermann, meanwhile, takes the mound, trying to forget about his rare poor start last week in Baltimore and get back on track against a poor Mets lineup. If he can do that, the right-hander will earn his ninth win of the season in his third attempt.

[UPDATE AT 5:30 P.M. — You've probably heard by now about the flurry of roster moves the Nationals have made, but here they are in condensed form: Jayson Werth has been activated off the DL, Danny Espinosa (wrist) has been placed on the DL, Henry Rodriguez and Zach Duke have been designated for assignment, Anthony Rendon has been recalled from Class AAA Syracuse and left-hander Ian Krol has had his contract purchased from Class AA Harrisburg. Chase Hughes has the full story here, which he'll be updating shortly with quotes from Davey Johnson and Mike Rizzo.]

Updates to come, so please check back...

NEW YORK METS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 183
Weather: Clear, 75 degrees, Wind 5 mph LF to RF
NATIONALS (28-29)
CF Denard Span
RF Jayson Werth
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche


SS Ian Desmond
LF Roger Bernadina
2B Steve Lombardozzi
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Jordan Zimmermann

METS (22-32)
SS Omar Quintanilla
2B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
LF Lucas Duda
C John Buck
1B Ike Davis
RF Jordany Valdespin
CF Rick Ankiel
RHP Jeremy Hefner

UMPIRES
HP Wally Bell
1B Marty Foster
2B Tim McClelland (cc)
3B Marvin Hudson

5:30 P.M. — You've probably heard by now about the flurry of roster moves the Nationals have made, but here they are in condensed form: Jayson Werth has been activated off the DL, Danny Espinosa (wrist) has been placed on the DL, Henry Rodriguez and Zach Duke have been designated for assignment, Anthony Rendon has been recalled from Class AAA Syracuse and left-hander Ian Krol has had his contract purchased from Class AA Harrisburg. Chase Hughes has the full story here, which he'll be updating shortly with quotes from Davey Johnson and Mike Rizzo.

7:05 p.m. — And after a busy day of major roster moves, we're underway with baseball. Jordan Zimmermann fires strike one to Omar Quintanilla. Jayson Werth is in right field, having received a big ovation from the crowd upon his return from the DL.

7:13 p.m. — Solid top of the first for Zimmermann, with only one blip: He drilled David Wright with a high-and-tight fastball, causing a brief scare. Wright, though, was OK and trotted down to first base. Otherwise, Zimmermann was outstanding, getting a couple of popups and a groundball out. We go to the bottom of the first.

7:19 p.m. — Nothing doing for the Nats in the bottom of the first, but that doesn't mean there wasn't a significant development: Jayson Werth drilled a ball to the gap in right-center in his first at-bat off the DL. Rick Ankiel chased it down at the wall (as he always does) but the fans applauded Werth as he retreated to the dugout, recognizing that he just made really solid contact (an encouraging sign, obviously). Scoreless after one.

7:35 p.m. — Ian Desmond with his eighth homer of the season (and second in as many games), a bullet down the left-field line. Unfortunately, there was nobody on base, so it's yet another solo homer. But the Nats are up 1-0 after two.

7:41 p.m. — Nice double play turned by Zimmerman, Lombardozzi and LaRoche to end the top of the third. Zimmermann is now at 43 pitches through three scoreless. FYI on the plan at second base: Davey said he didn't want to throw Anthony Rendon to the wolves tonight because he had just flown in from Syracuse and got little sleep. But he's expected to be at second base tomorrow night and take over everyday duties moving forward.

7:57 p.m. — Well, so much for a dramatic offensive explosion from the Werth-bolstered Nats lineup. The only man to reach base through four innings is Desmond, who homered. Fortunately, Zimmermann is cruising along hmself with four scoreless innings. So the Nats still lead 1-0 as we go to the fifth.

8:14 p.m. — Chase here taking over for a bit as Mark is writing something about the Biogenesis report. The Mets got on the board in the fifth inning, taking the lead of a Quintanilla RBI triple. He batted home Valdespin who reached on a single and Ankiel who reached on a throwing error by LaRoche. Zimmermann got out of the jam with Quintanilla on third, but the Mets now lead 2-1.

8:20 p.m. — You know a lineup is struggling when Jeremy Hefner takes a one-hitter into the fifth inning. Lombardozzi finally got the Nats lineup their second hit with a two-out single, but a Suzuki lineout ended any hope of getting a rally going. Hefner is through five now having thrown only 63 pitches (43 strikes).

8:27 p.m. — 1-2-3 inning for Zimmermann who retired Wright, Duda, and Buck all on balls put in play. The right-hander will now lead off the bottom of the sixth with the top of the order behind him.

8:41 p.m. — Mark back at the con. Be sure to read by article on Gio Gonzalez and the Biogenesis story, just posted on the homepage. Meanwhile, stop me if you've heard this one: The Nats put men in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth and failed to bring them home. Zimmerman struck out at a 92 mph fastball down the middle from Hefner. Then after LaRoche walked to load the bases with two outs, Desmond grounded out weakly to third. That sums up not only tonight but the entire season for the Nats, who still trail 2-1 as we move to the seventh.

8:54 p.m. — Seven innings in the books and the Nats produced all of four hits and a walk against Jeremy Hefner, who entered 1-5 with a 4.74 ERA. So that's now seven TOTAL walks drawn over their last eight games. That's not good. Still 2-1 moving to the eighth.

9:02 p.m. — You couldn't ask for much more out of Zimmermann tonight: 8 innings, 0 earned runs, 4 hits and 1 walk. But barring a late rally, he's in line for the loss. Still 2-1 Mets.

9:10 p.m. — Nothing happening in the bottom of the eighth for the Nats. They've now gone down in order five times in eight innings tonight. They've had two outs and nobody on base in seven of the eight innings.

9:19 p.m. — Last chance for the Nats. It'll be Zimmerman, LaRoche and Desmond in the ninth against Bobby Parnell.

9:33 p.m. — Nats win! Nats win! They stormed back to do it in the bottom of the ninth. Zimmerman doubled, took third on a wild pitch, then scored on LaRoche's RBI single to right. Desmond doubled, and after Bernadina was intentionally walked, Lombardozzi lofted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring LaRoche with the game-winner. Final: 3-2.

331 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 331 of 331   Newer›   Newest»
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 331 of 331 Newer› Newest»
Ghost Of Steve M. said...

I don't believe Braun did anything wrong. It's a witch hunt since he got off the first time.

ehay2k said...

Braun got caught before, but got off the hook on a technicality. This time, major pain for him. And the Yankees probably couldn't be happier to save ARod's salary for 100 games.

From Biogenesis papers shown to date ot only was Gio not named as a client - his dad was - even his dad only got diet meds. Now if C.C. Sabathia had gotten the same stuff, it could be considered performance enhancing.... :-)

Eugene in Oregon said...

The key issue -- assuming Mr. Bosch was distributing PEDs to some or all of these players -- is how did they avoid detection. It would be worth a plea bargain with one or more of them to get that information.

Eric said...

"GG got only legal substances."

If this this true, then his immediate tweets were completely boneheaded...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Infielders gone bad a hit awarded on an E1 then an E3 that would have been a 3 unassisted to end the inning.

Unknown said...

we just love to give extra outs don't we?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Darn errors.

Eugene in Oregon said...

Giving aways outs. Giving away runs.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

2 uneraned runs agsin. We give up way too many unearned runs.

Even with Desi in the field these poor plays would occur.

SCNatsFan said...

Giving runs away. This team just shoots itself in the foot night after night after night.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I wrote desi meant espi.

BxJaycobb said...

Unreal. Team just looks for ways to lose this year. Did an inning like that EVER happen last year? I don't remember back to back crappy defensive plays leading to multiple runs.

David Proctor said...

Damn Kurt that ball hard.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

2 lefties put grounders right by ALR is he to far off the line.

David Proctor said...

"Unreal. Team just looks for ways to lose this year. Did an inning like that EVER happen last year? I don't remember back to back crappy defensive plays leading to multiple runs."

It happened. It happens to every team at some point. The problem is it happens WAYYYYYY too much this year.

SCNatsFan said...

Well two things haven't changed. Our starters need to be perfect and we can make any pitcher, no matter how his season is going, look like Cy Young.

Lets hope one thing that changes is that this team doesn't roll over and sleep thru the last three innings.

Eric said...

"Even with [Espi] in the field these poor plays would occur."

And even with him out of the line up our offense sleeps...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Eric I was about to mention the ghost of Espi.

Of course my number ,1 problem is Eck and he is still here.

ehay2k said...

You can shuffle the deck chairs all you want, but if the TitanEck is going down, it's going down!

baseballswami said...

In honor of the roster moves the team decides to honor Danny Espinosa by imitating him at the plate. You -- cannot--- win---- games---- by ---- scoring---- only ---- one -----run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Ehay you and I are singing dame song.

Hugh Hefner could pitch against us.

David Proctor said...

Nice AB by Werth.

Eric said...

Welcome back Jayson!

OK RZim, do your thing!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Zim men on for you.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Hanging slider wasted

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Fast ball very hittable spot.

What a wasted at bat.

phil dunton said...

Zim-- Mr. Clutch!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Just need a single, will accep more.

SCNatsFan said...

With every one of these at bats I feel like the season is on the line

phil dunton said...

Even marginal pitchers are lights out against this feeble offense.

David Proctor said...

Wasted opportunity.

SCNatsFan said...

Wasted season

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

As usual we have so little hitting with RISP

Rizzo take the next step get us a real hitting coach.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Shamefulness.....

Unknown said...

Rizzo & company forgot to DFA Eck...they must have only read page 1 of the 2 page memo from Papa Lerner.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Where is the big hit when you need it.

David Proctor said...

Valdespin is a freaking Nats killer. Jesus.

nats guy said...

By past performances this year the game is now over as they have not won a game when behind after the 6th inning. Time to break the string now. I mean now.

David Proctor said...

Hey Zook got someone!

Eric said...

I have the sense the Nats are staying to finally get truly, deeply, frustrated. Suzuki's throw said it all. That's the attitude they all need to adopt.

David Proctor said...

Desmond looked disgusted after his groundout. Last night someone tweeted him that they wanted to see some runs and he said "join the club, bro."

David Proctor said...

8th is going to be our only shot. Rendon, Span, Werth.

SCNatsFan said...

I'm waiting to start hearing people booing on tv. It just can't be far off.

David Proctor said...

Booing would help nothing. It would just make guys press more and that's the last thing we need.

Eric said...

This is just absolutely maddening. It's getting to the point where the only bright spot is that my interest in and support for the team is utterly unwaning. I was kinda curious how my new found obsession would hold up in a prolonged period of poor play... At least now I know...

SCNatsFan said...

I don't know if they could be pressing more

David Proctor said...

Hey, we haven't walked off yet. That's going to happen sometime. :)

ehay2k said...

Well, the pitching is worth watching, too bad pitchers for BOTH teams always look awesome. :-P

nats guy said...

No fight in this team. None at all. I feel very sorry for Jordan Zimmerman. Doesn't deserve to lose. These guys have quit. Bunch of quitters.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Yep, making the Mets pitcher look like a Cy candidate.

David Proctor said...

They haven't quit.

JaneB said...

David, a walk-off would be awesome!

Unknown said...

boo the poop out of em, can't hurt since cheering doesn't work...have to think it's coming.

nats guy said...

David,

The results speak otherwise.

SCNatsFan said...

A walk off could change the season. If things ARE going to turn then why not tonight?

ehay2k said...

I'm not ready to boo them - they have to stop laying hard, and I have not seen that yet. I doubt we will.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Love seeing the double barrel in the bullpen. Glad they can wait for the next inning.

Unknown said...

Jzim, should lay into all of them right now, this is maddening.

baseballswami said...

Just what this team needs,Jane. This game would be within reach in a normal universe in a normal season. But in this season which has somehow been cursed? It is almost not believable how many things are going wrong with regularity. I continue to be shocked. You would think the odds would occasionally be with us. Sigh...

nats guy said...

JaneB,

From who, the fans. Zimmermann the only one who has put his game on the field. Where is the spirit from last year.

ehay2k said...

Playing hard, not laying hard, because they have laid quite a few this year. Remember the Elvis wig? This year, Eck brought in a golden sombrero. Explains a lot..-

David Proctor said...

Ugh Tracy instead of Rendon.

David Proctor said...

What a surprise. A popup by Tracy. His days are numbered.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Same results from Chad Tracy. Stop getting under these balls. Can of corn!

phil dunton said...

This is the small ball that Rizzo loves. I hope he is enjoying it! Haven't seen him in the stands tonight......maybe he's busy hiding Eckstein in the closet so the press can't find him.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
David Proctor said...

Zimmerman, LaRoche, Desmond in the 9th. Walkoff time.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

David, I like the sound of that! At least get it into extras!

Eric said...

How the hell was ball 2 not called a strike?

So, so frustrating.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

JZim could be mad except he dropped the ball Valdispin hit. Catch it out on a bang bang play, then Ankiel',s grounder is an 3U.

Thus he allowed those 2 runs to be scored. Outside of that he pitched great.

The offense of course followed their fearless leader Eck

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Clip pitxhed like Luttle Clip did Sunday.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MNF, except JZim pitched his way out of it and a left-handed LaRoche makes a horrible throw to 2nd on an easy play for a lefty. Has to make that throw.

Secret wasian man said...

Game at home, best pitcher on the mound, playing the Mets. 1 run, 4 hits, 2 errors, 2 games under.500 . 7.5 games back. Anything else to say. Good night season.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Please Nats let's get this tied up here and win it on a walk-off.

Secret wasian man said...

No chance. This is the 2013 Nats

ehay2k said...

SWM - it's a little early to call the season. Good moves have been made, now we wait for everything to click.

David Proctor said...

Oh my, I was sure he was out.

Knoxville Nat said...

MNF said " Outside of that he pitched great".

Truthfully he pitched well all night but a lack of run support and some sloppy fielding, some of JZ's own I would add, have put him in position for another loss.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Wowwwwww, RZim safe at 2nd with the ARM out there.

JaneB said...

Please please please do what Ghost says. To go through all these changes and still lose would be awful.

I'm so glad he called him safe. Thought it would go the other way.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

He was safe!!!!

Secret wasian man said...

Get a little tired of waiting..

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Need a wild pitch here!

David Proctor said...

We have to score Zimmerman. No out, a runner at third.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

I am the summoner!!!! Love it!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Man on 3rd no out.

Seen this before

SCNatsFan said...

Please guys don't screw this up

Secret wasian man said...

Holding breath

ehay2k said...

Oh, I tucked already in anticipation.

David Proctor said...

THIS IS A TIE GAME!!!!!

JaneB said...

C'mon IAN!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

And more summoning! Tied the game. Now the walk-off!!!!

Secret wasian man said...

Ok I'll shut up. Now lets win this PLEASE

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

PUT IN A PINCH RUNNER!

David Proctor said...

RUNNERS ON 2ND AND 3RD AND NO OUT!!!!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Would have been game over with a pinch hitter. Darn it Davey.

JaneB said...

Loved WERTH doing the Shark clap!

Secret wasian man said...

Would you have pinched run there.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Eck my man

David Proctor said...

All you have to do is get it to the outfield (except to Ankiel), Lombo.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

SWM, read my comment above. Yes, a pinch runner would have ended it. Kobernus would have scored and game over.

Secret wasian man said...

Lomb from AHS. Can we get a a sac fly. Gotta pinch run Adam here.

Secret wasian man said...

Yeah still not to late to pinch run.

Secret wasian man said...

He's overmatched. Not a clue

JaneB said...

Parnell has already BLOWN the safe, Johnny.

Joe Seamhead said...

Come on, Lombo!

Secret wasian man said...

Ball 7

Joe Seamhead said...

I'm dying here!

JaneB said...

You got this Stevie!

Secret wasian man said...

Hahaha. Sea head me too.

David Proctor said...

WALKOFF!!! THATABOY LOMBO!!!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

LOMBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe Seamhead said...

No heart, my ass!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

SUMMONER!!!!

JaneB said...

YAYYYYY! A come from behind win! FINALLY! I screamed so loud I scared the dog!

Unknown said...

YAY!!!!! but why didn't he pinch run for ALR??

ehay2k said...

What a night for Limbo! Takes over 2b, and walks off with an epic AB!

Secret wasian man said...

Wow we needed that. LOMBO from AHS. My rant worked. Good night everybody

MicheleS said...

WOOOO HOOO WALK OFF

David Proctor said...

What a great AB by Lombo. 8 pitches and a sac fly. Professional at bat.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Im and zim and clip.

Lombo just far enough good job

JaneB said...

Gonna take Mark some time to post an "Instant Analyis"! LOL

Joe Seamhead said...

Way to go,Lombo! Our first walk off!
Trent Jewitt would've stopped Maury Wills. Doesn't matter.

SCNatsFan said...

Finally! Make this the catalyst!

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Great game eh????

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NEW POST

Unknown said...

kudos to David Proctor given his post @ 9:09pm...was going to ask if you could share what you are smoking but i refrained...nice call bro...much needed walk-off win and to hear it was the first of the year, wow!

Anonymous said...

Funny how Nats Guy shut up the moment we do well. GYFNG! David Proctor, GIVE ZAT POSITIVE ENERGY!

Eric said...

Yeeeeeeeeeeeees!

Eric said...

Man, Ray Knight is BEAMING. Awesome!

Eric said...

Did y'all notice how Lombo totally settled down throughout the at bat? Hacked at a couple real high balls early and looked very tense, but from them on seemed very relaxed. Good stuff.

«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 331 of 331 Newer› Newest» «Oldest ‹Older   201 – 331 of 331   Newer› Newest»

Post a Comment