Thursday, June 20, 2013

Game 72: Rockies at Nats

Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Hello from South Capitol Street, which hasn't hosted a ballgame in 11 days. The Nationals at last return to familiar territory after an eventful, not-entirely-successful, 4-5 road trip to Colorado, Cleveland and Philadelphia, hoping last night's dramatic, 11-inning win was the start of a long-awaited hot streak.

Having Jordan Zimmermann on the mound tonight against the Rockies certainly helps the cause. The right-hander is looking to become only the third pitcher in the majors to reach the 10-win mark this season, joining Adam Wainwright and Max Scherzer, but he'll have to put forth a better outing than he did last time in Cleveland when he blew an early 5-0 lead.

Roy Oswalt makes his 2013 debut, having signed a minor-league deal with the Rockies and built his arm back up to shape. There's really no way to know how the 35-year-old will look tonight, given the fact he hasn't appeared in a major-league game since last fall with the Rangers (when he wasn't very good).

I'll be starting the game thread tonight, but then I have to head over to Bethesda for tonight's episode of The Baseball Show, so Chase will take over in-stream. Check back for plenty of updates...

COLORADO ROCKIES 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: Mostly clear, 78 degrees, Wind 9 mph RF to LF
NATIONALS (35-36)
CF Denard Span
2B Anthony Rendon
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche


RF Jayson Werth
SS Ian Desmond
LF Steve Lombardozzi
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Jordan Zimmermann

ROCKIES (37-36)
CF Tyler Colvin
2B D.J. LeMahieu
LF Carlos Gonzalez
RF Michael Cuddyer
3B Nolan Arenado
1B Todd Helton
C Yorvit Torrealba
SS Jonathan Herrera
RHP Roy Oswalt

UMPIRES
HP Joe West (cc)
1B Sam Holbrook
2B Andy Fletcher
3B Rob Drake

7:06 p.m. — We are underway as Jordan Zimmermann fires strike one to Tyler Colvin. Beautiful, 75-degree night for baseball as the crowd files in.

7:15 p.m. — Wow, what a first inning for Zimmermann. Yes, he gave up two singles, but get this: He threw 15 pitches in total, all 15 of them strikes. Not sure I've ever seen anybody do that. Obviously his command is on tonight.

7:25 p.m. — Impressive stuff from Roy Oswalt in his first MLB inning of the season. His fastball sat at 92-94 mph and he struck out both Denard Span (albeit on a pitch well outside) and Adam LaRoche. Anthony Rendon with yet another base hit. The kid continues to shine on the big stage. Scoreless after one.

7:27 p.m. — By the way, if you missed it, here's my 1-on-1 TV interview with Bryce Harper from earlier this afternoon on CSN. Bryce talked about how his rehab is going, what he worried about when he visited Dr. James Andrews and how he'll determine when he returns from the DL.

7:32 p.m. — Two innings down and Zimmermann has hit a rough spot. He's only thrown 25 of 28 pitches for strikes. Terrible command from Jordan. I mean, really, THREE balls? Come on!

7:38 p.m. — Ian Desmond with a home run. I think we've seen that before. Not too long ago, either. This one obviously didn't mean as much as last night's, but it gives the Nats a 1-0 lead nonetheless. That's Desmond's 11th homer of the season, only one behind Bryce Harper for the team lead now.

7:45 p.m. — Three innings down, here's Zimmermann's updated pitch count: 38 pitches, 33 strikes. Unreal.

7:55 p.m. — Good stuff from Oswalt, who has looked sharp through his first three innings (aside from the Desmond homer). We really had no idea what to expect from the veteran in this outing, but I have to say he looks like he's still got it. 1-0 Nats after three, and I'm heading up to Bethesda for tonight's Baseball Show on CSN. Chase, here are the keys to the car. Remember to stay under the speed limit!

8:21 p.m. -- The Nats got another run across in the bottom of the fourth with some timely, two-out hitting. LaRoche led off the frame with a single before Werth and Desmond struck out. Lombardozzi was then able to foul off several pitches before joining LaRoche on base with a single. Suzuki batted LaRoche in with a single that barely left the infield. He hit a grounder to the left side that found room between Herrera and Arenado who both dived, but missed. Oswalt has allowed two runs through four with 78 total pitches (54 strikes).

8:29 p.m. -- Another efficient inning of work for Jordan Zimmermann who needed just 14 pitches to get through another frame. He is at 63 through five innings with no signs of slowing down.

8:44 p.m. -- The Nats padded their lead in the fifth with two more runs across. Span started the inning with a double to right-center and Rendon followed with a single. Both runners were knocked home by a LaRoche triple that bounced through the gap in right field. LaRoche is now tied for second on the Nats this season with two triples. Zimmermann will now take over to start the sixth.

8:51 p.m. -- Another quick inning for Zimmermann who is absolutely carving up the Rockies tonight. He has retired 14 straight batters and has thrown only 72 pitches (56 strikes) overall.

9:05 p.m. -- It's now 5-0 Nats after Zimmermann helped his cause with an RBI. Lombardozzi led the inning off with a double and reached third on a wild pitch by Rockies' reliever Adam Ottavino. Zimmermann then hit a long fly ball to center to bring home Lombo and open the game up even more.

9:16 p.m. -- Zimmermann finally made it kind of interesting by allowing two hits, both with two outs, in the top of the seventh. But he then got out of the frame by getting Torrealba to ground out to Zim at third. Jordan has thrown 89 pitches (69) through seven. We'll see if he can go the distance.

9:26 p.m. -- The Nats couldn't get much going in the bottom of the seventh. LaRoche reached with a one-out single, but went nowhere after a Werth strikeout and a Desmond pop up. Werth has a golden sombrero with four strikeouts tonight, by the way.

9:40 p.m. -- Zimmermann finally found himself in some trouble in the eighth inning after walking Josh Rutledge with one out. The next batter, Tyler Colvin, then grounded to Rendon who made a throwing error looking for the forceout at second. Rutledge went to third and was then brought home by a LeMahieu single to center field. No earned runs for Zimmermann, but the 23 pitches he threw probably means that's it for him tonight.

9:49 p.m. -- Nothing going for the Nats in the bottom of the eighth, but Chris Marrero pinch-hit for Zimmermann so it will be Rafael Soriano for the ninth. Still 5-1 Nats.

9:57 p.m. -- 1-2-3 for Soriano as the Nats move to 36-36 on the year. 5-1 your final score.

267 comments:

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David Proctor said...

Okay, now don't give up this lead please JZimm.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

No worries David... Jordan's got this...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Yep, Jordan Zimmermann can K batters.

David Proctor said...

Come on Jordan.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Jordan doesn't look happy....

Candide said...

Jordan almost never looks happy.

David Proctor said...

Good job Jordan!

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Good on you Jordan... I was never worried..

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

First high stress inning and JZim works out of it. That's what he couldn't do in Cleveland.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Lol... Candide, you're right... The first time I saw him laugh I was amazed...

David Proctor said...

Gotta think Jordan goes 8 and then maybe Drew or Abad comes in to close it out.

David Proctor said...

Not a good day for Ryan.

Unknown said...

RZim, come on dough boy, stop eating pancakes.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Adam looks back on.... This is good...

David Proctor said...

I know you're joking Paul, but I don't get why people call Ryan fat. He's bulky, but he's not exactly Prince Fielder out there.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Golden Sombrero for Werth. Hard to believe after yesterdays dominance.

David Proctor said...

Golden Sombrero for Werth tonight. Just not his night.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Mets take the lead!

MrsB loves the Nats said...

GoSM - Werth is letting everyone else shine tonight.... Well except Ryan as he didnt get the memo...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

David, I like my beer ice cold.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MrsB, I think that's it and he was full from eating face last night.

Unknown said...

DP, not sayin he's fat but do think he could lose a few...my mind goes back to the photo of him at the Daytona 500 where he looks a bit like Phil Mickelson if you know what i mean...am sure someone can find that photo and post a link but what struck me was he didn't look like he was in good shape at all with just 45 days or so until opening day.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I think my favy coach is McCatty... Idk, why though... I get butterflies every time they show him....

David Proctor said...

Bad play by Rendon there.

UnkyD said...

Mick musta went to bed early, tonight?

Unknown said...

AR, get the out!!!!

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Bay play by Rendon... Get the sure out at first....

But he is learning....

David Proctor said...

Rookie mistake costs JZimm there. And now Cargo is up with men on base.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Well that sucks.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Time for Jordan to pick up Anthony...

Secret wasian man said...

C'mon Davey you moron. Get him out of there.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Nasty.... Time for a pop up...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Rendon's error about same time as Espi's hit.

Oincidence?

I think not

Secret wasian man said...

Sorry I was in Cleveland sat when j Zimm was left to long.

David Proctor said...

JZimm is unbelievable.

Unknown said...

mick, where are you bro? he will be back if something goes bad...haha.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

*living room standing O for Jordan Zimm*

Pitched a heck of a game... And picked up Anthony.... Way to go Nats!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
NEWS FLASH!!!! DANNY ESPINOSA SINGLES TO RIGHT RAISING HIS AVERAGE FROM.083 TO .120.!!!!!


That is great to hear!

A DC Wonk said...

Secret wasian man said...

C'mon Davey you moron. Get him out of there.

Just brilliant.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

FYI RZimm ate some face last night with a 1 out double in 11th last night.

Will participate again tomorrow.

Will be in section 313 tomorrow night.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

What a start for JZim!!! 8 complete and he picked up Rendon! Way to do it!

Unknown said...

Secret wasian man said...
C'mon Davey you moron. Get him out of there.

thx SWM, reverse psychology/karma/lock, i do it all the time so we will give you full credit.

David Proctor said...

Haha, I like how Bob was talking about how Lombo never strikes out and then Lombo strikes out on the next pitch.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Gave him one too

David Proctor said...

Not sure I agree with bringing Soriano in. I know he needs work, but he worked yesterday and we may need him in the rest of the series.

Unknown said...

DP, agree, bring in Clip and have Soriano ready if needed.

David Proctor said...

Marrero still without a hit.

David Proctor said...

Clip has worked a lot too (and worked 1.2 yesterday). I'd bring in Abad. It's not really high pressure (4 run lead) and it would help him regain confidence after 2 iffy outings.

Theophilus T. S. said...

Whoever compared Rendon to Boggs owes Anthony an apology. In addition to what he did to his wife, Boggs was one of the worst teammates of his "era" if it could be called that. No one missed him when he was gone.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
Ghost brought up a point on Jordan that I buy totally.

Jordan's two bad starts both came in interleague games on the road where he didn't get to bat and that totally messes with his routine


Thank you. It sounds crazy but he's such a rhythm and routine guy that I think it really has a negatvie effect on him as the game gets into the 3rd inning.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Who pitches tomorrow? SS?

NatsFanSinceStart said...

Yep Still waiting for Marrero to get a hit of some kind -- he just doesn't show his stuff when he gets the chance. Not good for him

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Jordan Zimmermann's lifetime stats against Colorado are mind-blowing. I think he has a near 1.50 ERA lifetime against him now with all wins.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

This has been such a peaceful game.... We need more games like this...

NatsFanSinceStart said...

I really haven't seen Soriano pitch that much - until this year. But I wonder if he's that kind of pitcher that is actually better with more work -- not less work. I wonder if Soriano himself has requested more innings now especially when he hasn't gotten much work as of late.

I've thought that of Clippard -- although I don't think he would agree. But 2011, arguably clip's best season, I believe he was also worked to death by Riggleman, then Davey -- but still, he never pitched better.

Unknown said...

start growing the beards NOW like in the NHL, heck, Matheus and Harper are there, start a trend & get behind each other, builds camaraderie, etc...hey, why not or just eat someone's face.

Unknown said...

wow, safe x10! but we will take it gladly

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

#EatFace What a nice dominant win!

MrsB loves the Nats said...

What a play by Rendon...

Nats win!!!! Love it!!!! 16-10 for the month of June...

Jordan with the lights out pitching... Timely hits and runs.. Great job squad!

NatsFanSinceStart said...

Looking at the beard of Matheus -- he looks completely different. Not sure whether he looks smarter or more country ... haha

NatsFanSinceStart said...

Uh the Nationals are not 16-10 in June.

There more like -9-9

Where do people get the 16-10 from????

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

The more emphatic the ump, the more he is trying to convince himself.

natsfan1a said...

I believe it was a prediction by Mrs. B, for the entire month.

Where do people get the 16-10 from???

A DC Wonk said...

Where do people get the 16-10 from????

The wish is to finish June with 16-10 for the month.

Anna Peregrina said...

Atlanta loses too!!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I mentioned last Saturday

Anna Peregrina said...

Woohoo, hope to see you, Michele.

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