Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Instant analysis: Nats 3, D'backs 2

Associated Press
Jordan Zimmermann allowed two early runs and earned his NL-leading 11th win.
Game in a nutshell: Some early offensive fireworks by each team probably surprised everyone in attendance, but pitching quickly took over after that. Jordan Zimmermann allowed two runs in the top of the first, then put up six consecutive zeroes in his latest dominant start at home. The Nationals chipped away at Wade Miley, getting a run in the first on Ryan Zimmerman's RBI double, a run in the fourth on Tyler Moore's solo homer and the go-ahead run in the fifth when Denard Span and Anthony Rendon singled and Span scored on Zimmerman's double-play grounder. Tyler Clippard tossed a scoreless eighth and Rafael Soriano pitched the ninth to earn his 21st save, give Zimmermann his 11th win and get the Nationals back over the .500 mark, with a chance to sweep the series tomorrow afternoon.

Hitting highlight: He's impressed nearly every game he's played over the last three weeks, but Rendon really stood out in this one. The rookie second baseman had hits in his first three at-bats, a pair of singles to center field and a double to right. He continues to hit the ball up the middle and to the opposite field, showing uncommon maturity for such an inexperienced hitter. Rendon is now batting a staggering .392 (29-for-74) in 18 games since his recall from Class AAA Syracuse. He's recorded multiple hits in 10 of those games. Davey Johnson said earlier in the day he'll face a tough decision once Bryce Harper returns from the DL: Who to bat second, Rendon or Jayson Werth? The way Rendon is going, is there really a question here?

Pitching highlight: The way his evening began, you might have been tempted to worry that Zimmermann was in for some trouble. You should know better by now than to doubt the right-hander, who quickly righted the ship after a two-run first inning and cruised the rest of the night. Zimmermann did what any ace should do: Minimize the damage and keep giving your teammates a chance to come back. He did that flawlessly, allowing only one single and one walk over his final six innings. He departed after the seventh, having thrown 102 pitches and now in line for the win thanks to the Nationals' run support. And by night's end, Zimmermann was rewarded with his 11th victory, tops in the NL and tied for the MLB lead.

Key stat: Zimmermann has yet to allow more than two earned runs in any of his nine starts at Nationals Park this season.

Up next: The series concludes with a stellar pitching matchup Thursday at 4:05 p.m. Stephen Strasburg goes up against left-hander Patrick Corbin, who is seeking to improve to 10-0.

193 comments:

Gonat said...

Jordan Zimmermann an 11 game winner and the Nats are winners of 2 in a row and win the series!

Woooooohoooooooooooo and Untuck and #EatFace

Eugene in Oregon said...

Well done, all around.

David Proctor said...

Why does Soriano torture us?

Gonat said...

Mark Zuckerman @ZuckermanCSN
#Nats win 3-2. Zimmermann is NL's first 11-game winner. Soriano gets 21st save. Nats back over .500 with chance to sweep #Dbacks tomorrow
__________________________

Nice!

Eugene in Oregon said...

And 'let's go Royals!'

David Proctor said...

Patrick Corbin is going to be tough tomorrow but the D'backs have a pretty tough matchup of their own. Hope we can muster "just enough" offense to get Stras the win!

Just wonderin' said...

Why does Soriano torture us?
-----------------

Isn't the preferred term enhanced interrogation?

mick said...

great win, now my pet peeve this game will not sound like I am complaining because of a loss...Werth was terrible tonight...he needs to hit with runners in scoring position. If AZ had tied this game, I would have put a lot of that on him, twice tonight failing to hit with runners in scoring position. Desi's at bats going back to Sunday have not been good. Both of them need to get it going, now!

natsfan1a said...

Sweet, untucked torture.

Faraz Shaikh said...

good going. on to corbin tomorrow!

mick said...

again, Soriano turns me into Fred G. Sanford "its the big one Elizabeth"

David Proctor said...

To be fair, Werth was robbed twice. He hit a ball pretty hard that Didi Gregorious made a great play on and SMOKED a ball that was caught by the third baseman.

mick said...

what is really positive about these 2 wins is that the Nats have beaten a very good team... J Zim just was fanatstic!

Rendon is going to be a super star..Harp and Rendon, our version of ARod and Jeter in their primes!!!

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Whew baby.... Sori has to make things interesting when he is up doesn't he...

Gosh Desi sucked tonight at the plate...

We had 8 hits and held them to only 4 and This wasnt Jordan's best pitch effort at all...

Great win... Won the series but my broom has some cob webs on it... Want to dust it off so we can sweep the DBacks on home....

Royals, do your job tonight!

mick said...

your right David...I was just bugged by his last at bat and Desmonds as well

David Proctor said...

Did you hear what Rendon said in the postgame show? He was semi-joking about not being able to hit home runs but said "I know what type of hitter I am" or something like that and that's a great sign.

mick said...

David AGREED

mick said...

Is J Zim on pace to win 25?

David Proctor said...

He's on pace for about 23 I think.

mick said...

I love the Eat Face...the fun one can have with that is infinite, especially for an old dirt bag like myself hee hee

mick said...

and the fact that Jayson looks like a 1970's throw back adult film star really makes it fun.

Unknown said...

hope weather tomorrow doesn't mess with two great pitchers but if it does, we have stammen, both lefties and storen, and none of them pitched today so that's a good thing.

mick said...

sounds about right David

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

David Proctor said...
Did you hear what Rendon said in the postgame show? He was semi-joking about not being able to hit home runs but said "I know what type of hitter I am" or something like that and that's a great sign.


I've been saying that was the biggest thing for Anthony that Espinosa never learned. You must know what you really are an fulfill that role. I will say it again for the 300th time, Rendon is a contact hitter with gap power. He will get HRs when he hits line drives. That ball would have been a line drive HR if he didn't get under it.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

And we are back on the right side of 500..... Nice... Lets keep this going, shall we!?!?!?

mick said...

you all will love this stat tonight and Angelos will be p----d

over 30,000 at Nats Park as opposed to 18,000 at Camden Yards

whose your Daddy Peter??

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Also did you hear Davey talking about how he should have put Bernadina in RF for Werth in the 8th inning.

Have to wonder if Davey was watching Werth last night late in the game.

I guess he admitted he made a mistake. Not sure if a media member asked him about Werth.

mick said...

Ghost...great point

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

mick said...
you all will love this stat tonight and Angelos will be p----d

over 30,000 at Nats Park as opposed to 18,000 at Camden Yards

whose your Daddy Peter??


Let's BOLD that. Nats had 31,172

Unknown said...

mick @945pm, now that is funny! and good to see you in a good mood....all is well in NI world (for at least another 18 hours!)

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I have got to get that shirt that Jordan wears after every one of his games...

Did T Moore get any action in RF tonight? I didn't see/hear his name called....

mick said...

Ghost, God bless you!!!!


also, how bout Tyler Moore!!

David Proctor said...

Tyler had one ball hit to him I know (in left, not right). There were a few that he could have got but Span called him off.

mick said...

paul brandt said...
mick @945pm, now that is funny! and good to see you in a good mood....all is well in NI world (for at least another 18 hours!)


lololo

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Ghost - I missed the DJ presser but was he talking about tonight or last night?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

mick, did you like my point on Rendon or Bernadina for Werth?

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Thanks DP - I meant LF... Thanks...

mick said...

Bernadina for Werth because I think you are right that perhaps Davey is concerned about Jayson

mick said...

frankly...I would like to see Jayson get as much rest as possible

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MrsB, Davey was all smiles. The defensive replacement thing was interesting. I really think the Nats needed Eury or CBrown here just for defensive replacement purposes and Marrero needed to go back or TyMo should have stayed. Made little sense at the time. TyMo at least can play outfield and 1st and Marrero can only play 1st.

It's the small details that tick me off. You can't miss on this stuff.

NatsLady said...

Glad that TyMo is getting out of Span's way. Almost had a nasty collision with him last time around.

David Proctor said...

I'd like to see Brown called up. I know that he doesn't hit for average and he strikes out a lot. But he does have thump if he runs into one (unlike Perez) and he's a good outfielder. Good on the basepaths too.

Unknown said...

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Did T Moore get any action in RF tonight? I didn't see/hear his name called.

MrsB, he didn't, but a gorgeous brunette did run on the filed to give him some but there just wasn't enough time in between innings...sorry, I couldn't help myself...what winning does!

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Oh I totally agree.... I was livid when we called Kobernus up and didnt play him right away (he was hot)... I was livid when we called Eury up and didnt hardly use him...

I'm kinda tired of seeing IF in the OF, of course... Love Werth but that groin is causing him to be a liability.... I would have no issue with an OF of Eury, Span, and Bernadina until Werth can really get there.... But im not sure one can discount Werth's offense right now...

David Proctor said...

"I would have no issue with an OF of Eury, Span, and Bernadina until Werth can really get there.... But im not sure one can discount Werth's offense right now..."

Oh god...the offense would be atrocious.

Theophilus T. S. said...

Hope Strasburg realizes tomorrow's game starts at four not seven and is ready to pitch when Suzuki hands him the ball. Two runs won't beat Corbin.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

mick said...
Ghost, God bless you!!!!


also, how bout Tyler Moore!!

June 26, 2013 9:50 PM


I hate Angeloser. The man is human waste.

NatsLady said...

Taylor Jordan was selected for the Futures Game. (Maybe this was mentioned.) He is the Nats' only representative, so if he comes up, will they have to select someone else?

Futures Game rosters

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130626&content_id=51723158&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

David Proctor said...
"I would have no issue with an OF of Eury, Span, and Bernadina until Werth can really get there.... But im not sure one can discount Werth's offense right now..."

Oh god...the offense would be atrocious.

June 26, 2013 10:00 PM


I agree. When Harper comes back, then you can play Bernie against RHP and Eury against LHP and sit Werth for a while.

Rizzo won't do it but it's the right move to get Jayson healthy.

NatsLady said...

Turtles. The Royals have their bullpen in and already scored a run.
3-1 KC.

David Proctor said...

Adam Kilgore ‏@AdamKilgoreWP 5s
Davey says Bryce Harper fouled a ball off his foot and left his rehab assignment early, but he doesn't expect it to be an issue.


-______________________-. I hope they're just being overly cautious.

NatsLady said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Faraz Shaikh said...

MrsB, I thought JZ was great. even first inning was good. az hitters did not exactly crush the ball. goldy hit seemed very lucky to me.

David Proctor said...

Tie game in Kansas City. Sigh.

baseballswami said...

Everyone down here in Prince Willliam County is having a wonderful time having Bryce around. Everyone is buzzing about it in businesses. Everyone you run into brings it up, people are posting their pix from the game., it's practically a National holiday. The children are especially excited because they can watch him up close. Something about the intimacy of the minors that makes you feel like you are right in the middle of things. Seriously, this has been quite special around here. Fun times.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Far as - Granted, I watched on pitch track but he looked a little all over the place today... Didnt have his usual nastiness but he was solid... I just didnt think this was one of his best outtings... Not taking anything away but I think, we have seen him pitch better before....

And the Barves just tied it up... Idk what the royals BP was doing... Terrible...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Faraz Shaikh said...
MrsB, I thought JZ was great. even first inning was good. az hitters did not exactly crush the ball. goldy hit seemed very lucky to me.


Goldys hit was lucky? Uh, yes and no, where it landed was lucky as it could've been fair or foul but he shortened his swing to serve it into rightfield and that was his plan. It was a great at-bat.

The big point in that AB was in Hill's 11 pitch at-bat that Suzuki couldn't handle the foul tip for a strikeout.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Faraz*

Dang autocorrect...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Darn Royals bullpen.

Faraz Shaikh said...

GoSM, to me it looked like even he did not expect it to fall fair. that Hill at bat was great though.

MrsB, if this was his worst, we all should be very happy.

I do want to see him pitch against Cardinals at some point. I wonder how he will fair against them now. I would expect him to struggle.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

And I'm totally psyched to hear that Ramos comes back soon... Wish The Onion could have seen some more time but definitely looking forward to Wilson's return...

But uhm, so Marerro goes down when Harper comes back? Who goes when Haren and Mattheus comes back, I wonder...

mick said...

I agree Ghost about the details...those are things that could haunt a club down the stretch. as far as Eury goes, can he actually hit? I really have my doubts

mick said...

I am not big on Marerro

Secret wasian man said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Joe Seamhead said...

I'm happy for Tyler Moore, even if I didn't like the call up. Werth has us all nervous, but at the same time his presence seems to instill an intangible of confidence in the team. One thing that has been very impressive, and encouraging, is Ryan Zimmerman's steady play at third. He has made several very good throws in the past week, or so.

Secret wasian man said...

On another not great win tonight. When was the last time Soriano had a 123 inning

Secret wasian man said...

Suppose to say on another note.

mick said...

Secret wasian man

you got that right my man...I have not forgot what you shared with us about how your son was treated by the baltiMORONS

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

mick said...
I agree Ghost about the details...those are things that could haunt a club down the stretch. as far as Eury goes, can he actually hit? I really have my doubts


No, he can't hit a lick but he can bunt and baserun, and play defense and he stays until Jayson is 100% healthy.

mick said...

Ghost...so are you saying Eury will only amount to a utility player if that? that is kinda of my impression

Theophilus T. S. said...

If the Nats are doing OK, Mattheus has a very extended rehab assignment in Syracuse, until September 1. If what Johnson is saying about Garcia is correct, they will both be ready about the same time. Mattheus still has a penance to serve. As the 'pen looks now, they may not need either of them -- unless Garcia looks like he can spot start in the Haren slot. (Don't think so but who can say?)

mick said...

If Bryce and Ramos can stay healthy the rest of the way...I can envision some serious runs being scored

Theophilus T. S. said...

Mick -- In the stadium in Williamsport, Perez would be a slugger. Otherwise, not. And GoSM -- Defense is not what this club needs, espec. if Werth is down for a while. They need as many hitters -- as that term is currently defined for this team -- as they can find. The pitchers, Span, Harper and Desmond can take care of the outs.

mick said...

Theophilus T. S.

good post and I agree

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Mick, think about how the O'town fanbase has changed since the Nats came to town. The class of the O's fanbase changed allegiance to the Nats so the Baltimorons that occupy the stadium there just became a larger percentage of the overall fanbase. They aren't as bad as Phoolies, but they are getting closer.

Eugene in Oregon said...

Swami @ 10:14,

You make it sound like Prince William County, Virginia, is just a buggy ride away from Onamata, Iowa. Careful or you may end up in time warp with the P-Nats playing the 1908 Cubs for the rest of the summer.

P.S. - That's a positive, by the way.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Theo, I'm saying you do it when Harp is back and you do it for a few games. Too many balls falling in front of Werth.

mick said...

Ghost

agreed. I think the Phillies and Philly sport fans in general are in a league of their own when it comes to classless. Generally speaking, I believe Angelos has had more to do with the intense dislike many have towards the O's organization.

mick said...

Eugene in Oregon

good post...time warp...Moonlight Graham...lol

MicheleS said...

WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!! Gonat.. thanks for picking me up..

That was a great game.. Love when Jordo pitches, just amazing.. Good to see Tyler hit (and Rendon!!!!) Love that kid

Jane Elizabeth said...

KC with another big choke....

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

mick said...
Ghost...so are you saying Eury will only amount to a utility player if that? that is kinda of my impression

June 26, 2013 10:29 PM


Until Harp comes back, he just replaces TyMo in LF, Bernadina replaces Werth in RF.

When Harp comes back, I start vs. RHPs Harp/Span/Bernie and against LHP's I start TyMo/Span/Werth and have Werth pulled once the other team goes into the bullpen.

mick said...

Ghost...I like that...the question is, does Davey?

mick said...

the only thing is.. do you really sit Harper out verse lefties?

David Proctor said...

If Harper is 100% when he returns, there's no way I would platoon him.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

I didn't explain that well, you need 2 defensive replacements until Harp comes back but that should've been a few days ago. Like I said, small details.

mick said...

David...I think Ghost is going on an assumption that Bryce may need to rest some games

mick said...

Ghost, I got it that makes sense

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

David, I am sure you are right but I think Harp could use the rest. Davey won't do it. I just think Harp would play much better in a platoon. His #'s vs LHPs has been horrible.

Jane Elizabeth said...

You guys are ridiculous about Angelos. That guy is my hero. Who do you think got us this franchise? Peter Angelos and then all you guys do is constantly bemoan him.

Eric said...

Wow... Holland is NASTY. Or, at least he was right there. It's too bad KC gave up the lead...

Jane Elizabeth said...

Go back and look at the Edward Bennett Williams era of the Orioles. It looked like the team was moving either to DC or close to DC. Instead, it is Camden Yards, close to the highway--no more traipsing through Balmer neighborhoods, which was actually a lot of the charm, as was Memorial Stadium in many ways better than Camden Yards. Anyway, circa 1997, there was no way DC was getting a franchise. It wasn't even on the map and then due to Angelos and Loria, a franchise falls into our lap.

Theophilus T. S. said...

GoSM -- Balls falling in front of Werth haven't cost them a gain (so far), although Werth may have won one. Putting Pick-Off Perez into the game is like sending Lombardozzi to the plate with a stick of linguine. Hide Moore in LF and give the Nats a chance to win.

Jane Elizabeth said...

BTW, interesting not about Moonlight Graham. He played for UNC as an undergrad and then played for Maryland during medical school. Moonlight's brother was the President of the University of North Carolina and went on to become a United States Senator.

Both died with Frank Porter Graham safely the more famous brother but then they made this movie in 1989....

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Theo, you need Werth for the long-term. Let's get him healthy. Play him against LHPs for a week. Get him better.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Bryce Harper ✔ @Bharper3407
Another great night in Potomac! Thank you all for the hospitality, it's always appreciated! One step closer! #blessed

Jane Elizabeth said...

How does KC ever win with this line up?

Section 222 said...

Sounds like a great win. I'm catching up on some highlights and the comments here. Ghost, I'm pretty sure Davey was saying he should have put the Shark in LF an inning earlier. He held off because he wanted to check with Werth to see if Werth wanted to come out. When Werth said he was fine, he felt like he could have sent the Shark in for Moore earlier. Kind of weird to hear Davey admit that he had a brain freeze.

Section 222 said...

I don't think we have room on our bench for a guy who can't hit major league pitching -- whether it's Espi, Marrero, or Perez. It would be nice to have a late inning defensive replacement for Werth, but we need hitters. Hopefully this game is an indication that Moore can get his 2012 form back.

Eric said...

"Ghost, I'm pretty sure Davey was saying he should have put the Shark in LF an inning earlier. He held off because he wanted to check with Werth to see if Werth wanted to come out. When Werth said he was fine, he felt like he could have sent the Shark in for Moore earlier."

That's exactly how I interpreted it.

Eric said...

Of to the bottom of the 10th in KC...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Sect222, I'm glad afterwards Davey knew he brain froze but why does the smaller details get missed. Didn't cost the Nats a game but my bigger point is that the Nats don't need both TyMo and Marrero and could've brought in Eury for defense so you can take both out late in the games.

Jane Elizabeth said...

When the Nats came to DC, the Orioles lost all of their fans who refuse to shout "O" during the National Anthem.

baseballswami said...

Eugene - I did kind of make it sound like the boonies! Very much a suburb of DC, commuters, stress , and all that goes with it. All the more reason why Bryce coming to us is a great. When people fight their way home from work down I95, they don't usually want to go back north. It 's either that, or stay in town, which makes for a very long day.Getting to see Bryce in your own back yard has been fun.

David Proctor said...

Braves lose!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

ROyals win!

ehay2k said...

Ty KC!

baseballswami said...

Royals win!!!!!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Lead down to 5

Eric said...

Royals win!!

Jane Elizabeth said...

Braves lose. KC rocks!

Eugene in Oregon said...

Aaron Crow kinda-sorta wins a game -- in the standings, at least -- for the Nats.

Drew said...

Royals Rule!

Jane Elizabeth said...

Just don't be from out of town in Prince William. They don't's likes outsiders.

Drew said...

Party at 12th Street and Vine.

baseballswami said...

Ah, come on now, it's not exactly Stafford or Fredericksburg!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Have always loved Alex Gordon. He basically did for that walk-off what Goldy did in the 1st inning against the Nats. Just great situational hitting on what you got pitched.

Nattering Nat said...

My last two in-person games have been last Friday, with Stras, and tonight, with JZimm. Felt like 2012, for real, for the first time this year.

For those many complaining about Soriano, would you rather have the O's Johnson? Papelbon? Sure, it's a bit heart attack city, and I hate that, too, but unless/until he actually starts blowing saves, I think we are darn lucky we have him. And I say that as someone still firmly in Storen's corner (he looked fab-u-lous last Friday).

Eugene in Oregon said...

Swami @ 11:17,

I was only there (at P-Nats stadium) once -- to see Chris Marrero play shortly after he was drafted. It was a brutally hot day game and Mr. Marrero was trying -- without much success -- to play the outfield (CF if I remember correctly). But there's something special about minor league ball.

baseballswami said...

I wonder if they even considered walking Gordon?

Unknown said...

Royals win!!!!

baseballswami said...

Eugene- stadium is just dreadful , but some awesome plans in the works for a new one in about two years.,

Jane Elizabeth said...

I was hanging out at the 7-Eleven in Dale City, as is my wont, one day, and well, I could tell you a story. I had on my I heart Honduras shirt and well, this has nothing to do with baseball....

Joe Seamhead said...

Relax...we got this.
GYFNG!!!

sjm308 said...

Just got home from another great win. Not a huge deal but I am 3-0 in the last 3 games my son & I have been to.

Loved a couple of plays by Zimm tonight. His throw to start the double play was perfect and led Rendon right through the bag. His play late on the ball down the line was also nice with no indecision on throwing the ball to first.

Rendon is just a wonderful hitter to watch. I would give serious thought to batting him first and Harper 2nd when everyone is healthy but that probably won't happen.

I also do not think Davey will platoon like Ghost wants but I would be for that as well.

Looking for a sweep tomorrow against a really good pitcher.

One last positive. With these huge crowds at Metro, I needed a place to rest and wait for things to thin out. With the game over by 9:35 or so, I had time, so I checked out the Park Tavern on M right near the Metro Entrance by the Dept.of Transportation. Nice variety of drafts and I went with a Belgian Lager. I had done the Port City Porter at Justin's before the game so I switched up here. Not that crowded and I am hoping all these places will still be around as the area develops. Caught the first train at 10:15 and the station was not that crowded and my wait was all of 2 min. Life is good!!

Go Nats!!

NatsLady said...

Colbert is losing 4-2.. Top of the 6th. Delmon Young made an error earlier in the game to tie it 2-2 but these two runs were all on Colbert, ground rule double and a HR.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

baseballswami said...
I wonder if they even considered walking Gordon?

June 26, 2013 11:24 PM


I was listening to the Royals guys and they said they wondered if Freddi would walk Gordon even though it was LHP/LHB because Gordon hits lefties so well and they said it before they pitched to him.

Glad they didn't walk him!

Eugene in Oregon said...

Imagine if you could put together a team of just the players from the first round of the 2005 draft?

Justin Upton
Alex Gordon
Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Braun
Troy Tulowitzki
Andrew McCutchen
Jay Bruce
Cameron Maybin
Jacoby Ellsbury
Colby Rasmus
Cliff Pennington

A bit heavy on OFs, but you could get by.

Pitching not incredibly impressive, but -- on their better days -- Matt Garza, Chris Volstad, Ricky Romero, and Mike Pelfry would give you enough to let the hitters carry you.

sjm308 said...

WODL - I spent 18 wonderful years in West Virginia. both my boys were born there. I married a WV girl and stayed at the same University in the same town for all 18 years and I was STILL an outsider. Its not just Prince William Country, let me tell you.

Section 222 said...

Nattering Nat, I'm totally with you on Soriano. We're seeing a conventional wisdom develop that Soriano is the second coming of Cardiac Cordero, always making things interesting. Bob and FP perpetuated it tonight, lots of folks here repeat it, and it's just not true. He now has 21 saves. In 7 of them he gave up no hits and no walks. In 7 others, he gave up only one hit or walk. That's two thirds of his saves where there has been only one baserunner or less. His WHIP going into tonight's game was 1.188. That's pretty darn good. Craig Kimbrel's this year is 1.023. (FYI, Clip's is 1.042, Storen's is 1.467. )

The biggest stat for me is his BB/9 - only 1.4.That's a big improvement over his previous years. Storen's this year? 2.6. And Clipp's is a very bad 4.0. And yes, there's have been some scary moments, including last night. But overall, he's been excellent. You just can't expect every save to be clean.

UNTUCK Baby, UNTUCK!

David Proctor said...

Cole Hamels being roughed up in SD. 4 runs in 5 innings.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Eugene, no doubt one of the best position players draft classes ever.

Section 222 said...

By the way, did Kimbrel pitch tonight?

Didn't think so. :-)

Eric said...

"With the game over by 9:35 or so, I had time, so I checked out the Park Tavern on M right near the Metro Entrance by the Dept.of Transportation. Nice variety of drafts and I went with a Belgian Lager."

Thanks for the tip!

baseballswami said...

Did you hear that Bryce fouled a ball off of himself again? He and Span need to play with body armor on.

Holden Baroque said...
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Holden Baroque said...
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sjm308 said...

It is still way early but I just looked at the standings and we are now the 3rd team in the wild card. I had not looked at that for some time because I think there were about 4 teams ahead of us and I thought the only way to make the playoffs was to win our division. I am guessing several teams tailed off. Now, we are still 5 games back in that race as well but we have chances folks, we have chances.

Go Nats!!

Holden Baroque said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
sjm308 said...

My pleasure Eric and maybe we can meet up sometime, if you don't mind drinking with older folk.

baseballswami said...

And speaking of time( well, someone was), the time of game was again very brisk. That's our Jordan.Apparently he felt AWFUL the first three innings. Absolutely terrible command. Oh, the horrors of giving up two runs - and in the first inning! Then he just flips a switch, tells Suzuki to go fastballs because he needed some quick outs. This guy has giant cojones.

Eric said...

I surely don't mind that at all, sjm!

Holden Baroque said...

And then my civil response goes missing!! Go figure.

SJM, I missed seeing you tonight, but maybe next time.

Eric said...

I like how JZimm deflected the ASG question. Did y'all catch that? Hilarious!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Eric yes I caught that. It was great. Should be up on the MASN website soon.

Smoltz on JZim: That guy is filthy!

David Proctor said...

Swami, Bryce just fouled it off his foot. Not his knee or anything. He'll be fine.

Joe Seamhead said...

sjm308, we're not going to be no stinking wild card. We will win the NL East crown again. You'll see!

sjm308 said...

One last post before heading off to bed. I walk by the picnic tables up around 313 and 312 each game I atend. I usually get to my seats about 10/15 min. before game time as I have either spent time at Justin's or the Scoreboard Bar. If there are NI people present, I really would like to stop and say hi but I am not going to just blurt something out. I guess it sounds silly but a small sign or something would help. I know 222 and have also met MicheleS and Wonk but I am old and already have kinda forgotten what the latter two look like. It truly is a shame what age and alcohol can do to brain cells (but I do stay hydrated).

Go Nats!!

Holden Baroque said...

BTW, ERIC, I notice you don't seem to appear in the NIDO "I'll be there!" worksheet. I'm sorry to miss you.

Unknown said...

Nice variety of drafts and I went with a Belgian Lager. I had done the Port City Porter at Justin's before the game so I switched up here. Not that crowded and I am hoping all these places will still be around as the area develops. Caught the first train at 10:15 and the station was not that crowded and my wait was all of 2 min. Life is good!!

Im parched now!

sjm308 said...

Seamhead - you will get all the credit from me and I will bow down when we do. You have been on this from the beginning and no one can crow as much as you when it happens. I am just excited to see us that high in the wild card standings as well. I am not relaxed but I know you think we have this.

sjm308 said...

Scott: one thing I have never experienced at a ball game is being parched. Lots of options (although once you enter the park they get a little pricey.)

Holden Baroque said...

sjm, I always check the picnic tables before the game. Can we make it a convention to be near there for the Anthem? And check the NIDO to see whom we should expect? Just a suggestion.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Was in ,,,317 tonight. The record in my presence the are mow 6-3.

Down only 4 in the loss column.

Need to complete sweep to make my 5-2. In the home stand.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Aaron Hill's walk in first one of the best at bays I have seen this year. Wish the Nsts would learn yo do that a couple times a game as a team.

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

Say what you will about the smaller crowd in Baltimore, but I bet they made more noise than the 30,000+ in Nats Park. I was at the game tonight, and when Soriano was going for the save the place was completely dead. Spring training games would have been louder.

David Proctor said...

Well the Orioles pump in crowd noise through their speakers...so yeah, I'm sure it was louder.

The Nats fan base is still learning. They've gotten much better. Still a long way to go, but they've come a long way.

Holden Baroque said...

I was there and that is just not true. The place wasn't a playoff atmosphere, true, but far from dead.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Plenty of noise in my section , couldn't tell aout the rest of stadium

Holden Baroque said...

I just hate it when trolls come in here and post bald-faced lies.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Agtees

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Sofa I agree both last 2 comments

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

When I see names i dont revognize with pro Oriole commentd I asume it is a troll.

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

Sofa, you could have heard a pin drop between pitches while Soriano was out there. Sure, they cheered the strikes but that was about it.

And I've been to Camden Yards and no, they don't pipe in crowd noise there. Maybe on the TV broadcast they do, but they do the same for Nats broadcasts on MASN.

Drew said...

A note on the minors: I think we should all take note of what a great job the organization does in identifying, developing and advancing unheralded pitchers.

It's not just Taylor Jordan's breakout season.

Taylor Hill, a 2011 sixth-rounder out of Vandy, started this year at Potomac, where he went 6-2 with a 2.99 ERA. The Nats promoted him to Harrisburg, where he won his debut tonight, 7-1.

Blake Schwartz, the 2012 17th rounder out of Oklahoma City University, won two games at Hagerstown and was promoted to Potomac, where he's 6-2 with a 2.72 ERA.

This is no fluke. This organization found and developed Lannan and Stammen, Peacock, Milone and Rosenbaum.

The ability to spot and develop these unsung guys is so valuable. It means you don't need to panic when heralded pitchers like Giolito, Solis and Purke battle injuries.

More importantly, it means you're never Kansas City -- so desperate for arms that it traded away Wil Myers, a move that could haunt the franchise for years.

Holden Baroque said...

Sofa, you could have heard a pin drop between pitches while Soriano was out there.

Bull pizzles.

Holden Baroque said...

There was nearly 32,000 paid for a mid-week game against Phoenix on a night that threatened crappy weather. No, it wasn't like Game Four during Werth's at-bat. It was more than respectable. Quit lying.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Maryland just seems like a welcoming state, compared to the state's around it. We were such good guys that we donated the District of Columbia to the rest of the country and we let Virginia and West Virginia fish in the Potomac. We allow anyone to marry. We allow children of foreigners to go to college just like our own young'ins, We don't have the death penalty and we have medical marijuana and the least expensive alcohol in the country.

Babe Ruth. Lefty Grove. Cal Ripken. Jimmie Fox. Walter Johnson. Match that Virginia.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Tonight was cheap beer night at the ballpark where you didn't have to show up early and you weren't limited to lite beer. Wow, just think if they dropped beer prices in general to say $6 for 16 oz. They might get big crowds every night.

Holden Baroque said...

Well, I don't know about that, WODL. Is $6 cheap enough for beer to draw a crowd? As Harry Caray once said (after a Falstaff's commercial, on mike, thinking it was off), "I don't drink that crap. Ge me two [good beers]."

Depot Master said...

I don't know what William O is thinking but here are the facts: Baltimore was only allowed a team because it was stated that Baltimore was a separate market and would not impact DC. This was the understanding until Angelos turned Charm City into Smarm S__tty.

This man personally hijacked the process of bringing DC a baseball team by claiming (loudly) that the very statement which brought baseball to Baltimore wasn't true - that Washington baseball would impact Baltimore baseball negatively.

He has since made sure that MASN (Which he owns a huge portion of) provides more premium coverage of the O's than the Nats. He's also held up the process of the Nats negotiation a new TV deal so our ability to get another big name player continues to be impacted.

I have nothing against Baltimore or the Orioles. I enjoyed many a game at Camden Yards. But since your dear Mr. Angelos extorted MLB into an agreement that was ridiculously damaging to the Nats future and insurance for his, I have no interest in giving that organization a dime. The moment someone else takes over, I'll be back.

I hope this clears things up and gives you an idea of why there is this level of animosity.

Drew said...

OK WODL:

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, George Mason, Patrick Henry, John Marshall.

And, of course, the greatest Virginian: Ella Fitzgerald.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Why is anyone talking about the orioles.

Noneof csre about them.

Want to talk good about the go to Orioles' Insider not hete.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Lots of slave-owners in your list, Drew, but that is my fault. I never stated that I was looking for ballplayers.

The other thing about Angelos is not true. I was joking about liking Angelos, but I wasn't joking about how his missteps helped get DC a team back.

The Orioles had DC ownership at the time of the last championship in 1983, and it was the DC ownership that started the moves to make over the Baltimore Orioles into the Orioles. Williams then died abruptly and Camden Yards changed the calculations. If they had put the team in say Northern Anne Arundel, then DC probably never gets a team.

Aside from the joint broadcasts, which do seem laughably pro-Orioles, I can never figure out which MASN channel we are likely to be on. We were on MASN1 tonight, when both teams were playing at home. How is that favoring the O's over the Nats?

The fact is that MLB came up with a creative ownership agreement of MASN as part of the negotiations to bring the Nats to DC. We may not like all of it, but we are seeing the evenness factor. DC draws more but the O's own more of MASN. What was creative about the creation of MASN is that neither the O's not the Nats have an incentive to drive the other team out of the area. In a way it is monopolistic, but when the O's do better and MASN's value goes up, the Nats get more money and vice versa. It is probably no accident that they both crashed and arose again at the same time.

Like it or not, the Nats and O's are basically linked in the same way that Duke and UNC are.

SonnyG10 said...

Well, I don't want to be linked to the O's; and I hate that MASN has the rights to both teams. I am hoping Angelos can be sued and forced to give up any claim on Nats TV rights. I will never root for Baltimore as long as this situation exists and as long as Angelos is the owner of the O's. Separate the two clubs TV wise and get rid of Angelos and I could root for the O's as an American League team...but probably not :)

SonnyG10 said...

Also, I do not support that fake rivalry with the O's that has been pushed upon us.

Drew said...

WODL:

Yes, it's true, some of the eight Virginia-born presidents were slaveholders. It is shameful and it is the state's original sin.

I'd check on how many presidents from Maryland were slave owners, but then, Maryland hasn't produced any.

I guess you can take pride in Maryland's Spiro Agnew or Roger Taney. You remember Taney -- the chief justice who wrote the Dred Scott decision.

Depot Master said...

William:

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2012/06/11/Media/MASN-Nationals.aspx

Jane Elizabeth said...

I think the chances of a lawsuit against Angelos is poor unless the Nats try to unravel the whole initial agreement. That would be in poor faith; now if Angelos is arguing in poor faith then that might instigate such a thing. My feeling is that both teams are happy with the increase in values at MASN and they will work this out and go forward.

Aside from that, I think it is ridiculous to expect people who grew up in this area liking the O's to start hating them just because DC got a team. Surprisingly, many O's fans are troubled by some of their number not hating the Nats and adopting them as their favorite team. If they aren't rivals, and they aren't, since unlike the Senators, they don't play in either the same division or league, there is no reason to have to hate them.

I appreciate the O's history. We have shared two managers who were both former O's. Cal Ripken was certainly a DC icon. So if you want me to hate the O's, then I apologize. I can't and won't do it. I would think that my general indifference to the Orioles' outcomes should be enough. My sons may end up hating the O's, so stick around. The dynamics may change.

A DC Wonk said...

Aside from that, I think it is ridiculous to expect people who grew up in this area liking the O's to start hating them just because DC got a team.

And that's not the case.

The case is we hate the owner. I loved following the O's back in the early 80's. It was only when Angelos went full bore trying to stop DC from having a team that I decided I'd never set foot in O's stadium again until Angelos is not the owner.

I'd like to root for them again. Heck, since they are AL, I don't see them as a threat to the Nats -- it could be a fun rivalry of sorts. It's fun to follow a team from each league.

But -- no way. Not while Angelos owns them.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Marylanders don't generally feel the need to pretend that our state was great. We know that it was far from great. We probably would have seceded if Lincoln hadn't kidnapped several of our state legislators.

If we do take pride, it is in knowing that we weren't among the states like Virginia that attempted to prevent black kids from attending school up to the mid-50's or which attempted to prevent blacks and whites from marrying, which Virginia did until 1967. Virginia's Chief Justice of the Supreme Court until about 10 years ago was still the racist author of the mid-60's opinion preventing blacks and whites from marrying, which was a blatant thumbing of Virginia's nose at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Virginia rewarded the writer of the opinion, who was from Falls Church by making him Chief Justice and then the Virginia State Bar started an annual award in his name. Only in the Commonwealth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_L._Carrico#Later_service

But once again, any great ballplayers from Virginia? I know the Phillies manager is from Buena Vista, and David Wright and Ryan Zimmerman are from Virginia, but it seems to lag in all time greats, but I may just be unaware....

Drew said...

WODL:

I take a measure of pride in hailing from Arlington, which refused to go along with Massive Resistance to desegregation.

As for Hall of Famers, Maryland's got Virginia, but the recent crop of Virginia ball players is impressive: Justin Verlander, Zimmerman, Wright, the Uptons and Michael Cuddyer, to name a few.

Jane Elizabeth said...

People make it sound like Angelos fought for 40 years to keep baseball out of Washington. It is not true. First of all, the Orioles were only one of two teams that voted against allowing the Senators to move to Texas. Second, it was DC that appeared to be attempting to steal the O's, all the way up to about the end of the 80's. Then, until about the time, Cal Ripken retired, the entire region was pretty satisfied with Camden Yards and the O's. This satisfactions diminished gradually from 1997 which was a peak for the O's after the building of Camden Yards, until the troubles with the Expos became well known in the early 2000's.

At that point, I will agree that the O's worked for a while to keep baseball out of DC. What would you expect them to do given that DC was a quarter of their paying fanbase and maybe more of their fanbase in general? That is simply not realistic to expect them to just say, "okay, take 30 percent of our fans. We don't need them." Bud Selig was going to abolish the Expos and the Twins, if that isn't irony, so hate him too.

The fact is that Congress put on pressure and everyone found a way to get a deal done. We might have wished for a different deal but this was the one that got done. We would have gotten no team if MLB had had its way, and MLB is sincerely glad today that it didn't contract. There is no point in holding a grudge against an owner who acted exactly the way that any other owner would.

Metro New York City could easily support three teams. They have 3 hockey teams. Would you expect the Mets to say, "come on in, Marlins, move to Long Island, Take a huge chunk of our fans and pay us zero for it.? MLB is in essence, a monopoly with spoke monopolies around the country. It makes no sense to "hate" an owner for protecting his economic interests.

Jane Elizabeth said...

North Carolina had Catfish Hunter and the Perry brothers. South Carolina had Joe Jackson. Pennsylvania hashad a lot of great players but it is a pretty big state too. Baseball is huge in eastern North Carolina and central Maryland.

mick said...

William O. Douglas Loeffler

love your posts...very good!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Still hate Angelos.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

WODL, I'm glad you stated that you were joking about Angelos. Devil incarnate.

Eric said...

I still like the O's. They were a huge part of my childhood.

But, I don't at all like how Angelos has approached the Nats coming to DC. I agree that it's pretty SOP for a cutthroat business person, and that it's understandable on that level, but I'm not about to praise him for it.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Would we have gotten a team if Davey and the O's had won it all in the mid to late '90s's? It was strange how quickly the O's went from being the team for DC to being an afterthought. You saw Ripken's face in the DC area more than any Redskins back then. Even if the O's hadn't crashed, one wonders if the Expos wind up in DC.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Thanks Depot and Drew. I appreciate the info and discussion.

Drew said...

Sure thing, WODL.

Keep the crab cakes and Barry Levinson movies coming.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Why have we left baseball? This sounds like my classroon, which is the correct place for it.

Jane Elizabeth said...

And Natty Bo, but that is made in North Carolina now.

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