Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Game 101: Pirates at Nats

Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Davey Johnson hasn't been given his regulars very many days off lately, certainly not with the Nationals struggling so mightily to score runs. But there's no question a few guys could probably use a breather, so tonight two of the biggest names from the lineup are sitting: Bryce Harper and Ian Desmond.

We'll find out Davey's reasoning in each case. It's not all that surprising to see Harper get a day off against a tough left-hander in Francisco Liriano. But it is surprising to see Desmond sitting against this pitcher. Again, we'll see what the reason is in each case.

The benching of those two leads to some other changes, most notably Anthony Rendon sliding over to shortstop for his first career start at that position. Steve Lombardozzi will be at second base. Scott Hairston, meanwhile will be leading off and playing left field.

Oh yeah, and Stephen Strasburg is on the mound, trying to stop this five-game losing streak. Updates to come, so please check back...

PITTSBURGH PIRATES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 186
Weather: Partly cloudy, 81 degrees, Wind 10 mph in from LF
NATIONALS (48-52)
LF Scott Hairston
SS Anthony Rendon
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Jayson Werth
1B Adam LaRoche
C Wilson Ramos
CF Denard Span
2B Steve Lombardozzi
RHP Stephen Strasburg

PIRATES (59-39)
LF Starling Marte
2B Neil Walker
CF Andrew McCutchen
3B Pedro Alvarez
1B Garrett Jones
RF Travis Snider
C Michael McKenry
SS Clint Barmes
LHP Francisco Liriano

UMPIRES
HP Mike Estabrook
1B Mike Winters (cc)
2B Laz Diaz
3B Tim Timmons

7:08 p.m. — And we're underway on an absolutely gorgeous night for baseball in the District. 81 degrees and low humidity on July 24?! I don't know what we did to deserve this! Stephen Strasburg starts off Starling Marte with a fastball for strike one.

7:13 p.m. — That's an 11-pitch top of the first for Strasburg, who struck out Marte on a 97 mph fastball and then got Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen to fly out. He's going to need to be dominant today, unless he wants to count on run support, which he probably doesn't want to do.

7:24 p.m. — The good news: Scott Hairston drew a leadoff walk. The bad news: Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth couldn't even advance him past first base. Such is the state of the Nats lineup these days. Scoreless after one.

7:37 p.m. — Strasburg threw a 96 mph fastball right down Broadway to Pedro Alvarez, and the result was, well, quite predictable. Alvarez destroyed the pitch, launching a laser over the fence in right-center to lead off the top of the second. That's his 26th homer of the season and it puts the Nats in a 1-0 hole.

7:52 p.m. — Strasburg isn't holding back tonight. He's got four strikeouts through three innings and dialed it up to 98 mph to get Marte swinging for the second time tonight. Five in a row now retired by the right-hander. Still 1-0 Pirates heading to the bottom of the third.

8:00 p.m. — Three innings down and the Nats are still looking for their first hit off Liriano. They really haven't come that close yet, either, aside from maybe Zimmerman's flyball to deep left in the bottom of the first. Still 1-0 after three.

8:26 p.m. — Five strong innings from Strasburg, who has allowed only Alvarez's earlier home run. But it's not going to mean much of anything if his teammates don't get a hit off Liriano. Which they have yet to do. 1-0 heading to the bottom of the fifth.

8:31 p.m. — And that's a five-pitch bottom of the fifth for Liriano, who is just carving up this depleted Nats lineup. He's issued two walks, but that's it so far for the lefty. Seventy-five pitches. Nats still trail 1-0 heading to the sixth.

8:38 p.m. — Can't fault Strasburg tonight. He's been fantastic, striking out eight through six innings and not allowing a hit since the second. He's at 91 pitches, and he remains in line for the loss with Liriano dealing. 1-0 heading to the bottom of the sixth.

8:52 p.m. — Good news: The no-hitter has been broken up. Rendon hit a hot smash to the left of third base, and Alvarez couldn't hang on after a diving stop. Zimmerman then drew a walk, putting two on with two out for Werth. The bad news: Werth struck out looking at a 1-2 pitch on the outside corner. I don't know if it was a strike, but I'll say this: It was identical to Liriano's previous pitch, which had been called a ball by Mike Estabrook. Big leaguers don't expect umpires to be perfect. They do expect them to be consistent, which Estabrook clearly wasn't there. Oh, by the way, the Nats are now 6 for their last 79 with runners in scoring position. Is that good? Still 1-0 after six.

9:02 p.m. — And Liriano goes right back to carving up the Nats, retiring the side in a very quick bottom of the seventh. So it remains 1-0 as Strasburg takes the mound for the eighth inning for only the third time in his career (all this season).

9:08 p.m. — That'll do it for Strasburg, who pitched an absolute gem: 8 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 12 K, 118 pitches. And he's in line to take the loss. Still 1-0 heading to the bottom of the eighth.

9:21 p.m. — Hey, the Nats got another hit! Their second of the night, as Lombardozzi singles to center to lead off the bottom of the eighth. And that's all they got. Kurt Suzuki, pinch-hitting for Strasburg, put down a sacrifice bunt, moving Lombardozzi to second base. Liriano then struck out Hairston looking at a pitch at the knees. Clint Hurdle summoned lefty Justin Wilson to face Rendon, and he got Rendon to pop up to end the inning. So, if you've lost track, the Nats are now 6 for their last 81 with runners in scoring position. Still 1-0 going to the ninth.

9:43 p.m. — And this just turned into a 4-0 game in the ninth. Drew Storen and Fernando Abad combined to allow three runs and turn this into basically an insurmountable lead for the Pirates. Nats down to their last three outs now.

10:00 p.m. — It's over. Nats lose 4-2 after Werth crushes his fifth homer in four days, their sixth straight loss and 11th in 13 games. They're 5 games under .500.

407 comments:

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A Fly Moses said...

On the plus side, this is the first time all season we'll have a competent bench. So that's nice...

Tcostant said...

Much rather have seen ALR sit instead of Desi.

Nats106 said...

Agree with you Tcostant-regarding the article with players needing a break, didn't we just have an extended all star break just a week ago? Seems much longer.

phil dunton said...

After nine seasons, managemwnt still hasn't solved the lack of a decent lead-off hitter problem. It started in 2005 with Endy Chavez and continues with Denard Span with lots and lots of other duds in between.

Nats106 said...

Hairston batting leadoff with that whopping .167 average (or whatever it is)? Well, he did hit the ball hard Sunday right at 3B and SS, so maybe it will work.

natsfan1a said...

A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you..."

Um, what was it again? "Sometimes you" - it's right on the tip of my tongue. Oh yeah, right. Now I remember.

"Sometimes you *win,* sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains."

Think about that for a while. Um, yeah, anyway. I'll take door number two, if you don't mind. Yeah, that would be real nice.

Section 222 said...

The blogger Harper has an interesting piece up about how infrequently our best reliever (Clipp) has been used in high leverage situations. Worth a look.

Nats106 said...

Yes, that's Baseball 101. And since it's game 101, a win would be nice.

Don said...

Rendon is playing SS? I get sitting Harper agaisnt a nasty leftie in Liriano, but would not Lombo be the back up SS right now?

natsfan1a said...

Actually, it's Bull Durham. :-)

Nats106 said...

Yes, that's Baseball 101. And since it's game 101, a win would be nice.
July 24, 2013 3:41 PM

Anonymous said...

"Fun" fact: In his very first MLB start on 9/7/05, Ryan Zimmerman committed two errors while playing shortstop. He has not played SS for even one inning since that night. Good luck, Anthony.

Anonymous said...

Conventional wisdom would indicate that Steven better set his mind on pitching a shutout, and hope a Nat hits a dinger. OTOH, conventional wisdom doesn't necessarily apply to baseball.

MikeinDC said...

Who's on Davey-watch tonight? With this lineup, we need to keep a close eye on him.

Secret wasian man said...

I like the lineup. Heck if this doesn't work let Teddy play. I glad Desi is out. Are they charging Bowie Baysox prices tonight?

timeless46 said...

Did Rendon play SS in any minor league game? I really do not understand having him play short right now. The kid is still trying to learn second, and he is slumping a little to boot. Why make it any harder on him. You want play Lombo (dont ask me why?), then sit Laroche against a tough Left hander, not Desi. And, does this mean Rendon is the back up SS? Oh well.

Anyway, the Turnaround starts tonight. GYFNG!!!

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Why in the world is Hairston leading off? And Im not so sure about Rendon at SS...

But if it leads to a win, I will be the first to eat crow, as long as chocolate is on the side...

Secret wasian man said...

Slidell2. Conventional wisdom has us 4 games under .500. They should have never brought in Billy Taft as a 5th president. FDR in his wheelchair would have worked

Section 222 said...

On the plus side, this is the first time all season we'll have a competent bench.

And some great late-inning defensive replacements if by some miracle we get a lead.

Secret wasian man said...

Seriously folks? Why is anyone questioning this lineup? Nats had 3 hits last night. 3 HITS. At least Davey is trying. 6. 2. Nats win.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Yeah, Rendon can play third. Rendon can play second. Shortstop is right in between second and third, so no way Rendon can play short.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

222 - We are scoring 7 in the 2nd inning... I am burning sage as we speak...

MicheleS said...

According to Julie Alexandria's twitter,Ian's got a nasty blister that broke open yesterday on his hand

Pilchard said...

Fact is that no Nats pitcher has bigger problems dealing with defensive lapses than Strasburg. Giving Rendon his first MLB start at SS with Strasburg on the mound is a potentially explosive situation.

BTW, Rendon has played 1 game at SS in his professional career. Not sure if he ever played SS at Rice. Really surprising move in light of Davey comments yesterday about Rendon's error at 2B: It takes at least 80 games at 2b to learn the position. So, the next day Rendon makes his MLB debut at SS.

With all that said, this team is not going anywhere. So, why not mix things up.

A DC Wonk said...

Two best comments so far:

A Fly Moses said...

On the plus side, this is the first time all season we'll have a competent bench. So that's nice...

and (someone with whom I've rarely agreed)

Secret wasian man said...

Seriously folks? Why is anyone questioning this lineup? Nats had 3 hits last night. 3 HITS. At least Davey is trying. 6. 2. Nats win.


And one I disagree with:

Pilchard said...

Fact is that no Nats pitcher has bigger problems dealing with defensive lapses than Strasburg.


That's old stuff. Not anymore. He busted that monkey.

A DC Wonk said...

MicheleS said...

According to Julie Alexandria's twitter,Ian's got a nasty blister that broke open yesterday on his hand

Well . . . there ya' go.

As for playing SS, I suppose if Rendon has a stronger arm than Lombo . . .

A DC Wonk said...

Folks, I just want to repeat a tidbit from prior thread . . .

On June 22nd — one month ago — the Dodgers were 11 games under .500 and last in the NL West (31-42). Now they are 5 games over .500 and in first. (52-47)

Just takes a nice win streak to get things going.

Although, that ain't happening until our bats come back from the dead . . .

OTOH, maybe a couple of shutouts from our big three will buy some time for the bats ;-)

Anonymous said...

A Fly Moses said...

"On the plus side, this is the first time all season we'll have a competent bench. So that's nice..."

Best post of the day right out of the gate. +1 or whatever they're doing to compliment people on the internet these days.

Section 222 said...

They brought Rendon up after 3 games of 2B experience at Syracuse and he's done fine. Not perfect, but fine. Since it sounds like Desi is injured, the question is who do you put at short. I'd much rather have Rendon's arm and athleticism there than Lombo's. It's a stopgap measure, not a permanent move.

And he did play SS until college if I'm not mistaken.

baseballswami said...

Poor Stras. He cannot catch a break this season. I am naming this " The Season of Building Character".

Knoxville Nat said...

For all of you asking why ALR is not sitting against a tough lefty ho would you rather have at first base tonight, Chad Tracy? I think not.

Knoxville Nat said...

And that should be "who" not "ho".

Nats106 said...

Pilchard, when you say explosive, do you mean Stras' seeming inability to get over defensive errors and lapses which result in a less than optimal pitching performance, or something else?

And I heard Johnson as well saying it takes 80 games to learn 2nd so that move as well mystifies me. I certainly feel like we are in Bizarro world with the Nats, but as MrsB said, if Rendon makes no errors, Hairston gets on base 3 times and the Nats win, I'll eat crow.

Somehow I don't think I'm going to be spitting out feathers, though

Section 222 said...

Wonk, I love your optimism, but it's never been a question of whether it is theoretically possible for the Nats to get out of the hole they have dug themselves over the first 100 games. It's whether this team is capable of doing that. Do you see any sign, since we have been no better than 4 games over .500 since April 12, and have won no more than 5 straight all season long, that we are capable of the kind of hot streak that is needed at this point?

I'm afraid I don't.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Must be showcasing Lombo for a July 31 trade.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Looking at this lineup, I can only say one thing:

"Two tickets for Bora Bora. Yes, leaving Aug. 15."

Tcostant said...

Mark Zuckerman tweeted @ZuckermanCSN
Davey says Taylor Jordan has about 20-30 innings left this season before he's shut down.

According to Boswell Rizzo hates when Davey discloses stuff like this. I think Davey is trying to yank Rizzo's chain after firing his friend...

Alphabet Soup Erik said...

DC Wonk-Dodgers added Hanley and Puig, who both hit .400 for over a month...who are we adding to the lineup to do that? I still think they are in it, but they have about 2 more games to turn this around before it is too late. I would personally love to see them try to get Soriano from the Cubs...that guy can still carry an offense for a week or two and he loves the hot weather.

Don said...

Not sure I'd take Rendon over Lombo at any position other than 3B, but neither guy has played much SS at all. Maybe Davey is thumbing his nose in yet another way at Rizzo by bringing out the fact that the club has no infielder on the roster beyond Desi who can glove SS. Who knows. I hope Redon makes the plays, as the kid is a rookie trying to help a struggling club with big expectations, it is not like he needs his confidence crushed for the sake of some Davey vs Rizzo ego battle.

A DC Wonk said...

baseballswami said...

Poor Stras. He cannot catch a break this season. I am naming this "The Season of Building Character".

For the players, or for the fans? ;-)

Tcostant said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
That would put Jordan somewhere around 150 innings which is alot for a guy who has never pitched 100 innings and is coming off TJ.

Rizzo would say the same thing if asked.

Me: More like Rizzo would say something like we have a number in mind, without giving an actually number. Based on Stras last year.

Joe Seamhead said...

ASsNatsJack said, Rendon got reps at short in spring training. Before his college coach moved him to 3rd he was a Texas All-State shortstop, so , though not the same as MLB, the position isn't totally alien to him.
I'm not very confident about tonight at all.Liriano hasn't exactly been throwing batting practice lately.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

So this is the anti-Rizzo lineup devised out of spite by Davey?

And you don't think this FO has enough dysfunction to keep the Washington Psychiatric Institute booked fully for six months?

A DC Wonk said...

Section 222 said...

Wonk, I love your optimism ... Do you see any sign ... that we are capable of the kind of hot streak that is needed at this point?


No. But I suspect that the Dodger fans didn't see any signs either.

But what I do see are a bunch of hitters far below their historical averages. If they can start hitting (and I'm as mystified as the next person as to why they aren't) they can get a bunch of wins. Out of nowhere they starting hitting really well in the second half of last year.

I'm not betting they will, but I think it's a lot less far fetched than most think.

As the old saw goes: a team is never as bad as they look during a losing streak, and never as good as they appear during a winning streak.

A DC Wonk said...

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

So this is the anti-Rizzo lineup devised out of spite by Davey?


No. Ian's injured and Harper's slumping big-time against lefties.

And you don't think this FO has enough dysfunction...

No.

ptindc said...

Reading through all the comments makes me miss last year. Regardless of the line up that got rolled out, we could count on being competitive. Now, we get down two runs at the start of the game and it seems like there's no way they can come back. Hard to believe where we today are with effectively the same roster.

Eugene in Oregon said...

222 @ 4:30 p.m.,

I'm afraid I have to agree with you. The Nats have now passed several of these noteworthy numbers of games over the past few months -- 40 games = one-quarter of the season; 62 games down, 100 to go; 81 games = halfway through the season; now 100 games played, 62 left -- and each time we've written about the winning percentage required to get back in the hunt or to reach 90 wins or the playoffs. But the reality is the Nats just keeping falling further behind and that 'required' winning percentage just keeps getting higher and higher.

At the 40 games mark, their winning percentage was .525 and they were one game behind the Braves. At the 62-game mark it was .500 and they were 7 games back. At the 81-game threshold there was an ever-so-slight uptick (41-40 record and 6.5 games back), but at 100 games the Nats are at .480 and 8 games back. There's just no real sign that the team is going to turn it around this season.

But that happens in baseball. And -- as someone pointed out recently -- even well-constructed teams sometimes have 'sophomore slumps' (I think the example given was Tampa Bay). I'm not ready to throw in the proverbial towel, but I've ratcheted down my expectations significantly.

baseballswami said...

Good luck to Stras and his posse tonight. At this point some well placed luck might be just the ticket. I hope they are ignoring any front office politics and I also hope they are open to the new coach , who they already know. Maybe he will see something helpful or be able to communicate something in a new way. I am thinking positive thoughts for light bulbs going on and "aha!" moments.

David Proctor said...

Some great discussions today. I have to say though, some of the trade discussions are just comical. Why in the world would you trade a guy like Espinosa or Storen when their values are at an all time low? Or with LaRoche, what exactly do you think you're going to get for a 1B? Not exactly in high demand...I think the Mariners have about 5 1B/DH types on their roster alone.

You need two teams to trade and you need to get a decent return for it to be worthwhile. Especially when, with LaRoche at least, you'd have to eat some salary.

Secret wasian man said...

So the, " it's only April" crowd doesn't like this lineup. Well, for first time in 3 weeks I'm actually excited about watching the game.

Section 222 said...

Good recap Eugene. We've waited all season long for them to catch fire, and they haven't. Getting Bryce and Ramos back in the lineup was a minispark -- we won 5 of 7 and 6 of 10 after Bryce's return. But it's been pretty much all downhill after that.

Remember when Rizzo crowed on the radio that we had won 8 out of 13 games, and some of us were unconvinced that his selective sample meant the Nats had turned things around? That was on July 3. Since then, we've lost 11 of 16 games.

John C. said...

So, let's see: Against a tough LHP Desmond is unavailable to play because a large blister burst on his hand (get well soon, Ian!).

Let's review the alternatives: Zimmerman (hasn't played SS since 2005, shoulder woes earlier in the season); Lombardozzi (has played 2 games at SS in the majors, 20 in the minors, only 1 game since 2011; lacks arm strength, inexperienced at SS) and Rendon (Played one game at SS in Syracuse in 2013; strong 3b arm, inexperienced at SS). OK, no clear alternative, keep digging.

Playing Lombardozzi at SS means you have two players in the infield playing at unfamiliar positions instead of just one. Plus, at 2b Lombardozzi's weaker arm can (mostly) get away with his disconcerting habit of hanging onto the ball too long before throwing - that won't play well at SS at all. Seems to me that Davey's call is not just defensible, it's the obvious correct call to make.

Instead, the more hysterical commenters think that Davey is doing this out of spite: "thumbing his nose at Rizzo," preparing to quit by August 15 to depart for Bora Bora, that this is "bizarro world." Seriously?

I know that it's against the basic ethos of the internet, but people should at least occasionally think things through before flinging comments against the wall like this is a primate cage. And for those who posted before Desi's injury was posted, it's the same principle. At least consider the possibility that there is a completely rational reason for the decision - you know, like Desmond is unavailable for the game.

baseballswami said...

Really, SWM? I would be interested on why you like it. I don't particularly have a feeling either way, just a bit surprised by your post and would like to know your thoughts on why you like it. Care to enlighten? And as for Bryce- I read a quote on twitter by our manager that he guesses he will have to start monitoring Bryce's knee more often. What???? Start???? Last week I was terrified he would come home lame from the ASG- and I think I would be demanding to see it for myself daily. Experience shows that Bryce would go out there with a limb hanging off.

A DC Wonk said...

I know that it's against the basic ethos of the internet, but people should at least occasionally think things through before flinging comments against the wall like this is a primate cage.

Whoa . . . dude . . . that's like a whole new paradigm, man.

+1!

Anonymous said...

I can remember when Liriano was a bum with the Twins, a member of the worst rotation in baseball.
There's no reason that he can't reprise some of that ineptitude tonight; stranger things have happened.

SCNatsFan said...

I just want to see the Nats play a complete good game. I miss that. Forget winning streaks I just want to win tonight.

Holden Baroque said...

Didn't Michele advise us to grow a paradigm?

Unknown said...

"NatsJack in Florida said...
Taylor is at 119 innings. Davey is a math major and knows the cut off is around 140 innings. He can work the numbers in his head. Rizzo can't."

I spent the morning with Taylor Jordan and hopefully you got the voicemail I left you. I told Taylor what you told me when we were in Viera with your prediction that you could see Taylor in the Big in 2013.

I asked him if he had discussed with Davey about a shutdown and he had not. I guess when he got to the stadium today he found out!

Check the Twitter I sent you!

baseballswami said...

SCNatsfan-- Me, too!!!

NatsFanSinceStart said...

I can't figure out how Rendon gets out of this game NOT making at least 2 errors at short. Maybe they won't hit any to him.

MicheleS said...

Sofa..

Yes I did :-)

nats guy said...

John C,

I think the shoulder woes are still there for RZim.

Unknown said...

NatsJack, glad you liked it. We did a video of his slider grip and he talked about it. I won't give away his secret on his sinker because he has an unusual grip and we will keep that his secret.

Extra info that SteveM asked for and I asked Taylor if he was going to add the cutter and the answer was that was the new pitch he would be working on in the off-season for use on the lefty batters!

He also confirmed that his slider has gotten better with his work with Cat.

This kid is going for it for 2014.

baseballswami said...

Very impressed with young Taylor!

David Proctor said...

It's amazing how much the guys on MLB Network still believe in us. I wish I shared that confidence right now.

ExposedinDC said...

Amen SCNats....amen

baseballswami said...

David- I have been noticing the same thing, and not just one of them. I think it is based on the obvious talents of each individual. Their experiences have shown them that talented people usually right their ship. I soooo hope they are right!

David Proctor said...

Looks like DC United is getting their own stadium just a few blocks from Nationals Park.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2013/07/24/d-c-united-and-mayor-gray-reach-preliminary-deal-for-soccer-stadium-at-buzzard-point/

MicheleS said...

David P... and takes away all the reasonable parking by the Park

David Proctor said...

I metro in anyway so it's not a factor for me...but that's a good point. Didn't think about that.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

DC United? What the hell is that..

Tonight Nats 3 Pirates 1

baseballswami said...

Metro is not feasible for me at all. How many dates would we overlap? Could they do Nats day/ Soccer night?

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Lets play good fundamental baseball tonight... That's all I ask... Hopefully the hate wake up and we will get the W...

Lets win this...

Go Nats!!!

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Dang... Matt Kemp is back on the DL...

baseballswami said...

MrsB- and so is Grilli. We broke them both on consecutive nights. Oops.

baseballswami said...

I heart one pitch outs.

MicheleS said...

Merry Strasmas! Nice 1st inning

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Two os Stras's 3 balls were strikes.

Lets see is if Liriano gets squeezed to.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

1st inning is done... Good job SS...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Another backwards K

baseballswami said...

Liriano did not deserve that high strike call.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Pitch 4 was Jayson's pitch....

David Proctor said...

Well yeah, it was a 3-0 fastball down the middle. That's any hitter's pitch.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

It was in the zone though so I have no problem calling it.

baseballswami said...

More of the same? All contact in the air. The way he pitches?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

But typically the Nats foul it off.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

The same Werth fouls Alverez hits one like it for a homer.

David Proctor said...

Well the Pirates scored a run. Game over.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

At work... So I'm watching on pitch track...

David Proctor said...

Well Werth has hit enough of them that I'll give him a break. Ryan got a pitch to hit and just got under it. He's not raking so he doesn't get the benefit of the doubt

A DC Wonk said...

Charlie and Dave just pointed out that during this entire homestand, the Nats have held the lead for exactly 1/2 an inning.

Uggh . . .

ExposedinDC said...

Pretty depressing when your down 1-0 with 8 ab's to go and you feel like your out of it

A DC Wonk said...

David Proctor said...

Well Werth has hit enough of them that I'll give him a break. Ryan got a pitch to hit and just got under it.


I don't think anybody's criticizing their at bats. Or, I didn't take it that way. Or, at least: I'm not thinking that. We're just bemoaning the results.

BigCat said...

I was gonna say the way you get out of a slump is to shut someone out. Nope

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Yeah I wasn't criticizing.... I just said that was his pitch...

David Proctor said...

Fair enough Wonk and MrsB. It's so frustratign when 1 run feels like 10. Last year, 10 felt overcomeable.

ExposedinDC said...

Overcomeable might be the best word ever typed on this site

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Dont abandon the fast ball. Mix them all up.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

David Proctor said...
Well the Pirates scored a run. Game over.
July 24, 2013 7:28 PM


Top of the 2nd and the Doom and Gloom starts.

I was enjoying reading through the earlier posts and the Taylor Jordan info. Ray Knight remarked that Taylor was achieving good downward movement on his slider.

If he did get a cutter to help against LHs, that is huge and appreciated the intel A.L.

Now to the bottom of the 2nd.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Just saying when you are losing you miss balls to get ahead.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Correct bottom of second last Friday. Dodgers then scored 2 top 3

Candide said...

Not a real strong throw from RZ, but accurate, at least.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I wasnt criticizing Werth, was criticizing falling behind again.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

You dont lose when you throw a shutout.

baseballswami said...

Are Schu and McCatty related? They look alike.

David Proctor said...

I think it's the mustache, baseballswami.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Wrote elsewhere, but will repeat.

Nats are 14th in the league in runs. They are also last in the amount of men left on base.

Bottom line we get too few runners to start with.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

When pull an outer half the plate pitch, your begging for a roll over hit.

The high number of those are what I have talked about since April.

BigCat said...

Lets see if stra comes inside any this inning. Watch

David Proctor said...

I don't have evidence of this, but I suspect that the low LOB stat is influenced by the early season. With a couple of exceptions (last night being one), it feels like we're getting men on base much more often than we were. We're just not doing anything with them.

A DC Wonk said...

Span got another hit! On July 10.

Against the Phillies, when he hit a dribbler and the ball was thrown into right field. It should have been a hit+error, but was scored a 2-base error. Apparently, the official scorers just changed it to a hit.

OK, now if we, he, anybody, could get some on July 24 . . .

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

baseballswami said...
Are Schu and McCatty related? They look alike.


Are you joking or are you being serious?

A DC Wonk said...

Nats are 14th in the league in runs. They are also last in the amount of men left on base.

Bottom line we get too few runners to start with.


Similarly, Nats have a higher rank in RISP then they do in BA. Same deal: the problem isn't hitting with men on base, it's hitting period.

The two stats (mine and yours) together show that the Nats are actually slightly _over_ performing in scoring runs *as compared to* their batting average.

Just need some hitting, boys . . .

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Big Cat finally a couple 98

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Did SS just fool Marte? Seemed like a good series..

ExposedinDC said...

Natsjack.... I prefer to call it "lack of hitting coach"

A DC Wonk said...

And Chad Tracy got an error removed from him over the weekend, too.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Nice read on Taylor Jordan

http://www.masnsports.com/byron_kerr/2013/07/davey-believes-taylor-jordan-a-good-fit-for-2014.html

David Proctor said...

That error on Tracy was a complete joke. You can't call an error on a shorthop like that. Bob and FP wouldn't shut up about it, but it really was an egregious ruling.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

So far when se e Schu engaging with players on the bench that is a step up.

Eck hid in a corner and wrote on his clipbosrd. That is not coaching. That is stat keeping.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

They look a little similar.

David Proctor said...

Is it possible that the cameras are showing Schu more because he's new and Eck did this all along but it wasn't shown on television? I suspect that's the case.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Mike Rizzo sitting with the owners once again behind the on-deck circle.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Overall batting .239 i read .235 RISP.

baseballswami said...

Ghost - of course I am joking- it's the matching staches. I must keep my sense of humor when watching the Nats play.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

No eck didnt sit in the front he sat in the back.

Schu is up front where a coach should be.

baseballswami said...

David-, they showed Eck a lot, actually. He was in the back if the dugout and always had his open notebook.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

swami, I was thinking to myself, I don't see it. Just add that ;) wink a thing or upside down question mark. Thanks for the chuckle!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Scott Hairston is due. He got his LHP matchup.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

If they did they hit the other way on outside pitches more

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I knew I saw tge same thing. Never engaging with anyone. His stats were important to him, but talking to the hitters during the game was not on his radar.

David Proctor said...

Right now I'll settle for a hit...

David Proctor said...

Nice throw by Zimmerman.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Julie must have interviewed me as Rizzo sounded like me.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Never saw that. Just saw him and his damn notebook.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack, doesn't it get old trying to correct people on the fiction and BS that some write here.

Secret wasian man said...

I am really flabbergasted at how bad the hitting is. They are not going to score. They look like they may lose every game remaining. I'm not upset anymore. I almost feel sorry for them.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Nice curve for the K. Taking to many pitches per batter though.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I never feel sorry for any of them.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Wow, field empties and Ump calls it a ball and not a strike.

I think their pitch track needs recalibration. It's not where the catcher catches it as it's where the ball crosses the plate.

Nats better get the d--- bats going! Support your pitchers! Play some smart ball with the top of the order!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

We will see the next 2 months

Secret wasian man said...

I am really mad at La Roche for almost never trying to go the other way against that shift. He's starting to look like Span out there.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Stras 16 pitches per inning. Woul like to get that to 12 to meet my expectations.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

SWM, when ALR came out of his slump he was hitting them over the shortstop. He's not doing it much anymore.

Secret wasian man said...

Did carp just say this pitcher was crafty? No he's not. Our guys couldn't hit a ball if it was on a tee. And could that FAT ugly manager for the pirates jam any more gum in in face? Disgusting

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MNF, if Stras was throwing 12 an inning that would be tops in the Majors.

Secret wasian man said...

Agree ghost. But every swing is a hard PULL.

Secret wasian man said...

Ball in the dirt again and we strike out. Just unreal.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

The Nats pitch recognition isn't great by these veterans.

RZim, just another routine strikeout.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

At least JWerth didn't go fishing!

JaneB said...

Jeez Louise, what is going on with these guys? I feel worse for them than I do for us. It's heartbreaking. I was on a plane to the West Coast today with a Cubs fan who spent 90 minutes in a monologue lamenting the loss of Matt Garza. I just listened. He FINALLY said, "You seem to know a lot about baseball. Who do you follow?" I said, "The Nats."

"Oh," he says. " 'World Series or bust.' That's the end of that." OY. OY OY.

I hope Stras keeps facing down these guys. I hope the defense holds strong. I love them, but I'm not going to hope the offense picks up until I have reason to hope. I grew up on the Mets. I know how to love 'em when there's not much hope to pull you through.

Oy.

Secret wasian man said...

Don't wont a win, don't wont a run. Just want a hit. I mean is Walter Matthau managing this bunch. Do doo do doo. Do doo do doo

Secret wasian man said...

3 hits in 13 innings.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

In this series in the 3 games through 4 innings the Nats have 2 hits. Harper a lead off single and the Buffalos home run.

Secret wasian man said...

Damn near only counts in lawn darts, horse shoes and hand grenades.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

For a whole season.

Just need it for a game

Another_Sam said...

Has anyone used this material: "The Electric Prunes have more hits than this bench."

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack in Florida said...
ALR damn near hit one out to left yesterday.


That is true. Like I said, he's not doing it much anymore. That flyout went to left.

ExposedinDC said...

Only a matter of time before some insiders start calling for the return of Danny Espinosa

Secret wasian man said...

Ghost your right. It just doesnt seem like anybody trying anything different. It's time for harp to get in there now.

TimDz said...

I'm thinking of buying stock in Papa Johns....

This team may not score 7 runs in this series, let alone one game....

SCNatsFan said...

This is amazing. Like watching a car accident, I can't turn away.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Everything right at the Pirates. Off the bat I thought Ramos had a hit.

Secret wasian man said...

FP just said Nats trying to string together some hits. You gotta get one before you can string any.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

The other team's advance scouts do a great job as we hit a majority right at the fielders.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Span never beats out infield hits.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Are you kidding me... He threw 4 d*mn pitches that inning!?!?!?!!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

5 pitches of frustration for the Nats. That was ugly. At least Ramos hit a line drive and Span finally went to 3rd base on a grounder although the same results - no hits.

Secret wasian man said...

This is just unbelievable. They may never get a hit again.

David Proctor said...

Span has 12 infield hits. Nobody is going to beat out that play.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I'm sorry... 5 pitches.... Just gross....

Come on guys...

Jane Elizabeth said...

Who should I be rooting for, the Braves or the Mets? The Mets are about to pass us....

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

So it's ok for Marte to try bunt.

Secret wasian man said...

Just when you thought it was rock bottom, the team goes out, rents a jack hammer and starts drilling through the rock.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Strasburg's VELO is sizzling tonight!

SCNatsFan said...

Realistically I'd be amazed if this team didn't get no hit this season.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Vince Coleman and Jose Reyes beat that out, DP.... but of course, Span is no Vince Coleman. I doubt that he could even carry Vince Coleman's sock.....

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Rendon's 1st positive play at SS.

Eugene in Oregon said...

"Span never beats out infield hits."
=================
Denard Span has 13 infield hits this season.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Tomoorow in the 5th inning.

No more all star breaks if this what happens when you take a few days off.

Jane Elizabeth said...

BTW MLB Extra Innings is free this week.....

Secret wasian man said...

Man are we looking at getting no hit by Levoinerstferwsbm? Or whatever that pitchers name is?

Jane Elizabeth said...

Is 13 infield hits supposed to be great or something? Span has only better than average speed. Keep deluding yourself that he is Vince Coleman....

Secret wasian man said...

Sc natsfan. Don't touch that dial. You may see it here within the hour.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Bye.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Have had it tge last 6 years. Always my Christmas present to myself.

Secret wasian man said...

Bye Nats jack. Don't worry the season is still young.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Strasburg keeps giving up these homers and just giving away games. He really needs to stop giving up runs when he is pitching....

ExposedinDC said...

Wrong Carp.....mets losing 6-0 is good news

Jane Elizabeth said...

Hey, it is only August and don't any of you LOD guys remember the Miracle Braves of '14.... Sad that we have to root for the Braves tonight to maintain 3rd place, so it is not bad news, necessarily, Bob.

Jane Elizabeth said...

A hit.... A hit.... My kingdom for a hit......

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Alverez missed the scouting meeting.

SCNatsFan said...

Sad that qualifies as a good inning right now no matter what zim does

A DC Wonk said...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

So far when see Schu engaging with players on the bench that is a step up.


And it's helping _so_ much right now ;-)

Hey -- if we keep saying "no hitter, no hitter", does that count for jinxing the pictcher?

Joe Seamhead said...

Quick, decisive, and questionable. I would've impartially ruled that an error.

Eugene in Oregon said...

"Vince Coleman and Jose Reyes beat that out, DP...."
========================

In 2012, Jose Reyes played in 160 games for the Marlins. He had 20 infield hits. Denard Span has 13 in 100 games. Roughly the same pace.

Secret wasian man said...

When I came here about 2 seasons ago I was lump in with the LODers. That group included myself, rabbit, WODL, Mick... As a proud member of LOD I would like to start the WBF club. " WE'LL BE FINE". You guys know who you are. And welcome.

NatsFanSinceStart said...

Could the wheels have suddenly fallen off Luriano, setting up a 3-run tater by laRoche?

maybe so

NatsFanSinceStart said...

Correction: for Werth

A DC Wonk said...

Hey -- if we keep saying "no hitter, no hitter", does that count for jinxing the pictcher?
July 24, 2013 8:45 PM


I'll count that as a jinx! (I actually posted before the hit, but my browser got real slow for a bit)

NatsFanSinceStart said...

.water ..... water ...... water ... oh, I mean, hits ..... hits .....

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