Thursday, July 25, 2013

Game 102: Pirates at Nats

Photo by USA Today
It's been ten days since the 2013 All-Star game and the Nationals are still looking for their first win in the season's second half. Last night we saw them lose their sixth straight game, failing to get any sort of offense going against lefty Francisco Liriano. 

If Liriano was trouble, they may have an even tougher time this afternoon against A.J. Burnett. Burnett has been excellent this season at the age of 36, holding a 3.07 ERA through 17 starts. Back in May he held the Nats to one earned run through seven innings and struck out nine.

The Nationals will have Gio Gonzalez (7-3, 2.89) on the mound who's had a pretty good season himself. Gonzalez also has a win against the Pirates this season, throwing six innings of two-run ball on May 5.

The real question will of course be whether the Nationals can score some runs today, as they have scored more than three runs just twice in their last ten games. They have, however, given Gio solid run support for the most part in his recent starts. Five of Gonzalez' last six outings have seen the Nats score five or more runs, each time taking the win when they hit that mark. Gio has also recorded quality starts in all nine of his outings since the month of May.

Updates to come...

PITTSBURGH PIRATES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 12:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 869
Weather: Partly cloudy, 83 degrees, Wind 14 mph out to CF
NATIONALS (48-53)
LF Bryce Harper
2B Steve Lombardozzi
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Jayson Werth
SS Ian Desmond
CF Denard Span
C Kurt Suzuki
LHP Gio Gonzalez


PIRATES (60-39)
LF Starling Marte
2B Jordy Mercer
CF Andrew McCutchen
C Russell Martin
3B Pedro Alvarez
1B Gaby Sanchez
RF Josh Harrison
SS Clint Barmes
RHP A.J. Burnett

UMPIRES
HP Mike Winters (cc)
1B Laz Diaz
2B Tim Timmons
3B Mike Estabrook
12:28 p.m. -- Gio got the day started with a scoreless inning despite allowing two Pirates to reach base. Mercer smacked a single to left field with one out and Martin walked with two outs, but Alvarez then went down swinging at a high fastball to end the frame. Gonzalez needed 23 pitches (15 strikes) to get through one.

1:08 p.m. -- The Nats got a nice head start offensively in the first, scoring four runs with a bit of thanks to the Pirates' defense. Pittsburgh committed three errors in total, letting in three unearned runs. The first came after a baserunning mistake by Harper that got him caught in a pickle between second and third base. But the throw to Alvarez at third got past him and allowed Harper to come home for the first run. Zimmerman then singled to bring home Lombardozzi and both Zim and Desmond later scored on a single by Span. On Span's hit Sanchez was off on his throw to second which brought home both runs. Burnett threw 26 pitches in the first, 4-0 Nats.

1:21 p.m. -- Gonzalez again let two Pirates reach base in the second, but came away unscathed, this time thanks to a terrific play by Lombardozzi at second. After allowing back-to-back singles to Sanchez and Harrison, Gio struck out the next two batters to bring Marte up with two outs. Marte slapped a hard grounder up the middle that was snagged by a diving Lombo. He then flipped the ball to second for the forceout to end the frame. Gio at 47 pitches already.

1:29 p.m. -- The score remains at 4-0 after the end of the second inning after Zimmerman gets on with a two-out single, but goes nowhere from there. Harper grounded out to lead off, Lombo struck out, and LaRoche flew out to deep left field to end the frame. Burnett needed 15 pitches this time around, he has 41 total in the game.

1:41 p.m. -- Gonzalez once again keeps the Pirates scoreless but needed a ton of pitches to do it. He's through three now with 67 pitches already and would have been out there longer if it weren't for a spectacular diving catch by Lombardozzi. Lombo caught a line drive by Alvarez and then tagged second for the inning-ending double play. Gonzalez may be setting up for an early exit simply based on his pitch count, which does not bode well for the Nats with a doubleheader up next on Friday.

1:44 p.m. -- The third inning was a quick one for the Nats' lineup as Werth, Desmond, and Span all grounded out. Burnett threw only seven pitches and is at 48 on the day.

1:54 p.m. -- The shutout is no longer as the Pirates got one run on the board in the top of the fourth. Sanchez reached on an infield single start things off, and was then brought home on fielder's choice groundout by Burnett with one out. Gonzalez is through four with an ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 7 SO, and 82 pitches thrown.

1:58 p.m. -- The bottom of the fourth was another short one for the Nats on offense as Suzuki, Gio, and Harper each were retired with groundouts. Burnett only needed four pitches this time and has 52 through four innings of work. After a long first inning, he has settled in nicely to potentially work deep into this game.

2:08 p.m. -- The Pirates got a man all the way to third with just one out in the top of the fifth before Gio struck out Martin and Alvarez to get out of the jam. That's just the way today has gone for Gonzalez, he gets in trouble and finds a way out of it. He's thrown 98 pitches and there is no movement in the Nats' bullpen, but can't imagine we see much more of him today.

2:25 p.m. -- After loading the bases with no outs, the Nats came away with nothing in the bottom of the fifth, unless you count the ejection of Davey Johnson. Werth struck out before Desmond came up to work a full count. After watching a called strike three, Desmond argued with home plate ump Mike Winters before Johnson rushed out to back him up. As soon as Johnson reached the batters box he was gone. Span then grounded out to end the inning and it's still a 4-1 game. Burnett is at 75 pitches through five.

2:43 p.m. -- This game got a bit more interesting in the top of the sixth as Gonzalez was left in perhaps a little too long. He allowed a leadoff single to Marte and then a two-run shot to left field to Harrison. He was replaced by Craig Stammen shortly thereafter. The Pirates are now down just one run, 4-3, as we head to the bottom of the sixth.

2:50 p.m. -- The Nats got a man on in the bottom of the sixth, but came away with a zero once again. Harper doubled with two outs but Lombardozzi flew out to center to end the inning. The Nats haven't scored since the first inning and might need to get something else going to seal a victory today.

3:00 p.m. -- Both teams are now without their managers as Clint Hurdle got tossed for arguing the third out in the top of the seventh. With two outs Alvarez singled but took a slight turn to second after tagging the base. Desmond threw the ball to LaRoche who tagged him for the out and Hurdle didn't agree. Anyways, on to the bottom of the seventh we go.

3:12 p.m. -- Two runners on for the Nats in the bottom of the seventh, but no runs to show for it. LaRoche hit a one-out single to right field and Desmond walked with two outs to join him. Tracy then pinch-hit for Stammen, but grounded out to end the inning. Tyler Clipaprd is your new pitcher to start the eighth inning.

3:17 p.m. -- Clippard preserved the 4-3 lead for Washington after setting down Travis Snider, McCutchen, and Garrett Jones on six pitches. Suzuki will lead off for the Nats in the bottom of the eighth.

3:42 p.m. -- You wanted insurance runs? You got 'em. The Nats added three more in the bottom of the eighth, the first on a double by Lombardozzi and the last two on a triple by LaRoche. That's LaRoche's third triple of the season. Rafael Soriano takes over in the ninth with the score at 7-3.

4:08 p.m. -- Um, yea, that lead the Nats had? It's gone. Soriano came in and allowed two runs on singles by Mercer and Martin. Krol then came with two men on and one out. He walked Alvarez and later allowed a single up the middle to Harrison to tie the game at 7-7. On to the bottom of the ninth.

484 comments:

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MicheleS said...

GYFNG! I will be in wine country for the next week. I will celebrate the Curly Ws out there

Don said...

Please Davey, give us Span, Rendon, Zim, ALR, Werth, Harper, Desi, Suzuki. Let's score some runs for Gio today!

Nats106 said...

Need to salvage this game. Gio is the guy to do it. Let's go Nats

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I forgot it was an early game today... Was wondering why the live blog was up so early...

Charlie and Dave and XM will be my friend today!

Anonymous said...

When these guys break out--and they will!--it's going to be one hell of a ride.

SCNatsFan said...

MicheleS I'm jealous, but don't wait for the curly Ws, just go ahead and uncork.

A DC Wonk said...

The memories of a regular season loss, for the most part, wreck your mood until the next game.

I'm really glad it's an afternoon game today!!

Oldguy said...

When these guys break out--and they will!--it's going to be one hell of a ride.


Amen!! And, gosh, I hope it's soon!!

Don said...

Ok, Rizzo has got to make a move and get Peavy or some other quality SP. The Braves have their own problems and can certainly be caught. Not sure why he's been waiting to add pieces to this club (pen arm, another bench bat, decent SP). Don't be shy Mike, pull the trigger!

Joe Seamhead said...

I asked this question at the end of the last blog, but am bringing it over here.Over the last 20 games Anthony Rendon has hit .211 with a .263OBP
Is Rendon just in a prolonged slump?Or has the league figured something out about him? Or is there any possibility that he isn't mentally ready for the grueling task of an entire pro season and is wearing down? [I'm not drawing any conclusions, but I think it's a good question].

baseballswami said...

Paranoia, Part II-- seems like every pitcher is in tip top form against us. No? I know we are bad right now , but every single day.... No cap tipping today! Find a way!

nats guy said...

They have figured Rendon out. He'll need to adjust. He has a beautiful swing and is a smart kid he'll be OK.

nats guy said...

It happens to everybody. Tyler Moore got figured out and so did Espinosa. Espinosa has a hole in his swing bigger thatn the grand canyon and Tyler Moore didn't have enough at bats to figure out what his problem is.

Joe Seamhead said...

I still think being reminded every 7th inning that we got rid of Morse is like some kind of a jinx, or a hex, on this team. Dump the song, it's just bad karma!

Now, let's everybody go out there and eat some face!

joemktg said...

At the end of the broadcast signoff, Carp said (or something to that effect) "join us tomorrow to see if Gio can stop the losing streak."

Interesting inasmuch as IT'S NOT THE PITCHING. SS did an incredible job last night, but the hitting failed yet again. Gio can pitch his guts out today, but its the hitting that needs to stop the losing streak.

Averaging 6.5 hits/game since the break ain't gonna cut it. They've got to find 3-4 more hits in that lineup.

BTW: MLB postseason probabilities have the Nats with a 4.1% chance of making the playoffs.

A DC Wonk said...

- Strasburg, according to "game score" had the best (86) outing of his career.

- The Pirates are 16-7 when they strike out 11+ times (wtf?)

- Royals just won back-to-back series against the Tigers and Orioles, accomplishing that with a run differential of -6

- Chicago had a 6-0 lead, blew it, then won 7-6 in the 12th.

- Mike Leake somehow pitched 6 innings allowing 12 hits, but just one run. And he went 3-for-4 with a double, as Reds beat the Dodgers for the 6th time in 7 games (and are glad it's not a best-of-13 series ;-)

nats guy said...

Oldguy,

I agree when they break out it will be a hell of a ride. Only problem is that will probably be next year.

Cameron said...

Come on boys. Let's fix this now and then take down the Muts this weekend!

alexva said...

don't worry about Rendon

Rendon is the real deal

A DC Wonk said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
A DC Wonk said...

Don said...

Ok, Rizzo has got to make a move and get Peavy


Sigh. Really? Again?

Are you forgetting that the White Sox might want something back for the 7-4 Peavy? Might you suggest what the Nats will give up for him, and if the Sox would seriously take that deal?

The other amazing thing about that suggestion is: why do we _have_ to get a starting pitcher when our problem is _hitting_?! So, instead of losing games 2-1, 3-2, and 9-2, we can lose 2-1, 3-2, and 3-2 instead?

Tcostant said...

We need to stand pat. Making a trade now, is like chasing your losings at a casinio. This team will not make the playoff, with or without a new addition.

Don't waste the prospect, stand pat, do the best you can and wait until next year...

Unknown said...

We're going to crush the pie-rats today. I love to see the smug pittsburghers suffer. I will be heckling all afternoon

joemktg said...

RE: PapaJohn's 50% off promo when the Nats score 7+ runs? Never has a promotion cost so little.

natsfan1a said...

And how, Wonk.

Have fun uncorking, Michele!

A DC Wonk said...

The memories of a regular season loss, for the most part, wreck your mood until the next game.

I'm really glad it's an afternoon game today!!

ExposedinDC said...

Rizzo won't make a move....like he said earlier this week, he doesn't see anybody out there that's a better option, of course he also said Tracy was a quality left handed pinch hitter and and that Davey is currently one of the best managers in the game.....Dude knows his stuff

A DC Wonk said...

...Dude knows his stuff

Yep, sure does! Digging out of two consecutive 100+ loss seasons pretty quickly, earning him Executive of the Year!

Kirbs said...

1-9 in last 10, 2 games out of 4th place.....if moves happen, it should only be for ppl with control in 14. I wonder how this Hudson injury will effect all of this.

hiramhover said...

Wonk

It's a pretty narrow view that says you don't do the trade just because it won't fix the problem.

That locker wasn't responsible for Mattheus' pitching problems, but he punched it anyway. He wasn't just gonna stand pat and do nothing.

A DC Wonk said...

well put, hh!

A DC Wonk said...

So that I don't have to look at the video . . . can someone tell me what happened to Hudson? (All I know is that he broke his ankle and that the video is awful)

natsfan1a said...

He was covering first and looking over his shoulder (at Freeman, I think). The runner stepped on his foot, which was on the base.

Don said...

Folks, the problem is pitching. I know that they have not scored, but they should be scoring. Storen cannot be trusted, Abad has ptiched over his head, Det's done for a month, Cole's innings limit approacheth, Haren is a bust. They need another pen arm and a SP and they need those guys now. The bats are here they just have not hit. They have to bank on Harper coming around, and if he does they can win in bunches. Standing pat and hording some random prospects (many of whom are blocked for years to come anyway) is not the play to make. They need to be more bold than that.

NatsLady said...

On a slow grounder, Huddy went to cover first. He put his foot right in the center of the bag and lifted his heel. Eric Young came barreling through and stepped right on his ankle.

Anonymous said...

Gotta get this ship turned around. Lets hope the wind is at the Nats backs. Its no whiff thursday!

Tcostant said...

Should be a fun Season Ticket event on Saturday!

hiramhover said...

They need another pen arm and a SP and they need those guys now

I would totally agree, if you ended that sentence one word sooner.

SCNatsFan said...

All we need today to win is Gio not make a mistake and give up a run

A DC Wonk said...

Don said...

Folks, the problem is pitching.


You're going to have a hard time convincing me of that:

Nats: 13th in batting, 14th in runs scored
Nats: 6th in ERA, 5th in WHIP

If the Nats had scored two runs earlier in the game, Storen wouldn't even have pitched last night. Either Strasburg or Soriano would have pitched the ninth.

baseballswami said...

Finding that I just can't whip up on guys who have had a track record with us and helped this team go to the postseason last season. Just pulling for them and hoping that things turn around. We can watch or not watch. For them it's reputations and careers on the line.

Don said...

This wait until next year stuff is literally loser speak. Punting on third and long is the kind of thing that gets a GM run aout of town. The club has a chance right now. Stras and Gio and J Zim are here and dealing now. Werth has finally arrived. Health has returned to the lineup. The runs are going to come. Rizzo assembled this lot, he had better be a believer in his handywork. He needs to add to the roster.

Anonymous said...

Don-

I appreciate your optimism that this season can still be turned around. But if the prospects in question are "random" and would be "blocked for years to come anyway," they're not gonna return any useful pitching. You can't get something for nothing. They either have to deal good prospects like Goodwin or Cole, or they don't get anyone better than they've already got. The White Sox aren't gonna hand us Jake Peavy for Christian Garcia and a half-completed "buy ten surgeries, get one free" card from Dr. Andrews.

Cameron said...

Wonk I agree.

How could anyone honestly say pitching is THE problem? It is A problem, but pitching should be the least of our worries with how bad this team is hitting.

hiramhover said...

Don

Look, I'm a fan. I'm going to think like a fan and root like a fan, whether they have a 95% chance or a 5% chance of making the playoffs. But a GM cannot manage the roster that way.

PS - I know "punting" is a kind of recreational boating, but what does you mean, "3d and long"?

A Fly Moses said...

Okay, now I'm starting to think Davey's just throwing games. Batting Lombo (it's too depressing to look up, but no part of his slash line is above .300) 2nd? What (for what lineup construction is worth), has been proven to be the most important spot in the order? It's embarrassing.

Again, I doubt it would really fix anything, but since Davey seems to care about batting orders, why don't we just go back to Werth/Harp/Zimm/LaRoche/Desmond? Davey gets to keep his beloved R/L/R/L/R splits; you get your two best hitters the most at-bats; and it's not like anyone's ever on base for Werth as it is. I don't see why this is so hard.

NatsLady said...

Don, I'm with you, except---

I'm not at all sure "Health has returned to the lineup." I think Harper is still hurt. I think LaRoche has all he can do to get out there and man his base.

Seamhead raised the question whether Rendon is wearing down. Span was tired before the All-Star break, though he seems fine now. Desi has that blister and who knows what else. RZimm's shoulder seems better, but he has become a singles hitter (in the last 26 games, 5 doubles, 2 HRs).

baseballswami said...

Plus- as much as we hate it with a passion, the bench players have to get some starts or they will be even worse. Look how Chad Tracy found his stroke with a few starts. Of course, then he sat on his duff and rusted again, so there is that.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Just reviewing. Has the MLB sent their appology letter for Diaz's call or has Diaz commented himself (he is probably hiding from the media) for the blown call?

For you missed it. Was reading the Pirates eqivilant to this sight to see if they understood the call was blown. Walker said he was fussing at Sanchez for goofing off after the Span out, while Ramos was on second. Sanchez said Diaz said you tagged him. Walker said he didnt come close to tagging him.

How could Diaz bold face lie to Davey and no one call him on it.

I will see how the calls at first go. I am stll convinced Alverez never touched home Monday.

Don said...

Bowdenball, I hear you. But almost every position player on the club is a long term piece. They built this club to win and to win now and they need to add stuff to it to have a better chance. If the Nats were in a dog-fight for 1st right now, I think that the sentiment would be that Rizzo should go get the player he needs, but in hear the focus is on how the club has done this or that poorly (failing to score mostly, playing bad D, bad baserunning, etc) in the past. They play the games as they come, only the standings matter in terms of the past. So they are in a hole, but the Braves are not world-beaters at all, Hudson just went down, they are not playing that well either. The Nats have bats that everyone (Rizzo and his big baseball brain included) thought would score. The Nats should score, and they WILL score. If the club ends up coming 2 games short of the Division are we going to feel good about not having gone for it by unloading some farmhands or taking on salary? I know I won't. If they don't add a SP, they have little chance to catch the Braves, if they do add a Jake Peavy or Josh Johnson maybe or Kevin Slowey (lots of ways they can play this in terms of rental, guy under control, high upside uy low kind of guy, solid innings eater), then they have a better chance.

NatsLady said...

So, I got this idea from the fangraphs podcast. The bench is really killing us.

In the first half==>
wRC+ (weighted runs created, average = 100).

Your regulars: All above 100 except Span (87, subpar but not hopeless).

Your bench - Suzuki 62
Bernadina - 47
Lombo - 43
Tracy - 29
Moore - 23
Espinosa - 22

Looking at the last month (20 or more PAs)

Werth - 207
Ramos - 155
Desi - 104
RZimm - 100
Span - 94
Tracy - 94
Suzuki - 93
LaRoche - 92
Harper - 86
Rendon - 70

Lombo - 55
Bernadina 36


NatsLady said...

So, from the bench killing us, now we have to include very subpar from Harper and Rendon.

NatsLady said...

BTW, if you are out of the area, today's Nats game is the free game on mlb.tv. Get your devices ready!

natsfan1a said...

Well played, sir.

hiramhover said...

PS - I know "punting" is a kind of recreational boating, but what does you mean, "3d and long"?

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

Yes, definitely, what Rizzo should be buying now is pitching. But only pitching that's under control beyond this year. No rentals.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Mick, the Cincinnati Reds won 102 games in 1970, then 79 games in 1971, then 95 games in the strike-shortened 1972 season, returning to the World Series.

The Mets won 100 in 1969, then slipped slightly but stayed decent through 1973, returning to the World Series.

The Mets seemed much worse in 1970 but their run differential was not that different from the year before, where the Cubs actually had a better Pythagorean number than the Mets did, which was 93 to 92, I think. The Mets were 8 games better than they should have been in 1969, and then I believe had a Pythagorean number of 88 in 1970, but underperformed it that year and finished behind the Pirates.

Slippage is a pretty common phenomenon,

I actually think the random element in baseball extends past individual seasons. People see them as discrete occurrences but when a team has a common core they often have random variations.

NatsLady said...

Wheeler strikes out all three batters but a wild pitch and Buck throwing it away = a run for Atlanta.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Rendon needed a day off... He was pressing.. Definitely in a little slump right now...

He needs to work on re-adjusting to the league now that folks have tape on him...

Lets win this! Go Nats!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Hope we hit better than May 3 in Pittsburgh. Burnett shut s down 3-1. Det gave uo 2st inning to McCutcheon and a 2 run dinger to Mercer in about the 5th.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Harpee solid on the first play.

NatsLady said...

Nice play, Kid!!!!

MrsB loves the Nats said...

NL - The free game is just for people outside the area?

NatsLady said...

Yes, it's blacked out if you are local, MrsB--very aggravating.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Usually it is that way on mlb.tv

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Yeah becuz my radio is like a batter behind... Oh well...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Well that works but 23 pitches to only 5 batters will not allow him to pitch through the 8th. Needs to have a few short innings now.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Looked like Ron harper's one pitch

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Long inning for Gio... But I will take the goose egg he got...

joemktg said...

I'll take it

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Harper's mistake becomes a run

RickH said...

Finally, we get a little luck our way.

Don said...

Harore is such a lousy base runner -- good thing he's wicked lucky. I'll take the result though!

Unknown said...

Wow....How about that trip! :)

Don said...

And I am such a lousy typist.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Now that is a lead-off hitter and what he does. He gets on base and scores any way he can.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Uhm... Harper not the smartest move... But we will take the run...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

RISP 7 FOR 82

baseballswami said...

Gee, look at Lombo, creating offense. ;)

MrsB loves the Nats said...

are we really playing small ball????

Jane Elizabeth said...

Um, actually that was the smartest thing that Harper could have done. Anything to get some fire under the guys. Span would still be standing over on 2nd or probably would have gotten thrown out on the bunt, not to mention that Span doesn't take hbp's, not his m.o.

You either are willing to do anything to get on base and score, or you are not. Span is unwilling to do anything that smacks of heavy lifting....

Nats106 said...

Maybe we get some more breaks. Sometimes you create your own luck. That a way Kid!

Jane Elizabeth said...

The Pirates' 3rd baseman thought that Harper was going to run him over and took his eye off the ball. Harper has a very high success rate when he gets "caught" between bases. He knows how to play pickle and I have seen him make that same play several times the last two years....

Jane Elizabeth said...

You have to take the opponent out of its comfort zone. Vince Colemand and Jose Reyes do that any time that they get on base. A lead-off hitter who can't do that had better get on base at a very high clip to make up for it.

Nats106 said...

Sometimes 235 lbs and a 6.6 60 comes in handy in other places than the gridiron.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

8 for 83 RISP.

Span ran like Harper causong bad throw.

Jane Elizabeth said...

See, when Span place like Harper, good things happen. Stop playing afraid, Nats, and just play for the joy of playing and see what happens....

baseballswami said...

What?????

MrsB loves the Nats said...

They are swinging early against Burnett...

We scored again... Nice!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

8 for 84

Jane Elizabeth said...

The Pirates are the worst team that I have ever seen.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Diaz calls it right.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

2 for 4 this game. 8 for 85 during bad stretch, still under .100

NatsLady said...

Hmmmmmm, maybe they shouldn't have put their bathing trunks on for Miami?

baseballswami said...

Maybe today they will be!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Seen many high school innings like what we saw. 2 running errors that are bailed out by fielding errors.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I just realized... we turned the line over in the first inning...

Nice....

baseballswami said...

I heard all those little kids chanting- Let's Go Nats!! And I thought that was a cool thing. Maybe they heard it also and it wasn't cynical adults. Kids game, nice day.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I though bathing suits were on early.

Jane Elizabeth said...

The Nats are so busy trying to play everything by the book. Sometimes you need to just play and force the issue. It is supposed to be fun, not work, and this year, it has been mostly work for them. Last year they played from joy....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Gio needs to cut the pitch count down too many pitches per batter.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Marlon Byrd with the big RBI and taking of 2nd base against Atlanta. We could have him and his big bat and he cost the Mets essentially nothing. He has huge OPS+ numbers. Guess Rizzo's attention was diverted elsewhere.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Well runners forced action twice and it worked. Now lets pitch like normal

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

All 3 pirates hits had 2 strikes.

Focus Gio.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Whats up with our pitchers when we get a lead...

Sheesh... Come on Gio.. Throw the nasty!

Jane Elizabeth said...

The Mets and the Nats are essentially tied in run differential.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Looked like it bent in behind the plate. We will take it.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Lombo!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Lombo excellent play.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Mets put up 4. I am not sure if that is good or not for us as they can pass us this week-end if they want to....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Or we could win all 4 against the Mets

Jane Elizabeth said...

BTW, apparently Tyler Moore has started hitting again in the minors. I am not sure what is going on with him, but maybe AAA curveballs suck or something, but if he has straightened himself out to a semblance of last year mid-summer, he might be a plus again instead of the worst player in the majors, which he was this season so far, depending on how you look at it....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Harper would be well advised to elevate the balls better.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Missed it watching the Mets game on Extra Innings. I guess it is still better for the Nats to have the Mets beat the Braves because it at least puts things more in our hands....

Jane Elizabeth said...

We are due some bad calls our way and also some cheap hits like that one by Ryan....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Diaz ,2 for 2 on close plays

Faraz Shaikh said...

btw that was not a dribbler to 1b or 2b by span, in case anyone missed.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

MNF - make up call maybe?

NatsLady said...

A note about tomorrow's pitcher--he has bone spurs in his elbow.

mejia

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/25/jenrry-mejia-will-need-bone-spurs-removed-from-elbow/

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Gio at 47 pitches in the first 2 innings... Ouch... Was hoping he can go 7 today....

A DC Wonk said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jane Elizabeth said...

I love the way that every time that Span gets a hit, someone on here posts, "hey, did you notice Span got a hit or Span hit that one hard?"

Yes, we noticed and we were all surprised by it.

A DC Wonk said...

William O. Douglas Loeffler said...

Marlon Byrd with the big RBI and taking of 2nd base against Atlanta. We could have him and his big bat and he cost the Mets essentially nothing. He has huge OPS+ numbers. Guess Rizzo's attention was diverted elsewhere.


20-20 hindsight?

Byrd at age 34 batted .210 last year. That's the player your going to sign?

Anonymous said...

William O. Douglas Loeffler said...

"Marlon Byrd with the big RBI and taking of 2nd base against Atlanta. We could have him and his big bat and he cost the Mets essentially nothing. He has huge OPS+ numbers. Guess Rizzo's attention was diverted elsewhere."

Maybe it was diverted by his .606 OPS in 2012 and his PED suspension.

You're basically saying Rizzo screwed up because he doesn't have ESP. NOBODY in baseball saw this year coming from Byrd. Not even the Mets team that signed him- they only gave him a minor league deal.

Take it somewhere else, WODL.

Faraz Shaikh said...

well we have to point it out given with all negativity hurled at him.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Come on Gio....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Come on Gio this is not advisable.

baseballswami said...

Sometimes Gio gets in a groove later in the game and has some quick innings. I have worried in a few games about how far he would go, but it seems to be a pattern with him to have longer innings at the beginning. Probably a chart somewhere showing pitches per inning for the season.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Yeah, you have to feel sorry for the Mets getting all that production out of Byrd while Span is offensively not even a replacement player....

Jane Elizabeth said...

Rizzo could deal Harper for magic beans and you would have somebody on here defending Rizzo: "well, they could have magically transformed Haren's arm and Span's bat...."

Jane Elizabeth said...

Gio seems to be our main starter who can transform a bad start into a good quality one.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Lombo times 2

RickH said...

LOMBO!!! Again!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Gio sure isnt doing it the easy way 2 runners each inning. 3 walks and 3 hits.

A DC Wonk said...

So McCatty comes to the mound, and Gio strikes the next guy out.

Gee I wish I could have been at that meeting!

That kind of thing happens a whole lotta times with McCatty.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Gio 23,24 and 20 pitches so far.

Jane Elizabeth said...

But you know more than anyone, Faraz, that daily results are all but useless in disproving a trend. We'll take it but you get to the point where one says, "Hey, Haren got through an inning without giving up a homer....

Nats106 said...

Another Giodini escape! 67 pitches though. Bucs need to return the favor we did for Liriano with a 5 pitching inning.

A DC Wonk said...

William O. Douglas Loeffler said...

Yeah, you have to feel sorry for the Mets


What are you talking about? The Mets got extremely lucky with a guy that looked like a bum -- to the entire league -- and that the best deal he could get is a minor league contract. Who's feeling sorry for the Mets for that?

Read my words: he batted .210 last year!

William O. Douglas Loeffler said...

Rizzo could deal Harper for magic beans and you would have somebody on here defending Rizzo


What are you talking about?

So, tell us Mr Arm Chair GM -- which outfielder who, this year, is batting .210, should the Nats go after and replace Span with?

Jane Elizabeth said...

My son just said the same about Lombo and we will take it. I think everyone roots for Lombo, but that doesn't chance the fact that he has been an incredible disappointment this year, but all you have are your today's and tomorrow's ultimately.....

baseballswami said...

MNF-- it's going down, though, right?

NatsLady said...

I don't understand swinging at the first pitch. Give Gio a little time to rest. THINK, guys, THINK.

Jane Elizabeth said...

If it was a pitch worth hitting, then swing away.

Nats106 said...

I know you're not asking me, but I'd suggest Josh Reddickhitting 21r right now. Plus he and Werth can have a ZZ Top tribute band concert after each game.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Gio slowed it down enough to keep Lombo from making the play.

Jane Elizabeth said...

DC Wonk, the moral of the story is that there are tons of guys like Span who play outfield with decent speed, but who aren't great hitters. Sometimes they have great years and sometimes they don't. You don't upset the balance of your team by seeking a guy who doesn't fit in with the philosophy which is the Earl Weaver type of team. Span was a terrible fit. Byrd would have been a great fit.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Again 2 on base. Cant keep doing this.

Jane Elizabeth said...

One reason we have all these people who do nothing but defend Span is because they were the same people cheering Rizzo on when he got the guy. They don't want to admit that they were just as wrong as Rizzo was, but since I opposed the deal from the beginning, I have the ability to be honest about it....

Anonymous said...

Reddick won't be a free agent, Nats106. He's not even arbitration-eligible yet. Plus everyone expects him to recover form his down year, so he's not exactly the same as Marlon Byrd.

I think DC Wonk is asking too much of WODL, though. It's not his job to evaluate slumping veteran major league talent. His job is apparently to ruin game threads of weekday afternoon games most people can't watch on TV.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Marlon Byrd on base again. The network is showing what a great teammate he is on the Mets and how well he fits in.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Gio what are you doing? Just blow him away. Dont let the pitcher hit the ball.

Jane Elizabeth said...

We ask nothing of you, Bowdenball and get pretty much what we ask.....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

He was a Nat before wasnt that good here then why would him to be good a second time.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

You can strike out Marte but not Burnett. Ummmmm.

A DC Wonk said...

Span was a terrible fit. Byrd would have been a great fit.

Sorry -- I still don't see it. Span's got great range, and he's a lifetime .281 hitter and he's 29.

Byrd is 35, coming off a PED suspension, has less range, and there's no telling if this is a fluke year or not (how many other guys have their best OPS of their career at age 35?)

If you're saying that Byrd would have been better for the Nats *this year* -- well, duh. But 29 other teams didn't think he was worth even a minor league contract.

That's what I call 20-20 hindsight.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Only 15 pitches that inning

NatsLady said...

I hope Gio didn't use. Seriously. I would prefer not to have any PED user even if they have "served their time." I will be booing Braun every time he steps to the plate next season.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Byrd was Span-like here and as soon as the Nats got rid of him, he got much better.

Nats106 said...

Thanks Bowdenball. I was more trying to lighten things up (again failing miserably). I didn't know he wasn't arbitration eligible, but his power, speed and beard seems to be the right fit.

Too bad James Harden plays basketball and not baseball

Jane Elizabeth said...

Span was worth a flyer, but the acquisition should have been de-emphasized. He should have been brought in as a guy who needed to establish his credentials. They brought him in as some sort of savior. It was not smart. There are a host of guys like him all over baseball. It takes zero genius to find a Denard Span. The Nats have had many guys more or less exactly like him in the outfield in terms of production and speed since 2006.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Harper upper cut your swing some please.

When you tgrow strikes you tgrow less pitches. Burnett 5 pitches all strikes.

NatsLady said...

You are going to tell me ALL of those first pitches were pitches to hit? All of them in the last two innings? (Gio is excused.)

NatsLady said...

Because if they were all pitches to hit then we should have had five hits (Gio is excused). Otherwise you don't give the other pitcher 5 and 6 pitch innings.

Jane Elizabeth said...

if a pitch is a first pitch and is perfect, then the player should generally swing away. Perfect pitch is subjective, however.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Gio can you have an easy inning?

Nats106 said...

At this rate 5 innings and 100+ pitches lines Gio up for the win. Stammen will need to deliver 2 solid innings. Earlier this year the greatest angst we had was the inability to score extra runs after getting on the board early to deliver a knockout blow. It would be nice to change that today as well and make everyone at the game hard times wing eiigible.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Gio you need to k martin

Nats106 said...

Manassas, he heard you

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Got the result, but man took a lot of pitches.

Ishmael said...

"You don't upset the balance of your team by seeking a guy who doesn't fit in with the philosophy which is the Earl Weaver type of team. Span was a terrible fit. Byrd would have been a great fit."
Yes, look how terribly Weaver's Orioles did with Paul Blair in center. Oh, wait a minute. Never mind.

NatsLady said...

Barves tied it up on a Freeman HR. Zach Wheeler is not Matt Harvey.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Curve so good tgat fastballs tie tgem up when high.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Braves come back. It they can win and the Nats can win, we move ahead of the Mets in the loss column....

Jane Elizabeth said...

Okay, for comparing Denard Span to Paul Blair, you are forever tainted.... That is a shameful thing to even joke about.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

How in the heck is Burnett only at 52 pitches when they tagged him for like 40 in the first 2 innings????

Jane Elizabeth said...

Plus, check Paul Blair's power totals and get back to me, Ishmael....

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Lombo is having an awesome day! Good for him... He deserves it...

Nats106 said...

98 pitches. Does Gio go out for the 6th? Weather pleasant, quick inning would work well.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Sounds like soccer field will be on otger side of cobcrete factory, where I like to park.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

9 for 86 RISP no run that time.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

2.6 runs average scoring when bases loaded 0 out (or close to that)

Jane Elizabeth said...

DP here would be fine if it scores a run....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

RISP 9 for 88

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Oops 87

Jane Elizabeth said...

David Wright with a triple. Hard to believe that Ryan Zimmerman used to be better than David Wright....

NatsLady said...

Fredi got ejected by the 3B ump. Wonder what that was about.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Finally.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Wow... Jayson and Desi with some dumb at bats...

Jane Elizabeth said...

All I asked for was a double play and instead 2 K's.... Come on Denard.

NatsLady said...

Hey, Desi and Jayson, he's been calling that ALL DAY. Adjust! Foul it off.

Ishmael said...

Blair's career slugging percentage: .382; Span, even with the bad year he's having, .384.

Still think they are very similar players. Weak hitters and great defenders.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Now 9 for 88.

That has been a strike all day, just got that call against Werth, so why the complaining.

Since the first we are back ti normal.

Now 9 for 89

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Bases loaded and we didnt do a damn thing... Terrible, terrible, terrible...

A DC Wonk said...

If we had better pitching we'd have scored that inning. . . . or something like that ;-)

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Did DJ just get tossed?

NatsLady said...

Ismael, no idea who Paul Blair was, so looked it up. Looks like a clone of Span. Had Gold Gloves, but hard to judge because you don't know the competition or the voting.

Anonymous said...

MrsB loves the Nats said...

"Wow... Jayson and Desi with some dumb at bats..."

Both called strike threes were outside. If they'd swung at those pitches, it would have been strike three swinging instead of strike three looking.

At least by taking the pitch they gave themselves a chance that the call would go their way. Swinging at those pitches would have been a guaranteed out.


Alphabet Soup Erik said...

I am so sick of listening to that idiot FP tell us that pitches aren't strikes when they are...both of those pitches were on the corner and have been called all game. Get over it. SWING THE BAT!!!

Unknown said...

This is unacceptable.

A DC Wonk said...

NatsLady said...

Hey, Desi and Jayson, he's been calling that ALL DAY. Adjust! Foul it off.

Agreed. This is exactly what Davey's been complaining about when he says that our batters have to be more aggressive.

The other night somebody pointed out how many K's we have, and the high proportion of them being backward K's.

Sigh . . . .

NatsLady said...

bowdenball, it doesn't matter if they were balls by pitch track, that ump has been consistent since the first inning. You have to adjust. Stick the bat out there and foul it off or put it in play somehow.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

bowdenball - I cant see the game, following on pitch track (and listening to C&D but they are delayed)

based on the SZ, it looks like Ks of course.. but i have an issue with the bat on shoulders.. also simple contact is asked.. Doesnt have to be for the fences...

But this is becoming a continual them...

But thanks, as I am at the mercy of having to read from some of the folks on the blog who are actually watching the game...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Backward Ks is a problem Schu needs to work on .

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