Friday, July 26, 2013

Game 103: Mets at Nats

Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
It's a beautiful day for a ballgame, so how 'bout we play two? We've got a day-night doubleheader here between the Nationals and Mets, and the various results could actually be significant. The Nats currently lead New York by only two games in the NL East, so a Mets sweep incredibly would leave the two clubs tied in the standings. A Nationals sweep, on the other hand, would guarantee they'd be back in sole possession of second place in the division.

Jordan Zimmermann gets the start in Game 1 this afternoon against right-hander Jenrry Mejia, making his season debut after dealing with an elbow injury. Davey Johnson is going with his same lineup from yesterday's win, including Steve Lombardozzi at second base and batting second. "I'm not changing a winning hand," the manager said, also speculating that Lombardozzi might try to beat him up if he wasn't playing after a 3-hit performance.

Ryan Mattheus, meanwhile, has been activated off the DL as the 26th man allowed for the doubleheader. The Nats will have to make a decision tonight, removing someone from the roster. They could just send Mattheus back to Syracuse, or they could demote another reliever. Drew Storen, a potential candidate for demotion, is battling the same flu Adam LaRoche had earlier in the week and probably is unavailable to pitch in either game today, according to Johnson.

Lots of updates to come from a long day at the ballpark, so please check back...

NEW YORK METS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS (Game 1)
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 183
Weather: Mostly sunny, 80 degrees, Wind 4 mph in from LF
NATIONALS (49-53)
LF Bryce Harper
2B Steve Lombardozzi
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Jayson Werth
SS Ian Desmond
CF Denard Span
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Jordan Zimmermann

METS (45-53)
CF Juan Lagares
2B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
RF Marlon Byrd
1B Ike Davis
LF Andrew Brown
C Anthony Recker
SS Omar Quintanilla
RHP Jenrry Mejia

UMPIRES
HP Wally Bell (cc)
1B Dave Rackley
2B Lance Barksdale
3B Vic Carapazza

1:36 p.m. — We are underway for a long day of baseball as Jordan Zimmermann fires strike one to Juan Lagares. Pretty sparse crowd here at the moment, though I imagine it will grow as the afternoon progresses.

1:45 p.m. — Wow, did Daniel Murphy crush a hanging slider from Zimmermann. The pitch was a meatball, right over the heart of the plate, and Murphy responded by sending the ball off the facade of the second deck in deep right-center. The good news: Zimmermann struck out the other three batters he faced, so it's 1-0 Mets heading to the bottom of the first.

1:55 p.m. — Steve Lombardozzi remains hot, recording his fourth hit in two days, then taking third on Ryan Zimmerman's broken bat single. But the Nats again can't complete the rally. Adam LaRoche struck out on three pitches and Jayson Werth grounded out weakly to second base to end the first inning. If you're keeping track, the Nats are already 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position today, beginning a new streak.

2:08 p.m. — Denard Span's penchant for hitting grounders to the right side of the infield continue. He tapped one to the first baseman in the bottom of the second, continuing a season-long trend. Davey Johnson insists the issue is all about timing, saying that Span has been late on his swings; instead of hitting the ball in front of the plate, he's letting the ball get too deep in the strike zone. Whatever the case, it's been a continuing problem. Still 1-0 Mets after two.

2:22 p.m. — Another slider from Zimmermann to Murphy in the top of the third, and another laser over the fence for Murphy. He crushed this one right down the right-field line for a two-run homer. That makes it 3-0 Mets in the middle of the third.

2:33 p.m. — Oy, another squandered opportunity in the bottom of the third. Lombardozzi and Zimmerman again produced back-to-back singles with one out — Lombardozzi now has five hits in his last 12 innings — but LaRoche and Werth again stranded them without getting the ball out of the infield. So the Nats are now 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, with LaRoche and Werth responsible for all four. It's still 3-0 Mets after three.

2:53 p.m. — And another groundball to the right side by Span, this one resulting in a 4-3 double play. He's now made 12 of his l8 outs since the All-Star break on grounders to the right side. Still 3-0 Mets after four.

3:11 p.m. — It's shaping up to be another one of those games. The Nats have done nothing at the plate against Mejia, while Zimmermann has been victimized only by the two Murphy homers. Jordan hasn't been especially sharp, but he's been mostly effective, if not necessarily efficient. It remains 3-0 after five.

3:21 p.m. — It's been an uncharacteristic day for Zimmermann, who has been all over the place. He's already at 105 pitches through six laborious innings. He has managed to keep this game within striking distance, but he has been far from peak form.

3:49 p.m. — Oof. That'll do it for Zimmermann, who couldn't complete the seventh inning. He wound up being charged with two more runs after Fernando Abad entered and allowed an inherited runner to score. So Zimmermann is done after allowing five runs in 6 2/3 innings on 118 pitches. Here's a disturbing stat: Over his first 10 starts this season, he was 8-2 with a 1.71 ERA. Over his last 11 starts (assuming this score holds), he's 4-4 with a 4.81 ERA. 5-0 Mets at the stretch.

3:59 p.m. — Seven scoreless for Mejia, making his first start of the season. Enter Ryan Mattheus for his first appearance in 2-plus months. Still 5-0 Mets.

4:19 p.m. — The Nats finally got to take their hacks against the Mets bullpen in the eighth. Except they didn't do anything. Bryce Harper led off with a single, then was pulled for pinch-runner Scott Hairston (presumably to give him a bit of extra rest before the nightcap). Lombardozzi grounded into a fielder's choice and Zimmerman grounded into a double play, eliciting some boos from the crowd. Still 5-0 after eight.

4:35 p.m. — Oof, times 100. No sense detailing everything, but the Nats now trail 11-0. Mattheus was charged with three of the runs in the ninth. The other three were charged to Drew Storen, whom Davey Johnson suggested was unavailable earlier today because of the flu. Storen entered for Mattheus and immediately gave up a single, a double and a homer. Sweet Fancy Moses.

4:50 p.m. — Mercifully, it's over. Nats lose 11-0. And there's still another game to be played tonight, with Ross Ohlendorf facing Matt Harvey at 7:05 p.m.

291 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 291 of 291   Newer›   Newest»
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 291 of 291 Newer› Newest»
mick said...

sec222


our offense is the worst in MLB with all due respect...Harvey may no hit this group

ExposedinDC said...

A double A pitcher....really kind of sums it up....all kidding aside, I fear for the Nats in the night cap....smelling a 1 or 2 hitter....hope my sense of smell is really off

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Im not choosing sides... but... I do wonder if DJ will finish this season... I mean we havent seen improvement to the likes that anyone is really happy...

I know the manager gets his fair share of blame (and yeah it can be easy to just blame him) but a lot of the fundamentals are missing from the Nats (cant bunt, base fielding) and some mis-management by DJ has also accounted for some losses...

I know a lot of you all liked Knorr... I prefer Girardi or a whole new regime...

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Another walk to Ike Davis... are you kidding me!?!?!?!?!

Joe Seamhead said...

We're all dressed ready to go to the 2nd game. Having a hard time getting pumped to make the 60 mile round trip. Especially with the day/night thing going on. Traffic, parking nightmare. Wife is wavering about the whole thing.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Yiu would think they would adjust, but they seem to play like they can turn it on when they are ready.

Not ready I guess yet.

David Proctor said...

Mattheus rusty

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

If you have been following like you have how could you be surprised.

Section 222 said...

Harvey may no hit this group

mick, he may, but he probably won't. I'm not saying that I'm excited about our odds tonight, but Harvey hasn't pitched over 7 innings since May 28 and just three starts ago he gave up 5 runs.

You think Lombo should start every day. So based on the last two days alone, you would bench Rendon? Really? I think I'd be happy that we caught lightening with him, in light of his career and full year numbers.

TexNat said...

Who do you want to bench for Lombo, who despite his periodic hot streaks, is a subpar hitter with no real power and a poor on base percentage?

Does the fact that the Nats are not playing well mean we have to go completely crazy?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I would bet my mortgage against a no hitter.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Come on 222 and TexNat - Its about 'what have you done for me lately'...

But, to Mick's credit, may he is saying ride the hot hand until it isnt hot... We all know Lombo is servicable (I dont think he is an every day starter) but right now he is in a groove and Rendon is struggling...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Lets put up 6 now on Scott Rice

pedrocerrano said...

All the wise folk turned this game off after the Mets failed to make 3 errors in the first inning.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Why would I turn off a game. This is the first of 3 today.

Angel at A's game 3.

Section 222 said...

Well, I'm sure that Rendon will play tonight as he should. So if he gets a few hits, then whose hot hand do you ride?

Secret wasian man said...

Nats on pace to win 7 more games this season, Davey 0-7 since all star break. Knorr a perfect record.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I believe FP just hit tge nail on the head. The team played with no energy.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I never turn a Nats game off... Idk how badly we are losing or how many we are up by...

I didnt say I agreed 222... I just am maybe offering suggestions...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

The only one with a hit with guys on is Zim

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Outside of today's 2 and 3, no one else has really done anything...

RaleighNat said...

How disappointing is this game?...wow.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Not that time Mr. Double play came back out to play.

Not sure his ranking in the league, but I would bet top 5.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Kick some butt in game 2

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Well... we need to come out angry and raking for Game 2... Be nice to get Harvey out the game early...

Hopefully, we dont come out flat and have intensity...

phil dunton said...

No energy and lots of complacency, those are the problems. Those two traits also define the manager. He has infected the entire team with his sleep walking! End of story.

RaleighNat said...

I'm just in shock at our inability to get any momentum going. Nats Park is the place momentum goes to die..(unless you're the other team)

Tcostant said...

Did anyone tell the Nationals that they were playing a doubleheader today???

David Proctor said...

Ryan Zimmerman isn't even in the top 40 in GIDP. LaRoche is the only one even on the list (top 40) and he's 34th.

Source: http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/batting/_/sort/GIDPs/type/expanded/order/true

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

We had momendum after yesterday, and even before all momendum went as soon as Murphy homered.

mick said...

sec222

2 points on Rendon...

1) I agree with another poster in here that he may not be ready physically to play a full major league season in his rookie year

2) He has been figured out and needs time to make adjustments

and you know what, Lombo is hittig the damn ball the last 2 games and he has earned it so my answer is "YES"

also, its not like this team is going any where this year so why not play Lombo every day, either at 2b or the outfield over Span, so Rendon can still play

David Proctor said...

Apologies, that's all of MLB. But Zimmerman is 23rd in the National League in GIDP.

Section 222 said...

The NL league leader in GIDPs is Matt Holiday with 22. Zim has 10 and isn't in the top 10. Others in the top 10 include Freese, Goldschmidt, Michael Young, Neil Walker and Brandon Phillips. Guys without blazing speed who hit in the middle of the order and hit the ball hard ground into a lot of DPs. It's not an indicator of a lousy hitter by any stretch of the imagination.

TexNat said...

The Nats now have scored fewer runs per game than every team in the majors except for the Marlins. That means that they trail even the Houston Astros, who are actively trying to lose.

Section 222 said...

Guess I should have left the DP research to DP. But no drink owed because we consulted different sources. :-)

Section 222 said...

Please no more Lombo in the outfield.

David Proctor said...

Why has Davey made Mattheus throw 40+ pitches and counting in his first game back from the DL?

RaleighNat said...

Not mad. I love this team and these guys. I want them to do well so badly. But this is thoroughly demoralizing.

David Proctor said...

Baffling. Mattheus comes back, has a successful inning and then Davey puts him back out there and leaves him in far too long.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Just seems that way.

TexNat said...

Maybe Davey intends to send him down after today so he doesn't care. It doesn't seem to be a very well thought out move.

mick said...

David...very good question...i hope Davey is asked that question

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Still seems like more.

Tcostant said...

Is Storen's going to get an inning before being sent to the minors tomorrow???

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Normally a hard hitter who has a guy on first.

mick said...

poor Drew, probably should not be playing today because of the flu...just shows why a hall of fame manager is now the worst in MLB this year... Davey is embarrassing himself

David Proctor said...

Drew Storen, ladies and gents.

Section 222 said...

Goodness gracious. Can we send both of them down?

mick said...

why would Davey leave Drew out to dry??

I'm sorry...Davey is now a terrible manager and he is hurting this team and the morale of the players

TexNat said...

Man. When the wheels come off, the wheels come off. If this was the NFL, I'd say tank the season and play for the draft pick!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I said we needed a 6 run 9th

Pitchers thought I was alking to them.

Now need an 11 run 9th

mick said...

the crowd has now turned on the team....very sad

Section 222 said...

I thought Drew had the flu. Maybe Davey wanted him to take one for the team so that Clip, Krol, Rafi, and Stammen are fresh for tonight. But he could have just stuck with Mattheus for that.

Tcostant said...

Nice knowing you Storen, see you at September call up time :)

mick said...

MNF

lol

Section 222 said...

Remember when the Nats blew out the Mets and they had a catcher pitch the last inning? ALR anyone?

David Proctor said...

Mattheus was already at 45 pitches and would probably be unavailable for not just tonight's game, but a few games, if he had kept going. I think that was Davey's reasoning for putting Mattheus back in--just eat innings. But Mattheus couldn't do it, so Davey conceded and went with Drew.

mick said...

Joe S listen to your wife and stay home, if you have not left yet

blovy8 said...

Easy, man. The guy is pitching with the FLU.

Anonymous said...

There won't be any tough questions about this one from our docile "press" corps.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

If Storen is sick, and Davey brought him in to fail, kick Davey to the corner.

Storen now 5.95, Mattgeus 6.11, Abad 1.61

Davey 27.00

Section 222 said...

Joe S listen to your wife and stay home

Heck no! Tonight is a reverse lock if there ever was one. And a beautiful night for baseball!

Tcostant said...

Who cares that he has the flu, he's out there. Didn't MJ win a playoff with the flu?

blovy8 said...

T shirts tonight. OK, they look pretty ugly on the website, so maybe they're not worth the drive.

phil dunton said...

"Hall of Fame Manager". Ha Ha. the criteria for HOF entrance has diminished in recent years but not nearly enough that Davey would even remotely qualify.

mick said...

sec222

it is a great night and to tell you the truth, I would go but its not my turn for the tickets as I share them with a group

David Proctor said...

Mattheus ERA is not really fair to him. His ERA was sub-3 prior to the game where he broke his hand. And he was put in a position to fail today by making him throw so much in his return.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

ALR again swings at one low. Come on swing at strikes.

phil dunton said...

I think Davey will be gone by next Monday.

David Proctor said...

"102 degree temperature, sicker than a dog...Let's make him wear it!"

Storen's dad tweeted that...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Was just thinking, maybe Davey could pull a Riggleman and just give knorr the score card and leave.

mick said...

phil

I agree, he will resign on his own he will not nor should he be fired

jeffwx said...

Mets offense will be exhausted for game two.

Anonymous said...

Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Day will be fun tomorrow.

mick said...

so Mets lead series 5-4, that is a 9 game sample size, which means to me Nats are only a 4th place team in the East

mick said...

David Proctor said...
"102 degree temperature, sicker than a dog...Let's make him wear it!"

Storen's dad tweeted that...


for real???

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

As I said earlier if he had a 102 temp, why is he there.

mick said...

MNF

that could be a real possibility

TexNat said...

Are you serious Dave P?

David Proctor said...

Because Davey didn't want to use any of our good bullpen guys in a blowout. But it's still pretty nasty to put in a sick guy like that.

David Proctor said...

Yes, Storen's dad tweeted that. And Storen's mom tweeted something similar.

mick said...

so is Drew's folks upset...it sounds like it?

TexNat said...

Yikes. This season is approaching train wreck status.

Section 222 said...

That's the spirit mick! Still not too late to snag a few tix on StubHub. 235 seats left, buy before 5:05 pm. :-)

mick said...

David

that does not sound good...

mick said...

Sec22 ha ha

here's the problem, my wife (boss) will say noooooo

PChuck said...

Sell!

nats guy said...

Sounds like Drew is not very happy.

I wonder if there is more of that on this team. Losing brings out the worst.

mick said...

new post

Anonymous said...

Was that Centigrade or Fahrenheit?

Joe Seamhead said...

That is an error.

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