Saturday, July 27, 2013

Game 105: Mets at Nats

Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
The last 48 hours for the Nationals have been one wild and crazy time. Two walkoff wins bookending a lopsided loss and some postgame comments by Tyler Clippard that will surely reverberate through the clubhouse.

The Nats have yet another chance today to build off a dramatic, 'could this be the one' win. Lately their response to such victories has been rather flat, just look at their 11-0 loss yesterday in the first game of the doubleheader.

Today they face Dillon Gee (7-7, 4.07 ERA) who has already beaten the Nats three times this season. He pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings on April 21, seven innings of one-run ball on June 5, and six innings with one earned run on June 29.

Dan Haren (4-11, 5.79) will pitch against the Mets for the second time this year. He got shelled for five earned runs in four innings on June 5.

Stay tuned for updates...

NEW YORK METS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 3:05 p.m. EDT
TV: FOX, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 183
Weather: Scattered T-storms, 84 degrees, Wind 12 mph RF to LF
NATIONALS (50-54)
LF Bryce Harper
2B Anthony Rendon
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Jayson Werth
SS Ian Desmond
CF Denard Span
C Wilson Ramos
RHP Dan Haren


METS (46-54)
LF Eric Young, Jr.
2B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
RF Marlon Byrd
1B Ike Davis
C John Buck
CF Juan Lagares
SS Omar Quintanilla
RHP Dillon Gee

UMPIRES
HP Dave Rackley
1B Kerwin Danley (cc)
2B Lance Barksdale
3B Vic Carapazza
3:15 p.m. -- Haren moved through the first inning with little trouble, needing just 11 pitches (10 strikes) to set down the Mets' top of the order. Wright did reach base, however, on a Rendon fielding error with two outs. That's the rookie's 11th error of the season which ties Ian Desmond for second most on the team. It was a slow grounder right to him, he just muffed it.

3:21 p.m. -- Three up, three down for the Nats in their first inning on offense. Harper flew out to deep right field, Rendon grounded out to the pitcher and Zimmerman flew out to left field. Gee is at ten pitches (nine strikes) after one.

3:28 p.m. -- Haren is through two efficient innings now, allowing the Mets to get contact, but avoiding any big hits. He set them down in order in the second, getting Davis to pop out, and Buck and Lagares to ground out. Haren's thrown 24 pitches (18 strikes).

3:38 p.m. -- The Nationals took the lead in the second inning with back-to-back solo home runs by Ian Desmond and Denard Span with two outs. Desmond's was to left-center and Span's over the scoreboard in right. That was Span's first homer of the season and it marked the seventh time this season the Nats have hit back-to-back jacks.

3:48 p.m. -- Quintanilla got on with a leadoff walk and made it all the way to third after a sac bunt and an infield groundout. He didn't score, however, as Murphy ended the inning on a long flyout to left field. Haren is now through three having thrown 35 pitches. Still 2-0 Nats with Haren to lead off in the bottom of the third.

3:56 p.m. -- Put two more runs on the board for the Nats as Harper smacked a two-run shot off Gee with no outs. Haren led the inning off with a double that sailed over Lagares' head in center field and Harper then took a 1-1 pitch just inches over the fence in center field. It landed within feet of the walkoff shot he hit on Thursday. Nats now up 4-0 as Gee has thrown 44 pitches after three.

4:04 p.m. -- Haren allowed his first hit of the day in the top of the fourth on a single to left field by David Wright. He then got Byrd to strike out swinging and Davis to ground into a double play. LaRoche snagged Davis' hard grounder on a dive to the ground and made the throw to second from his knees. Desmond then threw it back to LaRoche for the 3-6-3 double play. 4-0 Nats as we move to the bottom of the fourth.

4:11 p.m. -- Nothing going for the Nats in the bottom of the fourth as Werth ground out before flyouts retired both Desmond and Span. Gee is at 49 pitches through four as the fifth inning is up next. Still 4-0 Nats.

4:16 p.m. -- Another clean inning for Haren who is putting in one of his best starts of the season, as long as this doesn't jinx it of course. He struck out both Buck and Lagares swinging, then got Quintanilla to ground out. Haren's now through five innings with just 61 pitches thrown.

4:24 p.m. -- The Nats got a man on in the bottom of the fifth on a two-out single by Harper, but came away with another zero as the game remains at 4-0. Rendon hit a long flyball for the third out that was caught on the run by Lagares. He had to stretch for it and made a very nice grab.

4:38 p.m. -- New York finally got a run off Haren in the top of the sixth. After Young reached on an infield single, he stole second to get into scoring position. A single to left field by Wright then brought him home to make it a 4-1 game. Wright's hit was a hard bouncing grounder that just got past Zimmerman's glove. Haren is at 87 pitches (61 strikes).

4:45 p.m. -- Werth got on with a two-out single to left field, but that's all the Nats could muster in the bottom of the sixth. Desmond flew out to end the inning and it's 4-1 heading into the seventh.

4:57 p.m. -- A 1-2-3 inning for Haren in the top of the seventh and he has now thrown 103 pitches with one earned run. Tyler Clippard is up warming so that may be it for him today.

5:08 p.m. -- A quick inning for Clippard who got Young to strike out to bring us to the bottom of the eighth. Up next for the Nats are Clippard (or a pinch-hitter), Harper and Rendon.

6:14 p.m. -- And we're back after rain delay of one hour and two minutes. I apologize for not updating the game thread during that time (oops). Anyways, Rendon and Zim lined out to end the bottom of the eighth and Rafael Soriano is coming in to close this one out. Still 4-1 Nats.

6:30 p.m. -- Soriano allowed a single to Murphy, but came away with his 26th save of the year. 4-1 is your final score as Nats move to 51-54.

192 comments:

Section 222 said...

Seems like another reverse lock to me!

SCNatsFan said...

Easy way for Storen not to get sent down. Stop letting teams hit 300 against you.

NatsLady said...

Well, they've seen Dillon Gee enough to have him figured out, right? Right?

mick said...

Clip may be only the first to vent publicly..I suspect many others may follow if the team keeps losing....if Harp and Stras start exploding publicly, the team will implode into 2014

SonnyG10 said...

Back when Mike Rizzo let Willingham and Adam Dunn go, I realized he would not be senamental and keep well liked players on the team if there were better options to make the team better. I thought to myself at the time that he's probably going to upset me by letting one of my favorites go sometime in the future. I then thought its good that he can do that and that I would not be a good GM because I would not be able to do that so easily. Well, sure enough, Rizzo has sent down two of my favorites in Danny Espinosa and Drew Storen and I feel like there has been a death in the family. Both Danny and Drew were hurting the team and need to get fixed, so I swallow my feelings. I appreciate having a tough GM.

SonnyG10 said...

...sentimental...

natsfan1a said...

In the immortal words of Bryce Harper, let's go!

SCNatsFan said...

Yo know mick I don't care. These same guys venting are the same ones being embarrassed on the field. What is Rizzo supposed to do, stand pat and watch the team get three hits a night while relievers watch guys run like a carousel around the bases? Vent when a player gets sent down who is performing; vent if Ohlendorf gets sent down because he isn't the sexy player while outperforming these superstars.

More winning will solve everything. That's on the players.

Les_in_NC said...

Why would (or why should) Harper or Stras be upset about this? They have seen the affects that Storen has been having on the games this year. They know just as well as everyone else that that is baseball business. Storen is Clippard's best bud, so I give him a pass for being upset. Nobody is to blame for Storen lack of success this year except Storen. Sure, Davey could have used him differently, but it all comes down to performance and Storen hasn't performed, 'nuff said.

Les_in_NC said...

Well said, SCNatsFan.

NatsLady said...

Les, I totally agree (and said that in the previous post). They watched Storen blow several games, not just one. They knew Danny was a hole in the line-up. If they don't know the difference between being patient with a guy who's in a slump but has steady career norms, and sending a guy for a needed tune-up in Syracuse, then the vets will explain it to them.

Kevin X said...

Clippard is not being embarrassed on the field, SCNatsFan. He has been a stalwart of the Nationals, including a pretty fantastic run of late.

Kevin X said...

And he is certainly correct that management really messed with Storen's head.

sjm308 said...

Mick - I was probably one of those who was not crazy about your choice of words - dishonesty in sports is a fine line. When I would be upset with either Davey or Rizzo is if I found out they said one thing to a player in confidence and then did something else without explaining it. I doubt very much that with all the questions they both get asked that they have been totally honest to the public and I don't think they have to be. The sports of football and hockey are constantly sending out incorrect data on injuries and its just accepted. What is said in private is more important then what Davey says after a win or loss to a bunch of reporters. Does Davey misspeak? Hell yes, he is famous for it. But is he dishonest? I doubt it.

NatsLady said...

Clip has been on the team a long time (including that he was sent down to convert from starter to reliever, which did not please him at all.) He knows Rizzo well. I could wish he stated his concerns privately, but he was in an emotional situation. Believe me, worse things have been said! In the end, he knew Storen wasn't cutting it this year, for whatever reason.

Theophilus T. S. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Theophilus T. S. said...



Another team trots out another AAA pitcher whom the Nats will proceed to treat -- as they did earlier this season -- like Tom Seaver.

About Ohlendorf, this is not the same pitcher who was last in the majors w/ SD (or whomever) or even the one in Spring Training this year. This Ohlendorf has rediscovered velocity which, w/ his funky motion, makes him a Livo with speed. Good formula for his success.

Noteworthy that Johnson considered Ohlendorf w/ a high pitch count more reliable than Gonzalez.

Clippard's defense of Storen is admirable but Storen also threw every single one of those pitches that ended up in the seats. A player being paid $2.5MM needs to have enuf sense to keep his composure and not spin his head around like Nook LaLoosh.

I have no problem w/ Clippard's vent. I expect there are a number of players (mostly relievers) who were irked at the money Rizzo threw at Soriano. An abscess doesn't heal until it is lanced. It has less to do w/ Soriano's performance (tho I have issues with that) as it does w/ a sort of cock-eyed set of priorities for spending money. It further validates my sense that there are a no. of players with "focus" (read, "mental") problems underlying their poor performance. For example, how aggravating must it have been for players to watch Rizzo, Johnson, et al, coddle Rodriguez and Espinosa, whose poor performance was endangering the whole season, or consenting to extended periods in which Zimmerman and Harper were allowed to drag the team down so they could "play through" performance-robbing injuries -- even if these players were "loved" by their teammates. Or, how must have it seemed to watch Johnson trot Suzuki out there day after day without respite (even Will Nieves played more than Solano) while his BA plunged?

I think Johnson has earned nearly as much of this season's record as his under-performing, high paid "stars."

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

Joe Seamhead said...

One had to wonder what the harmonious Natstown was going to implode into backstabbing and pettiness.I guess it all starts now!


I seem to recall the Bronx Zoo Yankees doing pretty well back in the day. Next year, a new slogan to replace Natitude:

The Nationals Zoo. It ain't about the pandas any more.

Theophilus T. S. said...

Re-reading my comment I am reminded of something John Thompson, Jr., said often on his radio show;
"You treat all of your players equally, and your best performers are more equal than others." This is gelling as my main gripe about Johnson's managerial style. He is treating most -- if not all -- of his players like stars, even if their performance doesn't justify it.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Mark, you've got "Lance Berkman" listed as 1B umpire. I think you meant to type "Lance Barksdale."

Honest mistake. We're here to serve.

NI Proofreading Desk.

DWS said...

I think (finally) the team is starting to realize that perform or you're gone. Too late probably. But too much time was wasted being patient. As to who's to blame?
Davey or Rizzo. I don't know. Hopefully this will be a lesson forward. For those responsible and the under performing.

Theophilus T. S. said...

How 'bout "Nastitude" for the new slogan? Obviously it can be read two ways . . ..

natsfan1a said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
natsfan1a said...

Understandable, I suppose, since Berkman has played 1b.

Also, that was Chase, not Mark.

NI Read-behind Desk. (Motto: We have your back.)

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Mark, you've got "Lance Berkman" listed as 1B umpire. I think you meant to type "Lance Barksdale."

Honest mistake. We're here to serve.

NI Proofreading Desk.
July 27, 2013 12:25 PM

Holden Baroque said...

But ... this is the Internet. Spelling and grammar and knowing what you're talking about are just elitist trolls oppressionizing the people.

DWS said...

Sec. 1D 10T, My Sofa,

Irony is a beautiful thing, if those (you're hoping) realize it.

Holden Baroque said...

Like the new look, BTW, 1a!

Unknown said...

These orioles homers just said that Matt Wieters was the best defensive catcher, time for me to stop watching this show.

natsfan1a said...

Thanks, sec3. Back to the umps, I thought FP said Enrico Palazzo would be behind the dish. I demand a refund!1

Theo Mackie said...

This team would be within 3 games if: We hadn't signed Soriano (head case), hadn't resigned LaRoche and instead kept Morse, had signed Lohse instead of Haren like I had been calling for. But that's past, what we can change moving forward is trade Soriano for Castellanos, have Storen get right in AAA, trade for Morse to platoon between 1B and OF, drop Haren out of the rotation after today and replace him with Dorfy

JaneB said...

I still feel sick about yesterday. That these guys can show up and go through meeting fans and hearing whatever the heck the fans might say to them, and then play a game...that takes fortitude. Some of you may say "they're paid tons to have it." But it doesn't negate the fact that this is a harder day than most in Natstown.

The problems show up on the field and then in the press. But they aren't generated by the players.

Theophilus T. S. said...

T-Mackie described Soriano as a "head case." I wouldn't be surprised if his manifested disdain for pitching in non-save situations hasn't rubbed some of the other people in the BP the wrong way.

Anyway, I'm ready for them to trade him. Mediocre closers, e.g., Capps, are a dime a dozen. They can find someone to "close out" the season.

fast eddie said...

The Fox game today is Cards/Braves in my viewing area. I subscribe to the MLB package but don't see the Nats anywhere. Any suggestions?

djinFl. said...

It will be Dave and Charlie on the radio in Florida today fast eddie.

waddu eye no said...

yo

made it back alive from italy, where i think i was the only one on the amalfi coast wearing his nats cap.

great place, and i loved it, but flying back and watching "42" on the plane really made me feel like the all-american boy returning home.

and glad ryan z must have heard i arrived before the 9th.

gyfng

Joe Seamhead said...

Theo Mackie said...
This team would be within 3 games if: We hadn't signed Soriano (head case), hadn't resigned LaRoche and instead kept Morse, had signed Lohse instead of Haren like I had been calling for. But that's past, what we can change moving forward is trade Soriano for Castellanos, have Storen get right in AAA, trade for Morse to platoon between 1B and OF, drop Haren out of the rotation after today and replace him with Dorfy
July 27, 2013 1:08 PM
----/////___---------(////------

Sure. Morse can't run, or swing a bat until further notice, but sure, yeah, we should trade for him...whatever.

DJB said...

Storen messed with his own head. He wasn't the only one who choked last year, but he certainly was the deciding factor. He should have been moved in the offseason when he could fetch more. Now he is worthless. Management has been too easy with players who can't hack it. Both Clippard, for challenging Rizzo's decision publicly, and Storen, need to be moved. Then Rizzo needs to be fired, Davey put to pasture, and a real stats-oriented president of baseball operations needs to be hired. We can do this in the offseason.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

I'm with you, Joe Seamhead. I think the Morse trade (for Krol, basically) will go down as one of Rizzo's better moves, not a mistake.

As for Sori, I think there's a lot more to like than dislike. He's been far more good than bad. So it's not so great in non-save situations. Memo to Davey: don't use him in non-save situations.

If we hadn't had Sori, Clipp would be the closer. That would leave the eighth inning to ...
Um, Oh, Uh, Let's see now, Oh, yeah, right, Stammen. How's that working out?

Thank goodness we have Sori, or we wouldn't even be smelling .500.

Now, can we beat this bum Gee, who doesn't appear to have the ability to beat anyone but us?

GYFNG!!

Doc said...

Enrico Palazzo???--FP is always pumping it up for the Pisanos,as he should.

Correctomundo, waddu eye no, the Amalfi coast, for anyone who hasn't been there, it doesn't get any more enjoyable.

Anonymous said...

I've said before that Clippard is the Nats' most valuable potential trade chip. I wonder if his sniping at management wasn't him trying to force his way out of town.

Anyway, he is wrong about Storen. If you are a professional, act like one. Go get hitters out, whether it is in the 9th inning or the 7th or 8th. Those outs are just as important to the team, and the Save is a very overrated stat anyway.

Anonymous said...

Theo Mackie - Really? You want to trade for a guy who hasn't played in over a month? Glad you're not GM.

Michael Dempsey said...

Ugh... as usual down here in FLA we get the Braves and the Nats are blacked out. Seems like the 4th or 5th time already this year. Tough to swallow after dropping $$$ for MLB Extra Innings. Of course when we were losing 100 games a season this never happened...lol..

Nats 128 said...

I got a text message from MASN and the game isn't even on MASN.

Joe Seamhead said...

Way to go, Desi!

David Proctor said...

SPAN HOME RUN?

Joe Seamhead said...

Wow! Span!!!

Nats 128 said...

Span? Who thunk that. Here I was concerned about Storen getting dumped and the Nats just scored their total from yesterday in 2 at bats.

Unknown said...

back to back, who would have thunk it with Span?!

think we will need more than 2 runs tho...

Nats 128 said...

What did Schu tell Span.

Unknown said...

nats 128, well thunk...haha and i didn't even see your post.

Nats 128 said...

paul, yah thunking at 1st pitch!

Nats 128 said...

Haren escapes that 1st batter walk. Note to Dan, dont try that again with the #8 batter.

Nats 128 said...

Haren now surpasses Chad Tracy and Danny Espinosa and Bernadina in Batting Average

Nats 128 said...

Finally a HR with someone on!

Joe Seamhead said...

Happy for Haren! And for Bryce. Seriously hoping Anthony starts getting some to drop.

alexva said...

Rendon will be fine

Rendon is the real deaL

Nats 128 said...

My only comment for Davey is short leash on Haren.

Unknown said...

Haren's location not as good this inning.

Nats 128 said...

The Rays and Dodgers are the 2 best teams in the majors now.

David Proctor said...

That was a sick double play

Unknown said...

ALR really is a heck of a defensive 1B...could have been 1st & 3rd with 1 out very easily.

Nats 128 said...

paul, I guess you dont know Dan Haren. Harens location is always towards more of the plate and its the movement that saves him. When his cutter isnt cutting its just a HR ready to blast.

Haren relys on swing/miss and weak contact and this is why he lives and dies by his movement or lack thereof.

Unknown said...

128, just seemed to me he was way up in the zone to Byrd but got away with it on a few of those pitches.

Joe Seamhead said...

You think Mikey could make that play? Not me.

Alexa, Rendon is now 15 for his last 77, since July 1. I agree he's the real deal but the deal is struggling big time.

Nats 128 said...

Now Span thunks hes a power hitter!

David Proctor said...

Span is really putting a charge into the ball today...even that flyout. Jeez.

Nats 128 said...

paul, I learn from those who know and have said Harens movement determines his starts. The reason he doesnt walk many is becuz he puts it over the plate and doesnt nibble. Agreed when the ball is up thats when you have to be concerned.

He sure isnt going to beat you on high heat.

Holden Baroque said...

That was a sick double play

Now that's a play Wil Cordero doesn't make.

David Proctor said...

Haren has really gotten away with some pitches in this inning.

Nats 128 said...

"David Proctor said...
Span is really putting a charge into the ball today...even that flyout. Jeez"

Have to take note that Span lengthened his swing some. 1 HR isnt a success. It is a start to see where it goes. Me, Id rather see solid line drives. His weak swings were killing him and his team.

Holden Baroque said...

Span has been hitting too many fly balls for a while now, for the type of hitter he is. Dropped to 7th, it's not so bad, but he's got no business swinging for the fences.

Nats 128 said...

"David Proctor said...
Haren has really gotten away with some pitches in this inning."

I guess you also dont understand Dan Haren.

Have you ever watched Mariano Rivera. You start your swing to where the ball should be an it moves and the same thing with Haren. He has made a career on movement.


Holden Baroque said...

Wow, nice snag by Wright on Ramos there. I like Zim, but the days of there being a question about which one is better are long gone.

Unknown said...

Nats up 4-0 , harren pitchmen well, sitting at tiki bar in fenwick island, del. surrounded by phillies and o's fans

Nats 128 said...

"I like Zim, but the days of there being a question about which one is better are long gone."

Absolutely. Also look where Wright positions himself and where Zim does. Its a big problem.

Holden Baroque said...

St Louis @ Atlanta, top 5, 0-0.

Nats 128 said...

ScottM, I hope you brought BUG SPRAY! Pests!

David Proctor said...

Dang Rendon got robbed.

Nats 128 said...

Rendon with his best swing in a week and robbed.

Holden Baroque said...

Absolutely. Also look where Wright positions himself and where Zim does. Its a big problem.

He does what he has to do. It's not like Danny being stubborn about continually trying to hit 6-run home runs--he doesn't have much choice, IMO. The alternative isn't perfection, it's Zimm further back, with a longer throw.

Unknown said...

128, I am no Haren expert but no way his location should be waist high...I know he throws a cutter but it should end up down in the zone, not up in the zone but I can't argue with the results thus far...he was much better right there to Gee.

Nats 128 said...

Sec. 1D 10T, My Sofa, we are in agreement. I dont have the answers. Zimmerman is under contract for a long time. Has to move across the diamond sooner then later.

Holden Baroque said...

Some guys can throw for the middle of the plate because they do not have good control--the one place the ball ain't going is where they are trying to throw it. Haren is like the pitcher's analog to "Swing hard in case you hit it." He needs to keep the ball away from the barrel, no matter what, in case they do hit it.

Nats 128 said...

paul, would rather have the pitches lower in the zone however hes a high strike guy. I dont know what you expect.

Sucks he didnt get that clear strike to Young who then got the infield single. Ump blew that one.

David Proctor said...

Haren has gotten so lucky with David Wright.

Holden Baroque said...

Whew, thankyoujesus.

Nats 128 said...

The Fox camera work is so poor. I thought that was a HR on the concourse. To close.

Unknown said...

128, agree, thought that was a strike too...OMG, Wright just crushed that ball, foul!! get the BP up, Davey!!!

Joe Seamhead said...

Nuts!

Nats 128 said...

Sorry, Ryan has to knock that down.

Holden Baroque said...

128, on those, don't watch for the ball--watch the fans in the sections on the line. They'll tell you first.


Wow, that was a hit, but not because Zim didn't get there. Playable ball.

David Proctor said...

I'm thankful it was just one run and not two with a home run...

Unknown said...

128, agree, he must knock that down any way he can, you learn that in LL.

alexva said...

Give it up for haren

Nats 128 said...

paul, all we can do is shake our heads. If Zimmerman is playing normal depth the ball comes up perfectly on the 1st hop. That was much easier than Ramos shot that Wright got.

One big run. I also blame it on the ump as Young was a strikeout.

Holden Baroque said...

Zim plays the ball to his side; he always has, probably since he was a kid. His reflexes used to make that possible, but as he gets even this much older, I don't think he reacts to those bad hops as well as he used to. He's not going to start getting in front of them at this point, at third base. It's a reflex position, you can't just completely change fundamentals one day.

Unknown said...

DP, good point, thought the same, 4-1 is much better than 4-2 & Wright now has two foul ball HR's but Haren got screwed on that 1-2 pitch to Young...maybe Ramos could have framed it a tad better but that should have been strike 3.

David Proctor said...

LaRoche hit that about as hard as you can, right to Byrd.

mick said...

Haren's best game so far and that is a real positive...I would pull him now and go with Clip

thoughts?

mick said...

I keep thinking Dillon Gee is Kenny G

lol

Holden Baroque said...

That 3-hit, 6-inning shutout v. Miami was pretty good, too. And I'd try to get 7 out of him, but I wouldn't try very hard.

Nats 128 said...

mick if Davey doesnt have his pen guys getting loose then its on Davey. This is a game you have to cement away.

David Proctor said...

I agree. Put Haren back out there, but have somebody warming behind him.

mick said...

Sofa

the Miami game was very good. maybe your right about the 7th, but with his pitch count at 86 and his history of tiring, I am not so sure.

mick said...

it depends on where is slider is, I guess

David Proctor said...

Haren is getting bailed out big time by these balls going foul. Yikes.

mick said...

you see...I would pull him after this batter

Nats 128 said...

This was the Atlanta way when they had Oflaherty Venters and Kimbrel that you get your starter thru 6 and give 7, 8 and 9 to the pen and you go back to the clubhouse with a W.

mick said...

nats128

good point

Nats 128 said...

David, did you hear what Verducci said. "Haren has made very few mistakes in the middle of the plate".

mick said...

regardless...i would assume the 7th is it for Haren?

Holden Baroque said...

There are other considerations. The Mets have Davis, Buck, and Legares up, whom he should be able to get, and if not, the bottom of the order follows; and Haren is due up this inning.

NL baseball; you gotta think about this [stuff].

mick said...

not to get to ahead here, but if Haren can do this the rest of the season, then it gets interesting with Nats...you can go with Ross O and when its time to shut down Taylor Jordan...you still have your 5 pitchers.As I have said, let Det heal the rest of the season

Holden Baroque said...

If they hit the ball 500 feet, foul, that's a strike. And don't throw that again.

mick said...

your right sofa

mick said...

nice job Danny, very nice!!!

Nats 128 said...

Davey has pushed the Greed button with Taylor Jordan last start and a couple starts with Jordan Z.

This time Davey got it right. I would rather air on the side of caution.

Holden Baroque said...

NOW I go to Clippard.

David Proctor said...

Damn, a good outing from Haren. We needed it.

alexva said...

this is the Dan Haren we've been waiting for

Unknown said...

happy for Haren - nice job...now score some more runs!!

David Proctor said...

It's definitely Clippard and Soriano time now. Unless we can add some runs here.

mick said...

David and sofa

agreed

Les_in_NC said...

is Clips head in the game today though? This could still get rough...

mick said...

Les



good point did not think of that

Holden Baroque said...

I don't mind a guy hitting the ball into the third deck, but thirty feet foul. That means his timing was off, and he happened to barrel it up. That's as likely to throw him off as me.

Now, the ones that just miss the pole will get your breakfast up in your throat a little...

mick said...

however, according to Mark's blog he says Davey and rizzo had a great talk with Clip to calm him down

David Proctor said...

Clip is a professional. He's always handled things very well. Even his "lashing out" I thought was done in a polite, well-spoken manner. I don't think it'll effect his performance. But I guess we shall see.

Holden Baroque said...

Well, if Clippard is still pissed off, let's see him take it out where it belongs.

I can feel your anger. The hate is swelling in you now. Use it.

Holden Baroque said...

How much faster do you suppose Clippard looks after three at-bats against Haren?

Nats 128 said...

If you look at Harens cutters to Wright he got him out front on a 84 miler cutter. Almost using his cutter at different speeds to get foul balls. Overall his speed was off more and his movement increased.

Livan when he was good relied on movement. Theres to much macho man stuff in trying to over power batters.

Give me 84 to 86 and a W.

Holden Baroque said...

St. Louis @ ATL at baja 7, still zip.

Nats 128 said...

Why doesnt Fox have a K box with balls and strikes. Any one know?

David Proctor said...

Ramos defensive woes have been much talked about, but something that annoys me more than most things: he drops a lot of balls that if he catches cleanly, could be called strikes.

There was just one right now.

Holden Baroque said...

In fact, the Barves have had 7 hits and 3 walks through 6, but no runs. That must be soooooooo frustrating for them...

Nats 128 said...

Theres the same pitch that Haren threw Young and didnt get the same call Clipperd just got. I even think Harens was an inch or 2 higher.

David Proctor said...

Looks like Clippard didn't let it bother him too much

Holden Baroque said...

Rats. Lightning just now--and here comes the rain. Gonna mess up the excellent party at the Howard Theater.

Holden Baroque said...

Which is being held outdoors today.

Joe Seamhead said...

Boy, Clip got a call on that pitch. I don't blame Young for not being happy. If Drew Storen had gotten one call like that in game five we would never have gotten Soriano.

Nats 128 said...

Really David Proctor. Ramos just got away with Ball 4 by framing it perfectly.

The Ramos Basher Fan Club is because Storen Bashers and Espinosa Bashers had to move to Syracuse.

Just rediculous.

Nats 128 said...

Another Manager not afraid to switch relievers after facing one batter.

Joe Seamhead said...

Dan Haren deserves a helluva a hand! Great job today!

David Proctor said...

I am FAR from a Ramos basher. I'm a big fan of Ramos. I think he can be one of the biggest contributors to this team. I can point out a deficiency in his game without being a Ramos basher.

Holden Baroque said...

There's too much macho man stuff in trying to over-power batters.

It's called "wanting to announce your presence with authority!"

Just be sure your catcher doesn't tell them what you're throwing.

Nats 128 said...

He dropped a low pitch by trying to quickly frame it. It was a slick move and the ball slipped from his glove. Thats not a catching deficiecy. I went from a accused troll for making similar comments to trying to stay positive. Trying to do the same thing as Mick.

Holden Baroque said...

Not sure why they didn't have a virtual strike zone on the Fox broadcast, but we probably didn't get the A-team tech crew--maybe the D-team doesn't have that stuff?

David Proctor said...

Dan Daly
‏@dandalyonsports
In the last 5 seasons, no pitcher in baseball (minimum: 250 IP) has allowed fewer hits per 9 innings than Tyler Clippard (5.74). #Nats #MLB

Holden Baroque said...

Indeed 128, I think a lot of us could stand to rely more on command and movement, rather than announcing our presence with authority. IMO.

Unknown said...

anyone else see the A's unis?? pretty sweet.

Nats 128 said...

paul, they tweeted pregame photos of Vida Blue and Freiman. Really nice job by the team. Still waiting for the Nats to do a 1960s throwback.

Holden Baroque said...

pb, are those one of their normal sets, or a throwback? I like how they match the color of the titanium necklaces to the green.

Joe Seamhead said...

Since June 4th Tyler Clippard has pitched 23 2/3 innings and has given up one run and only 8 hits in that time.

Joe Seamhead said...

Freaking Braves.

Unknown said...

Sofa, not sure, am guessing throwback given 128's comment re. Vida Blue...128, do you know?

Nats 128 said...

"Sec. 3, My Sofa said...
Indeed 128, I think a lot of us could stand to rely more on command and movement, rather than announcing our presence with authority. IMO."

Glad someone agrees with me. When Haren was popping 88 to 91 he was getting hit hard. Now hes throwing his straight fastball topping out at 89 and his cutter 82 to 88 all day long.

Holden Baroque said...

[Shucks.] Braves go up 2-0 in the 8th.

Unknown said...

Joe Seamhead said...

Freaking Braves.

Joe, well said...and here comes Kimbrel.

Holden Baroque said...

I do agree, 128; I was, however, speaking figuratively about our collective rhetorical tendencies.

Nats 128 said...

paul/sofa, it says Flashback 1969 which makes me thunk its a throwback 69 uni

https://twitter.com/Athletics/status/361201765644918784/photo/1

Holden Baroque said...

Those are indeed the 1969 A's uniforms.

Holden Baroque said...

Seems to be clearing up here in Shaw.

Holden Baroque said...

Should be taking the tarp off by now.

Unknown said...

128, thanks...sweet...was always a fan of Vida Blue and he owns one of the coolest names of all time for any athlete.

Unknown said...

thanks for nothing STL.

Holden Baroque said...

Bah. Cardinals cough one up. Final 2-0, ATL.

Not that we have any business scoreboard-watching.

Nats 128 said...

paul, I liked Blue Moon Odom and Vida Blue and Ossie Bluege. I guess Im blue.

Nats 128 said...

Um, Cardinals have lost 2. No offense this weekend.

Holden Baroque said...

better than "Blue Moon Odom"?

Holden Baroque said...

Juan Pizarro was on that team. So was Tito Francona.

Mike Hershberger.

José Tartabull.

Unknown said...

Blue Moon Odom is pretty strong, how about others?

Metta World Peace
World B Free
Oscar Gamble
Tie Domie
Earl "the Pearl" Monroe

just some that come to mind in other sports too...am sure there are a ton...what a rain delay will do to you!!!!

Secret wasian man said...

Scott Marinuea. I watched the Nats win last night at a place called Fat Tuna just west of Bethany. When we arrive the O's HUN were on the big big screen. We had to ask the guy to turn on the Nats game. He had womens volleyball on instead.

Secret wasian man said...

sec 3 we can score watch until it is OFFICIALLY over. After all we are FANS. short for fanatics

Holden Baroque said...

And the '69 A's finished second to ... the Twins! Anybody here remember that?

(yes, I am kidding)

Holden Baroque said...

My personal rule is, you don't get to talk playoffs or watch the scoreboard unless you've won more games than you've lost. Just my own thing.

Holden Baroque said...

A lot of those guys changed their names, like Chad EightFive.

But...

Van Lingle Mungo.

Heathcliff Slocumb.

Porfi Altamirano.

Nats 128 said...

Rain delay thoughts. Nats showing no negative effects of the recent personel moves. If anything they are showing resilience. I was worried about Clipperd pitching today and he did his thing.

The only unfortunate thing is the Braves are playing better without the Upton brothers. Go figure. They spend all that money and have played better when both are out of the lineup.

One trade we have to be lucky Rizzo never made was for BJ Upton. That guy is over rated.

Nats 128 said...

Doesnt Blue Moon Odom have a beer named after him. That makes it the best nickname and Odom rhymes with funny things before the word modem was created.

Holden Baroque said...

OK, the game's not on for another 10 minutes or so, and "Two-Headed Shark Attack!" is on SciFi!!

Nats 128 said...

Games on!

David Proctor said...

Well that was quick. Soriano has the heart of the order. Murphy, Wright and Byrd.

Joe Seamhead said...

Nats128 said:
One trade we have to be lucky Rizzo never made was for BJ Upton. That guy is over rated.

-----///----
Our biggest Span basher said the other night that Rizzo should have gotten BJ.

BTW, Justin Upton played today.

Nats 128 said...

If you blinked you just missed the last 2 at bats in the bottom of the 8th.

Joe Seamhead said...

Man, Rendon can't buy a hit.

David Proctor said...

Sigh. Leadoff single.

Nats 128 said...

That Murphy guy is a pest. Cant make any thing easy.

David Proctor said...

Slider command = story of Soriano's season. Like I said yesterday.

Holden Baroque said...

I'm back and tucked, boss.

Holden Baroque said...

Untucked.

Nats 128 said...

Nats got all the calls today. Whoa, I guess Ramos is a frame doctor!

Joe Seamhead said...

Wow, about time we got a few calls from the home plate ump!
WoooooooSoriHooooooo!

SonnyG10 said...

Yeah!!! Nats win!!!

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