Saturday, July 6, 2013

Game 87: Padres at Nats

Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
So much for best-laid plans. Davey Johnson said last night he planned to sit Bryce Harper for the rest of the weekend, believing the young outfielder needed a physical and mental break. Well, after getting word of that plan late last night, Harper sent a text to his manager that read: "Play me or trade me." Davey's response today: "Since trading him is out of the question, I guess I'm going to play him." (And no, Harper wasn't serious about the trade demand. Come on, people, use some common sense!)

So today's lineup ends up looking exactly like the previous two lineups, aside from Kurt Suzuki catching in place of the red-hot Wilson Ramos, who is getting a well-earned day off. We'll see if this group can once again produce eight runs as it has the last two nights. It will be taking its hacks against an old pal, Jason Marquis, who leads the Padres with nine wins but also leads the NL with 60 walks.

Jordan Zimmermann gets the ball for the Nationals on what could be quite a momentous day for the right-hander. He's not only seeking his league-leading 13th victory, he's also likely to learn he's been named an All-Star for the first time in his career. The selection show airs at 6:30 p.m., so stay tuned for that news later on, and check back right here for game updates...

SAN DIEGO PADRES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 186
Weather: Partly cloudy, 92 degrees, Wind 12 mph out to CF
NATIONALS (44-42)
CF Denard Span
SS Ian Desmond
LF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Jayson Werth
2B Anthony Rendon
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Jordan Zimmermann

PADRES (40-47)
SS Everth Cabrera
CF Will Venable
LF Carlos Quentin
3B Chase Headley
1B Jesus Guzman
RF Chris Denorfia
2B Logan Forsythe
C Yasmani Grandal
RHP Jason Marquis

UMPIRES
HP Bruce Dreckman
1B Quinn Wolcott
2B David Rackley
3B Tim Welke (cc)

4:05 p.m. — And we're underway on a 90-degree Saturday afternoon in the District. Jordan Zimmermann, to the surprise of no one, throws strike one to Everth Cabrera.

4:14 p.m. — Zimmermann did give up a hit — a two-out double into the left-field corner by Carlos Quentin — but otherwise mowed through the Padres in the top of the first. He finished off his 20-pitch, 15-strike inning by catching Chase Headley looking at a 2-2 changeup on the outside corner. Headley didn't think it hit the corner, but only Bryce Dreckman's opinion counts in that situation.

4:20 p.m. — A 1-2-3 first inning for Jason Marquis, thought Bryce Harper did smoke a line drive to the left side in his first at-bat of the day. Unfortunately, Headley was shaded over in that direction, toward the hole, so he made the easy play to end the inning. Harper is now 0-for-19 since his homer on Monday. Scoreless after one.

4:30 p.m. — Two innings down and Zimmermann has already had to pitch his way out of two jams. Each time, he managed to strand a runner in scoring position thanks to a called third strike. He caught Headley looking at a changeup in the first, and he just caught Yasmani Grandal looking at a curveball to end the top of the second. Good stuff from Zimmermann, who keeps this a scoreless game in the middle of the second.

5:09 p.m. — An eventful third inning, not all of it in a positive way. The Nats loaded the bases with one out for Desmond, who grounded to first baseman Jesus Guzman, who immediately threw home for an easy forceout. But on the play, Rendon slid through Yasmani Grandal, and the Padres catcher's right leg got caught underneath him. Grandal immediately began writhing on the ground in agony and his teammates rushed to his side. After several minutes, he was helped off the field, not putting any weight on the leg, clearly having just suffered a major injury. You can only imagine what Wilson Ramos was thinking as he watched that from the Nats dugout. For the record, Rendon's slide appeared to be perfectly clean, no issues there. Grandal just got caught with his leg in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Padres had to recompose themselves, with Nick Hundley taking over at catcher, and perhaps that switch helped contribute to Marquis' bases-loaded walk of Harper, bringing home the day's first run. They still had the bases loaded with two outs, but Marquis struck out Zimmerman on a 2-2 sinker, escaping the jam without allowing any more damage. So after all that, the Nats lead 1-0 heading to the fourth.

5:25 p.m. — Adam LaRoche makes it 2-0, clobbering a 2-0 sinker from Marquis into the right field bullpen. That's LaRoche's 13th homer of the season, and there was no doubt about it.

5:37 p.m. — The Padres get on the board at last, though without benefit of a hit. Logan Forsythe draws a leadoff walk in the fifth, steals second base, takes third on a grounder and then scores on Marquis' groundout to short. Marquis always has been a threat with the bat, and he just got his team to within one run. It's 2-1 Nats in the middle of the fifth.

5:50 p.m. — That'll snap Harper's 0-for-19 slump. He sends an RBI single up the middle in the fifth, giving the Nats a 3-1 lead. He's now got two of the team's three RBI today.

6:05 p.m. — Strange afternoon for Zimmermann. He only allowed five hits and a walk, but he really labored in the heat, throwing 101 pitches in 5 1/3 innings. So, Davey came out with the early hook for the right-hander, and paid the price for it. Ross Ohlendorf entered with two men on and immediately coughed up a 3-run homer to Jesus Guzman. Just like that, Zimmermann's shot at win No. 13 is shot. And just like that, the Nats trail 4-3 in the sixth.

6:26 p.m. — Ohlendorf gets through the top of the seventh, so it's still 4-3 at the stretch as the Padres bullpen enters. A reminder: the All-Star selection show is about to start on Fox.

6:37 p.m. — Breaking news: Bryce Harper has been elected a starter to the All-Star Game. And he's about to step to the plate in a big spot in the bottom of the seventh.

6:42 p.m. — And right on cue, Harper delivers the game-tying sacrifice fly. It's his third RBI of the day, and it makes this a 4-4 game in the seventh.

6:48 p.m. — And Ryan Zimmerman delivers the go-ahead, two-out RBI single to right. It's 5-4 Nats after seven, and here's Drew Storen for the eighth. Big spot for the struggling right-hander.

6:49 p.m. — More breaking news: Jordan Zimmermann has been named an All-Star for the first time in his career.

6:53 p.m. — A 1-2-3 eighth inning for Storen, who certainly needed that. He protects a 5-4 lead.

6:57 p.m. — Ian Desmond did not crack the All-Star roster. He is among the five-man Final Vote competition, but he'll have to beat out Yasiel Puig, Freddie Freeman, Adrian Gonzalez and Hunter Pence. Tough challenge there. Desmond could still make it if Troy Tulowitzki can't play due to injury.

7:03 p.m. — Ninth inning ahead. Rafael Soriano in. Nats still lead 5-4.

7:20 p.m. — Ballgame. Nats win 5-4. They're 3 games over .500 for the first time since May 18.

127 comments:

Mr. Doggett said...

Stras is thinking...."So THAT'S all I had to do?!?!?!?!"

Mr. Doggett said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
NatsLady said...

So--Detwiler with "discomfort"? Again, why am I not shocked? Can't go past 3-4 good innings, that's the first sign. At least he was honest about it, thank you!

When he comes back, stick him in the bullpen--where he should be great--until he can build up his stamina to a starting pitcher's level.

Eric said...

Is Det going on the DL this time?

Section 222 said...

Reposting: Det unlikely to start. Paging Mr. Rizzo. Mr. Mike Rizzo. You have a call waiting at the white courtesy phone.

Time to get busy Mike. This team is not going to get to the playoffs with Dan Haren and Taylor Jordan as our 4 and 5.

realdealnats said...

I like Davey messing with Bryce a bit too.

Glad Ramos gets a rest.

AAAnnnddd our bench just a lot stronger with Ramos ready to pinch hit.

It's a triple win situation. But all we need is one win for the night.

Section 222 said...

NJ, same here. More and more I wonder if Davey was playing a little mind game. Something like if you're going to sulk over a few Ks, and not play with the intensity I know you have, maybe you need a rest." And Bryce responded just like Davey wanted him too. I'll be watching today to see if his Pete Rose hustle on ground balls and popups has returned.

So you really think the Nats are making up an injury to Det to be able to see TJ again? That seems like a stretch.

sjm308 said...

Watch some national writer or reporter,take Bryce's comment out of context and describe him as spoiled or something.

David Proctor said...

I don't think they necessarily need to place Ross on the DL. They can just skip his next start (Haren and Taylor Jordan can be the 4-5) and then with the All-Star Break, he'll basically have the length of a DL stint.

sjm308 said...

Switched up my routine today since we lost my last game. Instead of Justin's I hit the new food truck outside the stadium. Am enjoying a can of DC Brau and a pretty good pulled pork sand which from Rocklands Barbeque. Will head upstairs to those picnic tables where I never meet anyone in a couple minutes

Go Nats!!

jeffwx said...

But are there any signs that Haren will be different ? Is he ready ? Clearly Taylor is

jeffwx said...

I'll look for you SJM but need to get my girlfriend in gear. Good news about a late start is more chance of clouds as the atmosphere heats up and downward mixing of higher momentum air and more shadows by 5...She isn't buying it.

David Proctor said...

We won't know if Haren is ready. He says he feels better and is throwing better. Of course, what he says and reality could be two different things. We'll find out.

jeffwx said...

so no rehab starts

jeffwx said...

20 feet from stardom is not about umpires calling the plate behind Bryce Harper at bat, but
about some of the greatest singers you never heard of backing up some of the biggest bands you have heard. Who was the female voice on Gimme Shelter ?
Go see this excellent movie and find out.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Re Bryce, Davey saw lefty tomorrow, whoops.

jeffwx said...

so are you prognosticating that Bryce sits tomorrow or they trade him

sjm308 said...

Jeffwx- you have to be tougher then that with music trivia. Miss Clayton sang her heart out.

jeffwx said...

wow...good one, sjm. The stones woke her up to sing that rift and blew them away

sjm308 said...

Hate to jump ahead but rest Bryce, move Span to 8th in the order. Put Wilson in the 5 spot.
Desmond
Rendon
Zimmerman
LaRoche
Ramos
Werth
Moore
Span

David Proctor said...

Desmond has been awful at leadoff throughout his career. Really bad.

David Proctor said...

Let's make it 3 in a row. And with JZimm pitching, score runs...but not too many runs.

natsfan1a said...

So, we meet again, Jason. I can't wish you luck today, but I will say this: Go, Jordan! Go, NATS!!

David Proctor said...

Marquis has been by far the luckiest pitcher in MLB this year. Good ERA, but 60 walks and a lot of unearned runs.

David Proctor said...

JZimm is shaking off Suzuki today more than I've seen all year.

David Proctor said...

Harper can't catch a break.

UnkyD said...

Far too easy, jeffwx.... ;-)

David Proctor said...

They're taking some good swings off Zim.

Faraz Shaikh said...

serious lucky play there for marquis!

David Proctor said...

Everything hit hard, right to somebody.

Faraz Shaikh said...

you can't be serious!

David Proctor said...

They're hitting everything hard...not to somebody.

David Proctor said...

JZimm and Gio have really been walking a tightrope these last two nights. But they've gotten it done.

Faraz Shaikh said...

David, they are just showing off.

Faraz Shaikh said...

why would you swing at that crap in 3-1 count?

Faraz Shaikh said...

i hope he is OK.

Unknown said...

really hope he didn't break that right ankle.

Faraz Shaikh said...

i think they should change the rules so that catchers aren't at risk every single play at the plate.

David Proctor said...

Looks like an ACL to me.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Fair slide by Rendon. Let's see if Padres throw at him later.

Faraz Shaikh said...

GoSM, I don't know about Padres but Marquis will.

Unknown said...

DP, you may be right, major contact with his ankle but the force of the impact caused his leg to twist big time so it could very well of been the knee...not good...nothing Rendon could have done there other than maybe slide a tad earlier but he is trying to break up a potential double play so clean play in my mind.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Harp with the big at-bat right here. Take the walk.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Marquis is a veteran. He did it against the D'Backs in a critical situation that cost the team runs. Old school.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Grand slam pitch to RZim and he swings right thru it.

Faraz Shaikh said...

that's OK. let's come back stronger next inning.

Unknown said...

Ghost, the pitch before that was a big mistake and Zim was all over it but was a bit ahead of it and hit it foul...we should be up 3-0 right now at least...oh well, Jzim likes the close games.

Unknown said...

is it me or is the home plate ump squeezing Jzim? I don't get it...with the season he is having, he should be getting some of these calls.

David Proctor said...

The ump has a tight strike zone in general, but I think he's been pretty consistent.

Unknown said...

ALR - sweet!

Unknown said...

protect the coconut Anthony!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Home plate ump squeezing JZim. Ridiculous that a pitcher with his All Star credentials gets squeezed.

Leadoff walk costs him a run.

David Proctor said...

Jordan's results are good today, but he doesn't look very good to me. Just not his normal pinpoint command. Everyone is entitled to an off-day though and even when he's missing, he's limited them to 1 run on 3 hits through 5. If he goes 6, I'll be happy.

Unknown said...

Ghost, is your 538pm comment a sarcastic response to mine of 515pm?? if so, I am ok with it but really think this ump is squeezing him way too much.

and I hate to say it but with Marquis up, I would have had the infield in there to prevent that run from scoring.

Unknown said...

DP, kind of agree on Jordan but between the ump and the heat, not too surprising...he should just pitch to contact next inning and hopefully have a quick inning and then bring in the bullpen...he has to be close to 100 pitches.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

For those Os trolls that come here, your team just fell into 3rd place. I checked a couple of their blogs and they are complaining about their starters. Too funny.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

paul, not at all. It ticks me off. Marquis has received several outside calls on the Nats lefties and JZim is getting nothing close.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Great line drive by Desi ;)

pk24 said...

Table set for Harp

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Glad Bryce played today!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

RZim has to start beating up mistake pitches. Now is the time to do it.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

RZim tatoo'd that one. Unlucky.

David Proctor said...

Man, the Nats have hit into some horrible luck. They've really hit the ball hard all day long. It should be a bigger lead than 3-1.

Unknown said...

Ghost, ok, thanks...couldn't tell and would not have been "hurt" if you were slamming me but that's how I feel...ump has not been kind to Jordan on alot of strikes that were not called strikes...Desi, let the line drives go thru! you learn that in little league.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

None of the other RFs make that play

Unknown said...

nice catch Bryce, man, don't get hurt, bro!

David Proctor said...

Come on, one groundball Zim.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Seeing eye hit there. That stinks.

David Proctor said...

Ohlendorf with men on base. Me no likey.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

David he got that groundball and that's the unluck/luck of Balls-in-play.

David Proctor said...

Yep, knew that was coming. Ohlendorf isn't as good as he's looked folks.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

You have to be kidding me. I'm just shaking my head in disbelief.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

This is where the ump squeezing Jordan comes into play as it pushed up his pitch count.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

You work your a$$ off for 6 innings and the reliever comes in like they have been lately with inherited runners and give it up.

When did Ohlendorf move to the stopper role?

Unknown said...

Ghost, yep!! and on a day like this, one would think the home plate ump would be a tad generous with the strike zone...as long as he is consistent to both, am fine with it as both teams would be fine with it...not happy and now a no-decision for Jzim, not fair.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Nats will need that 4.70 in this game. Get the offense going Nats!

David Proctor said...

That's a situation where getting Ryan Mattheus back will help a ton.

Unknown said...

don't understand the move to Ohlendorf there either but am sure Davey had his mind made up before the game started with who he would go with after Jzim...it's ok, we will win this game.

Secret wasian man said...

i showed up to vent. Storen Stammen and now Ohlendorf. When did this bullpen turn into the METS?

Secret wasian man said...

this team just refuses to get more than 22 games over .500

Secret wasian man said...

I mean 2 games over. 22 would be great.

David Proctor said...

I don't understand why anyone thought Ohlendorf was good. He did have an impressive game against the Rockies, but it was a fluke. Look at his career. Putting him in with 2 men on base is kind of mind-boggling to me.

Unknown said...

wow...Boeing 777 crash in San Fran...crashed on landing, appears most survived but just saw it on CNN so don't know much...thoughts & prayers to all involved.

Secret wasian man said...

Rizzo killed this bullpen in the offseason. Ahsame the boys start hitting and playing baseball and now the pen is just a joke. Thanks Matheus for punching that locker

Unknown said...

SWM, agree Mattheus did more than just damage his hand...what a selfish act, we could really use him & not just in this game...ticks me off.

David Proctor said...

Rizzo didn't kill the bullpen.

Secret wasian man said...

who Did David? the middle guys are not too good.

David Proctor said...

Who left? Gonzalez, Gorzelanny and Burnett. Burnett has been hurt almost the entire season and I bet Rizzo knew that. Gonalez has been decent, but we have two lefties now. Gorzo as a long man, but the expectation was Duke could fill that role. Nobody on here thought Duke would struggle in that role at the time. It didn't work out.

Rizzo couldn't have foreseen Ryan Mattheus breaking his hand, Storen turning to crap, etc.

Unknown said...

well he didn't really help it either other than maybe Soriano and appears he now knows it...no left handers to start the season other than Duke and now we have Krol & Abad up from the minors...that tells me alot but I am an optimist, still think we win this game.

Secret wasian man said...

So game 5 was not an indication of Storen turning to crap??

David Proctor said...

No. It was one game.

David Proctor said...

Harper starting in the ASG.

Unknown said...

does Bryce face a lefty or do you let Ramos hit here? have to think its Bryce but...

E said...

Beat it SWM.

Unknown said...

nice job Harp/Span!

just deep enough.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Drew Storen?

David Proctor said...

Drew Storen is in. Davey...

pk24 said...

Ohlendorf in line for the vulture win.

Unknown said...

Drew 1-2-3...I feel it.

jw said...

Zimmerman makes Ohlendorf the pitcher of record if the Nats win.

David Proctor said...

Well that was quite an outing...

jw said...

Drew!! 1-2-3 on FIVE pitches

David Proctor said...

Notice Drew threw 4 well placed fastballs and then 1 slider as the strikeout pitch. He wasn't trying to "trick people" like Davey said he was trying to do before. And I didn't see him shake Suzuki off.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Great inning for Drew....

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

WowDrew!

Jane Elizabeth said...

He is the greatest pitcher I ever saw....

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Trying to catch up.... What happened to JZimm today???

Jane Elizabeth said...

Nationals are closer to 1st than the mighty Orioles....

David Proctor said...

JZimm was getting squeezed some, they kept fouling pitches off and he ran out of gas. He had only allowed 1 run, but he left 2 men on base and Ohlendorf came in and served up a 3 run homer.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Dang.... Thanks DP... Any word on Desi and the AS...

I'm a new pet owner... He took precedence but I'm watching on the DVR....

Potty training is hard....

Jane Elizabeth said...

They have announced the lists. Check MLB.com

NatsFanSinceStart said...

We are still looking good! We sweep this series and we are on a way!

Wait until Harper and Rendon get hot -- oh yeah

NatsFanSinceStart said...

Zimmermann and Harper only All stars

Desmond among the "final five" where the fans vote for one. But with Puig and AGonzalez in there, I think his chances are slim.

NatsLady said...

This is interesting re: diagnosing injuries.

Diamondbacks utility man Willie Bloomquist will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks with two broken bones in his left hand, reports Tyler Emerick of MLB.com.

Bloomquist suffered the injury when he was hit in the hand by a pitch back on June 26 and landed on the disabled list earlier this week. While initial X-rays came back negative, a CT scan yesterday revealed the fractures.

NatsFanSinceStart said...

I'm making a note of each time Storen does well. That way, when he explodes (implodes?) on the mound again, I might not get as mad at him.

UnkyD said...

Looked like Drew trusted his sinker...

NatsFanSinceStart said...

Soriano is a character - he completely dictates and commands the pace of the game, more so than most pitchers.

NatsFanSinceStart said...

I don't like "no doubles outfield" as it compares to the nickel defense in Football -- the concept is sound, only the reality is that it costs more games than it probably saves. that last ball could have been caught with a regular outfield positioning

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I'm actually nervous...

David Proctor said...

That's the most emotion I've ever seen Soriano show. As he touched the bag, he was going crazy slapping his hand.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

GREAT TO SEE SORIANO SHOW SOME EMOTION!!!

Yeah baby! Way to go Adam!!! Go team!!!

Unknown said...

now that was fun!

Joe Seamhead said...

Another game saving/ending play by ALR. And no, really, Michael Morse does not make that play.

jw said...

@WODL -- How are Nationals closer to first than the Orioles? They don't play in the same division of the same league.

natsfan1a said...

Anyone have any spare nitro tabs? No? Okay, maybe I'll just go lie down for a few minutes.

Nice win, Nats. Congrats to our two All-Stars. Hope to see another one before the voting/selection ends.

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

Glad Soriano looked so happy after the final out. His run to first was definitely a change of pace :)

Post a Comment