Monday, July 8, 2013

Instant analysis: Phillies 3, Nats 2

USA Today Sports Images
Game in a nutshell: The Nationals came to town flying high on a four-game winning streak and feeling confident they had turned a corner. How quickly that feeling can disappear. The same lineup that slugged out 56 runs over its previous eight games was shut out by old friend John Lannan, producing all of four singles against the Phillies left-hander. Dan Haren, making his return from the DL, struggled mightily in the first inning, allowing two runs, but managed to settle down enough after that to keep the Phillies from scoring again before he departed after the fifth. Fernando Abad gave up an insurance run in the sixth, and that did prove costly by night's end because the Nationals put up a fight in the ninth against Jonathan Papelbon, scoring twice on sacrifice flies. But they couldn't produce the game-winning run, and thus dropped the opener of this four-game series in frustrating fashion.

Hitting lowlight: After a week's worth of (mostly) impressive offensive performances, there was every reason to believe the Nationals would keep it going tonight. Except for one small problem: They ran into a beast known as John Lannan. The longtime Nats left-hander already faced his old club a few weeks ago, but you know he had to be motivated to face it again, especially now that he's fully healed from his calf strain. Lannan was nothing short of dominant, scattering four singles and two walks over eight innings. The closest the Nationals came to scoring was in the fourth, when they put three straight batters on base. Bryce Harper, though, was caught stealing, and Adam LaRoche grounded out to kill that rally. Lannan struck out Ian Desmond (for the third time) to end the eighth and walked off the mound to a standing ovation. In parts of six seasons with the Nats, he pitched eight scoreless innings only one (July 21, 2009 vs. Mets). This one had to make the lefty feel good.

Pitching highlight: If you only watched Haren pitch and didn't know the results, you'd have thought he was torched by the Phillies lineup. But after allowing two quick runs in the bottom of the first, the veteran right-hander put up four straight zeroes to at least keep this game close. It wasn't particularly pretty — he gave up seven hits and walked three, including one free pass with the bases loaded — but Haren did also strike out seven and somehow managed to come up big when he needed to most. Long-term, this probably won't cut it, but perhaps Haren can take the positives out of his first start back from the DL and improve upon it the next time he takes the mound.

Key stat: Haren's first-inning walk of Darin Ruf was only the third of his career with the bases loaded.

Up next: The series continues with a matchup featuring rookie Taylor Jordan (making his third career start for the Nationals) and left-hander Cole Hamels (making his 230th career start for the Phillies). First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

154 comments:

David Proctor said...

Werth was a few feet away from tying it. We showed fight. All you can ask. The offense isn't gonna be there every night and we struggle against Lannan-type pitchers. I'm not going to write off two weeks of better offensive production because of one game. Let's go Fish.

Holden Baroque said...

In a normal year, Taylor Jordan v. Cole Hamels would be a classic Speigner Lock, but this year ... ?

Jane Elizabeth said...

Thank you for not telling us that Haren pitched a great game.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Bottom of the 10th in Miami.

David Proctor said...

"Fernando Abad gave up an insurance run in the sixth, but that didn't matter."

How did it not matter? The game is tied at 2-2 if not for the insurance run.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I told Big cat via text that The Abad inning was going to be costly and was.

Dave and Charlie were given the Buffalo same hell I did (was in car when he missed the pop up). Said first inning problem became bid due to the bad throw.

Eck didnt have these guys prepare for left handed junk. As Ray Knight said no one adjusted. I complained about it.

Soon as fast ball guy is in we scored

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Liked that we tried to fight back.. Really thought Werth had it there... But tip of the cap to Lannan for a good game...

Lets get them tomorrow...

Jane Elizabeth said...

Haren did get the loss, while I thought it would have been Abad....

Joe Seamhead said...

Would've liked to have won it, but this one doesn't frustrate me too much. Haren, with no re-hab start, did better then any of us expected.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Deffinately mattered.

Dave and charlie said severalvkey plays early cost us and the high pitched double by revere was one as was the steal of third.

Amr Khani said...

Thank you David. Considering the Abad run was the game winner, I'd argue it mattered. Guessing Mark had one thing written assuming a scoreless ninth and didn't edit it all the way before posting.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

We had some horrible plate approaches tonight... And we didnt really see any adjustments...

As soon as Abad got that run in the 6th, I said that was gonna hurt...

But I'm not swayed becuz we lost tonight... We'll get them tomorrow...

No more losing series... I'm sticking with 7-3 before the AS break...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Hit in the wrong direction for a homer.

Jane Elizabeth said...

The thing is, half of you keep saying how terrible Lannan is, but then praise Haren for only having 10 runners in 5 innings. The ball did not seem to be going very far tonight. These were prime conditions for Haren and he still might have gotten it done if he makes the ground ball play but he basically didn't while making sure no one else could either.

Joe Seamhead said...

William O. Douglas Loeffler said...
Haren did get the loss, while I thought it would have been Abad....
---///--
Why would you think that?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I hope it ends up the difference so absolutely mattered.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Knight is strongly suggesting that Olmy should be the fifth starter: "He looks like a starter to me."

Jane Elizabeth said...

Miami doing nothing. What has happened to Stanton?

Jane Elizabeth said...

Because we scored 2 runs.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Lannan is hittable, we just cant hit him. Other teams dont have privlems (except braves)

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Yeah, I'm with Mrs. B. This one hurt. Maybe it was because Haren (again) got us behind early. Have we ever led a game in which he's pitched since May 1? Forget the two runs in the ninth. It's still a lose. Now we're counting on the Marlins to keep us four back.

I hate putting our faith in the hands of the incompetent.

This one was there for the taking. Our at-bats vs. LannEn were pathetic. I'm a Span Fan, but rolling over on four grounders to second is pathethic.

Secret wasian man said...

Headline on espn MLB has a picture of Lannan and the caption reads, " Vengeance is mine". Hahaha. Take that Rizzo.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Great fight in the 9th by the Nats but where was that in the earlier innings.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

No scorers reason. Haren gave up first run we never tied easy call for official scorer.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

It seems we can hit those junk ball pitchers....

Jane Elizabeth said...

Knightly Knotes--that is pretty clever!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...
Lannan is hittable, we just cant hit him. Other teams dont have privlems (except braves)


Which is one of the reasons Rizzo needed John but just never seemed to like him although Davey did.

I said it when Detwiler was made the 5th starter out of Spring Training in 2012 after Davey proclaimed Lannan was his guy that there was a divide between Davey and Rizzo on Lannan.

Joe Seamhead said...

MNF, I agree that the run that Abad gave up ended up being the difference in the game, but I think what was being implied was that it didn't matter as to Haren getting the loss.

Jane Elizabeth said...

I am not defending Haren, but I think giving up that 3rd rule by Abad was highly significant. There is a huge difference in coming back from 3 runs versus 2 but then again we know that basically every official baseball stat regarding pitchers is garbage except for hits, walks, balls, strikes, etc. Wins, losses, saves---that stuff is basically garbage.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Wow, Pirates lost and Cardinals move back into 1st place.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

So does Hairston play tomorrow???

Anonymous said...

ESPN Baseball Tonight cast ripped into Eckstein and basically said he should be fired. I agree wholeheartedly.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MrsB, I would say Hairston plays tomorrow.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Enunciate....

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

250a22d8-cf95-11e2-87c8-000bcdcb8a73 said...
ESPN Baseball Tonight cast ripped into Eckstein and basically said he should be fired. I agree wholeheartedly.


Come on. Where's the video on that one?

Jane Elizabeth said...

The fire the hitting coach people are back.

Joe Seamhead said...

Bull....

Jane Elizabeth said...

Great, Kimbrel is in in the 11th....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

The deciding run is not how it has been decided. Had it been 2-2 then Abad would get the loss.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Made all the difference.

Section 222 said...

Knight gives a much better explanation than FP of why Bryce slowed down on his attempted steal. Makes sense. Hopefully he learned a lesson.

I never watch the four letter network, but I'd love to hear their rationale on Eckstein. How many runs did we score this past week?

Joe Seamhead said...

Elementary, my dear Watson. Set 'em straight, Manassas.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Mrs. B, yes, Hairston plays. For Harper in left. Davey plays his matchups.

(Although after tonight's effort, I'd be tempted to sit Span down and move Harp to center. But Davey's a bigger Span Fan than even me.)

Jane Elizabeth said...

I couldn't care less where Dwight Howard lands....

Section 222 said...

Freddie bucking conventional wisdom, going with Kimbrell without a save situation. I love it. Oh no, who comes in for the save if the Braves score?

David Proctor said...

ESPN probably has no idea how many runs we scored this past week. No matter what the topic is, they develop a narrative and stick with it. They were talking about the Strasburg shutdown, for God's sake.

John C. said...

Stop it with the "Abad deserved the loss because he gave up the third run" talk. That's garbage because we will never know how the 9th would have played out. I doubt that Papelbon approaches Zim the same way if Zim can tie the game. And in baseball even the smallest of differences can completely change the results. You can't assume it all plays out the exact same way.

Well, you can, I suppose. But it's just silly.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

I still watched MASN instead of ESPN by using Slingbox on my buddy's account in DC.

David Proctor said...

Braves have scored 1 run in 12 innings against the Marlins today so far...

Jane Elizabeth said...

Mike Dunn.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I never left wanted Eck gone going on 3 full years.

Ray Knight exactly what we do in not hitting games. We do not go with the pitch enough. Outer part of plate go other way, inner side pull, middle hit up the middle.

We pulled a lot outside pitches. Span was real bad about that. Three pitches in outer half all pulked to second one inside all pulled to second (that needs to bedriven to right) but pulling that one not bad.

My problem. Despite all the pulling of outside pitches. No evidence that Eck is reminding the players not to pull that.

It could be happening, but see no evidence it is happening.

Its things like I complain about Eck.

Series against Padre we hit more where it was pitched. So no coaching adjustment needed.

Anonymous said...

"Fun" fact: the last time John Lannan pitched at least eight full innings was on 8/28/09 in a 3-2 loss to the Cardinals.

No way to sugarcoat it, that was another pathetic offensive performance.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

It is really silly as the rules never allowed for that before.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Span keeps going back and forth between going with the pitch and trying to pull. He seems far better when he goes with the pitch but who knows why he keeps going back to pulling. He seems to hit the ball better to the 3rd base side....

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

For anyone that yearns for hometown television, all you need is a good friend that will place a Slingbox on their TV and you watch TV anywhere you want with all the DC broadcasting.

http://www.slingbox.com/go/slingbox?displayVideo=true

Jane Elizabeth said...

Kimbrel is out. Boy, guys today are such wimps that they can only pitch 1 inning. Do you know how many innings Spahn and Marichal and that group threw?

It sort of disgusts me that these pitch count fanatics have captured baseball.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

If we sre complain about official scoring. Getting a save after giving up 2 runs has always been one I hate.

David Proctor said...

Ian Desmond sums up this game: "I feel like I just beat my head against a wall for three hours."

Lol

sjm308 said...

We lost, who cares which pitcher gets the loss. We did not gain ground on the Braves nor the Reds, we lost.

Being an ex-coach, in my opinion, there is no such thing as a "good loss". We lost. Tomorrow is another day. They are pitching a veteran who is having a very difficult year. We are pitching a guy who 3 weeks ago was starting in AA. Phillies are in the drivers seat at home. This was the game we needed to win.

I hate losing!!

Go Nats!

NatsLady said...

Two questions, because I was listening on the radio.

(1) DId Tracy swing at ball 3--why couldn't he look for a walk with Ramos behind him?
(2) Do we have a lefty-batting practice pitcher? Some clubs do.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

On to the 13th in Miami

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Reread the article above and it clearly says Abad's run didn't mattet. That sentence just needed to be deleted as it was the insurance run.

But again I mistype a lot so I can't complain to much.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsLady, it was a pitchers pitch in the bottom of the zone that was a strike but a pitch Tracy should have taken.

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/numlocation.php-pitchSel=449097&game=gid_2013_07_08_wasmlb_phimlb_1&batterX=71&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=3.gif

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

The pitch might have been high, but generally this ump was giving the high strike.

That is a great question about a lefty batting practice pitcher.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Uh oh. Mike Dunn out again for the 13th in Miami. Maybe he can make up for that huge gopher ball to Chipper, I think it was, last September. Huge for us, anyway....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I couldnt remember, but did remember it was a probable strike.

Thanks for fixing it for me.

sjm308 said...

Still upset about this loss. I am looking at one positive. Our bullpen should be ready tomorrow. Storen, Clip, Soriano, Kroll all should be ready to go.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Mike Dunn came to Miami in the Uggla trade.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Announcer said it after I typed it

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

As in a majority of our losses most of the problem falls on hitters not pitchers.

When ee hit we almost always win.

NatsLady said...

Certain positives to me

(1) Ohlendorf pitched well.
(2) Clip, Storen and Soriano rested. Krol is VERY rested. There is plenty of backup for the baby pitcher.
(3) I doubt Papelbon will be available tomorrow, or if he is, then he's shown we can "get" to him. He has pitched 3 of the last 4 games (7/8, 7/7, 7/5). Need to get to Colbert early on, get him outta there.

I think of this as Haren's "rehab" game. Definitely not great but he didn't put the Nats in a deep hole. You have to congratulate Lannan on an excellent game.

Is Ramos rusty, that seems very possible.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

No hits by either team since 6th in Miami

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

On to bottom 13

Mark Zuckerman said...

David Proctor said...

"Fernando Abad gave up an insurance run in the sixth, but that didn't matter."

How did it not matter? The game is tied at 2-2 if not for the insurance run.


You are correct. That's unfortunately a case of me writing the Instant Analysis as the game is still going on, preparing in the ninth inning for what looked like it was going to be a 3-0 final. I tweaked a couple of things after the Nats scored the two runs, but I forgot to update that line about Abad. Obviously, the run he allowed proved very costly.

NatsLady said...

I didn't listen to ESPN as I can't stand national announcers rehashing the same old "narratives." I heard snatches of the first three innings on MASN but then had students. I guess Davey decided to take his five innings from Haren and not push it. I didn't hear how Abad gave up the run, but on my way home I heard Ramos missing the foul ball.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Is Ramos rusty, that seems very possible.


No, he's just a horse-bleep receiver.

sjm308 said...

Mark: you didn't need to answer on here but it is just another reason we come here first. I can't imagine the amount of work it takes to do all the stuff you have to do to keep this blog running, a TV show, the radio appearances etc. Then again, a couple years ago we were all chipping in to help. You have come a long way and I for one appreciate you.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Not a highlight night by Ramos but as I predicted after all the accolades he got over the weekend, I knew the hatred would come out soon enough.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Stanton on 2nd with no outs.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Fish have winning run on second, none out. C'mon, you worthless bums.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Miami has 2 on and no outs in 13th....

David Proctor said...

Ramos is what he is. He calls a good game, he can hit, but he's not particularly good defensively outside of calling the game. Still a very high ceiling.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I figured you meant to delete that sentence an leave the insurance run sentence.

David Proctor said...

Double play ball. Unbelievable

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Doubleplay ball. Now 2 outs and Stanton on 3rd. Morrison was 1st pitch swinging. Unreal. Pitcher was just struggling after a 3-2 HBP on the batter before Morrison.

Doc said...

1.5 years later catchers' coach Knorr still hasn't instructed Ramos on turning around and catching a pop foul twisting toward the infield!

All pop fouls behind the plate act the same way.

It's like Catching School 101! C'mon Randy get with the program!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Inning over.

PChuck said...

The fans and Ray Knight wonder about the lack of adjustments this team makes, why doesn't someone ask Davey about this? And don't dance around and sugarcoat it. Directly ask why, when the offense is having trouble with a pitcher, are no in-game adjustments made and isn't that his responsibility to direct Eckstein to direct the players to adjust and how to adjust?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Double play instead of sac bunt. Now n to the 14th.

Most managers are clueless how to manage small ball.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Fish choke.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

It could be his working on adjusting, but I never see him coaching.

I consider the hitting coach like an offensive coirdinator, and kike to see if talking to the players.

Section 222 said...

Sunshine, didn't you get the memo? Ramos is immune from criticism. Why, I'm not exactly sure.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

They played for multiple runs not one. Too many coaches do this through the majors.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I then I take the comment about cosing an out and run in the first

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Who is responible for pitchers holding runners

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

New pitcher comes in ad walks first batter. A sin for a reliever

Unknown said...

sjm, I disagree on "...there is no such thing as a good loss." Yes, a loss is a loss but would you have preferred Haren give up 4 HR's and lose 9-2 or pitch a pretty decent game after the 1st inning and leave down 2-0?

with any offensive help in the early innings, this is a much, much different blog/comments...silver lining, perhaps but trying to see the positives in a tough loss...go get em tomorrow.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Hy is runner on second should be on first

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Runner back on first.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Hatcher miami pitcher pitching way too many balls.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Miami pitcher walking everyone

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

2 walks now. Who does he think he is Soriano?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Both walks score

David Proctor said...

Braves will win. Fish can't do anything right.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Game over most likely in Miami as Braves score 2.

Joe Seamhead said...

Justin Upton. Dang it.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Chris Hatcher walks two and then gives up a double. The Braves obviously can't hit either but at least they have no Haren as an automatic loss every five days.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I see why he walks peopleas strikes are right over the middle.

Redmond didnt plat to win by 1 in 13 he played for tge big inning and that back fired.

Joe Seamhead said...

Fish had gone through about everybody they had to throw the ball.

David Proctor said...

Did any of you see this promotion the Marlins are running?

http://i.imgur.com/tBO4eIR.png

The best part is that Gio isn't even pitching in that series.

Unknown said...

how silly of us to rely on the fish to help us.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Braves when Medlin has pitched yhis year just about as bad as Haren.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Christ Hatcher is really when you are scrapping the bottom of the barrel. Miami doesn't even have any players that know how to bunt apparently, but MLB just lets them be as terrible as they can. Even Stanton is bad this year.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Dobbs looked terrible there.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I root for opponents of braves every game. This is not new.

NatsLady said...

David==>that is bizarre. They must be pretty desperate to get butts in seats.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Hatcher ready to give up a big inning. Funny how the Braves have tons of guys on their bench who can hit but not many in their line-up. Thanks to Haren for blowing a four game streak and putting us back five again. You have been a horrible, horrible acquisition, Mr. Haren. I hope you know that. I am sure that the $13 million helps assuage the pain though....

David Proctor said...

Truth is, we can't worry about the Braves. If the Nats continue to win series, they'll be where they want to be. The difference between 4 and 5 games at this point in the season isn't much. Of course, I still root against the Braves. But eh.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Chris Hatcher up to 32 pitches this inning. Way to pitch, dude!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

The double switch kilked Fish. Hatcher gives up 2. ThenDobbs misplayed a ball at first giving Braves extra out for 2 more runs.

Did that bat for Dunn?

sjm308 said...

Paul Brandt - I will never agree with you on a loss being good - I am realistic enough to know that you can't win every game. I knew when we swam UNC that there was little chance of a win but I still prepared my team to win. Losing sucks, winning is fun. I can't accept any loss as a good loss. I could care less if he gave up 9 runs or 1 run. At the end of the season, we will need every win possible and this was not one of them.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Back to the minors for Chris Hatcher, but hopefully after he pitches against us.

NatsLady said...

Boy, when the Marlins decide to lose, they REALLY decide to lose.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Come on, Braves, hit a homer against Hatcher. Blow his E.R.A. all the way to hell....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Now 2 more.

How can you play fine for 13 abd totally suck the 14th inning. Started by doublr switch (well actually not bunting in 13th is where it started)

sjm308 said...

I think David Proctor is correct. I am positive that the Nationals do not look at the scoreboard this early in the season. They might look with two weeks left if we are still 5 games out but right now, they just have to do what is necessary to win and they did not get it done tonight. Tomorrow is another day.

Go Nats

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

67.50 ERA

Jane Elizabeth said...

Chris Hatcher gets the Dan Haren blow-up award, with a whip of 10.50 and an E.R.A. of 67.5.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I look every day from April 1 and cheer appropriately every day.

NatsLady said...

David, have to agree. We can only tend to our own business.

I'm not sure why they didn't try to run up Lannan's pitch count, starting in about the 5th inning, when you could see he was cruising and you needed to get him either (a) tired or (b) out of there. You weren't getting hits--why not try another approach, wear him down?

sjm308 said...

Paul Brandt - I will also tell you that it was much easier to teach/coach after a win then a loss. You have a hard time with constructive criticism when they are already down. Those "teaching moments" strike home a lot quicker when you are on a high then on a low.

NatsLady said...

This Alex Wood looks like he's about sixteen.

Jane Elizabeth said...

4 hits, 3 walks and 2 errors by the Marlins in the inning. That is pathetic. That pitcher has no business even being suited up based on his stats.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Every game you lose before the last 2 weeks of the season cannot be made up ever. That is why I look at every day indepently. You don't know how loses you can afford, so you must limit a loss every chance you can.

Unknown said...

sjm, only meant some are better than others, that's all...they all suck, that i agree.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

The 2 errors were way after tge initial damage.

David Proctor said...

We just can't hit soft tossers. Even last year, we'd seriously struggle against those guys when the rest of the league knocked them around. Inexplicable.

Carlos Gomez just robbed Joey Votto of a likely game winning home run.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Carlos Gomez who fields better than Spa.

David Proctor said...

Carlos Gomez is the best CF in the league imo. The defense, the offense, the baserunning. It's all there.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Chris Hatcher and Dan Haren ought to have dinner this week....

Jane Elizabeth said...

We can thank Ricky Nolasco for Atlanta's gaining a game tonight. They brought up Chris Hatcher to take Nolasco's spot. Of course, Hatcher is probably the kind of pitcher who would shut us down.

David Proctor said...

Aww come on WODL, even WE could hit Hatcher. He's a hard thrower.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Chris Hatcher on his new approach:

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20130706/ARTICLES/130709728

Anonymous said...

I was hoping Span had turned the corner. I assumed he would continue to go with the pitch given his recent success. I thought he had given up pulling everything. I have seen Revere and Span play head to head and in each game Revere has outplayed Span. I would take revere over Span in a heartbeat,poor routes and all.

I am fed up with this clown. He is nothing more than a minor leaguer when it comes to hitting. Someone should talk to him about his plan at the plate. Here is a suggestion Mr. Span - ball in - pull; ball middle - up the middle; ball outside - go opposite field. If you can't follow these directions - ride the bench.

Unknown said...

sjm308 said...

Paul Brandt - I will also tell you that it was much easier to teach/coach after a win then a loss. You have a hard time with constructive criticism when they are already down. Those "teaching moments" strike home a lot quicker when you are on a high then on a low.
July 08, 2013 11:22 PM

sjm, excellent point...but I also think it depends on the sport & the age group. I found some of my best teaching/coaching moments were when we lost...provide constructive criticism (briefly), solicit a response from the kids on what they saw/felt and then work on it the next practice.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Not just Span all batters that should be the message every day. Reminded every inning.

I see Eck talk to none. Once in a while he talks to some who did right. He needs to talk to those not doing. Not the ones doing.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Why cant we coach during a game. Why wait until it is over?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Giants outfielders have been terrible since I started watching.

Not sure I have seen a worse fielding game this year. Hunter Pence has had none hit his way.

David Proctor said...

Yawn. I see we're back to Span.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Pablo Sandival tried pulling a way outside pitch. Simple pop up.

In general I believer hitters approach now is so much poorer than 25 years ago.

I call it tge ESPN effects. Single to the opposite field don't make it on to Sports Center highlights.

Batting coaches are not good enough to convine batters to do what is more productive to tge team

Zim and Harper botg get it as they have as many hits tge way than pulled. That why they hit tonight tgey went with tge pitch. Most the othets didn't.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Who is, i mentioned him an hour and half ago, hadn't seen any since

Anonymous said...

Mr. Proctor:

Why don't you tell us the topics we can comment on.

David Proctor said...

You can comment on any topic you like. I personally think discussing Span for the 1 TRILLIONTH time this week is tiring. But discuss whatever you'd like, I'm just another poster here.

natsfan1a said...

Missed the middle innings but...dang, John. Congrats, or something. Was hoping the Nats could give Pap another blown save but 'twas not to be. Let's see what tonight brings.

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