Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Game 126: Nats at Cubs

Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
CHICAGO — We're back at Wrigley Field for a third straight night game. That's a rarity around here. The Nationals will hope to pick up where they left off last night ... well, perhaps producing a few more hits with men in scoring position than they did in their 4-1 victory over the Cubs.

Ross Ohlendorf returns from a shoulder injury to make his first start in three weeks. The veteran right-hander pitched brilliantly prior to his DL stint; you just hope he didn't burn himself out completely with that 114-pitch start against the Mets in a doubleheader.

Former Orioles right-hander Jake Arrieta gets the start for Chicago. He'll be facing a lineup that has Denard Span back in center field leading off but is without Anthony Rendon or Wilson Ramos, each getting the night off.

Updates to come...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at CHICAGO CUBS
Where: Wrigley Field
Gametime: 8:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 185
Weather: Partly cloudy, 85 degrees, Wind 11 mph out to CF
NATIONALS (61-64)
CF Denard Span
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Bryce Harper
RF Jayson Werth
SS Ian Desmond
1B Adam LaRoche
2B Steve Lombardozzi
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Ross Ohlendorf

CUBS (54-71)
SS Starlin Castro
1B Anthony Rizzo
CF Junior Lake
RF Nate Schierholtz
3B Donnie Murphy
LF Brian Bogusevic
2B Darwin Barney
C Welington Castillo
RHP Jake Arrieta

UMPIRES
HP Mike Winters (cc)
1B Tim Timmons
2B Laz Diaz
3B Bill Miller

8:08 p.m. — We are underway with Denard Span grounding out on Jake Arreita's first pitch. The Nats got a brief scare during BP when Ian Desmond's back locked up. Davey Johnson thought he would need to make a change at shortstop, with Anthony Rendon getting the nod. But Desmond's condition improved, so he remains in the lineup as planned.

8:25 p.m. — The good news: Ohlendorf's fastball velocity in the bottom of the first was 94-95 mph, a very encouraging sign given that it was down around 90 mph in his last rehab start. The bad news: A 95 mph fastball doesn't work when it's thrown right down the pipe as it was to Anthony Rizzo. The Cubs first baseman launched that 3-2 meatball to right field for a solo homer, putting the Cubs up 1-0 after one.

8:50 p.m. — Whoa, it's a rally by the Nats. They loaded the bases with one out in the top of the second, then scored a pair when Kurt Suzuki's sharp grounder ricocheted off Rizzo's glove and into right field, scoring Ian Desmond and Adam LaRoche. Ohlendorf then put down a perfect squeeze bunt, scoring Steve Lombardozzi and giving the Nats a 3-1 lead through two.

9:09 p.m. — Jayson Werth's red-hot summer continues. He just blasted a three-run homer to left, putting the Nats up 6-1 in the third. Check out his updated season totals: .331/.408/.531, 18 homers, 56 RBI, .939 OPS. His batting average, on-base percentage and OPS are higher than in any previous season in his career. That's fairly remarkable when you think about it.

9:27 p.m. — The Nats have six runs already, but Denard Span hasn't played much of any role in that. He's had three at-bats in four innings and grounded out three times: to short, second and third (the last a double play). So Denard is just a groundball to the first baseman away from hitting for the groundball cycle tonight. Not something you ever want to accomplish. Still 6-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth.

9:43 p.m. — Carlos Villanueva replaces Arrieta in the fifth and quickly retires the side. Ohlendorf, though, has found his groove and takes the mound for the bottom of the fifth having allowed only Rizzo's first-inning homer. Still 6-1 Nats.

10:08 p.m. — Well, that didn't go so well. Ohlendorf served up another homer to Rizzo, this one landing on Sheffield Ave. behind the right field fence. One more single ended the right-hander's night at 91 pitches and brought Tanner Roark out of the bullpen. A native of nearby Wilmington, Ill., and former star at the University of Illinois, Roark has more than 100 friends and family in the right field bleachers tonight, and they roared as he entered the game. Unfortunately, they didn't have much else to cheer after that. Roark gave up four straight singles and a sac fly, and just like that, the Nats' 6-1 lead has turned into a 6-6 tie game in the fifth.

10:29 p.m. — Much better stuff from Roark in the bottom of the sixth. He struck out the side, bringing even louder roars from the right field bleachers. Still 6-6 as we go to the seventh.

10:47 p.m. — Whoa, Scott Hairston to the rescue. Three-run bomb to left in the top of the seventh, putting the Nats back on top, 9-6. Hairston is now hitting .297 with four extra-base hits against lefties since joining the Nats. Pretty much exactly what they wanted out of the veteran.

11:04 p.m. — And now the Nats tack on insurance in the top of the eighth. Span makes up for his groundout cycle with an RBI triple. He then scored on Zimmerman's single. It's 11-6 heading to the bottom of the eighth.

11:14 p.m. — A 1-2-3 eighth from Tyler Clippard. Rafael Soriano is warming in the pen, even though the Nats lead by five.

11:33 p.m. — Nats win. Final: 11-6. They improve to 62-64 with a chance to take their third straight from the Cubs tomorrow afternoon.

314 comments:

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SonnyG10 said...

I'm afraid Ross O won't have it tonight. Prove me wrong, please.

NatsLady said...

Yahoo! ‏@Yahoo 1m
Braves OF Jason Heyward has been hospitalized after being hit in the jaw by a pitch. http://yhoo.it/174BuS1

Theophilus T. S. said...

I don't understand a "night off" for Rendon. He's what, 23? He needs rest? He needs games and ABs, and Arrieta ought to be a patsy. How many days off would Johnson give him if he was 33?

Just wonderin' said...

Theo - showcasing Lombardozzi for a future trade?

David Proctor said...

You have to remember that Rendon has never played a full season before. It's probably a combination of that and wanting to get Lombardozzi some ABs. Lombo hasn't been embarrassing himself lately.

David Proctor said...

Apparently Davey had an eventful radio appearance today.

"Jason Bishop then explained that they had been discussing the news that Red Sox slugger Mike Napoli apparently is dating a porn star who goes by the name Rachel Starr.

Johnson’s reply: “Well none of my guys could, ’cause we can’t score.”"

Jeff Wang said...

Owwwwie. Sad but true....

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Even in humor those commentsdont go over well in the clubhouse.

baseballswami said...

More important to be a character. Ha Ha.

NatsLady said...

well, it's cute but not original.

Steady Eddie said...

Ghost -- agree, that's pretty sick, and not in a good way. If he's giving up that publicly, he needs to leave and let Randy Knorr have his audition. (Not that I want Knorr to succeed davey, just that, to paraphrase Cromwell, Davey has sat there too long for any good he could do.

Faraz Shaikh said...

make sure to tune into to Ichiro's 4000th hit tonight.

JD said...


Steady,

I thought that about 10 games ago when we had a semblance of a chance. There aren't enough games left for Knorr to even make an impression IMO.

The issue is that Rizzo won't fire Davey (and he shouldn't. I was hoping that Davey would step aside for the good of the team and his own sanity. I think that the only person who loses here is Randy Knorr who could have had a decent audition but will likely be cast aside with the rest of the staff at the end of the year.

baseballswami said...

Interesting discussion about Ichiro- since all the hits were not in MLB, is playing in Japan comparable?

David Proctor said...

Not at all, Swami. It's ridiculous we're even talking about 4,000 hits in my opinion.

baseballswami said...

And I think Knorr, Schu and McCatty would be a good combo. All no nonsense, but positive. I hate it that it seems necessary for the manager to have a "name."

baseballswami said...

David- that's what I think. Asterisk?

David Proctor said...

Randy Knorr will get an interview for the job. He might win it. I must say I like Randy's postgame interviews a lot more than Davey's. I think Rizzo will give him a fair shot. That Matt Williams guy from Arizona seems like a big possibility too.

Section 222 said...

No need for an asterisk, since it won't even be in the record book. It's basically a nice piece of trivia since I doubt anyone has come close to 4,000 lifetime hits, even if you count the minors, college, high school, and Little League.

Mr Baseball said...

What was the sense of bringing up Tyler Moore? Davey is just going to let him get splinters on the bench. He should be at 1b every night and let LaRoche pinch hit and go in for defense in the late innings How are the Nats going to find out if he can really play. Davey sure has his favorites. Everyone says team chemistry is good but I bet it's like a pressure cooker. Everyone is playing it cool but ready to explode.

mvcarroll said...

Section 222, I believe Pete Rose and Ty Cobb both have over 4,000 hits.

SCNatsFan said...

Big start for Ross, some good starts could mean a huge paycheck for him. More important for Ross then the team tonight.

Pilchard said...

Moore and LaRoche are platooning now. Arrieta is a RHP; so, LaRoche starts.

Section 222 said...

mvc, right you are.

Mr Baseball said...

What was the sense of bringing up Tyler Moore? Davey is just going to let him get splinters on the bench. He should be at 1b every night and let LaRoche pinch hit and go in for defense in the late innings How are the Nats going to find out if he can really play. Davey sure has his favorites. Everyone says team chemistry is good but I bet it's like a pressure cooker. Everyone is playing it cool but ready to explode.

Nats106 said...

Nats need to win tonight. Hoping they stay focused and play well. A split with the Cubs won't work.

baseballswami said...

Actually a similar type guy. Knorr's edge is that he has managed a lot of these guys right from square one and has come up through the very same ranks. Pretty quickly, too.

Pilchard said...

The problem with Lombo (who I like) as a utility guy is that he can't play SS. So, Desmond who looks like he may need a rest (3 for his last 21) can get a day off. With Rendon a very shaky option at SS, the Nats really can't spread the rest around like most teams do with a utility infielder.

Also, the DeJesus acquisition looks more questionable by the day. If he is not going to start against RHP, when is he going to play? Unless DeJesus gets flipped in the next ten days, Rizzo flushed $2.5 million down the toilet with that move. That's a lot of money to spend for a bench player on team playing out the string.

Secret wasian man said...

37 more in a row we tie last years record.

baseballswami said...

Can big Ross keep up the magic?? Can the Nats find their way from third to home?? Can I stay awake until the end of the game? Even though it's only an hour it feels like more. Is tomorrow a day game? Need to set up the DVR if it is.

Mr Baseball said...

In 10 days when they bring Espinosa up he can play SS. Question: Why in the majors and minors haven't they made Espi choke up and become a contact hitter? If he refuses then send him to Hagerstown! He may be like a horse and you just need to hit in the head to get his attention!!! Isn't he still under contract to the Nats for 2014?

JD said...


Swami,

I am not a McCatty fan. It's unpardonable that none of his pitchers can hold runners on. I don't buy his 'strikeouts are BS' and I don't like the fact that his ace pitcher has not yet become the dominant cy young nominee his talents suggest.

I don't know much about Schu so I won't comment, I am not a big believer in hitting coaches anyway. Knorr, I think will be swept away with the rest of the coaches as sacrifices for this horrid season. I think Knorr would have been served well if he got a 50 game audition but he didn't. He will get an interview but I don't like his chances.

I don't think it's imperative that they get a 'name' manager but it was be nice if they get a young , smart and energetic manager who will I hope get the opportunity to pick his own coaches.

Nats106 said...

Secret wasian man said...
37 more in a row we tie last years record.

We can do it. No splits in Chi-town then 3 in a row in cow town. (referencing KC's excellent steaks, of course)

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Forget TyMo for LaRoche since its a RHP, how about DeJesus for Werth?

Unknown said...

What is wrong with Davey? Zimmerman doesn't deserve to bat in the clean-up spot any longer but he's not a #2 hitter either. I'd bat him 7th.

natsfan1a said...

Double-Duty says "hi." :-)

And I say, GO NATS!!

Section 222 said...

No need for an asterisk, since it won't even be in the record book. It's basically a nice piece of trivia since I doubt anyone has come close to 4,000 lifetime hits, even if you count the minors, college, high school, and Little League.
August 21, 2013 5:44 PM

Mr Baseball said...

It doesn't manner if it's a RH or LH pitcher. You have to find out some time if he can hit both type of pitchers. I don't think this system is used on everyone who comes up to the Majors. If so, we would have RH and LH hitters for every position.

Steady Eddie said...

JD -- my point wasn't really about the adequacy of an audition for Knorr, but that with that kind of public comment, Davey seems to be becoming clubhouse poison.

It's really not a matter any more of what their relative likelihood of making the playoffs is -- which has currently shrunk to infinitesimal from small three weeks ago. This is a young team, and finishing the way they've been playing is not good for their collective heads. They need for the good of their mindset towards next year to put together several weeks of well-played ball. This sense of frustration and futility would be a really bad thing for the younger guys, who don't have the multi-season perspective, to carry over the winter.

Remember also the good run the 2011 team made in September to get almost back to .500, which surely put their mental state in a good frame moving towards 2012. September 2011 was also when Stras also came back from TJ, and though he wasn't that great, his return added to the sense (which Davey at that point helped) that they were on the upswing. (Even if part was fools' gold, like HRod having the best month of his career.)

If Davey is finishing by continuing to point them in a downward direction, he needs to go sooner, before he leaves them in an offseason funk.

David Proctor said...

Don't be so sure about Espinosa being a September call-up.

Dan Kolko ‏@masnKolko 15m
Davey was asked if Espinosa could be a Sept. call-up. Said call-ups are "reward system" & "he's not doing the things I know he's capable of"

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

The Phoolies get Bernadina with 2 remaining years of team control. What is to be seen is if the Phools can coach up Roger. He's a natural 3 tool player and if they can coach him up to hit then this will be a debatable issue.

baseballswami said...

Ghost- he had always done better with more playing time- non- existent this season. Plus he got hurt in the WBC, which held him back. We are all over our bench for being abysmal, but in both Moore and Bernie's cases, ALR played and played and played, while they sat and eroded. Meanwhile ALR was putting up giant goose eggs and we were losing games. Poor management in spades.

David Proctor said...

James Wagner ‏@JamesWagnerWP 1m
Ian Desmond's back locked up during batting practice. Anthony Rendon in at shortstop.

Oh lord...

baseballswami said...

Say it ain't so! No Desi!! There are some posters that have been terrified by this all season. And just when it was stated that Espi has no shot to return. Must have a Desi voodoo doll down there in Syracuse, sticking pins in the back. We will see how Rendon does. He has the arm. Wonder if Desi's back was going last night when he made that uncharacteristic error.

Faraz Shaikh said...

I know Japan's league is not at MLB level but Ichiro is a player at such a level that I doubt he would not be closer to be 4000, had he started his career in US. maybe not as close as he is right now but he would be in conversation for it.

And if we include few top players minor league stats, they have 4000+ professional hits such as Musial, Aaron, etc I believe.

baseballswami said...

And Heyward is done- fractured jaw. Hope JZ doesn't watch the replays, although his was on a comebacker.

Joe Seamhead said...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Even in humor those commentsdont go over well in the clubhouse.
August 21, 2013 5:14 PM

--//--///
You are kidding, right? I think every guy in there got a belly laugh from it. There's no crying in baseball, and there's no hurt feelings from a line like that. Come on....

Faraz Shaikh said...

yes, Ichiro has a hit.

Steady Eddie said...

Disagree with you. Joe. Context is everything. Coming from an outsider or one of the players is one thing.

Coming from a manager whose style has always been supportive of his players, who raised a very high bar and utterly failed in his managerial capacity to facilitate their leaping it, who's done in five weeks, and who has taken to making what from all his past behavior would be uncharacteristically harsh swipes at his players (not undeserved of course but yes, unprecedented for him) -- no, in that context not all in fun. It's another sign he's bailed on the team but continued to avoid his responsibility for the season, and still won't leave himself.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Like I said, if you believe in bad Karma, Freddi who thought it was fun plunking Harper loses his RF most likely into post season.

NatSpoinNJ said...

Now Rizzo can trade DeJesus to the Braves for a profit.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Steady Eddie, well said. I don't know what is going on in Davey's brain. Since Game 5 he has thrown many players under the bus and has personally taken little accountability

BigCat said...

What are the facts on Heyward ?

Unknown said...

Ichiro has a hit, ok, so now he is 200 or so from 3000, right? nobody counts hits in another league...am I missing something?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I was watching the game. Ouch.

NatsLady said...

That's just great. Boy, when Davey turns on a guy he REALLY turns on him. I am glad Rizzo makes these decisions. What if you want Danny up here now if Desi can't go?

David Proctor said...

I'm not sure how Davey has refused to take accountability. He's said several times he's had a poor year managing. He offered to step down during the Eckstein debacle and Rizzo said no. What more exactly do you want him to do?

Joe Seamhead said...

My son and I just talked about it and he heard an interview with Drew Storen and Drew was asked about Davey's comments and he thought they were hilarious and that it was Davey being Davey. You all really think these guys are that thin skinned? I think even a high school team playing poorly would think it was a funny comment. Baseball locker rooms get much crueler jibes then that every day.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Rachel Starrbetter than Ringo or Bart Starr

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

That is ny kind of talk.

Unknown said...


ok, so only Ty Cobb & Pete Rose have reached the 4000 hit marks in MLB as far as I can tell but if you credit Ichiro for 4000 hits in baseball, you must credit these guys too...found this on mlb.com:

"For the purposes of this exercise, only three additional players would then reach 4,000 professional hits: Hank Aaron (3,771 in Majors; 324 in Minors), Stan Musial (3,630 in Majors, 371 in Minors) and Jigger Statz, an outfielder who tallied 737 of his 4,093 pro hits with four big league teams from 1919-28."

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Now that os a plan

Joe Seamhead said...

Baseball players, coaches, managers, et al are some of the biggest jesters on the face of the earth and they knock the snot out each other constantly. Worry more when they stop doing it.

Unknown said...

Joe Seam, agree, I thought it was funny and appears Drew agrees and am sure he has a better pulse for the clubhouse than anyone here although I still think the Junkies fed him the line prior to the interview...Davey has proven he is not that quick this year to come up with that one on his own!!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Ironic isnt it

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Please Chad Tracy no farting

Faraz Shaikh said...

you are missing the fact that Ichiro is only the second hitter in the history of game to have 2720 or more hits in 9180 PA or less. George Sisler had 2812 in his career over 9013 PA but Sisler also played from age 22 to 37 while Ichiro did it from age 27 to 39. an older version of him has succeeded at hitting in big leagues. What makes everyone think that his younger self would definitely fail? I am not saying that he would have hit at the same pace. we just don't know that but given his talents, I don't have much doubts.

David Proctor said...

This season has been something. Prior to the season, who could've guessed we'd see Nate Karns, Jeff Kobernus, Taylor Jordan, Ross Ohlendorf, Yunesky Maya, Tanner Roark and Ian Krol?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MNF, now that was funny from Span on farting.

David Proctor said...

Amanda Comak ‏@acomak 37s
Ian Desmond is out stretching on the field & warming up. So it appears that Davey was wrong when he said he'd be scratched.

What in the world is going on? I guess Ian started feeling better.

dabassguy1 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
baseballswami said...

So now Desi is playing?? And I don't care what the Barves did to us. Getting hurt like that is terrible. No one deserves that. Ever.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I wish Span had ssid that line before I gave him his hitting lesson.

baseballswami said...

Weird how the Barves have had two horrific looking injuries in a short period of time. Gives me the willies.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Ray Knight doubts Heyward will even play in post season. He could atrophy quite a bit with a wired jaw.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Remind of the other.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MNF, Hudson,

Joe Seamhead said...

Wow. Swing batter.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I was thinking more recently. Tgx for the reminder

baseballswami said...

Sorry- should have referenced Hudson. Both injuries the kind that make you nauseous .

David Proctor said...

Ryan must have guessed wrong. That was odd.

baseballswami said...

Always talking about the BP show. Would love to see some of that during the actual game.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I hate injuries but I have no feelings 1 way or the other on the a braves losing Jayson.... I think Karma is an _itch...

But on to the game... Hoping for a better played game tonight and of course, a win...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Was listening to Keith Hernandez today he said that he is shocked how many batters k looking at a fast ball over the plate.

He said when he was playing that almost never had.

He blames the scouting. Ays hitters spend to much time listening to scouts and are not prepared to swing at what is tgrown instead tgey are ready to swing at what the scouts say will be thrown.

He said hitting rules are simple. See ball hit ball.

Hernandez was a solid hitter.

I like listening to old hitters gripe about poor hitting approac of modern players.

baseballswami said...

Did you see that stretching routine video?? That was hilarious!

baseballswami said...

Deja vous all over again, but without the error before it. Progress.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Another first inning pitching problem.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

When Werth broke his wrist vs Phoolies, many of their fans in attendance at Nats Park were cheering it.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Uhm....

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Yeah Gnost and I thought that was classless.... I never root for anyone getting injured... I just don't care 1 way or another about Heyward's injury.... Karma is lethal....

TimDz said...

Bottom of the inning wind shift again?

MrsB loves the Nats said...

What is it about the first inning... Sigh...

ExposedinDC said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
baseballswami said...

I just hope we never, as a group, become like that. The day we throw trash on the field, I stop going. First inning adventures again tonight.

ExposedinDC said...

This folks could get ugly in a hurry

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Ou4 p8tchers just seem unprepared mentally.

baseballswami said...

Who is this team we are playing and why is their record so bad? They have battled us every minute.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Lets hope not.

Our hitters need to take advantage of the wind.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MrsB, we agree again.

David Proctor said...

It's not first inning adventures, it's that Ross Ohlendorf isn't that good. I just have a really hard time believing, regardless of how he pitches tonight, that he's suddenly good after being awful his entire career.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Most teams play them a lot better than we have.

Time to start.

Unknown said...

25 or so pitches later we are down 1 run, what a surprise in the 1st inning...Lake becoming a Nats killer, like that guy.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Most games not just this one we have had trouble in the first recently.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Hit the ball guys. Fast balls there for the hitting.

baseballswami said...

Desi walks??

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Outer pitch hit to left. That Is how ALR shoulder always hit pitches out there.

Nats 128 said...

Nice piece of hitting by Laroche

baseballswami said...

Belt high fastballs. Silver platters, guys. What more do you want?

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Is it me... Or Arrieta taking his sweet, precious time...

Unknown said...

DP, go back and look, our 1st inning adventures are mind numbing, Gio gave up 2 in the 1st vs. the Barves and we lost 2-1 on Sunday & JZimn comes to mind last night with 3 in the first...it ain't just Ohlendorf.

And with our offense, it is a big deal since our situational hitting is like watching an old Benny Hill show, laughable!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

He is not a good pitcher hit him.

Nats 128 said...

RISP

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

He always does

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Thanks.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Good job Lombo.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Great at by Lombo...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Arrietta threw a challenge fastball by Werth and threw a center cut_fastball to RZim. Those are your veterans and those were 2Ks.

baseballswami said...

I am guessing DP here.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

paul brandt said...And with our offense, it is a big deal since our situational hitting is like watching an old Benny Hill show, laughable!

That's an insult to Benny Hill, who was great with two out and RISP.

baseballswami said...

Can anyone on this team hit a sac fly???????

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

What you dwinging at?

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK!!!!

I'm going to miss this guy.

Unknown said...

Kurt, wow, was not expecting that!

baseballswami said...

Or that will work, too! Was that an error or a hit?

Joe Seamhead said...

You were saying, swami?

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Glad for the runs but a better team makes that play, I think...

Nats 128 said...

"baseballswami said...
I am guessing DP here."

He tried and Rizzo couldnt handle it and how did you like Suzuki playing Espinosa chasing balls near chin high.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

MnF - I think the blue is calling the high strike... That can be the only reason why he swung at 2 high Ks....

Joe Seamhead said...

Ruled a hit.

Great bunt, and base running!

Nats 128 said...

Small ball squeeze!

Unknown said...

it is not that hard to bunt fellas...way to go Ohlie, 3rd time's a charm!!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I call for squeeze all the time withvpitcher up.

baseballswami said...

That probably was a double play if they had fielded it properly. Nice play by Lombo there. Smart baseball kid.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Bunting hard if you lunge. Easy if you just catch the ball with the bat.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Did we really just do a PERFECt squeeze bunt.... Where the hell has that been all season????

Unknown said...

Span needs to change his uniform # to 4-3.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Ah, small ball!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Smart Lombo. Kid is a gamer!

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

They were not prepared to field it correctly, so it becomes an easy play.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

paul brandt said...
Span needs to change his uniform # to 4-3.

You're hot tonight, pb.

Nats 128 said...

Talk about lucky BABIP, see Suzukis hit. Right at Rizzo.

Faraz Shaikh said...

Ichiro has the most hits for age range 27-36, 2244. Rose is next with 2067.

Great to see Nats in front. That was a good play by Lombo!

David Proctor said...

Our BABIP on the season is very low which suggests we've been very unlucky. Some of it is poor execution of course, but there is a luck factor in play. At least the BABIP gods smiled on us that play because it was hit to Rizzo and the play should've been made.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Hiding.

Joe Seamhead said...

It goes in the book as a RBI hit by Suzuki, just like Tyler Moore's RBI single last night. Both plays misplayed by the Cubs, both should've, could've been double plays if they had been fielded correctly.

Nats 128 said...

Arrietta could have thrown another ball chin high to Suzuki and he would have swung thru it. He looked so Espinosa. Instead Arrietta gives him a ball to handle. I dont miss Espinosa at all.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

This game going at about the pace of a boSox vs. Yankees game.

David Proctor said...

Tyler Moore's hit yesterday was never going to be a double play. It was in the hole. They should've got Werth at second, but there's no way the 2B can turn to throw out Moore, even with Moore's (lack of) speed.

Nats 128 said...

Joe, Cubs stink. There catcher is calling a bad game.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Bobby C - I will not be surprised if Zuki is back next year... Not sure if Leon or _______ (name escapes me but the C that was up before) are really ready.... And Wilson hasn't proven that he can and will play a full season...

I hate that I am talking a out next year already.... I feel very 2011ish....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Ok Ross a shut down inning.

Now boys get some more runs.

Faraz Shaikh said...

our team BABIP is .289, 25th in big leagues. but when I see our individual BABIPs, it does not seem that much of an outlier to me.

werth with .381, desmond .326, ramos, .308, rz .316, rendon .304, span .302, harper .295, laroche .274.

baseballswami said...

You hear what FP said about next year's manager and small ball? He expresses opinions in a very non- offensive way but made a point. The swinging for the fences approach is all Davey.

Joe Seamhead said...

David, like I said, they both go in the book as RBI hits. I thought the Cubs could've been charged with two IF errors last night that went as hits.

Faraz Shaikh said...

joe S, moore's would have been one out at most anyway. moore is not speedy but he would have made it either way I think.

I could be wrong about suzuki's but it seemed to me that rizzo was playing further towards 2nd base bag than usual.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

I liked the walks that Desi and Lombo worked.

Faraz Shaikh said...

I guess I owe David one.

Wind is going out right, so should our hits. Let's go Nats!!!

Nats 128 said...

Do you remember that dead centerfield HR that Morse hit in Wrigley. There was no wind and I think it went 450.

David Proctor said...

Our bench has gotten over 1000 ABs this year. That would probably be a big reason why.

Unknown said...

MrsB, Solano but agree with your point, bet they bring in a veteran to split time with Ramos...like Kurt in his role but may be too expensive.

Faraz Shaikh said...

I consider pitch framing very important by each pitch I see catchers catch.

An obvious strike became a ball because how Cubs catcher caught that.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Yes, Morse crushed that off Garza in August 2011.

baseballswami said...

Ghost-- despite our dismal risp situation, I have seen some good at bats. Those were two good ones. For Lombo that's normal, but for Desi it's not.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Yeah, the bench and injuries are a main reason for us falling behind so hard and fast.... I damn from April to June - we were trotting line ups out there with 2/3 automatic line ups... And it didnt help that Adam was going thru his annual funk and no one else could really sustain in the line up.....

Unknown said...

Arrieta looks awful but we are only up 3-1, need to take advantage.

p.s. thank you Werth!

Nats 128 said...

Good timing talking about HR blasts!

Faraz Shaikh said...

You are right, David. Out of all our bench players, only Lombo has BABIP over .250 (at .286) and everyone else is .243 (moore) or below. some of them do have high K% which has something to do with lower BABIPs I believe.

werth's HR was nice!!!

Nats 128 said...

http://www.thisdayinchicagocubshistory.com/2011-Long-Home-Runs.html

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Wow.... Jason's crushed that one.... And yeah Swami, I'm glad FP made that comment about the small ball... ESP with the speed and talent we have....

Nice hit J Dubbs....

David Proctor said...

Well Arrieta finally threw a strike...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

JDub!

Joe Seamhead said...

Well, Jayson Werth certainly had a quality at bat.

Joe Seamhead said...

Oh, yeah, was that not a 3-0 count that Werth swung at?

Faraz Shaikh said...

yes, joe s.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Baseballswami, it would be nice if it was the rule and not the exception. Look what happens when Bryce doesn't chase. Take what the game gives you.

Nats 128 said...

Lombo does so well with spot starts.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I admit to cursing Jayson as I was having flash backs to another 3-1 swing that he hit in the ground.... Glad I was wrong...

Nats 128 said...

If that was a Werth 3-0 he swung at 2 yesterday and fouled both back.

David Proctor said...

Suzuki tried to pull that pitch that was well outside.

Depot Master said...

Clearly the Nats heard Davey's comments and want to prove they are as capable as the next guy of dating a porn star...

Faraz Shaikh said...

that's it, hurry to the ball and have enough time to make a good throw.

Faraz Shaikh said...

not that fast, RZ.

Nats 128 said...

Another Ryan has to get.

David Proctor said...

Zim has got to make that play.

Nats 128 said...

"David Proctor said...
Suzuki tried to pull that pitch that was well outside."

Sure did and no matter what he does the rest of the game he will have one of his best games of the season.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I can't believe Arietta stayed in to pitch....

Nats 128 said...

Instead of 2 outs and a walk its 2 on and 1 out. Ryan Zimmerman extended his glove past the ball.

David Proctor said...

Ohlendorf can't throw a strike.

Joe Seamhead said...

Now that's funny, Depot Master @ 9:10.

And that was half-butted on Ryan's part .Good grief, man, you gotta get that one.

That was just a terrific play by Span.

Nats 128 said...

Nice Ohlie!

Nats 128 said...

Its strange that Lake hit that ball to Span and out of the box seemed to know it was a out. Nice play.

Unknown said...

feel like I am watching JRod!

Unknown said...

Ohlie jogged to first on that BB like he's never done it before...he's amazed as we are that he got the BB.

Nats 128 said...

"And that was half-butted on Ryan's part .Good grief, man, you gotta get that one."

He plays like hes 40 years old. Doesnt move his feet and plays the Matador! Instead of a cape waving at the bull Ryan just waves his glove at the ball.
Just a half ass effort.

Nats 128 said...

Ryan with 2 K's tonight. He has his highest K% of his career at 20.5% which is 3% higher than his career average.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

@Mrs. B, I hope you're right and I'm wrong about 'Zook. I love the guy. I think we need him because of Moose's tendency for injuries. I'm just going by Mark's rundown a few weeks ago. He surmised that 'Zook would probably not be back because's he due to make $8.5 million next season. That's a lot for a back up catcher. But I hope he is. I love the guy.

Faraz Shaikh said...

I think 2011 Reds is a good comparison to 2013 Nats. After 2010 season where they won NL Central, 2011 was a disappointing season where everyone expected the 'new big red machine' to continue dominating that weak division but they ended up 3rd. Going into 2012, they made one major move (trade for Latos) as far as I can tell. I think nats may not need to make that one major move.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

John Buck might be available

SCNatsFan said...

The Nats are bad but the Cubs are putrid

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Stuck with Espi at least a month to long.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

MrsB you would be interested in this.

I was in tge car when Werth homered, Charlie said according to Elias that was the first homer in the NL on a 3-0 count this year.

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