Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Worth the wait

USA Today Sports Images
If you're going to slog your way through 3 hours and 20 minutes of baseball — with a 77-minute rain delay in between the fourth and fifth innings on top of all that, not to mention a heated dugout argument between teammates — in front of a crowd that included mostly close friends and family by night's end, you might as well emerge victorious.

So despite the fact there were plenty of negatives to harp on the Nationals late Tuesday — the in-plain-view spat between Jayson Werth and Gio Gonzalez, another hamstring injury for Wilson Ramos, a 2-for-13 performance with runners in scoring position — the simple fact they walked away with a 4-2 win (their fourth straight) over the Giants left everyone in the home clubhouse feeling better.

"Nice to win, first of all," Adam LaRoche said. "It's tough burning your starter like that, as well as he was throwing. ... Good win, good little streak we're on. Better late than never, but we're still in a hole pretty good, so we've got a lot of work to do."

Indeed, the Nationals gained no ground on Tuesday, neither in the NL East nor in the NL Wild Card race. But the standings have become secondary for this underachieving club for now. These guys just want to win games, something they hadn't been able to do with any regularity over the season's first four months.
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28 comments:

sjm308 said...

Nothing to add but it's neat to be writing at 8am, reading a 1am post.

Go Nats

Faraz Shaikh said...

what is nationals' record in rain-delay games?

Steady Eddie said...

Sjm308, just keep hiking out there....

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I went to the game last night... talk about tired... I hope Ramos is okay...

Roark continues to impress me... That that goof by Desi would mess him up but he just get on ticking...

I saw the conversation about the SP/rotation a couple of threads ago and wanted to add my 2 cent...

Im hoping the Nats go out and get another LHP, move Det to the BP and I want to see TJ with the ball club next year.. I like Det but he cant seem to stay healthy for nothing.

MicheleS said...

I was at the game last night.. Thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the President's club seats. Game was great. Gio looked like a mess with his back last night. In the on deck circle he keep wincing and tried to stretch it out, but was uncomfortable.

and the best part.. waited out the rain delay and got the Curly W

MrsB loves the Nats said...

And the BP made me reach for the Maalox and Whiskey last night... Gosh, I labored right along with them...

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Awww MicheleS - I wish I had known you went... I would have tried to meet up... Presidential Seats, huh - I will upgrade to that one day! *snickers*

Section 222 said...

You picked the right night for the Prez Club Michele! It was cool to see your updates on Twitter about who was in the cage, especially Harper. Too bad he didn't get to hit, though I would have walked him to get to Tracy too.

Rain delays are a pain but I love the unofficial "sit wherever you want" policy that follows them. Really enjoyed watching the last 5 innings from 20 rows behind the Giants dugout. Great spot to see ALR's majestic blast. That ball was crushed!

Hey, don't look now, but Rafi has four straight no baserunner saves. It was cool to see him fight back after going 3-0 against Posey on some close calls.

Joe Seamhead said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Doc said...

Interesting summary, Seams.

Sounds like a rendition for The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

Let's go for 9 in row--killing the G-ants, and then those B#@t#$d Braves!

SCNatsFan said...

MicheleS I love those seats. They spoiled me!

Muddy said...

Zimm isn't tied for team lead re HRs. Maybe you meant Harper? Anyway, Zimm hit into two crucial DPs last night -- as I pulled out more of my hair in section 214. Clearly, 2013 hasn't been a good offensive or defensive year for Zimm and it's troubling for the Nats future prospects. ... BTW, some Giant fans last night were obnoxious -- reminder one of some Phillie fans. I've read that the environment at AT&T Park for visiting teams of late has been a bit ugly. The episode there the other day re Adam Jones may support that view. Not like it used to be in SF. (Disclaimer: I was born and raised in SF and root for the Giants when they're not playing the Nats.)

Joe Seamhead said...

oops, you're right, Muddy. My bad on Zimm. I'll delete, correct and re-post.

Joe Seamhead said...

Joe Seamhead said...
Ian Desmond leads the team in hits, doubles, extra base hits, total bases, steals,games played, strikeouts, and is tied for first in runs scored, sac flies, and HBP. He is one behind the leaders in HR's and is 2nd in RBI's, [though he only has 6 RBI's in his last 37 games]..

Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche are tied for the team lead in home runs.

Ryan Zimmerman leads the team in RBI's, one ahead of Desmond, two ahead of LaRoche.

Ryan Zimmerman leads the team in GIDP with 15. Desmond and ALR are tied for 2nd with 12.

Last night Denard Span walked. It was only his second BB in his last 21 games.
August 14, 2013 8:58 AM

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

The only surprise was that Hairston wasn't pulled when he had to face the RH relief pitcher after the rain delay.

Also surprised Davey went to Harper who supposedly was sick.

On the highlight shows nobody was showing Bumgarner getting thrown out at 2nd. That was one of the biggest plays of the game as there were no outs.

Candide said...

Section 222 said...
Rain delays are a pain but I love the unofficial "sit wherever you want" policy that follows them.


"Wherever you want" apparently doesn't include the Stars and Stripes club. Usher in 210 was checking tickets after the rain delay, not to mention the usual gatekeepers at the concourse and elevator entrances. Even though 210 was half-empty after the delay (Cunegonde and I stayed until bottom 5th, as she still has to get up every morning, the poor thing...).

Good to see you last night, though, 222 - enjoy your Bryce bobblehead! Cunegonde likes the Davey one; "He looks a lot younger as a bobblehead..."

Joe Seamhead said...

As to Ryan Zimmerman, I hold out hope that he's just having a bad year. The two GIDP's sucked, but no more so than Werth's two K's to end two scoring threats with a total of 5 runners on base.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Joe, nice stat compilation. Desi can be in that 20/20 Club. He would've had 2nd base stolen if LaRoche didn't blast that HR ;)

Joe Seamhead said...

Ghost, I was surprised that Davey left Mattheus in to face Sandoval after he gave up the BB and RBI hit in the top of the 7th. I thought he'd bring in Krol to pitch to the Panda. Worked out OK, though.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Joe, Charlie and Dave said nobody was warming. It worked out this time but usually hasn't all year for the Nats. I wish Davey would put in a well thought out plan even on the small details as this was a nail biter all game and 1 exploited mistake would cost either team. Desi's error was big but they only got 1 run.

Hairston is an awful defender so first chance to pull him for a LH pinch-hitter is a good thing overall. Of course in the 8th Davey made the move.

Section 222 said...

Bobbleheads never get old Candide. :-) Great to see you too. Look forward to the next time.

Section 222 said...

I can kind of understand the gatekeepers at the door of the club. I'm sure everyone with a regular ticket would prefer to wait out a rain delay in there, and it could get pretty crowded.

Section 222 said...

Joe, Zim has always hit into a lot of double plays. It's a consequence of coming up with someone on base, hitting the ball hard, and not being that fast. Among the MLB leaders in GIDPs this year are: Holliday, Freese, Fielder, and Pedroia. Zim is 7th in the NL.

natsfan1a said...

Didn't see the game as I had a lot going on last night. I tuned in around 8:30 only to see a rain delay (and a rally) beginning. When the game was still delayed a half-hour later, I set the DVR to record until 11 or 11:30 (I forget which). After breakfast this morning, I went downstairs, looked at the recordings, and learned that the Nats had won. Niiiice. Will watch the recordings later today if I have time.

John C. said...

Ryan Zimmerman's splits this year:

Overall: .267/.342/.428 (OPS+ 112, so even this year a good hitter, just not a great one)
RISP with 2 outs: .324/.439/.471
In "high leverage" situations as defined by B-R: .365/.425/.651 (!).

Yes, Zim hits into a lot of GIDPs - always has. But if you're going to remember that, remember the walkoffs and the big hits, too. And remember this: day in, day out, game in, game out, Ryan Zimmerman is the National you want at the plate when you really, really need something good to happen. He doesn't always succeed, but he's really good. Even in 2013.

Candide said...

Section 222 said...
I can kind of understand the gatekeepers at the door of the club. I'm sure everyone with a regular ticket would prefer to wait out a rain delay in there, and it could get pretty crowded.


It WAS pretty crowded. You recall I headed back from the picnic tables just as the wind started kicking up. By the time I got back, just a few minutes later, S&S club was packed, not a seat anywhere, deep lines at the bar. Cunegonde and I fought our way out to the gelato stand by 235; fortunately, I'd remembered to bring my cattle prod, which kept things moving. Turned out their cash register was down so they couldn't accept credit cards or even make change; as luck would have it, I had two Abe Lincolns in my wallet, so we got our gelato.

Fought our way back to S&S (ZAP!!! went the cattle prod - everyone should have one for such emergencies...) and were able to find a couple of square feet of vacant floor space in a corner and sat down there and ate our gelatoes.

Candide said...

John C. said...

Ryan Zimmerman's splits this year:

Overall: .267/.342/.428 (OPS+ 112, so even this year a good hitter, just not a great one)
RISP with 2 outs: .324/.439/.471
In "high leverage" situations as defined by B-R: .365/.425/.651 (!).


Thanks for that. The DPs are obvious and infuriating. The RISP stats are not so obvious.

Unknown said...

"worth the wait"
"Harp on the negatives"

Cute. I see how u did that mark :-)

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