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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Series sweep? Four-game winning streak? The Nats go for both today. |
And Livan Hernandez tosses a four-hit shutout, leading the Nationals to an 8-0 victory over the Brewers and a winning record for the first time in more than two years.
Steven over at FJB already noted this, but it's worth repeating: This was only the fourth shutout by a Nats pitcher since the franchise arrived in town. The others: John Patterson (Aug. 4, 2005 vs. Dodgers), Pedro Astacio (Aug. 15, 2006 vs. Braves) and John Lannan (July 21, 2009 vs. Mets). That Astacio game (a 2-hitter by a 37-year-old who didn't make it out of the third inning in either of his next two starts) ranks among the most bizarre events in Nationals history.
Anyways, the Nats will try to make a little more history this afternoon, going for a series sweep of the Brewers, a four-game winning streak and a 7-5 record. I'm wrapping up my weekend of yardwork, household errands and quality time with the wife, so I'll have to leave the game discussion to all of you. But I'll be back at work tomorrow for the start of the series against the Rockies, who all of a sudden have a star right-hander making a highly anticipated start Thursday afternoon on South Capitol Street.
Enjoy your Sunday...
BREWERS AT NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m.
TV: MASN-HD
Radio: WFED-1500 AM, WWFD-820 AM
Weather: Mostly sunny, 55 degrees, Wind 14 mph LF to RF
STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS (6-5)
CF Willie Taveras
SS Cristian Guzman
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam Dunn
LF Josh Willingham
C Ivan Rodriguez
RF Justin Maxwell
2B Adam Kennedy
P Jason Marquis
BREWERS (4-7)
2B Rickie Weeks
SS Craig Counsell
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
3B Casey McGehee
RF Jim Edmonds
C Gregg Zaun
CF Carlos Gomez
P Doug Davis
39 comments:
Nyjer Morgan off the bench today!
...and Ian Desmond!
Yo - come on down here and do some yardwork. Quality time with ME.
I assume you mean complete-game shutouts but I wanted to ask. Stammen only went 6.1 in that miracle against the Mets last year.
Three words - Taveras. Leadoff. Ugly.
I understand the rationale behind it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
Adam Dunn should bat leadoff. I'm dead serious: Doug Davis has walked 5 guys in 7 innings so far this year, and last year he led all NL starters in walks (103). Dunn should bat leadoff. He'll get on base more than Taveras. True, you have a slow runner up for Guz and Zimmerman, but hopefully they hit well enough that you don't need a fast runner.
Additional note: Dunn has walked 9 times against Davis in 43 plate appearances, giving him a .372 OBP against him.
We were in the house yesterday, and also for Patterson's complete game shutout in 2005. In fact, we were talking about the 2005 going home on the Metro afterwards. A shame the way things ended for Patterson.
B.R., I like where your head is at. However, Riggleman is more of a traditional guy and would never consider that. I am confused as to why Taveras is leading off over a guy like Maxwell, who has speed and gets on base.
I just want to say that as someone who is only starting to follow baseball, this blog has been invaluable. I've been a lifelong 'Skins fan and am a huge fan of Redskins Insider on the washingtonpost site... but when it comes to the Nats, this website FAR outdoes what Adam Kilgore is doing on Nationals Journal.
If I were the Learners, I'd be asking Marquis for my money back--what a rip!
Well, good thing the bullpen is fresh, because it's going to be a long 9 innings.
Marquis straight to the DL?
Marquis is really a black eye for the team right now. Talk about a buzz-killer. What's wrong with him this year??? He was never Walter Johnson, but this is getting ridiculous.
wow.
just...
wow.
9 runs, 1 out. so a 243.0 ERA so far for this game.
erm, 10 runs, i can't add. 270 ERA.
Make a hole, make it DEEP.
@greg - With no outs, Marquis' game ERA is infinite; His season ERA is now 20.27.
So much for Livo 'saving' the bullpen yesterday.
binm, by the time they had 10 runs, there was 1 out (the sac fly).
I was very excited to watch the Nats game today. Thanks Marquis. Bullpen will be pitching a bunch of innings today.
i suspect that, barring a big offensive explosion, batista will be taking one for the team today.
Rubbing salt into the wound - Marquis' stats through three starts: 8.1IP, 18H, 19ER, 9BB, 6K, 3.25WHIP, 20.27ERA. At $7.5M/yr, are we sure Snyder didn't sign him?
Too bad the Mets didn't sign Marquis--at least we'd have the benefit of hitting against him! Time to call up somebody/anybody, and DFA Marquis. Jeez, the nats were on such a good run.
BinM - Actually, his ERA is undefined for the game, as x/0=undefined. Also, that's what she said.
That fifth helped a little... I'm just glad the game is semi-competitive again.
Can a pitcher's skills deteriorate completely over the space of one winter? As I recall, Marquis was virtually unhittable against the Nats last year -- or at least they were pounding his sinker into the ground with distressing regularity.
One more thing: Adam Dunn is hitting .139. But then again, Teixeira is hitting .114.
There's a ton of people over at NJ (and a couple posts here) getting all over Rizzo for signing Marquis. Now clearly I could not (and would not) post here and say his performance is anything but abysmal, but any GM in Rizzo's situation would have signed Marquis in a heart beat, too. He was exactly the kind of pitcher that could provide stability to young rotation, and no one tried to bill him as Nolan Ryan. Just a solid signing to bridge a rebuilding, young team as the developing phenoms eased into their professional careers.
And you don't DFA him. Skip a start first, demote him to the 'pen second, but you don't DFA him first.
Yeah, Marquis's going to the pen. Who's coming out, Batista or Clippard? Marquis has lost a bit off his fastball, but mostly its location. He's definitely not the pitcher he was last year. I agree; Rizzo did his best in this signing, it just hasn't worked out. You got to remember, he was left off the Rockies playoff roster.
Well said Doc and Suicide Squeeze.
I thought he was a good signing. A solid, average starter. But man he's lost...maybe a trip to the bullpen will help a bit.
I don't think Clippard should become a starter, however. He's found his niche in the bullpen.
Mark,
On taking Sunday off:
What did you know, and when did you know it?
Nice call missing this Little League game
Its not the signing Marquis that many in baseball question. Its the money they gave him. Clearly he is not worth the commensurate compensation.
It looks like Atilano may currently be the best choice to replace Marquis/Batista in a starting / long relief role?
Atilano at Syracuse has a 2 - 0 record as a starter. 1.64 ERA and 1.09 whip. 2 walks, 2 strike outs, and 2 home runs.
Sorry ... 2 walks and 9 strike outs for Atilano. And 1 home run.
Now I can see why he was one of the last cuts. I guess he looked pretty close to ready to everyone in the FO and Riggleman.
Z -- we missed you today. And to think I almost went to the park again today. Ugh. Actually I'm with the idea of not DFA'ing JM. But please, please, don't let take his next turn. I'll offer up my tired arm.
Aeoliano: Fair point on the amount paid for Marquis, but I submit the Nats had to pay a premium for anyone to come here after two 100+ loss seasons. Besides, SI criticized the Nats for paying Pudge $6m over two years, and how's that working out? Signing a Hall of Fame pitcher at whatever price opened the door to signing Marquis (so I guess we should all blame Ivan - ha!) and overpaying (if you think they did) Marquis made the point that the Nats would pay solid starters that were well below future Hall of fame status. (And it showed that their bids for Texiera and Chapman weren't just--or at least not entirely--PR stunts.)
At this early stage one worked and one hasn't, but I would ALSO submit that you won't see why these two signings were important until one, two years from now when free agents start taking the Nats seriously and not just as a negotiating ploy to drive up other offers.
*Opps that should be "signing a Hall of Fame catcher" not pitcher. Damn these typo-cursed fingers!
Doc said...
If I were the Learners, I'd be asking Marquis for my money back--what a rip!
Sure, after they get a refund from Kearns, LoDuca, Wily Mo and Estrada! LOL
Signing Marquis to a 2 yr. $15 million contract after the terrible second half of the season he had last year was dumb. It just proves once again that when management does open the wallet (rarely) they blow the money. Now we are stuck with this turkey.
Anon at 10:06PM- Don't you think this is why they are reluctant because of all the blunders on Free Agent signings?
Adam Dunn is being paid $12 million this year and needs to get it going as Josh Whitesell could give you better D and slightly better production. Yeeeeeeeesh.
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