Saturday, May 15, 2010

Game 36: Nats at Rockies (Take 2)

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
The forecast is shaky again ... but let's play two!
DENVER -- This could be a long day of baseball.

Even if the weather holds out, the Nationals and Rockies will play two today: the makeup from last night's rainout at 2:10 p.m. EDT and then the regularly scheduled game at 8:10 p.m. EDT. And the weather is not supposed to hold out. It's not raining at the moment, but it's expected in periods throughout the day and evening. So no one would be surprised if there are delays or even if only one of the two games gets played.

Fortunately, tomorrow looks fantastic, so a Sunday doubleheader would not be threatened.

Unfortunately, today's first game is not going to be televised. It falls under the window that is exclusive to Fox, so MASN can't broadcast it. Which is a real shame since Game 1 features Livan Hernandez vs. Ubaldo Jimenez.

Fortunately, your trusty reporter is here to chronicle it all. I'll try to provide more play-by-play than usual given the situation. So be sure to check back for updates...

NATIONALS AT ROCKIES
Where: Coors Field
Gametime: 2:10 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: WFED-1500 AM, WWFD-820 AM
Weather: Chance of showers, 54 degrees, Wind 4 mph out to LF
STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS (20-15)
CF Nyjer Morgan
2B Adam Kennedy
1B Adam Dunn
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Willie Harris
C Ivan Rodriguez
RF Roger Bernadina
SS Ian Desmond
P Livan Hernandez

ROCKIES (16-18)
CF Carlos Gonzalez
LF Seth Smith
RF Brad Hawpe
SS Troy Tulowitzki
1B Jason Giambi
C Miguel Olivo
3B Ian Stewart
2B Clint Barmes
P Ubaldo Jimenez

12:53 p.m. -- Todd Helton has been scratched from the Rockies' lineup; he woke up with flu-like symptoms. Jason Giambi takes over for Game 1. Helton may return for the nightcap.

12:54 p.m. -- Josh Willingham is still hampered by a tweaked groin, which is why he's not in the lineup. He's been getting treatment all morning and will continue to get treatment during the first game. Still questionable whether he'll be available for the nightcap.

12:56 p.m. -- As for the Dunn-Zimmerman flip-flop, Jim Riggleman says it's a product of Willingham not being in the lineup. He wants to have some protection for Dunn. Willie Harris is batting fifth because he's one of the few guys on the Nats roster with a history of success against Ubaldo Jimenez (5-for-8, two doubles, a triple, two walks). But if you're one of my Blue Level subscribers and received the series preview on Thursday, you already knew that.

1:20 p.m. -- The field has been awash in bright sunshine since I arrived 90 minutes ago. But the clouds are starting to roll in from the west, and a quick glance at the radar shows rain heading this way. They should have just started this game at 10 a.m. local time, avoided the weather AND been able to televise it!

2:03 p.m. -- As astute readers Grandstander and Will have pointed out, you can watch a video feed of this game on MLB.tv (if you're a subscriber to that plan). You'll be getting a Rockies broadcast, not MASN. Carp and Dibbs are here, but they're just watching Game 1 from the press box.

2:06 p.m. -- Correction: You can only get the online video stream if you don't live in the D.C. or Denver areas. It's blacked out in both team's home markets. So bizarre.

2:11 p.m. -- We are underway. First pitch from Ubaldo Jimenez to Nyjer Morgan is a 94 mph fastball for strike one.

2:19 p.m. -- Well, they didn't exactly hit the ball hard, but the Nats scored a run off Jimenez in the top of the first. Morgan bounced a single over the third baseman's head, then took second on Adam Kennedy's groundball to first. After Adam Dunn struck out on a 99 mph heater, Ryan Zimmerman managed to send a broken-bat grounder up the middle that scored Morgan. 1-0 Nats as we head to the bottom of the first.

2:29 p.m. -- Scoreless bottom of the first for Livo, who escaped a two-out double by Brad Hawpe by striking out Troy Tulowitzki on a 79 mph slider. Earlier in the at-bat to Tulo, Hernandez threw back-to-back curveballs that registered 64 and 63 mph. So in one inning, we had one starter throw a pitch 99 mph and another throw one 63 mph. And both were successful. Nats lead 1-0 after one.

2:33 p.m. -- No trouble for Ubaldo in the top of the second. He retired the side, getting Pudge to ground out and Bernadina and Desmond to fly out. Still 1-0 heading to the bottom of the second.

2:36 p.m. -- The Bugs Bunny curveball was no match for Jason Giambi. He just belted that 63 mph offering from Livo into the right-field bullpen for a solo homer. It's now 1-1 in the bottom of the second.

2:41 p.m. -- A two-out single for Clint Barmes, but Livo brushes that aside by getting Jimenez to ground out to end the inning. Really dialed it up there against the opposing pitcher, uncorking an 87 mph fastball that surely left Ubaldo quaking in his boots. We head to the third, tied 1-1.

2:47 p.m. -- For the fourth time in four tries this season, Nyjer Morgan was thrown out trying to steal second by Miguel Olivo. Note to Jim Riggleman: Put up the stop sign.

3:17 p.m. -- Was down in the stands shooting photos the last two innings. So to catch you up: The Nats now trail 2-1 in the top of the fifth. Miguel Olivo crushed a 1-0 pitch from Hernandez into the left-center field bleachers in the fourth. Willie Harris misplayed a line drive to left in the third, must have lost the ball or something because it nearly took his head off. But no harm down on the error. Ryan Zimmerman doubled off Jimenez in the fourth but was stranded at second thanks in part to a nice running catch by Carlos Gonzalez on Harris' shot to deep center.

3:30 p.m. -- Aside from those two solo homers, Livo has been in top form again. He hasn't walked a batter, has struck out two. Pitch count (82) is a little high for only five innings, but he's the last guy you have to be worried about that. Rockies still lead 2-1 as we head to the sixth. There have been a few raindrops, but nothing serious yet, and at the moment the sun remains out.

3:32 p.m. -- One factor about Livan's pitch count to consider: The Nats need a starter for Wednesday's game against the Mets because of last night's rainout. Jim Riggleman said this morning he could bring either Hernandez or Luis Atilano back on short rest, or they could turn to a minor leaguer. Normally it wouldn't be a big deal to bring Livo back, but if he ends up throwing 120-plus pitches today, do you really want to bring him back three days later? If you're wondering about minor league options, Matt Chico is lined up perfectly to start Wednesday. He pitched last night for Syracuse, only went three innings (allowing two runs on four hits). Still trying to find out why he was taken out so early.

3:38 p.m. -- Wow did Adam Dunn just crush a pitch from Jimenez. It landed in the third deck down the right-field line, had to be at least 450 feet. It's the first homer allowed by Jimenez all season. Just like that, we're tied 2-2 in the sixth.

3:42 p.m. -- That was only the 29th home run ever hit into the third deck here at Coors Field, the first since Ian Stewart on June 7, 2008.

3:51 p.m. -- Willie Harris is having some kind of trouble out in left field today. He slipped and missed that line drive in the third, and he just had trouble picking up Stewart's sinking liner in the sixth. Wound up trapping the ball on a diving attempt. The base hit allowed Tulowitzki to score, so the Rockies have retaken a 3-2 lead.

3:53 p.m. -- Speaking of that third-inning play, the official scorer just changed it from an error to a double. Took the onus off Harris, assuming he either slipped or lost the ball in the lights.

4:01 p.m. -- Credit Olivo with another caught stealing. He nailed Bernadina to complete a strike-em-out-throw-em-out double play and end the top of the seventh. Doug Slaten now coming in to pitch for the Nats. Livo's final line: 6 ip, 7 h, 3 er, 1 bb, 3 k. 100 pitches, 59 strikes. His updated ERA is 1.46.

4:08 p.m. -- Slaten allows a one-out single to Gonzalez but be gets pinch-hitter Ryan Spilborghs to ground into an inning-ending double play. Still 3-2 Rockies as we head to the eighth.

4:17 p.m. -- Despite putting the leadoff man on in the eighth -- Josh Willingham, pinch-hitting, was hit by a pitch, then pinch-runner Willy Taveras advanced to second on a sac bunt -- Ubaldo gets out of it without allowing the tying run. Kennedy fouls out and Dunn flies out. Big ovation from the Coors Field crowd as Jimenez walked off the field. It's still 3-2 Rockies going to the bottom of the eighth. Brian Bruney coming in to pitch for the Nats, hoping not to blow this game open.

4:24 p.m. -- Bruney has walked the first two batters he's faced in the eighth. Anyone out there surprised?

4:30 p.m. -- And there's the two-out double followed by the two-out single off Bruney to make it 6-2 Rockies. Bruney has now allowed 41 men to reach base in 17 1/3 innings this season.

4:39 p.m. -- That's your ballgame. Rockies win 6-2. Ubaldo Jimenez now tied with Tyler Clippard for the MLB lead with seven wins. Livo falls to 4-2, though he certainly pitched well enough to win. Both of his losses have come against Ubaldo. Game 2 to come at 8:10 p.m. Eastern. That one will be on MASN2.

5:15 p.m. -- Nats' lineup for Game 2: CF Morgan, LF Harris, 3B Zimmerman, 1B Dunn, 2B Guzman, RF Bernadina, SS Desmond, C Nieves, P Atilano. I'll put up the full game thread closer to first pitch.

6:00 p.m. -- Rockies' lineup: CF Gonzalez, LF Smith, RF Hawpe, SS Tulowitzki, 1B Helton, 3B Stewart, 2B Barmes, C Phillips, P Hammel.

90 comments:

Anonymous said...

This whole FOX baseball contract deal is just stupid beyond belief. Someone needs to replace the fire Jim Bowden site with a Fire Bud Selig site. Two best pitchers era wise in baseball this season, and its blacked out...what a cryin shame. JTinSC

Souldrummer said...

What a total shame about the FOX deal. It's not like they're deliberately scheduling the game. I wasn't going to watch the FOX game and I definitely won't watch it now. I'll listen to Charlie and Dave instead. MASN loses on the one day I was planning to watch them.

Carl in 309 said...

I too am not a fan of the way baseball excludes baseball from the average fan--exclusive arrangements for blocks of time on free tv, plus exclusive rights for pay-tv to cover most other games. That's on top of fewer and fewer afternoon games (way more family friendly) and no scheduled double-headers (as another writer stated earlier this year). I'm generally ready to fire Bud (he's not treated well in today's NY Times piece on the "best interests of baseball"). Maybe if we start by revoking their ill-gotten anti-trust exemption . . .

Perhaps I could better use my time simply rooting for a Nats sweep today.

Anonymous said...

The kicker is this game might be over before the Fox game even begins. Do they have a 6 hour window or something?

Anonymous said...

WTF? i cant believe this game isn't televised. what's the email address or phone number to complain about this? anyone know? it's beyond ridiculous. two best pitchers in baseball right now, and no one can watch it.

Mark Zuckerman said...

Anon: Unless you've got a direct line to Bud Selig, I'm not sure there's anyone else you can contact about this one.

Anonymous said...

I'm not blacked out ... but then true geeks don't watch TV they do everything with their multi-media computing centers. Including watch ballgames.

Anonymous said...

Did you know that Murdock had a bust of Lenin in his dorm room in college?

Mark Zuckerman said...

Aeolino: If you're able to watch a TV broadcast of this game, I will be truly impressed. It's not being blacked out. It's not being televised at all. Only video evidence of this game will be the Coors Field Jumbotron feed.

David said...

no problem with the radio broadcast, though, right?

Mark Zuckerman said...

David: Charlie and Dave will be coming in loud and clear.

Will said...

Mark - I think perhaps (hopefully?) a feed may be streamed for MLB.tv through MLB Network's "live look-in" camera for Coors. The game is currently listed as being shown via "MLB.com" for MLB.tv subscribers as opposed to the usual listings of MASN-HD and whatever the opposing team's station is for the game...

What's also ridiculous is EVERYONE in Texas getting the last place 'Stros over the first place Rangers simply because of who the 'Stros happen to be playing today...the second to last place Cubbies.

Mark Zuckerman said...

Will: Interesting. If that system works, please let me know so I can pass it on to other fans who are worried about getting left out.

David said...

According to Slowes, Harris is 5 for 8 with two doubles and a triple against Jimenez. I guess it makes sense then to bat him 5th.

Grandstander said...

If you have mlb.tv it appears, for the time being at least, that they have the feed up. Only the Colorado feed though, no MASN, which makes sense, because why would you tape a game no one can see anyway.

Perhaps they're broadcasting with the home announcers exclusively for mlb.tv? Obviously the game can't be televised anywhere but the Internet...

Either way, 2012 can't come soon enough! I'm so sick of Selig and his crappy handling of just about everything.

Will said...

Mark - An update. MLB.tv subscribers will apparently be able to watch through the Rockies' home feed of Fox Sports Rocky Mountain (FSRM). No MASN feed, as you noted.

Will said...

Grandstander beat me to the punch. Well done. I guess we'll all settle in for a nice afternoon with the Rox' crew.

Mark Zuckerman said...

Will: Thanks for the update. Still bizarre that the game is allowed to be broadcast online but not on the air.

Chris said...

Does anyone have the URL for the Nats Radio broadcast online?

Anonymous said...

Mark -- MLB.tv indicates that the game is available to subscribers. Only problem is that they black it out to local fans because of the local telecast, which is, as you state, not availble because of Fox. So, if I was in Cleveland I could watch this game on the computer, but since I live in the city that the team plays in, I can't. Thanks Fox. Makes a whole lot of sense.

Mark Zuckerman said...

David: Um, yeah, I already noted Harris' career numbers vs. Ubaldo up above.

cadeck13 said...

Bummer no broadcast, alas I am consoled because I have to work and at least I can live it through the chronicles of our most trusty reporter and MLB radio! BTW Mark, great podcast with Rick Ecstein last night. Now, remember to leave the booth only during Dunn's at bats - you seem to be his good-luck charm :)

David said...

doh! didn't have time to cross-check. thought i was breaking news because i had the radio in for the pregame :-) didn't mean to steal your thunder

Rocket1124 said...

MLB.tv appears to have a scoreboard feed with the Rockies radio team. But that will be blacked out in DC.

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness for XM. I'm going to the car. I like baseball on AM radio -- I prefer the bacground hiss where I first heard baseball.

kaizenakira said...

after that first run, for now at least, Livan is the era leader.

meixler said...

So... where can I get a radio broadcast of this game? If I try to stream from 1500 or 820 all I get is an interview with Rupert Murdoch.

Doc said...

Blacking out an away game in the home market area--now that takes a bit of intelligence!

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

What's next? Murdoch will make us sit through an hour with Sarah Palin in order to get the baseball scores?

Anonymous said...

Yep, Mark I am watching it ... every bugs bunny curve. I think I saw Murdoch and his bust of Lenin up in his box? I bet Wigi is watching as well ...

HabsProf said...

Yout comments about the pitches in the low 60's reminds of a scene from the movie Major League III (generally a bad movie, but it had its moments). In one scene where a career minor league junk-ball pitcher is throwing to a major league slugger, someone comments that the reason the major leaguer can't get a hit is that he hasn't seen stuff that slow since high school.

Which makes me wonder: How many other pitchers in the majors throw as slow as Livo? Is he uncommon or are there quite a few others who throw breaking stuff in the low 60's?

Anonymous said...

Field looking kind of wet ... have to wonder if more rain is due to arrive.

Anonymous said...

HabsProf, as the FOX Lenin Busts like to say, think Jamie Moyer. Of course unlike the FOX guys we know that Moyer is younger than Livan "Satchel Paige" Hernandez.

meixler said...

according to espn gamecast, the rockies got 4 outs in the 2nd: Olivo grounded to short, Steward grounded to 3rd, Barnes lined to center, and finally Jimenez grounded to first. WTF? Someone tell me again why I can neither watch nor listen to this game.

Anonymous said...

Morgan gets caught again?

meixler said...

Morgan keeps getting caught on the steal? You want to know why? Because he always looks in. Why does he look in? Once he decides to run he's gotta put his head down and make a mad dash.

Doc said...

Nyjer Morgan's speed and/or stealing strategy ain't working. Stealing bases may no longer be part of Tony Plush's game. He's just becoming another out!

Anonymous said...

3 K's 0 walks for the amazing Livan after 3.

Anonymous said...

Starke difference: Berndina and or Morgan wold have had that ball that Hawpe couldn't handle. Gonzalez made it on the next one ... defense is very different in the outfield this year for the Nats.

Anonymous said...

I am listening to the game on 102.1 The Game,out of VA.Beach, via radiotime.com. It seems to be the only consistent stream of Nats I can find.
By the way, comcast has 3 games showing currently on their MLB Extra Innings in central Fl. But no Nats!

Anonymous said...

DUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

The Big Dunn-Key sounds like he launched one. Of course, I wouldn't really know. All I get on MASN is this silly Sarah Palin biography ... interspersed with a 15-year-old NASCAR race.

meixler said...

Thank You, Mr. Anonymous, who mentioned 102.1 The Game. Now I get to listen to... the game.

Anonymous said...

Upper deck home run ... way up there third level.

Anonymous said...

Bernadina singles to left.

Anonymous said...

Slaten up for Hernandez. The Hammer may pinch hit.

Anonymous said...

Might walk Desmond ready for "the Hammer".

Anonymous said...

Inning over ... Bernadina caught stealing. Desmond strikes out. Bad inning for the rookies!

Anonymous said...

Slaten in for Livo now. Livo is on the hook for the loss ... nevertheless another sparkling quality start for the unexpected ace.

Sec314 said...

Maybe the Nats should just stop trying to run on Olivo.

Anonymous said...

Uh OH! Tornado warning in Denver!!!!

Anonymous said...

The broadcast is full of Tornado warning bulletins now ... Nats are under a Tornado watch ... will let you know if Bowden is responsible ...

Anonymous said...

B R U N E Y ... and now it gets worst ... B A T I S T A is warming up ... sigh ... Tornado?

Anonymous said...

All I can say is B. Bruney (BB) must stand for Base on Balls.

Anonymous said...

TWO WALKS for Bruney. Now 2 OUTS. Please we don't need Riggleman's mancrush Batista to do the home run honors.

Anonymous said...

RBI double by Stewart. Its now 4 - 2.

Dryw Loves the Nats said...

Is Bruney pitching a sign that Riggs is conceding this game?

Anonymous said...

RBI single. 6 - 2 Rockies. B R U N E Y.

Anonymous said...

...and the BBs cost him. This guy has to go the way of veterans like Pat Burrell D-F-A

Anonymous said...

No Batista is that sign.

Anonymous said...

Is the Brian Bruney Experience going to end soon? He's terrible.

Anonymous said...

Bruney's job. Why he was signed was to be setup for Matt Capps. He pitched well enough last night to give it another try.

Ben said...

RELEASE BRUNEY!

Anonymous said...

Batista is far, far worst. GasCanRahan was better.

Anonymous said...

ESPN reporting that Nick Johnson may be done for the season as he requires wrist surgery.

Here he was essentialy a hired bat as a full-time DH and he gets injured. For all those Nick Johnson fans, you still want him?

Bote Man said...

Surely, Bruney is the Nats' best option out of the bullpen. Surely??? We all know that there are absolutely no other pitchers in the entire organization who could fill his tiny shoes.

Sec314 said...

The (win) Killer B's must go! Can they get Storen and English from Syracuse to Denver in time for Game 2?

Anonymous said...

Network glitch ... could be Tornado.

Anonymous said...

If your name ends in a "B" and you are in the bullpen, you are in trouble. I think there is 3 of them!!!

Mark Zuckerman said...

Aeoliano: Your "tornado" is located 50 miles east of town and is heading in the opposite direction.

Anonymous said...

Bruney now at 7.64 ERA.

Spike94wl said...

How did this guy survive in the AL East facing the Red Sox and Rays?!?!?!? Bruney couldn't strike out a kid at pinata party.

Anonymous said...

Mark, so tell them to stop the klaxons all over the place during the broadcast! Its getting ridiculous!

Anonymous said...

Tornado =~ Miguel Batista pitching allowing 15 more runs.

Anonymous said...

NJ? Sure. Late inning defensive replacement for Dunn and part-time pinch hitter at the league minimum? Why not?

Anonymous said...

Nats lose 6 - 2. Onto the second game.

Anonymous said...

Bringing Bruney into any game that means anything is unfair to the rest of team. Rizzo does not want to admit that he made a mistake on this pickup. Can't we trade him to Pittsburgh for something?

Anonymous said...

Thank you Mark. The Klaxons have stopped.

Anonymous said...

Aeoliano - Who said the league miniumum. LOL Sure, league min you keep him, of course. It worked out in hindsight well for the Nats getting rid of him last year.

Of course the whining from a few in the fanbase after the trade again are proved wrong.

Anonymous said...

Bruney is just making the inevitable Storen replacement far easier ... neither he nor his agent will be able to muster much of an argument when the Nats make their move. But, Batista? He truly is AAAA.

cadeck13 said...

Mark,
How much longer do you think the Nats will keep putting Bruney out there? When is Rizzo going to be tired of watching the guy pitch?

Anonymous said...

In May Bruney has a 8.44 ERA. On the road his ERA is 12.91.

Anonymous said...

In May Batista boasts a 7.50 ERA. His ERA against Chicago is 10.80.
Batista 5 homeruns including a grandslam, 16 walks and 12 strike outs ...
His overall ERA is 6.05 and his WHIP is 1.57. Batista has 1 hold, 1 save and 2 losses.

Bruney has 20 walks, 1 home run, and 16 strike outs. His WHIP is 2.32. He has 4 Holds. 0 blown saves. 1 win and 2 losses.

Pick one.

Anonymous said...

correction: Meant to say against Colorado not Chicago. sorry.

NatsNut said...

cracked me up:

"Really dialed it up there against the opposing pitcher, uncorking an 87 mph fastball that surely left Ubaldo quaking in his boots."

Anonymous said...

Was Bruney a Rizzo guy when he played for the Diamondbacks? I think he was.

That may explain why. Rizzo seems to play favorites (IMHO) which will get him into trouble and seems susceptible to falling in the trance of a brown-noser or 2 including some that he didn't recruit.

Under JimBo, brown-nosing was an art form. JimBo brown-nosed Mark L. and JimBo in turn liked it from his employees.

Anonymous said...

Forgot shortstop in your lineup Mark?

Mark Zuckerman said...

Sorry, Desmond's at SS and batting seventh.

Anonymous said...

I watched the game out here in Idaho on what I think was the Rockies feed (on my computer), but I never saw any graphics so I'm not sure. Saw the whole thing.

Farid

Anonymous said...

Picked this up from Bill Ladson's tweets:

Jim Riggleman was visably upset that the game went out of hand after Brian Bruney entered the game.

Jim Riggleman said the Nats are thinking about making a move on RHP Brian Bruney.

_____________________________________________________________________

This sends another subliminal message I believe? I do think that at least at the on-field coaches/manager level they believe this squad could be a true playoff contender? Hopefully sans Batista as well as Bruney if that's the way it goes.

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