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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER The Nats go for the sweep and a six-game winning streak tonight. |
Can the resurgent lineup keep it up after scoring 18 combined runs the last two nights? Jim Riggleman isn't tinkering with much these days; he's using the same starting nine as last night except for Wilson Ramos behind the plate and John Lannan on the mound.
Speaking of Lannan, he's been on the best roll of his career, having allowed only two total earned runs over his last four starts. He'll be seeking to get his record (4-5) back to .500 with a win tonight.
Updates to come...
CARDINALS at NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m.
TV: MASN
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 186
Weather: Thunderstorms, 75 degrees, Wind out to LF
STARTING LINEUPS5:40 p.m. -- Here's the first of what could be several weather updates tonight: It's pouring right now, and the tarp is on the field. The Nats managed to get most of their BP in, the Cards are taking theirs underground. Looking at the forecast, it appears things will clear up some before scheduled first pitch but then pick up again later in the evening, perhaps around 9 p.m.
NATIONALS (32-36)
RF Jayson Werth
CF Roger Bernadina
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Laynce Nix
1B Michael Morse
2B Danny Espinosa
C Wilson Ramos
P John Lannan
SS Ian Desmond
CARDINALS (38-31)
SS Tyler Greene
CF Colby Rasmus
1B Albert Pujols
LF Matt Holliday
RF Lance Berkman
C Yadier Molina
2B Skip Schumaker
3B Daniel Descalso
P Kyle Lohse
6:29 p.m. -- The rain has stopped and the tarp is being rolled up. Looks like we'll be fine to get the game started on time.
7:06 p.m. -- And we're off. John Lannan greets Tyler Greene with a low fastball for ball one. No precipitation at the moment. We'll see how long that lasts.
7:18 p.m. -- Who's got the most productive lineup in baseball? Yes, the Nationals. Jayson Werth leads off the bottom of the first with a bomb into the Red Porch, then Roger Bernadina follows with his own solo shot to right. Now, wait til you hear this: Going back to the seventh inning last night, five of the Nats' last 11 batters have homered! That's insane. 2-0 after one.
7:22 p.m. -- Hmm, it would appear the ball is carrying quite well tonight, because Matt Holliday (in his first at-bat off the DL) hammered a pitch from Lannan to the last row of the left-field bleachers. It's 2-1 in the top of the second, and there's still a long way to go in this one.
7:39 p.m. -- Things have calmed down considerably for both pitchers. Lohse retired the side in the second, not letting a ball leave the infield. Lannan, meanwhile, has retired four straight. The only hit he's given up so far was Holliday's bomb. Still 2-1 as we go to the bottom of the third.
7:45 p.m. -- By the way, if you're wondering the last time the Nationals/Expos' first two batters of the game homered ... it was June 16, 2002, courtesy Brad Wilkerson and Jose Vidro.
7:55 p.m. -- The Cardinals have tied it up 2-2 in the fourth, and for that give credit to Albert Pujols, who drew a leadoff walk but more importantly made a heady move on the basepaths. Standing off second base as Lance Berkman tapped a grounder to short, Pujols purposely slowed down and got in the way of Ian Desmond. The ball never touched him, and he never touched Desmond, so there was no interference. But that little delay prevented Desmond from having any chance of turning a double play. That allowed Pujols to score moments later on Yadier Molina's groundout. It's a small thing, but actually a big thing, and one of the many reasons this guy is the best PLAYER in the game, not just the best hitter.
8:15 p.m. -- Michael Morse continues to be in "Beast Mode." (If you've seen his postgame interviews on MASN the last two nights, you'll know what I'm talking about.) Crushed an opposite-field double off the out-of-town-scoreboard, coming just short of another home run. Of course, that double will probably cause his slugging percentage to drop, but oh well. More importantly, Espinosa followed with a single to right, and Bo Porter astutely sent Morse around third to test Berkman's arm. Bad throw allows Morse to score and Espinosa to take second. Nats re-take a 3-2 lead after four.
8:35 p.m. -- Few pitchers have taken advantage of the double play this season more than John Lannan. In fact, after getting Tyler Greene and Matt Holliday to ground into twin killings each of the last two innings, Lannan has now induced 12 double plays this season. That's second-most in the NL, behind only Pittsburgh's Charlie Morton (13). Still 3-2 in the middle of the sixth.
8:37 p.m. -- And just as the rain begins to fall in buckets, Laynce Nix crushes one to right for his 10th homer of the season. Nats take a 4-2 lead. And this game is now official, by the way.
8:55 p.m. -- Boy, is Lannan on top of his game right now, or what? Even when he gets himself in a bit of trouble -- as he did in the seventh putting two on with one out -- he very calmly pitches his way out of it via the groundball. Got Anthony Brown to ground to short, then Jon Jay to ground to second to end the inning. Lannan's at 86 pitches, 56 strikes. Nats still lead 4-2.
9:07 p.m. -- Tyler Clippard on to pitch the eighth, ending Lannan's night. But what a night it was for John: seven innings of two-run, six-hit ball. Over his last five starts, his ERA is a minuscule 1.08.
9:16 p.m. -- Uh-oh. Albert Pujols turns on a 93-mph fastball from Clippard and puts it into the bullpen. It's 4-3 all of a sudden, and then Clippard walks Holliday. But then Clippard gets back on track and blows Berkman away with a 93 mph heater. So the lead is preserved, ever so slim, as we head to the bottom of the eighth.
9:24 p.m. -- OK, we go to the ninth. Drew Storen to face Molina, Schumaker, a pinch-hitter and possibly Jon Jay. Pujols due up seventh.
9:27 p.m. -- So much for that. Yadier Molina crushes Storen's 1-0 fastball to left-center to tie the game 4-4. That's only Storen's second blown save in 18 tries this season. Not the best time for this one to happen.
9:30 p.m. -- And there goes the error-less streak. Espinosa throws wide to first on a slow roller, ending the streak at 13 games. That was only three shy of the NL record (1992 Cardinals) and five shy of the MLB record (2009 Yankees).
9:45 p.m. -- We're going extras after the Nats fail to win it in the bottom of the ninth. So it'll be Sean Burnett to face Colby Rasmus to begin the 10th. Looming in the on-deck circle is Pujols. Todd Coffey is warming, so Riggleman could go with the big guy. Or he could just walk Pujols.
9:55 p.m. -- Wow, not only did Riggleman let Burnett pitch to Pujols, the lefty came through big-time. Got Pujols to hit a weak flyball to right, then got Berkman looking at a pitch that certainly appeared to be outside (though not to plate umpire C.B. Bucknor). We go to the bottom of the 10th, and leading off will be Mr. Walk-Off himself, Ryan Zimmerman.
10:07 p.m. -- Danny Espinosa is your hero: 3-run bomb to right in the bottom of the 10th. That caps a brilliant series for the rookie: 8-for-14 with two homers. Nats win 7-4 in 10 and extend the winning streak to six.
109 comments:
GO NATS!!!
I hope Holiday's return to the lineup doesn't do for St. Louis what RZ's return did for the Nationals.
Got the broom out and ready to use!
Time to exploit Lance Berkman in rightfield. The guy makes Adam Dunn in the outfield look good.
Here's hoping Holliday's a little rusty and doesn't immediately return to form.
Another bit of news in the Cards line-up - Theriot is sitting, Greene is in at SS, presumably bc of Theriot's atrocious defense of late. Greene is weaker offensively, tho, so I hope that helps Lannan.
P John LannEn - fixed it for you.
Let's go NATS!!!!
Game 69 and Laynce Nix is the clean-up hitter for the Nats. I would have thought that happening about as probable as Anthony Weiner exposing himself on his cell phone or the Washington Wizards winning half their games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi8gjS-Swps
Since the Nats have done so well with the pitcher batting 8th, imagine how much better they'd do if the pitcher was the leadoff hitter.
Tuesday's attendance was 26,000+ but was a $2.00 ticket day.
Wednesday's attendance was 27,000+
Was that due to buzz about the first game?
RZ's return
better weather?
The fact that the Cards have a decent following?
Just wondering what others think...
(I'm going with the Card following...)
TimDz, I think you are right. There were quite few Cards supporters where I was sitting in Section 117. Of course, that's near the visitor dugout, but it is also an area dominated by ticket plan holders. I also saw a lot of Cardinal fans in the vending areas. It wasn't like a Mets or Phillies game, but it was far more than a sprinkling.
Tim, I actually pick games based on the opponent and the Cardinals and Cubs and inter-league are some of my favorites to go and watch.
The Cubs fans can be a little more boisterous but like mentioned, the Cardinals fans are nice to have as our guests in the stadium.
Not a lot cards fans there (not like Phillies and BoSox etc). Some, but the Buzz was about the Nats
@ Big Cat you got your broom ready?
Thanks to the Marlins loss today (for awhile at least) the Nats are no longer in the basement! Let's hope it stays that way.
when is riggleman gonna realize that demsmond has to go?
http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/stats/index.jsp?team=cub
I found this interesting about Yunesky Maya in the 2009 World Baseball Classic (WBC) when he pitched for Cuba. He only started one game and was a relief pitcher in 2 games.
He is another player in the Nats system that will most likely end up being a spot starter or may be worth looking at him as a reliever.
5:10, Riggleman will be gone long before Desmond, unless something really unlikely happens.
Glad I could clear that up for you,
Wil Nieves outrighted by Brewers to Nashville...
Sunderland, who?
Sec3 5:47.... Nice try. I don't think much is clear for him...
Hope they get the game in tonight. I really need my Nats fix!
5:10, if the Nats keep on winning like this they most likely will extend Riggleman's contract. So I guess you will root against the home team, is that right?
OK, Tuesday was 'Hit it to Theriot', and last night was 'Hit it to Pujols'. Who gets the horns tonight? I am guessing Schumaker
Who?
Milwaukee Brewers!
There weren't many Cardinals fans at the Tuesday night game. I believe the $2 seats were limited to a couple of sections in the upper deck.
Knoxville, if they keep winning, he deserves to get extended.
Wally @ 6:35
I'm kinda partial to hitting it where they ain't...
And hit it to Holliday.
Nice start to the game Lannen!!!
Werth and Bernadina hit it where they ain't
Werth sets the tone known as the submarine horn!!!! Bernadina doesn't get the bunt down but does some yack 'em smack 'em of his own!!!!
Ok boys, after the game tonight I need you and you and you and you to p in these cups...
who are these guys? where have they been? mom, can we keep 'em?
And you too Holliday.
Lannan struck out Holliday in my opinion but didn't get the call and you know what happens on the next pitch...
Technically speaking we should win tonight's matchup because Lannan has good numbers against Cards and Lohse has struggled recently. We are on a hot streak and Cards are in a slump. Let us see where we end up.
Anonymous8 said...
Time to exploit Lance Berkman in rightfield. The guy makes Adam Dunn in the outfield look good.
June 16, 2011 4:05 PM
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Yep, glad they hit one to Berkman. He got it so shallow in RF and skipped the throw to the catcher!
I hope Lannen sees that he can pitch on the black outside to RH batters and get that call like Lohse.
That was great. Lannen goes Strike 1 to Holliday on the outside black! Gets Holliday on the 2 strike count and then gets him to roll owver the Huge double play on Holliday!
I have been trying to understand why Lannan has been getting such good rsults this year, when at first glance he doesn't look like he is pitching all that differently. Luck is an obvious guess, and maybe that is part of it.
But he also seems to be a tick faster, touching 90-91 more often than I recall. But the biggest thing that I see is this big, two plane slurvy pitch. It is slow and goes through several eye levels, making it appear very different from his other pitches. Very tough for lefties. I don't recall him having that pitch before. Does anyone else?
That could elevate him as a pitcher.
I think Anon at 5:10 had to be kidding. Ian is great defensively and he's had a hit in the last nine or ten games. By now, everyone knows he is a keeper.
But Desmond seems lost at the plate (in spite of the hitting streak). It looks like he's jumping out of his shoes on every swing. He isn't near the hitter he was last year.
Wally, not to take anything against Lannan, he has been pitching better, keeping the ball down, etc. but I think first LaRoche, and then Morse, have made The whole infield look better, which has helped make the entire pitching staff look better.
Joe,
While I do not discount the contributions of LaRoche and Morse in our infield defense, lets also acknowledge Desmond's improvements (significant in my opinion)and especially what Espinosa brings to the table. A future GG if you ask me.
Alas, JaneB, Anon isn't kidding at all.
I liked the way he was going for a 2-fer with that first complaint, tho--Desi has to go, and Riggs is at fault for not realizing it.
A real economy in the whining there....
Joe Seamhead, the increased range and defense has definitely helped all the pitchers especially in pitch count and run count.
Lannan was victimized often by errors and mis-plays that cost him in extra pitches and runs given up.
One run surrendered but we are through Rasmus, Pujols, Holliday and Berkman.
Ok, I can live with that.
Well Wally, I was in agreement with you but Storen just served up a MEATBALL to the catcher.
Wally I thought the exact same thing and Drew goes and does this.
and the errorless streak comes to an end. wheels are coming off? LOL, hope not.
Yeah, that sucked. I don't care too much about the streak, but that definitely was a meatball.
C'mon boys, let's bring it home right here
Not a great time for an error. Some of these guys who had received these All Star accolades really didn't look All Star in the last inning and a 1/2 particularly Clippard, Storen, and now Espinosa....
Now time for an exciting Walk Off Win!!!!
Coupla thoughts about Morse and his hitting streak:
He's benefiting from a very high BABIP (.359 this season), but he's also having better at bats. He's striking out less. His 2d homer last night came in an 8-pitch at bat in which he was down 0-2. He had gone something like 15 PAs without a K until tonight, when he was called out on a third strike that pitchFx says was a ball. I don't think he can stay that lucky on his BABIP, but hopefully he can maintain a good approach at the plate.
And oh yeah - it's time to pick Drew up, hitters!
Matt Stairs time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nope, just the usual out of Stairs, meaning an OUT...
Everyone is swinging from their heels. Althpugh with Stairs, I welcome it
I guess its 'hit it to Pujols' night again.
C'mon Shaggy, time for the walk off
"A real economy in the whining there...."
Snork!....:)
Free baseball gives me a chance to get in something I've been meaning to note. I'm really impressed that Albert Pujols would agree to play third. He stays at third and he probably goes to the all star game on habit alone, and he's almost certainly losing money on that point.
*stays at FIRST
Maybe Sean is back to being Sean?!?
Nice inning by Burnett (a welcome change)
Great inning by Sean Burnett. That was encouraging!
Now some Nats offense!!!!
Storen's first pitch to Molina, called a ball, was much closer to being a strike than that third strike to Berkman. That call rattled Storen, and I think led to him grooving that HR pitch. This ump's strike zone has been floating somewhat.
Here we go another game in x-tras. Here's where we find out if the situational hitting in the Sabermetric lineup has improved.
Cmon Zim you slacker. Werth, Bernadina, Nix --- where's the tater?
how old do you have to be for Nix to look like Spuds McKenzie to you?
38 -- the number of the beast mode....
ESPINOSA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was just about to say, Espinosa is going to end the game or K ...
BUH BYE
41 RBIs!!!!!!!!!!!
and for the record, I don't care if he hits .212 all year... Pie, anyone?
If he's not in the all-star game -- at least he's _our_ all star! Espy!!!!
And he'll attract notice around the league soon
Not bad for a rookie. 41 RBI's for a guy who doesn't bat in the middle of the order.
Yeah, baby!! Six in a row baby!
DANNY WALKS IT OFF!!!!!
Sabermetric line up: STILL WORKING!
(Energizer bunny that looks like Danny Espinosa careens across home plate ... )
Well that is the way to end the game! LaRussa throws Salas for 2 innings and give an assist to Zim on really working him so Espinosa can make everyone forget about the 8th and 9th innings!
I say retire his number already in the other 29 teams. :D
Love the guy...
but we are going to have to redefine a particular exception to the Mendoza Line (.214, technically) -- the Espinosa Line.
These guys won't win every game, but for the first time it feels like they could. Like it won't have to be a miracle. Like they are playing to win, fighting to stay in it. I love the Nats!
8.33 runs per game since Zim's return!!!!
Awesome hit by Espi and a good inning by Burnett as well. Great way to sweep the series.
I think it's great how the Nats finally took the advice of all the negativos around here and got rid of Riggleman. Obviously, the man knows nothing about the game, what with his weird lineups and such. The new manager is so much better. What a relief!!
Wow! Danny sure can't hit left handed, eh? I'd say that he more then made up for the earlier error. Oh, how sweet it is to be out of the cellar!
Another observation, Storen may have given up the tying run but he held it at just that run to give the Nats a chance.
I don't think he can stay that lucky on his BABIP, but hopefully he can maintain a good approach at the plate.
Morse has been pretty consistent since 2009. From AAA to the majors. You know he is going to hit around .300. OBP wise is a question mark due to the dearth of walks.
What is different is that the home run output has increased. Doubles have decreased. Although the last two games he has been getting some good line drives off the wall instead of pop ups.
He's still a work in progress.
But Espinosa, if he conquers the platoon bat nothing is stopping him from becoming a super star.
What's Danny's slugging average now?
And let's remember to give our props to Lannan -- yet another quality start -- seven innings, two runs. That's five starts in a row where he's given up two runs or less.
Here's another point that if the Nats were scoring their 2 runs per game like last week, there is no margin for error.
This looks like a good team. Never gave up!
Nats Outsider said...
I think it's great how the Nats finally took the advice of all the negativos around here and got rid of Riggleman. Obviously, the man knows nothing about the game, what with his weird lineups and such. The new manager is so much better. What a relief!!
Yeah -- after all, Rizzo's hasn't improved the team at all in two years. And they finally dumped Lannan because he's a "pitching to contact" guy that would never amount to anything. And etc etc etc
Hey, guys. Did I miss anything while I was out sweeping the porch? :-D Wooohooo!!
And, hey, attendance just under 20K -- not bad for a night that had threats of thunderstorms, etc.
Someone up above was asking why -- some of the reason is that the Nats are playing well, and that makes going to the park a whole lot more fun.
Joe Seamhead said...
Wow! Danny sure can't hit left handed, eh? I'd say that he more then made up for the earlier error. Oh, how sweet it is to be out of the cellar!
June 16, 2011 10:15 PM
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Here is the latest adjustments that Danny has made from the left side. He had shortened his swing in mid-May and then he seemed to go back to the long swing. He has worked this last homestand on shortening the swing again but he also isn't taking that long stride where he and Eckstein thought it was too much going on in his set-up. Tonight you also saw him take an outside pitch to left field which really shows he is going with the pitch.
Nice to see everything coming together for him.
For as much crap as Eckstein takes, 3 guys just speak his praise in Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Morse and Danny Espinosa. I know the offense has suffered but you need good hitters to get good hits.
Wow, Skip and Joe Torre on the postgame for the prostate cancer challenge. www.pcf.org. A fathers day promo.
As a lifelong Giants fan, man, I've missed Tommy LaSorda.
A DC Wonk, his OPS right now is .784 so slugging should come around .460. Also Lannan has allowed total 4 ER in past five starts.
Time to watch some highlights.
In the spirit of Wonk and Outsider, from the previous thread, this morning:
Unkyd said...
Oh...and that new hitting coach is working out well, too!!! Clearly nothing was gonna change, with that clown, Eckstein, running things... What's that? Eck is still here?! Well, he must have switched brands of chew, or something... maybe a shot of Genius Juice, in his coffee?
June 16, 2011 10:16 AM
hehehe...
There was an article about the same time last year on the MASN website saying that Pat Corrales had stated that Espinosa was the best player in the Nats system. I remember that it came off as a surprise because nobody had ranked Espinosa as a no.1 prospect on those fancy lists. We knew that he was good but I guess Corrales sure knew what he was talking about.
Also Lannan has allowed total 4 ER in past five starts.
(Thanks FS)
After what he's been through, including that send-down to the minors, it's nice to see Lannan put together a nice string of starts.
Also -- you know what's really great? You know that guys like Clip and Store are going to have some bad outings. It's awesome that on a nice where they both gave up a run, that the Nats still were able to win.
DC Wonk, I think you are right on the money: when the Nats (or, any home team) is winning, it makes it easier to decide to head down to the ballpark. Right now, the Nats are 17-12 at home, which is second only to the Phillies in the NL east.
Tonight Espinosa put in his effort to make the all star team.
I honestly don't know this team. Riggleman was playing chess tonight!
You know during this win streak or since that road trip, every win still amazes me. I mean, WOW what took over these guys to perform this well. It is great to be watching them right now. Another season series victory for Nats (4-2 against STL I believe).
Manassas, I don't see Espi as an All Star but there are still 2 more weeks to make a good case for himself and certainly as a Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove winner.
About as old as me, I reckon. I kinda thought he looked like Patton's dog, Willie, but good call. Did I mention the senior special next Thursday? ;-)
Oh, and nice to see that good inning from Burnett.
Sec3MySofa said...
how old do you have to be for Nix to look like Spuds McKenzie to you?
June 16, 2011 10:03 PM
Okay, this is for all of you whippersnappers:
http://www.petpublishing.com/dogken/breeds/bullterr.shtml
They're actually the same breed. Huh. Now I gotta go to bed.
DC Wonk- Agreed. Clippard and Storen are outstanding. Can't really complain when they give up a run every now and then.
(I still say Clip for the All Star Game).
Next up, time to pound the Orioles dreadful pitching.
Go Nats!!!
OK, this isn't really a beer commercial, cuz it isn't really beer, but:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deqx2VeiLaY
Wow! Now that was a proper Nats fix!
Espinosa is making a strong case so far for Rookie of the Year. Too bad they don't have an Old Guy of the Year award for Livan.
Just got home!! What a game. Did any of you think Riggs was just going to use Burnett for one batter and then bring in Coffey. He had him ready in the bullpen and in my opinion, getting Pujols to pop up was huge. Desmond made two very nice plays in the late innings and I just believe I have my red hat on for another day!! Lots of Card fans who got really excited during the 8th and 9th innings left just a little dejected How sweet it is.
In reading over the comments I too am saddened by the switch in General Manager, Manager, Hitting Coach and shortstop. Is there anyone else that the anons can call out? I mean if we win 8 or 9 in a row I am sure they will find something to whine about. Sweep the O's and we are at .500
Go Nats!!
Espinosa leads all rookies in XBHs, HRs, RBIs, OPS and SBs. He also leads all 2B in UZR. Think that makes him a pretty clear cut ROY candidate.
Will said...
Espinosa leads all rookies in XBHs, HRs, RBIs, OPS and SBs. He also leads all 2B in UZR. Think that makes him a pretty clear cut ROY candidate.
June 17, 2011 6:45 AM
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I know Turner from the Mets and Collmenter from Arizona are looking good too and some kid named Wilson Ramos!!!!
If Espy gets that Batting Average over .250 which is that line of respectibility then he certainly looks like the ROY. Still over 1/2 a season to go.
A shame he had that error because it is him and Brandon Phillips for the Gold Glove at 2nd base.
Gonat said... @ June 16, 2011 5:22 PM
http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/stats/index.jsp?team=cub
I found this interesting about Yunesky Maya in the 2009 World Baseball Classic (WBC) when he pitched for Cuba. He only started one game and was a relief pitcher in 2 games.
June 16, 2011 5:22 PM
He is another player in the Nats system that will most likely end up being a spot starter or may be worth looking at him as a reliever.
Me: I was at all the games in San Diego, and Maya didn't impress me (Aroldis Chapman impressed a little more). But the most impressive I saw during that week of games was Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish; he is a #1 in the Majors when he gets over here. Dice-K was on that team and Darvish was way better.
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