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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Jason Marquis is scheduled to start -- emphasis on scheduled -- tonight. |
Meanwhile, Jason Marquis is scheduled to start tonight's game against the Mets. Unless, of course, he's traded before then. What are the odds of that happening? Well, enough that the Nationals have flown Yunesky Maya in from Syracuse to stand on-call just in case they need an emergency starter for this game. (Maya was supposed to start tonight for Syracuse, which is why he got the call over Tom Milone or Brad Peacock.)
Suffice it to say, everyone's in standby mode here at the ballpark, just waiting to find out what will happen next. Check back here for all your updates throughout the afternoon and evening...
METS at NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m.
TV: MASN
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 183
Weather: Partly cloudy, 92 degrees, Wind 8 mph out to RF
STARTING LINEUPS7:10 p.m. -- Apologies for the delay in getting the lineups posted. As you know, Jason Marquis was traded to the Diamondbacks late this afternoon. Unfortunately, the Nats didn't officially announce the deal until a few minutes ago, so I and my reporter counterparts had to wait outside the clubhouse for an hour before Mike Rizzo and Marquis came out to be interviewed. I'll have plenty of details from those conversations in the trade story posted above, which will be updated. In the meantime, Yunesky Maya retired the side in the top of the first. Apologies in advance if I don't have as many in-game updates tonight as usual, as I try to get caught up on the trade story.
NATIONALS (49-56)
CF Rick Ankiel
SS Ian Desmond
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Michael Morse
RF Jayson Werth
2B Danny Espinosa
LF Jonny Gomes
C Wilson Ramos
PJason MarquisYunesky Maya
METS (55-51)
SS Jose Reyes
2B Justin Turner
1B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
CF Angel Pagan
LF Jason Bay
RF Lucas Duda
C Josh Thole
P R.A. Dickey
7:25 p.m. -- Whoa, three-run homer for Jayson Werth on a 3-2 pitch from R.A. Dickey, capping a big first inning for the Nats. Landed in the batter's eye behind center field. They lead 3-0.
7:59 p.m. -- Still a long way to go, obviously, but so far, so good for Maya. He's tossed four scoreless innings, allowing two baserunners (one single, one hit batter). Pretty impressive. Of course, we have to point out his penchant in the past for looking sharp for 3-4 innings and then fading fast after that. We shall see. Nats still lead 3-0.
8:32 p.m. -- And sure enough, Maya is done three batters into the sixth inning. Trainer Lee Kuntz came out to look at him before the inning began, but Maya stayed in. After allowing back-to-back singles with one out, Davey Johnson brought out the hook. Ross Detwiler is in to face Angel Pagan, with two on in the inning. The Nats still lead 3-0, and Maya is still in line to earn his first career win.
8:35 p.m. -- And Detwiler gets out of the mess on three pitches, coaxing a 5-3 double play out of Pagan. Nicely done.
8:51 p.m. -- Detwiler gets another double play in the top of the seventh, then plunks Josh Thole and is pulled in favor of Tyler Clippard, who will face pinch-hitter Scott Hairston (brother of just-traded Nats utilityman Jerry Hairston). Nats still lead 3-0.
8:55 p.m. -- And Clippard does what he does best, stranding another runner on base. We've reached the seventh-inning stretch.
9:15 p.m. -- Nice job as always by Clippard, who retired all four batters he faced. So it's still 3-0 as we go to the bottom of the eighth, and Drew Storen is warming in the Nats bullpen. Obviously, he hasn't been traded at this point.
9:32 p.m. -- Ballgame. Nats win 3-0. Maya gets his first career win. Storen gets his 26th save, though he loaded the bases in the ninth before striking out Willie Harris to end it.
125 comments:
I really hope my $85 tickets tonight aren't to see Yunesky Maya. I should get a refund.
For those who like to speculate, it's being reported the Yankees inquired about Span. Since their OF is set, it's possible it's part of a larger deal. Last week it was reported Clippard could be sent to the Yanks and today it was reported that we wanted to send Clipp to MN for Span but they insisted on Storen, which we did not want to do.
How many times do they have to dust off Maya? It's perfectly obvious that he's not a major league pitcher.
Maya is not even AAA ready. Hammered in his last two starts. Nats should offer refunds if he pitches.
They must have a deal ready for Marquis, hope he pitches tonight, but if I were the team dealing, I'd want him rested so he could fold into the rotation. So, prepare for the Mayan adventure.
Anyone who doesn't want their bobblehead, I'll take it off your hands for $1, the price of Wil Nieves. Seriously, I am not a Werth hater, but I'm not paying full price for it either.
Any chance a larger deal could land us Brett Gardner?
Brett Gardner? Bit of a temper?
From ESPN:
Brett Gardner #11 LF New York Yankees 2011 STATS GM102 HR4 RBI21 R53 OBP.362 AVG.281 Brett Gardner saved his best swings for once the game ended. After striking out to end the game as the potential winning run Friday night, Gardner violently slammed his bat twice into the ground, breaking the bat on the second time.
I don't care if they put Daffy Duck on the mound, just win a game, PLEASE!!!! I'm getting desperate!!!!
Sorry to see Hairston go. He was a valuable fill-in guy. Knows a LOT of baseball.
Zim actually almost argued with the ump last night. I am not looking for any seriously volatile guys on the team, but a little fire might be nice at this point.
If Cllipard leaves, there goes half the bullpen. I don't think Span is anything special while Clippard is an All Star. Seems to me a one for one is more than enough without having to throw in Bernardina. The Twins say they won't accept just a set-up man for Span but you can bet they are going to use Clippard as their closer.
BTW... Bixler's been recalled.
gonatsgo said...
Zim actually almost argued with the ump last night. I am not looking for any seriously volatile guys on the team, but a little fire might be nice at this point.
I'd like the Cards or DBacks to come to town so we can get in a brawl. That'd wake everyone up.
The twins are fools if they use Clip as a closer. (Remember we tried that). Clip is not a closer, he is not a "setup man", he is a STOPPER. More valuable than a closer who comes in for bases empty ninth inning.
Diamondbacks now very close on Marquis as Rizzo continues to blow up the team thereby writing off another season. Wonder if the Dbacks are going to send us anothe Garret Mock or Matt Chico??
Natslady,
I have one I will sell you for $40. If anybody is stupid enough to sell you one for $1. They should not be Nats fans anyway. (Just too stupid they should head up to Baltimore) You can fetch $15 easy for a bobblehead no matter who the player is. Werthless or no Werethless.
Jason Marquis to Diamondbacks. Prepare for another Yunesky Maya Livo guile attempts start.
Wish we could take Rizzo out for a beer from time to time to pick his brain. I'm not sure I wouldn't rather deal Storen and keep Clippard.
Anon @ 4:42 said: "I'd like the Cards or DBacks to come to town so we can get in a brawl. That'd wake everyone up."
---------------
Since the bad blood with the Diamondbacks included -- if I remember correctly -- Jason Marquis beaning Justin Upton, a brawl with Arizona the next time they're in town could prove quite amusing, even ironic. We could well see Marquis, wearing his new Diamondback uniform, fighting with his ex-Nat colleagues over a pitch that he himself threw while wearing a Nationals uniform.
After my first trip to the park in months, I think I have PTSD from Wang's first inning.
Haven't seen a laser show like that since Paul McCartney at Capital Centre. 'Course, "whiplash" Maya just might top it now that Marquis is heading to the desert.
Given that Span is still rehabbing the concussion, I'm surprised that Rizzo would leave CF so thin in the interim, if Denard is the guy. I hope they can get something done without giving up Storen.
It still seems it would make sense to ship Desmond (and Norris?) in an Upton deal and bring up Lombo. With Rendon coming, you've gotta figure that Desmond is the odd man out, eventually.
Natty Bo: Yes, I would rather have Clippard than Storen on a contending team.
By Tim Dierkes [July 30 at 3:42pm CST]
3:42pm: The trade is agreed upon, tweets Morosi - Marquis will join the Diamondbacks.
SS Zach Walters, age 21 for Marquis. It rebuilding time.
Nats get a single A infielder, Zach Walters, for Marquis, per Jim Bowden. A 9th round pick in 2010. Dbacks take all Marquis' remaining salary.
Sounds like the guy they're getting has a pretty good bat, but how many low-level shortstops can they stockpile:
Hague, Kelso, Martinson....
Anyone know anything about this Zachery Walters? OPS over .860 in A-level. Will be 22 in Sept.
Paging Senor Maya! Love what Rizzo is doing. Trade replaceable vets for anything of value.
The future is not now for the Nats. The W for this franchise means "wait".
The Zach Walters part was reported by Jim Bowden, so take that with a salt mine's worth of salt.
No one could seriously think the Nats were going to contend this year at this point in the season. Marquis wasn't going to be here next year anyway. I don't understand the people who complain that Rizzo's throwing away a season that's already gone.
I liked Marquis' fire & Hairston energy & intellect.. hard to keep changing allegiance.
Ummmm....a single A INfielder for Marquis? I thought he was a bigger bargaining chip! And that we were already rich in infielders. Help me understand.
Starting the mint maalox juleps early over here. Someone give Natslady a bobblehead please,
Baloney--All Rizzo has done so far is weaken the current team. The low level players he has acquired will likely never be heard from again if earlier similar trades by Rizzo are any indication.
They got nada. This is a classic salary dump. As was the Hairston deal. Mike Rizzo is worried about payroll for 2011 -- so far, he is doing NOTHING to make this club any better going forward. The Phils just added Pence for years to come, while Mike got us a comparable though somewhat older Werth at $126M last year. Anyone in here who is not related to Rizzo by blood still feeling so grand about his skill and vision to make this club a winner? He's terrible.
dfh21
No way Werth is comparable to Pence. Pence is four years younger, a much better ball player and he comes much cheaper.
No, don't give me a bobblehead, that would be proof of stupidity according to one of the anons. I must be stupid because I got an extra Frank Howard last year and gave it away.
We were lucky to get Marquis' salary paid, not to mention a player. He's walking at the end of the year and not even a type B free agent so we were getting nada.
So here again in the end of July for now the 6th straight year all I feel is sadness and depressed. None of what I see happening is giving me any hope. They were falling down and all of these trades look so desperate to me that it feels as if the FO had really no plan for this team. It again is all reaction. There is a BIG difference between action you plan and make adjustments as you go and action based on magic or adjustments to circumstance. Sorry if this does not meet the happy happy joy joy standard but if you have postitive view please come on with it. But just saying good times will come does nothing.
Just to reiterate NatsLady, Marquis wasn't even a Type B free agent. For those upset with the trade, just how much do you think 2 months of Marquis is worth?
Zach Walter, switch hitter, can play 3B plus SS, high school in Vegas but could not find any Harper connection, 2 years at U San Diego, All WCC as a sophmore, looks like the best position player from Azizona's low-A team.
Marquis is not a type B free agent, a notoriously poor second half pitcher, and has already started to regress. What do you people think he could fetch?
Are you going to be upset when Todd Coffey doesn't get us Denard Span, too?
Agree with NatsLady (again) and with Natty Bo. Change is hard but it's part of the game (and life).
Thanks and good luck to Jason.
Hard to have an intelligent discussion when the board is being overrun by emotionally-charged idiots who's posts exhibit no logic or facts.
Him not being a Type B means nothing as no club was going to offer him arb anyway, becasue he would take it and earn something north of $8M. His value is as an extrxtrme groubdall SP innings eater with playoff experience. Pardon me for being underwhelmed by the move as more than one club sniffed around on him in a serious way (or so it is reported) and I am guessing, just a wild guess, that the Nats could have gotten more had they agreed to eat some of his salary.
dfh21
I wish I had Frank Howard bobblehead.
dfh said "...I am guessing, just a wild guess, that the Nats could have gotten more had they agreed to eat some of his salary."
-----
Interesting thought. I'm perfectly fine with this trade, and with the other moves Rizzo made this week. I ain't joyous about them, but fine with them.
But this thought of dfh21, that maybe we could have gotten more if we ate some salary....that's gonna stick with me. It's got a ring of legitimacy to it.
I really don't care if he's weakening this year's team. It doesn't matter whether we finish 3rd or 5th. Everything points to 2013 when Stras has a year under his belt, Harper is in the OF, Rendon is at 2nd and we have a stockpile of young players in the minors to deal for a legit #3 starter.
Totally agree with Natslady, too. And while I like Hairston, he isn't someone we were going to build a winning team around. I'm fine with the trade if just to open up a spot for Bixler or Lombardozzi to get a chance.
I know we are not contending this year - really , I do - but we had a time that was so golden for a while, it just made you think that it might be possible. It's hard to give up on that and come back to earth. Things have been falling apart and now the trades feel like further erosion. I know in my head that they are probably good for the long term, but it's hard to watching the losing again , day after day. I don't want to hear rebuilding, even if it is necessary. I guess as a previous poster suggested - the curly W does stand for "wait".
"This is a classic salary dump. As was the Hairston deal."
Thank g-d they dumped that $700K they owed Hairston for the next two months. A burden like that would crush this franchise for decades.
Correct me please if I'm wrong, but I get the distinct inpression not many here have ever rooted for a good team. Not to single out anyone. Is this what "a culture of losing" looks like?
Nice, Maya!
mlbtraderumors has the Twins asking for Storen, Bernadina and Lombardozzi for Span. Seems pretty high to me.
Davey, But of course, DC never had a good team in any major sport for years and years, unless you count hockey and the Caps always fold in the playoffs.
anybody saw this tweet:
JimBowdenESPNxm JIM BOWDEN
Twins insisting on STOREN without substitution.. along with Bernadina and Lombardozzi in package for SPAN...both sides grinding #TRADES
With Lombardozzi, that would be a lot to give up. Hope something else would come from twins.I think Nats can afford to trade storen because they could sign a guy like H. Bell in off-season.
Maya is 1-7 at Syracuse with an ERA of 5.32. Those are certainly not stats that warrant a call-up under any circumstances.
Exposremains
Sounds fishy to me. That would be raising the ante from what's been reported--or rumored--before, and it seems clear that's a deal Rizzo would never do.
Got to wonder if it isn't some kind of bluff or intentional misinformation.
Way to go Werth!
Regarding the notion of trading Storen, Bernadina, and Lombardozzi for Span:
In negotiations theory, there's something called the BATNA -- the best alternative to a negotiated agreement -- and you should know what your BATNA is before you ever begin the negotiation. Often your BATNA is simply to walk away without a deal. In this case, I would argue that Mr. Rizzo should walk away quickly.
Guess we should have given the guy a bobblehead night sooner.
Way to go Jason!
3 players is too much to give up for a guy recovering from a concussion. If it's true..Ok fellow posters - who saw this coming at the end of the first inning?
Eugene, it's an old saying: the deal goes to the one most willing to walk away.
Wow, Gomes sure is busy in the batters box. He hits like his shoes are on fire.
CB in DC - this is not happy happy joy joy but I still enjoy a ball hit to SS that has to be fielded and thrown to get the batter by less than a full step. I enjoy a great throw from the outfield to a cutoff man who then wheels and hits the catcher on the fly to get the runner at home. I actually enjoy a double switch when it helps keep a pitcher in the game. I just love baseball. Now, have we been playing well - obviously not, but this is the best team we have had here in awhile and its not a great team but they play hard. I can choose to enjoy the game and my hometown team or I can choose to bitch about every little thing. I chose to enjoy baseball. I hate that we lose more than we win and I loved that brief spurt that took us to .500. Its gone but if we can get to 75+ wins its 3 years of improvement and things have to get beter with Strasburg/Harper/Peacock/Milone etc.
Davey -you have nailed it - since 1950 my Senators/Nationals have not only been lousy, they have been taken away from me twice!! I honestly don't know how to root for a winner but I will still root for MY TEAM -it was one thing to root as a ten year old but as an AARP guy its surprisingly the same. I just enjoy the game and hope we do well.
By the way, have never seen Maya so efficient but I am guessing when he goes through the lineup a 2nd time it will be different - hoping I am wrong
Go nats
7:17, maybe so, but it was his day to pitch. They don't have to keep him here if he doesn't do well. This business isn't always a meritocracy. Maybe this will let him relax, who knows?
I could be mistaken, but I remember Maya's delivery differently from what I'm seeing here. He's hiding the ball more, I think. And did he always come from behind his ear like that?
Whatever, it seems to be working. Only three innings, but he's got a ... ummm, good thing going so far.
Let me second sjm308's approach to appreciating baseball. Enjoy the individual plays, enjoy the strategy, and enjoy the wins when you get them.
Let me also add one more 'enjoy' to your list: I really, really enjoy watching knuckleball pitchers (I grew up watching the Niekro brothers), whether or not they're on my team. Sometimes they're great, sometimes they're awful, sometimes they're lucky, and sometimes the breaks don't go their way. But they add a nice element to the game.
This is absolutely the best I have seen Maya but we all know that he tends to have difficulties the 2nd and 3rd time around. Hope he has figured things out. He is certainly not nibbling which is what I hated when I saw him the last time.
Rizzo just said Wang told him he was more nervous last night than in his World Series starts. Except for Werth, who else has played in the World Series on this club?
Eugene - wanted to add another "enjoy" and sometimes he drives me crazy, but when Livan is dealing, its almost better than a knuckleballer. That 65 mile an hour curve is a thing of beauty when it fools the batter. Lately, not so much.
Maya through 4 with a shutout! Here we go!!
Need more Jayson Werth bobblehead nights. Or maybe his hitting is a product of trimming beard and giving up tryout for Geico's caveman spots. Whatever the reason, I like it.
Eugene - this has nothing to do with baseball but one of the best times in my life was driving up from San Francisco along the coast to Eugene or whatever the college town is with the Ducks for a mascot, and then heading inland to Salem Oregon with the swim coach from Southern Oregon in his porsche convertable. I was in my early 30s,divorced and life was good.
Rizzo interview on tv - did we hear him say that the twins were asking too much? I know it was doublespeak - but he said you don't want to create a lot of holes you can't comfortably fill. Am I just hoping that's what he said. This is washington dc - you have to read between the lines when people speak.
"Like some cult religion that barely survives, there has always been at least one but rarely more than five or six devotees throwing the knuckleball in the big leagues. Not only can't pitchers control it, hitters can't hit it, catchers can't catch it, coaches can't coach it, and most pitchers can't learn it. The perfect pitch." ― Ron Luciano, former AL umpire, perhaps a bit self-serving by leaving out the "umpires can't call it" part.
Made it through 5, time for Detwiler for 2.
sjm308: Yes, Eugene is the home of the Ducks (Univ. of Oregon).
Given Rizzo's comment to the effect that he wasn't going to create multiple new holes in the line-up in order to fill the hole in CF, it will be instructive to learn whether both Clippard and Storen are available tonight.
Maya on deck, guess Davey may push his luck.
@gonatsgo
I was thinking he was sending a message to the Twins. I also think the Twins would like a little payback for the Ramos trade. They came across as really desperate for a closer then, just as everyone is interperting Rizzo and a centerfield this year.
Without reading all the previous posts, all I can say is who is this guy that says he's Yunesky Maya but can actually pitch?
Gonatsgo @ 8:12: That's the message I heard loud and clear. Left unsaid, however, was whether the negotiations were continuing or had broken down. If both Clippard and Storen pitch tonight, I'd read that to mean that the talks are off. If one is held back...
D's Nats @ 8:14: Great quote! Thanks.
This has to be Maya's last inning - I also would love to see if Clip and Storen are available - Mark'd is right on with Detwiler now warming up
wow - just heard from the original "sunshine Bobby" that Maya has only gone 6 innings twice in his major league career. I would have thought he could do better. Its not like he uses lots of energy in his pitching motion.
TAKE HIM OUT NOW!
5 and 1/3..one out less than Lannan usually gets...0 earned runs...and he leaves with a lead for a team trying to end a losing streak...all in an emergency start...GOOD JOB!
sjm308 said...
This has to be Maya's last inning - I also would love to see if Clip and Storen are available - Mark'd is right on with Detwiler now warming up
July 30, 2011 8:25 PM
Steve - This is what I have been talking about with Davey. Mark'd called it while Maya was on-deck and he isn't the manager.
Davey should have lifted Maya in the 5th for a pinch hitter and start clean with Detwiler.
Well Det got a 2 for 1 special so this will be interesting to have him go 1 1/3 or 2 1/3.
Zimmerman must have aggravated that oblique...those throws are soooooooft.
Dan! said...
I really hope my $85 tickets tonight aren't to see Yunesky Maya. I should get a refund.
July 30, 2011 3:43 PM
So, Dan!, how you liking those $85 seats so far?
Well that was as good of any ending as any of us could have hoped for. Nice job by Maya, now let Detwiller go a couple.
I'd certainly hate to lose Storen, both the player and the person. Class act, so it seems. But I figured I would do a quick Twitter search on Denard Span to see what Twins fans thought of him.
They are not happy he is even being dangled out there and don't seem too happy with their GM.
This is a good link which I thought you all might enjoy as we try to get further information about Span...
http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Mackey_Why_trading_Denard_Span_would_likely_be_a_bad_decision073011
From that info, I am much more excited about the prospect of a deal with him in it.
Whoa, did I just see that? (back up, stop, slow motion review) Yes, indeed. Michael Morse reached down as if to grab that ground ball on his way past short. That's not cool.
This is what I predicted with Detwiler at the beginning of the season that if he got a spot in the bullpen and knows he is doing short work he would ramp up to 95 MPH to 96 from his normal 93 when he was a starter.
But a nice 3-6-3, with the runner dodging the tent spike going past.
Thanks SteveM and SteveM!
Mark'd, problem spelling your name!?
That was an interesting little comment from F.P. about Hairston as we went to break. Anyone else catch that?
I would have left Detwiler in and give Clip a clean 8th, that's just me.
I know Davey really wants this one/won!
Steve M - I actually remember that post and you are spot on so far - also pleased to see Davey with the short hook and look who it is!!! Clippard! Guess we have him for at least one more night.
Guess if I had to be totally honest, I would not mind seeing Clippard dealt if it brought us a starting CF'r. I also am totally fine with Tyler staying here for the next 5 years.
Go Nats
Ballston, That FP didn't much care for Jerry being quite so excited to be going to Milwaukee, and leaving here?
Davey's Navy said...
Whoa, did I just see that? (back up, stop, slow motion review) Yes, indeed. Michael Morse reached down as if to grab that ground ball on his way past short. That's not cool.
After Morse hit his double Wright made a throwing motion to second, presumably to get Morse to dive back into the base..the ball was in his glove..tha might have made Morse angry..i saw a play the other day when it was first and second and one out and there was a ground ball to short..the runner paused to let the ball go through..why not RUN INTO THE BALL? save the team an out.
OK - lets light this guy up!!
Ballston, it is true as Harold Reynolds on the air on MLB Network got a text from Hairston that he read that he was traded and then the discussion turned to going to a winner.
Yes I heard that,BallstonNat, but am not really surprised given our current streak. I wonder as others do as to the true feelings in the clubhouse. Hopefully we get some of the kids and their excitement up here to help recharge the others.
Very nice job by Detwiler, it is his turn for success.
sjm308 said...
Steve M - I actually remember that post and you are spot on so far - also pleased to see Davey with the short hook and look who it is!!! Clippard! Guess we have him for at least one more night.
Guess if I had to be totally honest, I would not mind seeing Clippard dealt if it brought us a starting CF'r. I also am totally fine with Tyler staying here for the next 5 years.
Go Nats
July 30, 2011 8:55 PM
Thanks. I am a small ball guy so I like the idea of a stealth bullpen. I don't want to see anyone go but if the Twinks are willing to take Storen straight up for Span, so be it.
I wouldn't throw in Lombo or The Shark and I think Rizzo should stay firm and let it play out as it may.
As much as I have railed against Davey sending a pitcher out for a 2nd inning, this makes some sense. Would he bring Storen in if Clippard gets in trouble? No doubt Davey wants this one bad.
dj in Fl. said...
Yes I heard that,BallstonNat, but am not really surprised given our current streak. I wonder as others do as to the true feelings in the clubhouse. Hopefully we get some of the kids and their excitement up here to help recharge the others.
Very nice job by Detwiler, it is his turn for success.
July 30, 2011 9:00 PM
Teams that are sellers approaching the trade deadline can have a negative vibe all of a sudden in the clubhouse with the guys on the trading block being nervous, and add a losing streak and a few slumping guys and you now have a negative clubhouse.
The good news is that Monday things will be different. This has been a good clubhouse amongst the players before the last week. I think Jerry was upset he didn't get an extension to his contract as he thought he earned it. I guess he thought wrong.
So we have Maya and Bixler in tonight, they have to be excited. Do we have one more move to make?, or are we at 25. Not sure this is the roster that can get us to 78 wins but I am loving this game so far.
Big out getting Reyes to start the 8th!
Wow,35,000 - nice crowd as well
agree with my namesake that we don't need to send 3 players for Span -
also agree with Natslady way back on the fact that I would rather have Clippard than Storen five years from now.
keep clip and store! let them play on a good team next year with stras and harp! they've paid their dues for the last two years
loved carpenter's comment about hairston - "three airports he can leave from"
gyfng
sjm308 (and by extension, NatsLady)--if that's a bet, Clippard vs. Storen in 2016--I'll take it.
Here's a further point on a closer, the off-season will have plenty of Free Agent closers. Also, the Meyer kid who they drafted may be the perfect closer. Matteus may be closer material too.
I would rather trade Storen over Clippard.
nice win - would be great to win this series and the next - not looking for anything more then one game at a time - will be really glad when the trading deadline is over
I'm thrilled that Werth had such a good night. May the jeuge continue and the bad days be over.
Knuckles, junkballers.... I LOVE seeing them flustered the Big Boys. One of my favorites, was Moyer, against Frank Thomas, at the peak of his powers, when Jamie was with the O's. Struck him out, THREE times... Had Frank talking to his bat, on the way back to the dugout!!
Hmmmm, Maya pitches well, Werth goes yard, on a full count, NATS win, and the Neganons call it an early night. SO predictable.....
No comments from the people predicting Maya would get lit up? They must be busy.
Nice win for the Nats! Maya was a big surprise, Werth goes yard, good relief pitching,Clip with a bunt, Drew with a pulse pounder. Feels good!
baloney --- I fully confess that I thought Maya would get lit up! I am thrilled to have been wrong and don't mind saying so. I am sure that I am not alone. Unfortunately he is going on the DL, though. Pretty much stinks for him. And I guess - for us ,too, now.
Really nice to see a large crowd there cheering until the end. Lets get a series win tomorrow and move on from there to see what some of the kids can do.
Bummer- Maya to DL. Oblique..
It sounded really loud in the last inning - I would have thought that a lot of the crowd was Mets fans, but everyone seemed to be trying to help Drew get that last out. It also didn't look like a lot of people left. They just had to stay and watch the Nats win one.
Last Friday, LannEn homered, Nats won and the next morning I left town for OBX. Nats lose ALL week, I came back tonight in time to see the curly W. Obviously, I must stay in town all summer. :)
LoveDaNats - you are hereby on house arrest!
Nice win tonight. Am happy for Maya (but not for the injury) and especially for Werth. After his dinger I said to my husband that it would be great if he had a good night, the runs held up so that they won the game, and he was the player of the game. After it all came true, my husband said maybe they should have a bobblehead night for him every night. Sooo not nice. ;-)
Also noticed the FP comment on Hairston and was wondering the same thing as what Steve M said, that maybe he'd been hoping for an extension.
Also on a trade note, some classy comments both from and about Marquis on the postgame show, I thought.
@JaneB: How was the Maalox Mint Julep party?
Is it still going?
Davey's Nats. What else? said...
Correct me please if I'm wrong, but I get the distinct inpression not many here have ever rooted for a good team.
Speaking for myself -- I have rooted for plenty of good teams. I was a Mets fan for 30 years or so. I saw the Mets arise from the ashes of really awful teams in the early 1980's to end up being a terrific team in the mid to late 1980's (with Davey as manager, natch).
Building a good team takes time, as well as a lot of skill, patience, big-picture thinking, as well as a decent amount of luck. You really do never know which draft choices will pan out (Mike Piazza was drafted in the 62nd round!)
The other difficulty is that you are competing with 29 other general managers, most of whom also know a whole lot about baseball, and who are also scheming, day-after-day, to try to build a better team. A fan can't just say "why doesn't the team get X" -- you need stuff to get stuff, and the other team wants as much as they can get.
If improving a team was anything less than difficult, then all 30 teams would be improving each year -- a mathematical impossibility if you measure by wins and losses.
Short story is this: I've seen what it takes to build a team up. I've seen what improving teams look like (as well as what crumbling teams look like). And the Nats -- looking big picture (meaning: including their entire farm system) -- look like an improving team. It ain't going to be easy. A whole lot of "can't miss prospects" will look good even in AAA and suddenly will not be able to hit major league pitching, or get out major league hitters.
But any sensible baseball fan -- if forced at gunpoint to bet: are the Nats on the way up or on the way down -- would bet that they are on the way up. "baloney" up above said "everything points to 2013". He's right. Anybody can sell pieces to get more wins for this season -- it takes a good GM to plan for years into the future. But it has to be done.
(A note to sjm308 and others -- your writings of why you love baseball are superb. I'm with you 100% on that. I strongly recommend Joe P's article in Sports Illustrated on this very topic. I don't know if it's online -- I've only seen it in the print edition).
http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/126466043.html
Span trade talk from a Twins reporter. Rizzo needs to hold firm on 1 player in the deal and if it is meant to be it will happen. With Buster Olney saying that Rizzo is acting desperate does not bode well for his reputation.
I think Rizzo did good on the Hairston trade but not so much on the Marquis as I felt he was a player to get a contract extension.
The Maya injury will certainly complicate the issue.
Just to add to my point above on Zach Walters and why I didn't like the Marquis trade is that Walters is an error machine. For a guy playing A ball that averages 1 error in every 4 games is not worth the trade.
This Marquis deal seems like another example of Rizzo making a trading "just because". Why not hold on to Marquis and make a run at a winning record?
DC Wonk - thanks for the nice words
what a shame that Maya will now go on dl but doesn't this mean we might get to see Peacock - loved pretty much everything tonight - Clipp was masterful and Storen took care of business and I loved his interview after the game - not sure I have seen him before but he was extremely engaging and I like his style - would not want to lose either after what I heard tonight.
where are we with the 25 man roster right now?
Bixler replaced Hairston, I am guessing Maya replaced Marquis so I am guessing there is just one spot open. Am I missing anything?
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