 |
File photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Tommy Milone faces the Phillies in Game 1 of today's doubleheader. |
If and when they get this first game underway, the Nationals will be fielding an, um, interesting lineup. Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Morse and Jayson Werth all have this game off (presumably they'll start the nightcap). That leaves a heart of the order boasting Rick Ankiel, Chris Marrero and Laynce Nix. Yep.
Fortunately, the Phillies (who clinched their fifth straight NL East title on Saturday) are playing a ton of backups as well. They're sending Kyle Kendrick to the mound today (though Cliff Lee is slated to go tonight).
I'm not in Philadelphia for this series, so enjoy the game and the conversation...
NATIONALS at PHILLIES (Game 1)
Where: Citizens Bank Park
Gametime: 1:05 p.m.
TV: MASN
Radio: WFED (1500 AM), WHFS (1580 AM), XM 185
Weather: Chance of storms, 70 degrees, Wind 9 mph out to RF
STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS (72-79)
SS Ian Desmond
RF Roger Bernadina
CF Rick Ankiel
1B Chris Marrero
LF Laynce Nix
2B Danny Espinosa
C Jesus Flores
3B Steve Lombardozzi
P Tommy Milone
PHILLIES (98-54)
CF Shane Victorino
SS Wilson Valdez
1B John Mayberry Jr.
RF Hunter Pence
LF Ben Francisco
C Erik Kratz
2B Pete Orr
3B Michael Martinez
P Kyle Kendrick
157 comments:
Maybe Jesus will save us and bang out three HRs...
Oh noooooooo.....Werth not playing. We can't possibly win now
Looks like a spring training lineup on both sides. I'd be interested to know what Davey's thinking is on resting all the big guns at the same time. Did he and Charlie Manuel strike a deal: "I'll sit Zim, Morse, and Werth, if you'll sit Utley, Howard and Ibanez.... You'll throw in Polanco too, if I'll rest Ramos? Ok, deal."
I'd actually like to see Lombardozzi start each game from here on in. Not sure what more we need to see from Desi or Espi, and we really need to see whether he's ready to hit at the MLB level. So far, the signs aren't that good.
Hey, look everybody, it's Pete Orr!
I guess since Philly's clinched, and we're out of it, both teams are phoning it in. Either way, we only get 10 of these games left, might as well enjoy them...
Is it Spring Training already? Why not reverse it and go with the "A" lineup for the 1st game and give it up for the game against Cliff Lee?
How much crowd are you going to have on a drizzly day for the first game of a doubleheader? Fine with me to have the "B" lineup.
Not only would I like to see more at-bats from Lombo, I'd like to see how he fields at third. Not that RZ is going anywhere, but maybe Lombo is Jerry Hairston, Jr. next year.
P2P,
Also they want all the righties in against Lee in the night game.
jd, against Lee? It matters and still doesn't matter if you know what I mean.
Heck, the big guns haven't been doing it anyway. The other night it was Ramos who was the sole contributor to the offense in a losing cause. Then, in their win, the main man was Marrero. Werth is more like a cap gun or water pistol, while the other two are not rising to the occasion either. (lately)
Here is another topic: Is McCatty gone next season?
Over on the Nats Blog, in a discussion of Craig Stammen, I found this throwaway line
...Steve McCatty (say goodbye while you can)...
ARK Z...Will you finish with the team on the road, as they close the season, next week?
Grandstander, I saw that name and asked myself, "Is that our old Pete Orr?" Like there could be two.
I thought everyone like McCatty. Why would they be getting rid of him?
I am betting that Davey is resting up the A team in order to have a nice sprint to the finish. But what do I know? I still think we should be keeping Livan. ;-)
GYFNG! If, you know, it's not raining outside.
PS Capcha is hoptu. Okay.
Ummm... that first question was for MARK Z. I have no idea who that ARK guy would be.
Phil Wood thinks McCatty's job is secure (FWIW). But I recall some mention of friction between Davey and Cat, and Davey not wanting to follow Cat's advice on bullpen management.
Quelle surpise after "seeing what he had out there" and experimenting, Davey's ended up managing the bullpen very similarly to how Riggs did (one inning per guy), except for the platooning of Gorzy with Wang/Stras/Peacock/Milone when needed--a situation Riggs didn't have. Remember when the rotation was unbelievably stable, remember those days...?
http://washingtonexaminer.com/sports/teams/nationals/2011/09/phil-wood-mccatty-nats-shot-arm
I'd watch out for Pete Orr. He's got things to prove to Rizzo.
Whoever's idea it was to have Balester throw a third inning on Saturday night with six fresh guys still in the bullpen ought to have his job in jeopardy, or at least be asked by the media for his rationale, seems to me.
On another topic -
You know you've watched too many Nats games on MASN when your 9 year old son spontaneously breaks into a passable imitation of the train station solo flash mob dance from the AT&T commercial.
222, agree. Unfortunately, I doubt we'll ever know whether that was Cat's recommendation or Davey's call straight up. I kind of suspect Davey because of his long reliever philosophy--a "long" reliever should be able to go three.
It's clear Davey is managing Clip very carefully, but that still left five guys, with an off-day on Monday...On the other hand, if someone else goes in, with our offense we could still be playing that game on Monday.
You know, if they're determined to keep Desmond at shortstop as much as they seem to be, and are looking for a leadoff guy to play center field, why not start teaching Lombardozzi to play center? Just a thought.
They'll nevah NEVAH nevah have new adds!
Navy - ha. No new ads??? How about a new contract so I can buy an Ipad and WATCH BASEBALL GAMES ON IT???????? (Nationals baseball games, I mean).
MASN/MLB -- catch up with technology. I don't even have a TV anymore (computer is my TV) and are you walking around with a cable or satellite dish on you?
Will be interesting to see what coaches Davey brings back if he returns next year as manager. Just another indictment of "Sad Man" He threw all his coaches and families under the bus when he quit
How come Philly doesn't having a view of parking lots out past centerfield? They couldn't afford them? Ha! Just one more thing we have over Philly. Parking lots to hang big signs on.
GYFSNG
soggy
captcha - ectsi, the feeling you get when we win in Philly
Davey on the radio-- Wants CMW back, satisfied with him as he is now. ("Of course, it's an organizational decision.").
Barring some problem in the winter, we are seeing CMW next year.
It doesn't matter who Davy wants, McCatty is gone, by his own choice. He can get a job without making a phone call. Though, after this roller-coaster season I hope he waits 5 minutes before making a decision.
Dawn, I didn't know that McCatty had decided to go. Agree he could have a job on just about any team--I wish he would stay, he would have a great pitching staff to coach.
Dawn,
based on what?
Milone getting ahead in counts and gets out of a jam. Good going so far, kid.
Does Lombardozzi have much experience at 3B?
Foolio-- no. Looks like he's played one game in the minors at 3B.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=lombar002ste
Foolio said...
Does Lombardozzi have much experience at 3B?
September 20, 2011 1:26 PM
Not much.
NatsLady said...
Davey on the radio-- Wants CMW back, satisfied with him as he is now. ("Of course, it's an organizational decision.").
Barring some problem in the winter, we are seeing CMW next year.
September 20, 2011 12:57 PM
Based on the consensus of posters on the previous thread, it seems the majority would say Wang is an upgrade over Lannan.
Looks like JZim, Stras, Wang, with a a veteran lefty, and a pick 'em of Lannan/Milone/Peacock for the 5th spot.
Hey NatsLady, one thing you've consistently said (and I paraphrase) is to pay no attention to what Davey says.
And I completely agree with this.
Davey saying he wants CMW back means nothing.
Sign of a good hitter/bunter-- Davey lets Milone take a cut at the first pitch, trusting him to get the bunt if he doesn't get a hit.
There you go again. 1 clutch hit by Bernadina and then Ankiel grounds out with bases loaded.
Like I said, it isn't as much the OBP as it is clutch hitting. Increase both, and you have a winning record.
sunderland, I thought of that after I posted, and you are right. Nevertheless, haven't heard him say that about Lannan. Maybe he slipped up and said something he actually meant. :)
Nice play by Lombo, looked like RZ over there at 3B.
Steve M, yeah, after the guy misses your foul ball you are supposed to take advantage.
Did you see the graphic they put up about Pence, his BA and HR's with runners on base compared to empty bases? And people say there is no such thing as "clutch" hitting.
It just doesn't make sense to me that we invested 2 years in CMW rehab only to let him go just when it looks like he might be effective again.
jd, we are not going to let him go (unless the price is too high, which CMW has not indicated). That's why I feel we have three places in the rotation set and we now have to look seriously at the lefties--ours and the ones we could reasonably obtain.
Nats Lady,
Its Lannan or Milone. I know Detwiler is in the mix but I agree with Steve M. that he simply doesn't have the make up and body type for a starting pitcher. I wouldn't mind giving Peacock a real shot at # 5 and if he needs more seasoning there's always Livo (I hope not).
I feel good about CMW re-signing here, and I have have better vibes about Peacock than the other options. I'm ready to commit Detwiler and Stammen to the bullpen as well.
I love that Tom Milone is now Tommy.
NatsLady said...
Steve M, yeah, after the guy misses your foul ball you are supposed to take advantage.
Did you see the graphic they put up about Pence, his BA and HR's with runners on base compared to empty bases? And people say there is no such thing as "clutch" hitting.
September 20, 2011 1:54 PM
Anyone that hits better with RISP than non-RBI opportunities is clutch in my book.
I understand everyone's love of OBP and I point to the Mets and Astros as 2 clubs that don't have a good ratio of OBP to runs scored. The Nats are actually slightly above average in clutch hits.
The Nats appear to be the worst in the league in add-on runs. They can score all their runs in 1 inning and go the rest of the game with no runs added.
I don't mind Wandy but I wouldn't go crazy to obtain him. Keep in mind that there's a lot coming through our pipe line ( kind of like the Rays) in the next few years.
sunderland said...
Hey NatsLady, one thing you've consistently said (and I paraphrase) is to pay no attention to what Davey says.
And I completely agree with this.
Davey saying he wants CMW back means nothing.
September 20, 2011 1:43 PM
Hilarious. Cannot have it both ways!
I really like the fact that Milone doesn't walk anyone. It's kind of a prerequisite if your fastball tops at 88 mph.
jd said...
I don't mind Wandy but I wouldn't go crazy to obtain him. Keep in mind that there's a lot coming through our pipe line ( kind of like the Rays) in the next few years.
September 20, 2011 2:07 PM
JD, I don't think it would take more than a young starting pitcher and another position player that is MLB quality.
Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn departed for reasonable trade value. Disappointing the Nats couldn't get Bourn when he was available.
A mea culpa and a stats/logic query:
In a quick post yesterday, I asserted that if the 2011 Nats’ starting pitchers had received even ‘league average’ run support they would have won a lot more games. This morning I got to wondering what sort of run support Lannan, Livo, JZimm, and the other Nats’ starters were actually getting. At ESPN.com, I found the following “Run Support” nine-inning averages listed for the Nats who have had at least 20 starts:
Marquis (includes his couple of starts with Arizona): 8.66
Livo: 5.75
Lannan: 5.70
Zimmermann: 4.80
For starters with fewer than 20 starts the numbers are certainly less meaningful, but nevertheless are:
Milone: 12.64
Strasburg: 7.71
CMW: 6.23
Gorzelany: 4.49
Detwiler: 3.76
Peacock: 2.84
So, first, I admit I was wrong in suggesting that Livo, Lannan, and even Zimmermann would have done better simply by getting league average run support, particularly given that NL teams seem to be averaging only about 4.1 runs per game this year.
Second, my stats/logic query to those of you so inclined, is this: “What am I missing here?” I know that there’s not going to be a perfect relationship between ERA and run support (RS) on the one hand, and W-L record on the other. But the Nats’ relationships seem out of whack, with the exception of Marquis:
Marquis: ERA: 4:43, RS: 8.66, W-L: 8-6;
JZimm: ERA: 3.18, RS: 4.80, W-L: 8-11;
Lannan: ERA: 3.68, RS: 5.70, W-L: 9-13; and
Livo: ERA: 4.47, RS: 5.75, W-L: 8-13.
It would seem to me that if your ERA were better than a full run below your RS -- as it is for JZimm, Lannan, and Livo -- your W-L record should be better than or at least right at .500. If it were just one pitcher with such disparities I’d write it off to randomness. But all three? Is it the problems the Nats’ have had with long and middle relievers? Is it that ever-elusive ‘clutch hitting’? Is it just dumb luck?
(P.S. - I also note that the Nats’ starters have a fair number of ‘no decisions’: maybe that’s part of the equation?)
Remind me why we didn't go seriously for Pence (after he won the All-Star Game for Clip)?
According to Charlie and Dave Milone threw a fastball at 92. Maybe the wind helped it along? Oh, no wind today.
Off to work. Tommy looking very pro out there, not flustered by bloop hits, fielder's error, or hitting a guy. Gets some RUNS, willya????
That is a puzzlement, Eugene. Here's the first thing I noticed: for the pitchers, you're looking at earned runs, but for the batters, I assume it's counting all runs. That will explain part of the difference, but not enough, I don't think.
Frankly, I wonder whether those run support numbers are screwy. Here's why: the Nats have scored 582 runs. I think that makes 3.85 per game. Marquis, Livo, Lannan, and JORDAN account for about 106 of the team's starts. It just seems really odd that the lowest they've scored when those gents are on the mound is 4.8 runs per 9 innings (which I'm guessing is what your stat measures). That would mean they score almost nothing when anyone else is out there.
I mean, they could be bunching all their runs in the early innings -- when the starter is still in there -- but that would be some serious bunching.
Nats Stats:
NL Hitting overall .253
Nats " " .242
NL Hitting RISP .250
Nats " " .229
Ouch.
An additional thought -- stats like this point to why Davey would prefer the HR to the bunt-and-hit, since we have trouble getting a hit.
Interesting stat:
HR's per hit -- NL: .103
HR's per hit -- Nats: .117
Which is another stat that tends to show that looking for a big inning with a HR is makes more sense with the Nats than other teams.
In other words, the Nats are less likely to get a hit than other teams. But when they do get a hit, they are more likely to hit a HR than other teams.
A DC Wonk said...
They are a power hitting team. That's the problem. You can't have everyone on a team swing for the fences. You get a lot of outs...
Eugene in Oregon said... I found the following “Run Support” nine-inning averages listed for the Nats who have had at least 20 starts:
Marquis (includes his couple of starts with Arizona): 8.66
Livo: 5.75
Lannan: 5.70
Zimmermann: 4.80
The 9 inning run support stat doesn't tell the correct story. I think you have to look at the support while the starter is in the game. JZim has the lowest run support of any starter in the Majors while he is in the game.
Yep, Steve's got it. ESPN is taking all the Nats' runs scored in the game, and then treating them as if they all scored while the starter was pitching, then extrapolating that out to 9 innings.
(This is why you should avoid the Worldwide Leader, Eugene; it will rot your brain.)
All year long just when you think you're getting a break with a pitcher who has a era of +5.00, they shut down the Nationals too. It's not just the Cliff Lees and Wyatt Earp's of the world that get them out, it's the John Smiths and Fred Smoots. I've never seen so many mediocre pitchers go against a team and they can't hit them, especially with RISP. But don't let getting on base fool ya, they don't get on base with regularity either...
I mean, what a hideously awful statistic! Good lord, what is wrong with people? Do they even know what "pitcher of record" means?
HARRUMPH
From the looks of the line score, the pitchers in this spring training game are much more ready for prime time than the batters.
Who would think anyone but Cy Young himself could keep this potent a lineup scoreless thru 6.
Davey Johnson and Mike Rizzo, making as many pitchers as they can appear to be great.
On a bright note, Milone answering some questions, albeit against the Filthies B team, which is essentially AAA.
Good outing by Milone. I would be more excited if HR did this with the Phillies regular lineup.
Let's here it for a great outing by Milone. All the way to striking out Kratz with two on and two out on his 93rd pitch of the day!
Wow, the Nats have a chance to score one run...
Ooops, I spoke too soon...
Who's watching the game? Was Lombo's decision to come home on an infield ground ball as dumb as it sounds like?
They are a power hitting team. That's the problem. You can't have everyone on a team swing for the fences. You get a lot of outs...
You're right. But, it is ironic that, right after you wrote that someone swings for the fences, and gives us three runs! Bernieeeee!
Try again, Good outing by Milone. I would be more excited if HE did this with the Phillies regular lineup.
WTG, Shark!
Way to go Roger!! Maybe Desmond and Morse could learn from him about not swinging at the first pitch with 1st and 3rd and one out.
Monster 3-run homer by Bernadina!!!
HR BERNIE, I love our power hitting team...
I swear all it takes is for me to complain and the Nats score.
Damn you supermodels why won't you date me? (Hoping it works for that too)
RPrecupjr said...
Way to go Roger!! Maybe Desmond and Morse could learn from him about not swinging at the first pitch with 1st and 3rd and one out.
You are so right, I see Beast swinging at many 1st pitches with men in scoring position. Yet, I can't argue too much with his production this season...
Oh, Oh,
Slaten is in the game. Hide your Women and children.
I agree with a couple of you that the numbers I got from ESPN for run support seemed high, but here's how the ESPN website defines "Run support":
"Team's runs scored (average, per 9 innings pitched) while the pitcher of record."
Maybe I'm misreading it, but I took that to be the RS they've giving is essentially equivalent to ERA, i.e. only counting the runs scored while the pitching is pitching, then extrapolating out for a full nine innings.
If I'm wrong, where can I get a more realistic number? I couldn't find it on a couple of the other stats websites (but I don't belong to some of the 'subscription only' services).
Slaten in.....here we go again....
And if you really want to reward Milone, DON'T put in Doug Slaten!
Game over, Slaten in to pitch. Has he gotten anyone out this season?
Slaten? Really? With 437 relievers he goes with Slaten in a game we could actually win? Here's hoping he pitches and doesn't throw, if you get my drift.
Game over!
Ohh, SC, you sound sooo hot. Call me sometime, k? Or better yet, just stop by . . .
Taps...
We've seen this movie before. no?
DFA Slaten.
Bernioe Goes Yard 3-0 Nats until Slaten craps himself
Hey, wait a minute. Slaten's ERA is only 3.00, so he must be good...
Just popped into my office to check the score - nice surprise -- until I saw that Slaten had come in and is promptly trying to give all three runs back. Sheesh. We need to be done with him. Sounds like Milone was awesome!!!
Slaten is another FORS (future open roster slot).
Eugene, JZim at 4.80 ? The guy has a 3.11 ERA so that should mean he would win almost every game.
Doug Slaten can't get lefties or righties out. There's never a good time to use him!
Nats Outsider said...
Who's watching the game? Was Lombo's decision to come home on an infield ground ball as dumb as it sounds like?
Outsider, I'm Charlie-and-Dave-ing it, but Desmond was bunting there, probably a safety squeeze, and didn't quite get it far enough up the first base line. Kratz went out and got it and dove back headlong to tag Lombardozzi coming in. Charlie and Dave agree the replay showed him on the plate before the tag, but he was called out. They also thought he didn't get much of a jump off third, and speculated Desmond was bunting on his own.
Seriously... who does Slaten have pictures of? Does he have options left, does anyone know?
Two things: A) I hate it when I'm right, and B) just saw the replay of the (sort of) squeeze play on MLB Gameday, and Lombo was safe by a foot. The Phils have already clinched, you wouldn't think they'd still need help from the morons in blue
Does Slaten have any kids?
UNTERP.NAT said...
Hey, wait a minute. Slaten's ERA is only 3.00, so he must be good...
September 20, 2011 3:10 PM
Not a 3.00 ERA any more! Thanks Slaten and bad Clip. Bye bye win to young Tommy Milone;
OUCH!!
We didn't need Clip for that. Slaten could have done the exact same thing. :-(
Slaten now has a 4.20 ERA
All in favor of releasing Slaten between games of the doubleheader, say "Aye."
Aye
Sec 3, even the Phillies' announcers said Lombo was safe
Captcha was "gleth", the sound I made when I saw Slaten coming in
Slaten. Really? Does Johnson have it in for Milone? Make sure he doesn't get the win? I don't care who is playing or not playing, I would like the Nats to win. I'd like for the manager to make decisions that will help us get there.
I don't care how late in the season it is, send a message, rid the club of Slaten. Show the young guys you need to be accountable for your performance. Allowing him to stay shows once you make the big club you are here until your contract runs out.
Sad part, I here Davey post game speech..."I thought he was hitting his spots well, he got unlucky, he'll be ready next time"
To be fair, the two hits off him were slow ground balls, one a broken bat. But his option is to update his resume, I think.
Uneffingbelievable
Thanks, Sec 3. And now it looks like that was a run we really needed.
I know what Davey was thinking putting Slaten in. He wanted Milone to learn humility. Slaten=Humility. Milone meet Slaten...
Davey! This is all on you! What were you even thinking with Slaten? He has NEVAH,NEVAH,NEVAH worked out for you! I'm going for a smoothie.
Nats Lose back at 7 pm everybody
My question is why does Davey trot Slaten out? Hasn't he learned? The guy has no future here. There is nothing to be learned from pitching him. This is what we discussed before.
aye. And yesterday was national talk like a pirate day. Seriously.
LoveDaNats said...
Davey! This is all on you! What were you even thinking with Slaten? He has NEVAH,NEVAH,NEVAH worked out for you! I'm going for a smoothie.
September 20, 2011 3:16 PM
Just wrote that. Cost Milone a win and maybe the team. Hope Clip can vulture a win.
PAY TO PLAY said...
Slaten now has a 4.20 ERA
Well, he was good just a few minutes ago when he had a 3.00 ERA. What happened?
Well - that happened at record speed. Thanks , Slaten. Not blaming Clip for this one - there was no way he was ready to come in that fast and there were already 2 on. He can't save the world every day. He has rescued many of the others by stranding their runners, but he can't be expected to be perfect.
I'll see your Ibanez and raise you a Zimmerman.
Don't think of it as a blown lead--think of it as Bernadina hitting a pre-emptive game-tying home run.
There isn't a lead big enough to be safe with Slaten.
Extra innings today? Why not? Let's add a few to the 18 already scheduled. At least Slaten is probably done for the day and can't do any more damage. I am sure tonight's pitcher (?) is happy to know that.
Davey just wanted to stir up the bees nest putting Slaten in. Gotta love it...
Swami,
Let's not absolve Clip completely. He did give up a dinger on an 0-2 pitch.
Rampant Slaten-hatin! Cuz somebody has to be the goat.
He gave up two dribblers, and Clippard hung one to Ibañez and scored two inherited runners.
I'd put Slaten in in a 10 to 1 game just to see if he can get out of the inning with a one run lead...
Why isn't someone running for Marrero?
Sec 3, My Sofa said...
"Don't think of it as a blown lead--think of it as Bernadina hitting a pre-emptive game-tying home run."
Thanks. I do feel better now.
Eugene, a pitcher can be "pitcher of record' long after he has exited the game. He can leave after 5 innings, losing 5 - 1, and stay the pitcher of record for the rest of the game, which might end up 8 - 6.
So,there is no way to draw any corellation between Run Support Avg and ERA.
I'm just too good a hitter for my old teammate, Slatey.
jd is right; Clippard screwed up. And that's okay. Let's try to avoid thinking every player has to be either flawless or execrable, okay?
Also: Eugene, you're not wrong; they're wrong. You understand how the stat is supposed to work, but they're computing it wrong. I actually did the math myself: they're using every run scored during Pitcher X's start, as though all those runs had scored while he was actually in there.
NOT Slaten-hatin! I'm sure he's a perfectly nice boy. I just don't want him pitching for my Nats.
UNTERP.NAT said...
PAY TO PLAY said...
Slaten now has a 4.20 ERA
Well, he was good just a few minutes ago when he had a 3.00 ERA. What happened?
September 20, 2011 3:22 PM
Slaten only has 15 innings so add 2 Earnies on him and his record and his 3.00 jumps to 4.20
So misleading as he was so bad at holding inherited runners.
PAY TO PLAY said...
Thanks, but I knew that...Some stats can be optical illusions. I was making mirth...
Millions of Americans are out of work. Why, oh why can't Doug Slaten be one of them???
Losing is depressing. The only way I can get through it is by making fun of it. That is all...
Losing? Huh?
You want funny, check this out on Jayson Werth,
http://www.natsenquirer.com/2011/09/jayson-werth-explains-why-he-sucked-in-2011.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2FTheNationalsEnquirer+%28Nats+Enquirer%29
C'mon Flores... this is your second chance
go zimm
RZ to the rescue once again
zimm da mann
I'm rapidly running out of fingernails...
And Pudge gets in a game. Will wonders never cease??
Thank you, Drew
Storen, KardiaK Kids, only 559 saves away from going ahead of Mariano!
YES! Storen! 73! This game was a must win since I feel like the second game won't be so easy with Det pitching. Hope I'm wrong.
Yeeee!
The Nats now with 73 wins and the dramatic turnaround in extra innings games with a 12-8 record this year vs. a horrible 3-10 last year.
Looks like a Changing of the guard is happening.
Bang Zoom and another Curly W is in the Books
3 key coaching decisions in the game
1) Slaten, 'nuff said
2) PH for Flores w/ Zim
3) Intentional walk Utley as the winning runner
2 of the 3 moves worked. Lesson to Davey, DON'T USE SLATEN ANY MORE!!!!!!!!!
Got to give it to Gorzo. Ever since his move to the pen he's been very good. A question for many of you. Would you rate Storen as one of the true top 10 closers in baseball?Sure he's got a high number of saves, but as much as I like him, it is an adventure everytime he is out there. I'm worried that his luck gonna run out if he keeps letting guys on base everytime out.
Yay! Nats win!! Listened to most of the first game while working. Did see the 10th inning on the telly. Nice work by the Z-man. No wonder the Phans boo him. :-) Eh, what the heck, let's play another one.
A couple of times ( only a couple), this year Drew blew a save and the team ended up winning. Today, they bailed out Clip. Nice to see the team step up and save them for a change.Clip and Store have saved their a@#$$$# many a time. Good to see the young pitcher doing well. And -- well, Zim -- PAY THE MAN! You know how Drew admired Chad Cordero? Maybe he shouldn't imitate him quite so much!
Steve M,
I'm with N.Cognito. We should DFA Slaten between games. I mean what a set up. They bring you in to face a light hitting left hander and an infielder hitting below the Mendoza line and you can't get either of them out?
Ano 4:58 - that's just the nature of closers. Everyone feels that way about their closer - unless their name is Mariano Rivera , there is no such thing as a one hundred percent no sweat closer.
I'm pretty down. Sorry about losing the lead. Guess I'm spending next year in Syracuse.
You slay me, Doug S. :-)
New post - another game is just around the corner. What do you say we beat Cliff Lee tonight?
How fun to be able to read your comments. The ONLY thing that made it at all bearable when Slaten took the mound was knowing that my pain was shared by my imaginary friends. I was not disappointed, and I laughed out loud a lot. And may that be the last we see of him in a Nats uni.
Thank goodness for other good pitching. And J. Zimm.
Let's get another, whaddya say? Capcha is gnite so I think we win.
Post a Comment