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US Presswire photo Jordan Zimmermann was sharp and efficient in his season debut, but took the loss. |
Hitting lowlight: The Nationals' lineup was once again rendered helpless by a Cubs starting pitcher. This time, Jeff Samardzija held them to one run on three hits before finally surrendering a two-run homer to Adam LaRoche with two outs in the ninth. Carlos Marmol saved the day for Chicago, though, getting Xavier Nady to end the game.
Pitching highlight: Jordan Zimmermann was both sharp and highly efficient in his first start of the season, needing only 80 pitches to complete seven innings. The young right-hander retired the first seven batters he faced and didn't walk a batter during his superb outing.
Key stat: Jayson Werth is now 0-for-10 with five strikeouts (and three walks) on the season.
Up next: The Nats head to New York for tomorrow's series opener at Citi Field. Edwin Jackson faces Mets right-hander Mike Pelfrey at 7:10 p.m. EDT.
84 comments:
I don't understand Nady's last at-bat there. Marmol can't throw a strike yet you go up swinging at the first two pitches putting yourself in the hole.
80 pitches and Zimm gets pulled? Please explain...
I am so excited for Thursday I want to leave for the stadium NOW.
JaneB.. right behind you!!!
A shame Clip can't pitch every day, but that was a long inning yesterday. Should Davey have tried Burnett ( or even Gorzy) before Mattheus? Tough decision, long stretch before the next off-day. I seem to remember Burnett not great last year with inherited runners.
Zimm gets pulled because its still early ...
Meanwhile Sveum comes from the school of Riggleman and Jim Tracy. Sure why not let a guy who has never started in the majors before ... never gone beyond six innings throw 105 pitches? What's it going to hurt?
We'll see how Jeff Samardzija's 98 mph power arm is 5 days from now and over the next two starts ... its not like Riggleman didn't ruin Kerry Wood's arm as it is? Disgusting ...
Should Davey have tried Burnett ( or even Gorzy) before Mattheus?
No, it was the right choice. They will have bad games ... and Mattheus has to know he is now on the bubble when Storen comes back ... there's still a competition going on and Davey has to determine who stays and who gets optioned ... and there are going to be trade possibilities ...
Anon, combination of
1 - need to PH (although JZ is a good hitter), down 1 run
2 - he got nicked by comebacker, might be starting to swell
3 - first outing of the year, might not be completely stretched out
Anon-5:04
If a guy is on the bubble for even being on the roster, why is he coming into a 1 run game over HRod or Lidge? Doesn't make sense. This was the exact situation that we signed Lidge for, and he goes to Mattheus. Gotta pitch your best pitchers in that situation.
Anon@5:01 -- I said the same in the game thread. Also bowed to fan noise. Can't do that.
Anon 5:01-Sveum absolutely made the right decision. He won the game didn't he??? 105 pitches is hardly ruining a guy's arm. He gave up 3 hits in 8 innings and their bullpen was terrible for 2 games in a row.
Let's hope that our hitting against starting pitching starta to pick up soon...I hate to think how many of these gems by our starting staff gets wasted. Hopefully the young guys don't develop the mentality that giving up a run = a defeat.
Erik, he ended up bringing Marmol in anyway. You can't think that way. Guys have to do their jobs or you get new guys, you don't ruin a guy's arm because you don't trust the bullpen. Yes 105 is not that many pitches but the guy is a converted reliever, not Nolan Ryan.
Zimmerman got hit hard today, and I'd say he was awfully lucky to put up the stat line that he did. There were a ton of at'em line drives.
What's the over/under on how many more at-bats Nady gets as a National? One? Have to think he gets cut as soon as Morse is ready, right?
Sveum is going to need more than a than a reliable bull pen if he keeps running a former power reliever out there for over 100 pitches this early in the season.
Ah, the Werthless one.
Springfield, I take your point but only Detwiler is in that situation.
JZ had the same last year. Hopefully, he grew some mental toughness over the winter.
Stras ain't gonna develop no attitudes.
Ejax ain't young.
Gio loves to play the game. Not the kind to take losses to heart (I hope).
CMW's been through worse things than "no run support."
So has Lannan.
That said, it sure would be nice to score 8 runs in the first inning. Who the Mets got that we can hit hard?
NatsLady-Gotta give the guy a chance to finish the game. He was still throwing just as hard in the 9th as he was in the 1st. He earned the right to go back out there in the 9th. If it was one of our starters, I would absolutely want him back out there to finish it, even with our bullpen. All of these pitch counts are ridiculous. Strasburg, Zimmermann and Solis were all on pitch counts throughout the beginning of their careers and all had to have Tommy John anyway.
Sveum is going to need more than a than a reliable bull pen if he keeps running a former power reliever out there for over 100 pitches this early in the season.
The Cubs fans remembering how Riggleman ruined Kerry Wood's arm should be letting him hear about it this coming week ... and Theo Epstein / Jed Hoyer for the lousy bullpen ...
Jim Tracy ruined Tom Gorzelanny's arm the same way.
Have to know Tracy, Sveum, and Riggleman all good friends ...
Anon @5:21. Exactly.
NatsLady-Gotta give the guy a chance to finish the game. He was still throwing just as hard in the 9th as he was in the 1st.
Oh right, the guy who 'claims' he knows about baseball, right? Shaking head ruefully, hate to even consider you coaching any kids dude. Do you realize this guy used to be a reliever? And he had never pitched more than six innings before today? And its still early April the third game? And he is a power arm, which means extra care required? HE's NEVER EVER even come close to doing this? What do you think happens to him when he goes out after this brainless?
The only thing that matters is that we took 2 of 3. We took a series from a team we should beat. The only team that is ahead of us is the one we face tomorrow. The Marlins lost again and have only won 1, The Phillies lost 2 of 3 to a team they should beat, and the Braves got swept by the Mets.
After the starts of the last few years, taking 2 of 3 on the road when trailing after 7 innings in every game ain't bad. I'll take it.
The KEY play of the game was when Desmond couldn't get the ball out of his glove after Bernadina's diving catch. If he makes that play, he doubles the runner off first and it's 2 outs, nobody on. Doubtful the Cubs plate 2 in that scenario.
Anyway, the Nats look like a team that scraps, pitches well, but struggles to hit. Werth will come around once the club gets back to DC.
He went back in the 9th, Erik, if, as you say, "he deserved it." But he was gassed, and Sveum probably knew it, before he sent him out and he clearly knew it when he made the mound visit. Next think you know he gives up a 2-run dinger and the game is on the line and you have the worst of all worlds, starter is overused and closer comes in with a 1 run lead instead of a 3 run lead.
The manager's job is to make the tough decisions, not what the player or the crowd wants. We have to see how Davey does when his turn comes.
Also, it's far too early to worry about anything or write anyone off. The Braves just got swept by the Mets and the Yankees are 0-3. I'll bet both the Braves and Yanks finish the season with a better record than the Mets after we've played 162.
If a guy is on the bubble for even being on the roster, why is he coming into a 1 run game over HRod or Lidge? Doesn't make sense. This was the exact situation that we signed Lidge for, and he goes to Mattheus. Gotta pitch your best pitchers in that situation.
You sure your name isn't Jim Riggleman and not Erik? Well Giggleman almost ruined Storen and Clippard's arms trotting them out every game. Gee, I think Clippard won 12 games and pitched over 100 innings. As a power armed reliever. And you wonder why the guy was not as effective later in the season after the All Star break? You need more than two guys and Lidge is coming off shoulder surgery you aren't going to trot him out every day are you? Shaking head ruefully ... the ignorance on this blog is reaching new heights ...
Everyone has a contribution to make, even if it's only to serve as a cautionary example.
They're going to have a lot of days like this. Breathe, and move on.
Can anyone imagine the heartburn in New England this weekend? The Red Sox just look bad.
Anon 5:40 definitely not writing anyone off, just taking a snapshot at this moment in the season and see some positives for the Nats -nothing is perfect, but we did do what we were supposed to do and take the series from a bad team. We haven't done that too many times the past few years
Michele- Yep, this division is wide open. As long as the Nats continue to take the series against mediocre teams, my prediction of 87-75 seems safe :-)
Regarding Davey's decision to go with Mattheus over Burnett (or even Gorzelanny) in the 8th inning, that was a mistake. Not just in hindsight, but also because Burnett and Gorz hadn't pitched in a game yet.
Very important to keep this talented bullpen sharp. Anyone who sits for the first few days will be rusty.
Nevertheless, the Nats are looking good at 2 and 1!
Just saw the Tigers walk-off win over the Red Sox.
Some pretty interesting records early this season :-)
No worries folks, won the series, almost no contribution from your best player(offensively) and two fantastic starts, I will take 2 out of 3 all year long
One thing I am glad about is that we don't face the Tigers - at least in the regular season ;-)
Those dudes are scary.
Yeah, I'm definitely glad the Nats aren't even in the American League period! :-)
Tigers look pretty awesome.
Anon 5:35 and 5:40-Thank you for the laugh. That was without a doubt the dumbest thing I have read in a very long while. I have a major league manager who agreed with me, and you are questioning my knowledge of the game??? What about Leo Mezzone...did he ruin all of those Braves pitchers over the years when he had them pitch in the bullpen EVERY day (even days before starts) and routinely go 120 pitches??? He was at 100 pitches, not 130. And btw genius, Lidge hadn't pitched since Thursday while Mattheus pitched yesterday. One can even argue, as several are starting to, that pitch counts are contributing directly to the rash of injuries with pitchers nowadays. Go ask a former major league pitcher about pitch counts and he will laugh in your face. Pitchers today are not throwing enough if you ask me. Where were all of these injuries in decades past. Much fewer injuries with no pitch counts. Pretty ironic. You can argue that the guy should have been taken out in the 9th for strategic purposes, but pitch count...not unless he is at 120+ pitches or clearly out of gas. He was neither. Go ask anybody who has been around the game and they will agree with me.
And Bold Anon-Riggleman has forgotten more baseball than you will ever know!!!
Hopefully, soon the Nats fans will start booing Werthless just like The Wizards fans boo Blatche every time he touches the basketball.
Just like last year, absolutely no run support for J Zim from the hitless wonders.
Erik- That's just the way baseball is these days.
20 years ago Jordan might have gone the full 9 innings.
You keep mentioning Lidge should have pitched the 8th, if not Jordan. But he and Rodriguez are the closers until Storen comes back.
As closers, they will likely be pitching the 9th, not the 8th (while behind in runs).
I would argue that Burnett or Gorzelanny should have pitched (started the 8th).
The decision to use Mattheus again was questionable on a number of levels:
1. He pitched yesterday. What happened to the A and B bullpens?
2. Gorzo and Burnett haven't appeared in a game yet. If you're worried about LH/RH matchups, Burnett pitches well against righties.
3. Lidge hadn't pitched since Thursday. If you're saving him for the 9th, and feel you have to go with a rightie, then send out Clip or H-Rod with the game tied.
This was a winnable game. Especially with Sveum afraid to use his bullpen. Very strange decision to leave Samardzija out there for the 9th, especially after a man got on base.
Oh well, on to NY. Let's beat up on the Mets!
Sorry, I like to use (parenthesis) a lot :-)
I have no problem with the pitching choices today. JZimm coming out seems quite reasonable when he was clearly running out of gas. Mathues was a strong choice. Burnett an unfortunate one, but you can't hide him on the bench. I think Davey wants his whole roster contributing. I did wish for an alternative bat when Nady came up for his final at bat. But Tracy had already been used and Lombo the rookie was the only available lefty on the bench.
I still think Nady is one of the players that goes when Morse/Ankiel get back but today's game does make me wonder about Bernadina vs. Carrol. I still think Carrol stays, but Bernadina would be hard to give up.
ZIMM and Werthless. Not doing anything.
Folks, we won 2 outta 3 on the road. ALR hit another dinger.We're ok.
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Anonymous said...
Hopefully, soon the Nats fans will start booing Werthless just like The Wizards fans boo Blatche every time he touches the basketball.
April 08, 2012 6:30 PM
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Anon, I waited 12,240 days from the time the carpetbagger took the Senators to Texas until 2005 when the Nats played their first game. I'm not booing Werth, or anybody else wearing the curly W. I don't understand your stated "hope."
The wind cost Zim this series, 3/4 HRs he lost
CWJ-I agree that 1 of those guys should be saved for closing games, but not both. Lidge could have pitched the 8th and 9th, then see what happens. I just thought he should have put the better relievers out there first rather than saving them for later. I'm sure Davey had his reasons, I was just curious to know what those reasons were.
Poor Jordan - this is just like last year, the low era and a lack of run support. This team is obviously capable of putting runs up - they did it twice this last week. We might not like them coming late, but they count either way. They guys who were hot in spring training have gone cold.
I am not booing anyone either. I continue to cheer my team. I count myself as one of Jason's fans. He may not always succeed, but its clear he tries. And he will likely be the second or third best hitter on the team by year's end.
We aren't gonna win em all, first of all.
Second, a couple of mistakes early really hurt us, the major one was Ramos' two-base passed ball, although it was ruled a passed ball/stolen base. He MUST begin blocking balls. I though JZimm lost a bit of focus for a batter after that.
Third, how 'bout LaRoche!?! So much for being a slow starter. My winter prediction still intact: NL MVP LaRoche with .285/35/120.
Me too, Joe Seamhead.
I am not booing Werth or anyone else on our team. They are all trying and that's what I want from them. Booing them would only help the opposing team and I'm not about to do that.
Anon at 6:30: Listen closely. We are NOT LIVING IN PHILADELPHIA! Nats fans do NOT boo our own guys, no matter what they do or don't do. We. Don't. Boo. In the section where I sit, we don't let others boo our guys, either. As SonnyG10 says, they are doing their best, and booing helps the other team, not ours. We didn't even boo Nyjer, and that took some doing for some people.
Nothing like listening to a female fan who has NEVER played the game tell me how to act at a baseball game. I have every right to boo and will do so if I am so inclined. You know where they boo...New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, and yes, even in St. Louis where they booed Ryan Franklin off of the field last year. You know why...because THEY understand baseball!!! Anybody tells me not to boo is asking for a beer to get poured on their head. You have no right to tell anybody what they can or can't do at a baseball game. Get real!!!
Anon---I played, I still do at [pushing 60], and you are hereby invited to pour a beer my way at your best convenience, tough guy.
And you don't that she hasn't played the game, for that matter. Neither do I.
Anon 6:30 - please please please find another place to write your idiotic statements. You can go boo whoever you want but most of us will not be happy if Werth fails to deliver but we will not be booing!!! You are not a fan, never will be. Go root for your redskins or bullets or whatever but get off this blog. Also, if you want to be idiotic, have the guts to put a name to your statements. Thanks to Jane and JoeSeamhead and others for answering before me but it just drives me crazy to hear this crap. I can deal with people being negative and upset with managerial moves, players not producing etc. but booing?? What does that do? Do you feel better because you are booing?? Really??? Go boo your ass off because you will be showing your ignorance in front of the real fans.
Anon 6:30 - you want to be embarrassed by a 67 year old, just try and pour a beer my way. I am in sec 308 and would love to see you try. You will of course have to get through Sec 3 first but I am ready. What a jerk you are!
Wait, does sjm now owe ME a beer? I was first!
Of course, you know the Anon in question 1. isn't still reading this, and b. is anonymous for the least honorable of reasons, which means he'll probably just bushwhack us.
This is year two now for Werth. Something is not right. He just seems to have no idea where the ball is. He swung at that slider 8-12 inches outside his first time up for strike 3. I wish he would get his eyes checked.....seriously....it couldn't hurt anything
Sec 3 - I will gladly provide liquid refreshment if you can find a way to open the "pfb sofa" to my son and I. I realize this is sacred ground and probably sold out the entire season. I also realize that there is no chance of getting wet if we are with you. Taking a deep breath now and swearing off anons for about the 26th time.
Sec3 , lighten up. The animoni are unimportant. Don't Let them bother you, Don't read their Votriol. Just ignore it like I do. It's much more enjoyable that way.
Trust me.
Back to baseball. I did not follow Werth before last year. Is it just me or is his swing totally off kilter. I don't see much break in his wrists at all and it drives me crazy. If he would just hit .250 and drive in 85 runs I would consider that a decent season. Not for what we are paying him but for what we need from that position. When Morse returns, he will be dropped to the 6th spot and maybe there will some increase in production.
If we win 2 of 3 from the Mets we will be tied for first!!
Well, actually close to being tied.
I'm not bovvered. Just maintaining decorum.
Besides, I kind of enjoy being Gallant. It's no bother, really. I mean, hey, I just got a free beer out of it. : )
Since its a PFB sofa I am thinking PBR would be appropriate!!
I was taught at a very young age that booing was for the opposition, umpires and refs.
Hey! I was all PBR, at Duffy's!!!
"Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say Ni at will to old ladies. There is a pestilence upon this land, nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress in this period in history."
Sorry, not a beer anti-snob. I'll stick to Yeungling, thanks.
And ironically, I have been known to give the home team rats on rare occasions.
PFB, I ordered the PBR, pretty much by accident... There were $1 PBR drafts at the bar in NJ, where I played a gig, the previous Sat night. Yeungling is my go-to, as well...Official Beverage of The Harrison Bros. Band
Sorry, I was watching Game of Thrones :-)
But yeah seriously, Negative-Anons shouldn't mess with JaneB, or the other regulars here.
We tend to stick up for each other.
Plus, we are Nats fans. We don't boo our own unless they are clearly dogging it, which has been very rare indeed.
Go Nats!
I'm often asked what my favorite beer is.My answer?...My next one.
Lol Joe Seamhead! I concur!
I am not happy with Werth's hitting, although he has earned some clutch walks, without which we would be 1-2 at best, and more likely 0-3. The comparison to Blatche is unfair, because Andre is lazy (on and off the court), fat, out of shape, doesn't study the game, and thinks he is a superstar despite never having won anything. Werth is in great shape, is a student of the game, and is a reluctant focal point on the Nats despite having already won a WS with the Philthies. Oh, and Blatch can score. So, absolute polar opposites.
Happy with a series win. Win every series and you are the WS champs. Such a simple game, really!
I missed all the fun, but I just want to say that I think it's pretty awesome that we have gallant Knights in White Satin who will come to our defense. (What? Oh. Never mind.) We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming. Go, NATS!!
On a related note, maybe someone who is "in the know" should write up criteria for who should be permitted to comment on plays and players. Maybe it could be a tiered system?
For example (just throwing out a few ideas here): played baseball in MLB; played baseball in college; played beer league softball; played t-ball; had some catches with parent; once took some hacks in a batting cage; played a baseball player on tv; once stayed at a Holiday Inn; likes to watch baseball games.
Or, for managerial and FO commentary: managed a MLB team; managed a beer league softball team; managed a little league team; managed a t-ball team; managed a fantasy baseball team; was once rocking chair manager for a day; can sometimes manage to remember what day it is.
So, what do you think? Does this idea have legs, or what? ;-)
Just to be clear, that whole post was tongue in cheek. I'm for anybody and everybody commenting, regardless of their personal experience with or knowledge of the game. It *is* the interwebz, after all. :-)
U R Awesome, 1A.....
:-)
I am a firm believer in the principle that "we are not Phillies fans," and I will never boo a Nats player who isn't dogging it. I consistently booed Felipe Lopez, but that's it. My least favorite player in all of Nats history, I have enjoyed watching his career tank -- making millions a year and can't be bothered to run to first base. Felipe was definitely boo-worthy, even by Nats fans standards.
Oh, and Nyjer Morgan throwing his glove down. I have to be honest that I booed that one too (but felt a little guilty about it).
I didn't boo the glove incident but I did say "what the he[ck] was that?"
Things to take out of this series:
1-our offense looks bad, but it is light years ahead of last year. When Morse is back, look out.
2-just wait to see what ALR does with Morse protection behind him.
3- Werth is done. He can't see a slider. It's bad when we pay $18 mil for a guy we just hope walks.
4-when storen is back, this will be the best bullpen in baseball.
5-we have the best 5 rotation in baseball (gio will be fine. I worry about Ejax meltdowns if he has min run support)
6-this bench should make us happy, Matt Stairs anyone?!?!?!?!
7-if Danny and Ian can keep doing what they do, we may see zim, ALR and Morse each with 100RBI.
8-with all this said, we are in for a lot of 1-0, 2-1 nail bitters.
Thoughts?
I forgot, the nats of yesteryear would be sitting 0-3 right now!!!!!!!!
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