Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Game 43: Nats at Phillies

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Jordan Zimmermann faces Roy Halladay tonight at Citizens Bank Park.
PHILADELPHIA -- The Nationals always have trouble scoring runs for Jordan Zimmermann, right? Well, they're in luck tonight, because the man on the mound opposing Zimmermann will be the very hittable ... Roy Halladay. Good luck with that.

Actually, Halladay hasn't pitched quite up to his usual standards this season; he enters this game with a pedestrian 3.22 ERA (though that number plummets to 2.29 if you throw out the right-hander's eight-run fiasco at Atlanta earlier this month).

Point is, the Nationals have their work cut out for them tonight. Davey Johnson will stick with the same lineup that last night produced two runs against Kyle Kendrick: Steve Lombardozzi leading off in left field, Ian Desmond hitting fifth, Danny Espinosa hitting sixth. Zimmermann, meanwhile, will hope to do his thing against a Phillies lineup that remains without Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins (the latter of which was placed on MLB's paternity leave list today).

Updates to come, so please check back often...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Where: Citizens Bank Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 189
Weather: Chance of storms, 74 degrees, Wind 6 mph out to LF
NATIONALS (25-17)
LF Steve Lombardozzi
RF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman 3B Chad Tracy
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
CF Rick Ankiel
C Jesus Flores
RHP Jordan Zimmermann

PHILLIES (21-22)
LF Juan Pierre
3B Placido Polanco
CF Shane Victorino
RF Hunter Pence
C Carlos Ruiz
1B Hector Luna
SS Freddy Galvis
2B Mike Fontenot
RHP Roy Halladay

UMPIRES
HP Gary Cederstrom (cc), 1B Lance Barksdale, 2B Fieldin Culbreth, 3B Adrian Johnson

6:24 p.m. -- Lineup change for the Nats, and it's not one that's going to get people excited. Ryan Zimmerman has been scratched in what was explained by a team spokesman as a "manager's decision." Chad Tracy will now start at third base and hit third. Full story here.

6:45 p.m. -- Meanwhile, here's the latest on the Nats' bullpen, with Davey Johnson saying Henry Rodriguez will be moved to a "less demanding role" and that he'll mix-and-match several guys in the ninth inning moving forward.

7:06 p.m. -- And we're underway with a ball from Roy Halladay to Steve Lombardozzi. Turned into a nice night, 73 comfortable degrees with some blue sky above at first pitch.

7:11 p.m. -- Well, Bryce Harper can cross Roy Halladay's name of his list. In his first-ever at-bat against the Phillies ace, Harper grounded a base hit through the right side hole. Not bad. Unfortunately, the rest of the Nats lineup did nothing in the top of the first, with Steve Lombardozzi flying out to right, Chad Tracy fouling out to first and Adam LaRoche grounding out to second.

7:18 p.m. -- Nice job by Jordan Zimmermann in a 1-2-3 bottom of the first, with an assist from Lombardozzi. The very inexperienced left fielder came charging in and to his right to snag Shane Victorino's sinking liner. Nicely done. Zimmermann needed only 12 pitches to get through the inning. Scoreless as we go to the second.

7:25 p.m. -- Danny Espinosa did his part in the top of the second, beating out an infield single, then going first-to-third on Halladay's wayward pickoff attempt. But Rick Ankiel and Jesus Flores each struck out, so that left the runner stranded on third base. Missed opportunity there.

7:38 p.m. -- If the Nationals are going to win this game, they're going to have to score at least two runs. That's because Zimmermann gave up one in the bottom of the second when Hunter Pence singled up the middle, took second on a comebacker and then scored on Hector Luna's ground-rule double to deep center fielder. A rocket from Luna off a high fastball from Zimmermann. Obviously it's early, but the last thing the Nats wanted was to have to come from behind against Halladay.

7:55 p.m. -- Like I said, the Nats should have no trouble scoring at least two runs tonight. They just doubled that output in the top of the third inning in stunning fashion. Singles by Zimmermann and Lombardozzi set the table. Then Harper crushed a pitch to deep right-center for a two-run triple. That makes the kid 2-for-2 in his career against Halladay. But wait, there's more. Harper scored on LaRoche's sac fly to make it 3-1. Moments later, Desmond belted a 2-0 pitch into the left-field bleachers for his now team-leading eighth homer, making it 4-1. And after a borderline inside pitch to Espinosa was called a ball, Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz argued and was ejected by Gary Cederstrom. Brian Schneider is now batting fifth for Philadelphia. What a turn of events as the Nats storm out to a 4-1 lead in the middle of the third.

8:04 p.m. -- Just when it looked Zimmermann might be in trouble in the bottom of the third -- with runners on second and third and one out -- he came up big by striking out Pence on a 2-2 slider out of the zone. And then he got to take advantage of the Phillies' new No. 5 hitter, getting Schneider to fly out to center to end the inning. (The sad thing is, Schneider actually hit fifth FIVE times for the Nats in 2005!)

8:12 p.m. -- How bizarre has this game become? Rick Ankiel homered to lead off the fourth. It's 5-1 Nats.

8:26 p.m. -- The good news: Zimmermann has given up one run in four innings and holds a 5-1 lead. The bad news: He's already thrown 75 pitches. Not what the Nats needed tonight with an overworked and reconfigured bullpen. Chien-Ming Wang was throwing out there in the fourth but he's since taken a seat. He was supposed to get some work in today (his regular between-starts throwing day) but Davey wants to avoid using him in a game until Friday if possible. We'll see.

8:42 p.m. -- Zimmermann now at 98 pitches through five innings. Will Davey let him go another? There's no action in the bullpen at this moment, so it looks like he will come back out. For reference's sake, Zimmermann has never thrown more than 109 pitches in a professional game. Stay tuned...

8:47 p.m. -- Zimmermann got to hit for himself in the sixth and (naturally) roped another single. That makes him 2-for-3 off Halladay tonight. Not bad. Not bad at all. Still 5-1 as we go to the bottom of the sixth.

8:53 p.m. -- Well, that's exactly what Zimmermann needed: a 9-pitch bottom of the sixth. So he's at 107 and probably done for the night. Halladay definitely is done, having given up five runs and nine hits in six innings. In his career, he had given up five earned runs only once before against the Nationals franchise: in 2003, when he pitched for the Blue Jays and they were the Expos.

9:01 p.m. -- Tom Gorzelanny in for the bottom of the seventh. Zimmerman's final line: 6 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 107 pitches, 71 strikes. Still 5-1.

9:16 p.m. -- They're trying to start the wave here. In Philadelphia. Can't say I've seen that in a looong time. Gorzelanny back out for the bottom of the eighth, the Nats still leading 5-1.

9:25 p.m. -- Uh-oh. Erik Kratz belts his first career home run, a solo shot off Gorzelanny in the eighth. All of a sudden, it's a 5-2 game and now a save situation. Tyler Clippard started warming in the pen. We'll see what happens in the ninth.

9:36 p.m. -- It is indeed Clippard for the bottom of the ninth, protecting a 3-run lead. He has one career save.

9:44 p.m. -- That'll do it. Clippard gets the save and the Nats get a 5-2 win. They've now won nine of their last 10 against the Phillies, including six in a row at Citizens Bank Park. And tomorrow night, they'll go for the sweep against Cole Hamels.

183 comments:

Pilchard said...

So, if the Nats are in a 9th inning save situation, who gets the ball?

- Burnett
- Stammen
- Lefty/Righty combo of Stammen/Burnett
- Clippard
- Henry
- Closer by committee

peric said...

Free Corey Brown!

TimDz said...

Wonder if MASN will have Viagra as a sponsor now that they have activated Wang?
(ducks...)

peric said...

Or Trojan ... :)

Candide said...

Pilchard said...So, if the Nats are in a 9th inning save situation, who gets the ball?

I hear Daniel Cabrera is available. Control is every bit as good as HRod's, but he's probably a lot cheaper...

You know, this wouldn't be such a big fat hairy deal if we could score seven or eight runs a couple of times a week. Getting tired of hearing Carpenter saying, "That's the 25th" (or whatever) "homer the Nats have hit in the last 18" (or whatever) "games." Yeah, and 24 of them have come with the bases empty because half the lineup is evidently in a competition to win the 2012 Matt Stairs Memorial Trophy.

Doc said...

So yeah, Mark, what's the scuttlebutt on Davey and the closer stuff???

Kirbs said...

Epic pitching matchup tonight. Looks like another oh-fer for Ankiel? I don't get why we can't do stammen 7, burnett 8 and clip 9?

Anonymous said...

Pilchard-

Definitely not Stammen after pitching two innings last night. You can probably eliminate Rodriguez since the game is in the same place and being played under the same rainy conditions. I'd say Burnett is the best bet. Maybe a right-handed wildcard if there's three righties due up in the 9th.

I'm just hoping we can get to a save situation in the first place, on the road against Halladay.

baseballswami said...

So Jordan is second in the majors in having the lowest run support. Halladay is --well, Halladay. Reverse lock in effect? On any given night? That's why they don't play the games on paper? Go Nats!

NatsNutty said...

"...half the lineup is evidently in a competition to win the 2012 Matt Stairs Memorial Trophy." Candide, that was an epic line! I'm still LMAO!!!! hahahaha!

Section 222 said...

On the Wang/Detwiler question, I predict that Wang will inhabit the bullpen for a week or so (and probably not pitch much if at all) to let Detwiler take another start against the leftie heavy Braves. Then Wang will get a start, perhaps initially to give everyone an extra day's rest, which wouldn't be a bad thing at this point. But if he does well, he'll stay in the rotation with Det moving to the bullpen, saving his arm for the stretch run when Stras is shut down. Det can be an effective two inning guy (with four RH starters, he and Gorzo can share that duty, or a LOOGY, or even a surprise closer. And yes, he can follow one of our right handed starters for two or three innings of work to actually finish a game, giving the rest of the bullpen the night off, the way Gorzo did a little while ago.

So Det gives Davey a versatile weapon out of the 'pen, and a superb spot starter when needed. I just don't see Wang being effective out of the bullpen, or Davey being able to figure out a way to use him to good effect. This "starter's schedule" stuff doesn't seem to give much flexibility.

JaneB said...

Say what you will about Ank at the plate, the guy saves us runs against in so many games! I was really happy to see him take the field on Sunday, when he did.

That said, I'm getting intrigued with this Corey Brown kid.Looking forward to meeting him.

I think Roy will not be having his best night tonight. But Jordan will.
GYFNG!

alm said...

Here's what Davey should do with Wang. Have him be the back-up pitcher for Stras. Let Stras pitch 5 innings and then bring Wang in to finish the game - giving him time to warm up for the hour he normally takes.

Has it ever been done? Don't think so. Could it work, maybe. It stretches Stras until later in the season.

Is it a stupid idea? Yes, but its not more stupid than making believe that Wang can be used as a long reliever.

GO Nats, beat the Philties.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Forget our lineup's shortcomings for a minute.

Here are the Phillies 6-7-8-9 batters (Note: I didn't say hitters):

1B Hector Luna
SS Freddy Galvis
2B Mike Fontenot
RHP Roy Halladay

Wow. How the mighty have fallen. I really like the Nats tonight against this crew.

A DC Wonk said...

peric said...

Free Corey Brown!


Liberate Ankiel! (Meaning, give him a rest, start him on the bench).

Agreed he saves some runs in the outfield, but, sheesh, how many times are we going to see him strike out with guys on third base and less than two outs, when all we need is for him to make any contact at all? Instead he's swinging for the fences, and missing on the same pitches. My two-weeks-of-a-fan daughter already knows the drill: "Ankiel strikes out on a high fastball". (Although, he did fool us last night, as he struck out on a low off speed pitch last night).

Having Espit and Ankiel, the two strikeout champs on the team, back-to-back is killing us.

(rant mode over)

(that's why I want, at least, Flores and Ankiel to switch places in the lineup).

OK, Anky, prove me wrong!

A DC Wonk said...

baseballswami said...

So Jordan is second in the majors in having the lowest run support. Halladay is --well, Halladay. Reverse lock in effect? On any given night? That's why they don't play the games on paper?


Let's not forget: Padres have beaten Halladay twice this season!

(The secret to that: both times the Padres held the Phillies to one run).

Well . . . since we held them to one run yesterday, maybe . . . ?

GYFNG!

alm said...

Davey had the same thought about the bottom of their line-up last night when he sent Henry in there for the 9th.

I hate those reverse locks when they work against us...

A DC Wonk said...

Here are the Phillies 6-7-8-9 batters (Note: I didn't say hitters):

1B Hector Luna
SS Freddy Galvis
2B Mike Fontenot
RHP Roy Halladay


Well . . Halladay's hitting over .200 this season ;-)

SpingfieldNatsFan1 said...

I see tonight's game as a potential turning point for the season. In the past, a game against Doc Halladay was almost an automatic loss...even if the Nats were going good at the time, they'd get dominated by the Phillies pitching and let it spiral into losing like 7 out of the next 10 games. If they really have turned a corner and can beat one of the top 10 pitchers in MLB in his home stadium, then I really will have hope that the Nats-- as they are currently constituted--can make a serious run for at least a wild card this year.

Go Nats!!!

Section 222 said...

1B Hector Luna

Isn't he running an ad on MASN every half inning? 877-241-LUNA.

A DC Wonk said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
A DC Wonk said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
NatsLady said...

No shame in losing to Halladay, but I sure don't want to. Let's get some runs for JZ.

I just wanna clobber COLBERT on national TV tomorrow.

A DC Wonk said...

Looking for silver linings to help prove to myself that RH is not invincible anymore: he's been surrendering 2 or 3 runs almost every game.

(And due to our tremendous pitching, that's often enough to win . . . gulp ;-)

More seriously -- this is winnable. The bottom line is this: the Phils have been a .500 even with Halladay pitching.

The Phils are 4-5 for games where Halladay starts.

Mostly because of Halladay's lack of run support.

Which brings us back to the beginning: we need JZ and HRod's replacement to shut them down tonight.

Anonymous said...

I will be watching tonight to see if the Nats are determined to cut down on their K's, especially K's looking.

Eckstein told me at a fan event that the reason he wants guys watching lots of pitches, even strikes, against Halladay, is to tire Halladay out and get into the bullpen. He told me flatly, "You're not going to beat Roy Halladay."

Meantime, Davey has said this team "watches too many strikes."

Tonight I think we'll see which philosophy is winning out: the belief in watching lots and lots of strikes to increase pitch count, or the belief in being men and hitting the GD baseball.

MicheleS said...

I think the reason that Ank is in center is soley to who is in RF and LF. Ank can take over the out field and run it. That way Davey has 1 experienced guy out there. I do wish he was batting 8th tho.. JFLO could move up a spot.


And in the absolutely CLASSIC Division:
Candide gets the Post of the Day:

You know, this wouldn't be such a big fat hairy deal if we could score seven or eight runs a couple of times a week. Getting tired of hearing Carpenter saying, "That's the 25th" (or whatever) "homer the Nats have hit in the last 18" (or whatever) "games." Yeah, and 24 of them have come with the bases empty because half the lineup is evidently in a competition to win the 2012 Matt Stairs Memorial Trophy.

Another_Sam said...

I hope every pitcher who takes the mound is effective every outing. But Wang hasn't had one effective inning yet this year. I hope he turns out to be a monster, and I'm hoping to see just that. But I've not seen him retire a hitter yet in the big leages this year. But I'm hopeful.

Candide said...

A DC Wonk said...Well . . . since we held them to one run yesterday, maybe . . . ?

The problem is, we only scored TWO runs yesterday, against Philadelphia's #5 pitcher. One run may well be all the Phillies need with Halladay pitching. If we get two runs, Zimmermann will regard it as an embarrassment of riches.

(I still think he needs to go into the clubhouse after the game with a bat, explain that the purpose of a baseball bat is to hit things with, and demonstrate on the lockers of everyone who struck out more than once during the game.)

baseballswami said...

DCWonk - if the Great Stoic Zimmermann ever does that, I hope there is film.

Candide said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Candide said...

Znn, please watch this short clip, and learn.

Holden Baroque said...

Tonight I think we'll see which philosophy is winning out: the belief in watching lots and lots of strikes to increase pitch count, or the belief in being men and hitting the GD baseball.

That's it, everybody's new walkup music!!

(Love the comment "Say what you will, but being able to exercise in 20 pounds of black leather without immediately passing out and dying is macho as hell.")

Another_Sam said...

Wonk -- right on, man. As I've said before, I'm tired of the solo home runs. The solo shots make cool highlights, but that's all.

Holden Baroque said...

Eckstein told me at a fan event that the reason he wants guys watching lots of pitches, even strikes, against Halladay, is to tire Halladay out and get into the bullpen. He told me flatly, "You're not going to beat Roy Halladay."

Oh, my. I know, I know--he does this for a living and I don't--but still. That's stunning. Halladay typically goes 7, even 8 innings, per start, and tops 100 pitches. "Swing hard in case you hit it" makes more sense.

Holden Baroque said...

Three-run homers are better than solo, but solo home runs are good. Don't diss the home run, diss the "solo" part.
Cart in back, horse in front.

NatsLady said...

See, EXACTLY as I advised. Thanks for reading, Davey.

Davey moving H Rodriguez to "less demanding" role. Will choose closer game to game based on matchups. 19 minutes ago

NatsLady said...

OK, it was sorta obvious, but still... I mean.. EXACTLY! It's also sorta eerie.

MicheleS said...

hmmm.. interesting tweet from Amanda:
Amanda Comak‏@acomak

Clippard has talked at length with Drew Storen about his desire to close, for those asking. "It's not a secret," he said.

NatsLady said...

Yes, Clip said so in an interview during spring training. Must be some interesting dynamics in that household.

peric said...

If Clipp closes it means Burnett has to put out the fires. I don't think that's going to be the best solution ... the other guy Davey will call might be Gorzo.

MicheleS said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MicheleS said...

And in other news from the Nats:

Washington Nationals‏@Nationals
Happy 32nd birthday to the leader of the #GoonSquad, Chad Tracy!

GO GOON SQUAD! Happy Birthday Chad! Your present will be hitting a 3 run homer off Doc.

Section 222 said...

Candide, you meant that clip to be watched by Ryan Zn, not Jordan Znn, right?

Holden Baroque said...

Clippard wants to close--OF COURSE he does. Geez, who wouldn't want to close, if they weren't starting? Maybe even if they could start. If Mr. Applegate showed up at my porch after the game, I'd want to be a closer.

I'd need to specify: "can grow really cool facial hair" in the contract with him. And I get to pick my run in music (which, under the circumstances, would have to be the last part of Charlie Daniels' "The Devil Went Down To Georgia", just to piss him off).

Section 222 said...

Or do you want Jordan to be more aggressive at the plate, and avoid drugs while he's at it?

peric said...

Yes, sec3, Clippard also said that he would like to try starting again ...

NatsLady said...

Sofa, yes. Clip said that too, he wanted to start, regarding both (closer and starter) as "advancing" in his profession.

Candide said...

Hmmm... now that you point it out, I suppose Ryan could maybe have a look at it. Young lady seems to hit pretty much everything she's swinging at.

But I originally meant it for Jordan (hence the "Znn"), as a demonstration of how to physically explain to your colleagues that you feel your run support has been inadequate.

Section 222 said...

Got it. It's a multi-use video.

baseballswami said...

I am kind of tired of the complete and total lack of any "small ball" in any situation. Our guys just don't seem to know how to sacrifice. If someone is on third -- PLEASE get that ball up into the air and to the warning track - you don't seem to have much trouble doing that other times when you are trying to hit home runs!!! We need to do better at moving runners over and getting them IN. Hope they are locked in tonight!

MicheleS said...

RZ, just got scratched for the birthday boy Chad Tracy! it was "Manager's decision" per Mark on Twitter

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsJack, I wrote you some thoughts at 11:08am in the Burnett post.

Holden Baroque said...

OK, I'm going to be in a "Damned Phillies" reverie for a while. Go ahead without me.

NatsJack in Florida said...

Ghost... just read your post from 11:08 and it seems we are of the same thought.

Eugene in Oregon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Eugene in Oregon said...

NatsLady said...
Sofa, yes. Clip said that too, he wanted to start, regarding both (closer and starter) as "advancing" in his profession.
============================
"Advancing" = both status and pay. Arbitration panels still overvalue wins and saves (along with other traditional stats such as ERA and Ks), while undervaluing some of the skills/metrics at which Mr. Clippard excels (e.g., holds, FIP, WHIP). The free agent market is a bit better at valuing and rewarding players such as Mr. Clippard, but it's still starters and closers who get the big paychecks.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Let's win the series tonight and tomorrow can be gravy.

SonnyG10 said...

Nice Catch, Lombo

Candide said...

Espi was out.

baseballswami said...

Anyone else still obsessing about RZ?

Candide said...

BamBam!

MicheleS said...

Hmm.. Might actually have to spring for the Actual Harper Jersey!!!

Candide said...

I was half expecting Harper to tag up on Tracy's infield popup...

MicheleS said...

Candide, he is saving that for tomorrow night so that when COLBERT (as NatsLady refers to him) is covering home he can nail him at the plate.

Joe Seamhead said...

Roy who?

Cwj said...

Oh man, go Desi! 4-1 Nats!

MicheleS said...

Holy Moly! 4 runs in the 3rd!!! and someone got thrown out! HOW AWESOME IS THIS!

MicheleS said...

CHOOCH got thrown out!

Candide said...

Loved the dugout shot of Desmond slapping hands all over the place. Everyone with big smiles except for Znn - he's scowling like he just got pulled after trailing 1-0 after seven.

Smatt1001 said...

Let's go Nats! 2 in a row off Doc.

Cwj said...

HP ump hates the Philthies as much as everyone else in the N.L. :D

UnkyD said...

So.... This what's its line when the other guys melt down...?

Joe Seamhead said...

I hate when the umps make the game about them. I want to see the players play. That said, I got this to say to Ruiz: SEAT!

UnkyD said...

Espi.... Choking up?! My radio must be squirrelly...

Drew said...

Great job by LaRoche. Now Desmond. Wow!

Keep on eating up his pitches.

Now one of the Phillies' best hitters is gone. This is a beautiful start.

MicheleS said...

Chooch is one of the most respected catchers in the league, he MUST have said some really BAD magic words. I don't think this HP Ump has the reputation of say.. Joe West

SonnyG10 said...

Come'on Nats, with our foot on the Philthies neck, lets stomp hard and don't stop.

djinFl. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Candide said...

[begin_Bull_Durham]

Teddy Cullinane: [broadcasting on the radio] I've never seen Crash so angry. And frankly, sports fans, he used a word that's a no-no with umpires.
Millie: [Annie snaps off the radio] Crash must've called the guy a c**ksucker.
Annie: Mmmmm. How romantic.
[end_Bull_Durham]

Holden Baroque said...

Can we get more pictures of that Imperial Eagle up on the rafter, before the Nats come to bat again?

djinFl. said...

The boys from Philly are not used to not getting the call on every pitch. Welcome to the cellar, been their experienced that.

Joe Seamhead said...

Ok, Jordan, time for you to dig deep.

MicheleS said...

NJ.. you said it.. after seeing the replay, the fact that Chooch turned around and was jawing was the ticket to getting kicked out..

And how about Znn striking out Pence!!

UnkyD said...

PFB.... Your walk up music link wouldn't play for me... Morganfield? Diddly... Spencer Davis? Chicago....?

Candide said...

Way to go, Znn!

MicheleS said...

OMG!!! Ankiel!!!!

Joe Seamhead said...

MicheleS and Jack, I'm pretty sure that particular ump takes
great offence to the "f" word.
Nice shot ,Rick Ankiel!

NatsLady said...

Ankiel??????!!!!!!!!

Smatt1001 said...

WOW! Sounds like Ankiel blasted that one. What's up with Doc? Not that I mind.

UnkyD said...

Ankiel...... It seems to be a party!!! With Doc Halliday serving the cake... Who'd a thunk it?

Holden Baroque said...

Unky D ... ummm, not exactly. Let's say it was a tribute to our fallen heroes of Disco.

Macho Man

ehay2k said...

Just turned on the recording of the game and caught up. Phillies are melting down. Zimmn and Flores look to be on the same page.

Also, when did we bring in a new hitting coach? ;-)

phil dunton said...

Wow, offense at last, and off of Doc Halladay. When Harper hits, this is a different team.

djinFl. said...

Phillie announcer sais J Zimm's effort running out his at bat, shows how bad the Nats want to beat the Phillies.

Joe Seamhead said...

Oh, yeah, some of us questioned the wisdom of leaving Roy in for so many innings/pitches for the past couple of years.
Also my wife is lurking on the board now. We need to draw her in.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Ankiel swings hard which results in a lot of K's, bit occasionally he dings one. Leep it up boys.

UnkyD said...

PFB: hilarious! Muddy, Bo and Stevie are more heroic to me, though... (not that there's anything wrong with that...lol)

ehay2k said...

Tick Tock phans, Tick Tock. And of course, the phans are booing their own team, for being down in the 4th inning.

I love it.

MicheleS said...

Joe Seamhead's Wife.. COME ON DOWN.. we always want more women on the board!!! Sometimes we need to keep the boys in line and are always looking for recruits.

djinFl. said...

Wang getting ready for the 7th ?
Gotta love it. Are they sure they want to get to our bullpen.

Faraz Shaikh said...

are you serious?

Holden Baroque said...

TICK TOCK!

Hey, that's got legs!

Holden Baroque said...

What did I say? Swing hard in case you hit it!

ehay2k said...

Hmmm.. Maybe Doc can become a DH? The pitching thing may not be working anymore. Tick Tock...

Holden Baroque said...

Wives in the house? Sec. 1 is in the sofa tonight--the Currently Strawberry Blonde Cubs Fan Wife.

baseballswami said...

It's early - waaay too early to get smug, folks. The baseball gods don't like it at all.

Holden Baroque said...

Phillie announcer sais J Zimm's effort running out his at bat, shows how bad the Nats want to beat the Phillies.

HEY FP -- if you're reading now, tell them he's busting down the line only because Zimmermann is trying to beat Strasburg.

Joe Seamhead said...

Michele, she lives and breathes the Nats, but cell phones, blogs, even e-mail, not so much. She kind of stunned me today by telling me that she not only read this blog, but also the Phillies blogs today! Neither one of us even own a cell phone! How about Desi?

ehay2k said...

Desi draws a walk? Awesome.

Candide said...

Cunegonde was here for a while, eating her microwave dinner. She likes Ankiel. I tried explaining to her that he stinks. SOB then goes yard to embarrass me in front of my wife. Bastage.

MicheleS said...

Heyman Chimes in on the Closer situation.. guess this means all the National reporters will be in town tomorrow night for when Bryce old schools COLBERT

Holden Baroque said...

Nice catch by Pence, but you could tell that was painful.

Drew said...

Desmond walks!

This is not sarcasm. I think it's great. Halladay uses up more pitches.

Nice play by Pence. He's quite a ballplayer.

NatsLady said...

You do know that COLBERT is his given name, right? I didn't just make that up.

Colbert Michael "Cole" Hamels (born December 27, 1983 in San Diego, California) is a left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Holden Baroque said...

Candide, Nelson Munz called. He said you'd know.

MicheleS said...

YUP.. NatsLady.. knew that.. and we can point that out every time we face him.

ehay2k said...

Colbert (is the "t" silent?) will get an earful his nect game at Nats Park. It's just like cheering for "Larry" at Chipper Jones when we play the Braves.

Holden Baroque said...

SO, NatsLady, is that "COLE-bert" or "Col-bair"?

ehay2k said...

LOL PFB, I guess simple minds think alike.

Holden Baroque said...

Enquiring minds...

MicheleS said...

This is ZNN!!!!

JaneB said...

Hey! Wife of Joe Seamhead! Come join his Imaginary Friends here. Like MichelleS said, we can use some more women here.

I love that FP just told the kids to make the play at third and don't play umpire. And I love even more that JZimm struck out Luna and stranded those guys.

MicheleS said...

NJ.. I wonder how long or how many pitches Davey leaves ZNN for? I figure he might be out for the 6th at least.

ehay2k said...

Watching Zimnn pitch tonight, I get the same feeling I get other nights he pitches: He just seems to be trying to be too fine with his location.

Does anyone else think he wastes a lot of pitches because he would rather be way off the plate than allow the batter to make contact with the head (or the handle) of the bat?

NatsLady said...

Thank you, JZ. Way not to let that ump get to ya!!!!!

MicheleS said...

Just an update.. Cinci leads 4-2... just sayin.

DannyEllinosa said...

And for some reason I like Ian's homer most of all... So far.

Drew said...

Jordan's at 98 pitches. It's time for Gorzy to limber up those big Chiclets. Chomp those Phils! (Don't forget to floss.)

ehay2k said...

Michele, this is the Internet. No one knows for sure if you're a woman. The only poster I know of here that I think is very likely to be a woman is JaneB. Only because I saw someone reputed to be JaneB after the game outside the tent where Johnny Holiday and Ray Knight do the postgame. (But I am still not 100% that is the same entity that posts here.)

Oh, and Zimnn!!

JaneB said...

It has to be ColBERT, even if it's pronounced Steven's way.

And isn't it great that JZimm got another hit? Maybe this next inning will ne nice and clean and short.

JaneB said...

I met MichelleS at Pups in the Park. She's definitely a woman. Smart, too.

MicheleS said...

and NatsJack can attest to me being a woman... I met him too!

ehay2k said...

Oh JaneB, how can we trust you? Mentioning Pups in the park reminds me of that classic New Yorker cartoon, where the pooch is at the keyboard thinking: "On the Internet, no one knows you are a dog."

So, I say Woof!

Holden Baroque said...

As is the estimable NatsFan1a, and a couple of others I happen to know for reasonably sure.

And EHay, on Znn missing away, you'd rather have him be wild where they can't hit it than miss out over the plate where it gets hammered.

MicheleS said...

ehay2k.. I think Jordan reads this blog in between innings.. ;-).. he must have seen your comment about letting the batters make contact!!!

ehay2k said...

Joking of course - I am actually a cat.

ehay2k said...

All my posts go straight via SMS to Zimnn's phone. to set it up.

Just text FANTASY to 29292


OK - NOT true, just in case there are kids reading this.

Candide said...

ehay2k said...that classic New Yorker cartoon, where the pooch is at the keyboard thinking: "On the Internet, no one knows you are a dog."

Yeah, I found that was a bit of a problem when I was doing the online dating thing...

Holden Baroque said...

Philly or no, I like to see 30th round picks make it up to the Show.

Holden Baroque said...

Candide, did you try sending them a picture to prove it?

ehay2k said...

Oh, I think she (I am being presumptive here) means most of the "men" were dogs.

Shouldn't be a surprise, actually.

Candide said...

ehay2k, I'm pretty sure I'm a guy. Let me check...






Yup, uh-huh, my boys are still down there...

Drew said...

ehay: Somebody showed me a New Yorker cartoon that depicted Superman on a psychiatrist's couch.

He says: "I'm fine, but Clark Kent can't find a newspaper job."

ehay2k said...

Sorry Candide, and as I said (apologetically at that) I was being presumptive.

But, the men and dogs comment probably not any less true!

Holden Baroque said...

I'm pretty sure I'm a guy. Let me check...

Far Side cartoon: Dog leaning out the window of a car in the driveway, talking to another dog in the yard: "Ha Ha Rusty--guess what? I'M going to the vet to get tutored!"

ehay2k said...

Maybe they can have a cartoon with all the phillies on the couch, with Father Time as the psychiatrist, with the phillies asking - How did we get so bad so fast?

MicheleS said...

ehay2k..you fogot the grandfather clock in the back ground going TICK TOCK

JaneB said...

ehay2K, I love that cartoon idea!

JaneB said...

Espi seems to do better on nights when Lombo is playing, too. I like it!

JaneB said...

I wrote this before FP said the same thing. Just sayin'...

Candide said...

ehay, your grovelling apology is magnanimously accepted :-)

ehay2k said...

FP - please ask Carp where he bought his necktie.

Drew said...

Another Far Side cartoon: A farmer is sitting on his front porch and watching a cow get out of a taxi. The farmer calls to his wife -- "Martha -- you won't believe it, but the cows have come home!"

MicheleS said...

oh.. IAN if you are reading this later tonight.. SERIOUSLY.. MASN only shows you when you are sticking your finger in your nose.

ehay2k said...

MicheleS, that's definitely Angelos trying to drive fans away.

Anonymous said...

Enough with the Phillies getting old thing...not one of their good players is over the age of 34. Just because they are not 24, doesn't mean they are old. They will be a very good team by the end of the year, and anybody that is ready to bury them will be eating a lot of crow come September.

MicheleS said...

I like Hunter Pence.. I especially like when he is all arms and gangly legs striking out or flaying at a pitch that goes back to Gorzo...

MicheleS said...

F&I.. are you the older sibling.. because this is just the younger sibling getting a small measure of revenge after all the wedgies we got from the older sibling (phillies).

Holden Baroque said...

TICK TOCK, MP.

Holden Baroque said...

Oh, and that right there, to Kratz, is why you don't want to miss over the plate.

SCNatsFan said...

Is it me or does it seem Gorz gives up a run every outing.

C'mon Nats, finish them out.

SonnyG10 said...

We got a save situation. Let's see whatcha got, Clip.

Holden Baroque said...

Harper has several doubles and triples already, and we know he has power and speed. When do you think he gets his first cycle?

I'll go bold and say it's before the All-Star break.

MicheleS said...

Sofa PFB.. I say Bryce gets hitterish when the Yanks come to town and gets his 1st cycle then

Drew said...

Corey Brown hit a three-run shot for his 10th homer and knocked in five. Danny Rosenbaum's start against Altoona was rained out.

Have mercy, Tyler. Throw strikes.

ehay2k said...

F&I - they are not all old, but 34 is not actually young, in MLB terms, unless you are a lefty SP.
Key players are: Ryan Howard: 33 already, his bloated 5 year extension starts NEXT YEAR, and he tore his achilles last fall. He won't be anywhere near 100% until next season. Old, and can't be moved. Polanco: 37 (I guess you don't think he is good) Utley: 33 has chronic knee problems. Even if he were 25, he would play old. Not sure when he was hatched (he is one of my least favorite players), but he is playing well beyond his years already. Pitching staff? Lotta guys with high mileage guys like Halladay 35, Contreras is older than Livo, Lee is almost 34.

Do your homework before you post defense of the damn phillies here.

So, as I said, Tick Tock.

SCNatsFan said...

Should have put in Henry just to make it interesting

MicheleS said...

SCnatsfan has a sadistic streak.. not sure my stomach or liver likes that

Candide said...

SCNats, bite your tongue.

DannyEllinosa said...

Carpenter supplies enough doom & gloom scenarios without Henry

ehay2k said...

Oh, Henry would have been perfect - imaging the phans reaction if he had a PFB night!

Oh, and LaRoche is a vaccuum at first!

Candide said...

WOOHOOOOOOOOO!

(copyright 2012 MicheleS)

Cwj said...

Awesome! Go Nats!

MicheleS said...

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! NATS WIN!!!!

ehay2k said...

Nats Park North indeed!

SonnyG10 said...

HooRayyyyy!!!!! Series victory. Going for sweep!!!

djinFl. said...

Cincy wins

SCNatsFan said...

God I love expecting to win instead of hoping to win.

Somewhere Stan the plan is thinking "I knew it would just take time".

UnkyD said...

We just GOTTA figger some kind of portable sub klaxon!!!

WOOOOHOOOO!!!!!'

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Look at that, no drama in the 9th!!!

TimDz said...

A 1-2-3 ninth for the save?
Where the Hell's the fun in THAT?
:)

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Back in 1st place!!!!

Holden Baroque said...

Soul Possession!

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