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US Presswire file photo The Nats open a big weekend series tonight at Turner Field. |
So tonight, in the opener of perhaps their biggest series of the season to date, the Nationals will have Lombardozzi in left field and leading off for the third time in four games. It worked twice in Philadelphia; might as well give it a shot in Atlanta.
It'll take a strong offensive performance from the Nats' lineup, top to bottom, to beat Tim Hudson (owner of a 13-3 record and 2.09 ERA in his career against them). And it'll take a strong start from Ross Detwiler (who has allowed 10 earned runs over his last 10 innings).
Unfortunately, I'm not in Atlanta for this weekend showdown, but I will be in Miami starting Monday for the Nationals' first series at Marlins Park. Until then, enjoy the big game and the conversation...
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Turner Field
Gametime: 7:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 184
Weather: Partly cloudy, 86 degrees, Wind 1 mph in from RF
NATIONALS (26-18)
LF Steve Lombardozzi
RF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
CF Rick Ankiel
C Jesus Flores
LHP Ross Detwiler
BRAVES (26-20)
CF Michael Bourn
3B Martin Prado
1B Freddie Freeman
2B Dan Uggla
LF Matt Diaz
RF Jason Heyward
C David Ross
SS Jack Wilson
RHP Tim Hudson
UMPIRES
TBA
291 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 291 of 291 Newer› Newest»Ralph Kiner! My original announcer!
I'm a good friend of Bill.
I think Davey sees a lot of Scott Erickson in Wang. He was pretty good for Davey at the end of 1996 and all of 1997. From August of '96-October of '97 he was 25-9 with a couple of wins in the playoffs. Hopefully Wang can do something close to that if he starts. Those sinker-ballers have a way of getting on a roll for 5-6 starts at a time. Agree with NatsJack...like the change of pace from the other 4 starters.
7/9/87
Did anyone see this coming? It's a slugfest with our puny offense and a Braves team coming off a drought. This is by no means over.
Change of pace sounds like a good idea. I hope it works. I'd prefer to stick with Det b/c he's still part of the long term plan in the rotation, and Wang isn't.
I'd like to see a few good starts by Wang, then trade him when his value his high...he's always going to be fragile
Swami, you mean you see us getting more runs, right?
If the Swami didn't see it, how could any of us? Lol
At this point, I bring Burnett back for the 9th and if anyone gets on at all, I bring in Clippard. I didn't agree with pulling Detwiler in the 5th, so I guess I'm not on the same page as Davey tonight.
C'mon Tyler!
Swami, you need to fast forward your recording of the game to real time before you post. :-)
Beating Hudson is like stealing one, even if it's Stras much less Detwiler.
3 more outs!
Go Tyler!
2!
No doubt Jack, even the few times the Nats beat Hudson, they never hit him like this. Maybe the most impressive night of offense all season (so far)
He got out Prado!
Clipp is solid as ever. I guess I save the Maalox for another night.
May 25, 27-18, still in soul possession of first place.
"WOOOO-HOOOOOO!!"
(Copyright, MicheleS, 2011.)
YES!!!
Can we please get Mr. nausea out?
Here is a MichelleS patented woooooohoooooooo!
WOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!
Who gets the win? Wang? Bad rule
Yes..... WHOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!
WOOOOO HOOOOOO!
Thanks to my imaginary friends for making the game more interesting.
GYFNG!
Even if he didn't make it out of the 5th, I've got to say one positive thing about Mr. Detwiller: Despite allowing at least two runners on base in each of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd innings, he got out of those three innings having only given up one run. The Braves could easily have tied the game up (or even gone ahead) by the end of the 3rd. I know he'll be frustrated that he didn't get the win, but Mr. Detwiller didn't give the game away either. And we've all seen that happen before.
I saw on twitter something about victorino and lee arguing in the dugout. I always knew their fans eat their young, now the players are turning on each other? Anyone else hear anything ?
Swami apparently Shane didnt make a few catches in CF
Walk the kid to get to Elwood, er, Zimmerman? There he is, kids!
Woooooooooooooooo Hoooooooooooooooooo!!
12/10/08
woohoo...No Maalox and Yoohoo tonight.
Oh, dear. A near slugout in the dugout with the Flyin Hawaiian? Get the rocking chair, I think I feel the vapors coming on.
Ross is looking more and more like a middle reliever.He cannot start if he can't go six+ innings on a regular basis.
5th starter by committee
Natsfan1a, what dugout dustup are you talking about?
100 pitches to go less than five, only 61 strikes?
Looking at Twitter, apparently Cliff Lee was yelling at Victorino about 2 balls in the outfield should have been caught.
Did you hear Zim on the postgame? He actually said he was pissed. - Have you ever heard him utter one word that was not squeaky clean? It will be kind cool if opposing pitchers just have to pitch to Bryce because Zim is right behind him. He ripped the covers off two balls tonight. Could be he is awake now? Some really hard-hit balls tonight.
Swift Eagle, I don't think Ross deserved win either.
Great win tonight!
Thanks Natslady. Well, I'm sure Vitorino is looking forward to a trade NOW! :-)
I can't wait to read the phans' blogs.
Oh, the Nats always deserve a win!
what a changeup to end the game! better than most of his fastballs.
Davey is even getting the CMW for starter from the Taiwanese press.
Oh swami, WE deserve the win, along with Zimm, having suffered the past few years.
And Harold Reynolds is beating the drum for Ian to be at the All Star game.
The braves organist is going to play Hot Stuff as walk up music for Stras tomorrow.
Sorry, ehay. Meant to post a link and now I can't find it. Evidently Cholly got between them in the dugout. I'm not used to staying up this late. :-)
btw, that was funny, jeffwx.
jeffwx said...
yes...Ankiel is the nats day tripper
oblah dee
May 25, 2012 8:40 PM
After all this time it's fun to be a Nats fan.
This team is shedding the ghosts of failed seasons past...
Beating up on Doc Halladay and Tim Hudson in one week?
Not just scoring runs but pinning the loss on them?
New team, new day, anything is possible!
(OK, I'll admit it, Knob Creek with no Maalox tonight...)
GYFNG!
Braves put Chipper on the DL after the game.
From amanda.. very telling:
Amanda Comak@acomak
Davey used the words "disappointed" and "frustrated" with regard to fact that Detwiler "didn't take charge and go right after them."
Eddie...
Knob Creek...good choice...
NatsJack, does Detwiler deserve another chance ?
What great fun y'all are! 1a with the Muhammad-Ali-style Phils talk, jeffwx with that great '07 Cubs comparison.
And congrats to you both, jeffwx and hmm.
Obliged by duty to be elsewhere this evening. Since Mark is out for these games, if somebody could fill in the PxP a little bit, this would all make a little more sense, and those of us not able to be here synchronously will surely appreciate it. Thanks.
@Soul Possession: Nats scored four in the first. Two on a triple by Ankiel. Det was nicked for a run in the third and two in the fourth. Davey yanked him after 100 pitches, going just 4.1 innings, not eligible for the win. Hudson got stronger after that first inning. He was close to getting a 1-2-3 in the seventh when CMW, allowed to bat by Davey, worked a walk. Lombo doubled him two third. They pitched around Harper to get to Zimm. Big mistake: Zimm ripped a bases-clearing double to make it 7-3. Braves got a meaningless run, Livo worked a 1-2-3 eighth. Clipp closed 'em out 1-2-3 in the ninth.
That;s your update. Nats two up on the Braves with Jesus and Gio coming up. Braves have lost 5 straight. Might make it seven.
I put Detwiler out there on Wednesday, and have Wang ready, and another one like tonight the hook might be there. He has given up 13 ER in the last 14.1 innings, that isn't very good.
Sunshine nice Coles nutshell. Strike zone seemed to vary IMO. Ross has got to learn not to show his emotions (feelings) on the mound. That's where he has to mature. If he does he can and will be a very good pitcher.
Manassas Nats' Fan said...
I put Detwiler out there on Wednesday, and have Wang ready, and another one like tonight the hook might be there. He has given up 13 ER in the last 14.1 innings, that isn't very good.
May 25, 2012 11:58 PM
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Tough to watch Detwiler get his pitch count up by not putting away batters. Just can't call a guy a starter who can't go more than 6 innings consistently.
Thanks, Sunshine. I did read the gamer on CSN.
Meanwhile, up in Syracuse, Downtown Corey Brown breaks the Chiefs record by homering in his fifth straight game. (Did I mention the .399 on base percentage?)
Hey Mike, Paul McCartney left you a message:
Someone's knocking at the door
Somebody's ringin' the bell ...
Ghost... while the performance was awful, the fight was excellent. I'd give him one more chance in Miami next week.
Both Amanda and Adam have excellent gamers (you know, since our Fearless leader can't be down there - HEY CSN.. spend some of my cable money!)
Nats Jack, I'm not sure how you work him in,but Corey Brown deserves to be called up. He is by all accounts a superior OF to anyone we have healthy, though he desn't possess Ankiel's arm, but who does? He's a very good base runner, and since abandoning the modifications to his swing the coaches tried to make last year,he has hit the snot out of the ball. He has demonstrated that he is a lead off hitter with power. He has earned a cup of coffee.
Item on the Lee and Victorino confrontation which the Phillies evidently don't want to talk about. As Well, Pence did say something about it being twilight time (when he tried to make a catch). Yes, Hunter. Yes it is. Tick. Tock. :-)
Crud, I dropped my comma. Twilight time and all.
Zimmerman's double was sweet. With 2 outs and an 0-2 count, it is the hit the Nats too often fail to get.
What Drew said.
Some thoughts from Atlanta:
AJC Sports page
Lots of good stuff on the Nats. The Daily DOB Blog has a nice preview of the series.
Sorry, Link busted:
AJC Sports Page
Joe.... I agree that Brown deserves a shot but....the Nats are determined to keep a veteran presence next to Bryce in the outfield and that blocks Brown for the time being.
And Ankiel has his moments of success so he's the guy till Werth comes back.
Leftover thoughts: What was Atlanta thinking to pitch around Bryce to get to Zim? Who wants to bet that never happens again? Zim - that was a sweet moment for this Nats fan! He made them pay and it was very satisfying. Also - Burnett and Clip are both pretty savvy pitchers with some experience and some stuff from the left and the right. I think either one of them can pitch in the 8th or 9th. Funny, too, how Burnett has just not been used all that much this season - he has to have the fewest innings.As for Det -- it might not have been pretty but it was not a high-run melt down. Did you see Hudsons face when he gave up the double to Zim? Lincecum melted down pretty good last night. Those guys have a lot more years on them than Det and had a lot worse outings. Did you happen to notice that Wang just can't run at all. He has had foot and hammy injuries - he should be required to strike out each and every time he is up. Scary to watch him run. Fragile and high maintenance. Hope he is worth all this trouble.
Watching the game this morning on MLB.tv because I was working last night. Really, how many times did Ross have the hitter 0-2 and then get to 3-2 and foul off a few? No wonder his pitch count was high and in the 2nd inning Carp and FP are already "hoping" he can get to 5 innings. You have a four run lead. THROW STRIKES.
CMW's velocity hit 94. Yes, his sinker didn't always drop as much as you would like, but what a pleasure to watch him work when it did, ground ball after ground ball.
Really hope Davey lets CMW start and pairs him with Detwiler (like Stras and Gorzy), righty/lefty and two different styles for hitters to adjust to.
And Ross, if you don't want to get pulled mid-inning and have your inherited runners score, stop scuffing your feet on the mound and PITCH BETTER.
P.S., I understand about 2005, but I still love the standings. Now other teams have to come to us. The Nats are the "tough part of the schedule"!
Thank you, Huddy, for "pissing off" the Face. We need him mad!
Lannan report: 5 earned in 5 innings. He retired 14 of 16 batters he faced. Before that he gave up a solo HR and after that he gave up a solo HR and then left in the 6th with a 3-2 lead and the bases loaded, nobody out. All three inherited runners scored because the next guy (Hassan Pena) gave up a slam.
Syracuse Chiefs game story
http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120525&content_id=32235714&vkey=news_t552&fext=.jsp&sid=t552
Natslady - nice new avatar/pic.
Freddie, nice way to light a fire under Zimm.
Timmy H. - "We should have won that game." Hey, that's what WE used to say, two-plus years ago.
Heading over now to read some phan phlailing. Hope Mark Z has something for us today before the game. :-)
Det should gear his anger towards Davey at himself, that my help him. he should go to middle relief and Wang should be the 5th starter. Davey did an excellent coaching job last night.
not that hung over, lol... the 2005 comparison is absurd period. That team was ancient and lucky. this team is young and for real and talented. Thinking ahead, the Nats pitching gets stronger with Lidge and Storen coming back along with Wang as a 5th starter. Det may be better off helping team in middle relief and he needs to become tougher. The only ones who you show the door to pitching wise is Hrod and Perry. On the offensive side, Lombo is everything the scouts said he could be and Harper is a special player. Add Morse to this team and it could be enough. Bernadina and Nady should go bye bye. If Werth can come back, maybe bring up Corey Brown in August and we could roll. It is too bad Ramos is out. Flores is doing splendid but we need some depth. One can see the Nats in 2013 and on as perhaps the best team in MLB
MicheleS: Thanks for the AJC link.
Loved the Tim Hudson quote after giving up seven earned runs: "I was a couple pitches from throwing a shutout..."
Recalls several similar quotes:
-- Capt. Edward Smith, RMS Titanic: "I was a couple icebergs from crossing the Atlantic...";
-- Gen. Heinz Guderian: "I was a couple snowflakes from taking Moscow..."; and, of course,
-- Pres. Richard Nixon: "I was a couple tapes from getting away with it..."
Eugene
dont forget Maxwell Smart's famous quote
"missed it by that much"
ESPN's MLB standings include some revealing numbers.
The Nats have scored 22 more runs than they've allowed. Their +22 run differential ranks fourth in the NL and sixth in the majors.
The Nats have done this while scoring only 170 runs. Only four of the 30 teams are worse -- Oakland, San Diego, the Cubs and Pittsburgh.
The reason, of course, is that the Nats' pitchers have allowed only 148 runs, the fewest in baseball.
If this team can muster more offense it's going to be tough to beat.
P.S. How good are the Rangers? They're already at +90. Wow.
Drew, yeah, fer sure the Rangers are on a mission. The surprises are the O's and the Dodgers without Kemp.
The O's had 11,000 walkups last night. Broke a record.
Not only did RZ say he was "p***ed" about the walk to Harper, he said "sh**" to the ump about the first pitch inside ball that was called a strike.
And then it goes 0-2 and he hits a double. Major League ball there, ML ball!
Watching this horrible show of NatsTalk Live on MASN as they disect the Nats game last night. 10 minutes talking about Detwiler.
Detwiler starts the season like Rizzo made the right move sending Lannan down. The last 4 starts look like you can stick a fork in Detwiler.
Detwiler threw 4 walks and even in some of his strikeout threw too many pitches to get the strikeouts. There was no efficiency in the strikeouts. 4 1/3 innings or these 5 inning starts is not great. Detwiler pitched with an extra games rest also.
I would not be surprised to see Wang make the next start. Wang was 5th starter until he was injured in Spring Training. I was a believer that Detwiler was the guy who should start last night mostly based on the lefty/lefty matchup. Wang was up early in the bullpen. According to Phil Wood, Wang threw over 70 pitches in the bullpen before he took the mound.
NatsLady said...
The O's had 11,000 walkups last night. Broke a record.
May 26, 2012 9:52 AM
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Friday night, Holiday weekend, casual fanbase energized by the rumor that the team is finally going to sign a big piece long-term (Adam Jones).
Biggest reason is Friday night is College night discounts so Friday nights with good weather has received great walk-ups anyway.
Eugene and Mick - hilarious!! That's real confidence. Gonat - sometimes I drop in on that snoozefest on masn. No production values, no video. Phil Wood is usually good but the others are Balmer homers. They truly pontificate for hours. Zim kind of surprised me last night with his demeanor - developing some Natitude? I hope he keeps that chip on his shoulder for a long time. Still can't believe that they chose to pitch to him instead of Bryce. Detweiler lost his swagger when he cut his hair. Just needs to get his swagger back. And throw some strikes. Watch JZim.
On an Atlanta note, you might also enjoy this.
Heading over now to read some phan phlailing.
Lets look at Tim Hudson's dominance of Zim. 46 at-bats prior to yesterday and a .173 batting average and only 2 life-time RBIs against Hudson with no Home Runs.
Its as if Zim put himself in walk-off mode in that at-bat and behind in the count 0-2.
Also before last night, Hudson was 13-3 against the Nats and went through a stretch in 2007 to 2008 where he went 7-0.
He has never given up 7 earned runs against the Nats.
baseballswami - This is the Nats Only show called NatsTalk Live. Can't watch that show with Dave Johnson and Mel Antonen as you are right.
This is the 2 hour NatsTalk Live. Horrible production value like you said with no video or stats flashed up. One caller asked what a 4 seam fastball is and Phil Wood said he had no baseball in the studio to demonstrate.
Amanda Comak writes....Tim Hudson has been tough on the Nationals in his career. He entered Friday night's contest having been the pitcher of record in 17 of his 23 starts against them -- and having won 14 of those. But of all the Nationals Hudson is tough on, Ryan Zimmerman might have been the worst.
Before Friday, Zimmerman had faced Hudson in 48 plate appearances. He had eight hits -- and only one for extra bases. The numbers certainly were stacked in Hudson's favor. Eight strikeouts, .174 average against, .208 on-base percentage, .196 slugging.
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I see Amanda did similar research to what I did at 11:00am and she is incorrect, Hudson's record was 13 wins against the Nats not 14. She didn't subtract out a 2003 win against the Expos.
New post - early game!
Here's a request from Hunter P., dedicated to NatsFan1a ...
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