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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Stephen Strasburg tries to stop the Nats' losing streak tonight at PNC Park. |
Strasburg, of course, can only control how many runs he gives up. He can't control how many runs the Nationals score. Or how many balls they put into play. So plenty of the onus will be on Davey Johnson's lineup, which tonight includes only one minor tweak.
Roger Bernadina will bat second, with Bryce Harper moved down to the 5-hole. The logic, I assume, is that the Pirates won't be able to pitch around cleanup hitter Adam LaRoche like they did last night. But the downside is that Harper may not see a whole lot of pitches to hit himself with the ice-cold Danny Espinosa hitting behind him.
Should make for some interesting discussion. Please check back for updates and analysis throughout...
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Where: PNC Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 183
Weather: Partly cloudy, 58 degrees, Wind 13 mph out to CF
NATIONALS (18-12)
SS Ian Desmond
LF Roger Bernadina
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Bryce Harper
2B Danny Espinosa
CF Rick Ankiel
C Jesus Flores
RHP Stephen Strasburg
PIRATES (14-16)
RF Jose Tabata
LF Alex Presley
CF Andrew McCutchen
3B Pedro Alvarez
2B Neil Walker
1B Garrett Jones
SS Clint Barmes
C Michael McKenry
RHP Kevin Correia
UMPIRES
HP Phil Cuzzi, 1B Greg Gibson, 2B Vic Carapazza, 3B Gerry Davis (cc)
7:06 p.m. -- And we're underway as Ian Desmond lines Kevin Correia's first pitch of the game to right field for an out. After dealing with some nasty weather the last two night, this turned into a very nice evening in the Steel City. It's a bit chilly, 60 degrees, but the skies are clear as this game begins.
7:10 p.m. -- Well, that certainly didn't take long. Correia needed only nine pitches to get through the top of the first, and that included Ryan Zimmerman lining a two-out single to center. Desmond, Roger Bernadina and Adam LaRoche collectively saw a total of four pitches. I know the tendency is to rip on Desmond for hacking at the first pitch so much, but for the record, he's hitting .357 when he puts the first pitch in play this season.
7:18 p.m. -- Andrew McCutchen has been among the hottest hitters in baseball. But he hasn't had to face Stephen Strasburg until now. Strasburg overpowered the Pirates' No. 3 hitter, blowing a 97 mph fastball past him to end the bottom of the first. Ten pitches for Strasburg in the inning, six strikes. We go to the second...
7:25 p.m. -- Part of Davey's message to players during his pregame meeting: "Stay within yourself. Be a good hitter. Get strikes to hit." So naturally, three of the Nats' first six batters have made outs on the first pitch so far. Ugh. On the bright side, Danny Espinosa roped a base hit to center. On the negative side, he was thrown out trying to steal second.
7:32 p.m. -- Yep, Strasburg has struck out four Pirates in a row. Three fastballs and a changeup. Shades of June 8, 2010?
7:52 p.m. -- Make it seven strikeouts in a row for Strasburg, matching his performance from his debut game. Actually, if you go back to that game, Strasburg has now struck out 14 of the last 16 Pirates he's faced. Just astounding.
7:57 p.m. -- Espinosa, yikes. With two on and one out in the fourth, he swung and missed a first-pitch curveball from Correia. Then he swung at another one and grounded into a double play. Danny talked last week about going up to the plate with a plan. I can't imagine swinging at a first-pitch curveball is part of that plan.
8:08 p.m. -- So much for Strasburg's dominance. Not only did his strikeout streak end, he wound up giving up two runs in the bottom of the fourth. It began with Jose Tabata's base hit to center (his second of the night). After a sacrifice bunt (in which Alex Presley may actually have beaten Jesus Flores' throw to first), Andrew McCutchen sent another single to right. And Bryce Harper made an incredibly ill-advised decision to fire a throw to the plate. He had no chance to get Tabata, and because his throw was wild, he allowed McCutchen to take second. It went down as the first error of Harper's career, and it proved costly because moments later, Neil Walker singled to center, bringing McCutchen home with an unearned run. Just like that, the Nats trail 2-0.
8:14 p.m. -- Sometimes, you've got to take matters into your own hands. Strasburg delivers his third double in as many starts. Of course, it went for naught as Desmond popped up on the first pitch to end the top of the fifth. I think it's pretty safe to say these guys are pressing big-time right now. Everybody's trying to be the guy to snap this losing streak. That's the worst way to actually make it happen.
8:24 p.m. -- On the one hand, Strasburg now has 11 strikeouts through five innings. That's the fourth time in 24 career starts he's reached double digits in Ks. And it's the second-highest total of his career, surpassed only by his 14-strikeout debut against these same Pirates. On the other hand, he's given up some really hard-hit balls, including an opposite-field double off the wall by backup catcher Michael McKenry. Strange night so far for Strasburg, who still trails 2-0 as we go to the sixth.
8:37 p.m. -- Sweet Fancy Moses, what just happened in the top of the sixth? Roger Bernadina drives a ball about 440 feet into the back bullpen in left-center. Then after Ryan Zimmerman walked, Adam LaRoche drove one to nearly the exact same spot for his sixth homer of the season. All of a sudden, Strasburg is taking the mound for the bottom of the sixth holding a 3-2 lead. And with 11 strikeouts on his register so far.
8:54 p.m. -- Just when it looked like Strasburg might break, he came up with his biggest pitch of the night, a 2-2, 96 mph fastball past Garrett Jones with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Strasburg had surprisingly loaded the bases with three consecutive walks, but he dug down deep to record a huge out on his 103rd pitch of the night. He'll be pinch-hit for in the seventh, so his final line will be: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 13 K, 103 pitches. The Nats are still clinging to a 3-2 lead.
9:07 p.m. -- A 1-2-3 seventh for Ryan Mattheus, preserving the slim lead. This game seems destined to be decided by Henry Rodriguez.
9:15 p.m. -- Another double for LaRoche, who is now hitting .327 for the season. But it goes for naught as Harper strikes out on a 2-2 fastball from left-hander Tony Watson. We go to the eighth, and here comes Tyler Clippard.
9:22 p.m. -- Clippard put a scare into everyone for a moment when he served up a long fly ball to McCutchen, but it fell harmlessly into Ankiel's glove at the warning track. So we head to the ninth, the Nats still clinging to a 3-2 lead.
9:28 p.m. -- Rick Ankiel delivers some much-needed insurance for Rodriguez. A solo blast into the right-field bleachers puts the Nats up 4-2.
9:32 p.m. -- And heeeeere's Henry!
9:45 p.m. -- Ballgame. Rodriguez closes out a 4-2 victory, giving Strasburg the win (he's now 3-0) and ensuring the Nats will remain in first place for the 30th consecutive day.
171 comments:
And why would anyone throw anything remotely hittable to Harper?
Danny Espinosa circa 2012 is Cristian Guzman circa 2005. Deal with it. Start booing him at the games, see if that works. But it didn't with Guzman in 2005, did it?
Nice to see Flores in this game. I keep waiting and waiting for Bernadina to do something and we certainly have great speed on the bases (if they get on base!) for Zimm and LaRoche.
How many more games can he keep Espinosa in a key spot? Why not hit Flores 6th with Danny 8th? if you have to play him at all.
Go Nats!!
Ann, I will never boo any of our lads but when you have options like Lombardozi, I just don't understand the logic. The kid is struggling and he would not be the first really good player to be sent down and brought back up later. Just not sure why Davey is so stubborn.
Under a normal "Ace will stop the losing streak" scenario, a manager would let his starter finish the game (assuming he was pitching well). But when your ace is on an innings limit he can only do so much before turning it over to the shaky bullpen.
Please put Lombo out there...
Ideally Moore and Lombo would get chances to prove themselves during this difficult period. The only thing that makes me miss the Beast more than I already do is watching Espi drown and Bernadina/Nady provide easy outs in an already weakened lineup.
We need to get healthy soon!
As to Davey's strategy of batting Harper 5th to give ALR more protection while having Harper lose the protection of Zim, it makes more sense when you look at some stats.
With Werth gone, Harper leads the starters in contact on pitches out of the strike zone with 71.4%. ALR is hanging out in the bottom of the staff with 61.9%, mainly because he doesn't swing at too many pitches out of the zone, only 23.9%, bottom of the staff.
This is getting a bit ridiculous now. No Moore. No Lombo. One of our hottest hitters batting 7th. Another of our stars hitting 5th with the strike out machine behind him. I love Davey, but this lineup makes me sad inside.
Another factor to consider: Unlike LaRoche, Harper can make things happen on the basepaths if you give him a free pass.
Davey doesn't get to decide who gets sent down. That's the GM, Rizzo's job. So you can't fault Johnson for that.
However, I don't know what the hell Johnson was thinking when he said he hoped Lombo could get 300+ ABs?! If he's not willing to sit Espinosa, when he's playing miserably, where were those 300 ABs going to come from?? He's already shown his reluctance to start him in LF, so I cannot figure out what Johnson intended. Was he expecting Zimmerman to miss the entire season or something?
Lombardozzi has only gotten 2, yes TWO starts at 2B this entire season. Ignore the fact that Lombardozzi is hitting .625 in those two starts too...
Well, we can hope for the best. Maybe tonight is the night for the breakout. If not, how long will DJ go with this?
No, because he thought we were saying "Guze," which some of us were. :-)
Ann Ominous said...
Danny Espinosa circa 2012 is Cristian Guzman circa 2005. Deal with it. Start booing him at the games, see if that works. But it didn't with Guzman in 2005, did it?
May 10, 2012 4:00 PM
I love Danny defense and am really rooting for him, but come-on Davey.
Good hitting teams (that's not us) that carry a weak hitting middle infielder don't hit him 6th.
Davey never hit Samtana or Elster 6th. Someone needs to ask him this question at the after game presser. The Qs are so weak at that thing.
Well, maybe if we bellyache and second-guess enough about the lineup, it will create some kind of reverse whammy whereby the bats really break out. Hey, it could happen. :-)
I can see it now...
last night LaLa was walked to get to Espi and Nady
Tonight:
LaLa AND Harper will be walked to get to Espi and Ankiel
you heard it here first!!!
1. I was shocked to see Espinosa in this lineup. Team is in a 3-game losing streak, and with approximately 350 men in the National League, Espinosa is Number One in strikeouts. He MUST be put on a plane to Syracuse, or Harrisburg, immediately.
2. I will never boo a Nationals player. Closest I ever came was when Nyjer chucked that catcher in the back, when the catcher was relaxed, standing well in front of the plate, and NM blind-sided him. But I wll never boo a Nationals player for doing their best and failing.
3. The Nats' problem, encouraged year after year by Eckstein, is their worship of the Pitch Count God (PCG). They are whiffing on so many 3rd strikes because they are WATCHING so many 1st and 2nd pitch strikes. Solution: Eff the PCG and HIT STRIKES period on ANY COUNT, including the first pitch of an AB!
(PCG protected by copyright to do1teach1 Industries, LLC)
4. The Nats are going to win tonight. When DJ sends them a message through the media, the Nats get the message. They will win tonight.
What is the over/under on combined K's for Espi/Shark/Ankiel??
I say... 7
Espinosa again - Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Based on Mark's post, sounds like Strasburg needs to drive some runs in. Right now, I like his chances better than Espinosa.
Is Bernadina related to Davey?
So if you follow this approach, then what do you do when the second guy fails, and then the third guy you bring in after the first two guys fail also fails, and on and on and on? You can't just keep bringing in a new guy. At some point you need to find out if a guy can bounce back after a failure and not fail the next time he's put in the same situation.
With a few hours until game time, I figured I'd respond to this. It makes no sense. I didn't say Davey should drop H-Rod as a closer and never give him another chance, only that he should be taken out of a game when he doesn't have his good stuff. I want H-Rod in there -- he's been sensational on most occasions. But you don't have to leave him in long enough to lose the game in order to give him the experience he needs. Have someone ready to replace him if necessary, that's all. And if that guy fails too, then the game's lost and you can let him mop up. But when you have other options available it's dumb not to use them and try to win the game if "Oh no, Henry!" has shown up instead of "Good Henry."
Hanrahan recovered from his failure in DC to become a great closer in Pgh. That doesn't mean it was a good thing for him that he blew all those saves for us. He put it together. But he now has a whole season of solid, even All-Star closing behind him, so Hurdle can leave him in when he's wild, like he was last night, with some confidence that he can recover and win the game (though he took him out the night before after the save was blown.) He's not doing that to protect Hanrahan's psyche, he's just trying to win. With H-Rod, he should be on a shorter leash, but I'd still keep using him as a closer until Storen returns.
Under the circumstances, I still would like them try a top 5 of:
Lombo 2b
Harper RF
Zimm 3b
Laroche 1b
Desmond SS
Lombo and Harper have small sample sizes, but thus far in those sample sizes they have been getting on base a lot... and Desmond still has a low OBP, but he has provided some pop, so you can't necessarily pitch around Laroche to get to him...
Espi is the easiest out in the league right now... I hope he turns it around, but watching him hit right now makes me laugh (in a painful way)... that double he hit yesterday was off a hanging slider... anyone that can throw any sort of off-speed pitch whatsoever can sit him down on the pine in 3-4 pitches... I still love you, though, Danny! Get it going!
I like the lineup except for Espi. I really think he could use a day off.
Okay, so Davey was upset at the lack of hitting last night, so his solution today is Bernadina hitting second and Espinosa still in the line up? I don't get it.
The over / under for Harper walks tonight is three. With Espinosa hitting behind him, Harper might see one good pitch to hit all night.
However, maybe this is Espi's last chance for a while. The pitching is likely easier here in pittsburgh than it will be in Cinci. If he continues his 2K a night approach, he'll ride the bench for a bit.
BTW - Hopefully the Nationals will be winning the Pirates won't need a closer, but I want everyone to know that Hanrahan will not be pitching tonight.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/05/10/pirates-closer-joel-hanrahan-on-bereavement-leave/
Sweet, Tcostant...This should help to maintain our league in getting intentional walks!!!
Thank you ESPI!!!
I have an espn ap on my phone - today it sent me an alarming message that Bryce Harpers batting average had dropped. Oh, no! The kid has hit multiple doubles, walked more than he has struck out, played every outfield position, hit in several places in the line up and stolen home -- oh, and made some nice catches in the outfield and a few throws that made grown men cry. That about it? This kid has been thrown into the fire big- time. It seems very unusual to me to ask this much of a very young rookie. At some point it might be nice if he had some stability. He is still developing despite his accomplishments. Is this good for him, bad for him, doesn't matter a lick to him? It hasn't even been two weeks yet. Surely he is going to have struggles this season.
Looking at the Vegas odds, you'll get +210 if you bet that McCutchen doesn't get a hit tonight. -280 if he does. That dude is a hot hitter.
what the hell Johnson was thinking when he said he hoped Lombo could get 300+ ABs?!
Actually, Davey's WAG still looks pretty good. Lombo's had 60 ABs thru 30 games. Extend that out over a 162-game season, and you get to 324 ABs.
Look. There is no bigger and enthusiastic supporter of Davey Johnson than me but this Espinosa thing is approaching insanity.
Think of it as analogous to having an innings limit. The rule of thumb with top athletic switch hitters is 1000 at bats. Usually they won't start looking in a different direction until then.
But the strike outs are egregious in this case.
However, consider ... Lombardozzi, Kobernus, Hague, and even Rendon ... none have the pure athleticism and high ceiling that Espinosa has. How many of them could play shortstop and second at a gold-glove caliber level? He has a bazooka arm and tremendous range in the field.
I don't think the minors would help ... Davey Johnson is probably the best possible coach 2b Danny Espinosa could ask for.
You're just going to have to be patient with the prospects NatsJack and hope that progress is made. Rome wasn't built in a day or even a month and half of a baseball season.
Okay, so Davey was upset at the lack of hitting last night, so his solution today is Bernadina hitting second and Espinosa still in the line up? I don't get it.
He said Bernadina was a part of the left field rotation ... along with Nady and Tyler Moore. What part of that didn't you understand? He hasn't given up on Bernadina and he hasn't given up on the kid who is by far the best athlete on this club: Danny Espinosa.
Yes, the future is not now. Wait till next year. Hague, Kobernus, et al are the next best thing to a sure thing. We only need a couple of them to succeed in the next decade and we are the team.
What were we thinking to waste money on this starting staff...why go out and get Gio/Jackson when all we need is in Potomac or the next draft pick.
The future is not in DC, Look no further than Syracuse or Potomac.
Penis got it right this time.
Swami -- I bet you Bryce has the good sense not to have that app on his phone, as he seems to spend most of his time on baseball and not on the breathless inanities of pontificating media heads trolling for page views.
Davey doesn't get to decide who gets sent down. That's the GM, Rizzo's job. So you can't fault Johnson for that.
In this case that is incorrect Will. Johnson can and has sent players to the minors and recalled them without asking Rizzo. The two are pretty much on the same page so ... as a good GM Rizzo figures Davey knows what he needs. Davey's goals are in lockstep with Rizzo's.
Win games while developing and using the prospects. That's the expertise that Davey brings to the table with player development/former scout Mike Rizzo.
I agree with peric. It's not ideal but we just have to be patient with Espinosa before we give up on him. And I don't really understand why everyone is treating Lombardozzi, a guy with a sub .800 OPS in the minors and no power to speak of, like he's the next Joe Morgan at 2B just because he's batting .300 with only three extra base hits and no HRs.
I'm with peric on this one, especially watching Desi, far from great but improving every day and certainly not the disaster he was when everyone here was ready to can his butt and move Espi to SS.
BB, you're the only one I see comparing him to Joe Morgan. He's got the 2nd highest OBP on this team right now, not in the history of the major leagues. He looks promising right now and some of us thinks he deserves a shot. That's' all....Let's not exaggerate.
Peric is also right that most of Syracuse deserves a shot even though he's not saying we have a bunch of Roberto Clemente's down there.
Respectfully disagree...I suspect there's something wrong with Espi. He'll straighten it out and be a starter but he needs to be checked out and not thrown into the fire and the important #6 hole every night.
NatsLady,
The improvement you see in Desi is in what category exactly?
You are kidding yourself if you think this was RZ's only stint on the DL. Lombo will get plenty of chances.
Nobody is wanting to can his butt...We just want him to get some help straightening himself out. Maybe the best way is to keep playing him every night. I'd try a different tack and give him some days off. It's a long season esp. when you can lead the leagues in strikeouts while having 2 RBIs in over 100 ABs.
"However, I don't know what the hell Johnson was thinking when he said he hoped Lombo could get 300+ ABs?! If he's not willing to sit Espinosa, when he's playing miserably, where were those 300 ABs going to come from??"
We're 30 games into the season and Lombo has 71 PAs. That puts him on pace for 383. Davey's actually ahead of his plan for Lombo.
Peric,
Perhaps reading comprehension isn't your strong suit so maybe you should reread my statement. I was questioning Davey's decision to bat Bernadina in a prime hitter's spot, not that he's in the line up at all. What part of that don't you understand?
As far as this little gem you wrote above:
"Johnson can and has sent players to the minors and recalled them without asking Rizzo."
And you know this, how...? Lemme guess, you play GM on TV. Honestly, Peric. You just can't seem to get out of your own way sometimes. If you're gonna criticize, at least be right or have a good point.
Danny Espinosa is the best athlete on the team?
Bryce Harper says "Hi!". If the Nats are going to grant playing time based on athletic ability, Elijah Dukes would still be in the lineup.
Also, the claim that sending him to the minors "would not help." Says who? You know what has proven not to work? Penciling him in the lineup everyday as Espinoss has steadily regressed since August 2011. This is not a guy that has had a bad day, week or even month. He has failed to produce in his last 400 at bats. At some point, it needs to sink in that the "let him play his way out of it" plan is not working.
jeffwx-
The numbers for 2012 for Lombo look good, but they're only in 71 plate appearances. I just thought people needed a reality check on the kid. He had 2000 plate appearances in the minors and he showed no signs of being a star offensively.
I think it is worth pointing it out when people are clamoring for him to replace a guy in Espi who had consistently better hitting numbers during his time in the minors. And, before the last six weeks, in the majors too.
I like Espinosa a lot and I think that he will eventually come around and be a pretty great player. But he needs a week off. Sit him down for a week and get him raring to go again.
Also, have the checked his eyes or anything? Maybe he's not seeing the ball well. It happens from time to time. Guys find out they need contacts and the problem is fixed.
Nats Lady and Peric,
No one said give up on Espinosa yet but since he's played at below replacement level for 30 games; what's wrong with letting Lombo play 10 - 20 games in a row at 2nd?
I am not suggesting he's the long term answer at 2nd but he deserves the PT now not if/when RZ gets reinjured.
blog prince said...
I like Espinosa a lot and I think that he will eventually come around and be a pretty great player. But he needs a week off. Sit him down for a week and get him raring to go again.
Seems to me part of the problem he's been having lately is that he's already TOO raring to go!
Responding to a number of comments from last post:
He is a big part of it. The Nats are last in the majors scoring runs in the 1st inning and that is squarely on Desi.
I would guess, however, that the Nats are last or close to last in almost _all_ the first six innings, no?
Sorry, but I don't buy it. These are not students or youngsters who need the experience of failing to reach their full potential. They are highly trained, and highly compensated, professional atheletes, all over the age of 20.
Hoo boy. Either you are close to 20, or far enough away that you don't remember being 20! I've got a son who's 19. 'Nuff said ;-)
One other topic in this message -- I know we're going around in circles, saying the same things, and not convincing each other, but:
ejs1111 said...
I too am in the boat of having an additional arm ready when HRod is closing... for the 2/10 times he 'doesn't have his sh*t together'
Last time I checked, this team is trying to WIN BASEBALL GAMES. If that is true, then why keep HRod in the game when he clearly doesn't have it?
The goal is to get into the playoffs -- and it's a marathon to get there, not a sprint. Sometimes short term pain pays off in long term gain.
Last year, according to fangraphs, Desmond ranked 18th in qualifying ML shortstops. This year, 10th. Definite improvement. Also, my eyes are happier, so there's that.
I could understand if Espinosa was in a slump since the beginning of the year but this goes back to before the All star break last year. I dont think its a slump at this point, its bigger than that.
I also can't remember a player that when asked if he wants to sit said yes.
The Great Unwashed said something similar to something I've been meaning to write since the 9th inning of last night:
Hanrahan comes in, and threw, how many?, at least three, perhaps four pitches to the backstop, hit a batter, and loaded the bases, with one out.
Did y'all notice the manager left him in?
Well, shoot, he batted .310 in Triple A last season and is getting on base this year.
He has the potential to help improve and get us an extra run now and again until the Morse is back.
He's not Anthony Rendon, or a power hitter like Espinosa will be once he gets straightened out, but from an OBP standpoint alone, I think he can help the current lineup while he's getting on.
And now man...I way too amped up. Need a pizza and a ball game and all will be well again.
jeffwx-
Yeah, maybe so. But you also have to consider the possible harm done to the progress of a potential gold glove 2B with 20+ HR power. Those sure don't grow on trees. Although I guess if a minor lineup setback hinders his progress in a significant way, you'd probably have to question his makeup anyway.
I'm one of the biggest fans of Davey -- but I don't get Espi starting tonight either -- unless it's because he hit a double yesterday. (I missed part of the game -- was Espi's double hitting righty or lefty?)
bowdenball
You're definitely right that we don't have enough MLB ABs to draw major conclusions about Lombo.
But you're wrong that Espi "had consistently better hitting numbers" in the minors, unless you mean only power #s.
Lombo has never had Espi's power and never will. But at AA and AAA, Lombo had a higher BA (by ~20 pts), higher OBP (by ~30 pts), and a lower strikeout rate (by ~40%).
I echo most people's questions about why espinosa is still in the line up right now when he's slumping so badly. I've even said he should be sent down to work it out. But, I said the same thing about Desmond last year and he's coming up big (for the most part) this year. I have no idea if sitting or sending Desmond down would have altered his progress, but I think you have to trust the old manager and old scout (turned gm) on this one. Blind trust? Why not, at least we've got guys in position of gm and manager who have earned it.
bowdenball writes:
But you also have to consider the possible harm done to the progress of a potential gold glove 2B with 20+ HR power. Those sure don't grow on trees.
Ding ding ding!
And since Davey himself is a former gold glove 2B with some power . . . he certainly gets it.
And Davey has shows that he gets how to motivate players, get the best out of them, instill confidence in them, etc.
And so I _assume_ Davey knows what he's doing with Espi.
It's just that it sure seems trange, and that _I_ don't know what he's thinking!
Bowdenball said- "I think it is worth pointing it out when people are clamoring for him to replace a guy in Espi who had consistently better hitting numbers during his time in the minors. And, before the last six weeks, in the majors too."
I went back and looked up Espinosa's minor league stats and compared them to Lombo's... and you know what?? I would argue that Lombo was the better overall hitter. Espi has MUCH better power potential yes. Here are the minor league numbers:
Espi: 275 Games, 1019 AB, 40 HRs, .270 BA, .365 OBP, .820 OPS... and 262 K's!
Lombo: 447 Games, 1749 AB, 17 HRs, .298 BA, .369 OBP, .780 OPS... and 265 K's, in nearly twice as many games.
Help me here someone, I understand there is not much choice in going with Bernadina, for the life of me WHY IS NOT LMOBO AT 2B!!!!! My God Davey, playing Espinoza not only is killing the team it is making it worse for him. Espinoza needs a month in the minors!
I never thought I would say this: For my poison I would rather watch HRod pitch in a 1 run game than Espinoza bat, lol
Peric is out-sycophanting NatsJack today. This is fun.
I could go either way on playing Espi over Lombo at this point. I see the benefit in letting him play out of his slump, but Lombo has performed well and deserves a few starts. Maybe this weekend. What seems nonsensical is batting him 6th behind Harper. Maybe not as nonsensical as 5th, but still.
Except for the gratuitous scatalogical insult, well played Jeffwx @5:00pm.
Lots of different metrics being bandied about. On Desmond, as NatsJack and others point out, there's no question that he's producing a bit more than last year. Not a huge amount, but some, by virtually every measurement. Bottom line: he's already at 0.8 WAR after 30 games. Last year, in 154 games, he accumulated only 1.4 WAR.
On Lombardozzi: No one is suggesting that he's an offensive savior. But he does seem to be able to get on base, which (a) isn't an out, (b) creates the potential for someone to move him along, and (c) maybe, just maybe, allows himself to be driven in by -- what do that call them? -- a hit. Small sample size? Sure. But .382 OBP is better than almost everyone else on the team.
my post was late... took me awhile to look up and type all that jargon.
I do agree with everyone. I am an Espi fan- I am rooting for him to get it turned around... and I agree that 20 HR 2B'man with solid gloves don't grow on trees.
at least Lombo gives us a chance of a base runner, pigs will fly before Espinoza gets on base!
hiramhover said...
Lombo has never had Espi's power and never will.
Historically, second basemen were light hitters who just got on base. Dan Uggla and Chase Utley have changed that in recent years, but I'd be more than happy to have a second baseman who can hit and/or draw walks, and that's not Espy right now. Why not give Lombardozzi a chance to see what he's got? He couldn't do any worse than Danny right now. We won't know what we've got in him until he gets a shot to prove or disprove himself.
Wow. Lots of Negative vibes today. So i am going to dust off a few:
The best 25 are North ( of me at least )
They are in the best shape of their lives ( the ones not on the DL)
Its a marathon not a sprint (we have 130 games left)
We are in 1st place! (Still )
GULP BANG! HAVE A BON BON!
GYFNG!!
I hope we win tonight, 3 game sweep by the Pirates would not be a good thing
NatsLady and NatsJack,
I agree that Desi's defense has been much cleaner than in the past but his OBP simply does not play anywhere near leadoff; it just can't and since he does not have the mindset to improve in this category he should not hit leadoff.
He is settling in (offensively) to be Alex Gonzalez but Alex Gonzalez batted 8th.
Eugene @ 5:44 is spot on about Lombo...
I feel the same. He is not better/more talented than Espi, he is just playing better than Espi right now. Lets play the hot bat right now... especially when scoring runs is at a premium for the Nats currently.
I remember when Davey hit 40 HR's with braves in 72
Davey keeps complaining about hitters swinging at pitches that they should take and taking pitches they should swing at. Why should the players listen to him when he plays Espi instead of Lombo? Espi is the source of this contagion, and Lombo is the antidote left sitting on the bench.
Don't blame Rizzo. Davey has all the leverage here. It is part of Davey's package, and it is Davey's call.
look, I agree in the long term about Espinoza, all I am saying is that kid needs time in the minors to work this out, keeping him here hurts the team and hurts him more
Rizzo is an awesome GM and only and idiot would be down on him. The only change that MUST be name is Eckstein HAS TO GO, he SUCKS!!!!
what value does Eckstein have???? anyone
Danny's hit last night was one of the few balls (base hit or not) he's hit to LF while batting LH. He looks like a RH hitter trying to hit LH and the numbers reflect exactly that. The switch hitting experiment is failing and it's hard to imagine that it's not getting into Danny's head. Maybe sticking with the program for 1,000 AB is the way to go with most players, but Danny isn't improving, he's regressing. Give him a break and let him try hitting RHP from the right side of the plate, where his swing is more compact.
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow
Oh, Danny boy, oh, Danny boy, I love you so.
And when you come, and all the flowers are dying
If I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be
For you will bend and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
or I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.
or And I shall rest in peace until you come to me.
or Oh, Danny boy, oh, Danny boy, I love you so.
LOL
Great Unwashed
You're right about Lombo's potential to be a low power/high OBP 2B--but that's also why bowdenball is right, that a 2B with the potential for power is not something to be discarded lightly.
Both have potential, but for different things--which only complicates the comparison, beyond the "when/how to snap Danny out of his funk--if that's what it is" question.
I'm afraid the light on Bernadina's hand is starting to blink.
Eckstein isn't the problem. Nats' hitters who had 150 AB or more post-all star break in 2011, when the Nats were healthy, put up these numbers:
Desmond .288 .342 .471 .755
Espinosa .227 .310 .352 .663
RZim .306 .361 .460 .821
Morse .299 .369 .566 .935
Ramos .288 .342 .471 .813
Werth .255 .345 .426 .770
Ankiel .246 .294 .389 .683
Even with Werth having an off-year and Espinosa trying to learn to hit LH (his RH numbers in 2011 were: .277 .354 .485 .838), the worst OBP of the group was Ankiel at .294.
When the Nats lineup includes Morse, Zim, LaRoche and Harper, everyone else will improve and you won't hear anyone calling for Eckstein to be fired.
SFnats, lol ha ha using the beta capsule, Bernadina becomes ?
About HRod and taking him out, etc. Even when Drew was the closer, DJ said he wouldn't close every game - then why is HRod the only one closing games? If HRod was our closer of the future ( dear me, my nerves could not take that), then it would make sense to bring him along and develop him for that. However - this is a stop-gap time.No reason why other guys can't get closer spots - once again, perhaps Burnett who has actually done it before. There is no reason why HRod has to go out there each and every closer opportunity. What if we EVER start winning a lot of games in a row again? How many days in a row would they run HRod out there? Somebody else would have to go in - so why not give them some experience? Please, please , let us start winning games in a row again soon! Go Nats!! So - who is playing the role of Cy Young for Pittsburgh tonight?
I think we've established Desi is not the model of a "traditional" look-at-a-lot-of-pitches-and-get-on-base lead off hitter. That's not as necessary as it used to be when players can view plenty of video of the starter before the game. But Desi is happy and more or less productive in that spot, and so it's fine with me until we have a reason to "demote" him--regrettably, he sees it as a demotion, which it isn't, really.
Checking the sky--apparently there are pigs up there because Espi got a double yesterday and acquainted himself with Bo Porter... probably a "mistake" pitch, but there you are.
I think if they sent Espi down it would be to be RHB only, meaning they give up on him switch hitting. However, most likely that would happen in the off-season. Giving Espi a day off is fine, but Davey is not going to take him out of the lineup. I told you that yesterday, and the day before... and the day before...
I don't like it, you don't like it. Grit your teeth, and tough it out, peeps!
Technically, I believe that was anatomical rather than scatological. ;-)
Except for the gratuitous scatalogical insult, well played Jeffwx @5:00pm.
Better yet--what credentials does Eckstein have that qualify him as a major league hitting coach??? I have never found any evidence that he ever played professional baseball.
Atta way, MicheleS! Great idea on the bon bon. I guess I should eat dinner first, though. :-)
MicheleS said...
Wow. Lots of Negative vibes today. So i am going to dust off a few:
The best 25 are North ( of me at least )
They are in the best shape of their lives ( the ones not on the DL)
Its a marathon not a sprint (we have 130 games left)
We are in 1st place! (Still )
GULP BANG! HAVE A BON BON!
GYFNG!!
May 10, 2012 5:47 PM
Burnett has experience, and Mattheus can close. Still, I'm not totally liking the way Davey is managing the bullpen. We'll see.
Hoo boy. Either you are close to 20, or far enough away that you don't remember being 20!
The latter I'm sorry to say, but I stand by my point. H-Rod is 25. Do you really think he needs to experience failure and learn to get through it like one of NatsLady's students?
But you also have to consider the possible harm done to the progress of a potential gold glove 2B with 20+ HR power.
So this is another case where we have to endure a whole season of terrible hitting because the player has the potential to be good? No. Playoff bound teams don't do that. We're past the stage as a team where that excuse will work. If Espi needs to spend some time in AAA or on the bench because that's best for the team so be it.
I really want Espi to succeed, believe me. I think he has tons of potential. And he's younger than Desi, so he should get more leeway. But let's stop pretending that we have to put up with bad play for some mythical future payoff.
Mick... Are you at the Duffy's Bar already? Cause the game hasn't even started and you need to pace yourself.
"I do read blogs and Tweeter and fans and the newspaper and also on the internet. I'm not immune to it, and I know these guys do it 100 times more than me.
Wow, you mean there's a chance Davey and the guys will read this? Hi Davey! Hi Ryan! Hi Bryce!
Hey, what is it with players "tryng to do too much"? Don't they know by now that if you try to do too much, if you try too hard to be a good hitter you're going to go 0-4? Don't try to do too much tonight Espi, ok? Just get on base, just get a few hits or walks.
Ok, glad that problem's solved.
222.. I posted my lineups for Davey on Mark's post about the team meeting. Maybe I should post them on the tweeter too ;-)
I was so deflated when I saw EEspi batting behind Harper. What a waste of harper. Keep him the 2 hole dump Espi, and bat lombo 5th.
Steve McCatty is a "Nationals Treasure" - just saw his interview - he seems like the absolute best type of person to handle this young staff.What a tough job!!!
Okay People, bust out those Happy Thoughts and Good Karma.
I broke out the Danny Espinosa #18 Jersey.
I predict a 4-0 win. The Nats will have at least 8 hits, one of which will be a home run.
Stras gets the win, Henry gets the Save with a 1-2-3 9th inning
Alright, Danny!
More pigs in the sky (and Lucy with diamonds)...I know nothing
And he gets thrown out by a mile. Why do people think he has potential again??? Wasn't speed supposed to be part of that. He looks awfully slow to me.
Agreed Michele, except we'll have two homers
both by Strasburg
Have we scored any runs in the first 3 innings? I know we must have, but it sure doesn't seem like it.
bryce stole home in the first
Not sure I want Stras on base after last time.
for the record, [Ian Desmond]'s hitting .357 when he puts the first pitch in play this season.
Just for fun, I wonder what his BA is in plate appearances where he swings at the first pitch, vs takes (I know, small sample size)?
Six strikeouts in a row. Wow! (And keep 'em coming.)
Seven.
That would be 7!
Let me just say that on of the students who was devastated by her performance was a strikingly beautiful married woman of about thirty with two children, a golden voice, who spoke three languages and sang her piece in two of them. She visibly stumbled, broke down, didn't finish and never came back.
It's not age, per se. It's mental toughness and the ability to overcome failure. Some have it, some don't.
harper looks like wade boggs there
Billy Beane too
Strasburg schooling the Pirates.
but he found greatness in other fields...
Never give up on yourself
And now Danny hits into a DP - the Nats are atrocious with risp.
Ummm, NatsLady, did I miss something?
Did Mark Z vanish? No updates in half an hour...
Espinosa--King of rally killers.
Really starting to understand why Davey has been fired 4 different times. He may be a good manager, but he is definitely not a great one. His ego won't let it happen.
Pirates..worst hitting team in the league
When Seaver struck out 10 in a row for the mets against the padres in 1970, Joey Foy played third base....the man the mets traded for a very hard but also very wild thrower named
Nolan Ryan.
My nomination for the worst trade ever.
So I was thinking about this Pittsburgh series - after the emotional Phil. series and the loss of JW,RZim and ALR coming back. Even though they have not looked great, I feel like there are adjustments going on that have to happen for things to get right for the rest of the season. Maybe the line-up tinkering, the team meeting, the tough abs and the weird innings are things that will toughen up the team. The pitchers are also discovering that they are mortal - (I see that the bucs have scored.)It just feels like the team is in some kind of transition. Question - why don't we walk McCutcheon?
Cwj, he may be down in the stands, visiting with friends and trying to get some offense started for the Nats. It's the Zuckerman Effect.
Nats jack in Fl, ti answer your question on what hitting coach does... its whatever Eckstein is not doing
how's Danny working out gang? I loved that DP ball, lol
a hitting instructor deals with a batter's approach to the pitcher and the pitch, that may include altering one's stance and swing. Ted Williams is 1 season improve Ed Brinkman's average 70 points and Brinkman went on to be a consistent 260 hitter the rest of his career.
Enough with the excuses FP...this team stinks and couldn't hit their way out of a paper bag. Time for the mute button.
Fear and Ignorance you may be the only sane in hear along with me, lol
At this point let's just get the heck out of pittsburgh, hit the re-set button and move on.
Wondering if both Desmond and Espinoza are just head cases?
Oh, Danny boy, the Cuse, the Cuse are calling, lol
looks like both O's and Nats are back to reality, at least the O's are losing to good teams
BERNIE!!!
Way to go, Sharkadina!
Good for Roger. Now can he keep it up?
Okay, so the 4-0 is out, but I was right about that Homer....
Jeffwx:
I will top your worse trade. The Senators in January 1971 or should I say Bob A-Hole Short (may he burn in hell until I get to kick his ass one day)traded a future 20 game winner (Joe Coleman), an All Star shortstop (Ed Brinkman) an All star 3rd baseman (Aurellio Rodrigues) for Denny McClain, Don Wert and Elliot Maddox. Only Maddox went on to be decent player
Okay, ALR. Your turn.
A.L.R.
Hey Jeff. you were right about those 2 HRS!!!!
MichelleS and I got it going on tonight. I'm just saying'.
Jeff too -- sorry, I forgot.
Power surge! Alright! Adam is scorching hot!
Imaginary High 5 with JaneB
I'm still waiting for Strasburg to go long...a special game to be sure. 12 Ks in the 6th.
I never have it goin on. Thanks JaneB.
Mick, well Denny McClain Had potential...
Big Elliot Maddox fan esp. when the Yanks got him in 74.
Stras is nibbling now. C'mon, just blow them away.
Lucky 13. Way to pitch put of the jam.
Strasburg walks a tightrope.
Well 13 Ks will suffice for tonight
Hell of a pitch by Strasburg. He was absolutely spent out there.
NJ ... Jinxed it.
Anyone holding their breathe there can stop now. I love Andrew McCutchen and I HATE Andrew McCutchen.
Time for a valium. H-Rod time!
Please, please some insurance runs for Henry...
Dang.. I got the 4 runs right!!!
RICK!!! (good name)
Wish granted. Can I have more?
Chad Tracy - the anti Matt Stairs
Wish there was some way to get Tracy in the lineup on a more regular basis.
Bourbon.. Maalox ready set go!!!!!
I honestly don't think I can watch.
Hey Mr. Bill, Henry Rodriguez is practicing his 55-foot slider.
OH NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
And heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's MPH Rod.
And heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's my bourbon and Maalox.
Cheers, ladies and gents.
45 footer!
Michele, As long as only one team gets the 4.
My life would be so dull without HROD...
More dirt balls Henry
Whew!
And almost a 1-2-3 for Henry. I am playing the lottery tomorrow.
Henry needs to come with one of those warnings :
Not advised for pregnant women or those with heart conditions ...
But it worked...
And the Nats win. Nice game...more pep talks Davey,
Who's the adolescent with Johnny Holy-Days
Fear the Henry! As much as we get on him, he's 7 for 9 in save chances - not bad.
gosh, i almost forgot!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
We are still in FIRST PLACE!!!!
Nice Prognosticating by MicheleS.
Johnny Holiday...Irrational exuberance.
It's past your bedtime Kolko.
My Gosh...Kristine's a hobbit.
Does she have magical powers ?
Sing it. R...O...D...it's as easy as 1...2...3!!! Well, and 4!!!
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