 |
Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Gio Gonzalez faces Matt Moore in tonight's series finale at Nationals Park. |
So the odds would appear to be in the Nats' favor for tonight's series finale against the Rays. Except that Gonzalez has lost two of his last three outings. And Tampa Bay starter Matt Moore has won his last three starts. Hmm...
As he's now prone to do when facing a left-hander, Davey Johnson is benching both Steve Lombardozzi and Adam LaRoche. It'll be Xavier Nady in left field and Tyler Moore at first base tonight.
One Rays note: Joel Peralta is expected to have his suspension handed down by MLB this afternoon, so there's a good chance the pine-tar-using reliever won't be available and his team will be down a man for this game.
Updates to come...
TAMPA BAY RAYS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 178
Weather: Mostly clear, 94 degrees, Wind 6 mph out to CF
NATIONALS (39-27)
2B Danny Espinosa
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Michael Morse
SS Ian Desmond
1B Tyler Moore
LF Xavier Nady
C Jesus Flores
LHP Gio Gonzalez
RAYS (38-30)
LF Desmond Jennings
1B Carlos Pena
CF B.J. Upton
2B Ben Zobrist
RF Hideki Matsui
SS Sean Rodriguez
C Jose Lobaton
3B Drew Sutton
LHP Matt Moore
UMPIRES
HP Cory Blaser, 1B Chris Guccione, 2B Tim Tschida (cc), 3B Jeff Nelson
5:00 p.m. -- Here's your Joel Peralta update: He has officially been suspended eight games by Major League Baseball for having pine tar in his glove. Peralta, though, has appealed the suspension, so he remains on the Rays' active roster and is eligible to pitch tonight.
5:05 p.m. -- Couple of injury updates to pass along: Mark DeRosa is beginning a rehab assignment with Class A Potomac tonight. He'll start at third base. Jayson Werth, meanwhile, is in full uniform and is on the field for batting practice today. He's not really participating, just making a few light throws. But I believe this is the first time we've seen him out there since breaking his wrist on May 6.
7:06 p.m. -- We are underway on another sizzling night in the District. With the thermometer reading 97 degrees, Gio Gonzalez fires a fastball to Desmond Jennings for ball one.
7:14 p.m. -- Gio was actually a bit off with his command in that first inning. He issued a one-out walk to Carlos Pena, then let him advance to second on a wild pitch. He didn't suffer any actual damage, closing out the inning with a pop-up and then a groundout to short, but he wound up throwing more balls (nine) than strikes (eight) in that inning.
7:19 p.m. -- Davey Johnson this afternoon was describing the hitting approach he preaches. "I call it 'patiently aggressive,'" the manager said, then adding: "We leave out the patiently part." They certainly did in the bottom of the first. Matt Moore needed all of eight pitches to retire the side, only three pitches to retire the first two batters. Danny Espinosa popped out on an 1-0 pitch, while Bryce Harper flied out on the first pitch. Ryan Zimmerman managed to work the count a bit but still struck out ... and was greeted with a few boos as the first inning came to a close.
7:37 p.m. -- Gio really hasn't been himself here early on. He's falling behind just about every batter, he walked two of the first five hitters he faced, and he gave up a bases-loaded single to Jennings to put the Rays up 1-0. After falling behind 2-0 to Pena, Steve McCatty emerged for a very early mound conference with the lefty. Gonzalez battled back and got a big strikeout of Pena on a 95 mph fastball to keep the damage to a minimum. But he's already at 50 pitches through two innings, and the Nats trail early.
7:54 p.m. -- Good news: The Nats recorded their first hit off Rays pitching in 10 innings! Naturally, it was Xavier Nady who delivered the big hit. Third baseman Drew Sutton then booted Jesus Flores' grounder to prolong the inning, but I think you've got to question Bo Porter for not waving Tyler Moore around third on that play. He might not have been able to score, but with two outs and Gio coming up to bat, it seemed like that would be worth the risk. It especially looked bad when Gio struck out on three pitches to end the bottom of the second, the Nats still trailing 1-0.
8:18 p.m. -- Well, that was an interesting rally from the Nationals. And by "interesting," I mean "unconventional." Espinosa and Harper drew a pair of walks to lead off the third, bringing Zimmerman to the plate in a big spot. What did Zim do? He swung and missed a first-pitch fastball low and outside, then swung and missed a fastball right down the middle. After fouling off a couple, he took a changeup over the plate for a killer strikeout, leading to a few more boos from the crowd. He's now hitting .224 for the season. Not good. Fortunately, Morse delivered a sac fly to bring one run home (after Espinosa and Harper pulled off a double steal). And then Desmond delivered an RBI single up the middle to make it 2-1 ... then swiped second base as Pena held the ball waiting to give it back to the pitcher. Bizarre moment, but great hustle from Desmond.
8:33 p.m. -- It truly is staggering just how much better contact Espinosa makes from the right side of the plate vs. the left side. He just crushed a double down the left-field line in the bottom of the fourth, yet another impressive hit from the right side. Gio Gonzalez, meanwhile, has settled down impressively over the last two innings, needing only 19 pitches to record six outs. He'll take the mound for the fifth at a very manageable 69 pitches for the night, with the Nats still leading 2-1.
8:40 p.m. -- Boy, are the Nats flashing the leather tonight or what? They've made several highlight-reel plays in the field, a couple by Zimmerman and then a brilliant one by Desmond just now on Jennings' grounder up the middle in the top of the fifth. That sparkling defense has helped Gio retire 10 of the last 11 batters he's faced.
8:47 p.m. -- Zim is now 0-for-3 with three strikeouts (two looking) tonight. He hasn't come close to making solid contact.
9:05 p.m. -- And the Rays get the tying run back in the top of the sixth. Ben Zobrist led off with a double, then scored on Sean Rodriguez's single to center. Gio got himself into even more of a jam when he had two on with two out, but he came up big to strike out pinch-hitter Elliot Johnson to end the inning. So it's now 2-2 heading to the bottom of the sixth and look who's coming in to pitch for the Rays? Yes, it's Joel Peralta! Might as well get his work in now before the suspension takes effect.
9:22 p.m. -- So, I guess Danny Espinosa can hit left-handed after all. Espi comes through with a huge, two-out, two-run double into the right-field corner, scoring both Jesus Flores (who started the rally with a double to deep left) and Adam LaRoche (who pinch-hit for Gio Gonzalez and was intentionally walked). So all of a sudden, the Nats have taken a 4-2 lead as Craig Stammen enters for the seventh.
9:50 p.m. -- The top of the seventh inning only took, oh, 28 minutes to complete. It included three relievers and three walks, but ultimately ended with Ryan Mattheus striking out Will Rhymes on a 3-2 fastball, then pumping his fist with delight as the inning came to a close. The lead remains 4-2 as this game slogs along at a snail's pace. Fortunately, it's only 97 degrees tonight.
10:05 p.m. -- The Nats add a run in the bottom of the seventh on Roger Bernadina's RBI double ... though Rick Ankiel was thrown at the plate and threw his arms out at Jesus Flores, who was on-deck but never motioned for Ankiel to slide. It's 5-2 entering the eighth.
10:18 p.m. -- We go to the ninth, and here is Tyler Clippard in search of his 11th save in as many tries since taking over closing duties.
10:28 p.m. -- It's all over. Nats win 5-2 and take another series from another tough AL East opponent. They're now 17-12 in this brutal stretch of 32 consecutive games against teams from both East divisions.
11:05 p.m. -- One last thing to share in the game thread ... I had the opportunity to meet a very special girl today, Isabella Fiorio, a 7-year-old who attended tonight's game via Toyota's Ks for Kids Program. Isabella is currently receiving treatment at The Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health for a rare genetic disease. She's a big Nats fan (not to mention a Nats Insider fan) and was thrilled to be at her very first game tonight with her mom, Courtney. They had a blast, eating cotton candy and peanuts, visiting the press box for a few minutes (and of course watching a Nats win). It was great getting to meet Isabella and Courtney tonight, and thanks to Meredith Daly of The Children's Inn for helping arrange it...
166 comments:
GO GIO!!!!!! Go Tyler!! Go XNady give us at least 1 more chance to cheer you!! (I have to especially since we all have him DFA'd in about a week)
GYFNG!!!!!!
Lets go Nats
Kets get many hits tonight.
Zim it is a lefty pitching time to break the slump.
Nat Gio - Lets rock and roll!
GO NATS!
Would be nice to see Nady showcase himself for a new job. No matter what Gio does, it's not about the pitching at this point. It's about the lack of hitting. And we can't just hope that Moore,( the pitcher, not the rookie 1B), has a bad outing, or inning. They have to actually hit good pitching to stay the course this season. So tonight I am going with GO HITTERS!!! Oh, Zim, please wake up. And bring your friend Mikey along with you. And how about some more good rookie stuff tonight, too? BHarp, Lombo and Moore --keep it up, guys!
Benching is such a strong word, can't we say that Davey's opting to use a RH-heavy lineup against the Ray's lefty?
Nady is an interesting start though, but you've got to get all the guys some reps, especially the veterans.
Well, seeing as how things have a way of evening out, I'm thinking that Gio is due for a win. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Go, GIO!! Go, NATS!!
Except that Gonzalez has lost two of his last three outings. And Tampa Bay starter Matt Moore has won his last three starts. Hmm...
Remember in the spring Davey talked about giving LaRoche a lot of rest vs. lefties. Well, his hot start and Norse injury changed things 0 til now!
MLB@MLB
BREAKING: Rays reliever Joel Peralta suspended 8 games for possessing a foreign substance on his glove on Tuesday. He has appealed.
Scooter said...
Speaking of things to savor, you're on quite a roll. Plural of bag of balls, DLing healthy guys, too much to name 'em all. You may stay after and clean the erasers.
June 21, 2012 3:20 PM
From what I understand, the player can put in a complaint with the Players Union for a disputed DL stint.
Most don't complain as it is the kiss of death if they do. I don't buy that Henry's hand or fingers were the problem, it was his head. Fix it if you can Mr. McCatty!!!
So if Peralta has put in an appeal, that means he is available again tonight? I am figuring his team will be angrier tonight now that they know he will be missing games. Pretty obvious that this was not a marginal offense.
8 gm suspension for a reliever is equivalent to a 15-20 game ban for a starter. In past suspensions, a pitcher's frequency of playing was a part of the suspension. I wonder if the amount of pine tar found was a big factor also.
In any case, our pitchers better have their gloves cleaned out by the clubhouse attendants.
Continuing the discussion of HRod:
Someone wrote:
How can you trust this guy with a 1 or 2 run lead of a 1 or 2 run deficit.
I wrote:
Well, the short answer is: you can't trust him now, but at age 25 it's too early to decide that he'll never get it. It's just too much raw talent to not keep trying.
Ghost Of Steve M. said..
I will say it again, 1st place teams stay in 1st place when they don't put unqualified people into spots that will hurt their team.
My response:
And _I_ will say again (granted, I haven't said it this year, but did last year) that a GM's job is not just "this year" but "the next five years". That's how you build a dynasty. That's why you don't do things like sign a 10-year for Prince Fielder. And so they will do everything they can for HRod. Perhaps just DL (someone asked, did anyone answer, if DL can be used for psychological reasons); or perhaps stuck in mop-up only situations; whatever.
But I think the Nats will do everything they can to keep him in the organization, based, again, on raw talent, plus his age.
Hey -- who's going to the game tonight and where will be you be?!
I'll be in a group of *twelve* (including my baseball-student-17-year-old-daughter) in Sec 307.
My friend and I will be in the hot seats (in the sun all day ) in 135...ouch
Hey, DCWonk - have fun tonight. Even though there were dire weather warnings yesterday it wasn't bad at the game. Seems like there is always a breeze.
I'll be in Sec. 134. GONATS!
Hey, DCWonk - have fun tonight. Even though there were dire weather warnings yesterday it wasn't bad at the game. Seems like there is always a breeze.
Thanks. You can be sure that I picked seats that will be in the shade!
jeffwx -- 135?! -- well, sunset is around 8:30 these days ;-)
Don't forget to hydrate, all of y'all who are going.
Nah, I was in 135 last night with my older (28 y.o.) daughter -- apart from a little sun in the eyes until it went behind the 3d deck in the bottom of the 1st IIRC, it was surprisingly much less uncomfortable than I expected.
Much lower humidity than it generally is in DC with those kinds of summer temps, so it really wasn't oppressive.
I'm up in 311 tonight with a couple of friends so also hoping for some gentle breezes off the river...?
Steady Eddie -- where in 311? Perhaps we'll try to stop by!
natsfan1a said...
Don't forget to hydrate, all of y'all who are going.
I can hear Mrs Wonk right now -- asserting that: "drinking beer is hydrating, right?"
If you find yourself behind one of the giant groups of teens wearing matching shirts in town from other states - run. If you are sitting behind them you will not be able to see anything because they are standing up the entire time. They were only slightly aware that anything was happening on the field. We moved, but it was hard to avoid them - they left after the 7th. Yes, they are cheap tickets - but we like it up there, it's breezy and you can actually see well, and it makes financial sense. But we have never seen a vendor or an usher. Seriously, guys - switch seats.
Yes, the dewpoints are in the 60s...real DC heat starts with dewpoints in the mid 70's to around 80...too bad I still don't drink alcohol so other beverages will have to do.
Unfortunately, I sit the next to the Nats Crazy clown guy (row C) who insists on running up and down the row after a homerun thereby knocking over everything and everyone in site. Hopefully, beers will be a flyin.
Go Nats!!!
Mad dogs and Englishmen
Go out in the midday sun.
The toughest Burmese bandit
Can never understand it.
In Rangoon
The heat of noon
Is just what the natives shun,
They put their Scotch
Or Rye down
And lie down.
In a jungle town
Where the sun beats down
To the rage of man and beast,
The English garb
Of the English sahib
Merely gets a bit more creased.
In Bangkok
At twelve'o'clock
They foam at the mouth and run,
But mad dogs and Englishmen
Go out in the midday sun. -- Noel Coward
I am neither a mad dog nor an Englishman. I shall therefore watch tonight's game from the cool comfort of my TV room, whilst sipping a gin and tonic. Or two. Or three. And with each sip, I shall raise a toast to the army of the British East India Company in India, who invented the drink, for medicinal purposes.
Cheerio!
DCWonk -- Row H.
jeffwx -- I was a little concerned about our 21 game package seats being in the row right behind Tripp (though fortunately on the home plate side so he's not popping up like a jack-in-the-box in front of us), but he's really OK. Mildly entertaining, and most important considerate in that he ALWAYS sits down before the next pitch. Would that the self-involved jerks standing around chatting with their friends or talking loudly on their cells -- or the kids swami mentioned -- were as considerate.
Would love to see Gio regain his form tonight. He has an ERA over 4.20 and far too many walks in his last 3.
Stay hot Tyler Moore! GYFNG
According to baseball reference.com, the nats are 27,155 away from the one million mark in attendance this year. Will they make it tonight?
my cousin tried to persuade me to go to the game (doesn't happen often) but I didn't because of weather. it is insane out there.
hope we continue on another winning streak.
Saw Norris' video also. Cool for his debut. Wish him well.
Well, that went well.......
Watching Zim bat is beyond frustrating that a Rookie falls behind 2-0 and then throws 3 consecutive fastballs that Zim swung through and missed at.
Yes, Zim needs to bat 7th
Gio needs to try that high fastball. He lives on the bottom of the strike zone but the high strikes work too.
Tale of this inning. Don't walk the lefty Matsui.
7:19 p.m. -- Ryan Zimmerman managed to work the count a bit but still struck out ... and was greeted with a few boos as the first inning came to a close.
_________________________________
Wow, a few boos.
Is the ump sqeezing Gio?
In Sec 131 and can't tell.
MicheleS, he blew 1 strike against Pena real bad. The rest are 1/2 a ball low.
Perfect game is over.
He is not missing by much on some of them but some are waaay off. He let it get his goat, though. Once again, it won't matter if our hitters don't start getting it together. Desi took some pitches,TMo walked. A good sign?
I thought Tyler Moore didn't get walks? I think he has 3 in the last week. Respect to a legit power hitter. Bat Moore 2nd, Bryce 3rd and Zim 7th.
No hitter is over.
Nats quickly 0-2 w/ RISP
At least they're making Moore work. He's at 40 pitches after two innings.
What a play by Desi on that chopper from Upton.
Nice 1-2-3 top of the third. Did the Rays and Nats switch unis?
Matsui batting .164 and caused all the problems in the 2nd for Gio when he walked him to lead off the 2nd inning.
Gio all season has been his own worse enemy with these lead-off walks
Oppo Boppo time!!!!
Should Zim be bunting......
DP from the DP machine??
....or a 3 run jack?
Three words for RZ -- ADVANCE THESE RUNNERS!!!
or a 1st pitch out of strike zone strike 1 swinging and a strike 2 swing and miss. Yeesh
What Zim did swinging at the 1st pitch after a walk was just a cry of desperation. Real sad and the darn ball was out of the zone.
Please Davey, how much does this guy have to hurt this team?
The bunt would have helped if you are going to K or GIDP
Zimmerman has made contact only twice tonight - both foul balls. He's going to hear a lot more booing if he doesn't figure things out soon.
Candide said...
Zimmerman has made contact only twice tonight - both foul balls. He's going to hear a lot more booing if he doesn't figure things out soon.
June 21, 2012 8:10 PM
________________________________
I don't like boo'ing your own players. Davey has to get the #*$&# to move him to 7th in the order.
At least he didn't go down on three pitches or hit into a dp.
Good analysis of Upton's throw by FP.
Gonat, I don't boo my team. I also don't do the wave. Doesn't mean other people don't and won't do it.
I love this kid Ian Desmond.
This team has 8 guys on the field thinking team team team and 1 guy saying we we we but hasn't said the words Morse said to Davey on Sunday. Even if he said it now, it would be meaningless. An after thought.
C'man Nady, chance for a big inning - don't blow it.
Spoke too soon.
Nady crushed that ball and nothing to show for it. I think that is the furthest he's hit a ball considering his 1st HR was a 370 ft wall scraper.
I'm getting to the point to where I'm glad to see Zim K because he's an auto 6-4-3. I'm really, really concerned about him. However, how awesome has Desi been this year? Mr. Clutch, and where did this power come from?
Good crowd tonight in spite of the heat.
At least zim doesn't take his hitting to third base with him. It's like having 2 pitcher's spots. 3 when Danny is hitting from the left.
Candide said...
Gonat, I don't boo my team. I also don't do the wave. Doesn't mean other people don't and won't do it.
June 21, 2012 8:15 PM
_____________________________
I knew what you meant. I'm referring to the people who will do that but including most of NatsTown, everyone is frustrated and so is Zim.
Best thing would be a 15 day DL, get his mind cleared, get some real rehab where he can find his swing and come back.
baseballswami said...
At least zim doesn't take his hitting to third base with him. It's like having 2 pitcher's spots. 3 when Danny is hitting from the left.
June 21, 2012 8:23 PM
_______________________________
I am laughing and unfortunately it is true.
Yeah, if Z's shoulder is hurting him, it's not showing when he's throwing.
Gio's smiling again. I'm feeling a little better.
baseballswami, Strasburg and JZim are hitting better than RZ right now.
Let's get some positive vibes in Zim's direction.
Good news Zim leads off next inning which means no double-play
Ghost Of Steve M. said...
baseballswami, Strasburg and JZim are hitting better than RZ right now.
Let's get some positive vibes in Zim's direction.
June 21, 2012 8:33 PM
________________________________
Good point on the pitchers. EJax can handle the bat also.
Of course we all want Zim to get off the schnide.
I love zim. It's not really his slump that I find annoying right now. I know he is low key but I see zero competitive fire from him. I know he cares but he doesn't even look upset at anything, is he really that stoic?
Gio climbed the ladder on the 1-2. Didn't get the K but who cares because Desi gets a WebGem on Jennings.
BTW, great scoop by Tyler Moore.
I love being wrong sometimes. Tyler Moore has shown soft hands at 1st. Has he been coached up by LaRoche?
Last night BHarp and Lombo with great catches, tonight Moore with a pick - love me some rookies.
Zim will hit an ambush HR here
baseballswami said...
I love zim. It's not really his slump that I find annoying right now. I know he is low key but I see zero competitive fire from him. I know he cares but he doesn't even look upset at anything, is he really that stoic?
Could be. There was a game a month or two ago when Znn got pulled while trailing something like 3-2. Guy is as stoic as they come. But when he got into the dugout, the camera followed him in and you could hear him scream an f-bomb.
baseballswami said...
Last night BHarp and Lombo with great catches, tonight Moore with a pick - love me some rookies.
June 21, 2012 8:41 PM
____________________________
Can't say it enough that these 3 rooks have won multiple ballgames for this team.
Teddy WINS!!!
Well, in a sense he does. I'm at home in Florida where tonight's viewer text poll on the Rays' TV broadcast asked which of the Racing Rushmores would win tonight's Main Event. Teddy came in first with 36 pct. of the total votes cast.
Oh, if only those poor voters knew. (SIGH)
One K away from a golden sombrero..
Gonat said...
Zim will hit an ambush HR here
June 21, 2012 8:41 PM
__________________________
OK, tried positivity for RZim. Didn't work. At least he made contact on 2 fouls. :0(
It would seem that even the worst hitters would accidentally run into one once in a while. Sigh at least a k is better than a dp.
I truly hope it's just a slump.
8:33 p.m. -- It truly is staggering just how much better contact Espinosa makes from the right side of the plate vs. the left side. He just crushed a double down the left-field line in the bottom of the fourth, yet another impressive hit from the right side.
______________________________________
How silly did he make many in NatsTown look with his "batters eye" alibi in Spring Training? Many took the bait or the hamate bone reasoning.
Mechanics is mechanics and until he changes that and his high strike zone swings he won't greatly improve from the left-hand side. Yes, he has shown the ability to be on a hot streak from the left-side but those streaks haven't lasted long.
Would Madden try a squeeze?
Time for Gio to get a much needed K
I love zim. It's not really his slump that I find annoying right now. I know he is low key but I see zero competitive fire from him. I know he cares but he doesn't even look upset at anything, is he really that stoic?
I dunno, Swami, he looks like he could bite the heads off live chickens to me, looking at his eyes as he goes back to the dugout. I know that look. Stoic is as good a word as any for it, but I think he's just not an extroverted guy.
The thing I don't get with the switch hitting splits is that he should at least be determining balls and strikes the same way. That's what I don't get about Espi. About Zim - maybe he needs to hit bottom? And this could be it? Truly puzzling and very sad to watch. I never thought I would see Ryan Zimmerman getting booed by our fans at Nats Park. Is this Boston or Philadelphia?
Great point from FP and Bob, where is the killer curveball?
I think this is Gio's first game in any kind of East Coast heat.The weather has been pretty cool for early summer up until now. Looks to me like his hands are super sweaty and he is having grip troubles. Maybe little pine tar in the glove? Oh- no, maybe not.
Bye bye Matt Moore. See you in the World Series.
I hope so , Gonat - that will mean that the Rays have defeated the Evil Empire, the Texas Rangers, and Pujols and co. Looks like Moore is out of the game. Let's see what we do with that. Peralta again? A pitcher who has no need to hold back because he knows he is going to be getting some rest soon?
Thank you Gio. Aggressive. You saved yourself from a bad inning getting worse with that power fastball on the black.
Truth. In the first inning did you think that Gio would still be in the game in the sixth and that the rays would only have 2?
Gonat on that Strike 3 Gio smacked Flores mitt. Didnt move the mitt an inch.
Tyler Moore would be a more effective #3 hitter to give Zim a long rest and Harper some protection.
Need a shark attack here. Just need him on base.
Espi is the hero now. Lefty, uh hum, don't walk the guy in front of him.
Take that, Mr. Greaseman.
Yea Danny!!!!! I don't know about you guys but koolaid on a hot night tastes really good!!!
Lol Sunshine... So nice to see Danny do that. Zim, you watching Danny? You watching TMo take a billion pitches tonight?
Greasey tar sleeve gets hit hard.
Come on Stammen. Really, a walk to start your inning?
Nats need some of the Zim GIDP right now.
It's like The Hothouse, by Harold Pinetar.
Joel Peralta's new nickname is Tar-zan
I got an endorsement deal for him.
Craig my man, you can't walk the leadoff man. That is twice recently you did that. Jennings is batting .244 and you pitch him like a .344
OK, outs all over the place now. Catch a ball, tag a base.
I feel like i am having a root canal right now with all these walks
I have an uncontrollable urge to scream. Is it really wise for Davey to blow 3 pitchers in one inning? Argggggggggh!
Mattheus now the hero of the game. Sorry Danny!
Davey doesn't have much choice if the first two guys can't find the strike zone with a GPS. And Mattheus was one more effing breaking ball from walking in a run.
Talk about feeling like you're having a root canal--That's gotta be how he's feeling at the plate.
No golden sombrero for Ryan tonight!
Mike Gonzalez with a slider with 7 inch break isn't getting the lefty to bite. Have we seen enough or is there anything else?
Zim in low leverage with a nice AB.
Horrible K call on Morse. WTH is the ump looking at?
Optioms or not I don't see how Stammen and Matrheus don'y stay on the big club
All the home plate calls have gone against the Nats. You can't give 2 balls off of the plate a K call.
What is Zim doing sliding head first?
Somebody get the bubble wrap...
@MicheleS: Can I mix a little bourbon and Maalox with your koolaid?
Gonat ... agreed on the HP ump, terrible
Especially when a previous pitch in the exact same place was a ball. Nice to see zim on base. And stealing. But head first? Has anyone else noticed that zim has some kind of bandage on his hand?
Yep, a shark attack! Who sent Ankiel? That's embarrassing how far he was out.
Bo does get a pass after his hops on the errant throw last night.
Why didn't Rick slide?
baseballswami, he was so far away from the plate that you put up the white flag.
Because he was only halfway to home when he was out?
PINE Tar ...
Nothing but PINE Tar ...
If they should find tar,
How great would that be?
He didn't slide because he would have ended up 3 feet short of home like the GEICO caveman, butt-scooting to get to the plate...
mick said...
Gonat ... agreed on the HP ump, terrible
June 21, 2012 10:01 PM
_____________________________
Hate to see a pitch missed by that much on a 4 seam fastball. I could understand a wicked hook but a 4 seamer?
No excuse.
So he finally gets on base and then he makes the third out at home. I know that bo sent him but he could have tried .
But all of your answers were very entertaining!
Philthies lost and the Red Sox with a 3 run 8th to take the lead in Beantown
I don't have too much problem with Ankiel going there. The ball was bobbled in the outfield, and the TB D hasn't been that good. You're up 3, late, and Bo likes to push it along.
And that's what running looks like, when Rick is doing it.
Moose said...
He didn't slide because he would have ended up 3 feet short of home like the GEICO caveman, butt-scooting to get to the plate...
June 21, 2012 10:09 PM
_____________________________
Love it. A MOOSE sighting which means the Bull Moose, Tyler Moose, Beast Moose, Ramoose, and the Mooseketeers are close!
FP: "Danny Espinosa playing out of his uniform tonight."
Currently Strawberry Blonde Cubs Fan Wife: "I wouldn't turn away."
Sofa.. i agree with strawberry blonde cubs fan 100%
Yeah, but if you had to pick ... gotta go with Roger, no?
Fp has a way with words.
Marlins just lost!
Nope Danny all the way.
@ the ladies
eyes are up here!
Very satisfying Win. This is why the Wang meltdown was real bad as the Nats are much better than this configured Tampa team.
40th Culy W
Did we ever hear an attendance figure?
29,951
Wow, Danny's not much taller than Kristina.
Thanks, DJ.
on to play the BaltiMORONS, lol
almost 30,000 tonight... any doubt that DC is not a baseball town should be wiped out. When Tampa went to the WS, they did not even draw 10,000 on a week night
"WOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
(Copyright, MicheleS, 2011.)
And it's onto Ball-mer.
hope R Zim's hit is a start for the weekend
It's a front-runner town. They'll show up for a winner. When they stop getting up in the middle of an at-bat, I'll reconsider.
Last night at the park, tonight on tv-end of the game, big crowd chanting-just gives me chills. Yes!!!!!!!
swami and soul... not yet like Yankee stadium, but getting there
Soul, 1,002,000
It's getting better, no question.
This DC is a front-runner town stuff is nonsense. Folks still flock to Skins games after 20 years and counting of futility, the Caps have drawn despite failing in the only part of the NHL season that matters year after year after year, the Wizards draw way beyond what their 30+ years of sorry records deserve and the Nats have finished higher in attendance than their record every season but 2 and one of those was the final year in RFK when NOTHING, NOTHING was done to improve the fan experience or celebrate baseball in DC or the Senators. DC was, is and will be a good sports town. Don't give me Boston and St. Louis and Pittsburgh - those teams have had about 500 winning seasons and loads of championships in the past 510 sports seasons. Funny how all the "great sports towns" are perennial winners. Human nature is human nature - winners draw, losers don't. Enough already, let us Nats fans enjoy the win tonight! If the keep getting Curly W's the fans will show up -- in droves.
I'm glad I came to the game thread late enough to see that picture at the end. Very sweet. Good man, Mark Zuckerman.
Me, too, on the picture. Thanks for sharing, Mark. (Hi, Isabella and Courtney! :-))
Mark, thanks for sharing the picture! HI Isabella!!!!!
Post a Comment