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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Ross Detwiler tries to pitch the Nats to a series victory at Camden Yards. |
Yes, Zimmerman is back in Davey Johnson's lineup for today's series finale against the Orioles, back at third base and in the No. 3 spot in the batting order. This despite a .218 average, .590 OPS and last night's admission that he may need a cortisone shot and another DL stint at some point.
Ross Detwiler, meanwhile, makes his return to the rotation today after spending the last three weeks in the bullpen. The left-hander believes he's built his arm strength up enough to approach 100 pitches if needed, but we'll see how far Johnson lets him go.
It's another beautiful day for baseball. Plenty of updates to come...
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Where: Camden Yards
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MASN2, CH. 50, MLB.tv
Radio: WWXT (92.7 FM), WWXX (94.3 FM), WJFK (106.7 FM), WTEM (980 AM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 178
Weather: Partly cloudy, 91 degrees, Wind 6 mph out to LF
NATIONALS (41-28)
LF Steve Lombardozzi
RF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
DH Michael Morse
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
CF Rick Ankiel
C Jhonatan Solano
(LHP Ross Detwiler)
ORIOLES (40-31)
2B Brian Roberts
SS J.J. Hardy
CF Adam Jones
C Matt Wieters
1B Mark Reynolds
RF Steve Pearce
DH Ronny Paulino
LF Steve Tolleson
3B Robert Andino
(RHP Jake Arrieta)
UMPIRES
HP David Rackley, 1B Alfonso Marquez, 2B Brian O'Nora, 3B Tom Hallion (cc)
1:36 p.m. -- This ballgame is underway with a ball outside from Jake Arrieta to Steve Lombardozzi. It's 88 degrees with some cloud cover starting to develop.
1:45 p.m. -- I think we just saw distinct evidence of Ryan Zimmerman's shoulder injury. He actually drove a pitch from Arrieta to deep right-center, a ball that off the bat sounded like it might carry all the way to the fence. Instead, it died short of the warning track, with Adam Jones making the catch. If Zim's shoulder feels right, that ball is struck with a lot more oomph.
1:52 p.m. -- Good stuff from Ross Detwiler in his first inning back in the rotation. He struck out Brian Roberts on a 1-2 curveball, then got both J.J. Hardy and Jones to fly out to right. Only 11 pitches (nine strikes) from the lefty. For the record, Detwiler would need to throw seven scoreless innings today to lower his ERA to 3.00 and join the rest of the Nats rotation statistically speaking. Probably a long shot to happen.
2:09 p.m. -- Another strong inning for Detwiler, who retired the side in the bottom of the second on 16 pitches, striking out Steve Pearce on a 3-2 breaking ball to end the frame. He's not messing around out there on the mound. Exactly how the Nats want him to approach things. Still scoreless through two.
2:23 p.m. -- Three surprising moments from the top of the third ... 1) Jhonatan Solano sent a leadoff double down the right-field line. He's now hitting -- get this -- .429 in the big leagues. Who knew? ... 2) Bryce Harper grounded into his first major-league double play. In his 213th plate appearance up here. Pretty amazing ... 3) Ryan Zimmerman smoked an RBI single over the shortstop's head, connecting on a 95 mph fastball for his hardest-hit ball in weeks. Yes, his shoulder is hurting. But how bad can it hurt for him to still be able to do that? The Nats take a 1-0 lead.
2:51 p.m. -- Detwiler's first big test of the day came in the bottom of the fourth after he served up a couple of singles and then issued a two-out, four-pitch walk to Pearce to load the bases. Steve McCatty came out for a spirited chat with the lefty, who responded well. Detwiler got Ronny Paulino to fly out to deep right field to end the inning without a run crossing the plate. So it remains 1-0 heading to the fifth.
3:09 p.m. -- Detwiler's afternoon is progressively devolving into something less-than-spectacular. He again labored in the fifth, issuing a one-out single and then a four-pitch walk to Brian Roberts. Clearly miffed at plate umpire David Rackley's strike zone, Detwiler was starting to show that lack of composure on the mound that has gotten him into trouble in the past. McCatty came out for another visit, but Detwiler was lucky to get out of that fifth inning in one piece. He needed a great play from Zimmerman for the second out and then caught a break as Jones just missed his hanging breaking ball, flying out to the warning track in left. It's still 1-0 after five, but Detwiler's day could well be over.
3:28 p.m. -- Wasted opportunity for the Nats in the top of the sixth as Bryce Harper turns a routine single to center into a hustle double, then gets stranded in scoring position as Zimmerman and Morse strike out and Desmond pops out. Detwiler is indeed done after five scoreless innings and 82 pitches, so it's Craig Stammen to pitch the top of the sixth, protecting a 1-0 lead.
3:39 p.m. -- Can the Nats really make that one early run hold up today? They're certainly trying to, because the lineup isn't doing much of anything. Stammen retired the side in the sixth, and he's back out for the seventh. If this goes well, things are set up nicely for Sean Burnett in the eighth and Tyler Clippard in the ninth.
3:52 p.m. -- Now, I'm no baseball expert, but I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest Stammen wanted to walk Robert Andino on four pitches and put the tying run in scoring position for Brian Roberts in the bottom of the seventh. Then again, this is why I'm no baseball expert, because Stammen managed to pitch his way out of that jam. He got Roberts to ground out weakly to first, then got J.J. Hardy to ground out to third, ending the inning. It's still 1-0 Nats as we head to the eighth.
4:02 p.m. -- I suppose it's only fitting that Zimmerman has collected two hits today, barely 12 hours removed from acknowledging his shoulder has been bothering him. Not that anyone else in the lineup is producing. We go to the bottom of the eighth, it's still 1-0 and Sean Burnett is now on the mound.
4:07 p.m. -- Hate to say it, but you just had a sense something like this was bound to happen eventually. Burnett serves up a leadoff single to Adam Jones, then a towering, two-run homer to Matt Wieters into the Orioles bullpen. Just like that, the Nats trail 2-1 and are three outs from losing this game.
4:16 p.m. -- OK, last chance for the Nats. It'll be Morse, Desmond and Espinosa vs. Jim Johnson in the ninth.
4:25 p.m. -- It's over. The Nats lose a heartbreaker, 2-1, as Espinosa strikes out and Desmond is thrown out trying to steal second. That's as crushing a loss as they've experienced in a while, and this one clinched the season series for the Orioles, who take the 2012 Battle of the Beltways 4 games to 2.
113 comments:
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Given Zim's admission that he can't catch up to fastballs with his shoulder the way it is, I'm surprised that Davey continues to put him in the lineup.
There's a degree of desperation here that seems to have little professional baseball merit.
Darn you Johnson, you always get the last word...you are the man, you win.
Probably his last day before he goes on DL again?
Without him, Lombo starts 3B and Moore in LF or if DeRosa is back, he will probably replace RZ at 3b.
Harper has 211 PA. So, if he could get 6 PA today, he'll qualify, right? (OK, yes, I know it's doubtful -- when was the last time the Nats batted around 5 times in a games . . . )
We did bat around 5 times in that 14 inning fiasco against the Yankees. Harper struck out 5 times and went 0-7. For his sake, and the sake of the bullpen, let's hope that doesn't happen again anytime soon!
Nice picture of the park, Mark.
It looks great, almost animated.
Cosnidering DeRosa could come back soon, he'd be a nice replacement for Zim. He's not as good as Zim is when Ryan's at his best, but he'll be enough to fill in if Zim is going to be out for two weeks on the DL. If DeRosa's not going to be back tonight, he could be leaving Zim in for one more day to see if he can get it together, otherwise he'll go to the DL and DeRosa will come back to play at third.
Taino in DC said...
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Who needs different results? The Nats have been playing close to a .600 clip even with an injured RZ -- I'll keep taking that!
(OK, granted, RZ was out for some games, I didn't bother figuring out what the pct is for with and without)
when Zim goes on DL, will Lombo play 3rd. It seems to make the most sense, you could have Moore, Harper and Morse in outfield, Lombo, Desmod Espi and LaRoche infield.
I really do not want to see DeRosa in lineup, can the guy even hit?
Don't get too excited about replacing DeRosa replacing Zimmerman! Have you forgotten that DeRosa batted a remarkable .081/.227/.081 before he got hurt?? He's also batting .000 in three games in the minors.
For as bad as Zimm's batting stats have been, they're positively Ruthian compared to DeRosa.
Mick, you beat me to it. But the answer to your question is 'no,' and he hasn't been able to for three years now.
Will... so it seems like Lombo should be the guy, if not is Youklis available for trade
NatsJack, no.
Have you been paying attention to Youk recently? He's a shell of the player he used to be. His defense at 3B is poor (there's a reason he played first before AGonzalez arrived). And his bat is just as bad as Zimmerman's, and I'm much more optimistic that the 27 year old will turn it around before the 33 year old.
Zim: take your shot; take a seat; help the team.
Wasn't this hashed out yesterday? Do we think Zim is miraculously going to 'recover' and start tearing it up? Johnson and Zim are still in denial.
Take a seat, Zim. the best thing for you and the team at this time.
have Nats talked about Youklis? or is that just a rumor started here?
DC Wonk, i think we could have done better with a healthy and productive Zimm than the one we have right now (whose 'presence' has given team 33-22 record eq of .6 win%).
It would be nice to have Youk if he only needs a change of scenery to get back to being Youk of old.
For the fans talking up Youkillis.
ARE YOU NUTS? You actually want to acquire a player who is obviously beyond his prime (I'm being kind, here)??
Nuts
forget Kevin Youklis , why not go with Lombo and if he needs rest close your nose and go with deRosa and accept that he will be 0-4 when he plays. this will work until Zim gets healthy.
Youkilis is also owed $12mil this year, and $1mil for a buyout next season. He also won't cost a bag of balls, meaning we'd have to give something of value for him. And for what? A downgrade? Lombardozzi is more than capableof playing if/when Zimmerman goes to the DL (and literally 30 times cheaper).
Natsfanjim is spot on about Youklis
Lomb hasa better bat than ALL of them right now!!
BTW: Clip is one bad MOFO!!!! love him1!!
We already have several "Youks' ie. washed up players, shadows of their past: Wang, Nady, DeRosa, and I hate to say it -- put Ankiel in there too.
Even considering Youk is absolutely unsound, even insane.
NatsfanJim.... very well said, sad, but true
Just checked the box scored, doesn't seem that they changed Zim's error back to a hit. Considering how many teams are giving us runs by way of errors, I'm fine with RZ in the lineup.
Mick: it is sad when our favorites can't get it done anymore. Who doesnt like Youk -- but its the Youk of old, not today.
I fear that Zim has an old body. I know I'm way out there in the speculation, but he is injury prone -- almost brittle -- and it does happen to players. Maybe Zim is one of those -- I hope not!
Natslady: unfortunately, 3b is a power position. You simply have to have power and run production from 3b to be successful. It is so rare to find a 3B who plays just for defense -- I can't even name one.
I'm talking about for today, not forever.
NatsFanJim said...
Natslady: unfortunately, 3b is a power position. You simply have to have power and run production from 3b to be successful. It is so rare to find a 3B who plays just for defense -- I can't even name one.
June 24, 2012 1:14 PM
________________________________________________________________
What? We haven't been successful?
Also, I remember a pretty good Yankee team with Clete Boyer at third. Great glove, so so bat.
Also, we have a "power" bat at SS, right? That's not "supposed" to be a power position. You go with what you have.
According to Charlie and Dave on the pregame, RZ was going to be checked out by the doctor before the game. If doc gave him clearance he was going to play. It sounded like they are trying to time the shot/possible DL trip around the AllStar break.
Wow, lots of empty seats today at the top of the 1st. Hope the Nats fans fill them up
GYFNG!!!
GO ROSS!!! Show them what you have got!!!!
Jim Palmer: "Ive always said Ian Desmond's reminded me of Derek Jeter."
Just say no to Youklis, who is not only past his prime, but has created a lot of the Red Sox club house problems. We need this?
I thought Valentine created lot of problems. Two on, no out for Harper. Let's do something.
NatsFanJim said...
Natslady: unfortunately, 3b is a power position. You simply have to have power and run production from 3b to be successful."
Really? Says who?
World Series Champs 3B
2008: Pedro Feliz
2009: Alex Rodriguez
2010: Juan Uribe
2011: David Freese/Daniel Descalso
Sure is a bunch of MVPs!
I'll also add that over the past 3 years, 3B have slugged .403. Know what the league average slugging percentage is? .402.
Seems like it's not necessary to have a big bat at 3B after all...
I thought Valentine created lot of problems. Two on, no out for Harper. Let's do something.
OMG I didn't mean your first GIDP, Harper.
Arrieta is all over the place, the Nats need to just be patient and let him put them on base. No need to swing at pitches when the pitcher is struggling to locate the zone...
RZ to NInsiders: "I'm not dead yet!"
There we go Zimm!
There we go, Ryan!
Awesome!
kinda ironic . . . I was kinda expecting a Harper hit and an RZ GIDP. (No offense RZ!) But I'll take it. Keep on keepin' on, Ross!!
The truth shall set you free.
DCWonk - I was thinking the same thing :) Re: Red Sox - yes, Valentine can be an ass. I know a lot of smart baseball people who have followed the team for years. Apparently Youklis wanted Francona gone, complained about him all the time - now he has issues with Valentine. Seems the rest of the team is ready to play ball and get along with Valentine but Youklis can't let it go. He seems to think it's his clubhouse due to his longevity and success. The folks who are long-term fans in Boston are ready for him to go - they feel that he will be disgruntled wherever he is and doesn't realize his glory days are past. Our clubhouse seems to have fantastic chemistry and I would hate to see anything divisive get in there.
Ugh, they keep swinging at pitches outside the zone!
Morse swung at two, Espinosa just swung at three outside the zone... Arrieta has now thrown 44 strikes and 38 balls. That number would be wayyy different if the Nats just watched every pitch. I haven't been keeping track, but I'd bet something like a quarter to a third of those strikes have been due to the Nats chasing balls.
Sometimes being aggressive is a good thing, but against Arrieta, a pitcher with control problems and a 5.67 ERA, now is not that time. Let Arrieta beat himself. I won't take much effort.
When was the last time Ross went very deep into a game - can't remember? I know he went almost four as a reliever the last start when he was dominant. Davey said maybe 80 pitches today. Has Wang been warming up since yesterday? Does anyone else think we should be hitting this guy much harder than we are? It seems we are getting hits but not bearing down and scoring off him. Maybe his stuff is deceptive, but it just looks like they are getting themselves out ( again?).
Atta boy, Ross.
When was the last time Ross went very deep into a game - can't remember? I know he went almost four as a reliever the last start when he was dominant.
Well, in his last start he threw 100 pitches -- but it was only 4.1 innings.
He did go 6 or 6.1 in four straight starts earlier in the year.
fwiw
About RossD - Usually you hear an organization talk about how carefully they develop their first round picks. In this case the "previous administration" did not do that, plus he has had some injuries. I think it is time for them to decide that he is or is not a starter and stick with the plan for him. Especially this year his development has been hindered by the extreme pampering of Wang. He is going to fail and make lots of mistakes and get in lots of jams. He has to learn the stuff he missed earlier and do some catching up. He is by far the rawest of our starters. He has the stuff, but he needs McCatty probably more than all the others combined. Also --- so what the heck happened to what miniscule offense we originally had? Disappeared completely?
once again a piece of fecal umpire destroying a game. Home plate ump you area piece of crap, i hope you do a game in DC, i will up in your grill!!
Davey, show me some passion, kick dirt on that crap ass umpire!!!
1b ump is also garbage
same strike zone for both teams is not much to ask
Whew
natsjack... i am baseball fan who like to watch pro's perform and i expect the same from the umpire. so i guess you think Earl weaver was a12 year old? Earl would have humiliated that garbage behind the plate. this umpire knew he missed several pitches, when ross shows a little annoyance 9as he should) this juvenile umpire make the strike zone smaller, so who is the 12 year old here
also, its this is only the 3rd game out of 70 plus I have been critical of the umpiring, i think i have a right to be critical when its warranted
wow, samee pitch to Rtan is now a SRTIKE, i rest my case
swing at anything Ryan, the strike zone yto this clown umpire when we are up is the entire section behind HP, lol
do not blame Ryan
maybe natsjack... but not as immature as a professional umpire making a strike zone smaller because a young pitcher calls him out by shaking his head after about 5-6 horrible calls. remember, the umpire is paid to be a pro
WOW....SOME ONE EXPLAIN THIS STRIKE ZONE TO ME...
having said all this hit the ball morse!!
The Nats offense is so pathetic. How can they make a pitcher with a 7+ ERA look like CY Young?
is Arrieta that good, or Zim and Morse just not good?
Free Tyler Moore. Morse is awful now. No reason to bat him and Zim together. Rally killers.
phil... how will the Nats compete in August if Morse and Zim continue to KO with men on base. If our pitching slips at all, our team could possibly go in the tank. we have zero offense
mick, it's your language.We have had requests from Mark to clean it up.Look, man, I work construction in a very redneck world. Foul language is very much a part of my existence, but out of respect to both Mark, and the young readers we all try to keep it rated G.
BTW, I don't think the ump has very consistent either.
I see no rationale as to why Tyler Moore is not playing, i am just floored!!!
Joe... fair enough, i did not think I posted any word that would be even be censored on TV, but, whatever
has been very consistent
I can not see us shutting out the O's, we need at least 1 more run
Amazing. Ankiel is always in the right place. Seems like it, anyway.l
Bryce Harper. Every game is a clinic in hustle. Turns a single into double, then steals third. Love watching (and rooting for) this kid.
I think the Nats have to make room to pick up a dynamic hitter this offseason, whether it's a catalyst like Bourn, or Upton, who is younger and has more pop.
That would mean LaRoche or Morse has to go, because Werth isn't going anywhere.
It's a difficult decision. LaRoche has rebounded nicely and plays stellar defense. Morse showed his potential last year.
And yet, the offense remains lethargic and inconsistent.
Exciting bats are coming, but Rendon, Goodwin and Skole are a couple of years away.
Don't they need to go get a bat?
mick, pounding the Coronas?
So , still one run, huh? Off that starter? Sheesh. Detweiler has the stuff to be an elite pitcher. He is also very raw and immature. McCatty can mold him if they have a plan and work with him. He will grow up. Our hitters? Maybe not. I can feel the breezes from Ankiels swing all the way down here in Virginia. I also question why Davey does not play the hot hand in Tyler Moore. What a weird game. RZ with the only RBI. Go figure.
They sure read the heat map on Ankiel. Three pitches right at the very top of the zone (all strikes). He has no chance until he learns to hit up there.
No fish fry today... OK, I guess they can't lose every game...
DC wonk.... you know it, lol
Shucks.
Orioles Magic...can't score one run and expect to win.
cant really fault Sean, when you have a lame offense where your so called best players strikeout and hit into DP's consistently, this is what happens. Still waiting for offense to come around 70 plus games into season.
Drew is right!
our last 9 at bats lacked effort period, at least Bryce cares and had 2 hits today
Rockies may rock us if we do not hot their pitching this week
A DC Wonk said...
mick, pounding the Coronas?
mick said...
DC wonk.... you know it, lol
Yeah, I figured.
But, that's the thing. If it's obvious, I'm thinking that's probably not a good thing.
this is all on Davey and Eckstein, Davey for not playing Moore and Eckstein for receiving a FREE paycheck since he has been here!
DC wonk... I'll drink to that, lol
here was the problem. the catcher sets up out side, and Burnett hits glove spot, and single to right. That is what one expects, why was Espi so far up the middle on an outside pitch, Not sure he could get to it if square up but there was no way Jones would hit it where he was if the pitch was right.
I'm sure some of the people who post here will find a way to blame Sean Burnett for this. Scoring only one run off a mediocre pitcher has nothing to do with it. I just can't be upset with him as good as he has been. The law of averages will catch up with you eventually.It's still a one- run game. We used to stage late game rallies all the time. Remember that?
Nobody else playing third for this team turns that DP.
"Blame Sean Burnett"? Well, he did leave the pitch out over the plate to a guy with power, but he's been gold for them all season otherwise, so even if it was a total mistake pitch, stuff happens. As you say, every game he comes into is late and close.
Can't say that Bryce's hustle seems to have worn off onto Morse in that 4-3, there.
Blame? I blame this entire group for being in first place!
The pitch to Jones wasn't the problem. That was just a good hit. The home run was a mistake pitch that missed his location (as in, it wound up in the bullpen).
OMG whose idea was that??
Morse has by far the ugliest swing in baseball...should have traded him in the offseason when he had value. Pretty sure if Jim Palmer knows exactly how to get him out, so does the rest of the league.
yeah...,DP to end the game...we should play dead ball era style since our pitching only needs 3-4 runs to win a game.
I know they won;'t fire Eckstein, but I know I would. I know if the people I am in charge ofwere as ineffective as the people he is in charge of my boss would fire me. No questions asked.
Fitting end for the "hitless wonders"!
Fear, I don't often agree with you, but I said all off-season that Morse was very unlikely to repeat and should be traded while his value was at its height. Took a lot of flames for that position.
But, I can't agree with Mark. This was not a devastating loss. RZ got two hits, and we are heading into Coors where we can get some HR's and have fun.
Nats Lady, Morse only hits when he plays first base.
I am not blaming Burnett, no WAY. It would have been nice to have Clipp pitching to their best hitters but the $$$save rule precludes that.
Phil dunton.... LOL.
Looks like ATL will lose, but the Mets have RA Dickey tonight.
If you pitch on the outside part of the plate you want the guy to hit to right. That part of the pla was good. Your secondbaseman is playing like you are pitching over the middle of the plate. he didn't get the message. He hit was good. The positioning was poor. Now could eespi get it if he played for him to get to right, who knows.
5 runs in 27 innings. by both teams. Our hitters are not pulling their eigh. Time for a wake up call to someone.
They watch it and refuse to accept it.
NatsJack, it's much harder to show off when other people are doing well. When they aren't doing well, it's easier to say "I told you so" than to do well yourself. Critics always have the advantage over artists in that regard.
Give Morse a break. His bat is in spring training and the pitchers are in mid-season form.
If you pitch on the outside part of the plate you want the guy to hit to right.
Not if you think he's going to try to pull it, esp. if it's off-speed (don't recall now what that particular pitch was).
proved wrong today about Zimm....continue to be proven right about Ankiel...
Maybe need to play small ball since our pitching is so good.
Don't understand why Tyler is not playing more.
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